Douglas H. TakeLessons Instructor Concert Percussion, Marching Percussion, World Percussion, drums, drumset, Mallets, Drum... El Cajon, CA

My name is Douglas and I have been giving private lessons to students since '99. I teach neighbors, children, and friends. I also teach small and large ensembles at the high school and college level.

My professional experiences started with teaching.

In 1999, I was fortunate enough to instruct the drumline at Montgomery high school in San Diego. My students placed first in their division and 4th overall at their DAC Championships, I received nothing but good comments on the judges tapes.

I'd also decided to continue my education and performance experience. I studied general music theory classes and business at Southwestern community college, but I was in the winter drumline ensemble at San Diego State University. I also continued marching local Drumcorps, where I was a charter member and Bass-line section leader for three years. By the end of 2002, I had about 250 performances with the two groups put together, and local gigs with independant musicians just added to that.

After I aged-out of Drumcorps, I continued to play local gigs, go to school, and volunteer at schools.

In 2005, I joined a performance group called the procrastinators, with whom I've performed over 1,600 performances, and played for all kinds of interesting audiences. I am currently a "Performance Specialist" with the company.

Last year, I joined an affter-school Music Education Program for 5th-graders at the elementary level. I feel they have taught me far more than I could have taught them this year.

I love being able to introduce the idea of playing music to kids, And I would love the opportunity to teach YOU!

On that note... 

Don't be afraid to learn something exciting and new...

Drums and percussion are very fun to play... 

Whether you have 30 years experience under your belt...

Or just bought a hand-drum... 

I can help you feel comfortable and confident with your instrument...

When you leave, you will definately feel like an excellent percussionist. 

I like to cater my teaching style to the individual.

If you are the type of person who is relaxed and focused, I will load you with as much info as I think is right for the lesson.

If you are high-strung and energetic, I will make sure to use that energy to better fit your learning style.

To put it shortly, I figure out what style of student you are, and then i adjust the lesson to give you the most out of your session.

Funk, Rock, R&B Drumset, Marching battery percussion, and melodic concert percussion, Moeler and Gladstone techniques, as well as natural, tight, and slurred interpretation of rudiments and grooves.

Bonita Vista - Percussion & Theatre - 1997 school year

Concert Percussion, Marching Percussion, World Percussion, drums, drumset, Mallets, Drum performance techniques, advanced music theory appertaining to percussion and rudiments.