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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: 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: Drums
I started playing drums when I was 10 years old in my elementary school band. Quickly, I became hooked to practicing and getting better and growing as a musician. I also fell in love with music and it's healing abilities. As a teenager, I played in my high school concert band, jazz band and had my own rock bands outside of school. I was hungry for anything to make me a better drummer. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Drums Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard
Taking the time to understand my students, their ability to retain information, and execute, as well as their interests, goals and desires musically, is vital to my success as an instructor. While I use many of the collection of standard method books, I find creating unique exercises designed to target weaker areas in a particular persons playing to be more efficient, in cases, accelerating their grasp of fundamentals. Throughout ones progression, repertoire is introduced to reinforce techniques in a musical fashion. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
For all students, regardless of age or skill level, I like to gauge their musical interests (i.e., what music they listen to, what inspired them to pick up the guitar, etc.), and then work from there. For someone who has never picked up an instrument before, I generally work out of Hal Leonard's Guitar Method Book 1. Once we're past that, I'll start showing them some basic songs, as well as seeing what kinds of songs they would be interested in learning. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Organ Synthesizer Recorder Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion
Positive reinforcement is key. I never learned from the mean or the overly strict teachers. In fact those teachers pushed me in the opposite direction of wanting to pursue music professionally. By going at the pace that is comfortable to the student, and praising them at every hurdle they encounter, the progress made can be exponentially greater than if the student is rushed to prepare a piece of music they don't truly care for in the first place. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I encourage my students to learn at their own pace and push them when I see I can. I do not want to deter my students from liking what they do. I try to find the passion for a style of music and bring it out in my students while connecting that style to other styles to show the student that styles are idiosynchratic, but that they can also interchange with other styles. Read More
Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion
I use many different methods but most importantly I tailor the lesson to fit the student's needs. I like to write out lessons, but I generally start my students off using Benny Greb's "The Language of Drumming." I like to teach the student how to play the instrument as if it were a language, in the form of an alphabet. It's a great method in building a strong foundation with the instrument. 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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