Jason B. TakeLessons Instructor drums, music, music theory West Main St., Alhambra, CA

Jason began playing percussion at the early age of 8 in the elementary school band.Born in Lebanon Pennsylvania, his first inspirations were his Father (a very successful singer/songwriter) and the talented hard hitting drummer who shared the stage with him. One of Jason's first memories is the magical moment that this same drummer put a pair of drum sticks in his hands. Only a toddler and barely able to walk and talk, he already knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
 
     After a year of learning the basics, the elementary school music teacher recommended private lessons. Only one instructor was recommended, David Lazorcik. He is a jazz phenomenon and arguably the greatest living drummer throughout the state of Pennsylvania. This meeting turned into a 9 year friendship.
 
     Although this background is the perfect formula for creating a diverse and talented musician, Jason found it very difficult to find other musicians to play with. Except for writing and recording with his Father, no other musicians seemed to match.
 
     He tried many different avenues spanning from an 80's metal band with musicians twice his age lacking in seriousness and ability to a country band consisting of talented older musicians who didn't feel it was worth their while to try and get bar gigs with a 12 year old kid behind the drums. It wasn't until the age of 16 when by chance he stumbled upon a local network musicians with the same drive and love for music as himself. Some of which are his best friends to this day. Also during this time, Jason decided to further his musical knowledge and attend Berklee College of Music's 1994 Summer Performance Program in Boston, MA. There he was privileged to study with some of the worlds top instructors and jam with some elite musicians around his same age from all over the world.
 
     For the next 7 years Jason performed and recorded with many different groups. On separate occasions performing for crowds of over 2,000 people. In 1999, after realizing his peak of success(as far as the Central Pennsylvania music scene is concerned) he decided that it was time to go back to Berklee.
 
     While at Berklee, Jason joined a jazz fusion group made up of other Berklee students and studied with such great instructors as Kenwood Dennard, Jon Hazilla, Larry Fin, Casey Scheuerell and others. During his free time, Jason was writing his own music and planning for the future. After some serious thought and advice from a Berklee Professor, Jason decided to leave Berklee after 2 semesters. That is when the band PHARAOH was formed.
 
     PHARAOH was comprised of some of the most talented musicians Jason could find. Together in 2000 with Jason at the helm as singer/songwriter and drummer they recorded a record and moved across the country to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams. Even though they had some early success playing sold out shows and recording with Jeffery Moleski (Smashing Pumpkins,Local H, Berlin) at no charge, due to the pressures of life Jason was the only remaining member in L.A.
 
     At this time Jason was contemplating returning to Berklee. But, as fate would have it, he landed a gig drumming for a semi-popular local L.A. band of talented and dedicated musicians called Nantucket Suicide. For over 3 years Nantucket Suicide went through the ups and downs of the industry, landing some big gigs and seemingly having constant label interest without any labels ever committing. Although the frustration level with the band was high, Jason was having success in other areas of music.
 
     He started giving private lessons and accumulating students rapidly. Other bands, artists, churches and organizations were hiring him to perform and record. Because of the success and time in these other projects, Jason was forced to leave Nantucket Suicide in late 2005.
 
     Currently, Jason is enjoying life as he makes a living doing what he's always loved to do, playing the drums. He is striving to land a gig for a world tour or performing with a highly successful recording artist. His dream is to one day have pro endorsements and make it to the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine.

If you or your child dream about becoming a good drummer, I can help you make that happen. I pride myself in teaching students to play the drums correctly. I am very easy to get along with and I try to always make the lessons fun, yet I am very serious and picky when it comes to technique, time, and precision.

My students are good drummers and work hard to become better everyday. I stress practice and practicing correctly. Most of my lesson plan also focuses on reading rhythms. I really don't think it benefits the student to learn by ear from the start, because after the lesson is over and they try to practice, it is very difficult for them to remember exactly what to practice. Reading makes practicing much more effective. I consider all of my students to be my friends.

I try to attend as many performances as possible and attend more for support than for critique. I am very patient, especially when a student is trying their best and still falling short. That's when it is my job to help them through.

I try to be as flexable as possible for rescheduling and I always follow through with my appointment. I am well organized and always on time.

I have my own customized program that has done wonders for students. It allows me to move quickly for fast paced students and also to help students who don't catch on too quickly. I focus on TIME, technique, coordination and musicianship. I have 6 Drum Methods that I work from, plus hand-outs and original exercises that I have created.My program can last students from 7-10 years.

drums, music, music theory