Yonkers, NY Drum Lessons

ne of which is in Long Island. At this school I teach electronic music production w/ Ableton as a digital audio workstation. I also teach DJ/Turntablism along side DJ 4our 5ive (he has worked with Notorious BIG, Jay z, and is the current tour DJ for Lil Wayne). We have also started working together on performing at the venue near the school.

As a performer I have been fortunate to perform with legends such as John Scofield, Pascal Niggenkemper, Andy Milne, Dave Pietro, Dave Douglas and the list continues. These shows were at many first rate jazz clubs including: Blue Note, The Jazz Gallery, The Stone, The Tea Lounge, Tomi Jazz, Cornelia St. Cafe, The Falcon, Twins Jazz, Trumpets Jazz and many others. While receiving my Masters degree at NYU, I was also employed as an adjunct music faculty member.

In 2012 I was selected as one of Half Note Records musicians in the "Promising Artist Series." The award included responsibilities such as giving concerts and leading clinics.

In 2011, I was accepted as a disciple of tabla maestro Anindo Chatterjee. This has also been an amazing opportunity. Chatterjee spends half the year residing and teaching in NYC. Just three blocks away, I am able to spend ample time learning from him. In the winter of 2013, I spent several months in India living the music. This included daily talim (lessons) from Gurujee as well as many all night concerts and sessions with local musicians.

Another interest of mine has been listening to and studying electronic music. Turntableism was a large influence. I have turntables and a sampler and have been working with them for years. It has been a great inspiration to follow in the footsteps of DJs including DJ Craze, DJ Shadow, Mix Master Mike and Q-bert.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a consummate learner in my life. I am trying to create the best musical life for myself and those around me. My goal is to share the information I have been lucky enough to learn with other students in a relaxed, open and fun manner.

I hope to inspire others to pursue a musical life. No matter how serious and long, or short and light. The act of engaging one's mind in such an activity is very fulfilling for the mind and body. There is numerous statistical data on the positive outcome of the study of music. Engaging this creative portion of your mind is something that can only be done in such an activity. What better way to do this activity than with private instruction catered to the exact needs of the person. No matter what style of music it may be!!

I encourage children and adults to explore and experience music through movement, singing, playing instruments, and improvisation (creating music instantaneously). They explore and experience first by imitation, then by creation; they proceed from the part to the whole, from the simple to the complex, and from individual to ensemble experiences.

Music literacy is an additional goal, with singing and music reading central to its success. Children and adults learn to read, hear, and think music following a sequential program.

I also incorporate ear training, singing with sol-feg syllables and/or the rhythms of the drum, then improvisation with the material and eurhythmics. The eurhythmic component is the one that receives more attention in current application and is often incorporated in elementary general music. Paying attention to body movement on the instrument and learning from it improves the feel of music.

One major difference between myself and other music teachers is the integration of technology into the hands-on experience of a private lesson. I am currently using an online resource which all my students also can use. It is an online archive of all of the material taught in lessons.

How many times have you taken a lesson, taken notes, and by the time you have gotten home you forgot some of the major points of the lesson?? I know that I have! This resource maximizes your ability to get the most out of each lesson. Maybe you are more of a shy person as well and have difficulty performing the material in the lesson. This resource is also great for you because it gives you the time to repeat the idea from the lesson over and over while being in the comfort of your own room!

One of my ultimate goals in teaching is to help my students develop the skills and knowledge to not only be able to play well, but to also be able to teach themselves (and hopefully others in the future). Thank you for your time! Have a great day!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Soundproof room w/ drum set seating for parents

Piano

P.A.

Guitar Amplifier

*** Travel Equipment ***
Sticks. Guitar. Lesson Materials

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in percussion. I have a degree in classical percussion with a concentration in Jazz performance. This background covers a lot of the bases. I played snare pieces as well as mallet percussion (vibraphone, marimba), and timpani. My number one specialty however is drumset. I have experience in teaching and playing Rock, Jazz, Latin Music, Funk & R&B, Country, Folk, and Classical Indian Music.

I also played Guitar and Piano growing up. I took private lessons as well as learned music from recordings by myself. This skill is very helpful in playing any music and also composing.

I hope to share these special skills with you!

ool, I continued through middle school. There I was placed on drum kit and thought I was the coolest. I didn't take it too seriously but serious enough to keep playing drum kit. When choosing high schools I wasn't interested in keeping with drums. I only took marching band because it meant no gym. After my first year I was placed in every band the next three years, having to learn timpani and marimba for concert band. I was also recommended to join a city wide concert band, InterSchool orchestras of New York, and haven't left since. I still coach the band and help tons of high school and middle school students hone their craft. Also that year, through ISO, I was given a chance to attend French woods performing arts camp on scholarship where I began my love of playing in musical pit orchestras. Through this time I studied with a couple of teachers and had plenty of coachings with professional percussionists. Upon graduating I have played well over 100 different musicals, played with over 25 different orchestras, and have taught over 100 students both privately and in coachings. I currently run a Drumline out of a private school, coach ISO band, freelance and have a studio of 8 students. That is a short sample of my journey and I hope it inspires you to study with me.

If you choose me as a teacher, I will shape you as an overall musician, not just a "Drummer". What this means is that you won't just learn beats from me, you will learn all the fundamentals of basic to intermediate music theory, from note reading and rhythm to chord changes and ..... You will start on a practice pad and quickly go to a drum kit. Lessons will be half and half, but more 75/25 drumkit, because everything you learn on a pad can translate to the kit! I would also teach you timpani and xylophone if you like so you can broaden your horizons and even get into the middle/high school or college you want. I have most of my books of pdf that I can give you to print or you can purchase your own copies. You would also need to purchase a practice pad and eventually a drum kit. If you don't want to purchase a drum kit then there is almost no reason to study it since you won't be able to practice between lessons. Practicing, let's talk about that. It is expected that you practice the material we learn in the lesson throughout the week. Now I know everyone is busy, but if you can put aside 25 minutes (a sitcom without commercials!!) a day then you will have a better understanding and better retention of the material. Doing this will let us just review the material a little bit and go on to learn new and exciting things.

The bottom line in choosing me? I am a professional musician in the trenches of the nyc music scene and know what it takes to make it.

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

g Island based post/math rock band.

and make the sounds that they want to hear.

I have also trained in the Alexander Technique and in sports-focused physical therapy, which aids me in identifying and helping students solve technique problems that are causing issues with playing, or which could cause pain or injury down the line. So far (knock wood) I have not had any student suffer from the repetitive stress injuries which affect so many musicians.

I have been teaching lessons on multiple instruments for over 10 years, and my goal as a teacher is to help you reach your goals, and have fun on the way!