Richard B  
Instruments: Drums
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, Funk, Hip Hop, New Age, Marching Band, Punk

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time over 20 years ago. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that teaching a combination of various musical styles can go a long way in helping students thoroughly enjoy drumming and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are always encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. I'm always looking to bring on new students of all ages!

My method is a step by step curriculum designed to take students from beginner to intermediate level. Students will work with me one on one to develop their skills in areas like theory, rudiments, technique, styles, and ear training. Getting Started on the Drums (Level 1) Level 1 is where you’ll develop a rock-solid foundation for your drumming that will prepare you for all the other levels and set you up for success for the rest of your drumming journey. Whether you want to be a rock, jazz, gospel, or blues drummer - to name only a few, the skills you’ll learn in this level will help you get there. You’re going to learn how to set up your drum-set, how to properly hold your drumsticks and play your pedals, and best of all, you’ll learn how to play two songs on the drums in no time! You will also start to develop your ears in this level so you can simply play what you hear. Basic Theory & Ear Training (Level 2) Theory and notation, rudiments, independence, new styles, and ear training! Level 2 is where you’ll start to develop skills in some core areas that you’ll continue to work on in subsequent lessons. You’ll learn some basic rudiments which are considered the alphabet of drumming, you’ll learn how to read drum notation and understand basic theory, you’ll learn how to practice effectively, and you’ll even dive into drumming styles like rock, punk, and metal. Level 2 is also where you’ll start working on some new ear training skills to become a more musical drummer. These are invaluable skills that you’ll be able to apply to play-along tracks and all of the other music you love to play! The Motions Of Drumming (Level 3) This level will change the way you approach playing the drums. By learning the motions of drumming, you will become a more efficient drummer able to play faster, smoother, and for longer periods of time. This is no easy task, but the payoff is huge! Taking the time to properly learn the motions will help you avoid injury and drastically improve the sound of your drumming. Level 3 will also introduce you to some new rudiments like the flam and drag, some new styles like country and disco, and expand on the theory, independence, and ear training concepts you learned about in Level 2. The Moeller Method & Essential Grooves (Level 4) Now that you’ve started to develop the motions of drumming, you’re ready to start learning the Moeller Method. This is a technique that drummers have been using for decades to achieve power, efficiency, and fluidity on the drums. Level 4 is where you’ll take your technical abilities to a new level, begin to play in different time signatures, and start exploring new rhythmic concepts like half-time feels and filling over the barline. You’ll also be introduced to jazz, blues, and rock ballads, in addition to learning how to develop musicality within each new style.