Where do you teach?
Fort Knox Studios: This is a pro-level rehearsal facility with plenty of parking, a large waiting area, and clean toilets. It’s within a few blocks of the Montrose Blue Line stop, the Mayfair Metra stop, and the Montrose/Cicero intersection.
What materials will I need?
To get started everyone will need a pair of sticks, a practice pad, and two books (one snare drum, one drumkit). In order to properly progress and make use of the investment the student needs a drumkit to practice on.
Do you accept beginners?
Yes, if someone is serious about learning to play I’m serious about helping them out.
What is a good age to start lessons?
The answer to this has to do more with maturity and ability to focus. Many students have come my way at a young age who frankly, probably should have waited longer to get started. While the drums are an awful lot of fun it’s important to realize that this isn’t play time. The lesson is a structured educational environment where the student is expected to demonstrate and develop their skills on a weekly basis.
If your child is under ten I suggest making them wait a year. During that time set the lesson money aside each week. If they’re still interested after the year, you’ll have enough saved to cover a proper instrument. And if not, you’ll have a nice fund to take the family to Wisconsin Dells. You win either way.
How much should I practice?
Like anything else in life, the more you put into it, the quicker you’ll improve. A suggested approach for beginners would be (3) 30 minute practice sessions per week at a minimum. If a student is not progressing that means they are not practicing at home. The lesson is not practice time.
Practice is mandatory!
I’m an adult, is it too late to…?
Never, get your butt in here. Over the last several years the number of adults coming in for lessons has grown significantly. Whether you’ve never played before, or just want to dust off some dormant skills I’d really enjoy working with you. If you have a real job and bills you owe it to yourself.
I can’t, because…
Incorrect. Anyone, yes, anyone can learn the drums. You just have to show up.
How long will it take before I can play really good?
Everyone develops at a different pace, in different ways. In the first lesson you’ll learn how to lay down a basic beat you can take straight to the garage. Where we go from there is up to you. At the end of the day it all comes down to practice.
What about reading music?
Music is known to have existed in written form for about 4,000 years. To be fluent in any language requires that you can read, write, and speak (or play) it. Reading will help you comprehend the material quicker, and enable you to articulate things clearly. This is a large part of what you’re paying for in any music lesson.
Will I learn faster if I take two lessons a week?
While I’m flattered that some people have wanted to come in more often, it’s best to leave it to one lesson per week. What we’re doing is training our arms & legs to do new tricks. That won’t move along any faster with an extra lesson. The time is best to devoted to extra practice at home.
I’ve spoken to schools that “teach songs” only?
The truth is that all music lessons focus on songs, because that’s what we’re investing the time for – to make music & play songs. When confronted with marketing jargon such as this take a closer look at what is really being offered. The most important thing to get from any music lesson is a solid understanding of the fundamentals and proper technique. It’s one thing to recite a passage, it’s another to understand what it means.
One place told me their students do better because they have this special App?
Remind me, which app did The Beatles and Rolling Stones learn from?
The great thing about music is that it takes us away from technology and creates a shared human experience. An app can be a very effective way to transmit information. However, it will not make anyone a better musician. In fact, it will do quite the opposite. If someone has their head stuck in an app they’re not engaged in making music. The only tool any musician needs is their ears.
Another school says they have a “patented” system?
You can patent an unsinkable submarine. While something like a patent sounds nice, you always have to take a look at what the value of it is in the real world. Just because something is done differently doesn’t mean it is better. Learning about music in elementary school has never been patented, yet it is still the best way for any budding musician to begin their journey.
Do you still practice?
Not as much as I should, but yes. Most of what I run through is the very same lessons I have been working on since high school. On occasion a gig will require me to pull out some skills that have become rusty. I’ll focus on those as needed.
What do you charge?
Standard rate for a single 45-minute lesson is $125.
Please enquire for group sessions and seminars.
Terms and Conditions?
Practice is mandatory!
All lessons must be prepaid 7 days in advance.
Lesson times are not guaranteed until payment is received.
An invoice will be sent via Paypal – Cash not accepted.
Students must bring their own sticks and books to each lesson.
Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice and no-shows are non-refundable. They will be charged in full.
Practice is mandatory!
The Big Beat 