Drum Lessons in Sun City, AZ

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

Having studied music at Indiana University under George Gaber, The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago under James Dutton, and famed Ludwig Drum Company Clinician and National Champion Frank Arsenault, I received my Bachelor of Music Degree from Fort Hays State University.                  My unique approach to teaching drum set and snare drum, combines amazing speed, precision, power, passion, musicianship, emotion and melodic/harmonic innovations that stem from my life-long composing/arranging experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               My former students include university department heads, and professional players, teachers, and performers including internationally known U. of Kentucky professor James Campbell (former PAS president and caption head of the Cavaliers), Classical/Innovative Percussionist Mike Lorenz, Mike Mann (former caption head of the Phantom Regiment) Rob Carson (National Snare Drum Champion), Steve Fagiano, (IL State Snare Drum Champion), Rick Beckham (National Senior Snare Drum Champion), Dean Kranzler (Ft. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Mallet Percussion Oboe English Horn Keyboard

My beginning students usually start with Hal Leonards Essential Elements, Accents on Achievements, Do It Play In Band, and much more. Once my student is able to grasp basic fundamentals and a healthy proper tone and technique, I will then be able to incorporate solo repertoire for future recitals and contests. For adults, I will find out what interests my students and coordinate my lessons accordingly to keep the lesson engaging and fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass Music Keyboard Djembe

I recorded my first solo album titled Just a Bass and won NMHS Battle of the Bands again my senior year. For my senior project I composed, rehearsed and performed my first Concerto for Cello and Orchestra and went on to study Double Bass performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where I received my B.M. I have played in many master classes with some of the worlds greatest musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Victor Wooten, Emanuel Ax and others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I feel I explained a good amount of my teaching style in the last column. I really like to go with what the student will benefit from the most, not necessarily what is the cookie cutter "next step" I learned to play by trying things a couple levels above me and I loved it. I know not all students are the same, and sometimes the parents input is a big factor depending on if they are musicians themselves! Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

For beginning students that are in middle or high school, I typically start them out learning snare drum technique, and reading rhythms. Fortechnique I will use standard exercises and rudiments, and for readingI will use "Syncopation for The Modern Drummer".If the student has a drumset then I will start them with some basic "Rock" beatsas a tool to help thembetter understand the subdivision of time, and form some independence.Most of my students move into Gary Chester's "The New Breed" as their first drumset book.After teaching for 25 years, I have developed a lot of my own lesson meterials, and I try to cater the lesson plans to both challenge the students and keep them having fun learning. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Euphonium Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

As I first approach a new student, my first question to them is "why drums?". From that response I have a better idea of where this student is most comfortable for playing. Their genre of musical listening is a strong consideration of the styles they would enjoy learning. By finding their strong points of playing building an individual curriculum for that student gives them a better opportunity to become a player to the best of their abilities. Read More

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer

The first lesson I will assess the students playing to get to know them and their goals so we can get started right away. For beginners we'll be focusing heavily on Syncopation and Stick Control, two excellent books. When the student has a grasp on the basics we will work on dynamic control, limb independence, sense of time and ear training. Intermediate lessons include advanced poly-rhythms, trading fours together in different time signatures, fine tuning the drums and advanced sight reading. Read More