Drum Lessons in Manoa, PA

Instruments: Drums

Patience. I have taught children as young as 5 to adults nearing their 50's and the one universal approach I take with all of them is taking every day as a step forward. I am never aggressive with my students. I believe in pushing them to the next level but never through negativity. I stress the importance of enjoying other activities in school/life and seeing them as important factors in our growth as musicians. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

In addition to drum set, I also teach djembe (West African), bodhran (Celtic), doumbek (Middle Eastern) and conga (Afro-Cuban). My favorite thing about teaching is watching students develop into creative musicians and finding their own voice. My playing and teaching has always been based in tradition, but not bound by it. I have found that keeping a relaxed, fun atmosphere during lessons allows students to learn at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginner students Ill usually start with George Lawrences Stick Control and Ted Reeds Syncopation. Once I know they have a grasp of the fundamentals, Ill usually see what their interests are or what they are working on personally and help them improve and build upon those things. This could be repertoire for school or auditions or simply a song they have been trying to learn for a while. Once I understand the students interests and goals I try and tailor my curriculum to that. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach my students to read music as well as to play by ear. I host 2 recitals each year. We learn one song start to finish and I hire a professional band to learn and perform the songs with my students at a local establishment or at my studio. I encourage all of my students to perform with our recital band. As far as books, I prefer to use the "new Breed", by Gary Chester, the ''Art of Bop Drumming'', by John Riley , and the ''encyclopedia of reading rhythms'', by Garry Hess, but there are many other books I recommend for specific needs. Read More

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer Djembe

For all students, I eschew learning specific beats of specific songs, and instead teach them to hear/play/read/write beats from generic forms to specific variations. For this, Ive adapted my system of Seven Shapes for rhythmic permutation. For beginner students, we focus on hearing pulse, counting meter, and simple rudiments for basic stick control. Beginners learn basic rock beats, first one limb/voice at a time, then combing all parts into the complete drum set rhythm.. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I have been teaching drums and percussion since my junior year of high school, and have taken on some piano students in college. I've taken on students as young as elementary age as well as people from an older crowd. Regardless of the age, I've seen music change their lives for the better. Read More