Drum Lessons in Newton Upper Falls, MA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

My path as an educator began during my time studying history and philosphy in New Orleans, LA. I was playing live music almost six nights a week, and started helping out as an assistent at Tipitina's Sunday Workshop for young musicians. There I helped and watched the great Johnny Vidacovich teach young aspiring musicians the art of playing in an ensemble. While at Berklee College of Music I have helped teach in classrooms and clinics alongside many of the world's greatest musicians, including John Patitucci, Steve Bailey, Joanne Brackeen, Vadim Neselovsky, Carol Robbins, and Alain Mallet. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar

For beginning students, I typically begin by teaching how to use proper technique and how to read music, chord changes or tablature. Once the student is ready, I will work with the student on pieces or songs that we choose together. For guitar students, I use songs as a basis for teaching scales, new chords and improvisation. For drum students, I use songs and solos as a means for teaching rudiments, grooves, fills and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums

Of course, every student is different, and an integral part of my philosophy involves getting to know each student so that I may learn their creative preferences, strengths, and weaknessness. I do not shy away from books, I do indeed enjoy working out of the Hal Leonard collection because I appreciate the step by step structure. This may apply less to guitar, however, if the student's primary ambitions are to learn songs by Green Day or The Beatles, etc. 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: Drums

My method of teaching focuses on Technique and Musicality. No matter the level of student, these areas can be practiced and results will be heard thru the focus on these. Reading music is taught, but naturally along with the focus on the two areas mentioned before. For example, Eddie wants to learn ACDC's "Back in Black". Eddie will learn the drum part to this song by observing the written notation and by listening and call/response training. 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