Drum Lessons in Renton, WA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For my beginning drum students, I use Mark Wessels "A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum and Drum Set", Rod Morganstein's "drum set musician", and Mitchell Peters' "Developing Dexterity". For students that have a good grasp of the basics, I work through material that caters to their specific interests (jazz, rock, latin, West-African, orchestral/school band, or marching percussion). I also write original etudes for my students based on their needs and include a midi accompaniment to motivate students to work on their assigned material. Read More

Instruments: Drums

In that case, I would do my best to construct a rough curriculum that I think would work well for the student. The following books are all ones I have worked with and have found to be excellent at improving unique things: "Syncopation" (Ted Reed), "Stick Control" (G.L. Stone), "The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught By Alan Dawson" (John Ramsay), "Patterns" (Gary Chaffee), and "Portraits in Rhythm" (Anthony Cirone). Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I've been teaching since 1998 and sincerely enjoy helping kids of all ages learn and excel playing drums and percussion. In 2000 I opened a drum studio in central California where I gave drum and percussion lessons to children as young as three years old to adult retired hobbyists. While running my own drum studio I also taught for Connecting Waters Charter School. Teaching drums for me is very rewarding and I take pride in giving the student all the benefit of my experience. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

Upon meeting a student for the first time I like to hear from them about where their interests lie, what their goals are, and what they already know about their instrument and music in general.  Lessons are custom-tailored based on these facts.  I like attempting to expand on their interests and introduce them to music they may not be aware of but I think they'll love.  My favorite part is when they light up upon hearing something really cool for the first time! Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Drums Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

My main teaching experience comes from working with multiple marching bands during their summer training camps. I worked as a percussion instructor and I taught marching techniques, playing techniques, drills, and rehearsed parts within the section. While in college I maintained a few beginning private students where my primary focus was establishing fundamental playing technique. I love motivating students with music that they enjoy. When someone enjoys what they're playing, they tend to be more engaged and practice more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

No matter where the student starts from, I always spend a significant amount of time in the first lesson discussing with them what they want to gain, what they are interested in, and how much time and effort they want to put into this endevor. It is important to me to understand the student so that I can cater to their needs and desires, and hopefully encourage them to continue playing music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For just about any instrument, a key approach of mine is to teach students how to play the songs they love - and then the musical building blocks that make up said songs. Then, I teach the rudiments, patterns, and music theory behind those building blocks, and teach the students to be able to figure this all out on their own in the future through ear-training. I tend to like the Essential Elements series for band instruments, the Alfred books for piano and guitar, the Real Book for a wide variety of jazz repertoire. Read More