Kenneth W
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Conga, Latin Percussion
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Latin, Funk, Salsa, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Kenneth W
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Conga, Latin Percussion
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Latin, Funk, Salsa, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
MofA, San Francisco State University, Humanities BofA, San Francisco State University, American Studies w/minor in Music 60 semester credits at University of Miami School of Music 60 semester credits at Berklee College of Music Summer school at Hartt School of Music
Scholarship to Berklee College of Music
Toured Italy and China with the Greater Hartford Youth Orchestra
Scholarship to San Francisco State University
Deans list every semester as an undergrad at San Francisco State University
I have been playing drums since I was seven years old and I specialize in jazz, blues, rock, reggae, and afro-cuban styles. My extensive education includes coursework from Hartt School of Music, Berklee College of Music, University of Miami, San Francisco State University, performing at each school and all over the United States and Canada. I can help perfect your technique including posture and ergonomics; develop your rudiments and sense of time; teach you dynamics and how to play in the ensemble setting; I can teach you how to read both drum and vibraphone music including jazz voicings and improvisation. I work with students at every level from beginner to expert... you just tell me exactly what you want to work on and we will take it from there. I will teach you on your own drums and show you how to achieve the best sound possible including how to setup and tune your drums.
I started teaching drums in San Francisco in 1995. I teach all levels from beginner to professional in all styles including double bass drums. My specialty is jazz which includes boogie woogie, swing, big band, bebop, cool jazz, avant garde, fusion, afro-cuban, and salsa. I can teach basically any style you are interested in if you show me exactly the song or genre you are working on. We can perfect your fundamentals or take you to the next level of improvisation. I will give you excercises to work on every time we have a lesson so you will know what to practice and how it will help you to become a better player.
For beginning students it is essential to practice rudiments with a metronome. I will also start you out with basic 4/4 drum beats and explain to you the importance of balance and the back beat. The sooner a student learns proper posture and good technique the sooner they will be winning the battle of the bands. For the more advanced students we can work on specific songs or styles you are interested in, and we can cover the all important concept of improvisation. If you are ready for ensemble work I can work directly with your band and show you how to achieve results that people will notice. Each lesson is designed to work with the students current style and to thrust them forward into the next level.
I learned from the best teachers who are proactive. I am always studying music and when I was developing into a professional musician I practiced many hours every week for years. When I realized I was performing with bad posture and poor ergonomics I went back and developed a much better technique which I use to this day. I can immediately identify problems with your style and show you how to fix them. Drum solos are great but your timing and ability to play with other musicians is absolutely essential to your success. I learned from the best players such as Neil Peart, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Stewart Copeland, Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, and Jack DeJohnette and I will teach you the importance of studying these great drummers as well.
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