Drum Lessons in NYC New York

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

For beginners I usually begin with Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone and Fundamental Studies for Snare Drum by Garwood Whaley. Once the student has a good grasp on basic reading and technique, I usually introduce rudiments and start working on solo or play along repertoire. I also like to use The Drum Set Musician by Rod Morgenstein. Besides book work I also like to bring in things that I am working on either with bands I play with or personal projects. 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 Voice Violin Viola Saxophone Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Bobby was raised in a small Illinois town. He was introduced to music at an early age by his multi-instrumentalist father, who would bring him to gigs throughout the region. He began attending Mark O’Connor’s fiddle camps and festivals throughout the Midwest, where he met musicians like Casey Driessen and Noam Pikelny. “They opened me up to what was possible because they were so virtuosic at such a young age too,” Bobby said. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginner students, I like to use the Faber books or the Thompson method for piano. I also encourage students of all ages to share what they enjoy listening to and incorporate songs they enjoy as early as possible. As students progress I get into more in depth concepts in music theory and improvisation, to provide a foundation in the language of contemporary music. For more advanced students, I try to play another instrument along with them sometimes to provide a taste of what it is like to make music in a group setting. Read More

Instruments: Drums

When you get behind your drums to practice, what is it that youre working on? If youre not taking lessons, youre probably working on the same beats and fills that youve been playing for so many years that you could play them in your sleep. Let me help you expand your musical vocabulary while putting the excitement that comes from playing something new back into your drumming. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Although I have my own methods and "prescribed" teaching materials, I love to keep a dialogue with the student. I always ask what their goals with music are, as I will then tailor the lessons accordingly. If a student says to me that they want to work towards an audition, I know that I can push them harder in terms of expectation and material. Or, I've had students who want to learn how to play a specific style or song, and those lessons can be much more mellow. Read More