Drum Lessons in Ridgewood, NJ

Instruments: Drums

I do not limit my students to a predetermined method. I find, through my own experiences, that this is tedious as well as boring. There are many books I use, including Ted Reed's syncopation for all levels of students, but I focus most of my time with a student to finding out what inspires them to want to learn the drums, and go from there. With every student I start with the basics of technique. Read More

Instruments: Drums

One of the most important things that I strive for is seeing a student enjoy themselves and discover a passion for music like I did. This is why I make sure my students are having fun and learning at their own pace. I will guide my students to set realistic goals that they can achieve by our next lesson time, and push them to express their own creativity and interests in their playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Latin Percussion Keyboard

One of the greatest sources of joy and exhilaration I have experienced throughout my teaching career occurs every time one of my students performs, and I get to witness the hard work and determination they have implanted into their playing. Every time they smile while playing their instrument is the single most rewarding feeling I have encountered in my years as a teacher, and I relish the opportunity to bask in that feeling every chance I get. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard

If a student can be consistent with practicing over the period of a month then the habit of practicing will get easier and become more natural and less like a chore. Hard work in the beginning=life long habits. I have a few books I recommend purchasing for beginning to intermediate drum students such as The Drum Set Musician (Rod Morgenstein), Stick Control (George Lawrence Stone) and Syncopation (Ted Reed). Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe

I make sure that my students go at a pace that works for them. I try to find out what kind of learner they are and then I tweak my curriculum to best accommodate them. I always do my best to make sure that my students are having fun over anything else. Incorporating songs from both my library, and ones that the student already knows, we develop ear training skills by playing along and trying to copy the pros! Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I first started teaching in the summer of 2002 when a friend from church wanted his son to learn drums. His desire was for his son to play one day on the praise team. Thankfully he stuck with it and still plays for the church to this day. That moment made me realize I have a gift for teaching. Throughout college I continued to teach out of my studio and developed my skills even more when I moved back to Maryland in 2009. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach basic stick technique using George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control, and I have numerous hand exercises based on patterns from that book that I warm up with every lesson. Starting with snare drum and basic hand technique also will incorporate rhythm reading, and basic limb independence. When my students start behind the kit, they will start by applying some of those hand exercises to the drumset, and also learn how to orchestrate and play basic grooves. Read More