Michael M  
Instruments: Drums, Conga, Djembe
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, Folk, R&B, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Avant-garde

My experience with teaching has been endlessly rewarding. I love to share what i have learned about music and how to play the drums in the most musical possible way. I believe drumming to be incredibly powerful and so healthy for anyone to get involved in. I also enjoy trying to discover what is unique about each student and how they learn which increases bith of our abilities to communicate verbally and through the language of music. I look to work with students of age or ability who are above all excited and interested in learning the instrument. Learning to play any instrument can sometimes be difficult or even frustrating, but through hard work and keeping the process fun the rewards for continuing to improve are well worth the efforts for both teacher and student. I always expect simply the best the student can do and believe strongly in the saying that the best you can do is always good enough.

As previously mentioned, i do believe in the saying that the best you can do is good enough. I expect students to practice equal to the amount they wish to improve. How quickly or slowly someone grows on their instrument is often a simple result of time spent working. But making music is incredibly fun and i make every effort to keep the time spent doing the study fun.  For the drums i tend to buy into the philosophy that playing a first complete rhythm on the drumset as soon as possible, regardless of how basic it may be is important for keeping a student motivated. Although i have taught many students the way i learned which was only on one drum for the first few months to focus on rudiments (the fundamentals of drumming) as well as the skills of reading music and the various parts that make up good technique.      A couple of my tried and true favorite books to teach from are: Beginner: Haskell Harr Drum Method and Alfred's Drum Method Intermediate: New Breed by Gary Chester, Stick Control, and the classic Progressive Steps to Syncopation by Ted Reed Advanced: Advanced Funk Studies by Rick Latham, Patterns by Gary Chaffee and  Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin