Drum Lessons in Little Portugal, CA

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My experience is mostly with beginning students, so I take an easy-going approach. We will begin with fundamentals, either working out of one of my books, one of the student's, or with a different modality depending on the student's learning style. I will facilitate a fun, exciting environment in which the student can choose their path. Possible goals could be: learning your favorite song, memorizing scales, learning to read music, learning to solo, and anything else that pops into the student's head! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When I begin with any student, I like to ask what they love, what they wish, and what they'd like to do during their lessons. Depending on the answer, I may start the student with tape on the fretboard, under the strings, outlining the chords for a guitar player. Or I may start with a book outlining the fundamentals of music and focus on sight reading. I like to have the lesson be a mix of what the students want, and what I believe to be useful information. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

He has also studied voice with Jane Sharp and piano with Ellen Wasserman.  Jake has been teaching music since 2001. He was Music Program Director at Mission Hills Middle School, in Union City, for 3 years. He was also the guitar and percussion teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. Jake has also been a music instructor with COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. Over the years he has performed with musicians such as Josh Jones, Michael Aaberg, Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusere, Jonathan Finlayson, Geoff Brennan, and Ray Brown. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Music Keyboard

My lessons are student driven. I typically assign some technique, repertoire, and theory assignments each week. I often try to include a “student challenge” most weeks in order to gauge how much a student is understanding during the lessons. I modify my styles based on what seems most effective for the student. Sometimes a student really needs 5 pieces to work on over a longer stretch of time. Other times, a student can only reasonably work on one piece for the week. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I like to use familiar songs as vehicles to teach. In my UCSC class, I start with Beatles songs because everyone knows them and they're well-liked. I always like students to suggest songs they want to learn as well, since they will be more likely to practice and be more engaged in practice if the song is something they enjoy. I use these as vehicles to teach chord voicings, theory, intervals and technique. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

For younger students fundamentals are essential. I would start with things such as rudiments, and coordination exercises. These are the things that everything in drumming is built from, so everything else will come naturally and easier. For the older students I would find out their experience level and work around their strengths and interest. I would show them things that a professional musician is expected to know, such as being able to play simple to complex grooves with good time. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

Teaching drums the past ten years has exposed me to over 100 students of all skill levels, beginner to advanced, and all ages. My passion for teaching goes well beyond the limits of music and toward the fulfillment of personal development and success of each student. This approach, directly influenced by my experience working with children with developmental disabilities, demands thoughtfulness, customizing a vision that best fits the needs and skill set of the individual. Read More