Drum Lessons West

Instruments: Drums

20 years playing and performing in all kinds of musical situations. Read More

Instruments: Drums, Orchestral Percussion, Latin Percussion

I've been teaching almost as long as I've been playing. By the time I was in high school I had earned the reputation as "the drum guy" and friends would come to me for informal lessons on how to practice and play drums. Some of these students have continued their musical pursuits and have gone on to attend good music colleges and are playing professionally! During my time at college I continued teaching on the side, and since I have graduated and relocated to Portland I have dedicated myself to teaching full-time. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Drums, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

If students come in with just an initial curiosity or are unsure about their direction, we try various songs and learning methods to see what they feel most comfortable with, what's most fun for them. I also love to ask the student questions and emphasize open communication to make sure they're an active participant in the learning process. This includes weekly lesson notes and consistent communication with any loved ones. Read More

Instruments: Guitar, Drums, Ukulele

A typical drum lesson for beginners, child or adult, will always start with an interest inventory. I would like to gauge the students' musical interests to shape the long term lesson plan. I like to find some of the student's favorite bands/songs to draw examples and teach from. Snare fundamentals such as paradiddles, flams, rolls, etc. will be taught as well as short and easy drum kit beats. Students will be introduced to drum kit sheet music to help visualize, but the focus of drum kit lessons would be on developing the ear to be able to pick up music quickly. Read More

Instruments: Drums, Orchestral Percussion

I began teaching in my first year of college. My peers would often ask for my assistance with deciphering difficult rhythms on sheet music or advice on the best ways to practice percussion. I began holding one on one lessons and found the experience more enriching to me than any other facet of music I had previously experienced. To me, experiencing the student first-hand and understanding his or her strengths and weaknesses was the most rewarding experience of my early college life and ever since then I have continued to teach and continue finding new and exciting ways to fall in love with it every day. Read More