Houston, TX Percussion Lessons

tice, students will have a thorough understanding of the musical instrument they are studying and how to sight read.

was principal percussionist and drumline captain throughout my high school career participating in the concert, symphonic, jazz, and marching bands. I was selected for All-State Jazz Band during my senior year and went on to study music education at the University of Georgia while being selected for a slot in the Redcoat Marching Band and the University Steel Drum Band during my freshman year. I completed my music business degree from Georgia State University, while studying under world class teachers like Jack Bell, principal percussionist for Atlanta Symphony for over 30 years.
Throughout my career, I continue to be influenced, inspired, and taught through private lessons, master classes, videos, books, and recordings from David Garibaldi, Simon Phillips, Rod Morgenstein, Neil Peart, Gregg Bissonette, Jerry Fields, Jim White, John Lawless, Billy Degnats, Eric Darken, Gary Chaffee, Kim Plainfield, Chuck Silverman, Steve Houghton, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff Porcaro, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Tito Puente, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Vinx, and Zorro.
As your drum teacher, I can help students excel in school music programs to pursue scholarships, transform the garage band into a gig-ready act, bring laughter and joy for special needs, encourage senior citizens trying something new with music in their golden years - all of these scenarios and more with the ultimate goal to coach you to becoming the creative musician you dream of becoming based on the musical artists that inspire you. Let's get started today.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'll have you playing and understanding rhythmic concepts right away. I love to start lessons off by learning from my students who their favorite drummer is or what music track inspires them. Then we turn "I wanna do that!" into "I can do that!"
I customize each lesson to each particular student's goals, although I have many solid foundation concepts and exercises that I employ at the appropriate times. I keep the lessons extremely positive and encouraging, but I will drive and challenge my students to help them find joy in pushing themselves through a difficult new concept or overcoming a physical hurdle.
I try to broaden my students' appreciation for multiple genres of music with a lot of historical or anecdotal stories which fit within the context of whatever contemporary methods we are actually studying. As much as possible, I incorporate technology into our lesson time with click track (metronome), play-along music, and other developmental tools.
Listening is a critical skill that I constantly emphasize, and yes, I do assign "homework" between lessons, but I make the assignments fun and they usually help to quickly unleash the creative spirit of each student!
My greatest joy is when a student has a band performance I can watch or a positive audition experience I can celebrate with them after having helped them prepare for the event.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drum kit, multiple hand percussion instruments, PA system, practice pad kit, dry erase boards, and multi-media.

*** Travel Equipment ***
The students should have a new three-ring binder or a spiral notebook to track weekly lessons and assignments. Ideally, students should have sticks/mallets, a snare drum, drum set, hand percussion (bongos, conga, djembe, cajon), or perhaps a school-supplied instrument. If none of those items are owned or available, that's not a problem. I can provide practice pad(s) and or small drum and percussion supplies to help us get started until students/parents can invest in their own gear later on based on their specific interests.

*** Specialties ***
Drum Set - Musicality & playing drum beats from day 1. Also, reading music & rhythmic training.

Percussion - School band and concert percussion (such as bells, xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone). Prep for auditions. Drum maintenance, tuning, and various hand percussion (conga, bongos, cajon, djembe, tambourine, etc.).

ul journey into music!

*** Lesson Details ***
I truly have fun making and teaching music. We celebrate all successes. Even the overcoming of the smallest "hiccups"!
There are games to make my students secure with the many concepts of music reading. I encourage improvisation and ensemble playing. We can add rhythm tracks to "jazz" up our scales and finger builders. Students can accompany with chords or melodic harmonies. I assign exercises to build finger flexibility, strength, fluidity and independence; Pencil work to master theory and reading skills; Pieces that contain the ideas we are focused upon; and pieces to add to your repertoire.

*** Studio Equipment ***
At my Home Studio,You will be playing on my 5'1" Knabe grand piano! I also have electronic keyboards. On occasion you may find yourself playing on my marimba - a definite pitch percussion instrument - like a giant xylophone. We often rehearse our rhythms on my variety of world drums! There are chairs available for guests.
Also, I share my home with my pet cats - so if you are allergic, I'd be happy to consider coming to your home for your lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
An electronic keyboard with full-sized keys or a tuned piano must be available along with a proper height stool, bench or chair. A music stand for the books and good lighting is also needed. The family must agree that the 'lesson space' deserves to be quiet with no distractions. I can also bring one of my keyboards to use for duets, accompanying and improvising. Should there be another student (or potential student) in the home, they can use the extra keyboard with headphones for guided practice and creativity. Percussion students - primarily- mallets, would be better served at my home using my marimba. However, those who have bell kits could be taught in their home, with the possibility of using my marimba as an incentive.

*** Specialties ***
I am fortunate to have an extensive collection of piano method books and solos that I make available as part of my lending library. From it I can reinforce a concept or reward an accomplishment with an "oldie, but goodie" from John Thompson or Schaum, without having to charge the parents for another piece. For my beginning piano students of elementary school age, I have used the Robert Pace, Bastien, Faber & Faber and Schaum series. With adults, I invite them into the decision depending on what their experience is and what they would like to be able to perform one year from now. With transfer students, I have asked them to play their favorites from the lesson books they own, (and I ask them to evaluate their proficiency)- then we discuss where to go from there. Often it is positive to stay at the same level but use different literature so they can become comfortable with my style of explanations and expectations. This encourages a relationship where the student feels like they do know what they were taught and 'cements' those skills as a foundation for our moving forward together. I have a CD player handy for the books that include recorded tracks to go along with a learned piece.

approach to further and benefit the student playing.

idual desires and needs of each student. Fun "family-style" lessons with parent(s) and young children are also a new option.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitars, ukuleles, bass guitars, strum-sticks, various percussion instruments, ProTools Digi002, Garageband, Kurzweil 2500, Mac Pro Desktop computers, various keyboards, synthesizers and music composition/production software and amps.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Teacher brings instruments/supplies/books as needed, and can arrange to provide instruments for students as well.

*** Specialties ***
Individual or group instruction in folk, jazz, blues, rock, guitar/vocal performance coaching, songwriting, lyric writing, instrumental improvisation, digital media production/composition, iMovie, Garageband, "beat-making" and therapeutic music for youth, adult and special needs students. Tutoring/homework help in English, mac computers and basic academic subjects for K-12 and adult students. Technology (geek) help/support with computers, digital gadgets (especially Apple) for "non-techies".

ns, and Pony Up.

When I have free time I volunteer with the Houston Chapter of Girls Rock Camp to help teach girls empowerment through songwriting and music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I began teaching as an afterschool job when I was 16. I was homeschooled, so I feel that the experience taught me that everyone learns differently and that there is not just one standardized method to playing music.

My teaching style varies with each student, but the one constant is my ability to make each and every client I encounter completely fall in LOVE with music. It's my super power.

Lesson plans are tailored for your specific needs and to help you achieve your musical goals and aspirations at your desired pace. I enjoy my students and making music with them.

Here is an overview of the lessons that I provide.

Guitar:
Finger Picking, Song Writing, Rhythm, Lead, Scales,Modes & Ear Training.

Songwriting and composition: Learn techniques, how to brain storm and plot your musical story line. This class pairs great with vocal lessons or guitar lessons.

Bass:
Scales, Rhythm, Beginner and Advanced song structure, Ear Training

Ukulele :
Technique, Intro to Chords, Ear Training, Strumming patterns - Ukulele is one of my favorite classes to teach. You simply can not help but smile when playing this instrument!

Vocals :
Breathing techniques, Scales, Harmonizing

Cyclophonics. I also produce and perform electronic music with a band called Kaplundafunk, and I do freelance sound design and music for video games.

minated and accepted to perform on the University of Kansas' Undergraduate Honors Recital his second year in school Tanner looks forward to graduate school auditions and other competitions.

Tanner has participated in master classes with world-class performers such as Svet Stoyanov (Frost School), Michael Compitello (New Morse Code), Cliff Walker (Gateway WGI), and Kevin Bobo (Jacobs School).

Having had students in the KC Youth Symphony, earn perfect scores at state solo competitions, consistently advancing to the state solo and ensemble competitions and earning "superior" ratings, earning first chair in their schools band, earning the first chair at international music camps, participating in the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy, making regional and state bands, and having fun on the journey to greatness all speak to his breadth of knowledge and grasp of pedagogical techniques.

Tanner's principal teachers have been: Kenneth Anderson (2008-2013) a freelance musician with a masters from the University of Kansas, W. Lee Vinson (2013-2015) former Navy Band a Boston Symphony percussionist, Ji Hye Jung (2014-2015) former professor at KU now at the Vanderbilt School, Dr. Michael Compitello (2015-present) University of Kansas.