Woodland Hills, CA Drum Lessons

Drums is my primary instrument, the one I chose to follow as a career in music. Drums make us dance, make us smile, and they are simply extremely fun to play. The most important thing I focus on is in playing music with the drums. There is nothing more rewarding and fun than playing with and for other people. Whether you are interested in learning how to play your favorite pop or rock song or a jazz standard, I can teach you what makes drumming unique in each style, and what you will need to know to express yourself in the instrument.

Whether you're just starting out, wanting to learn Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, or even Taylor Swift repertoire, maybe you're preparing for band or college auditions, or just simply looking to broaden your playing with different styles like jazz, latin, etc., I am here to guide you and help you develop the necessary skills!

I have been teaching drumset for over 15 years. My lessons focus on applying technique and reading, with snare reading exercises and learning popular songs. Lessons will adjust according to the student's level, pace, and goals.

My goal for my students is to have an understanding on how to use their instrument, develop versatility, discover who they are as a musician, become independent learners, while having fun along the way!

Matthew Smith is a freelance musician from San Diego, California and began playing musically professionally in 2001. Matthew attended California State Fullerton where he earned a bachelors degree in jazz studies in 2012 and is currently pursuing his masters at CalArts. Matthew teaches all ages and can curate a lesson plan personalized to each student. Want to do music as a hobby or as a career? Matthew can give you the necessary steps to achieve your goals and build up your musical proficiency and confidence.

Focus on rudiments, fundamentals, technique. Snare solos, and different set techniques.

Drum lessons are only offered at the student's location.

Any genre, any song. Teaching for 20 years. I tailor each lesson to the needs/goals of every student.

For beginners, I can write easy versions of your favorite songs for you, while giving you a well balanced music education.

For more advanced players, I can show you how to play almost any drum part, and show you tips on how to figure out drum parts by ear and make your own.

Since I play other instruments, I can show you how to jam to anything and sound good while having a blast!

For children, I make lessons fun and varied with learning and musical games to keep them excited and engaged.

For everyone, I can teach you the most efficient ways to learn any musical skill based on experience and leading scientific books on learning, while keeping lessons fun!

I have been playing drums since I was 10 years old (12 years) and have played in both my high school jazz band and college jazz band. While jazz drums is my specialty, I feel extremely comfortable teaching all styles of drum, from rock to Latin. I have experience teaching students ranging from complete beginners to as much as 6 years of drumming experience.

Beginner, advanced or anywhere in between, I will create a lesson based on your musical interests and goals.
I have 30 years drumming experience and most recently co-starred in the Oscar nominated film WHIPLASH. I served as the drum instructor for all actors on that film.
I love playing the drums and I love teaching others what I've picked up over the years. The most important thing is having fun, building confidence and achieving your goals! Thanks for the interest!

My teaching style is very flexible & hands on. My goal is to make beautiful music and I do this by taking technical exercises and giving them musical meaning. This means I focus on the ideas of time, vocabulary & dynamic playings, but within this still teaching essential technical exercises in order to create a well-rounded musician.

After each lesson I will email detailed notes, as well as any supplemental documents and/or music.

Experienced teacher and musician, great with beginners and intermediate students and happy to teach all levels! I've been playing the drums for almost 20 years, and have been playing professionally for much of the last 10 years. I always aim to keep a healthy focus on both the technical element of learning the drums, and the all-important musical element of playing with other musicians in a group. I generally spend about half the lesson focusing on technique, and the other half on songs picked by the student for us to work on. Please feel free to send me a message if you'd like to start taking lessons!

My drumlessons are based on the needs and wishes of the student. We can work on a variety of styles, grooves, reading, technique and coördination.
My lessons are for all levels from beginners to people who want to go to a college of music.