Guitar with Rick A.

I'm a freelance drummer and teacher working in the Gwinnett County area. I have been playing in and around Atlanta since 1979 and moved here in 1981. I have been teaching for the Gwinnett School Of Music since 1997 and currently have 25 full-time students. I continue to perform on a regular basis with several local acts and work a few months a year with a local middle school percussion section. I received an early education in marching and symphonic music under band director John V. Mazza and had the privilege of marching with the 1st place trophy winning Prince George High School Band of Petersburg, Virginia in the 1969 Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California. During the 70s I toured throughout the southeast and midwest with a variety of bands based out of Panama City, and Miami, Florida. *** Lesson Details *** I try to tailor the lessons to the desire and goals of the student but I encourage all to learn to read, develop good practice skills and most of all...have fun. It's supposed to be fun, that's why it's called playing. I generally start a beginning student with the Alfred snare drum method for learning to read and develop hand coordination then get them into playing a full drum set as soon as possible. I am willing to work from any book the student has or prefers and I also draw from many publications I have in my arsenal. My studio is equipped with 2 full drum sets and a PA system for playing to recordings or to jam with me playing guitar or bass to develop live performance skills. After 3 months students should have a basic knowledge of reading and enough coordination to play basic beats on the drum set. By six months the student should be able to play along to recorded music and other musicians. I try to keep lessons fun and laid back with a strong focus on the task at hand. It is not necessary for a student to own drums to begin lessons but I recommend getting them as soon as possible to help maintain interest and practice at home. *** Studio Equipment *** Lessons in home studio, 2 drum kits, full PA system, guitar, bass and amps. *** Travel Equipment *** I will provide a variety of teaching materials and always have extra sticks. The student is to provide sticks, an Alfred Snare Drum Method Book 1 and a staff paper notebook. Books are optional depending on the goals of the student but are encouraged. *** Specialties *** I use the Alfred snare drum method to teach reading for symphonic and marching snare drum (school band). I specialize on full drum set in Rock, Blues, Pop, Country, Alternative, Punk and Metal (double bass) . I also teach basic Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin and Afro-Cuban styles.