Williston Park, NY Drum Lessons

ublished an iBook, titled "Drum Talk - An Introduction to Percussion Ensemble", available now on iTunes. This book demonstrates the techniques he developed during his many years teaching ensembles of all ages at the Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School, it features 56 video clips and over 80 musical examples.

*** Lesson Details ***
Every student needs a different approach depending on their temperament and goals. After assessing the student, I will tailor my teaching to achieve the most out of each lesson.
If a student is willing to commit to practicing outside of the lesson, after six months he or she will have the ability to play with others, and decide for him or herself if this is something he or she will pursue further.
The achievement level is in the hands of the student, depending on their level of commitment and abilities.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Gretch Drum set, Bergerault vibraphone, Deagan Marimba, Mac System with ProTools, DP and Logic Audio systems
LP congas and Bongos, various hand Percussion

*** Specialties ***
Jazz. rock, funk, latin drumming
also teach percussion class mixing african, latin and brazilian style
I am fully knowlegable of Performer, ProTools, Logic and Garageband on the Mac

, PA, percussion (bongo, cajon, udu, davul)

*** Specialties ***
Patience

mely creative and knowledgeable, but if you don't have the technique and vocabulary needed to express your ideas, you will find yourself very limited and suppressed musically.

My philosophy about teaching follows that I am here to provide you with those tools in a fun, exciting way. When I say "tools" I mean the whole toolbox. This includes giving you the technique, correcting bad habits, providing listening material, finding holes in your playing and much more. A good music teacher must be more than an instructor, but a mentor and an inspirational guide. My best teachers were the ones who could cultivate my playing not just through the physical aspects but ESPECIALLY through the cerebral. We ALL need encouragement and inspiration to get the best out of our natural talent. I love to encourage my students to do their best. To strive to not only complete exercises, but to execute them well. Every student is different, and therefore I will tailor their education with me on an individual basis. I expect a lot out of my students because I strongly believe in my teaching ability as well as their ability to learn and feel good about their progress.

My approach to providing all these things is modeled around my best experiences in learning and performing. I've studied under some of the absolute best players and teachers in the world. Here are just a couple:

World renowned drummer and educator

TOMMY IGOE from
The Lion King on Broadway
The Birdland Big Band
Numerous instructional books and DVDs.

Highly sought after percussionist

TOM KOLOR
Graduated from William Paterson as well as with a Masters from the Julliard School of Music
Professor of Music at the University at Buffalo.

IAN FROMAN
Professor of Drums at Berklee School of Music
Professional, world renowned Drummer

I've also graduated Cum Laude from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Music Performance, Dean's List and Honor Roll awards.

Some of my experience includes being featured in Tommy Igoe's "Great Hands For a Lifetime" DVD which received 5 stars from Modern Drummer magazine in 2010. I've also played great venues like Gramercy Theatre and Central Park in NYC among others. I've played in Big Bands, Symphony Orchestras, Klesmer and Percussion ensembles, and more.

I really could go on forever talking about music, what it means to me, how I approach teaching, etc. When you love music and teaching as much as I do, you really can't help it. It's ingrained in you. Precisely as ingrained as I like to think being a fun, caring, disciplined, attentive teacher is in me. Whether it be for you or your child, I can easily promise that I will deliver the same success-bound mentoring that I have to my students for over 10 years running.

Can't wait to hear from you!

-Asaf

*** Lesson Details ***
-I am here for you.

I would not teach if I wasn't very interested in the progress of my students. I want you to be the biggest, baddest, awe-inspiring drummer/percussionist possible. I want to ultimately end up at your shows and concerts and be able to say "That's MY student." You can always be guaranteed that when studying with me everything I assign has precisely that goal in mind.

-Strict or Laid Back?

Many people might ask if I'm strict, or laid back. My response is that I am excited and driven to help you reach success. I will never scold you because that sort of practice has no place in teaching. I also understand that learning isn't just a straight upwards incline of progression. We're all humans. Sometimes we progress astronomically in a short period of time and sometimes we have to fight hard to nail something. Sometimes we have a lot of time to practice, and sometimes we simply don't. My job is to make the most out of every situation and help you learn no matter what. That being said, I will still hound you to practice as much as healthily possible!

-What do you want out of music?

Probably the most important question I will undoubtedly ask you upon meeting you is why you are taking lessons. There is no way to formulate a tailored lesson plan if I don't know what it is you're working towards.

-Expected Material

Like I said, I can't tell you very specifically what your lesson plan will be, but I CAN give you examples of what I almost always assign. Individually written out exercises, exercises from books, assigned reading/listening, song covers, chart writing/reading, improvisational exercises, rudiment study, warm-up routines, among others.

-Don't be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Mistakes are part of the learning process! If you aren't making mistakes then I'm doing something wrong. Never be afraid to make mistakes.

-You Get What You Give

I promise I'll be there for you. I'll be there to give you the material and show you the path, but you're going to have to be there for yourself as well. The more prepared you are for our lessons, the more you will grow from the time we spend together.

Mastering an instrument takes time and effort both by student and teacher. The sooner we get started the sooner you get on that path. I'm ready whenever you are.

*** Studio Equipment ***
detached studio 3 professional drum sets seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Numerous practice pads and snare stands. I expect my students to only provide their own Drum Sticks and books.

*** Specialties ***
I pride myself on being as versatile as I possibly can be. I can aptly teach most styles including Jazz, Rock, Funk, Latin, Hip Hop\R&B, Classical, and more.

each student individually, catering to specific goals and needs that we will decide upon and plan together. Some students want to seriously study a craft. Others want a hobby that will be fun and interesting. I have had success teaching to both, and will impart basic fundamentals and musicianship to all types of students.

I see my primary job as keeping the student inspired, intellectually fed and sprinting in the right direction. The student's job is to do the work. Daily practice is essential to move forward in any craft.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My Brooklyn studio is a dedicated music space with two drum sets, PA, amplifiers and recording capabilities.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide books, a drum pad, sticks or mallets, an iPod with two sets of headphones, and a metronome. Additionally, I can bring small hand drums, special instruments and percussion that might be needed for specialty lessons. I expect students to have some sort of pad or drum to practice on at home; a full drum set is not necessary.

*** Specialties ***
Drum set (rock, jazz, R&B, folk, pop, electro, Afro-Cuban)
Snare drum
Timpani
Two- and four-mallets (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone)
Accessory percussion
Frame drums
Traditional samba
Afro-Cuban hand drums
Japanese taiko

unconventional rhythms and harmony. Her music has been described as "...hyper-detailed...designed to spur multi-faceted improvisation". Her most recently formed trio with pianist Matt Mitchell deals with a new book of compositions containing varied forms and harmonic and rhythmic structures that demand a spectrum of improvisational creativity.

Kate holds a dual degree in Jazz Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. Kate has also studied independently with a host of great drummers, improvisers, and composers, including Dan Weiss, Tim Berne, Tony Malaby, Marc Ducret, Miles Okazaki, and John Riley.

Kate has enjoyed teaching drum lessons independently for 10 years and has taught at the NYSMF summer jazz program and several schools.

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extremely important values. I am proud to say some of my students have already made impressive musical achievements, some have begun studying in Berklee themselves (with impressive scholarships) and all of them are having fun playing drums.

ly start lessons on a practice pad before moving to the drum kit. I also work closely with the student to develop concise and organized practice routines, so that they understand what to work on during their own time. In my experience, I have found that this foundation in routine and gradual improvement is central to great musicianship, and with time, will open up a world of possibilities for creativity and expression.

I am very familiar and comfortable working with beginners, but can teach students of all ages and experience levels. Whether you want your child to turn their banging into music, or are looking to take your chops to the next level, I'm your guy!

ence in the coming years. I find playing music can be a great source of inspiration and release. But most importantly, everyone has a voice to be heard through music.

I have taught privately since I was in high school on my own. Over the years, I have also been affiliated with some amazing entities. Additionally, my work in arts administrative (Brooklyn Academy of Music -BAM, UVA Music) translates into my ability to show you skills that will garnish success when you aren't playing music.

My students can expect growth in knowledge of rhythm, understanding of music and song forms. Your timing will improve! Your feel for styles (blues, rock, jazz, hip hop, EDM, etc.) will improve! Your technique will be through the roof!! I empower my students to do whatever they can dream to do with music, whether it is for personal enrichment or personal ambition.

I will demystify anything you feel is outside of your reach and grow you into the musician you want to be. My private studio is a fully equipped playground for the musically-minded with all the tools and materials you need to grow as a musician, so all you need to bring is your imagination. I look forward to the journey.