Drum Lessons in La Grange Park, IL

Instruments: Drums

My lessons typically include warm up, stretch, book work and creative playing. My various warm ups include the open closed open technique with rudiments, great hands for a life time by the Tommy Igoe, and the rudimental Ritual by the late great Alan Dawson. The books I work from are rooted in jazz and pop but can be applied to anything in-between, with repetition as the key element. Mindfulness in the musical world (being aware of how your mind and body works best with your instrument) is something all of my students will learn to love and embrace as a tool for all areas of life, not just music performance. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Drums Bass Guitar

I have a diverse background in multiple musical styles and instruments. I also have ample experience teaching students of all ages. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Keyboard

For beginning piano students, I begin by teaching them the C major scale and many nursery rhyme songs that can be played at that key. I then elevate to simple blues and gospel songs in the Key of C for example, the C major blues. I will then teach C minor and the introductory song, Blue Bossa to acclimate students to the sound of C minor. Beginner students that seek to learn classical music will be introduced to Notation music theory from rhythm dictation, reading the grand staff and the introductory piece, Minuet in G, by Johann Sebastian Bach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Organ

For all students during the first lesson I have them play something regardless of their skill level. Based on personal experience I’ve noticed that not all students have the same level of ability. For example in drum lessons I’ve had some entry level students sit down and play a groove and have another sit down and have no coordination. After determining the students ability level, my next step is to determine what the students likes. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have dedicated the last 15 years of my life to learning both how to play the drums, as well as the history of the drumset. Since a young age, I have been obsessed with gathering as much knowledge on the subject as possible. This includes everything from vintage equipment, different playing techniques, drum and cymbal construction and their effect on sound, and many others. Now, my main focus is on spreading this information, education other musicians, and most importantly, helping to extend my passion for music and the drumset to everyone interested in learning to play the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Ukulele Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I have been passionate about music my entire life. I’ll never forget when I sat down to play drum set for the very first time as a kid and floored my parents. It came so naturally, I started playing funk, and they immediately bought me a drum set. I have since learned guitar, ukulele, and for the past decade or so have played traditional West African djembe and dunun (see the video). Read More

Instruments: Drums

First and foremost, I teach to the comfortable speed of the student. Learning skill and permanent muscle memory is much more important that covering as much material as possible but then not grasping the concepts and motor skills. My main teaching style approaches beats and patterns in the simplest of actions, making sure the student is comfortable with those actions, then combining actions together, step by step as the student progresses until the student has the full understanding of the beat. Read More