Drum Lessons (Remote) With A Patient Pro

Serves Bayonne, NJ

35244

Hired 256 times

1 employee

31 years in business

$65/hour

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Michael Shapiro
Completed on 1/7/2021

Introduction

I'm doing online lessons exclusively. My education and 20 years of performing experience , enable me to communicate the process of learning the drums, in a clear, logical progression, no matter what your skill level may be. I'm really patient and want to see you reach your goals no matter what they are. I love watching my students progress. Some have gone on to gigs with major label rock bands, others are pursuing under graduate and graduate degrees in jazz and some just want to have fun jamming with their friends. Everyone is different so I tailor my concepts to you. You'll be having fun learning what you need to know and what you want to know. Sharing what I know and seeing it make you become better a musician is a pretty cool way to spend the day. Let's set up a free phone consultation.

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

There are no extra fees. The price listed is what you pay. Depending on the circumstances, I may be able work out a package deal. Check with me if interested.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

Until things open up, I'm teaching online exclusively. If you’re a beginner we learn a few basic technical things but the first lesson is mainly getting comfortable playing some simple beats along with songs and having some fun playing. We would get more involved with the rudiments, technique, reading etc. in the lessons after that. With more experienced players I look for strengths and weaknesses in the first lesson and come up with a loose game plan that we tweak along the way. Taking into account things you’re interested in working on.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

In addition to my B.M. from the Juilliard School in performance (drums) and my 20 years of teaching and gigging at a high level, I spend time on line checking out the latest stuff in the drum community. Staying in touch with other gigging drummers and teachers. I'm a member of the Vic Firth education team where we're constantly sharing information, new ideas etc.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

All of my teachers were performers as well. They generously shared their knowledge and instilled in me a desire to perform and teach as they did. Showing me how the two go hand in hand. While still at Juilliard I started gigging and as soon as I graduated I started to teach. This is when I began to realize that the things I was learning on gigs were super useful to my students. So the combination of formal training and practical, “on the job training “ all started coming together. My career was getting real fun.

What types of customers have you worked with?

I’ve had the pleasure of working all sorts of folks. People who had zero experience with playing an instrument to people with experience but not on drums. I’ve taught a few people who were in NYC for a short while from the U.S. Europe and South America who wanted some lessons while in town. I’ve had experienced drummers who wanted to brush up on some stuff or get some more fundamentals happening or work on things they may have missed. From people who want to play drums as a hobby to people who make a living doing it. And lots in between.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

I prepared a drummer to take an audition with a touring band and they got the gig. We spent a lot of time on this, going over all sorts of scenarios because he wasn’t sure what would be asked when he got there. He wasn’t given any info other than when and where to show up. We went over any songs from the band we could find online. We also learned a whole bunch of stuff from bands like that one. I also helped him to get more comfortable soloing and sight reading. We had a lot of fun and all his hard work paid off.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Go with an experienced teacher who has been gigging at a high level for a long time. Make sure you’re comfortable with the person’s temperament and how they approach teaching. Read the reviews.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

They should ask a potential teacher if they are flexible in their approach to teaching. Find out about their education, how long they've been teaching and what performing experience they may have.