Drum Lessons in Millers, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Organ Conga Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Alfred Piano Basics. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to work from Czerny and introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

Focusing on these key elements coupled with the personal goals of the student, each player will experience a unique, fulfilling musical development. My teaching philosophy is centered on being patient, allowing students to discover their talent at their own pace. Weekly lessons paired with high yet realistic expectations have yielded great results for my students. When a student becomes aware of the control that they have over how they play, real success can be achieved. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

My teaching approach focuses on fundamentals of technique, grooves, taste, and good timekeeping. I am interested in a student becoming a good listener and being able to play a variety of musical styles. I integrate rudiments, reading, drum fills, solo ideas, improvisation, and developing a unique style. I use a variety of methods, including skills I heard as a pro drummer on stage in the studio. I make use of books and other lessons depending on the ability level of the student , but I rely on classics like "Stick Control," "Syncopation" and "Accents and Rebounds". Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

That includes "found sounds", the many different objects that resonate, ring, buzz, pop, and provide some other when struck that allows for spontaneous music making. Said in another way, my teaching style is ALL ABOUT IMPROV. Improv in the teaching itself and conveying the notions of improv to the student, so even when you're reading the music that they're playing, they improving to whatever degree the situation allows. Improv means to make it your own. Read More

Instruments: Drums

With beginner students of all ages, I start with the Elementary Drum Method Book by Roy Burns, Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method book by Carmine Appice, and the Drum Rudiment Dictionary by Jay Wanamaker. I am a fan of helping my students learn their favorite songs, and will take time to go over the songs, bar by bar. Once the first 3 books are mastered you will move up to intermediate drum techniques, and studies to assist in developing total limb independence. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

For young beginning students, I use the Elementary Drum Method by Roy Burns. For middle school aged through adult students, I use either Progressive Steps to Syncopation by Ted Reed or Standard Snare Drum Method by Benjamin Podemski. For young drumset students, I use Alfred's Drumset Method by Dave Black. For middle school aged through adult students I use Realistic Rock by Carmine Appice for rock styles and Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin for the jazz idiom. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga

I have a library of material that I use to teach instrument fundamentals, solo repertoire, rudimental vocabulary and most important music theory and language. Goals vary from student to student, I am here to help exceed those goals as well as having everyone walk away feeling accomplished and comfortable with their weekly efforts. The big picture is to make sure that the students I teach perform their music well but over time and in good practice become confident and comfort with the language of music. Read More