About Private Instruction

CONTACT  •  email: jeff@jeffredlawsk.com  •  phone: 650.483.1346

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MY BACKGROUND

• A seasoned performing musician who offers lessons on drum set, symphonic percussion,
   mallet instruments, and world percussion instruments.

• Over 25 years teaching experience and 30 years playing diverse styles/genres of music

1. •Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University and Masters of Music from San Jose State University.
   
   

MY GOAL AS A TEACHER

• To grow a student’s music literacy and technical drumming proficiency to her/his desired
    level.

• To prepare every student for participation in the studio’s annual Spring recital

• To bring professionalism, respect and patience to every class.

 

ABOUT DRUM SET INSTRUCTION

• Beginning instruction includes basic snare drum technique: technical exercises
   (rudiments), etudes (studies on specific concepts) and coordination exercises for hands
   and feet (simple movement and basic beats). 

• As each student advances, s/he works with recorded music. Basic beats are taught,
   variations of the basic beat are presented, and the student learns how to transition from
   the original beat to the variations and back again.  We also learn drum fills, with
   consideration for the particular style being studied at the time. Transition work is done
   back and forth from the original beat, to the variation beats, and to the drum fills.
   Once this foundation is established, a student begins playing transcriptions (the actual
   drum part) of recorded music.

• Basic song forms (ex: 12 bar blues and AABA), rhythm reading, and understanding
   drum set notation skills are emphasized.

• Advanced-level instruction is a continuation of the above as we explore more complex
   styles, beats, fills and advanced song forms.  “World” percussion instrument skills may
   also be introduced.

ABOUT SNARE DRUM INSTRUCTION

• At out first lesson, each student is advised to purchase a drum pad, sticks, a metronome
   and a music notebook. After the first or second week, we will determine which method
   book(s) will be purchased.
   NOTE: Bring your sticks, method books and music notebook to your lesson each week
   (leave the rest at home.)

• Beginning-level instruction includes proper grip, hand positioning, three basic strokes
   (tap, rebound, buzz), and posture.  Technical exercises (rudiments), counting exercises,
   etudes (studies on specific concepts) and coordination exercises for hands are begun
   immediately.

• Intermediate-level instruction includes working with method books that are in keeping
   with the student’s level, and learning/practicing solo and duet exercises with me.
   Auxiliary percussion instruments (cymbals, triangle, tambourine, so on) are introduced.

• Advanced-level instruction may include multiple-instrument percussion study; this
   involves reading and playing music written for several percussion instruments at the
   same time.

ABOUT MALLET INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTION

• Through a series of fun exercises and songs, beginning-level instruction introduces each
   student to the marimba, bells, and xylophone keyboards. Fundamentals are covered:
   the music staff; the recognitions of notes, clefs, and key signatures; and basic song form.
   To solidify the student’s foundation, we then learn the major scales, arpeggios, roll
   exercises and beginning sight-reading.

• Intermediate-level instruction includes a method book that contains melodies and
   technical challenges appropriate for the student level of ability (ex: duet studies by J.S.
   Bach). If a student is a member of a youth orchestra, basic symphonic repertoire is
   incorporated.

• Advanced-level instruction may include the study of playing with four mallets. If a
   student is concentrating on symphonic percussion, more sophisticated repertoire may be
   studied.  The vibraphone is presented, music that includes jazz standards is studied, and
   improvisation is explored.

ABOUT TIMPANI INSTRUCTION

• Beginning-level instruction introduces a student to the timpani through a series of
   exercises emphasizing how we produce a good sound from the drums. We also study
   stroke, roll technique, tuning, and ear training.

• Intermediate-level instruction is a more in-depth study of the above. Methodology is a
   primary focus, including hand-crossing exercises.

• Advanced instruction includes multiple (four) drum set-ups, which are integrated into the
   instruction described above.

ABOUT WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING INSTRUCTION

• Instruction includes introduction to particular cultures and their drumming.  Instrument
   techniques are taught for types of shakers, bells, hand drums and frame drums.

• Given this type of drumming is best taught in a group setting, I give each private student
    the recordings of drums songs that contain rhythms segments s/he may play along with;
    this develops the ability to play ones own rhythm part within a more complex structure
    of multiple rhythms being played simultaneously.

• Cues and calls are also taught. 

ABOUT CARIBBEAN DRUMMING INSTRUCTION

• Instruction focuses on the rhythms and instruments from Cuba and surrounding islands
   within the Caribbean.  Clave’, conga drums, bongos, guiro, timbales, maracas, and
   many other instruments are studied.  Patterns within these song forms include Son
   Montuno, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Rhumba Columbia, Bomba, Merengue’, Mozambique, and
   others.

• Given this type of drumming is best taught in a group setting, I give each private student
    recordings of patterns for the various song forms that include many rhythms passages to
    play along with; this grows the ability to play one’s own rhythm part within the larger
    structure of multiple rhythms being played at the same time. 

• Cues and calls are also taught.