Drum Lessons in Sun City, AZ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Every student learns a different way and I always take the first lesson to evaluate what the student is passionate about. Some students want to get straight to playing songs and some want to learn sheet music first. I am comfortable with starting anyway they need. If the student starts to get bored after a few lessons I try and bring in new toys related to the instrument such as a new kind of cymbal or a slide guitar to try and spark some inspiration again! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Conga Latin Percussion

I write all my own lesson materials focusing on what the student needs to know to play, understand, and enjoy music to achieve their goals. I have used several method books in the past but find them all limited or focused on styles or technique that is not what the student wants or needs to learn. I can teach from any established method if that is preferred, but instead enjoy challenging the student to understand what music is and how music is played on their chosen instrument, not just to read. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass Music Keyboard Djembe

I recorded my first solo album titled Just a Bass and won NMHS Battle of the Bands again my senior year. For my senior project I composed, rehearsed and performed my first Concerto for Cello and Orchestra and went on to study Double Bass performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where I received my B.M. I have played in many master classes with some of the worlds greatest musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Victor Wooten, Emanuel Ax and others. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Euphonium Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

My method begins with basic note reading stick grip, we concentrate on relaxation. stick control note reading. As soon as they are able to cleanly play 16th notes on a practice pad, we incorporate drum set independence. This independence is introduced through learning various genres of music, which also introduce various styles of playing. These variations are studied worked out in exercises that allow the student to ad lib with any style of music. Read More

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer

From there we will be working on projects the student may have or the student may tackle my agenda to fine tuned playing and add a plethora of chops to their arsenal. We finish every lesson with rudiment drills, ear training and learning a new song to add to your "music library". - For advanced students we will be trading fours in every time signature, playing my most complex poly-rhythm exercises and extensive ear training until we feel almost worn out. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

For beginning students that are in middle or high school, I typically start them out learning snare drum technique, and reading rhythms. Fortechnique I will use standard exercises and rudiments, and for readingI will use "Syncopation for The Modern Drummer".If the student has a drumset then I will start them with some basic "Rock" beatsas a tool to help thembetter understand the subdivision of time, and form some independence.Most of my students move into Gary Chester's "The New Breed" as their first drumset book.After teaching for 25 years, I have developed a lot of my own lesson meterials, and I try to cater the lesson plans to both challenge the students and keep them having fun learning. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

I was a guest lecturer at the Fredrick Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and did an exciting multi-city tour as featured soloist with the Polish National Military Band and Performed for the Polish/U.S. Embassy. While in Poland I also performed concerts, clinics and taught master classes at the Jelania-Gora Philharmonia Complex and Warsaw.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              In the drum & bugle corps field, I marched with and taught the National Champion Chicago Cavaliers, and I've taught, written, or consulted for the National Champion Chicago Royal Airs, the National Champion Argonne Rebels From Great Bend Kansas, the Santa Clara Vanguard, the 2002 Royal Air Reunion corps and many others. Read More