Drum Lessons in Brentwood, TN

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Djembe

My experience with teaching began in high school, about twenty years ago. Way before I had any degrees in music. I was very involved in the instrumental music program at my school and took private lessons to reinforce and enhance my knowledge and practice of the craft. A friend of mine was interested in drum set so I taught him the same way my teacher taught me. I shared whatever information I could so he could practice correctly and play with other musicians. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My methods vary depending on the level of the student. I heavily emphasize fundamentals with beginning students, and I try and make them understand the importance of the essectial rudiments and hand coordination before moving on to the drum set. With intermediate and advanced students I emphasize drum set, while still practicing the fundamentals. I hope to teach more advanced students to learn the confidence and skill to play with a band and learn how to approach songs from a musical, rather than simply technical, point of view. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

The most important aspect of pedagogy which, I have learned from my own experience, is that music is best learned through MUSIC! I will always work with the student to find out what they want to play and teach through that style and those pieces; theory and technique are inherent to music from pop to classical and everything in between! I will also work with the student on expanding their own musical horizons and hopefully discover new music together with them Read More

Instruments: Drums

Every student is different. The first lesson I get a read on my student, and find out what music makes them excited. I also find out what their goals are with music. For example, some students may want to be better for school band, and some students may just want to be able to pay with their favorite songs. I teach my students how to read drum set music and provide charts for songs they are learning. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

can teach from any book the student is interested in, but if he or she is unsure where to begin, I recommend the following. For basic snare drum technique, I teach out of "Alfred's Drum Method Book One," as well as printing out a page of all 40 essential rudiments for each student; I would teach these as the student progresses. For beginner drum set, I teach out of "Alfred's Beginning Drum Set Method," as well as playing along to songs the student picks out; this is truly the best way to improve on the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

“Russ is one of the absolute best students I have ever had in my long teaching career at Berklee College of Music. Russ is very talented, smart, highly disciplined and open minded as a musician. Having Russ as a teacher will be an experience where the student will receive an effective, focused, and open minded approach to the students individual musical needs and interests.” -Dave Weigert, Drum Instructor, Berklee College of Music. Read More