Drum Lessons in Tempe, AZ

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

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: Drums Synthesizer

Intermediate and advanced students "homework" will be even more personally tailored to their playing where I would teach whole broken down songs, advanced rhythms, advanced solos, how to actually tune your drums, recording and a lot more. I also encourage and can help with writing your own music. Composition plays a huge part in how we learn music because if we can't figure out how to be creative with our instrument sooner rather than later we sometimes lose interest. Read More

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

I bean teaching after studying drums for four years with Kay Carlson. After years of teaching professionally I developed my own curriculum, based on Kay's lessons what I learned of the Mueller technique from Richard Wilson. My students have gone on to win performance awards, first chair positions other recording phenomenon. Reading drum music is of course my method of communicating with my students. This allows me to hand write individual exercises closer to the student's needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Mallet Percussion Oboe English Horn Keyboard

My beginning students usually start with Hal Leonards Essential Elements, Accents on Achievements, Do It Play In Band, and much more. Once my student is able to grasp basic fundamentals and a healthy proper tone and technique, I will then be able to incorporate solo repertoire for future recitals and contests. For adults, I will find out what interests my students and coordinate my lessons accordingly to keep the lesson engaging and fun. Read More

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

Throughout the 8 12 years that I have been teaching I have been learning a lot about many different methods and teaching styles. I always had thought that what I was being taught could have been taught in a more natural and more efficient way. I have borrowed many of my ideas from some of the greatest teachers in history and believe the most in the bel canto method created but David Jacobsen who is an alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music, the greatest school of music in the world. Read More