Private Drum Lessons • Tacoma • Federal Way • Gig Harbor
The Three T's of Quality Drumming:
Time
A drummer sets
the pace and gives it space. Students learn effective
time-keeping skills and are encouraged to count out loud, making
frequent use of a
metronome during
practice.
Technique
Allows a drummer to translate their imagination into solid
execution. Emphasis is placed on hand position,
posture, limb independence, efficient sticking and overall control.
Taste
Good taste involves
learning to listen and knowing when not
to play. Students are encouraged to serve the song,
responding to the specific accents and syncopations in the music.
Lessons are held weekly in half-hour time slots reserved in advance. A three-hour-per-week practice routine must be maintained by the student. The daily warm-up consists of various rudiments distributed over the entire drum set; this serves to condition the muscles of the hand, wrist and forearm while developing a student's ability to improvise and explore combinations in their own individual way. For students working with snare drum only, time-keeping, technique and sight-reading skills are honed.
Over time, students learn how to proficiently read music, recognize different time signatures and play with precision and authority in a variety of musical styles. Ultimately the student will develop an ability to evaluate his or her own strengths as a musician and learn to focus their practice time on specific areas where growth is most needed.
John Hargis is a graduate of Sonoma State University and holds a certificate from Berklee College of Music, specializing in Sound Design and Music for Film and Television. He is a member of the Vic Firth Private Drum Teachers Program, the Music Educators National Association (MENC) and has taught privately for over ten years. His experience includes live performances in Rock, Blues and Metal spanning over 30 years. John teaches at McLain Music in Gig Harbor and the Federal Way School of Music in Federal Way, Washington. He is currently performing with Jr. Hill and Careless Hunters in the South Puget Sound area.
Housecalls
After purchasing a new drum set, the task of setting it up and tuning it properly can be daunting. Some entry-level drum sets come with instructional DVDs so be sure to inquire with your salesperson before you buy. It is extremely important that each drum and cymbal be correctly placed to ensure smooth, fluid playing. A difficult to reach cymbal or drum makes the task of developing rhythmic facility unnecessarily more difficult and frustrating. Plus, playing on a well-tuned drum set makes the whole experience of practice more musical and pleasant, both for the student and the listener!
House calls can be arranged for Saturday mornings between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. They typically take 90 minutes to complete and the cost is $75 (additional charges for travel outside of the Gig Harbor/Tacoma/Federal Way area).