Drum Lessons in West Boylston, MA

Instruments: Drums Recorder Orchestral Percussion Music

If I'd known how much I'd enjoy teaching, I would have started sooner! I've played in orchestras and garage bands, jazz combos, trad. instrumental bands and more, and I bring it all to the table. Also an MEd., experience as a K-12 classroom music teacher and years of teaching drums and percussion in a variety of settings. Plus my ongoing education in music. My students range in age from preschoolers to senior citizens. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Recorder Orchestral Percussion

I teach students how to play, as well as, read music.  I teach a variety of techniques and styles of music using books and making up lessons for my students.  I teach my students at any age how to play the set, along with snare drum techniques, and play with songs. For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Vic Firth books. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce more complicated styles and techniques that are appropriate for their ability. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Drums Bass Guitar Organ Euphonium Tuba

Currently I use the Hal Leonard series which I believe is best for beginner and intermediate students. I typically give advanced students a variety of choices that best suites their playing style. It is important to keep the student focused while making lesson time enjoyable as well as educational. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

For teaching any person percussion/ drums there are very many different skill sets to be developed and understood. Reading music, playing with appropriate technique, and foot to hand coordination all make up the universe which is percussion. Starting a young percussionist there would be usually two components of the lesson. The first would be Technique and One surface drumming (Reading Basic Rhythms and music notation). The second half of a lesson would be working on the designated percussion instrument of the student's preference. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

A class once or twice a week is beneficial I believe for keeping up the continuity of practice. We will work on first the guitar as an instrument, basic chords, chord structures, some basic scales, and over time making chord changes happen as the minds memory/muscle memory for remembering chords grows! This is crucial for making the basic song happen. I encourage my students to find a handful of songs they really enjoy and may want to learn, so that we can learn them piece by peice. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time 20 years ago, and have been consistently teaching high school band and percussion for the last 15 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the instrument and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. Read More

Instruments: Voice Drums

My lessons for vocalists are divided into two sections: technique and repertoire. For singers, breath management skills are of primary importance as this directly affects intonation. I like to begin with Anne Peckham's The Contemporary Singer. My students can choose any songs they would like to sing while we work on musicianship skills including expression and lyrical phrasing. Singers who want to study jazz and improvisation use one or more of my pedagogical texts on scat singing. Read More