Drum Lessons in Brentwood, CA

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

My teaching philosophy is student centered. I realize that every student is different in their physical or mental capabilities; that each student has different expectations with their relationship to music and with themselves; and that each student has their own strengths, insecurities, and pace of learning. Focusing on what makes each student different and unique is what guides how I teach each student. For example, I've had a handful of students with autism who had limited verbal capabilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I hold a Master of Fine Arts degree from California Institute of the Arts, and spent two and a half years in New York City at the Drummers Collective (The Collective School of Music) to obtain a diploma there. I also have a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Technology Munich. Aside from making music with other people, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and my experience with students of all ages and skill levels. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Organ Synthesizer

Teaching has been a constant for me since college (around 2005). I helped tutor both aural theory and written theory, and also helped with beginner piano classes. Later on, I taught at the East Bay Jazz Workshop and offered private lessons part time both at my home studio and at Young World pre-school. I've taught students of all ages and skill levels for many years and also can provide some experience at arranging, theory, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For someone with no experience on guitar I'll typically begin with scales, and familiarizing with the guitar. For bass; exactly the same as guitar to start, drums would start with with your basic 2,4 beat, and familiarization with parts (snare, hi hat, etc). Vocalist I would always start with a warm up, basics, and note reciting. For keyboard beginners I would show them their A,B,C's as far as how to access those, and we'd start messing with different shapes, and songs almost right away. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach many odd time signatures, four way independence. I teach out of the most educated drum books that all of the great drummers have studied. I also encourage my students all of the great drummers on recordings and videos. Here are the books that I use: Here are some important books: a) Louis Bellson's Snare drum book; b) Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole Sensational Drum Book; c) Jim Chapin's Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer; d) Ultimate encyclopedia for the drum set; e) George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I like my students to work on their performance personas, as well as technique and repertoire. I want my students to be engaged and excited about the music they are working on and to practice performing it like the rock star they are! Read More