Drums with Karl K.

Karl K. has been playing drums for nearly 30 yrs and has been teaching private drum lessons for nearly 15 yrs. Karl earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Religious Studies from Arizona State University and has also completed an advanced leadership program at ASU in Non-profit Leadership and is currently in a citizen leadership program with the Town of Queen Creek. Karl maintains an Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card and works as an Associate Director for a major child welfare organization. Karl's musical background is extensive. Karl took private lessons for drums and percussion in Michigan and Arizona for 14 yrs with 4 instructors. Karl also took a few years of private instruction in guitar and piano. Karl received the John Phillip Sousa award in high school and went on to play in Mesa Community College and Arizona State University bands. Karl's professional experience includes performing in various styles and venues. Karl teaches rock, jazz, funk, Latin, marching and orchestral percussion and drums. Karl has an extensive advanced knowledge of child and adult learning methods and utilizes them in his instruction. Karl prides himself in being a well rounded drummer, musician, and a teacher who focuses on helping students become the drummer they want to be. Karl is a Girl Scout Troop co-leader and also enjoys traveling extensively, visiting museums, plays, concerts, national parks and amusement parks with his wife and 3 children. Karl cites Buddy Rich as his biggest influence. Other major influences include: Steve Gadd, Elvin Jones, Ron Bushy, Mike Mangini, Weckl, Peart, Bonham, Starr, Escovedo and on and on and on! Ask him to name a few, and he will try to name them all if you have a few hours! *** Lesson Details *** I help you to become the drummer you want to be. We spend about 10-15 minutes on the snare or practice pad learning the chops you need to be successful, and then we spend the rest of the time on the full drum set where I show you exactly how those chops/rudiments transfer to a drum set. I have dozens of drum books and thousands of drum exercises/handouts to use. Most students want to rock, so I focus on rocking out, but I also have the students dabble in jazz and Latin so they can get some exposure and learn how these styles of playing will enhance their rock drumming. If a student chooses, we can spend a lot more time on Jazz and Latin, and even explore hand drums. I think they are all important. If a student wants to learn marching snare then I pull out the marching snare and we work on that, if a student wants to learn bells/xylophone, then I pull out the bells and we work on that. If a student wants to learn congas, bongos, timbales, etc., then we pull those out and work on those. I have it all in my studio ready to use. I have experience teaching both right and left handed drummers. Left handed drummers have some advantages and we can talk about the different options left handed drummers have and find the approach that is best for you. *** Studio Equipment *** No Mutes or Muffles here! Play on professional equipment. Several drum sets, snares, marching snare, Timbales, Congas, Bongos, lots of other percussion instruments, guitars, organ, keyboard, a piano etc. *** Travel Equipment *** Sticks, brushes, mallets, a practice pad and some books/handouts. Come to me with the same (don't bring your practice pad). *** Specialties *** Karl teaches rock, jazz, funk, Latin, marching and orchestral percussion and drums.