Parents, do you have a school aged child who wants to enroll in a grade or middle school band program, and want to play percussion? Are you an aspiring rock star, but don't know where to begin? Have you already been playing for several years, but lack direction?
Portland is already filled with excellent drum and percussion teachers, many with decades of experience behind them. But why should you pay the same $50 an hour rate for your 12 year old child that a seasoned professional would pay? What if you decide to put the sticks down after six months?
Lessons are an investment for your musical future. Everyone should take lessons at their respective instruments. I am here to target drum and percussion novices; individuals who have little experience who may not have the funds to study under a percussion master but want the same great instruction. If you're an accomplished heavy metal drummer but want to learn a few jazz licks, I'm your man. If you need help auditioning for your school's drumline, I'm your man.
Having taken expensive lessons from the local masters, I know that sometimes instructors pressure you to continue taking their lessons, even if you think they are losing their worth and want to move on. When I first started drumming over ten years ago, I only took six months of lessons. That is alright with me. I will never pressure you to continue with lessons if you feel you want to move on to another teacher or feel that you can succeed on your own. I will only encourage you to continue to make music!
My lessons specialize in snare drum (rudimental and concert percussion) and drumset (rock/funk/jazz/swing). I will always start new students on rudimental percussion, taking time and making sure that they have the fundamentals down. Once they have a firm grip on a single drum, if they so choose, they will graduate to lessons involving the drumset. All my students will learn how to read music.
I am offering weekly half hour lessons and hour lessons. E-mail me at j_radford@imaginative-studios.com at or call me at (503)658.8584 to set up scheduling or if you have any questions!