Drum Lessons in Lancaster, MA

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I strongly believe that everyone is very different.  Learning styles and musical goals are very much a part of this.  Some find reading from a book helps them, so for most students I begin by recommending "A Modern Method For Guitar" from the Berklee Press, however for others a book is not as helpful as listening to some music and watching someone play.  I like to introduce as much theory as is desired from the student because theory is a very important part of the musical process, but if the student prefers to get playing first and understand the “why” later then we can work something out in that regard.  Depending on musical interest, we can work with different genre's and pieces to promote specific techniques and practice routines. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I am new to the teaching aspect of music, however, I will be attending UMass Amherst in the Fall to get my Teacher's License. I am interested in private lessons because it offers a more personal one-on-one experience in which I can shape the curriculum specifically to the student's needs and desires. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums

I am well versed in the pop/rock genres and have taught myself through learning popular songs but even more singificantly through composition; I have written over one hundred songs as a singer-songwriter and have much to impart in this field. The skills developed in these areas (improvisation, composition, music theory) are the ones most likely to ensure an autonomically deep and everlasting connection to confident music performance and development. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion

In my ongoing experience as a student I have learned that drum lessons, or any formal instruction on something artistic, must be representative of the art itself. To sit a young/beginning drummer down at a practice pad all day and force him/her to learn the basics, is to stifle that persons passion and desire to play the instrument. Of course, technique and basic drumming knowledge is of utmost importance, but it doesnt mean that real music cant be involved in a first lesson. Read More

Instruments: Voice Drums

My lessons for vocalists are divided into two sections: technique and repertoire. For singers, breath management skills are of primary importance as this directly affects intonation. I like to begin with Anne Peckham's The Contemporary Singer. My students can choose any songs they would like to sing while we work on musicianship skills including expression and lyrical phrasing. Singers who want to study jazz and improvisation use one or more of my pedagogical texts on scat singing. Read More

Instruments: Drums Recorder Orchestral Percussion Music

I've had a lot of opportunities to sort my teaching out. I realize that if the student doesn't get it, it may be that I'm not putting it across effectively. So I had better try to slow things down or speed them up, model rather than explain, or vice versa! And always try smarter before trying harder, even though harder may be the right approach. Because in addition to teaching music I'm teaching approaches to learning. Read More