Drum Lessons in Mount Vernon, NY

Instruments: Drums

I tailor each lesson to the student’s needs and desires. I encourage all of them to develop reading, listening, coordination, and concentrating skills. I help each student to have the ability to play many different music styles and improvise in those styles. We work with developing the ear in order to play along with recorded music and teach them how to transcribe the songs so that they can document it for future use. Read More

Instruments: Drums

At a young age I found a passion for music, as soon as I started playing I realized that it was what I wanted to do for my career. I started studying and practicing as much as I could to learn anything and everything about it. As I progressed I applied Berklee College of Music and was accepted there to continue my studies, and one of the best lessons I learned was that I had an obligation to teach those who weren't given the same opportunities that I was. 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

I also provide instruction regarding the actual hardware involved in drumming, drum placement, tuning, and other technicalities, because I have found that students will sometimes blame themselves for the drums (and the sounds they are producing) sounding bad when in reality the drums are simply not tuned or placed optimally. Also, I will often use a bass guitar accompaniment to help the student hear the beat that he or she should be playing along with. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For beginners drummers I like to introduce them to rudiments. For aspiring orchestral players is always important to build a repertoire, this is a list of materials I use: 150 Rudimental Solos - Charlie Wilcoxon Bass Drum Technique - Ted Reed Portraits in Rhythm - Cirone Beyond bop drumming - John Ryley It all depends to what the students are interested in. For aspiring popular music performers the most valuable resource are recordings. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Head, Hands and Heart: ( example given below) Week 1: Learn To Play Your First Song Head: A Time, A Place and The Parts Of A Drum Set Hands: Your First Drum Beat (No Drums Required) Heart: Move Before You Groove Week 2: Playing with Sticks Head: How to Buy and Hold...Drumsticks Hands: Play Your First Song with Drumsticks Heart: Clap To The Music Week 3: Learn To Play the Parts of a Song Head: The Parts of a Song and What They Mean To a Drummer Hands: How To Play a Closed Hi-Hat Heart: Quiet Verse plus Loud Chorus equals Dynamic Drums Week 4: Learn To Play Drum Fills Head: Pracetice Without Drums - Think Before You Play Hands: What Are Drum Fills and How Are They Played? Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I continued to teach music at that same sleep away camp for years -- eventually becoming the Head of the Music Department ( Rock Shop) there - coaching bands, leading improv classes, and developing the program. I later enjoyed several years teaching as an adjunct professor in the music department at my alma mater. I have always had a steady practice of private students ranging in ages and experience. Whatever the material be, I focus on finding the student's true musical voice, allowing them to take ownership over their instrument, allowing any intimidation to fade, and therefore, finding the natural joy in playing music. Read More