Gwynn Oak, MD Percussion Lessons

I have taught drum set, snare drum technique and percussion for over 25 years. The majority of students study with me for years. Several of my students have gone on to major music schools such as Berklee College of Music. Several students are working with major recording acts such as Linkin Park, Adam Lambert, Paul McCartney and others.

I've got a drum set, a djembe, and a dumbek in my studio. Along with many shakers, a wooden fish, lots of sticks, tambourines.... We can start at the beginning of counting to four or work out of the the book Pure Rhythm by Adam Rudolph if you are really into advanced Polyrhythms.

In these lessons our focus is mainly on hand drumming, teaching the student techniques and styles for various styles of hand drums from around the world including; Cajon, Bongos, Congas, Djembe, etc...

- Develop good time keeping skills by playing with a metronome or click track or all ready recorded music
- Study basic hand strokes specific to the student’s type of drum
- Learn proper hand position
- Gain knowledge of the origins and history of various types of hand drums
- Play and read rhythms specific to the student’s type of drum
- Learn the proper way to hold and position drums

I can help students who are wanting to be in marching band and symphonic/orchestra. I have hand drums and various auxiliary percussion instruments, including tambourines, triangle, shakers, maracas, claves, a cabasa, etc. I also have a xylophone for students who want to learn mallet instruments, and I am well familiar with both the Burton and Stevens grips. I can help those who are wishing to compete in band contests, as well.

For past 8 years, I've been teaching students Pre K- 8th grade to play percussion instruments to create a rhythm and keep a beat. They were taught to explore different percussion instruments. As a music student, you'll learn about drums, tambourines, xylophones, and other instruments you strike, shake, or rub to make music. You will also learn the types and parts of percussion instruments and then explore how pitch changes based on the size of the air column.

I can teach set playing as well as concert percussion, including classical snare, marimba, vibraphone, etc.

In percussion lessons my goal is to help the student become a well rounded percussionist and musician. I like to focus on technique, ear training, playing musically and how to properly practice with my students. We cover a variety of instruments including timpani, classical snare drum, tambourine, triangle, xylophone and a variety of other instruments. Drum set and Marimba are also important for Classical Percussionists, so those topics will also have the basics covered.

In lessons we'll train technique and theory right alongside the ear with the objective of being able to play from your authentic self.
In addition I studied with the Jazz legend and esteemed educator Stefon Harris (currently leading the Manhatttan School of Music). We will use his innovative theory and ear training techniques to learn the most basic mechanics of music.

My diverse background in percussion allows me to offer instruction in many styles, including rock, jazz, and latin drumset skills, world percussion/hand drums, orchestral percussion, and solo repertoire including marimba. I earned my Bachelor of Music from The University of Michigan, and my Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory. I am incredibly passionate about sharing my love for music and percussion and I am looking for eager students of all ages!

I am a Baltimore-based percussionist with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.

For over a decade, I have honed my craft as a professional musician by working with world-renowned faculty, competing and performing internationally, and instructing all ages and skill levels. During my time at Peabody, I actively sought out and gained exposure to every aspect of the percussion world, from Orchestral music to Jazz improvisation, from chamber groups and symphonies to solo performances. Additionally, I have years of experience teaching percussion in private lesson formats.