I offer individual drum lessons (I prefer the word "coaching") when my schedule permits. My teaching methods are based on "realistic drumming" and the "drummer's mind."

What exactly do I mean by this?

After traveling the world and seeing so many great "technical" drummers, I started to notice something - THEY HAD TECHNIQUE, BUT WERE LACKING MUSIC IN THEIR PLAYING! Something just wasn't right. They were lacking a sound and were missing the feel. What was missing was the way they were thinking about drumming.

Sitting in a practice room all day, studying out of books, working on rudiments, and developing Independence is fine; these are things that will help us execute the ideas we have in our heads. But if you want your drumming to connect to people, to inspire people, and to reach "greater heights," you must FORGET WHAT YOU LEARNED. Your playing must become natural, just like having a conversation. Click here for my MD piece, "Big Picture Drumming."

 Believe it or not, over practicing can destroy your playing just as much as never practicing. I remember hearing legendary Jazz drummer, Max Roach, talk about the dangers of becoming too much like a "machine" and losing the "human" in your playing by over practicing. Personally, I agree. In my early 20s I over practiced and it didn't help my musicality and career one bit. It wasn't till I started touring and playing with other musicians that I realized, "Hey, these guys don't give a shit about my technique, or drum fills!" The things they did care about was the feel, the time, and the ideas I brought to the song.

So what am I really telling you? There has to be a balance in your life as a musician. I teach from more of a holistic perspective. Some of my methods I've developed are:

*Pistol's Law of Efficiency for Drummers. (I developed this method from studying w/Chad Wackerman and Joe Morello). I'm not a freak when it comes to setting up my drums, but I do stress the importance of not having to do "more unnecessary work" than I need to when playing. Instead of fighting the law of physics, I teach you how to work with it.

*Big Picture Drumming (from picking the brains of Kenny Aronoff, Claude Coleman Jr, Hunt Sales, Joey Castillo, Stanton Moore, Steve Gadd, Josh Freese) I studied the greatest "working" drummers alive and found out what they all had in common(it ain't technique!). There's a plethora of technicians out there who don't work as much as these in-demand players. How come? I've always believed if you want to be great at something, you model yourself after someone who is doing what you want (This doesn't mean "copying"). I'll break it down for you.

* How To Play With Confidence (For all musicians)- One of the biggest challenges for most musicians is playing with confidence. Back when I was in college, I came up with a method to rid myself of fear and uncertainty before certain performances. Eventually, I learned to apply this method to all areas of my life. IT WORKS and I've taught this method in workshops and to individuals around the world. This method is life-changing, literally.

* How To Improve Away From Your Instrument ( Practical techniques I've been teaching for over 10 years that will get you results). 85% of playing an instrument is mental. Once you develop a certain technical proficiency, you don't need to live in a practice room anymore. Your focus should shift over to "creative imaging." Professional athletes having been doing it for ages. Why? IT WORKS!

*Become Inspired To Play...AGAIN! (I developed this method through several conversations I had with Elvin Jones before he passed away). Every now and then we all hit a plateau in whatever it is we do; it's natural. I think most of it comes from repetition and doing the same thing, day in and day out. I've developed a system to help you break through your "old way" of looking at things and spark your enthusiasm again. I practice this technique before all performances and it ain't no joke! Ask anyone I've ever toured or played with.

"You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail."
 
-Charlie Parker

*Lessons are taught online via Skype. The cost per lesson is $100 and lessons are one hour.

*Once a lesson is paid for, it cannot be refunded.

*After you pay for a lesson, you will be receive an email within 24 hours to set up a lesson time.