Drum Lessons in Silver Creek Valley, CA

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

My teaching philosophy is student centered. I realize that every student is different in their physical or mental capabilities; that each student has different expectations with their relationship to music and with themselves; and that each student has their own strengths, insecurities, and pace of learning. Focusing on what makes each student different and unique is what guides how I teach each student. For example, I've had a handful of students with autism who had limited verbal capabilities. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Keyboard

For beginning learners I will focus on drum stick hand placement, grip, and control. This will fundamentally give the student more comfort in rhythm later on in the lessons. A proper hand grip and finding a comfortable position is key to starting the foundation of being a great drummer. We will also focus on the nomenclature of the drum kit. We don't just want to hit the drum kit, but we want to learn what it is we are hitting. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My aim is to make a solid connection with a student, one where a student arrives with some basic knowledge, innate ability and real passion for the instrument. I can then observe, and correct slight flaws in technique and touch. I can also instruct several styles of music from the many genres that I have experienced over the years. I also find myself learning while I teach, and can pick up valuable ideas from my interaction with students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Organ Synthesizer

I have no hard strict rules when it comes to teaching, because every student is different and they all learn at different speeds in different ways. I've taught out of the following books: Bastien Piano Basics Alfred Piano Method Faber Method John Thompson's Teaching Little Fingers to Play For more advanced students, I'm open to spending on time on whatever concepts they most want to cover. I also have a broad repetoire of jazz and classical as well as modern pop, rock, and even country and TV Themes to select from if the student has a specific style or song in mind.  Read More

Instruments: Drums

Technique: grip, stroke methods, posture, symmetry, breathing, set up. Rudiments: with and without metronome, increasing tempo by 5 bpm, great way to warm up for any lesson. Beats/Rhythms/Styles: rock, pop, jazz, funk, hip hop, reggae, Arab, African + more. Genre/style identifiers and characteristics. Independence: hands and feet exercises for fluidity and freedom of expression. Orchestration and Arrangement: utilizing the variety of percussion instruments available at the studio to demonstrate rhythms and sounds. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience began 2 years ago when I started teaching a few neighborhood kids that my family knew. By word of mouth I gained 3 more but then I moved to Santa Cruz so I could attend Cabrillo College. These were private lessons all in the homes of the students. But now that I have my own studio, I have been inviting students over to study in my studio. I have been playing guitar for 10 years beginning with professional lessons, electric bass for 7, and drums for 5. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

For beginner students who are pursing music on the tonal instruments, I typically start with learning the names of the notes on the instrument and the major scale in every key as it relates to the piano. For the bass guitar I start of with basic finger strength techniques and exercises while incorporating the major scale fingering form and Nashville numbering system for all tonal instruments. For voice, I start off by finding the range of the individual and then teaching warmup techniques while building the individuals technique through finding a song and learning how to sing along.  Read More