Drum Lessons in Hawthorne, NJ

Instruments: Drums

Once a teacher does that, they'll find that the student will start practicing automatically without having to be asked. At the same time I believe it is incredibly necessary to keep a student on a particular assignment until they have worked on it and have worked it out in practice time. That way they will discover the meaning of achievement and don't have to worry about practice overload and end up giving up. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I've been passionate about teaching drums since I was in college, and I was thankful to have great instructors during my formative years that gave me a great foundation for getting new drummers started in a way that is fun, effective, and non-intimidating. A solid foundation in snare drum technique and basic sight-reading is important for all beginners, but I also find it very effective to teach the drums through learning songs with my students. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Will is a graduate of the LA College of Music (formerly LA Music Academy) in Pasadena, CA where he studied with industry giants such as Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa, Dancing With the Stars, Family Guy) and Joe Porcaro (LA Studio legend). His professional career began at 14 and has been teaching privately since 2012 in the Los Angeles area prior to recently relocating to Maplewood, NJ. Outside of drums music, Will is an avid fan of film/television, pop culture, comic books, he enjoys cooking as well as spending time at home with his wife Sara and dog Rosie. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe

I make sure that my students go at a pace that works for them. I try to find out what kind of learner they are and then I tweak my curriculum to best accommodate them. I always do my best to make sure that my students are having fun over anything else. Incorporating songs from both my library, and ones that the student already knows, we develop ear training skills by playing along and trying to copy the pros! Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Latin Percussion

From then on, depending on the student's interest, I'll teach them how to play a very simple groove, and start from there. Sooner or later I definitely will focus on the hands technique which is essential not only to improve as a drummer, but also to make sure not to get hurt with unnecesary body tension. I always try to keep the lesson fun and engaging no matter the topic discussed. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Djembe

There's a ton of books about drumset out there. I like to use some of the best ones in my experience that offer us infinite possibilities to create our own individual practice routines. These include: - Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone - Syncopation by Ted Reed - Modern Rudimental Swing Solos by Charley Wilcoxon - The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught by Alan Dawson More than the books I like to focus on the desire, the flame in the student which drives them to want to play music in the first place... a favorite song or band, and then use these books in order to service that. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

The main books that I like to work on for a beginner student are stick control by George Lawrence Stone Realistic Rock written by Carmine Appice I also do a lot of work with the 40 drum rudiments also I find it very enjoyable to use books by Chaz w i l k o z I have also written a book which has many many contemporary drum pills about time and many of the Great drummers styles which I will use to teach I also like to use transcriptions from some of the favorite recordings of all time led Zeppelin Rush and many other popular bands of our time you can ask you as a student can decide on which bands and which drummers that you want to cover I also enjoy working with great play alongs music minus one tracks that are very very cool to play without the drums so you can get an idea of how to actually play with a band Read More