Drum Lessons in North Wales, PA

Instruments: Drums

For beginners, I have a special system that implements coordination while utilizing proper counting technique. As their understanding of their limbs grows the more I begin to welcome actual musical notation. This system has proven time and time again to tackle the initial issue that coordination imposes. In intermediate to advanced students I stress the importance of technique, quality of sound, coordination, visualization, and relaxation/movement. I also stress the importance of sightreading and practice this with many of my students.  Read More

Instruments: Drums

When playing the actual drums, we focus heavily on rudimentary understanding of technique, grip, posture and fluidity while playing I have all students work on their 40 standard rudiments, understanding their history, application in both prior and contemporary forms of music, and how to further apply them. The rudiments are like the drummer's scale and are the consistent and perpetual language to speak drums. Depending on the skill level, there are a variety of books that I do like to hand out which relate to snare drum studies to reinforce reading and stick control. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

My teaching style relies heavily upon training the ear to dissect what it is hearing. Developing the ear is crucial to being a self-reliant musician. In drums, the visualization how a rhythm works in time is essential to being able to perform that rhythm. Dissection and mapping are the key to furthering one's abilities on the drum kit. In guitar or in piano, being able to isolate frequencies with your ear will lead you to a more accurate understanding for chord structures and progressions than simply looking up tabs, which are often deeply flawed. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I have 3 years of teaching experience, beginning when I was in college. I highly encourage regular practice because it gets the student comfortable with the fundamentals of their instrument. Eventually, this will allow creative freedom for them as they progress with their studies. I want my students to feel confident about their progress and abilities, so I encourage them to play with other musicians. Being a part of rhythm section can be a fun but pressuring aspect of being in an ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Clarinet Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music

My teaching is very student-driven. I try to keep the students interests as a primary goal in keeping their interest level and so that they can progress in a musical situation. When they are interested in what they are learning, they strive for success. I try to acknowledge their successes and accomplishments which helps keep them learning and wanting to learn more. The best way to learn music is to teach it effectively, and I ALWAYS am learning from my students in a variety of ways, whether it be a new group that I'm not familiar with, or another style or genre that is new and fresh. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

I can still remember the joy I felt when I first started playing drums and my passion is helping people experience that joy. In my musical career, spanning 38 years, I have performed with varied groups including: drumset with The Road Runners Blues Band, Catfish and Paul Plumeri Blues Band; West African, Middle Eastern and Afro-Cuban percussion with Groove Merchant Drum Dance Ensemble; bodhran and bones with traditional Celtic bands Kintail, Cwn Annwn and Browne Jenkyn; and snare drum with The First Highland Watch of Pennsylvania and Rev War Re-enactors First NJ Volunteers. Read More