Because everyone is different, my lessons cater to each student's specific needs. Whether you're just starting out or have been playing drums for years, I can help you reach your goals.
Here is a sample curriculum:
Beginner
The following materials will help the student gain an understanding of the foundations of music.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- Identifying percussion instruments
- Basic strokes
- Proper grip
- Understanding basic theory (notes, clefs, time signature)
- Reading rhythmic and melodic notation
- Some major and minor scales
- Knowledge of basic rock, blues, and jazz patterns
- Development of four-limb independence
Instruction Books
Snare Drum:
Feldstein/Black-Alfred's Drum Method Book 1
Goldenberg-Modern School for Snare Drum
Mallets:
Peters-Fundamental Method for Mallets Vol. 1
Timpani:
Peters-Fundamental Method for Timpani
Drumset:
Feldstein/Black-Alfred's Beginning Drumset Method
Intermediate
The following materials will allow the student to progress into a confident, capable percussionist.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- Command and use of proper technique
- Comfort in “odd” meters
- All major and minor scales, triads, and inversions
- Fluent reading of bass and treble clefs
- Knowledge of the standard 26 drum rudiments
- Comfortable sight reading skills
- Comfort playing in large and small ensembles
- Knowledge of advanced rock grooves
- Further development of four-limb independence
- Intermediate jazz and funk grooves
- Basic rock transcriptions
- Ability to play at a grade 2-4 solo level
Instruction Books
Snare Drum:
Peters-Intermediate Snare Drum Studies
Peters-Advanced Snare Drum Studies
Pratt-14 Modern Contest Solos
Mallets:
Goldenberg-Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone
Peters-Fundamental Method for Mallets Vol. 2
Timpani:
Firth-Solo Timpanist
Goodman-Modern Method for Timpani
Drumset:
Reed-Syncopation #1
Advanced
The following materials will insure the percussionist is prepared to play in professional settings and/or take college auditions. Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- Full command of the instrument
- Understanding of acceptable “alternate” techniques
- Knowledge of 40 essential rudiments
- Command of four-mallet playing
- Taking a leadership role in large and small ensembles
- Complete four-limb independence
- Reading from “fake” book
- Knowledge of various Latin patterns
- Transcriptions of advanced rock and jazz charts
- Knowledge of all styles
- Ability to play at a grade 5-6 solo level
Instruction Books
Snare Drum:
Carroll-Orchestral Repertoire for the Snare Drum
Stone-Stick Control for the Snare Drummer
Cirone-Portraits in Rhythm
Delecluse-12 Studies for Snare Drum
Mallets:
Zeltsman-Four-Mallet Marimba Playing
Timpani:
Delecluse-20 Studies for Timpani
Horner-Tuneful Timpanist
Tafoya-Working Timpanist's Survival Guide
Drumset:
Harrison-Rhythmic Horizons