Drum Lessons in Piscataway, NJ

Instruments: Drums

Seeing a student progress is the whole reason why we love teaching! I make it a point to give positive feedback as much as possible while still addressing what the student needs to work on. A student will become motivated once they see improvement in themselves. I utilize motivators that I have experienced throughout my career, such as finding a drummer that really speaks to me, and trying to mirror them language wise, or stylistically. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

For beginners, I always start with very basic technique elements such as the proper way of holding the drumsticks, how to position the drum set and having a proper posture while playing to build good habits right from the beginning. From there, I like to work on simple rudiments, and connect this with how to use the rudiments to play simple grooves. I will also bring charts with written grooves of popular songs and we will start playing along with songs, to get used to the feeling of playing in a musical context. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For students that want to sharpen their technique and sound, I use the "Gary Chaffee Method". Students who are concerned about changing their sound I put them on a regimen of drummers to dissect and listen to, so they can incorporate them into their own style. Students that are more concerned about playing songs and getting better at other styles of music, I use some of my own methods that I have customized for those particular students whether they want to play in a wedding band, a stadium, or a tavern or bar. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I believe in tailoring my lesson plans to individual students. I like to target a students musical goals and help them achieve them whether it be through method books or passing down techniques. I've been fortunate enough to have been around many incredible educators throughout the years and try to take the methods they've showed me and apply it to my own teaching style. For drum students I teach out of various books including Syncopation, Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer, Stick Control and Buddy Rich's Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments. 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: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Conga Djembe

Music is my life. On any given day I am either performing, rehearsing, recording, teaching or studying. I perform on a regular basis with my Jazz trio and other artists from various genres. I also perform with my original band iNFiNiEN. Our latest CD has been internationally critically acclaimed. It has been considered "a masterpiece" and "one of the year's best" by many critics." I have received 2 music degrees for Jazz performance and continue to push myself to practice and study new ideas on drums and piano everyday. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I aim to make the student not feel judged. This creates an optimal learning experience, for Ifirmly believe that in order fortrue progress to be obtained, the student willmust notbe afraid to make mistakes. The correction of the mistake is the moment where the student learns exactly how something should be played, since there is somethingto compare it to.It is important that a student go through a stage of experimentation in order to intuitively arriveat an understanding of a concept. Read More