Private lessons
Private lessons are a must for anyone serious about learning to play an instrument. How long and how intensely you need to study depends on what you want to do--if you just want to play drums for fun in your basement, you don't need to study as much as you do in order to be a professional. However, anyone wishing to learn a musical instrument should consult an experienced professional. Even if you only have one lesson, the proper technique on the instrument can help ward off repetitive stress disorders that can affect you for the rest of your life.
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My ultimate goals as a teacher are twofold: First, I want to help maintain and hopefully increase the love for music that you presumably have already (if you didn't love music, you wouldn't be asking for lessons). Second, I want to help you find your own voice in music, to be a unique individual in a world of artistic copycats. My approach emphasizes the creative process right from the beginning. Music, after all, is an art form, and art is all about creativity. Proper technique and theory are vital tools for music making, but there's no need to present them as a series of mindless exercises. My lessons are designed to develop good playing habits organically, as a means of solving problems in the creative process. It is also important to listen to and appreciate many different styles of music. I start by meeting students where they are, working with the types of music they already know and enjoy. To increase their musical vocabulary, however, I try to expose them to other styles as well, so they can broaden their experience and incorporate new ideas into their own playing.
Ideally, my students will learn to play a variety of percussion instruments for the same reason. Just as playing some classical music will make you a better rock musician, so playing keyboard percussion instruments will make you a better drummer. The more varied your experience, the greater your capacity for self-expression.
I also strongly encourage involvement in a school band program whenever possible. No matter how long you take lessons, or how many hours you practice, there is simply no substitute for playing in a group with other people. Some of my past students have also been members of area youth orchestras and participated in the IMEA All-State music festival. Some of these have continued as music majors in college, and at least one is now a successful professional in Los Angeles.
I am available for lessons either at my home or yours (there may be a travel fee attached for me to come to your home) or possibly at your local high school. I will also be offering lessons online via Skype in the near future. Contact me for more information!