Van Nuys, CA Drum Lessons

und you and your goals......not mine!

*** Lesson Details ***
Ultimately, my goal is to make sure you enjoy yourself and want to keep coming back. In that process I will make sure you get results.

I am laid back and very patient. Two qualities I feel are necessary to be successful in this field.

I design my curriculum for each individual. This is because everyone has their own goals, there own level of ability, and their own needs as far as how to get there.

Locations:
1) Rehearsal Studio is my rehearsal studio. I have a full drumset, PA, guitars, and amps available at this location.
2) Apartment is my apartment in Hawthorne. Students are welcome to come here but we have limited options for instrumentation here. Practice Pads, hand drums, and acoustic guitars are the only options at this location.

*** Studio Equipment ***
5 piece Yamaha Drumset with Zildjian Cymbals. PA system. Amps, Guitars, and Keyboards.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have acoustic guitars, a practice pad, and a djembe. I expect my students to have their own drumsticks and, ideally, their own guitar and practice pad or drumset.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in rock/contemporary & marching band style percussion/drums. I also specialize in folk style guitar and bass.

- practical sight reading
- drum tuning tricks to make you sound better than other drummers!
- playing with a band
- GROOVE! (how to get that infamous "pocket" everyone always talks about!)
- creating drum parts to music
- creative expression
- inspiration (applying inspiration you get from other musicians into your playing)
- FUN!

Extensive experience teaching students of ALL ages and levels!

The aim of the lessons is to prepare beginning drummers to function in a band setting, as a team player, and to develop comfortable technique and creativity in order to express him/herself as a drummer freely. No matter what your ambitions are! Just wanna be able to jam with friends? Or become the next drumming sensation? We'll do it!
For intermediate to advanced drummers, Dennis offers additional interesting exercises and and inspiring concepts. No matter what your playing level is, there is always something to learn!

BEST RATES IN THE AREA! Many references available upon request (current and former students)!
FREE pair of Promark sticks for every new student!
Several package deals and special pricing promos available.

Other student benefits include big discounts on drum gear, free drum gear and accessories and free concert/drum clinic tickets.

CONVENIENT LOCATION!! PA Rehearsal Studios in Reseda (www.parehearsalstudios.com). Beautiful brand new facility with on-site parking, chill-out patio, lounge, beverages, espresso, etc.

ter the second CD, I was biographied for AMG (All Music Guide) the internet's first source for music information. Here are excerpts from the AMG bio:

... there are also elements of Jimi Hendrix (arguably the first true heavy metal/hard rock artist), Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan in her playing, and she clearly has a strong appreciation of jazz--not only jazz-rock fusion improvisers like John Scofield, Larry Coryell and Mahavishnu Orchestra founder John McLaughlin, but also, straight-ahead bop favorites such as Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass.......eclectic outlook is one of her strong points; her ability to move from a tough, aggressive blues-rock groove to a more cerebral, fusion-minded approach to the occasional soul-jazz/hard bop number has made for some very unpredictable albums.

I have been teaching full-time for the past 15years. I have taught all ages and popular styles. In 2008, my blues guitar method was published and distributed through Amazon.

*** Lesson Details ***
I incorporate a tailored curriculum to help people achieve their personal goals. Learning music is not a "one-size fits all" proposition. I can show you the songs that you want to play. I can also teach you music theory, technique, improvisation, reading and more. I adjust your course of study according to your areas of interest. If you are dying to learn a Led Zeppelin tune, or are planning on auditioning for a college level jazz guitar program, I can help you achieve these goals. I have taught hundreds of beginners along side more advanced students. My students have gone one to study music at GIT, Fullerton College, Pasadena City College, Berklee, Cal State LA, and USC.

Most of all, I am extremely patient. The ability to playing a musical instrument is measure on a calendar, not on a watch. I often work at a slow, systematic pace. I am generally very laid-back. On the other hand, if you learn very quickly, I can readily show you the skills you need to meet your goal. I have fast-tracked many individuals that were seeking admittance to an academic program.

My teaching studio is computer equipped. This allows me to incorporate computer software that enhances learning. One such program, Band in a Box, generates accompaniment for students so that they can work on their soloing skills. Another program can slow recorded music down so that the student can practice slowly with it. Also, I often give out play-along practice CDs for improved learning.

The aspect of performance is often not addressed by many. I am able to work with my guitar students while accompanying by performing live bass or drum parts, or work with bass students while playing the guitar or drum parts. This allows the student to understand his or her roll in an live band.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Dedicated music room room w/ guitars, bass, drum set, pa system, and seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I teach all popular guitar and bass styles.
I am a expert in Jazz, Blues, and R&B. (degree in Studio/Jazz guitar)
Great with theory, technique and reading.
Have given recording lessons with CUBASE.
Now teaching drum kit to beginners

teacher and musician, so does my love for the guitar. I very much enjoy sharing my knowledge and seeing each of my students progress and grow as musicians.

*** Lesson Details ***
Every lesson will be tailored exactly to what you want to learn. We can cover specific topics such as music theory, harmony and improvisation, but if you would prefer to just work on learning your favorite songs, that's precisely what we'll do. Let me know what you want to learn and it will be done. We'll monitor your progress to help reach your goals. Most importantly, we will have fun while learning!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic and electric guitars and basses, amps, cables, music stands, PC with QBase recording software

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide my own equipment. Guitar, amp, and cables. Students should have their own guitar and amp.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in rock and metal, but I love to teach other styles like classical guitar, blues, jazz, and country.

ts to culminate our academic year with a massive outdoor concert in CalArts' Wild Beast Concert Hall!

Please visit davysumner.com to check out more of my original work and collaborations with other artists!

ary styles, and at Modern Music School, where most of my students are kids. I'm also a published author with 6 educational drum books available in Amazon that are perfect for a beginner drummer who is first learning how to play, or for intermediate players who are looking to strengthen their foundations as drummers.

I'm a huge fan of teaching and take the opportunity to help you improve at something you love very seriously. I look forward to helping you accomplish all of your drumming goals!

s the touring pianist for classical crossover group Vivace, as a solo singer-guitarist-pianist, and as the lead singer-guitarist-pianist-composer for my own symphonic-rock-fusion group, The Living. I've also toured extensively in Europe as keyboardist and backing vocalist for singer-songwriter Melanie Dekker.

My compositions have been performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, The Plastic Acid Orchestra, Turning Point Ensemble, Ad Mare Wind Quintet, Vivace, The Living, The Whiskeydicks and cellist-singer-songwriter Cris Derksen.

I have a B.Mus in Piano and Music Composition from The University of British Columbia. I'm an IVA Certified Level I Voice Instructor and have studied Vocals with John Henny, Jeffrey Skouson, Guy Babusek, and Spencer Welch; piano with Terence Dawson, David Vandereyk, and Ross Taggart; composition with Dorothy Chang, Keith Hamel, and Armanini; drums with Jay Deachman and Morgan Childs; bass with David Spidel; and accordion with Jelena Milojevic.

I've just moved to LA from Vancouver where I had about 40 students, so this is the time to sign up as I have room for new students for the first time in years!