Drum Lessons in Holmes, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For beginning students, I normally start with Alfred's Drum Method. This book works on the fundamentals of reading snare drum music and basic technique. Once the students grasps the basics on reading and playing with a metronome then we tend to move to Tommy Igoe's Groove Essentials (while still working on the Alfred's Method). After the student has began to play with the audio tracks and have succesfully gone through a few lessons from Groove Essentials then we begin to work on some solo repertoire and personal favorites as well. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Let start from the ground up! With a beginner guitarist or bassist I want to both keep them excited about learning and teach the the fundamental necessary structure required to develop into a one of a kind musician. I use finger training and strengthening techniques to get the students physical ability in tip top shape, along with innovative chord ideas and mental understanding techniques. Most importantly by the end of every lesson even the first one I leave my students with a cool riff to play to show them that what they are learning is truly working, I believe this will keep students engaged in the learning and keep them working harder for the next lesson. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

My teaching style relies heavily upon training the ear to dissect what it is hearing. Developing the ear is crucial to being a self-reliant musician. In drums, the visualization how a rhythm works in time is essential to being able to perform that rhythm. Dissection and mapping are the key to furthering one's abilities on the drum kit. In guitar or in piano, being able to isolate frequencies with your ear will lead you to a more accurate understanding for chord structures and progressions than simply looking up tabs, which are often deeply flawed. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

After evaluating a student's understanding and capabilities, I typically choose a method book to parallel their existing skills and work through it at the most enthusiastic, but comfortable pace. The importance of using method books is based in the student's ability to review material between lessons and using them as checklists for progress. Establishment of a solid fundamental approach will be critical to the student's advancement and ability to perform for an audience, regardless of size or venue acoustics. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I've been teaching private instrumental and general classroom music for over 30 years. As a child, I received many music lessons on piano and drums and percussion. I decided to focus more on drums and percussion because it offered more in terms of opportunities to perform in school bands and orchestras. In high school, my friends and I formed our own band. Having this experience proved invaluable in my professional life, as I continue to form and promote bands to this day. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach my students to read music as well as to play by ear. I host 2 recitals each year. We learn one song start to finish and I hire a professional band to learn and perform the songs with my students at a local establishment or at my studio. I encourage all of my students to perform with our recital band. As far as books, I prefer to use the "new Breed", by Gary Chester, the ''Art of Bop Drumming'', by John Riley , and the ''encyclopedia of reading rhythms'', by Garry Hess, but there are many other books I recommend for specific needs. Read More