Erik B
Instruments: Drums
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Punk
Erik B
Instruments: Drums
Styles:
Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Punk
Where I Teach:
In Your Home
Ages Taught: 5-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
BA, Colgate University, Japanese
Awards:
2011 - Zildjian Family Endowed Scholarship Fund
Overview:
My name is ERIK! But you already knew that from the top of the page. I've been playing drums for about 13 years (taking my own lessons for 10 of them) and have been lucky enough to learn under some great musicians who influenced greatly what I know and can do today. I've done Jazz bands, funk bands, rock bands, pit bands, marching bands, and even pep bands! In addition I learned some Japanese Taiko drumming while I lived in Japan for a few months. I just graduated college and I'm continuing to play with my band, which has played for numerous venues including bars, large parties, auction house events and once even opening for Lupe Fiasco!
EXPERIENCE
Though I do not have a long extensive list of past students and decades of teaching, I am no stranger to the act. I worked helping the more novice drummers in my schools jazz and pep bands to play up to snuff, and also worked closely with an aspiring drummer to bring him from complete beginner to competent enough to play in his church group and join his own band! In my experience it has been great to help people achieve their own goals of playing drums and an event greater joy to play along side them.
METHODS USED
As far as drumming goes, I believe in the same tenets that were taught to me; start with the basics and core and work your way up. For drums that means rudiments, stick technique and snare basics (books like "Stick Control" -George Stone). But lessons are not a slow grind that maybe one day build up to a full drum set. I was taught (and teach) in a way which mainly focuses first on these essentials (reading, technique etc.), but also incorporates the rest of the drum-set and playing along with other instruments and music. For more advanced students I like to use some other books ("Groove essentials" - Tommy Igoe) but also have a strong focus on making the drum set a part of the bigger picture of a musical ensemble.
LESSON STYLE
As I said before, I like to teach as I was taught and add things I've learned along the way. Learning any instrument, I was told, is like building a house; you need to lay a strong foundation upon which to add walls, doors, windows, and decor (styles, techniques, feels, and your own personal strokes unique to each individual....there's no roof because you can never finish learning!). Drums especially focus on the base, because of their role in any musical group. When I helped others pass a hurdle or finally master a technique, it was as rewarding as when I first went through it myself. There is an old Japanese story that says your mother's heartbeat is the first sound you ever hear and feel. The sound of a drum carries throughout your life in your own heart.
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