Drum & Percussion Lessons in Orange County

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. "How often or long do I need to practice for" ? I usually base this answer on several things. First usually being, how much time can you set aside to practice? Can you practice everyday? Do you live in an area that limits practice time? If a student is on a limited practice schedule I always tell them "Do more with less" Concentrate on a specific thing or concept and dedicate that practice session to it. Additionally if a student cannot practice everyday I usually suggest to double up on days they can practice. If someone is limited to say four days of practice a week, I will outline a good schedule for them. For example day one could be sticking exercises, day two hand foot coordination, day three, strength and endurance methods, day four could be playing along with music. Even is someone can only practice fifteen minutes a day, those fifteen minutes need to be used practically.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. FAQ #1. What is your teaching method? My answer is always 'I don't have one specific method" Several reasons for this. The first thing I have to consider is how much experience does the student have, have they taken years of lessons already. Do they have an understanding of how to read notation. Do they have a good ear. Are they flexible with a variety of styles. Do they have good hand foot and eye coordination. If I taught everyone the same exact thing, all my students would sound the same. I do abide by certain rules within my methods of course. Those include correct technique, correct posture, timing, transitions and overall rhythm.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. FAQ #2 "I am a total beginner, do I need a drum set"? My answer is simply "no" When I began studying my instructor had my parents purchase a practice pad. This is typically what I suggest. A few reasons for this, its a good test (without making a large purchase) to see if the interest sticks. Also practice pads are great tools for learning the basics and fundamentals. There are so many practical applications for practice pad use, a few include: Developing stick control (rebound, velocity) Getting comfortable with different sticking combinations. Developing hand to hand coordination (hitting the surface together, or not together) I still use a practice pad to better and strengthen my hands.