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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Drum lessons in Manhattan . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar
As soon as I graduated high school, I began teaching with my old high school as an assistant. Over the course of time I began progressing in my playing which lead to more teaching positions in various styles and genres of music from Drumline to Jazz. Educating and passing along concepts is one of the most important roles as a musician. The goal is to give your students enough tools to surpass you as a mentor. Read More
Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion
I firmly believe that no student is "too young" to learn about more advanced music and techniques. With that being said, I will also push my students to move to the next level. I set very attainable goals that all students of any age can reach, while always adding a little more. Again, this is all related to the students understanding of rhythm and their relationships to each other. No matter the instrument, I always look for the new and "cool" music and teaching styles to keep up with the rapidly changing world. Read More
Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Drums Synthesizer Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard
The methods that I would typically use are the Arbans complete Conservatory method for trumpet and Cornet. Schlossberg´s Daily Drills and Studies, Clarkes method and Caruso. I have been studying these four methods quite some time now and understand not only the instruction on the page but the purpose of the excercise itself. So for each student and level a unique methodology would be put together. It is very important to point out that I studied these methods with masters such as Victor Paz. Read More
Instruments: Drums
I emphasize the importance of building confidence and competence on the drums. Many times, new drummers are hard on themselves or put unnecessary pressure on themselves to be good immediately, which can actually limit their progress. I have always enjoyed helping students circumvent this unnecessary pressure, so that the process of learning how to play drums remains fun and rewarding unto itself and becomes less overly focused on the final product. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums
But once this stage is mastered, things become much simpler. I start off lessons slowly with simple technical studies where the student can focus specifically on technique to efficiently and confidently. To help support this stage I typically introduce basic note reading skills to acquaint the students with musical notation while introducing them to playing in time. Once the student reaches foundational proficiency we can finally start to have some fun! Read More
Instruments: Drums
I do not limit my students to a predetermined method. I find, through my own experiences, that this is tedious as well as boring. There are many books I use, including Ted Reed's syncopation for all levels of students, but I focus most of my time with a student to finding out what inspires them to want to learn the drums, and go from there. With every student I start with the basics of technique. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I have always found great joy in student success. I have dedicated my career to the cultivation of my teaching style and methods. I have coached students for auditions into the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College division among other prestigious honors. I find that seeing the joy my students take in performing their hard work has come to define my approach. I center teaching on a goal oriented system that allows students to make progress toward small and large goals. Read More
Instruments: Voice Drums
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I decided I wanted to become a professional musician early elementary. I was always passionate about music but I originally wanted to become a drummer. Over the years I gradually grew into desiring other aspect of music.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
First step is to start out slowly, or in slow motion. Coordination is built with repetitions. Get it right at a slow pace and then work on increasing your speed while still practicing the music correctly. Second step is frequent repetition with allotted breaks. These are common practice habits of disciplined performers. Split your practice time into smaller, super-concentrated chunks, working multiple times a day. Finally, practice in your brain, in vivid detail. Visualize playing your music without actually playing it. Put yourself through the music, note by note. Imagine what it feels like to press that key, or take that breath, every step of the way.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I got my inspiration for music from musicians in family. However, I had teachers that inspired me to musically evolve as a musician and branch out to other aspects of me. They inspired me by introducing me to various elements of music. One of my teachers demonstrated the duties of a composer; bringing all instrumentation together in one piece and arranging them into one piece. I thought it was absolutely amazing. Another teacher taught me that understanding other instruments like the piano will help my musicianship in ear training.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My primary choice was percussion.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am proud to have worked on multiple platinum records, as well as working in the music department for TV and film.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I would say, the skill to create something on the spot with no planning while staying in time. Many people who are learning an instrumental have difficulties with incorporating improvisation while not faaling behind of going ahead of time in a music piece.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
My favorite genre of music to play is hip hop, rock and gospel because I can incorporate so many different styles to fit each and every genre. Playing these genres has helped me build a stronger ear for other sub genres.
When will I start to see results?
It depends on what your goals are for your instrument or voice, and how committed you are to getting the results you want. It also depends on what your playing or voice skills are like now, and where you want to be. If you’ve never played or sung before, then I wouldn’t expect you to be phenomenal after a few hours. Equally, if you’ve been performing for 30 years with bad habits, they won’t disappear in one lesson either. The goals you set and the results you experience will grow and evolve as you learn new skills, so really, it depends on you as an individual as much as the training you receive.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
During my courses of music theory, I decided to take guitar and piano lessons to under stand chords and how to arrange properly.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Music runs in both sides of my family. Coming from an African American and Ashkenazic Jewish family I was exposed to different traditions of music. Many in my family are gospel singers, jazz and pop musicians. As for my Jewish heritage, there existed both traditions of religious music, as sung at the synagogue and domestic prayers, and of secular music, such as klezmer.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Informal activities with music should start soon after birth, followed by more systematic classes around age three, and lessons with the goal of learning the instrument should start between six and nine. Keep in mind that these are only guidelines; exceptions will undoubtedly occur based on the child and/or teacher.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Drum lessons in Manhattan to students of all ages and abilities.
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