Drum Lessons in Richmond Hill, NY

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar

Setting goals is a very important practice for teaching. I am very easy going, kind and understanding. However, I expect there to be effort on the part of the student. I believe praise to be a better motivator than stoicism and I always make sure my students know when they are doing a good job and improving. There is nothing more rewarding than to see a student have a breakthrough on their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I have created my own method of teaching which I have perfected over the years. I create my own exercises and practice materials based on the level and interests of each individual student. I use the software program "Finale" in order to create the musical compositions that I prepare for my students. I always accompany my students on the piano. I am well versed in the various styles of music and am comfortable teaching students how to improvise also. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I do not limit my students to a predetermined method. I find, through my own experiences, that this is tedious as well as boring. There are many books I use, including Ted Reed's syncopation for all levels of students, but I focus most of my time with a student to finding out what inspires them to want to learn the drums, and go from there. With every student I start with the basics of technique. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students, I start with a method book that provides them with both aural, visual, and kinesthetic instruction. In addition, I work with my students to develop a curriculum that is high individualized and caters to their needs and, more importantly, their interests. For intermediate and advanced students, I focus on repertoire, etudes, and coordination studies, in order to build technique while learning the standard repertoire pieces. All of my lessons are student directed, and thus each lesson is unique. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

For beginners I usually begin with Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone and Fundamental Studies for Snare Drum by Garwood Whaley. Once the student has a good grasp on basic reading and technique, I usually introduce rudiments and start working on solo or play along repertoire. I also like to use The Drum Set Musician by Rod Morgenstein. Besides book work I also like to bring in things that I am working on either with bands I play with or personal projects. Read More

Instruments: Drums

As far as drumming goes, I believe in the same tenets that were taught to me; start with the basics and core and work your way up. For drums that means rudiments, stick technique and snare basics (books like "Stick Control" -George Stone). But lessons are not a slow grind that maybe one day build up to a full drum set. I was taught (and teach) in a way which mainly focuses first on these essentials (reading, technique etc.), but also incorporates the rest of the drum-set and playing along with other instruments and music. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

Nothing is more rewarding in my teaching than watching a student enjoy making progress and exceeding the expectations that others have set for them. My favorite moment in the teaching process is witnessing the excitement of a student who has just performed above and beyond even the goals and epectations I had set for them to accomplish in a period of time. In my experience, students love succeeding, and love even more so to be recognized for succeeding. Read More