The Drum NYC
About
My passion for music started at around 11 years old. I stumbled across some live videos of my favorite band at the time and when I saw the drummer, that's when I decided I wanted to play drums.
Before I got my drums I spent 3 hours every day in Sam Ash learning, and once I got my own kit, I couldn't be stopped.
Today, rhythm is part of my life in every single way. I even play beats with my toes and ankles while walking sometimes, and catch rhythms in the sounds of horns, busses, trains, construction, and everything else.
I've been playing for about 10 years now, and I've been in bands ranging from Metalcore and Prog Rock to BeBop and Neo Soul/RnB. I've also played Congas with Jazz, Salsa, and Folkloric musicians.
I've been part of 4 studio albums, and currently work as a musician for hire in the NYC area. I also love attending open jam sessions as often as possible. I cannot teach you how to read music, but I can teach you stage and studio ettiquette, maintenance of the instrument, how to LISTEN (a grossly underestimated skill), and most importantly, how to truly play from the heart.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
If you're a beginner, we'll start with the foundation, the most important part of learning any skill. We'll begin with grip, hand-eye coordination and listening. From there we'll practice basic grooves that tie all of these together, so that you become accustomed to the use of all of these skills in unison. From there, we'll continue building that foundation based on your specific goals and needs.
If you already have some experience, we'll focus on correcting and strengthening that foundation (if needed), and on the heart and soul aspects of drumming.
At some point, we'll attend shows together. It's important to experience all the parts that make up music, including the unheard and unseen parts.
The way I see it, my job as an instructor is to allow you to explore this field from within a specific area so that you waste no time learning or doing things that are irrelevant to what you actually want and need, while giving you the space to be creative, to mix, and to sample. Music is a vast landscape, and I've spent 10 years travelling through it, so I know I can guide you to exactly where you want to be.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Think about exactly where you want this to take you. Whether you want to learn to play for fun, or become an actual working musician. Of course, think of some songs you'd want to learn, and any questions you have about music you don't know much about. Blending styles is my specialty!