Drum Lessons in Mountlake Terrace, WA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

My personal approach to teaching drums and percussion is to offer the student a good foundation in the basics from which to study. Drums are a very easy instrument to get started on and take consistent amounts of practice to really succeed at being good. Nothing is more rewarding for me that to see a student work through a trouble spot and become proficient in the style he or she is trying to develop. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I start most beginning students (and evaluate more advanced ones) on snare drum or practice pad. This is a central instrument to the percussion family and most techniques used on other percussion instruments are based on sound snare drum technique.  I like the Alfred Drum Method book for students just starting out regardless of age as the ability to read and understand written music is important no matter what stylistic path one follows. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Drums Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

I began the study of trumpet in 1965 under the instruction of Les Beigle, noted Seattle trumpeter. In 1969, I graduated from Snohomish (WA) High School, where he played solo trumpet in the high school band under the direction of Edward Peterson. I received his Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in 1980. Instructors included Gary Peacock, Jim Knapp, Butch Nordal, Art Lande, and Julian Priester. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

No single approach works with every student when teaching drums. There are simply too many styles and methods to choose from. But when working with beginners, I tend to focus mostly on developing a good internal sense of rhythm and good listening skills. Then if the student wishes, we may specialize in classical, jazz, rock, latin, or whatever style the student is interested in. There are many excelent published methods to choose from and I occasionally assign etudes and excersizes of my own. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

I teach the Faber and Faber method on piano, incorporated with a by ear curriculum that I've developed which also teaching music theory, I also keep a number of books i.e. Beatles Fake Book, Introduction to Bach, Well-Tempered Klavier, Hanon, Berklee Method in Rock and Jazz. I also encourage the student to play what they desire to play, be it a pop song or a classical masterpiece. In drum set I work on technique, playing with flow, rhythm training, and coordination, often supplementing the lesson with recordings and learning from the sound of recorded drummers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

I am primarily a percussionist, with over 10 years of expierience playing and performing in jazz bands, marching bands, musical theatre, small ensembles, wind ensembles, and symphonies, and I was the principle percussionist for 2 years while I was in college. I also have 5 years of expierience on the trumpet, 15 years of guitar, as well as expierience with many other instruments. I love to perform as well as teach, and I believe that classical and contemporary do not have to be at odds, and I work hard to incorporate both into my own performances as well as when I teach.  Read More