Drums with Gabriel F.

Gabe has been playing the drums for twenty years and has been teaching students for about twelve years. In that time he has played with numerous live acts as well as studio work. His experience mostly lies in jazz, funk, blues, latin, and rock. As much as he loves playing these styles he loves to teach them. Gabe's music education began in grammar school and continued through high school. In college he earned a non-music bachelor's degree but never stopped studying the drums. With the help of his own private instructors and continued playing experience, he now considers himself a self-taught musician and uses this experience to show his students how to do the same. His students can expect a challenging curriculum that will make them better players no matter what style of music they play. Gabe has played with or shared a stage with countless musicians including Average White Band, The Waz, Moe., Moxy Fruvous, Schleiho, Entropy, and Ike Stubblefield. He now plays out regularly and teaches in the Atlanta area where he lives with his wife and two-year-old son. *** Lesson Details *** My teaching philosophy centers around the idea that if the student is willing to put in hard work and dedication he or she can accomplish their goals. I try to put an emphasis on hard work and strong practice habits and the benefits that come as a result. That being said, in my lessons I try to keep a fun and laid back atmosphere where the student is not afraid to make mistakes. I expect students to make mistakes so that we can learn from these mistakes. I find that many times new and creative ideas are born from mistakes. Because every musician is unique, each student is evaluated on an individual basis and a personal curriculum is created that fits the student's needs and goals. Once these goals are charted out a solid foundation of rudiments, technique, and posture is created (or maintained in many cases) for the student to build upon. The student's goals remain the main focus of the lesson plan. I do not teach in order to create or mold musicians. This is up to the student. I want the student's individualism and creativity to shine through. Students are encouraged to interpret what is taught not to mimic. Soon we will form a relationship in which I start to learn things from the student as well. I teach out of various books depending on which styles the student wants to learn and accompany them with music to listen to and play along with. I also ask the student to bring some examples of his or her favorite music and drummers so we can dissect what these musicians are doing to better learn from them. Within time the student will be transcribing the music of other drummers as well as writing their own grooves and exercises. With some individual hard work and dedication the student will become a better drummer and over all better student of music. *** Studio Equipment *** 2 drum sets (acoustic and padded); congas, timbales, bongos, djembe, percussion equipment *** Travel Equipment *** I bring my own sticks, books, a pad and a drum with stand. I expect the student to have at least their own pad and sticks. *** Specialties *** Drumset, hand drums and percussion. The music I personally like to play and listen to is funk, jazz, blues and latin. I love to teach these styles and to challenge my students to learn these styles. I make sure students have a strong foundation of rudiments. I then show them how to use them creatively and to apply them to the drum set musically. I also put a strong emphasis on groove, keeping time and learning how to play as a member of a group, not just a drummer but a musician.