MY PASSION FOR DRUMMING AND TEACHING DRAWS FROM 50 YEARS OF PLAYING, PERFORMING, AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE. I AM A SECOND-GENERATION MUSICIAN WHOSE MISSION IS TO PASS ON MY PASSION FOR DRUMMING AND MUSIC TO ALL MY STUDENTS.

My mission for my drum and percussion studio - is to help each student indentify and reach their unique drumming goals. and in doing so, I seek to help them develop the full potential they bring to their individual lessons and learning experience. my lesson program is PERSONAL YET structured with purpose to understanding the value of the fundementals of drumming and music theory to make drummers the best musicians they can be.

ages 8 years through adult, of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome.

  • instruments - drum set, concert percussion (for band, orchestra instruments includes mallet percussion and auxilary percussion), Hand drumming (congas, djembe, etc…)

  • music styles - rock, funk & soul, jazz & latin, and world drumming.

    LESSON PROGRAM instruction will include:

    technical skills

  • snare drum rudiments and the application of the rudiments to the drum set are fundamental and essential to having musical controlof snare drum, drum set and cymbals.

  • drum set coordination/ INDEPENDENCe — this allows drummers to play and interpret all music styles, and genres with a relaxed and engaged ability. to play with freedom, and musical expression as we listen and blend with the ensemble in an enjoyable manner. it gives drummers the proper ability to groove and swing any style.

    MUSICIANSHIP skills

  • applied music theory knowledge and competency for drums and percussion is essential. we thereby are able to comprehend and interpret drum set & percussion MUSIC notation in the proper manner. this is a core skill for all students for ensemble placement - middle/ high school, and to college level performance. this ensures a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

  • ear training is developed through basic to more advanced drum fill & solo skills as applied all music styles. this is studied, an applied with the focus on melody & chord progression RECOGNITION for all music styles.

  • a song form chart system is used to easily LEARN AND grasp the understanding to play drum parts for songs in any music style. i stress the emphasis on maintaining good drum part discipline. this is a vital skill to deveveop good time keeping and control of the music’s groove style and feel. then drummers can enjoy navigating the songs form and musical transitions with ease. this enhances the ENSEMBLE’S sound and performance.

    TECHNICAL AND MUSICIANSHIP skills form the foundation for every student's FULL development and progress.

    music education - los angles, california

  • music performance & music theory at the dick grove school of music (1973-1977)

  • los Angeles valley college music program (1974-1977).

    my early private lessons - los angeles, california

  • hack o’brien, father of 1950’s mouseketeer cubby o’brien (1970-1974)

  • Freddie gruber (1984-1986) renowned teacher to hundreds of professionals

    professional development (2006-2012)

  • mark ivester, master drummer - lonnie mardis (seattle central jazz orchestra) consumate musician, composer and music director - arturo rodrigez, master percussionist and teacher of latin and world percussion - steve korn, master drummer.

    i hope you will contact me soon to leARN more about lessons at MY drum 4 life studios. kind regards, glenn thilman