Drexel Hill, PA Drum Lessons

is just as much a passion of his as is drum performance and recording. In 2005 he was hired as the drum instructor at Los Angeles City College. Since then, he has authored three different drum books and has taught music at Southern California Music School, Alhambra School of Music, Pasadena City College, LA Valley College, LA Academy and several other institutions.

Andrew was awarded Teacher of the Year 2007/2008 at Southern California Music School. He also received Best Drummer Award at the Emergenza’s Battle of the Bands contest in 2005. Under Andrew’s instruction, Carver Middle School was also awarded 1st place during the NVISION Battle of the Bands contest in 2010.

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal for the first lesson, is to have my student perform a simple beat along to one of their favorite songs. I have learned to speak the language of my students. I always find a way to help them understand the mechanics of playing drums. I get very excited over good music, interesting drum concepts or beats. I am patient and encouraging. I give my students praise for every accomplishment. I believe that anyone can become a great drummer.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Rehearsal Studio with seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide the learning material, I expect the student to have their own drums/equipment.

*** Specialties ***
I teach reading and writing music notation as well as to play by ear. I specialize in Jazz, Rock, Blues, Country, Metal, and Latin styles. I know heel-up, heel-down, and heel-toe bass drum pedal technique. I also specialize in rudimental drumming.

d freelance and record with many others...everyone from former members of Bon Jovi, to Marvin Hamlisch, and some completely unexpected names like Joe Frazier And The Knockouts. Yes, I know, that's pretty amusing, and Joe couldn't sing...but I wasn't going to tell him!

I have an extensive collection of books and videos that I draw from for my students, and to personally improve at my craft. This is not a sideline, or part-time job for me...this is my life, and my career!

*** Lesson Details ***
In my lessons I strive to make the maximum progress possible, while also having as much fun as possible. This is accomplished by imparting the most valuable, useful, and beneficial information in a fun and relaxed, low pressure environment, always with the students goals and priorities first and foremost. I also like to keep the student challenged at their current ability level.

For beginning students I stress basic fundamentals, just as you would in sports. It makes progress come at a much faster clip and avoids making time consuming corrections later. The longer you play with bad habits, the harder they are to break.

For more advanced students, I assess their current abilities, determine if any problems need to be addressed, and with their goals in mind, come up with the proper plan of action.

Having been self taught till entering college I understand all ends of the spectrum. In my career I have come across three separate groups of musicians:

1) Those who have good ears, but can't read.
2) Those who read well, but can't play without music in front of them.
3) Those with great ears who also read well.

Number 3 is obviously the best of all possible worlds and what I strive to achieve with all my students. Being accomplished in both areas enables them to be prepared for anything they will come across, and gives them a distinct advantage over their peers.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a state of the art drum studio, beyond anything else I have ever seen, with everything from a top of the line V-Drum kit (electronic drums) and several acoustic sets that I rotate occasionally to keep interest level high. As opposed to many stores, schools and homes...there are no sax players in the next studio, no guitars blaring, no kids running around, no distractions! We only hear what we want to hear! It's so much easier to maintain focus on the task at hand.

One of the pluses of the electronic set is when a student is playing along with music, we can just plug an iPod, Kindle, whatever, into the system, dial in the perfect matching volume between music and drums...and not go deaf. No muss, no fuss, no headphones needed, unless the student wants them...I have plenty.

I am in my own building, so unlike many of the shoebox sized studios i have worked in, I have a lot of space (17'x22'), a waiting area for parents, and since it's one open area, if parents come in the building they are sitting in on the lesson. There is ample parking and I am conveniently located near a major intersection, and right next to a major shopping center (Wal-Mart, Staples. Weiss Supermarket, Pep Boys, etc.). In fact many parents go shopping while their children are taking their lessons. Some even walk! I'm that close.

I am also a Certified Plus drum dealer, so if students need some equipment, we can usually handle that too.

*** Specialties ***
I adapt my style to each student and usually hand write everything for quite awhile. There's a lot to cover and it enables me to break from standard procedure when beneficial. I play and teach all styles and genres, so I feel comfortable with pretty much everything.
I use numerous books for many different purposes well beyond the scope of what's listed below.

had shared stages with guitarist John Scofield, Singer Ike Willis (Frank Zappa Band), Medeski Martin and Wood and The Disco Biscuits among countless others.

Michael has completed a Master of Arts in music education as well as Bachelor of Music in bass performance. Michael is qualified to teach on bass, upright bass, guitar, drums, piano, voice and a rare instrument called steel pan (steel drum) among others. Michael performs as a freelance musician. He can be found performing regularly at private parties and events around the greater Philadelphia area. He has performed playing most styles and genres of music. Among these styles are Pop, R & B, Blues, Hip Hop, Jazz, Calypso, Flamenco, Latin, Pop, Musical Theater and Rock & Roll.

Michael is a trained professional and prefers to cater his lessons to the individual need of each student. He believes that each student is unique and will encounter challenges in their own manner. Michael likes to supplement his lessons using musical interests of the student. C. has been known to arrange popular pieces for recital performances for his students. Some of the pieces he has arranged for his students include Something in the Way She Moves (Beetles), Long distance Run Around (The Who), Iron Man (Black Sabbath), That' €™s What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction), Hall of Fame (The Script) among many more. Michael encourages his students to use the music they love to challenge their ability and cognitive processes. Michael has the experience and training required to inspire and motivate you to become successful not only in music but in your daily endeavors.

*** Lesson Details ***
Michael has over twelve years experience teaching music and chooses to cater his lessons to the goals of his clients. He does not follow a set curriculum because different students tend to have different goals and expectations.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Logic Pro X, Reason, Fast Track pro audio, Double Bass, Piano, Rhodes Electric Piano, Acoustic guitar, Electric Guitar, Flute, Sax, Clarinet, trumpet, Electric basses, Steel Pans (drums), etc.

Audio recordings of each lesson are free of charge and available upon request. C. is capable of creating demos and audio recordings as well as audio production of original material.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Laptop, Guitars, PA system, Basses, Metronome, Method Books, etc.

*** Specialties ***
Steel Pan lessons are available. Access to a steel pan(drum) is a requirement for this specialty.

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!

with you!