Musika Quick Stats
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Lesson Special - Up to 20% OFF! Get Started Now with a Risk-Free Trial!
Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Drum lessons in Los Angeles . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Djembe
Here's how many drum lessons I've taught: An average of 15 lessons per week times 50 weeks since 1993. 15 x 50 is 750 per year. 25 years of 750 lessons is 18,750, and I have fine-tuned my lesson plans all along the way. Between 2013-2018 I taught a minimum of 30 lessons weekly and had to employee an assistant (an advanced student) to teach my beginners. My students often see me for years. I have taught at Berklee College Of Music's Summer Percussion Festival, School Of Rock, IKnow Music, Join The Band, Santa Monica Music Center, Modern Music, Pop/Rock Academy, Pedrini School Of Music, Walpole Music, and Boston Music Co. 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
Instruments: Drums
As an instructor I focus on my students weaknesses in order to produce as much progress as possible. I strive to find out what my students are really trying to get out of drums whether it’s just for fun, to be famous, or in order to start a band. I love to cater my curriculum to students favorite genres in order to keep them interested. As a drummer myself I understand that some stuff can get boring so I try to add in different aspects to make my lessons more entertaining. Read More
Instruments: Drums
My teaching experience has always been for the student learning at least ONE new thing from during my lessons. I began teaching non officially to other drummers at various gigs across L.A. that liked what they saw during my performances. Because of this I met a lot of amazing individuals who are going to do great things. I realized that after a few years, I wanted to officially start teaching others because of the joy it gave me to see the light bulb turn on in someones head who felt as if they couldn't get it right. Read More
Instruments: Drums Double Bass
What sets me apart from other teachers is my performance experience as an instructor/clinician.I have performed educational clinics at several universities, colleges, schools and music stores throughout the country.My knowledge and experience, unlimited 24/7 student support, follow-up and passion for music education is unparalleled. I am the author of the education instructional video series titled, The True Basics of Drumming.My video series outlines some of my teaching and playing methods.My ideas about the drums and drumming are always expanding with the main focus always being on how to have more fun playing drums. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone Drums Synthesizer Ukulele Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
I approach teaching in layers. Step one leads to step two, we cant skip steps! I find it important that for beginners we follow this structure. More advanced students will be on a case by case basis in regards to where we start. I emphasize imprivisation in every lesson weather it be on drums, piano or trombone. Playing music right off the top of your head, and in the moment is something you can't learn out of a book! Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Synthesizer Recorder French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practice is for YOU [the student], so it does you no good to skip it, fake it OR lie about it. It is made to give you the opportunity to make the usage of music second nature, for your mind, your fingers, etc. So, it would be best for you to practice, practice, practice!
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
I am proud to say that several of my students have gained successes from our time together. I have a student that went from high school into the Philharmonic. I have a student that plays drums for several popular bands on the road now. I also have a student that has played for the likes of Heather Hedley, Varetta Heidelberg and Nona Hendryx. There are several of my other students that are making their own way in the music business currently. I smile every time I think of the way in which I have positively impacted the music industry today!!!
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I do not have a primary instrument, I play what is necessary for the moment, the circumstance, the performance, the genre, the style, etc!!! I typically play what is needed in the moment!
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being able to say that I have played for/with/along side of quite a few notably accomplished artists of our time! The list is huge at this time, but I will brag personally about Sarah Vaughn, Nate Dogg, Bobby Shew, Angella Christie, Queen Latifah, Sidney Portier, Bill Cosby, Nona Hendryx, as well as Daryl Coley!
When will I start to see results?
I believe any dedicated student will see results immediately, as long as they commit to doing their part. It does not take long with proper commitment & dedication!!!
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Ms. Julia Shortridge was a major influence on me ending up in music. Although I came from a musical family, I had no idea that I already possessed musical talent/ability until that fateful day. It was an assembly right before 5th period as I was in the 5th grade at Elderberry Elementary School. The current music instructor held an assembly with a few of her friends demonstrating the capabilities of several different instruments. She gave an announcement as the assembly came to an end, asking for anyone interested to remain behind their class in order to be assessed for an instrument in beginning band. I took my turn standing in front of her as she asked me to "say TU"! Well I did, and she assigned me to clarinet. I was given the name of the practice book and instruction to rent/buy an instrument as soon as possible. After clever begging, I did just that and returned to school that next Monday already half way through the practice book. I was already enjoying myself and making quite a bit of progress. I had no idea that I would differ greatly from others in my class whom were just barely trying to assemble their instruments. I was making headway and steering myself so cleverly through the book, that Ms. Shortridge placed me in Intermediate Band approximately 1-week after beginning. I rather quickly conquered Intermediate Band and found myself in Advanced Band within a month, gaining awards and special recognition quickly thereafter.
So, without any hesitation I can say that I owe quite a bit to Ms. Julia Shortridge and that fateful day!!! I CELEBRATE IT & HER TO THIS DAY!
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If your child is visibly interested in a particular instrument AND can hold his attention there for 15+ minutes, then I would say that they are ready to start lessons! I typically give an honorary lesson up front to assess the child and their attention span. With teens-adults I base it upon their desire to learn, which can be properly assessed conversationally.
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Drum lessons in Los Angeles to students of all ages and abilities.
We'll then reach out to the teachers for you.
Schedule the risk-free trial lesson directly with the teacher.
Continue with that teacher or try someone else.




