Saint Rose, LA Drum Lessons

tinuous improvement, education, and training.

During the same 26 years of my business career, I have been a professional musician - session musician and teacher. I was formally trained at the American Conservatory of Music and the Chicago Musical College, both located in Chicago. I won the Presidential Scholarship in Classical Guitar Performance at the American Conservatory of Music and another full-ride scholarship in Classical Guitar Performance to attend the Chicago Musical College.

My primary Classical Guitar Instructor at both institutions was Paul Henry. I also studied Rock Guitar with Dave Uhrich while attending both institutions and privately studied Jazz Guitar with Scott Reed. I studied voice with Audrey Evans at the American Conservatory of Music and Robert Long at the Chicago Musical College.

I have participated in Classical Guitar Master Classes with:
• Hubert Kappel
• Dale Kavanagh
• Eleftheria Kotzia
• Bruce Holzman
• Stephen Aron
• Raphaella Smits
• Richard Provost
• Nicholas Goluses
• William Buonocore.

*** Lesson Details ***

I design lessons individually according to the needs and "wants" of each student. I specialize in developing and correcting technique in technique to improve the student's overall skill. Students that dedicate the time and effort each week to practicing see rapid and sustained results.

However, if you have a busy life and merely want to learn guitar for personal enjoyment, I will design your lessons to develop your skill at a pace that works for you, which can fluctuate according to your schedule.

***Young & Special Needs Students***

I teach children as young as 13 years old and adults to the age of 70 years old. When teaching younger children and individuals with special needs, it is significantly beneficial for parents to attend each lesson - I have parent seating available. When parent(s) attend lessons, the parent can assist the younger student while practicing during the week at home.

In my experience, the overall musical development and progress of younger students improve considerably when parents are involved.

***Thoughts on Musical Talent***

Musical talent is a wonderful gift, but correct technique is not easily acquired without proper instruction. Your skill level eventually plateaus and your ability to learn and perform more complicated music is inhibited, unless you have a solid foundation in music theory as it applies to your instrument(s) as well as proper technique.

I can help you build this solid foundation and will guide you through the development of musical skills; correcting flaws in technique is my specialty.

*** Studio Equipment ***

GUITARS & BASSES: Gibson, Charvel, Fender, Peavey, Cordoba, Guild, Takamine, Yamaha

GUITAR & BASS AMPS: Blackstar, Egnater, Fender, Line 6, Peavey, Roland, and Behringer

MICS: Mojave Audio, AKG, Audio Technica, CAD Audio, Rode, Sennheiser, Shure, Studio Projects, and Yamaha

KEYBOARDS & SYNTHESIZERS: Korg, Roland, Yamaha, Casio

DRUMS: Pearl, Roland Digital

OUTBOARD GEAR: Universal Audio, JDK Audio, Alesis, Art, Audio Logic, Behringer, and Studio Projects

SOFTWARE: Cakewalk Sonar Platinum, Universal Audio UAD-2 Quad Flexi DSP, Soundtoys Bundle, Celemony Melodyne, Slate Digital FG-X, Steven Slate Drums Platinum, Antares Auto-Tune, Aspire, Antares Articulator, Choir, Harmony Engine, Throat, WAVES Waverider, OneKnob Series Bundle, CLA Artist & Kramer Signature, XLN Audio Addictive Drums, BBE Sonic Maximizer, Line 6 POD Farm 2.5 w/multiple packs

TakeLessons Articles I've Written:

Tips for Parents: Help Your Child Succeed in their Music Lessons
http://takelessons.com/blog/parents-help-children-succeed

Improving Guitar Technique
http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-exercises-for-technique

Why Piano Theory is Important for ALL Musicians
http://takelessons.com/blog/piano-theory-for-all-musicians

Guitar Basics: Technique
http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-technique

How to Play the Song "Breathe" by Ana Nalick on Guitar
http://takelessons.com/blog/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar-breathe

g, weight lifting, history, traveling, movies and web design. Fun teacher who loves to help others learn to play an instrument.  

*** Lesson Details ***
Instructor teaches both drums and guitar, depending on the student. This is unique because if you're studying drums, the teacher plays along on guitar. If you're studying guitar,the teacher can play along on the drums. In this way you learn to play in a band rather than just learning to play an instrument. Most importantly, it's fun!The focus for new students is to quickly teach them to perform in a band. For beginning guitarists, this means learning power chords, simple songs, and 2 scales, eventually progressing to more advanced songs and techniques. Most beginning drum students start by learning basic rock beats, and songs, eventually progressing to advanced fills, techniques and styles. Lessons are geared to the individual student's interests and abilities as well. For instance, percussion students sometimes focus on marching percussion techniques, jazz band skills, etc.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Ludwig s/l series drums, and Zildjian cymbals. Fender stratocaster electric guitar, Carvin all tube amp and Peavy trans-tube amp. Seagull acoustic guitar, handmade in Canada.  

*** Travel Equipment ***
Instructor provides drum-sticks, mallets, a practice pad, and/or guitar and amp if applicable. If student is taking drum/percussion lessons, they need to have their own snare drum and /or drum-set and sticks. For guitar lessons, they need to have their own guitar and picks.

*** Specialties ***
Many years of experience in jazz and rock drumming. Many years of experience in marching percussion. Additional skills in country, blues and Latin drumming.

I also play and teach rock and folk guitar.

Ed Feltman
"Brad worked as a drum teacher for my son from the ages from 11-16. Brad encouraged by son day by day at each lesson, the encouragement resulted in the constant addition of new skills and great competence, Brad encouraged him to play in many different styles and situations and provided opportunities that allowed him to stretch himself out of his comfort zone in many situations. In outside situations my son was not required to "try out" due to his well-known skills."

"I would recommend Brad's teaching expertise to anyone interested in learning drums or continuing to expand their skills."

Kim Wheeler
"Brad started teaching our 11 year old son the guitar about 2 years ago. He offers reasonable rates and flexible scheduling. Our son was enthusiastic about music but discouraged after taking piano lessons and feeling like it was a chore. Within 3 months of taking guitar lessons with Brad, he had learned the power cords and could play over 5 songs by ear. Brad s method of teaching emphasizes learning the basics and immediately applying it to playing music a young student recognizes and can grasp. He understood that just learning notes in a book would not keep a young man s attention long, and instead emphasized learning cords by sound and developing good fingering and hand/eye coordination on the instrument. Brad emphasizes positive encouragement while adding layers that pushes our son s learning a little bit further with each lesson. After 2 years, our son can play a portfolio of songs including the solos, he s performed in school talent shows and he s learning to read music on the page just in time for school band. We couldn t be happier with our son s progress thanks to Brad s measurable teaching abilities."

ns, and Pony Up.

When I have free time I volunteer with the Houston Chapter of Girls Rock Camp to help teach girls empowerment through songwriting and music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I began teaching as an afterschool job when I was 16. I was homeschooled, so I feel that the experience taught me that everyone learns differently and that there is not just one standardized method to playing music.

My teaching style varies with each student, but the one constant is my ability to make each and every client I encounter completely fall in LOVE with music. It's my super power.

Lesson plans are tailored for your specific needs and to help you achieve your musical goals and aspirations at your desired pace. I enjoy my students and making music with them.

Here is an overview of the lessons that I provide.

Guitar:
Finger Picking, Song Writing, Rhythm, Lead, Scales,Modes & Ear Training.

Songwriting and composition: Learn techniques, how to brain storm and plot your musical story line. This class pairs great with vocal lessons or guitar lessons.

Bass:
Scales, Rhythm, Beginner and Advanced song structure, Ear Training

Ukulele :
Technique, Intro to Chords, Ear Training, Strumming patterns - Ukulele is one of my favorite classes to teach. You simply can not help but smile when playing this instrument!

Vocals :
Breathing techniques, Scales, Harmonizing

ase basis, tailored to each individual student. Everyone is at a different waypoint on their path so why would I use a predetermined formula to try and help them, am I right? I am excited to meet and grow with every single one of you, let's learn to love the life we have and let our studies become radiant!

I teach all kinds of disciplines from guitar, mandolin, banjo, and clarinet, to creative writing, meditation, and even astrology. If you have any questions about my teaching methods, skill level in a certain discipline, or anything thing you can think of I would be more than happy to answer you!

Musically yours,
Grant

the intermediate levels the most. I enjoy watching people discover things for the first time, and in my teaching I really do my best to craft my lessons to the needs of the students. My primary aim in teaching is that I would cultivate in my students a love for music and learning. With these two things in place, a student can go on to be and learn anything.

Join me and my studio. We'll have a great time, and we'll get you to your goals while we're enjoying the journey of music together!!

mony, shares the basic tenets of the Suzuki method, and asks that the students develop certain fundamentals of technique and theory. In my experience, this structure creates the strongest foundation for pupils to build the rest of their musical lives on, whether professionally or solely for personal enjoyment. All of my students are on the fast track to studying music theory. Whatever level they are at when I start with them, I guide their efforts into bringing the students up to a certain level of comprehension regarding the mathematical aspects of music and how it relates to their instruments. This understanding of theoretical principles of sound allows the students to play any style of music they wish, no matter how their tastes may change throughout their lives.

I always strive to make my curriculum fun and exciting for the student. Anyone can learn, and anyone can especially LEARN to learn! Music is fun!