Drum Lessons in Riverside, CA

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

I primarily use original material when I teach, but occasionally Ill work from standard method books such as Stick Control, Master Studies, and Syncopation, or assign pages from more recent books like John Rileys The Art of Bop Drumming. Ill also pull out books specifically for sight reading such as Anthony Cirones Portraits in Rhythm. For beginning and intermediate students I focus on fundamental technique, basic sight reading skills, and drum set playing (independence/coordination of the limbs, relaxation and balance, time and groove, fills and solos, introduction of musical styles, etc.) For advanced students I get into more conceptual and creative aspects of playing the drums, but I also introduce the Spivack/Wilson technique which I learned during my studies with Murray Spivack and Richard Wilson in the 1980s [check out the 4-part series featured in Modern Drummer magazine in 2011-2012]. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students who are young, I usually start with just a snare drum. Learning stick holding and striking technique, and then move onto adding pieces of the drumset to play on. From there, I go onto introducing learning note values, and drum music reading. For adults, I may start the same way, but also discuss what they would like to focus on. I really like to imply the fundamentals of contemporary music, and what is typically used on well known recordings. Read More

Instruments: Voice Cello Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

At night I founded my first rock band, Feedback, and later joined WD 40. Selected for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 1985, I went on to write scores for string ensembles, a passion I am pursuing as an arranger and composer. My interests are motivated by my passion for world musics and the rhythmic complexity they offer which became the subject of my thesis on Afro Cuban Rumba Guaguanco. My classical and world music knowledge was put to service as a co-producer and director for MuchMusic-Musimax and BRAVO! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Acoustic Guitar

I have loved music ever since I was a child. I grew up in a musical family, and starting taking drum lessons when I was 7. I was luckily enough to know even as a child that music was what I wanted to spend my life doing. I attended a charter middle and high school in Western Massachusetts dedicated to the performing arts, which provided me with a lot of early experience playing music with other people and honing my craft. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I believe that drum has to start with the basics, I used to practice at least one hour a day every day for over 10 years. I still practice on a regular basis with my pads and on my drums. So many drummers you see today are not schooled and its a shame. if you start with a good solid foundation you can be the best there is. I always strived to be the best drummer that I can be.Learning can be fun if taught the right way. Read More

Instruments: Drums Double Bass

I teach to the students wants and needs and help them develop a passion for music. I let the student set their own pace and always encourage my students to set realistic and obtainable goals. Using this method allows me to keep the student engaged and excited about learning. Read More