Uptown Drumming
drums.png

drums

My main instrument has always been the Drum Kit. From a young age, I was obsessed with rhythm and pulse. Having played the Drums since I was 9, and been a student myself throughout all of my years, I know the Drums inside and out, and I know just how to pass that passion on to others. My students receive training in all styles of drumming and percussion as led by their interest and abilities, from hand instruments (African and South-American percussion) to full drum kit (Jazz, Rock), to electronic drumming (pads, Ableton), to production, mixing, and mastering. I take pride in educating myself in the very latest technologies that are out there for musicians and producers alike. Wherever my students want to go in their exploration of rhythm and production, I can take them there.

Drum kit course systems

After my initial trial lesson with a student, I assign them to either my Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced Course System depending on their experience level as well as their innate abilities. These rigorous course systems are then tailored to each individual student, providing a holistic and thorough training for drummers of every level.

 

Beginner

This course system furnishes the beginner student with the fundamentals of drumming, from discussions about the role of drummers and drumming at different points in history and in different places around the world, to general music theory and theory as it relates to the drum kit, to the skills and techniques needed to begin mastering this powerful and dynamic instrument. Theory and practical assignments will challenge the student to put what they learn into practice as they harness their own creative mind to create, notate, and perform original pieces of their own.

The Basics 1

Musicianship

  • A Drummer’s purpose

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Etiquette

  • Anatomy of the Kit

Hand-To-Hand Technique

  • Grip and position

The Table of Time

  • Tempo

  • Rhythm

  • Beat values

Reading

  • General Music Theory

Repertoire Development

  • Playing

  • Counting

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

The Basics 2

Musicianship

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Drums around the world

Hand-To-Hand Technique

  • The feet

The Table of Time

  • Tempo

  • Rhythm

  • Time Signatures

Reading

  • General Music Theory

Repertoire Development

  • Playing

  • Counting

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

The Basics 3

Musicianship

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Drum applications in the real world

Hand-To-Hand Technique

  • Coordination

The Table of Time

  • Tempo

  • Rhythm

  • Rudiments 1

Reading

  • General Music Theory

  • Drum notation

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

The Basics 4

Musicianship

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Drum ownership

Hand-To-Hand Technique

  • The whole body

The Table of Time

  • Tempo

  • Rhythm

  • Rudiments 2

  • Poly and Cross Rhythms

Reading

  • General Music Theory

  • Drum notation

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Intermediate

This course system fortifies the knowledge and skills of the intermediate drummer. Abilities developed in the Beginner Course System are enhanced as the student’s musical and technical skills are pushed to the next level through a specially designed, rigorous curriculum. Theory and practical assignments will provide the Intermediate student with the opportunity to create and perform their own pieces.

Intermediate 1

Musicianship

  • A Drummer’s purpose

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Playing with others

The Foundation

  • The Metronome

  • Hearing the Count

  • Hands, Feet, and Body

The Techniques

  • Playlist from the Wrist

  • Moving your feet

  • How to control your Power 1

Bringing Techniques to Life

  • The Top 10 Grooves: Part 1

  • Breaking it down 1

  • Fill Builder 1

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Intermediate 2

Musicianship

  • A Drummer’s purpose

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Playing with others

The Foundation

  • The Metronome

  • Hearing the Count

  • Hands, Feet, and Body

The Techniques

  • Ghost notes

  • Cross-sticking

  • How to control your Power 2

Bringing Techniques to Life

  • The Top 10 Grooves: Part 2

  • Breaking it down 2

  • Fill Builder 2

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Intermediate 3

Musicianship

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Music Therapy 1

The Foundation

  • The Metronome

  • Hearing the Count

  • Polyrhythms 1

The Techniques

  • Rim Shots

  • Heel-Toe

  • How to control your Power 3

Bringing Techniques to Life

  • The Top 10 Rhythms: Part 1

  • Breaking it down 3

  • Rhythm Builder 1

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Intermediate 4

Musicianship

  • The Science of Drumming

  • Music Therapy 2

The Foundation

  • The Metronome

  • Hearing the Count

  • Polyrhythms 2

The Techniques

  • Finger Technique

  • Dynamics

  • How to control your Power 4

Bringing Techniques to Life

  • The Top 10 Rhythms: Part 2

  • Breaking it down 4

  • Rhythm Builder 2

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Advanced

The Advanced Course System widens the scope of knowledge and opportunity for the student: introducing them to the ways in which they can personalize their instrument and their playing technique; how they can utilize their skills in the world of Audio Production; and what they need to know and what they can expect from a career in the Music Industry. Theory and practical assignments will provide the Advanced student with the opportunity to create and perform their own pieces.

Advanced 1

Musicianship

  • The Common Traits of Professional Musicians

  • The Music Industry 1

Time Warp

  • Unconventional Time Signatures 1

  • Time: Parallel Universes 1

Advanced Styles

  • The Moeller Technique

  • Advanced Tom Techniques 1

  • The Hi-Hat

The Creative Mind

  • Imagination & Improvisation 1

  • The Digital Drummer 1

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Advanced 2

Musicianship

  • The Common Traits of Professional Musicians

  • The Music Industry 2

Time Warp

  • Unconventional Time Signatures 2

  • Time: Parallel Universes 2

Advanced Styles

  • Need for Speed 1

  • Advanced Tom Techniques 2

  • The Bass Drum

The Creative Mind

  • Imagination & Improvisation 2

  • The Digital Drummer 2

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Advanced 3

Musicianship

  • The Common Traits of Professional Musicians

  • The Music Industry 3

Time Warp

  • Syncopation 1

  • Time: Parallel Universes 3

Advanced Styles

  • Need for Speed 2

  • Brushes, Hot Rods, and Mallets 1

The Creative Mind

  • Imagination & Improvisation 3

  • The Digital Drummer 3

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment

Advanced 4

Musicianship

  • The Common Traits of Professional Musicians

  • The Music Industry 4

Time Warp

  • Syncopation 2

  • Time: Parallel Universes 4

Advanced Styles

  • Need for Speed 3

  • Brushes, Hot Rods, and Mallets 2

The Creative Mind

  • Imagination & Improvisation 4

  • The Digital Drummer 4

Repertoire Development

  • Practical Assignment

  • Theory Assignment