Drum Lessons in Mount Royal, NJ

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer Djembe

Students are encouraged to say the play of each voice independently to foster coordination independence as conscious control. My Seven Shapes system provides foundation for the commonalities and distinctions across whatever course of songs they study. For more intermediate students, we take on more challenging songs, exercise greater stick control w/ compound rudiments, and chart entire drum parts of whole songs. Intermediate and Advanced students focus on the specific motifs and skills of more distinct and challenging drumming; speed/endurance for punk/metal, groove and phrasing for hip-hop and pop 4-way independence for latin and afro-cuban, shuffle feel open/improvisational song-form for blues and jazz, Advanced students also learn odd-meter, poly-meter, polyrhythms and ostinato from both traditional African/Indian musics and contemporary progressive examples. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Previously mentioned, depending on the individual student, my methods and concepts will change. In teaching i have found there is NOT a "perfect way to teach" or "right way". People are different and everyone learns differently and at different paces, so the style of teaching has to change from student to student. However, the biggest principal i have seen in teaching lessons, is if the teacher believes in the student, and the student knows it, results will sky rocket and the student will do anything for that teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Accordion Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Fiddle Double Bass Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

It is the theory that one needs to learn in order to progress to a level a student wishes at attain. Think of if you were asked, "Can you write me a sentence"? but you didn't know the alphabet, how would you write the sentence? It would be difficult or, impossible to do so without the knowledge of using letters to convey the message. In the same way, without theory of music, one finds one stranded in their development and in need of a musical transfusion. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Learning a musical instrument is very challenging and for most of us it doesn't come naturally. It's unfortunate when students become frustrated too quickly in the process and decide to quit out of frustration. In my style of teaching, it's very important that students feel some level of success no matter where they are in their own musical journey. Often I will perform lesson materials in unison along with students to help them if they are feeling anxious or uncomfortable. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

My teaching style is based on providing the student with as many "light bulb" moments as possible. These moments of goals being realized are the achievements which drive students to excel and are imperative to their confidence. Students who feel stuck or unmotivated are rarely in this position as a result of limited resources, but rather the feeling of accomplishment which is the result of great effort. Everyone learns differently, but generating lessons to strengthen weaknesses and help remember previous teaching is vital when considering a student's enthusiasm for their craft. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

My teaching experience began in 1980 while still in high school teaching private lessons. Since then Ive taught at Westminster Choir College, Rutgers University, NJ State and County Teen Arts Programs as well as private and group lessons in my own studio. My casual approach allows students the relaxation and freedom necessary to learn at their own pace. With a strong focus on fundamentals and using those fundamentals as building blocks, my goal is to help students become musical and creative and find their own unique voice on their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experience began in 2001, during an after school program. I facilitated a drum circle and taught lessons to kids from ages 8 to 15 years old. This lead to several parents of the students requesting private drum lessons. I have been teaching privately in student's homes over the last 15 years.  I find that defining the student’s goals, and centering the lesson around those goals keeps the individual inspired to progress forward. Read More