Jack Bell Percussion And Piano Studio

I help each new student feel more relaxed at their first in person or online lesson by asking them some questions about themselves and sharing a little about myself. I try to lead the conversation so the student tells me what they most want to learn first. We start with that statement and have fun during the session so that the new student does not feel presure but realizes that learning has started taking place.

Jack Bell is nationally recognized as a distinguished performer, educator, and lecturer. He served as principal percussionist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra from 1967 – 2000 and as Associate Professor / Coordinator of Percussion Studies at Georgia State University from 1968 – 2002.

As principal percussionist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Bell’s performing credits include over 7,000 concerts, 43 world premieres, 65 recordings and 18 Grammy awards on the Telarc, Sony Classical, New World, Nonesuch, Vox, and Decca record labels.

During his tenure with the orchestra, he performed over 200 concerts a year, toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, including seven appearances at Carnegie Hall, with performances in London, Paris, East Berlin, and Vienna. As a freelance studio musician, he recorded numerous jingles for broadcast on local, regional, and national radio and television stations.

At Georgia State University, Mr. Bell provided effective instruction and career guidance to over 160 applied percussion students. Many of his more than 140 graduates now hold prominent symphonic, university, freelance and business positions in the music industry throughout the United States and abroad. While at Georgia State, Mr. Bell created a new music course entitled Developing Rhythmic Sensitivity, and wrote a textbook of the same name. Since its creation in 1990, the course became required curriculum in undergraduate and graduate concentrations at the School of Music. Near the end of his teaching career, Mr. Bell piloted a percussion seminar series which exposed students to working professionals from every area of the music industry, music education, and performance. That seminar concept was adopted by every division of the music school.

Mr. Bell is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he was a student of Cloyd Duff and James Moore. He was a member of the National Percussive Arts Society, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha, and The National Association of Rudimental Drummers. He was listed in Outstanding Atlantans 1982, and Who’s Who In The World Of Percussion-U.S.A. 1982. In 1985 he was selected as a clinician for the Selmer-Ludwig international percussion company, and in 1987 listed in the 1st edition of Who’s Who In Entertainment. In addition to being listed in the 1996 and 1997 editions of Who’s Who In America. He was also the recipient of many other personal awards and recognitions throughout his career including: Outstanding People Of The 20th Century, 1998; International Who s Who of Intellectuals, 1998; Marquis Who s Who In America, 54th edition, 1999; and Lexington Who s Who Publications, 2000 edition.

Following his retirement from the orchestra and Georgia State University, Mr. Bell served on the faculty of Gainesville State College and University. Mr. Bell and his wife have crossed the Gulf Stream four times and cruised throughout Florida and the Bahamas.

My basic pricing system is very simple. I have learned that one hour lessons are the best to share information with my students and give them an in lesson practice experience of all material presented. 

$35 for one hour

My adminstrative assistant is great at helping students and works out all the details for my studio. I know that both parent and student needs are unique and should be treated as so.

I started teaching percussion when I was a senior at the Oberlin College Conservatory Of Music in 1966! I have maintained a professional level studio all through all of my years with the Atlanta Symphony and Georgia State University.

 Over the last two years I have created a 450-square-foot, $50,000 fully equipped virtual music studio with some of the finest percussion instruments including a set of 6200 Yamaha Timpani, 2 sets of Imperial Star Drum Sets, one four-octave 1957 Deagan Rosewood marimba with brass resonators, one Adams VCGV30m Concert Vibraphone 3.0 with gold bars.

 I have two P-121 73-key Yamaha digital pianos in the studio which I have loved teaching beginning pop and classical piano for the past few years!

There are also numerous other accessory percussion instruments. Above each instrument station is a 55-inch monitor, microphone, and camera that can transmit live, high-quality audio and video, and also allows me to record any type of instructional material on any instrument as needed. My audio and video processing set up is capable of studio track level recording and podcast as well as TV level video production. I use this setup every day for teaching my virtual music class lessons to my current private students. Some of the equipment used in my new studio is as follows: two camcorder video cameras that are 4k 48MP WiFi to be used for my new "Incredible Hands" YouTube channel, 8 Webcams with Microphones, 1 Elgato Stream Deck, and one Ammoon 12-Channel Mixing Console.

I have been the coordinator of percussion studies at Georgia State University as an instructor, assistant professor, and associate professor. During my thirty-five years as a faculty member, I provided effective instruction and career guidance to over 160 applied percussion students. One hundred and forty of my graduates from the university now hold prominent symphonic, university, freelance, and business positions in the music industry throughout the United States and abroad. 

I maintained a private studio of 20 students each year from 1967 until 2002. Contributions to the accomplishments of my over 400 private students include: job placements, recording contracts, tours, college scholarships, and state honor bands and orchestras. 

Presenting a drum and percussion clinic with Chris Lamb who is the Principal Percussionist with the New York Philharmonic. 

Be willing to be consistant in practice.

Follow my instructions exactly. 

Ask questions but think before you ask.