Drum Lessons in Flintridge, CA

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a musician at the heart of it all. Ever since I was a youngin' I've always had a melody or beat going in my head. I started playing guitar at age 11 and took lessons for about 6 months. After that most everything was self taught or came from experience with playing with others. I picked up drums about age 14 and am very comfortable and confident on both instruments 13+ years later. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

If students come in with just an initial curiosity or are unsure about their direction, we try various songs and learning methods to see what they feel most comfortable with, what's most fun for them. I also love to ask the student questions and emphasize open communication to make sure they're an active participant in the learning process. This includes weekly lesson notes and consistent communication with any loved ones. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

My teaching style is informal in that the lessons are challenging, but the delivery is casual. It's important for me as a teacher to relate to the student on a personal level, so that I understand what the student wants to do and the direction and path they'd like to take. To see the student progress is most important, but to understand the best method to encourage the student is the primary function of the instructor. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I started drum lessons when I was 12. I started playing in hotels at 15 years of age with show bands and rock bands. I have played with high school bands at Carnegie Hall in New York and traveled to many places because of music. When I went off to graduate school my long time band mate went on the road as a professional musician. But I never stopped playing. I have played in Concert Band, Rock bands, Jazz Bands and more.I was always to go to drummer when someone needed a great drummer. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For all students I typically teach from Musicians Institute’s curriculum. This curriculum is tailored in a clear and concise form to progress chronologically from the bottom up. The books I use can help to develop performance, reading, and technique etc at levels beginner through advanced. Most kids I try to teach with additional factors to keep lessons entertaining, and for adults I try to give them as much information as possible while catering to where they are trying to get as a drummer as opposed to the overall knowledge a kid needs. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I like to start younger students off with sticking, familiarity with the instrument, basic rudiments and basic notation/reading. Once they have a grasp on basic rhythmic concepts, I like to teach functional grooves so students can begin to play music with others. My emphasis is peformance, and teaching functional grooves/ideas/fills as well as classic percussion literature helps students feel confident in performing. For older students, I try and help develop the tools needed express themselves in their chosen style. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students who are young, I usually start with just a snare drum. Learning stick holding and striking technique, and then move onto adding pieces of the drumset to play on. From there, I go onto introducing learning note values, and drum music reading. For adults, I may start the same way, but also discuss what they would like to focus on. I really like to imply the fundamentals of contemporary music, and what is typically used on well known recordings. Read More