I tried the search function - really - drum teachers?

[brandnewdrummer]

Hi guys! seems like a lot of knowledge around here so I thought I'd ask


At least it's not 'what is the best and cheapest drumset'

I'm in Seattle, WA USA and would like to find a drumset instructor

I'm an absolute beginner and am looking for someone with really strong fundamentals and good teaching skills -- I've had the occasional negative experience with other things where the instructor wasn't really a qualified or interested teacher (more a semi-pro just trying to make ends meet)
and since I know very little, I'm trying to avoid that and get off to a good, solid start

I'm (eventually - have no illusions I'll be playing like Elvin) interested in jazz (I'm in my 40s and don't have the ears for rock anymore LOL ) and wouldn't mind trying trad and match grip, or at least have the opportunity to do so from a good teacher

hope it's the right forum. since it's not a specific technique, I put it in "general" instead of "technique"

and thanks for any help or advice

[caddywumpus]

Do you come down to Portland often? :D

Ask around music stores. Often times, they have teachers they can steer you towards (or even away from). Getting with a teacher is a GREAT idea, especially in the beginning, but there are also a lot of other resources out there that can get you started. If you'd be into instructional DVDs, I'd recommend Tommy Igoe's Groove Essentials, to get some basic beats down, and JoJo Mayer's "Secret Weapons" for hand technique. If you're going towards the jazz direction, for SURE you should get John Riley's book, "The Art of Bop Drumming". That will get you into the basic coordination of jazz drumming, and make sure you LISTEN to a lot of jazz music. The best way to learn the "feel" of a style is to immerse yourself in it. Start listening and figuring out how the music feels, how each drummer feels/comps, and start playing along to jazz albums as soon as you can. You can even play the "Art of Bop Drumming" Comp Examples along to CDs (I would recommend Art Blakey's "Moanin' " as a good starting album).

Hope this helps! But, definitely, finding an instructor that you click with is the best thing to do, right off the bat...

[jeffwj]

Welcome to the forum.


Donn Bennett's Drum Studio is in WA. Donn seems to really know his stuff.

http://www.bennettdrums.com/


Here is a list of instructors from the Vic Firth website.

http://www.vicfirth.com/education/edteam_roster_state.php?state=WA

You probably have checked out Seattle Drum School. They have a ton of instructors. Here is there website.

http://www.seattledrumschool.com/

Talk to two or three teachers that specialize in jazz. Then take a trial lesson off of each of them before you make your decision.

Jeff

[caddywumpus]

Talk to two or three teachers that specialize in jazz. Then take a trial lesson off of each of them before you make your decision.


Oh yeah, that too!

Also, it's good to take lessons from one teacher for a while, and then switch. The different perspectives/philosophies/teaching styles/materials will do you good to get a better all-around sense of drumming.

And, of course, hang out here! Tons of stuff to be learned/discussed!

[RevWrona]

Welcome to the forum.


Donn Bennett's Drum Studio is in WA. Donn seems to really know his stuff.

http://www.bennettdrums.com/


Here is a list of instructors from the Vic Firth website.

http://www.vicfirth.com/education/edteam_roster_state.php?state=WA

You probably have checked out Seattle Drum School. They have a ton of instructors. Here is there website.

http://www.seattledrumschool.com/

Talk to two or three teachers that specialize in jazz. Then take a trial lesson off of each of them before you make your decision.

Jeff


What is the criteria to be on the VicFirth Education Team? I looked under Michigan and a LOT of instructors but I was curious what the score is?

[jeffwj]

What is the criteria to be on the VicFirth Education Team? I looked under Michigan and a LOT of instructors but I was curious what the score is?

The Vic Firth education team is made up of instructors (private and/or school). The instructors are not necessarily endorsed by Vic Firth, although some of us (such as myself) do have endorsements.

The education team meets at PASIC every year. Vic Firth also keeps us informed of job openings, new method books, DVD's etc.

Mr. Firth takes the educational part of the company very seriously. When it started, he called each and every one of us personally to find out what we needed to make our job easier. Neil Larrivee (head of the education program) was great in donating practice pads for my Intro to Drumming class. They also send posters, sticks, and catalogs when I do clinics or masterclasses. And just look at the website. Sometimes you need to look hard to find the products because the site has so much educational material!

There is more information on this link and also explanations of PDT, SEP, etc.
http://www.vicfirth.com/education/EPoverview.html

Jeff

[R Furb]

You should definitely head to Don Bennett Drum studio in Bellevue, when I lived there I took lessons from a cat named Jerry Garcia, and he gave me a great grasp of the basics. I think they have 3 or 4 lesson rooms there with around 5 teachers specializing in different things.

[RevWrona]

Here is my 1st experience with a Vic Firth Drum instructors from the list provided at http://www.vicfirth.com/education/edteam_roster_state.php?state=MI, I got his name and e-mail straight from Vic Firth site. I chose this guy because he is rather close to my city. I e-mailed him asking questions about his lessons. He replied quickly and told me his past experience and qualifications and his creed as a drum instructor. I replied back telling him what I need out of an instructor ie my goals and my experience etc.. also asking if bi monthly or maybe even monthly lessons would be acceptable. I am not a rich guy and I would buy two hours a week if I could but I just can't afford it.

That was Oct 14th., That was the last I heard of him. Needless to say I am not impressed. I will be e-mailing the next guy on the list closes to me and I hope this next guy is a little more responsive.