John D  
Instruments: Drums
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Mariachi, Avant-garde

For a long time I did not want to teach. I thought that those who can't do, teach- as the saying goes. As a father of a young boy few things give me more joy than to see my son learn about music, and Drums/Percussion in particular. As a musician I taught many musicians music theory; from diatonic scales/circle of fifths to pitch clusters and counterpoint. My best students were my band mates in In An Airplane who learned octatonic scales, modes, freetime, atonality and poly rhythm during our goings on.

When it comes to young children: it is 100% keeping them participating and keeping them having fun. Drums and Cymbals are particularly fun and perhaps the most instrument to play. Playing in sync with each other, color coding targets, keeping time and basic rhythm concepts are my way of keeping children 4-9 involved and wanting to learn more. These are sometimes things so basic you can help them practice at home. I do not have formal homework for students under 8. For students 10 years old and older I have a strict policy of teaching Music Theory including basic scales, rhythms, notation and triads. Drum tabs and beat charts are also covered; but my goal is create a well rounded musician which many drummers are not. Like adult and teenage students; the goal is teach the child to teach themselves- as repetition and commitment are key to gaining full competency with the drumset. Adults and teenagers who are more advanced with other instruments I am particularly interested in teaching as well. Again my goal is to add a sense of well roundedness;