Los Angeles, CA Bongo Lessons

Focus on basic technique, rhythm, and creativity.

Hands on technique on basic tones for a variety of drums, most importantly yours.
Learn tuning, tone and intervals.
Stylistic and traditional rhythms as well as exercises to lay a solid foundation to build your skill on. Personal and fun to play at any level and in different styles.

Bongo lessons

Andrew has recorded as the bongocero with Grammy nominated Wayne Wallace. If you're looking to increase your bongo skills for a salsa band, or for a pop setting, Andrew can help you reach your goals.

My experience as a performer and teacher spans over 25 years of every musical style. I believe in creating an environment that is focused on playing music well and where the student can have fun while gaining confidence. It is important to develop functional musicians with good technique, time, and listening skills. We will cover all styles of conga/bongo music from Latin, Afro-Cuban, and rock/pop, including jazz, and other percussion as desired.

Dave Y. studied Afro-Cuban Percussion, Percussion and Drums at the University of Northern Colorado, the nation's 3rd largest Jazz school. He brings 17+ years of education and teaching experience to the table.

The drums are the backbone of most music, so you have to be able to feel the groove and stay tight and on top of the beat. I encourage students to pick their favorite songs, and we drum to those while learning proper technique, rudiments, song form, fills, rhythm, different grooves / beats, and anything they want to know about the drums. I have been playing the drums for over sixteen years and have a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the Berklee College of Music. Drums is a beautiful art and form of expression and is just the tip of the iceberg we can tackle called Music.

I am a well-rounded drum teacher, meaning I have learned and studied genres ranging from blues, jazz, rock and indie rock. I will give you tons of music to listen to and interpret and teach you how to learn tunes by ear. You will understand the forms of jazz tunes such as aaba Aba and abc. You will learn how to play the tunes you listen to and take the concepts of drum beats and drum rudiments used within them o make them your own and use them in your original playing. I also teach how to read standard drum notation, and can teach you how time signatures work and the values of notes if you don’t already know.

I can teach drum set but also any percussion instrument you can think of-marimba, marching percussion, concert snare drum, any mallet instrument, hand drums, and more. I have a bachelor's in music education, have a lot of experience, and perform regularly to practice what I preach. I truly love to teach and work with students of any age, am great at cultivating a different teaching style to fit each individual student, and let students have a say in what they play.

Drumming for 35 years I am able to adapt my methods to a students learning style from age 5 to 105. I have plenty of patience and excellent skills whether you are interested in learning the basics, improving on your current abilities or if you just would like me to teach you how to play along to songs you already know. My goal is to hone your natural skills and make you a Great drummer! I have given private lessons for years and currently give many drum lessons to students of varied ages and abilities throughout the week. What are you waiting for? lets begin soon!

Thank you for your consideration,
Ziggy.