Find a drum instructor in Oakland, CA

Find drum teachers in Oakland, CA

Find drum teachers in Oakland, CA

Confirm your location to see the best drum lessons near you.
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Find drum teachers in Oakland, CA

Confirm your location to see the best drum lessons near you.
Zip code

Top 10 drum lessons in Oakland, CA

Students agree: these Oakland drum teachers are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

Ali Soliman Drum Lessons

5.0Exceptional(13)
6 hires on Lessons.com
15+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA
Laura W. says, "Ali is an incredibly talented and patient drum teacher. I’m an adult learning, and rhythm does not come naturally to me. Ali finds clever ways to break down each skill dynamically as he sees what I’m struggling with, and he’s so encouraging. He is also a very sick drummer and inspires you with what you might one day be able to do. Highly highly recommend Ali!" Read more

Oakland Drum Lessons

5.0(4)
2 hires on Lessons.com
14+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA
Andrea D. says, "Mike is an amazing teacher! He was able to connect with our 11 year old daughter like no other music teacher and keeps things fun and engaging. She has made impressive progress on her drums and she doesn't even mind practicing! I would definitely recommend him to anyone who has a kid that is interested in learning to play the drums." Read more

Sheldon's Drum Lessons

New on Lessons.com
7+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA & Online
I am a drummer with years of experience in the Jazz Field. I have a plethora of connections with bay area musicians and educators who can bring your knowledge of the Jazz idiom to the next level. I love teaching especially at the beginner level and watching people grow, trying to achieve their goal of becoming not only a drummer but a musician. Right now, I am taking a short break in between my bachelor of Jazz studies at the California Jazz Conservatory and have specifically studied under Gerald Cleaver, Alan Hall, Hamir Atwal, and Dillon Vado. I am excited to meet you and help you achieve your goals.

Hit Me Up Drum Lessons

New on Lessons.com
14+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA & Online
I have over thirty years of performance experience, in rock bands, concert bands, and ensembles. I’ve been coaching, and teaching private lessons for eight years. I studied under, Tom Donlinger (Van Morrison), Eugene Novotney of Humboldt State University. I attended various camps; Rock Camp, and Cazadero Music Camp. I make my own curriculum and don't follow a cookie cutter formula. I have a ton of materials for lesson material. If you want a teacher who can mix it up, hit me up!...

Van Jackson-Weaver, Music Lessons

New on Lessons.com
16+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA & Online
I am an independent musician with a diverse background in classical pedagogy and contemporary music in both the experimental and pop realms. I am interested in helping students of diverse musical backgrounds and proclivities develop skills that pertain to the modern musical landscape. My proficiencies include instrumental performance, audio engineering, Ableton Live, Max/MSP, analog and digital synthesis, music theory, and the history of Western Music. I have been performing music on stage since my early teens, from rock to pop to classical to experimental and electronic. I have maintained my own private teaching studio since 2010, and held a

CelloJoe Music Lessons

5.0Exceptional(9)
Top Pro
1 hire on Lessons.com
20+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA & Online
Heather C. says, "Cello Joe has an absolute engaging style and flair in both his musicality and teaching that make it undeniable and fun to learn something new with him. " Read more

Drums A Go-Go

5.0(1)
1 hire on Lessons.com
13+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA
Kurtis J. says, "Steve did a great job interacting with my son and making him feel comfortable and have fun learning about the drums. He's very knowledgeable and would make a great teacher for any level of student. " Read more

Drum Lessons With Jason Willer

New on Lessons.com
20+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA
Drum Lessons with Jason Willer, founded in 2006, is a premier drum teaching service in Oakland, California, and surrounding areas. Catering to both beginner and advanced drummers, Jason tailors each lesson to fit the student's individual needs and goals. His experience of more than 30 years ensures professional, unique, and inspiring lessons. Whether you want to learn the basics or brush up on your skills, Jason provides a thorough understanding of fundamentals, time, and motion concepts in a fun and patient manner. His lessons go beyond simply learning to play, helping students build a healthy relationship with the drum set.

New World Music Academy

New on Lessons.com
21+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA
New World Music Academy, located in Pleasanton, California, was founded in 2005 by concert pianists Mark Anderson and Tamriko Siprashvili. The academy is renowned for its quality music instruction, accommodating all ages and levels across a wide variety of musical styles and instruments. From semi-private piano classes to Rock n' Roll jam sessions and a Children's Chorus, the academy ensures a comprehensive music education. Their teaching staff consists of highly experienced instructors, demonstrating their committed approach to quality music education since their inception.

School Of Rock

New on Lessons.com
17+ years in business
Serves Oakland, CA
Founded in 2009, School of Rock in San Rafael, CA offers a unique, performance-based approach to music education. Catering to students of all ages, they provide both in-person and online music lessons, including drum, bass, keyboard, vocal, and guitar. Their experienced instructors, who are local musicians themselves, combine one-on-one lessons with group practices, ensuring students learn to play music from day one. They also organize live performances at local venues, boosting students' confidence and musicianship. With regular programs and summer camps, they welcome students at any skill level.

Your Drum Lessons questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.com.

How much do drum lessons cost near me?

Drum lessons cost $50 to $75 hourly for private lessons in a studio. A monthly package of 4 to 5 lessons booked in advance costs $190 to $340 total. The cheapest drum lessons are group classes that cost $20 to $40 per session.

More teachers are available through online drum lessons with a price range of $40 to $60 per hour.

Are drum lessons worth it?

Drum lessons are worth if for those who want to play professionally or who want to learn faster. Private classes help students sharpen their techniques more quickly and build better playing habits. Expert tutors offer tailored feedback to nourishing the latent talents within their pupils.

At what age do you start drum lessons?

Children can start drum lessons between 6 to 9 years old. Initial instruction begins with a single drum. Kids can't play on a full drum kit until they can reach the foot pedals and focus for extended periods of time. For adults, any age is suitable to learn drumming.

How many drum lessons do you need?

You will need drum lessons every week for about half a year to a whole year in order to learn to play simple songs. If you want to audition for a band or play drums like a pro, it usually takes 2 to 5 years of lessons.

How fast you learn depends on how good you are now and how much you practice.

How long is a drum lesson?

A drum lesson is 30 to 60 minutes long on average. The lesson length depends on how experienced the student is and their age. Shorter lessons are better for beginners to help slowly increase their focus. This way, they can build up their strength for longer practice sessions later.

How do I find a good drum teacher near me?

Find a good drum teacher near you by searching for private drum tutors on here on Lessons. Another option you have is asking for the availability of teachers at music stores or community colleges.

Before you choose a drum teacher close to you, remember to:

  • Check the prices from at least 3 drum teachers to compare them.
  • Look at what people say about them on Lessons and Google.
  • Ask for a references list of students they are teaching or have taught.
  • If they will teach your child, ask other parents if their kids liked the teacher.
  • Make sure you get a written plan and a schedule before you start your first lesson.
  • Try a few classes and see if you like the teacher before you pay for a whole month of lessons.

What questions should you ask a drum teacher?

Before hiring a drum teacher, ask them:

  • How long have you been a drum teacher?
  • What music school did you go to?
  • What ages do you like to teach?
  • Can I try a lesson for free?
  • What kind of drum should I get if I don't have one at home?
  • How much should I practice between our lessons?
  • Can you tell me where to get cheap books for learning?
  • Will I get homework like drum patterns to remember?
  • Can you teach me in a way that helps me learn best?
  • How long is a lesson?
  • What should I bring to our lessons?
  • How many types of drum music can you teach me?
  • Can I get a copy of our lesson plan, rules, and how much I have to pay?
  • What if I can't come to a lesson because something important came up?
  • Can I learn to play my favorite songs on the drums?

Reviews for Oakland drum lessons

Recent success stories from people in the Oakland area.
Ashley R.
We were so lucky to have found Mr. Ali on this platform—he’s been a true gift to our family. My 10-year-old son has always loved creating beats by tapping on everything around him, and ever since he started taking Mr. Ali’s class, his love for drumming has only grown deeper. He now looks forward to his weekly drum class with so much excitement. Watching my son smile with pure joy while playing the drums feels like a gift to me as a parent. Mr. Ali is incredibly kind and patient. He’s also very flexible—whether it’s hand drums or a full drum set, he adapts beautifully to the moment and the student’s needs. His classes are not only fun but also full of depth and expertise, thanks to his real-world experience as a performing drummer. This isn’t just your average drum class—it’s a meaningful experience that’s become a special memory for our whole family. I couldn’t recommend Mr. Ali more highly.
Ali Soliman Drum Lessons
Dayan
Mike is excellent with kids, he is patient and talented. My son has learned a lot in the last year. He makes the classes fun for him since he is learning to play songs from his favorite bands Queen, Nirvana, etc. Highly recommended.
Oakland Drum Lessons
Carrianne M.
My 7 year old son started taking piano lessons with Joey this summer. He is very knowledgable, flexible, my son loves taking lessons with him and is learning a lot. The setup is great and we have been able to have virtual piano lessons during the pandemic. He also provides recordings of each lesson. Highly recommend!
CelloJoe Music Lessons
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