Denver, CO Percussion Lessons

Boards and Kick Strap. I have performed with many Stellers & Grammy artist such as Richard Smallwood, Tamela Mann, Marvin Sapp, Dorinda Clark Cole, Isaiah D Thomas, American Idol contestants and Sunday Best contestants just to name a few. I currently play full time at the New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown in Baltimore MD where the congregation is over 10,000 members. I am very proud of the releasing of my latest DVD entitle "Piper's Time 2 Groove" & "Nothing Too Hard" video to inspire all musicians around the World. With the launching of Passionate Drumming & Music Lessons, I am dedicated to equipping all my students with the instructions for reaching students goals. I welcome all students any age, any skill level. Hope to have you as a new student very soon!

*** Lesson Details ***
My students will quickly learn the basics of drumming, including: stick control, technique, rhythms, drum fills, and licks. It does not matter if you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced drummer. The same time and effort will be exercised. We will have a fun and meaningful time playing, both by ear and by reading music. These lessons will really be hands on using teaching methods such as music books, DVD’s, and playing of my own. Students will have a great time also studying music theory, learning how to assemble the drum set, learning the parts of the drums, how to tune the drums, and how to accompany other musical instruments. After 3 to 6 months taking lessons, all students will be well on their way to a very successful musical career having had such fun and learning to play all different styles of music. My motto: Lets play Good, get Better, and be our Best!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Finished Studio: (3) drum sets, recording equipment, hand drums & instruments, seating for students & guest.

***Endorsers & Sponsors***
*Odery Drums
*RBimusic
*VicFirth Sticks-http://vicfirth.com/artist/Murray_Piper/
*Sabian Cymbals & Sabian Education Network
*StickTwirl
*Evans, D'Addario & Company, Inc.- http://www.daddario.com/education/murrayspiper
*NAMM Member
*Low Boy Beaters
*Urbann Boards
*SledgePad
*Kick Strap
*JamTec USA

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring snare and sticks. For the more advance lesson drum kit if one not provided. For the beginners sticks snare and if they already have a drum kit that is fine too.

*** Specialties ***
Gospel, Christian, jazz, blues, rock, R&B, pop, Latin, reggae, funk, shuffle

your family to achieve your music education goals!

nd Guitar (acoustic and electric). I teach nearly all styles of music, including classical, jazz, funk, and rock. I have graduated from Stetson University with degrees in Digital Arts, Music, and Business.

I am also an accomplished computer musician and sound engineer. I am fluent in a range of professional software programs which includes Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Amadeus Pro, Cubase, and MaxMSP. I have done sound for large national touring acts such as Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, and Matt Costa.

I feel that nothing is impossible. Great results aren't given, they are earned, and I know how to set goals to reach those results. This is a virtue I like to share with students. My dedication to music has helped me accomplish much at a young age.

*** Lesson Details ***
All lessons accommodate the unique needs of the student. My lessons don't merely teach you musical theories: I will teach you how to express yourself through your instrument as you learn those theories. You will gain technical knowledge and the tools to experience your musical potential. Lessons with me are the perfect extra-curricular activity for your child, or a great experience for you. A large part of my curriculum is more than learning how to play a few cover songs. The lessons are also about becoming more confident with yourself as a person and developing character along the way. You will learn about the discipline, patience, and dedication that it takes to stand out among professionals, not just as a musician, but as a strong individual. Music is a part of that. What you play becomes an extension of yourself. Young or old, everyone has something to share with the world through music.

In a given lesson, you can expect half of it to be about the basics of your instrument and the literature for reading music. The other half is about how you can apply these principles in a unique way that relates to yourself. However, the lesson is all about the student. If the student wants to learn in different ways that is never a problem. All I ask is that you're eager to learn! Everybody has different musical tastes and different learning styles. That is what makes every musician unique and every lesson exciting.

I enjoy teaching people of all ages 5 and up and have experience teaching groups or individuals. From beginner or experienced, hobbyist or professional, every person has a place in the wonderful world of music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Separate studio: computer, recording gear, mics, amps, keyboard, guitars, bass, drum kit

*** Travel Equipment ***
When traveling to their house I ask students to provide their necessary performance materials, i.e. drumset, guitar and amp, essential books, etc. I always provide all necessary teaching equipment, i.e. computer, additional guitars.

*** Specialties ***
Drums- Funk, Jazz, Classic Rock, Metal, Punk, Blues, Hip-Hop
Guitar/Bass- Funk, Blues, Metal, Rock, Hip-Hop
Music Recording/Songwriting- Electronic Music/electro-acoustic, Rock, Funk

lize, interact with other musicians, and have fun performing with your friends, is a dream gig by any measure, but it does take hard work, sacrifice and tenacity to achieve that level of recognition. Fortunately I have the background and skills to not only make our lessons interesting and exciting!, but to also get you up to speed so that you can enjoy the life of a musician as well!!

My Complete Education:

Born in Santa Monica, California, I lived in and around Los Angeles in several areas before moving to Denver in 1990. I began on the Piano at age 4 and slowly gravitated towards playing the drums by my 9th birthday.

My first teacher, AND first mentor in music: Mark Foster (Metro College of Denver & Colorado Symphony Orchestra), At a very early stage he introduced me to Jazz and Latin and gave me a solid understanding of Classical Percussion as well.

My second instructor and Mentor: Jimi Bauchet, whom I took Rock, Progressive Rock, and Fusion lessons from, was a session and commercial artist in Los Angeles during the eighties and nineties.

Upon High School Graduation I left Denver to study percussion with Dr. Pennington at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. It was here that I would get my first taste of performing music on a high art level, as Dr. Pennington was one of Michael Udow's young prodigies when he attended the University of Michigan, a nationally regarded school for the percussive arts.

Two years at Fort Lewis College provided me with the perfect spring board to transfer and I then returned to my home state to earn a degree at the prestigious California Institute of the Arts (CIA). It was here that I had the honor to study with the likes of John Bergamo (Master Percussionist), Randy Gloss (John's closest disciple), Joe Labarbera (Jazz Drumset Master), David Johnson (My Mallet & Orchestral Mentor), Alfred Ledzekpo (African Percussion Tribal Leader), Wenton Welojo (Balinesian Gamelan Master and Celebrity), and Swapan Chardui (THE Tabla Guru, Truly an Honor). The Multi-Focus Curriculum allowed me to study a wide array of disciplines while still receiving a degree based heavily in Classical Percussion. My BFA is essentially a custom built degree with a strong background in Theory, Composition, Jazz Drumset, Tympani, Mallets, and a variety of pitched percussion instruments from around the world.

*** Lesson Details ***
My Personal Philosophy:

In many parts of the world there is no separation between music and culture, and to that end I strive to bring my students closer to the outside world through the strength of their own musical bond. Having music be a part of my life has brought me great opportunities to meet other players and fans of the trade, through which I have experienced some of my most rewarding moments with, as well as making some life-long friends along the way. So to me, MUSIC IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE!!!, not just something that you do, and that concept is the fundamental reason why my lessons will often go far beyond just the common practices of instruction, to not only show you WHY you would want to use a certain rhythm or technique, but also HOW to apply it in a real situation in the most musical way. Through the deeper understanding of music, there is an equally deeper understanding of ones self..........

My Approach:

Drumming is a very root level based instrument. It is primal in its nature and very emotionally driven. This is great in many ways, for playing the drums can be meditative, or used to relieve stress and pent-up energy, but the bottom line is that drumming is expressive and FUN!!!

So keep in mind that while there is a student-teacher relationship that I must keep, in order to get my points across, you really should enjoy each and every lesson while you're learning. It's proven that you'll retain more of the information that I'm teaching if I can get you to leave with a SMILE on your face!!

OK, so the real trick to what I do as a teacher that sets me apart is my approach. I don't have a "cookie cutter" format for stamping out drummers that all sound the same and have the same library of beats to pull from. If you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, I will custom tailor a lesson, or a set of lessons in order to maximize our time together, all while allowing you to develop your own individual voice on the instrument.

For beginners, I will set up a more structured program to get you up to the level where we can begin to experiment a little more and be able to play along with some popular songs. Using a few time tested books, some rudimentary exercises, and few hand written examples, you will begin to see results immediately. Together we will keep a binder of notes that contain all of your previous and current exercises, and from lesson to lesson you will be able to see the progress that you are making through your collection of notes and music. With this method I have taught everyone from 5 to 65 how to navigate their way around the drums, so you will be in good company if it's your first time on this instrument.

As far as the intermediate to the advanced player is concerned, well, we are going to have a great time jamming together and sharing amazing contemporary concepts. I will still offer the structured program to anyone that is interested, but for the drummer that already has years of playing under their belt, I really have something special to offer you. Odd time, Mixed Meter, Four Limb Independence, Ostinatos, Displacement, and even Polyrhythm

*** Studio Equipment ***
Pearl Drumsets, Ludwig Drumsets, Sabian cymbals, Istanbul cymbals, DW drum pedals, Various reading materials, a stereo, mixer and isolation headphones for playing along with music tracks at full live volume. Comfortable thrones to sit on while playing. Various instructional DVDs that can be borrowed from time to time.

*** Specialties ***
Music, Drum set, Orchestral Snare Drum Technique, Hand Drums, World Percussion
Moeller Technique, Multi-Fulcrum Technique, Four-Limb Coordination and independence, Odd time, Polyrhythms, Mixed Meter! Capable of teaching drum set Reading and Notation! Also capable of teaching ALL STYLES of music. If you can think of it, I have played it. Too many to list here.

nding music theory are two important subjects that I offer. Along with that, a student can focus on any musical style from classical to jazz plus other important aspects like composing, reading and recording music.

I am willing to share my professional experience with any student who wants to become a player!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Steinway Grand Piano,
Electric Piano
Electric Bass
Synthesizers
French Horn
Trumpets

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring music books to augment the student's library. However, students must provide their own instruments.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki method for the 3 year old plus my father's method for ages 5 and older. After that, I teach according to the student's abilities and their goals.

ful instruction, I will work with you to achieve your goals in a relaxed, and encouraging environment with positivity and praise.

vents curated by Redbull Soundselect, Afropunk, BRIC TV, etc. I currently play percussion and auxiliary keys for a fusion band led by entertainer Qaasim Middleton: finalist of American Idol Season 14, actor in nickelodeon's, "Naked Brothers Band," and netflix's, "The Get Down." For every artist I've performed with I've also produced instrumental tracks that have gone on to be used in commercial recordings, distribution, and live performance.

As a musician I intend on further developing my passion, skill, and technique for music through teaching and playing for others. Being a musician is without a doubt a path to pursue greatness as a human being. As my student you will learn the importance of communication, discipline, concentration, confidence, fun, humility, and creativity. Let's help each other become our best selves through our art!