Drum Lessons in Oak Park, MI

Instruments: Drums

When starting with a beginner student, I typically start by asking general questions about their interests and the music genres they enjoy. Then, we move on to the basics of maintaining proper form, understanding rhythm, and practicing simple exercises to ensure they start off with the right foundation. After that, we focus on learning the first few basic beats and ensuring they have a good understanding of how they are played. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Drums Electric Guitar

I have many years of teaching experience, from high school marching percussion lines to private percussion and guitar lessons to teaching in a public school setting. I have been a band director for concert and marching band, as well as jazz band, guitar classes, music theory and general music. I am now teaching K-8 general music classes. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have three main books I use; these are my drum 'bibles'. Progressive Steps to Syncopation by Ted Reed, Stick Control for the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence, and Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin. I like to teach fundamentals first, providing a strong basis with which to expand your repetoire. Then I like to emphasize song work. The best part of drumming in my opinion is playing with other instruments, and in addition to playing with recorded music, I encourage my students to find other musicians to practice and even perform with. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have over twenty years of experience in teaching public classes and private lessons. I have a great joy in discovering breakthrough moments where everybody can work together towards achieving their personal goals. Though it is true that every person is unique and different, it is always great where folks can get together and share the love that is music whether that be performing or simply sharing a tune with a loved one or neighbor. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

I started taking Drum lessons of my own at Southern Thumb Music in Richmond, MI around the age of 10. My teacher, Keith Ottenbacher, was a great guy who taught me everything I know in every style. It was also there that I participated in many Percussion ensembles that earned many awards throughout the state. Not only ensembles, but independent Snare performance, earning high rankings and several 1st place awards. I started playing in bands around the age of 14, and traveling to do shows around Michigan. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums

My diverse teaching experience has made me very sensitive to the different needs and interests that students bring to the table. To watch students' musical growth both on a broad scale and in small increments - the excitement of finally executing an exercise, piece, or idea that they have been working through, for instance - is something that brings me great joy and inspires me to motivate them to develop further still. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Double Bass Euphonium Tuba Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For each instrument, I have the same basic approach: discover what they like, assess what they can do, and begin with the fundamentals.  If a student is more advanced, I still like to spend time on fundamentals at the beginning anyway to see if we can fill in any foundational weakness that the student may have.   For each instrument, I also have a wide array of repitoire that I give students that zero-in on technical challenges a student will be presented with. Read More