Drums with Patrick M.

I was aware of my love of music and drumming at a young age. I was exposed to and gained an appreciation for a variety of music genres. I have been obsessed with learning as much as I can about drumming and rhythms. As I learned more and formulated my own ideas, a book started to take shape and is almost complete. Also, as I learned more and more about drumming and music, my desire to share my passion with others became overwhelming. This is why I wanted to join TakeLessons. I want to expose as many people as I can to the joys of drumming!!! *** Lesson Details *** My ultimate goal with my students is to cultivate creativity. I try my best to make drumming fun. I even try to make "exercises" musical. My aim is to give my students the skills needed to play along to their favorite songs and to be creative enough to compose rhythms of their own. After 3 or 6 months my students should have a good grasp of the main styles of music/drumming- Rock, Funk, Jazz and many World Groove Concepts. Music is a language, and the language of drumming is easier to learn than English, Spanish or any other language known to man/womankind. Many people are frightened by the sight of written music (a.k.a. “Black Page Syndrome”) with all those notes all over the place. The good news is, when one learns the A-B-Cs/rules (music theory) of drumming, the fear dissipates. There will be some challenges but if it’s too easy you might take it for granted. First we learn the 8 main types of subdivisions (whole-notes, half-notes, quarter-notes, 8th-notes, 16th-notes, 8th-note-triplets, 16th-note-triplets, 32nd-notes). Later for fun we’ll learn about quarter-note-triplets. Then we’ll learn some rudiments (sticking patterns). I have also written an instruction manual/encyclopedia on drumming. One of the main tools I use is the music software Sibelius. With Sibelius I can put any drumming idea in drum notation (sheet music). It can be played back in real time or transferred to a word document to be emailed to my students. *** Studio Equipment *** Full 7 piece drum set including double-pedal and left-foot clave pedal. A multitude of DVDs, CDs and books. Computer and printer. Simmons SD1 Electronic Practice Pad. Various percussion instruments including shakers and claves. Boombox (CD and cassette player) *** Travel Equipment *** Computer. DVDs, Books and/or CDs. *** Specialties *** I enjoy all styles of music, being exposed to a variety of genres from a young age. Of course it is important to establish a good foundation (technique, music theory, etc) for all students. I teach Rock, Funk, Reggae, R&B and a variety of World grooves.