Drum Lessons

Parents & Teachers - click here for a print-friendly pdf of this page.

Having played drumset for over thirty years, I decided to begin sharing my knowledge with others wanting to learn how to play or improve their playing. I've been teaching for about ten years and have taught students from junior high school to retirement age.

My teaching ensures students have a solid basis in proper technique and knowledge of the rudiments. The Vic Firth website is a helpful tool for teaching rudiments though I actively listen, assess and offer suggestions rather than relying on the computer to teach. My long-standing subscription to Modern Drummer (since 1985) contains many helpful exercises and supplemental instruction, including a six-part introduction to reading by Kelly Paletta. Other beginning areas include proper instrument care, correct tuning and good ergonomics in setting up and playing the drums. I advise all my students to practice with a metronome. Students can use metronomeonline.com for a metronome anywhere they are online.

Beyond the basics, I primarily guide students through Carmine Appice's Realistic Rock while also drawing from many other books, including Joe Morello's Master Studies, Ted Reed's Progressive Steps to Syncopation, Charles Dowd's A Funky Primer, Gary Chester's The New Breed, Morris Goldenberg's Modern School for Snare Drum, Simon Sturnburg's Modern Drum Studies, and Ron Spagnardi's Cross-Sticking Studies. I have a variety of educational DVDs and even some VHS tapes, but I use them sparingly, focusing on specific exercises that students can repeat and remember. Jojo Mayer's DVD Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer is the most thorough guide to hand technique I have seen.

While my own playing centers around rock, my experience and interests extend far and wide to include blues, funk, country, reggae, rap, metal, techno, jazz, fusion, and classical. I try to impart to students a love of excellence in any genre and invite them to bring in their favorite songs to help them determine how to play the drum parts correctly. I emphasize the importance of locking in a groove and playing a supportive role to any ensemble over soloing and flashy fills though those have their place too. While I tend to focus most on drumset, I have experience preparing students for band and orchestra and have continued to assist their progress while there.

Drum lessons are $20/hr. If you are interested in starting lessons, please contact bridgmanstudio.com.