This is a super long rant and I apologize in advance, but I don’t know any other drummers, so nobody else cares or talks to me about it. I just felt a need to vent. LOL
I am very serious about learning to drum. For a year I have messed around with drums. I can play OK over music and I can cover a lot of easy songs. What I really want to do is LEARN TO PLAY to me covering isn’t really playing. I want to make my own music. I want to learn to read music. I have a drive and work ethic also. Plus I feel that at 33 I need to make up for lost time. So I needed to look for lessons.
I started lessons 6 weeks ago. What a pain it was to find an instructor in the first place. The first one cancelled the first two lessons ( the 2nd when I was on my way there) so I looked for a new one. Then next few places locked you in at a specific day and time and that’s it. Monday 8pm or find someplace else. I finally found a drum school with 3 instructors and lessons throughout the week. Perfect they are very flexible and even let you move your lessons to different days if necessary. Prices are very reasonable 140 a month for 1 hour lessons. I also signed my son and daughter up and they split their hour. We also can go at the same time. Very convenient.
After 6 weeks some things I have noticed have become annoying to me. I don’t own a business, but I know how I would run one. I am also a good judge of character and can read people and body language easily. When I met the owner and he told me about the place and showed me around I was impressed with the layout and the facilities he gave me the rundown on pricing and then topped it off with the old “Money isn’t what I’m looking for, really I just charge enough to keep the lights on.” Followed up by “I just want to spread knowledge of music and drums to people.” It’s fine if you mean that, but if you don’t, then DON’T SAY IT! Ever notice how phony people sound when they are acting out a line.
I know there is some truth to what he said but I think the REAL truth was keeping the lights on. Two days later I go to the website and see that kids 10 and under are $100 a month and get a free T-shirt and drum sticks. No big deal about the shirt and sticks. The extra $40 dollars he charged me for the month was annoying. I could see that maybe business wasn’t too good so I thought he needs the cash so what the heck lets give it a shot before I complain. Well frustrations are mounting.
Well, I decided now to do a log on the Drum Lessons I’m taking. I figure this way I could track what’s being given to me and where I stand. I also started a practice log to monitor the time I’m spending on certain things. My instructor so far is very inconsistent. I think this could be a problem with young drummers he is about 22 years old. Here’s what I’ve been bothered by so far.
I thought because I have a young drummer that he would give me too much to do. It’s exactly the opposite. Not enough for me to work on. I find more work to keep me busy on youtube and websites. Not only that these are the things that annoy me about my lessons so far:
He seems to just “wing it”. He doesn’t come prepared with a plan when he comes in. Usually the work he gives me is thrown together right before I leave. Often just hand written on a sheet of paper. One week all I was given was a 2 measure 16th note fill that doesn’t fit into music that I listen to very well. Another week he gave me a hand speed workout. Doubles and singles that’s it.
Rudiments are important right? He has yet to give me a single one. I have stick control by George Stone and work on them on my own.
Never asked me what my goals were.
Never asked my what type of music I like. Isn’t that important? Couldn’t you gear my groove lessons toward the type of music I want to be playing?
I have a folder with my music sheets and things to work on that he’s given me. Shouldn’t he also have one? I come prepared for work. Shouldn’t he? And after 6 weeks it is 3 music sheets. One of which my daughter has advanced to play. I’m by no means a good drummer but I can sure play better than my 10 year old.
I’ve started a practice log and a lesson log. Shouldn’t he have a file on me? Weaknesses, strengths, progress etc?
The owner told me that he could get me a deal on a drum set. I was told to email my instructor with sets I would be interested in. A week later and all he told me was that he got the email but hasn’t looked into yet. Now I didn’t pester him or beg him for a deal. I hardly mention anything. It just speaks volumes about professionalism. I could have just bought one from Craigslist by now.
Doesn’t have a progress chart for me, doesn’t seem to give me much feedback on what progress I’ve made.
Doesn’t give a reason why I am doing a particular beat sheet as opposed to another. Or what I should use the beats for. Or even the type of music they are for.
Tells me it’s ok to text him outside of the lessons with questions. When I do, minimal response. I really feel like I’m annoying him. Just to put in in perspective, I have taken six lessons from him and sent a total of 15 texts over 4 occasions. So really I have texted him only 4 times. Not even once a week. Nuisance? I would hope not. Forget email he never responded to the one I sent him.
Last lesson he started me on a beat. Naturally I struggled to pick it up right away. Mostly because I’m just learning to read and count music. He then sat down to show me how it is supposed to sound and couldn’t do it right either. Now I’m not doubting his ability as a drummer. I have heard him play and he is good. However, as an instructor, shouldn’t you be prepared to teach the material you are about to present? Shouldn’t you have knowledge of it. When I teach at work I don’t just read a powerpoint and tell someone how to do something without knowing it first. I can’t know everything, but I damn sure know what is on the powerpoint.
So far I have taught myself more than what he has taught me. Now it wasn’t that long ago when I was 22 so I know what the problem is. He hasn’t had a REAL job yet and doesn’t know how to put the work in to be good at his job. However his youth also tells him that he is AWESOME at his job and has no concept of self critique.
As far as the owner, what a shame. He has pretty good facilities, a great location in an affluent town (which I drive 45 minutes to get to) with zero competition. This is the only drum school in the area. His oversight and management skills are minimal at best. Since he took my money I have seen him several times. Not once has he asked me how the lessons are going. What is even more annoying is he hasn’t asked my instructor either (trust me, I can tell). What makes the situation even worse is that HE HAS NO IDEA HOW THEY ARE GOING. Shouldn’t the instructors be submitting lesson plans, progress reports, training reviews, assessments or even attendance logs. Oh, wait there is an attendance log, of course that is because cancellation policies that could cost them money. I mean you do advertise yourself as a school right? Can you imagine a high school that didn’t have some kind of documentation process or lesson plans or progress reports. Or a principal who could care less about his students.
I’m not going to leave the place it is the most convenient in terms of flexibility. It is also the only school in the area. However I made sure the second month was only $100 dollars for my kids.
This is just an example of how NOT to run a business. Again I don’t work in the business field or own a business I just like efficiency. This is inefficient. Good thing that I can do my best to make the most out of it.
Since I started lessons I have practiced at least 3 hours every day. I probably average close to 5. I have not played XBOX, watched much television at all and even got rid of my personal cell phone to have the extra $140 a month. I have also spent much more quality time with my kids practicing and listening to music. I found something that I truly love and I am much happier for it. Even my wife notices.
I am very serious about learning to drum. For a year I have messed around with drums. I can play OK over music and I can cover a lot of easy songs. What I really want to do is LEARN TO PLAY to me covering isn’t really playing. I want to make my own music. I want to learn to read music. I have a drive and work ethic also. Plus I feel that at 33 I need to make up for lost time. So I needed to look for lessons.
I started lessons 6 weeks ago. What a pain it was to find an instructor in the first place. The first one cancelled the first two lessons ( the 2nd when I was on my way there) so I looked for a new one. Then next few places locked you in at a specific day and time and that’s it. Monday 8pm or find someplace else. I finally found a drum school with 3 instructors and lessons throughout the week. Perfect they are very flexible and even let you move your lessons to different days if necessary. Prices are very reasonable 140 a month for 1 hour lessons. I also signed my son and daughter up and they split their hour. We also can go at the same time. Very convenient.
After 6 weeks some things I have noticed have become annoying to me. I don’t own a business, but I know how I would run one. I am also a good judge of character and can read people and body language easily. When I met the owner and he told me about the place and showed me around I was impressed with the layout and the facilities he gave me the rundown on pricing and then topped it off with the old “Money isn’t what I’m looking for, really I just charge enough to keep the lights on.” Followed up by “I just want to spread knowledge of music and drums to people.” It’s fine if you mean that, but if you don’t, then DON’T SAY IT! Ever notice how phony people sound when they are acting out a line.
I know there is some truth to what he said but I think the REAL truth was keeping the lights on. Two days later I go to the website and see that kids 10 and under are $100 a month and get a free T-shirt and drum sticks. No big deal about the shirt and sticks. The extra $40 dollars he charged me for the month was annoying. I could see that maybe business wasn’t too good so I thought he needs the cash so what the heck lets give it a shot before I complain. Well frustrations are mounting.
Well, I decided now to do a log on the Drum Lessons I’m taking. I figure this way I could track what’s being given to me and where I stand. I also started a practice log to monitor the time I’m spending on certain things. My instructor so far is very inconsistent. I think this could be a problem with young drummers he is about 22 years old. Here’s what I’ve been bothered by so far.
I thought because I have a young drummer that he would give me too much to do. It’s exactly the opposite. Not enough for me to work on. I find more work to keep me busy on youtube and websites. Not only that these are the things that annoy me about my lessons so far:
He seems to just “wing it”. He doesn’t come prepared with a plan when he comes in. Usually the work he gives me is thrown together right before I leave. Often just hand written on a sheet of paper. One week all I was given was a 2 measure 16th note fill that doesn’t fit into music that I listen to very well. Another week he gave me a hand speed workout. Doubles and singles that’s it.
Rudiments are important right? He has yet to give me a single one. I have stick control by George Stone and work on them on my own.
Never asked me what my goals were.
Never asked my what type of music I like. Isn’t that important? Couldn’t you gear my groove lessons toward the type of music I want to be playing?
I have a folder with my music sheets and things to work on that he’s given me. Shouldn’t he also have one? I come prepared for work. Shouldn’t he? And after 6 weeks it is 3 music sheets. One of which my daughter has advanced to play. I’m by no means a good drummer but I can sure play better than my 10 year old.
I’ve started a practice log and a lesson log. Shouldn’t he have a file on me? Weaknesses, strengths, progress etc?
The owner told me that he could get me a deal on a drum set. I was told to email my instructor with sets I would be interested in. A week later and all he told me was that he got the email but hasn’t looked into yet. Now I didn’t pester him or beg him for a deal. I hardly mention anything. It just speaks volumes about professionalism. I could have just bought one from Craigslist by now.
Doesn’t have a progress chart for me, doesn’t seem to give me much feedback on what progress I’ve made.
Doesn’t give a reason why I am doing a particular beat sheet as opposed to another. Or what I should use the beats for. Or even the type of music they are for.
Tells me it’s ok to text him outside of the lessons with questions. When I do, minimal response. I really feel like I’m annoying him. Just to put in in perspective, I have taken six lessons from him and sent a total of 15 texts over 4 occasions. So really I have texted him only 4 times. Not even once a week. Nuisance? I would hope not. Forget email he never responded to the one I sent him.
Last lesson he started me on a beat. Naturally I struggled to pick it up right away. Mostly because I’m just learning to read and count music. He then sat down to show me how it is supposed to sound and couldn’t do it right either. Now I’m not doubting his ability as a drummer. I have heard him play and he is good. However, as an instructor, shouldn’t you be prepared to teach the material you are about to present? Shouldn’t you have knowledge of it. When I teach at work I don’t just read a powerpoint and tell someone how to do something without knowing it first. I can’t know everything, but I damn sure know what is on the powerpoint.
So far I have taught myself more than what he has taught me. Now it wasn’t that long ago when I was 22 so I know what the problem is. He hasn’t had a REAL job yet and doesn’t know how to put the work in to be good at his job. However his youth also tells him that he is AWESOME at his job and has no concept of self critique.
As far as the owner, what a shame. He has pretty good facilities, a great location in an affluent town (which I drive 45 minutes to get to) with zero competition. This is the only drum school in the area. His oversight and management skills are minimal at best. Since he took my money I have seen him several times. Not once has he asked me how the lessons are going. What is even more annoying is he hasn’t asked my instructor either (trust me, I can tell). What makes the situation even worse is that HE HAS NO IDEA HOW THEY ARE GOING. Shouldn’t the instructors be submitting lesson plans, progress reports, training reviews, assessments or even attendance logs. Oh, wait there is an attendance log, of course that is because cancellation policies that could cost them money. I mean you do advertise yourself as a school right? Can you imagine a high school that didn’t have some kind of documentation process or lesson plans or progress reports. Or a principal who could care less about his students.
I’m not going to leave the place it is the most convenient in terms of flexibility. It is also the only school in the area. However I made sure the second month was only $100 dollars for my kids.
This is just an example of how NOT to run a business. Again I don’t work in the business field or own a business I just like efficiency. This is inefficient. Good thing that I can do my best to make the most out of it.
Since I started lessons I have practiced at least 3 hours every day. I probably average close to 5. I have not played XBOX, watched much television at all and even got rid of my personal cell phone to have the extra $140 a month. I have also spent much more quality time with my kids practicing and listening to music. I found something that I truly love and I am much happier for it. Even my wife notices.