Drum Lessons in Penn Valley, PA

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

I can still remember the joy I felt when I first started playing drums and my passion is helping people experience that joy. In my musical career, spanning 38 years, I have performed with varied groups including: drumset with The Road Runners Blues Band, Catfish and Paul Plumeri Blues Band; West African, Middle Eastern and Afro-Cuban percussion with Groove Merchant Drum Dance Ensemble; bodhran and bones with traditional Celtic bands Kintail, Cwn Annwn and Browne Jenkyn; and snare drum with The First Highland Watch of Pennsylvania and Rev War Re-enactors First NJ Volunteers. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm a very laid back teacher and I do my absolute best in making my students feel comfortable and also have fun while in the process of learning the art of music. I will give the students the tools they need to learn their instrument or instruments. I expect them to use the tools that were taught and practice at least thirty minutes per day and at least five days per week. Read More

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer Djembe

Students are encouraged to say the play of each voice independently to foster coordination independence as conscious control. My Seven Shapes system provides foundation for the commonalities and distinctions across whatever course of songs they study. For more intermediate students, we take on more challenging songs, exercise greater stick control w/ compound rudiments, and chart entire drum parts of whole songs. Intermediate and Advanced students focus on the specific motifs and skills of more distinct and challenging drumming; speed/endurance for punk/metal, groove and phrasing for hip-hop and pop 4-way independence for latin and afro-cuban, shuffle feel open/improvisational song-form for blues and jazz, Advanced students also learn odd-meter, poly-meter, polyrhythms and ostinato from both traditional African/Indian musics and contemporary progressive examples. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Conga Djembe

Playing the Drum Set requires strength in a few key areas. Hand to Hand Coordination, 4 limb interdependence , rhythm vocabulary and Timing. No matter what your skill level is we'll always need to maintain it. The saying is, "if you don't use it you lose it". No matter your skill level I believe it's important to understand what it takes to maintain the physical performance on your instrument. That's why I encourage students to memorize songs and exercises. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I have 3 years of teaching experience, beginning when I was in college. I highly encourage regular practice because it gets the student comfortable with the fundamentals of their instrument. Eventually, this will allow creative freedom for them as they progress with their studies. I want my students to feel confident about their progress and abilities, so I encourage them to play with other musicians. Being a part of rhythm section can be a fun but pressuring aspect of being in an ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Drums

One of the cool things about teaching is that every student is different and learns differently! I am usually able to assess each students level and pace within the first couple lessons. At the end of each lesson I will give them a realistic goal to achieve for the next lesson. Any improvement is improvement and I try and always recognize that. I try to inspire by example as well, showing the student where their practicing and hard work can take them if they keep working at it diligently. Read More