Yousef Shami Drum Lessons

Yousef Shami Drum Lessons

5.0Exceptional(23 reviews)
Top Pro
Top Pro

About

Yousef is a percussionist and musician from the DC area. They have been playing drums for over 15 years and teaching since 2017. Yousef's approach is incredibly unique, coming from an engineering/teaching background and having worked in a variety of settings as a professional musician.

The core belief behind Yousef's lessons is that they absolutely must be student-centered and adaptive. Every student has a completely different background and learning style. It's important to Yousef to teach drums in a way that feels natural to the student by taking into account their interests. Yousef is especially perceptive when it comes to tackling personalized problems with different students. Yousef has worked with students from ages 4 to 67 with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and students whose first language is not English.


Highlights

Current Top Pro
Hired 3 times
1 employee
7 years in business
Serves Tacoma , WA

Payment methods

Credit Card, Cash, Venmo, Paypal, Square, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Able to read music

Student can read sheet music, Student can read percussion notation, Student understands note durations and rests, Student can't read music

Musical styles

I can make recommendations, Classical, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Folk, Country

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Types of drums

I can provide recommendations, Traditional drum kit, Snare drum, Bass drum, Hand drums (bongo, conga, etc.)

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Student have drums

Student already has drums, Student is planning to purchase drums and would advice

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    NN

    nick N.

    High quality drummer, teacher and human. Provides thoughtful lessons designed custom to help any skill level progress in any music style. Knowledgeable not just in drumming but music and music theory in general.
    ... Show more
    August 21, 2024

    DW

    dan W.

    In my search for a drum instructor, I did not want to just be a slot in someones calendar. it was important to me that I find someone who I could develop a good student/teacher relationship with, who would challenge me to improve week over week. I am grateful that I found that in Yousef!
    They are attentive and thoughtful with their approach; keen to notice the elements of my playing that need help, and developing a lesson plan accordingly. When I got injured and could only use one of my hands, Yousef easily accommodated this issue and I still got lots of value out of my sessions. The lessons and materials they created are thorough and of excellent quality.
    I look forward to continuing my drumming and rhythm education with Yousef as Im certain to improve under their direction!
    ... Show more
    November 04, 2023

    LF

    linda F.

    Taking lessons with Yousef has been amazing! They seem really invested in my learning and make me excited to grow my skills.
    ... Show more
    June 16, 2023

    DT

    drew T.

    I feel like I really lucked out with Yousef! Im trans and I felt super comfortable working with them. They know so much and have been able to challenge me but are also patient and understanding when I need to go slow and repeat things a million times. They are super nice and have made practice fun for me.
    ... Show more
    June 10, 2023

    KF

    Kyra F.

    I am a 27 year-old beginner that has wanted to learn how to play the drums since I was 5. As an adult with adult-responsibilities, I was looking for a relaxed learning environment where I could learn the fundamentals + the basics and also get guidance on how to play songs I enjoy. Additionally, as an adult beginner, I was really concerned with how the dynamic would be with my teacher since music lessons are often taken by children/tweens/teens. I had never taken a private music lesson, so this is my first one.
    Yousef has made the experience very comfortable for me. They are very patient. They answer all of my questions and are very responsive to messages. They make sure to send me my homework via e-mail or text since I otherwise forget what Id need to work on. They break down how to slow down, isolate, and practice wherever it is Im struggling. All in all, they provide me the resources I need/ask for. Their practical approach works really well with me.
    If youre an adult beginner like me looking for a place to explore your drumming curiosities in a low-pressure environment, Yousef is a great instructor to work with!
    ... Show more
    June 02, 2023

    KF

    Kyra F.

    I am a 27 year-old beginner that has wanted to learn how to play the drums since I was 5. As an adult with adult-responsibilities, I was looking for a relaxed learning environment where I could learn the fundamentals + the basics and also get guidance on how to play songs I enjoy. Additionally, as an adult beginner, I was really concerned with how the dynamic would be with my teacher since music lessons are often taken by children/tweens/teens. I had never taken a private music lesson, so this is my first one.
    Yousef has made the experience very comfortable for me. They are very patient. They answer all of my questions and are very responsive to messages. They make sure to send me my homework via e-mail or text since I otherwise forget what Id need to work on. They break down how to slow down, isolate, and practice wherever it is Im struggling. All in all, they provide me the resources I need/ask for. Their practical approach works really well with me.
    If youre an adult beginner like me looking for a place to explore your drumming curiosities in a low-pressure environment, Yousef is a great instructor to work with!
    ... Show more
    June 02, 2023

    Frequently asked questions

    For beginners, it's very important to spend some time on grip and rudiments, but I make sure to tie it into real "music" by the end of the first lesson.
    For students with more experience, I take the first lesson to see where they are and provide a few challenges. It's also important to assess what are likely more objective goals.

    We can adjust lessons depending on your needs. I offer both full and half-hour lessons. For folks who want to pay by month (4+ lessons), I am happy to offer a discount.

    I have worked students of all ages; young children to retirees; I have worked with people from many backgrounds; I have worked with students with different learning styles. Everyone requires a different approach and I'm confident that I can provide any necessary accomodations.

    In the end of the day, music should be fun. For many people, playing drums is therapeutic. And the magic happens when we are able to share it! The best music teachers are those who love both music AND teaching.


    Services offered

    Drum