Drum Lessons in Oakland Gardens, NY

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

Although drumset was my first instrument, I firmly believe in developing ability and musicianship primarily with the hands first. This doesn't mean we can't play full drumset from the beginning, but I do incorporate the practice pad as part of lessons regardless of age and ability level. These students (and their parents) are paying good money, so I'm going to deliver a solid and well rounded education. We will always cover what the student is primarily interested in, but it's also important to expose him or her to new things! Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Drums Mallet Percussion

For beginning students, I usually work with Hal Leonard's essential elements as well as use the piano as a tool for them to hear the pitches they are playing. Once the fundamentals are grasped we can work on introductory solo repertoire. For children I'd like to make this a bit more fun as well, introducing some easy tunes they will be familiar with or excited to play. (for example, Jason Derulo's song "Trumpets") For adults, I think its best to find out what their interests are and we can target what to work on from there. 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 Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I like to take a holistic approach in teaching beginners by incorporating Technique, Ear Training, Music Theory, and Improvisation right from the start. This allows the student to quickly be able to learn songs by ear and write their own music. For more advanced and older students, I prefer to see where they are in their first lesson and hear what their goals are. Some people do not care if they can read music or not and that is totally cool! Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Drums

I also do audition prep for students preparing for performing arts schools. For my adult students, I encourage them to enter competitions and audition for bands. With all my students my motto is, If they do not learn the way that I teach, then I will teach the way that they will learn! Music is fun, its expressive, and most of all its art and any student with me of any age will enjoy the musical pedigogial journey they embark on with me as their instructor! Read More

Instruments: Drums

Through my years of lessons and practice, I've narrowed down the fundamentals into two books based around Rock and Jazz: Ultimate Realistic Rock by Carmine Appice and Advanced Techniques for the modern drummer by Jim Chapin. I also teach rudiments through the practice pad to sharpen control and speed when playing drumset. Through these books and rudiments you'll build a solid foundation that will make learning more advanced grooves or fills easier to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Orchestral Percussion

I focus on nurturing a students natural curiosity, while helping them find the tools to pursue their own musical interests. Many of my younger students prefer to use technology to connect with music (learning how songs are recorded, and the theory behind songwriting), but I also work with more serious students to prepare for college auditions, state/regional jazz band, etc. My methods differ depending on a student's own goals, but they generally all will start with a technical exercise, an exercise designed to get the student thinking critically, and an application of the concepts we're learning. Read More