Drum Lessons in Middle Island, NY

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

My teaching experience is based on the 16+ years I have playing. I was based out of a gospel environment, and moved further into almost EVERY other genre. I have been teaching for about 7 years now. Most of my many accomplishments, and stages include the Prudential Center, Radio City Music Hall, and more! I have had the pleasure to accompany Pastor Marvin Sapp, Marvin Winans, Lady Temaine Hawkins, Bishop William Murphy, Bishop Albert Jameson, and many more! Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

In creating a unique curriculum for a student on any instrument, it is important that I find out the following information: What does the student enjoy about music already? What kind of music does the student enjoy already? What does the student want to do with music (i.e. play in a rock band, perform a NYSSMA solo, qualify for marching band, etc...). What are the parents'/guardians' expectations for the student? Read More

Instruments: Drums

Patience is the most important element! It is not easy to try to get another person to understand something you have been doing for 40 years. It takes time. Starting slowly and methodically and keeping things simple in most crucial. I will change speed and difficulty based on the skill level that I notice. Another important factor is to determine what drove the student to want to learn how to play drums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Recorder Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For beginning students I start with an Alfred's beginning drum method to help with reading. We also start on the basic understanding of musical concepts such as tempo, dynamics and so on.  While reading is important I do also include learning by wrote or by ear.  A good ear is just as important as good reading skills for the complete musician.  I always include music that the student is interested in to keep the lessons fun and engaging! Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginners, I like to start my students off by Practicing out of Ted Reed's Syncopation and George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control. From these books, we will learn basic Sight reading, Rhythms,cordination and technique . For any of my students beyond the beginner's lever, I like to find out what their personal instrests are: A new Syle, Technique or a song that they would like to learn how to play. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

The first and most important thing that I like to do with the student is give them a general idea of how to basically read notation I then immediately get the student into basic coordination to be able to play basic beats so that they can eventually play to actual music the next important step that I like to accomplish with most students is to get them to actually be able to play some basic pills along with the rhythms so that I can prepare them to play music if their goal is to play in school band I immediately get them into the notation necessary to be able to audition for the school band 0 if they want to play in the dance band the goal is to get them to be able to play those rhythms to be able to perform in the dance band or the marching band if they want to participate in nysma I immediately get them into the exercises necessary to perform those types solos those are usually very challenging if they're in high school and want to go on to college to study music I also get them prepared for the necessary exercises and skills to be able to perform in the college setting as far as playing to music is concerned I love to work with a lot of pre-recorded tracks without drums many of the music minus one tracks are very effective to get a student ready to actually play in a band most students want to actually accomplish this goal the main thing that I like to emphasize is to have the student learn the things that they want to learn as far as styles is concerned for example if they really like Latin music all concentrate on that style if they really like rock music all concentrate on that etc etc etc. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I offer a personalized approach to learning the drums, and customize the layout of my curriculum to meet each student's specific needs. I use many traditional teaching methods, and incorporate them into lessons, including: Bower System Moeller Stroke Stone Method (Stick Control) Reed Method (Syncopation) Chapin Method In lessons, we focus on technique, fundamentals, and grasping the basic elements of the instructional material. It is up to students to continue practicing diligently and consistently between lessons to advance their skills. Read More