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 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

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I'm a very passionate coach and will teach you how to teach yourself. There will be lessons where we will pick a skill you want to learn and you will teach me how to develop that skill. Retention is paramount while learning. I've found that your ability to retain information is dramatically increased if you teach the information to others...as high as 80% (average is 40%), thats double. If I can motivate you to learn and you become passionate about your craft, I can learn from you as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

My teaching does not cut corners. I often tell young students to watch the movie "Karate Kid" and play close attention to the "Wax on, wax off" scenes. (Fortunately, there are practice supplements using play along tracks that make this process more fun and less tedious). I not teach "songs", but I do teach the language of drumming and the language of music. I am an advanced reader and all of my students will be required to read at least some music, however I do understand that many students learn by ear. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experience began in college.  I enjoy introducing great music to others. That is what motivated and inspired me to practice regularly, which is very essential to becoming a skilled musician.  I love being able to administrate a fun and healthy outlet for my students' creative energy.  Seeing my students grow makes me proud and I look forward to teaching students from Musika. I use many different tools to help my students grow and learn. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I deploy a range of methods to ensure my students can play in a multitude of environments if they so choose. For instance, I always teach my students how to read, not only because it makes you a better musician and trains your brain how to think differently about music, but because it enables you to be able to play with groups that require a certain level of reading such as a pit band for a musical, an orchestra, a jazz band, choral gigs, etc. Read More