Drum Lessons in Silver Creek Valley, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I learn by doing and I believe that my students should play what inspires them! If it's classical, let's study Bach and Mozart together - if it's Latin, let's study Dave Valentin and Johnny Pacheco. I have always had a broad taste in music and I think it's wonderful when students bring me songs that inspire them. Let's work the chords out together and study the greats! I believe that the engaged student will be the successful student. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I emphasize technique for beginning students. I call attention to hand and finger control, and offer a number of exercises develop the muscles needed to play fluidly. I teach a few levels of the rudiments, and show students the opening pages of the famous George Stone book, Stick Control for the Modern Drummer. From there, I work with students on drum rolls, groves and fills. My approach to drumming is to be as innovative as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Music Keyboard

For most of my beginning piano students, I use the piano adventures series. They offer a clear and well paced curriculum with numerous supplemental resources in a variety of styles. For beginning music theory, I use the Berklee School of Music texts or the Benward and Saker textbooks as well as many videos and other resources to explore musical concepts. For singing, I use a variety of sight singing books, all depending on the age and experience of the student. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

In grade school, my commitment and knowledge in music continued to grow through my immersion in honors ensembles, wind ensembles, marching bands, jazz bands, local garage bands, and a percussion ensemble with two national titles (Woodbridge Percussion Ensemble). In the years following, I became an active musician in the San Diego/Southern California area performing in various styles and settings: jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop, Funk/Soul/RB, Christian/praise music, Latin American (Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean), electronic/EDM, Broadway, marching, orchestral, and avant-garde. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

My experience dates back to when I was excepted into OSA High school, where I auditioned into the school for saxophone and piano officially graduating in 2008. I started working as a music instructor at the age of 14 for the East Oakland Youth Development Center (E.o.y.d.c), summer cultural enrichment program (S.C.E.P.),  teaching classes for students from the age of 6 to 18 about music theory, history, instrument technique, and how to play an assorted of instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

Jake has been playing guitar and percussion for over 20 years. He teaches all levels of guitar and congas, as well as beginning piano, voice and drum set. He went to Berkeley High School where he played guitar in the BHS Jazz Ensemble. He then attended the New School in New York City, majoring in jazz guitar studies. He has studied jazz guitar with Steve Erquiaga, Dave Creamer and Jack Wilkins, and congas with Josh Jones, Sandy Perez and other Cuban percussionists. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I've been teaching music for a little over 5 years (2014). I have started many kids who don't know if they would rather learn guitar, drums, or piano. So I give them a tour of all three and show them the basics before they decide their favorite. I encourage consistent practice and practice methods that ensure that the students always feel a sense of improvement without frustration. Personally I've felt the sense of improvement after practicing but was still more agitated, but that was college, before I started teaching. Read More