DRUM LESSONS FOR ADULTS
"I took weekly lessons from Eric for over 4 years. I had very little experience playing the drums, but a lot of desire to learn. I couldn't have chosen a better instructor than Eric. He taught me how to read music, and always wrote out practice drills which really helped me in learning the overall lessons. Eric is extremely perceptive, and can immediately recognize what his students do well and wrong. By isolating specific parts of the lesson that causes difficulty, Eric creates drills that make learning the new part easier and more fun. He will also play the part for you to give you an idea of how it should sound. Because of Eric, I have learned numerous styles of drumming and the principles behind them. Eric is a cool guy with an easy going personality, but he will always challenge you to do your best.
I strongly recommend him to anyone interested in learning how to play the drums."
Bill Hobday, WI
Beginner, intermediate, and professional musicians welcomed
What happens if I told you that age doesn’t matter and that anyone can learn the drums? Well, anyone can pick up any instrument at any stage of their life and learn how to play. I constantly remind myself to never stop learning and that everyday is an opportunity to better oneself. So, you might as well get on those drums and start having some fun! Studies have shown that learning music keeps the mind alert, relieves stresses from everyday life, and especially for drummers keeps your body active.
Wether you have been playing for awhile or just picking up the drums for the first time, I am here to help you progress and lead you through your musical journey. On our first lesson I will take a quick assessment to see where you are at on the instrument and create a lesson plan according to your goals on the instrument and what you want to achieve.
Why Is Learning An Instrument Important?
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Generates Creativity
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Helps develop critical thinking skills
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Builds confidence, leadership skills
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Learn how to problem solve through groove construction
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Has proven to help in other areas of school and cognitive thinking
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Great release of energy
Joining a new band or preparing for an upcoming audition?
Cool, let’s get it! In lessons we will hone in on the skills that you already have and make sure that those strengths shine during your performance. We can work on developing fun drum parts for your band and also make sure that you put your best foot forward for the upcoming audition. An outline schedule will be developed, according to your performance, recording, or audition date, to make sure that you are fully prepared. These lessons will totally be designed for your goals and where you want to go with this instrument.
Different Ways To Learn Music
Everyone learns differently
In lessons I will incorporate all three methods when starting out and we will focus on whatever method works best for the student. Every student is unique and I want to make sure that the learning process is fun and enjoyable along the way. Each learning technique opens different doors in the music industry and I want to get the student comfortable with the methods that make most sense for them. In most cases we will be learning all three methods during lessons.
In lessons we will go over the following concepts:
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Different Techniques
I will show you how to properly hold your drum sticks so you can effectively and efficiently play the drums. The drums are a fun, physical instrument and it's important to learn good technique from the start to avoid injury and eliminate access motion. As we progress we will talk about the different hand positions and motions that will help us when playing the drums. There are basic techniques that we will cover from the start and also more advanced techniques that I will show the student when they progress. Having great technique is the foundation to great drumming as it directly effects our sound on the instrument.
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Creating a Drum Groove
The drum groove is a repeated rhythmical phrase that supports the band and is the direct result of why people bob their head when listening to music. For us drummer's it is highly important that the groove feels great and matches the energy of the song or piece being played. Students will learn the basic elements of groove construction and the role that they play in a band setting.
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Creating Drum Fills
Drum fills are played when the music transitions into a different section or the energy changes in the song. These are short phrases that are played in-between our drum grooves and can help signal the band that the song is going to the next section. We will cover basic rhythms and movements in a drum fill that will get the student comfortable moving around the drum set.
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Different Styles
We will develop an understanding of different styles and how they play a role in the music that we listen to today. No matter where you travel in this world you will always hear some type of drum or percussion instrument carrying the groove. This is a fun way to learn about different cultures, traditions, and history of our instrument.
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Developing a Drum Solo
Students will learn how to express themselves on the drums with some exercises and though provoking concepts. We will tap into the students inner creativity which will attribute to their individual sound. Everyone comes from a different background and has their own story to tell. This story can be directly translated on the drum set. If you were to get 100 drummers in one room, they will all bring something unique to the table because they all have a different story to tell.
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Drum Rudiments
Other instrumentalists work on scales to develop their control and mobility around their instrument. Drummer and percussionist have rudiments! Rudiments are the fundamentals of drumming that consist of short sticking patterns that help us with our mobility, independence, and how we flow between ideas. Rudiments can be applied in all types of drumming from marching DCI (Drum corp International) to contemporary drum set grooves, fills and solos. We will explore all of the essential rudiments and incorporate them into our playing during our lesson.