Drums with John G.

I have been working with children since the age of nineteen, starting off as a counselor in a day camp and eventually as a summer camp music specialist. After college I started a music teaching career, teaching in public and private schools. For the past fourteen years I have taught private lessons in drums, guitar, and piano as well as doing preschool music performances at local libraries. My career as a musician goes back even further than my teaching career. I have been playing drums in bands since early high school and have been playing professionally since the age of twenty. I have played with blues legend Joe Louis walker and many local professional bands. *** Lesson Details *** A lesson with me starts off slow and works its way up. A drum lesson, for instance, might start with just learning parts with the hands and omitting the feet--or even just on a snare drum or drum pad. This would be followed up with adding the feet when the student is ready. I tend to be easygoing so I don't get frustrated easily when someone doesn't pick things up right away. I also try to be band/ensemble-oriented, as playing in a group situation is the most common way music is played but in the case of piano and guitar the focus is often on solo shows or recitals. The ability to play and perform music effectively and have fun with it is the ultimate long-term goal for my students. *** Studio Equipment *** Living room with seating for parents. *** Travel Equipment *** For guitar lessons I provide a guitar for myself and expect the student to have his/her own. Drums and piano student must have his own instrument. *** Specialties *** Mostly rock and pop with some jazz influence.