Drum Lessons in Tolleson, AZ

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

I began playing electric bass at 14 and started a band at 15. We won 1st place in NMHS Battle of the Bands and at 16 we recorded out first album and had our first performance on the radio. By 17 with busier schedules and our drummer leaving the band fell apart and I began looking into ways of doing things solo. I invested into a loop station and got into Jazz and Classical music. Read More

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

I am a versatile, dedicated and multi-talented teaching professional, committed to providing a solid education and instilling music appreciation in my student’s. Integrating diverse differentiated lessons, providing a well-rounded learning experience for my student’s. I am able to tailor lessons to meet students’ needs and peak their interest and imagination. I am compassionate and inspiring, and maintain a motivated and well-disciplined classroom where each student feels special, cared for and successful. 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: Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Euphonium Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

As I first approach a new student, my first question to them is "why drums?". From that response I have a better idea of where this student is most comfortable for playing. Their genre of musical listening is a strong consideration of the styles they would enjoy learning. By finding their strong points of playing building an individual curriculum for that student gives them a better opportunity to become a player to the best of their abilities. 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: 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 Orchestral Percussion

He was also a featured clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in Columbus Ohio & Nashville Tennessee.                                                                                                                                                                                                              A "Teacher’s Teacher", I love to help students lay the musical and technical foundations that will let them reach their full potential. I headed the percussion department at FortHaysState  University in Kansas for eight years, and have performed and taught at the International Festival of Percussive Arts and lectured at the International Percussion Congress in Warsaw Poland. Read More