Ed Hartman

(206)545-3564

edrums@aol.com

Drum and percussion lessons are a lot of fun, and can be rewarding. Percussion is as challenging as any instrument. The rhythmic understanding and coordination needed equals the melodic and harmonic challenges of any other instrument. Please look over this information to find out more about my studio.

Adult students: I've had adult students into their 70s-so no excuses about "being too old".

• The summer tends to be looser-students are in and out of town. School age students can increase their lesson times to 45 minutes. I also teach week long workshops in the summer.

*NOTE: Vance Nurkala also teaches at The Drum Exchange that is available for lessons. Vance is a great player, with a similar studio. His background is more pop and rock oriented, but uses many aspects of my curriculum. He is a bit more available, especially in the evenings. He is a primarily a drumset instructor.

I think I've had good success teaching, because I am organized an have come up with universal structures for learning. Once you get the idea of how to do one thing, the rest of it falls into place. I use the analogy of math-my teaching style is exponential in nature. Each task/skill leads to the next, therefore, it's important to get it right, the first time.

Because my background is varied (classical, jazz, pop, world, other percussion instruments-vibes, marimba, congas, etc.) I have developed a universal approach to technique, coordination, notation, reading and the theory of rhythm, itself. That, in itself, makes my program rather unique, I believe.

Drumset students: Most school age students start on the snare drum and/or drumset. I don't start any student on the snare alone. As soon as you learn how to play one drum, you can play them all!!! Most students are really interest in rock and jazz. Classical and marching styles will be worked into the reading curriculum in time.

Mallet students: I teach marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, and bells. I still push a very rhythmic curriculum to start, and add melody and harmony. The structure of the lessons is similar to drumset, and pushes creativity and improvization. You will learn to read both rhythm and melodic notation, in time. I recommend the lowest range mallet instrument you can afford. Xylophones and bells are very high pitched, and can be like learning on a picollo rather than a flute (eek!)

Conga students: Again, the curriculum is similar to drumset, but NO STICKS and adds various sounds out of the drums (slap, open, bass, etc.) The sounds replace the various surfaces of the drumset. Feet are always used to reinforce counting and pulse. Eventually, I recommend players getting pedals with cow-bells and wood-blocks to hear the feet. Beginning conga equipment has become much more affordable, and I recommend the lowest pitch (bass) type drum you can afford. Stay away from just bongos!!! I make recycled drums (Envirodrums) that work for starters. Most African and South or Central American styles use drums, shakers and bells. A basic understanding of how these instruments interact is important for any hand drum instruction. I can also give you a basic understanding of dumbek (Mid-Eastern drum-I recommend the metal shell, the ceramic tend to break!), and Djembe (African wood drum). My background is much more general purpose, and will help a student develop a technique that will work for any drum, rather than a specific style. A combination of private lessons and group classes is especially recommended for hand drum students. (John's Music next store has info about classes). My summer workshops also involve group playing.

Other instruments: (Timpani-forget owning them-Price: $5000-20,000!!!)

• I am pushing ALL students to invest in a CASIO 431 Electronic Keyboard ($99.95 at Sears, etc.) It is an incredible cheap keyboard that sounds great (especially through a stereo, headphones, or music amp), has a split keyboard (bass AND piano), lots of sounds-including percussion, a built in drum machine (more fun than a metronome), bass lines, chords, grooves (salsa, jazz, rock, etc.), and 100 built in songs (with a book for melody instruments).

A) Go with an instrument you already have, or can afford now.

B) Go with an instrument you LOVE!!!!

***I use BOTH audio and video recording in lessons, and recommend bringing a blank cassette tape and/or video tape for each lesson. You are welcome to record the free info lesson. If a free info lesson is too difficult to schedule, I can loan you a video version.

OTHER NEEDS:

• 3 ring, 1" binder

• All students will need Ultimate Stick Control ($14.95) to start, no matter what instrument they start on.

Yes-this is potentially a lot of stuff (and you haven't even seen the list of 10-12 books used in the first year!). But, that's the deal. I teach for keeps-this is the real thing. If you want "lite" lessons, better go elsewhere!

Thanks for the interest, and plese let me know if you would like to meet.

Ed Hartman