Drums with Drew S.

Starting at the age of 19, Drew earned his stripes as the percussionist / drummer / substitute conductor for the legendary Motown singing group the Four Tops. While touring with the Tops he also performed with artists including Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Contours, The Miracles, The Dramatics, Chairmen of the Board, Freda Payne, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, and many more. He has written and produced songs featuring many legendary soul artists including the Four Tops, Funk Brothers, Dennis Coffey, Melvin Davis, Spyder Turner, Pat Lewis, James Jamerson Jr, and more. As a pre-production engineer for Universal/Motown records, he contributed to releases by The Jackson 5, David Ruffin and Jimmy Ruffin, Barry White, and the Cellarful of Motown series. He has written articles for Modern Drummer Magazine, and holds a degree in music performance from New York University. He is the spearhead of the Back To Class project, which features his original music performed by soul music legends, benefiting the music programs of the Detroit Public Schools. Drew will build a curriculum around a student's specific goals and musical preferences, helping drummers, percussionists, songwriters, and producers to learn skills that will help them to feel comfortable on the bandstand, writing, improvising, and getting gigs. His production experience allows him to teach beatmakers and songwriters how to broaden their tracks through basic music theory instruction as well as arranging concepts and studio techniques. If you'd like to learn many of the down-to-earth, practical skills and expectations for being a professional in the music business behind the drums, in front of the mixing board, and behind the scenes, Drew is your man! *** Lesson Details *** Custom curriculum built based on student's goals, musical tastes, and abilities. You will learn skills on drum set and hand percussion, but also techniques for live performance, studio recording, production, beat making, and songwriting to make you a well rounded force in music. All levels welcome! *** Studio Equipment *** -Multiple Full Drum Sets by Yamaha & Pearl -Single Practice Pads and DW Practice Pad Drum Kit -Hand Percussion Including Congas, Bongos, Tambourines, etc -Fully Equipped Recording Studio with multi-track capabilities -Midi Keyboard and Sequencer Production Setup w/ Logic Pro -Video Shoot Capabilities w/ Multi Angle Camera Setup *** Travel Equipment *** -Pearl Rhythm Traveler 5pc Drum Set -Single Practice Pads and DW Practice Pad Drum Kit for quiet lessons -Mobile Recording Studio Multi-Track setup for Songwritine and Production lessons -Mobile Midi Keyboard / Sequencer setup with Logic Pro for Songwriting and Production lessons *** Specialties *** - Drums - Hand Percussion - Production (Logic Pro specialty) - Songwriting - Beat Making - Music Business (copyright, publishing, band leading, promo) - Motown - R&B - Soul - Funk