About
With over 40 years experience playing shows and over 34 years experience teaching I will help you become the best drummer you can be in the shortest time possible.
There is a big difference between a properly trained drummer and a self taught one. A properly trained drummer will have a much better sense of timing, dynamics, grove, flow, and will have developed considerably better playing ability based on having a much deeper understanding of the instrument and of music in general as it applies to the drum set.
I teach my students stick control, proper playing form, their essential rudiments, how to count measures of music properly, how to use dynamics, basic and odd time signatures, beat notation, how to read drum beats from sheet music, how to play smooth and fluidly, and how to put it all together on the drum set.
You will be playing well enough to make some good music in a fairly short time with just a little effort and practice. You will be playing a basic beat in 2 lessons. If you are a little more advanced I will help you go even further in your playing skill. Lessons are usually done in my home studio near 75th. Ave & Bethany Home Rd and I do have a junior size drum set available for lessons with younger kids (I accept students as young as 5) as well as a full size set for older kids and adults but I do offer lessons in your home as well if you are located no more than 10 miles from me to make it even more convenient for you.
Seeing my students making progress and eventually becoming musicians is always a great feeling for me.
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Nikki L.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We get right into it. I start be teaching a new student how to hold the sticks properly and how to play with proper form and mechanics which is very important for proper development. Within 2 to 3 lessons I will have a new student playing a basic beat and practicing their first 2 rudiments then expand from there.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I took lessons for 2 1/2 years from a big band jazz drummer and put everything I was learning including how to read drum music to practical use while playing in bands and performing.
I have also been a performing drummer for 40 years and teaching for 34 years. This gives me a much better idea of what each student needs that will benefit them the most.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $25 for lessons done in my home studio and $50 for in home lessons within 10 miles of me.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching a younger student after I had been playing for around 6 years and I discovered I had a real knack for imparting what I learned to others and enjoyed seeing the student's progress so I decided to teach from that point on.
What types of students have you worked with?
You name it and I've worked with them. Some of my students went on to play in bands while some went on to college music programs with one going right into the advanced jazz class as a freshman. Others later became teachers themselves.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
That would be when one of my students played at Alice Coopers Town, a club Alice Cooper ownes in Phoenix, and Alice was there and told him he was one of the better drummers that played in his place.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be careful as there are a lot of people claiming to be drum teachers out there who do not have knowledge enough about the instrument to be properly qualified to teach it. These "teachers" always produce poor drummers as a result.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Ask them about their training first and ask them how long they've been playing for and how long they've been teaching. Does the teacher follow a standard teaching plan or does the teacher know how to assess each students strengths and weaknesses as they move on and taylor the lessons to better fit each students needs.