Aside from being mostly self-taught and playing drums since he could hold the pots and pans, Henri is an experienced, focused teacher and musician who really enjoys seeing students achieve their goals and desires musically. He has also studied privately with former Berklee Graduate Al Pahanish Jr (Powerman 5000), and former Capitol Records recording artist Morrison Moon. He is a goal-oriented individual with a versatile background and a relaxed, "let's have fun while we learn" attitude. Henri believes music should always be fun and inspiring for everyone, no matter what skill level. FUN is always the focus, because if you are not having fun, why are you doing it?
Henri also has years of experience touring both nationally and internationally with several award-winning Arizona-based performing groups (Dry River Yacht Club, decker., and The SunPunchers are the current projects), performing shows in 39 of the US States, as well as festival performances in 2012 in Canada (NXNE w/Flaming Lips, Raekwon, Of Montreal, Bad Religion) and Norway (Slottsfjell Music Festival w/New Order, Janalle Monae, Wolfmother, A-Trak, etc.) His past teaching and performing experiences have really helped shaped the musician he is today.
Aside from working as private lessons/class instructor and performer, Henri can also be seen teaching for Mesa Community College as an Adjunct Faculty in the Music and Business program, where he currently teaches MUC109 - Merchandising and the Law, and MUC210 - Concert and Touring Promotions. A life-long learner, Henri is always finding new experiences and new ways to connect with his students, as learning comes just as much from the student as it does the teacher. You can always find him around "the music."
*** Lesson Details ***
Students who study with me can expect for their guitar, drum kit, or percussion lessons to be top-quality, personalized, and above all, extremely fun sessions that will cater to the students musical backgrounds, interests, and needs. I create extremely organized and specifically focused lessons so that students feel comfortable, not pressured, while learning their craft. The lessons I teach are a combination of developmental sight reading music book work, learning student chosen songs (depending on ability), inspiring and encouraging creative abilities, warm-up and strengthening exercises, proper techniques, listening for internal hearing, composition dynamics, chords and finger-picking (guitar only) and rudiments (drum kit only).
After 3 months of lessons together, students will have started learning several key elements to becoming an outstanding guitarist/drummer/percussionist. They will have learned proper form and technique, warm-up/skill-building exercises, to read basic notation, basic rhythms/rudiments. Guitar students will be able to play at least one song utilizing both finger picking and chords. For drum kit/percussion, students should have no problem reading basic drum beats and being able to play through a simple song. With proper, steady practice, most students will achieve much more. I also focus on creative thinking, professionalism, and instrument tuning. Finally, the students will have started to develop a solid level of discipline that is required of any aspiring musician! Remember, "practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent."
*** Studio Equipment ***
Ludwig Accent Drum Kit, Pearl Rhythm Traveller Kit, LP Assorted Percussions, Protools LE, Logic Pro, Korg Electribe, Reason 3.0, Harmony Guitar, Ion Electronic Drum Set, Chord Charts, Acoustic and Electric Guitars.
*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide drum sticks, guitar, all developmental material for students to retain and practice with, and a Pearl Traveler's Drum Kit if necessary. I can also provide percussion instruments.
I expect my students to be providing the necessary musical equipment as well (guitars, drum kits, percussion instruments) for their private lessons. If they do not have these in the home to practice with, the lessons are much less effective for your student.
*** Specialties ***
I specialize in the following styles of playing:
Rock, Hip - Hop, All Latin, Jazz, Funk, Blues, R and B, Gospel, and Dance. I also have a very good feel for World Music as well. I have a very free-spirit for playing, so I often mesh the above stated styles into a more progressive style of playing. I believe that you must be feeling what you are playing.
For drum students, along with learning drum beats, students will also engage in drum tuning, reading drum notation, drum tab, warm-up/skill-building exercises, and internal hearing.
For guitar students, we will engage in guitar tuning, warm-up/skill building exercises, reading sheet music, reading TAB, notes on the guitar, chords, and student chosen songs, among other activities.
Aside from drums/percussion and guitar, I also specialize in beat programming/sequencing, recording, organizing song-writing/song-structure, musical score, live performance, and professional music marketing. I am able to show you how to use programs such as Reason, Logic Pro, Protools LE, and Adobe programs to take your creative abilities to the next level.
I believe that these days, it is imperative for musicians to have four major components in their professional arsenal: 1) Discipline and chops on your instruments; 2) Know how to successfully market yourself and your music; 3) Know how to properly develop a learning ear to record/produce your songs/tracks; and 4) Understand and effectively utilize music production programs.
Worked as a private drum instructor as well as ensemble director at the School of Rock in both Ahwatukee and Scottsdale.
