Drum Lessons in Shadow Hills, CA

Instruments: Guitar Drums Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like to mix instructional books with opportunities to learn songs outside of the text books appropriate to the student's interests, style, and skill level. For the guitar, I like Terry Carter's Rock Like the Pros, Beginning Class Guitar Method and Intermediate Class Guitar Method. These books have comprehensive practice exercises, including classical and popular music exercises, and great songs of all levels to learn. The Mel Bay and Alfred music method books are also great for guitar or drums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching method is different depending on the abilities of each student. For beginning students, I use the Haskell W. Harr Drum Method Books 1 2, Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone, and The All-American Drummer 150 Rudimental Swing solos by Charley Wilcoxin. Once I feel like a student is strong enough on the snare drum, I will then work with them on developing limb independence on the drum set. All of the snare drum method books that I use with my students will eventually be adapted for drum set. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe

I first like to establish a strong internal clock in a new student. I think it is important to understand the feeling of each beat. To learn proper coordination I like to use the book "Syncopation" to practice playing rhythms with multiple limbs as well as learning how to read music. I think it is important to balance this technical work with passion. Figuring out popular songs that the student is into is crucial for them to continue to be interested in the instrument! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I am strongly influenced by Latin American culture and that is why I have been learning all the traditional music from severals countries. I had played in numerous ensembles including: Cambamberos Colombian music ensemble (Brazil),Orquestra de Berimbaus Paraguassu (Brazil), Tambora female South American music (Brazil), Trio Acstico de las Americas (Brazil), Chacombo Afro-peruvian ensemble (LA), CalArts Salsa Band (LA). I had also played in several drumming ensembles, performing mostly in parades and shows including: Bloco Ilu Oba de Min (Brazil), CalArts Brazilian Drumming Ensemble (Los Angeles), Comparsa Medio Mundo Afro-Uruguayan tradicional drumming ensemble (Brazil), CalArts Brazilian Drumming Ensemble (LA), CalArts World Percussion ensemble (LA) One of my biggest passions is to perform in theater and circus productions. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have taught the drums in a variety of settings for 15 years. In Australia I worked for the South Australian Government in the Instrumental Music Service for 3 years. I provided group drum lessons to students ranging from elementary to senior high school age with a total of 40 lessons each week, at 10 different schools to over 100 students! While in this role, I also coordinated ensembles and concert bands and also established a music program at a juvenile detention centre. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

When I receive a new student the first thing I do is assess where they are technically and what their interests are. From there I develop custom lesson plans that are design to improve a certain technique while learning new music. For example if a student comes in and really loves Michael Jackson's music but doesn't know how to hold the drumsticks or read music, I will give them basic exercises to improve their lack of technical ability and then we'll apply it to a song. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

For the majority of students, I have several books that I use to zero in on what level of proficiency they currently hold and then I begin to adapt from there. For beginning or younger students, I use several books that focus of basic techniques that are effective for any style of music; I use books such as Collin Bailey's Bass Drum Techniques and Mitchell Peters and Stick Control for snare drum and genral techniques. Read More