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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Drum lessons in Portland . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Drums
I like to start each student off with the fundamentals and rudiments. I think the fundamentals are very important for every musician. Once you master the basics, then we can move on the solo repertoire, or start to develop each musicians individual style. I want the lessons to be both fun and engaging. So it’s important to find what kind of music each student is interested in and then develop that interest and passion. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I strongly believe in learning from my students, and that music lessons are about sharing, and exchanging ideas. I also understand that students at the beginning of their musical journey may need more of a guiding hand than others further along. For piano students I use the Neil A. Kjos Piano Library method books. I am flexible and I can tailor my lessons to what the student is interested in learning. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I can make my lessons fun for all levels of players, and my students will see their skills develop quickly in the direction that THEY want to go. If a student is unsure where they see themselves going as a musician, that is perfectly ok too! When my students have yet to develop a library of music they like and don't have a sense of what they want to play I help them figure these things out which is extremely rewarding for the both of us. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele
Practice, of course, is important to learning any skill. But if a love of the instrument is there, practicing shouldn't be too much of a chore. I try to never give my students too much material at once, so as to frustrate them to the point of not wanting to play anymore. On the other hand, it is important to present them with challenges to keep them moving forward. First and foremost is to foster that love of music in them through enthusiasm and example. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I have taught in one-on-one lessons, large group rehearsals, and everywhere in between. I started my teaching with a group of peers and professors while studying my undergraduate Music Education degree. We worked as a group to teach children ages six through 16 how to play violin/cello and perform as group. We then held a large concert as well as performed with the Sacramento Philharmonic at a Link Up concert. Read More
Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion
I place equal emphasis on technical practice, theory, creativity, and musicality. Practice assignments for each week are clear and simple, yet challenging. They usually consist of a few exercises to practice everyday as well as a musical task such as a song to learn, a musician to listen to, or creating your own beat or fill. Read More
Instruments: Drums
Technique, music theory, rudiments, feel. I'll start out with the student playing a few minutes with me. from there I write up a few bars to see what level of sight reading he/she is at. I personalize every lesson based on the student with writing out warm-ups, rudimentary phrases, and grooves. Read More
Instruments: Clarinet Music
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
As previously mentioned, I entered college as a clarinet performance and chemistry double major with intentions of a career in public health. I had aspirations to work at the Center for Disease Control or to conduct research at a hospital. As my life progressed over the years, however, I now believe that my disposition and particular skill set would have been well suited for law school. Beyond that I could imagine myself being a prosecutor or taking some form of public office. The thought of serving my home community of Portland, ME in some capacity has always been appealing to me.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I originally enrolled at Boston University in the Dual-Degree program studying to receive my BM in Clarinet Performance and my BS in Chemistry. I wanted to play my clarinet, but my intentions were to pursue a career in research and public health. Well into the first year of college, in order to keep up with the high demands of my teacher, I was forced to re-think my approach to the clarinet and its position within my life. I arrived at the decision to drop my second degree and devote my time and energy to cultivating a multi-faceted career in music.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
There are a lot of things to consider when starting a child on an instrument. Among the most important - from my perspective - are that the student's fingers are able to cover the keys and that they are excited about playing the instrument.
The physical capacity to cover the keys is essential to playing clarinet. The instrument will not respond properly if the tone holes are not completely covered. Beyond technicalities, the happiest and most successful young students are typically the ones that are enthusiastic about playing their instrument.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My first encounter with the clarinet came when I visited family for Christmas in 2004. My cousin had just gotten a new clarinet from school and was going to be starting band after Christmas break. I was jealous (and a little too competitive), and bugged my parents to start playing as well. My first clarinet was a First Act factory model from BJ's Wholesale Club. The manufacturer packaged it incorrectly and sent me two bottom joints! I remember being so annoyed that I could not start playing immediately. I have since moved on to a few instruments, but still have my very first clarinet!
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
My day-to-day life is so sporadic, I find it difficult to have a set routine in my practice. Typically, though, I touch upon each of these categories for any given amount of time:
-Warm-Up (long tones, scales/patterns, articulation exercises, etc.)
-Repertoire (practice orchestral/chamber/solo rep for future performances)
-Sight-Reading (etudes & repertoire to expand my musical vocabulary and style)
In an ideal world, I spend about an hour in the first category (warm-up), as much time as possible in the second category (repertoire), and cool-down with the final category (sight-reading). By breaking up my practice, I tend to stay more actively engaged. It is important not to bore yourself!
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Think actively and listen objectively. Most of my less productive practice sessions are a result of either distraction or mindlessly running passages.
Distractions (phone, hunger, friends, etc.) lead to passive practicing. Those practice sessions tend to result in thinking: "didn't I figure this passage out the other day?" Constant running of parts has a similar effect. Be engaged while you play, and be deliberate with your practice.
No practice technique is infallible, but maintaining focus is a good start.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Drum lessons in Portland to students of all ages and abilities.
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