Piano Lessons in Walnut Creek, CA

Instruments: Drums

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Go to practice with something specific in mind. A pattern, or a technique, tempo, something you want to accomplish. It doesn't have to be too structured. Just something that you can focus on enough to keep you engaged. Then go wherever your practice takes you. You need to have a certain foundation (rudiments, patterns) because you need something to focus on. Combining patterns will keep interested in what you are doing. This is the key to the joy of practicing. The key is to A. be conscious of what you are trying to accomplish in practice and B. to simply start doing it. Learn by doing. It takes effort, concentration, and perseverance, but is ultimately one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. Mastery through practice.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Students need to be good listeners. If your child is able to focus on a specific task for at least a couple minutes, this is good enough to keep them engaged in lessons. If they express interest in music or drums, that is a good sign. You as a parent should also be ready to make some type of commitment to music lessons (making sure they show up, encouraging music things, [we can work together on this]). It is okay to try things out. Think about if your child would be okay receiving instructions from another adult. See if they like the lesson (I am very patient and will do my best to create the best environment for your child).

When will I start to see results?
You should see some results relatively quickly (within the first couple months), whether they be improvements on the drums or overall positive mood changes. One of my current student's parents has told me they notice their child is much more pleasant and outgoing after our lessons. Quick results in the child's ability to play drums will be dependent on the child's effort and/or individual practice time. Even if they do not practice much at home, they may still be able to play fundamental drum beats 3-4 months into lessons.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My dad helped inspire my interest in music. He was a lead vocalist and founding member of Purple Reign, which was a wedding/party band that played and practiced a lot in the house I grew up in. They would set up all the equipment in the living room of what seemed to be weekly practices. I was able to get a taste of the drums at an early age and I always loved when the played. My dad also introduced me to all the classic oldies, funk, rnb, and pop music from the 60s and 70s. He would sing in the car and I always found myself singing along with him trying to harmonize before I even knew what that was. He encouraged me to pursue music and I might have given up if it weren't for his care.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I always thought drums were the coolest instrument. The energy and motion of the drummer driving the band, making the music happen. It was always something kind of magical to look at and listen to. The variety of percussive sounds you can get out of a drum kit is fascinating. It would blow my mind listening to what the drummer was doing, trying to understand it, trying to make sense of it. Its kind of a mystical experience what happens when you play the drums, and play them well. I loved them the first moment I hit the bass drum with my right foot and started to try to make cool beats. From there I was hooked.

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