dRUM 4 life studios mission—iS TO build RAPPORT with each student, for an ongoing quality lesson experience. each student’s unique musicial interests and goals are considered in designing a lesson program.
the mission in motion—my lessons focus on development and application of drumming and music fundamentals. this foundation is the key element for every student’s progressing their skills.
i teach the following—drum set, and percussion for band and orchestra (snare, bass drum, mallets and auxilary percussion), Hand drum (djembe, conga, cajon)
music styles include—rock, jazz & latin, funk & soul, concert & orchestral, and world drumming.
my lESSON PROGRAM includes:
rudiments and other technical skills — the application of rudiments to drum set are essential for musical control of the snare drum, drum set, and all percussion.
drum-set coordination/ INDEPENDENCe — this ability allows drummers to play and interpret all music styles with relaxed skill. this abilty allows drummers to focus upon listening to, and blend well with any ensemble with more enjoyment and freedom of expression.
drum set students are taught improvisation through ear training (listening skills), to recognize song melody, and form, and add musical drum fills. they can also learn to improvise basic drum solos to a variety of music styles.
musicianship, includes music theory and forms the knowledge base for competency in all percussion studies. this is essential for all drums and percussion students instrument development.
the ability to read rhythms, and and apply music fundamentals to drum set, and all percussion allows students to advance easily with all percussion written materials in Drum books, band books, etc…
technical and musicianship skills are the core skills for performance ensemble placement - whether in middle through high school, or up to the college level.
these core skills not only help ensure placement, but are the basis of providing a rewarding and rich experience to any student’s ensemble years.
drummers — most students want to learn songs. these align with the personal taste of each student. understanding musical song form, and music styles are fundamental to having a comfortable grasp of the song. drum set skills allow students to play the drum parts. then, improving listening skills is a fun path to adding those drum parts to songs. drum sheet music accelerates this for process. students often come to lessons with sheet music available already!!
bio and music education background:
MY musical BACKGROUND includes 50 YEARS OF PLAYING, PERFORMING AND TEAChING EXPERIENCE—this brings a broad base of knowledge and practical insight to all students.
BIO, THE EARLY YEARS: - my father was a professional drummer, and multi-talented musican all his life. music filled our family home and beyond growing up. sadly, dad passed when I was 9 years old, but a love of music and the seeds of wanting to be a musician (like dad) were planted!
my mother’s MANY YEARS OF association AT THE Walt disney’s studios, aLLOWED A friend TO recommeded my first drum teacher, mr. hack o’brien—with hack guiding the way, a solid foundation was PROVIDED TO ME for my drumming & musical path forward. MY GRATITUDE AND DEEP APPRECIATION GOES TO moM AND hack!
from the age of 13, intO EARLY ADULTHOOD, i’m thankful i was fortunate to study drums and music DURING A wonderful era, and IN AN environment of stellar musical talent, WITH such A broad diversity of artistic expression!
music education:
los Angeles valley college (1974-1977) - music major program.
My Emphasis was upon developing excellence in ensemble performance In jazz & percussion ensembles, and orchestra & wind ENSEMBLES, AND MARCHING BAND.
an FULL immersion OF STUDIES into music theory, music appreciation, jazz history and commercial music production rounded out mY STUDIES, AND PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE.
this was a rich and invaluable time of growth and development for me. my instructors were mentors as well, and lead the way by example. ALL HAD many years of performANCE aND ACADEMIC experience.
the dick grove school of music (1973-1977) - music performance & music theory studies. THE comprehensive music program, WAS a full immersion into jazz theory, and jazz improvisation workshops and PERFORMANCE ensembleS FOR ALL STUDENTS. THIS IS WHAT THE DICK GROVE MUSIC SCHOOL WAS KNOWN, AND TRULY SET IT APART DURING THESE YEARS.
the performance ensemble classes i regularly participated in, consisted of jazz groups, jazz ensembles, & percussion ensembles —these classes were the high point for me. all class instructors were the very best musicians of the Los angeles television and motion picture, and studio recording industry. many were active in the local jazz music scene as well.
my private drum set study- los angeles, ca
hack o’brien (1970-1974) - father of 1950’s mouseketeer cubby o’brien
Freddie gruber (1984-1986) - master teacher to hundreds of professionals
professional development (2006-2012 Seattle, wa)
lonnie mardis - music director/ instructor at seattle central jazz orchestra. lonnie is a master musician, AND VERY accomplished instrumentalist AND composer.
mark ivester, master drummer/ teacher
steve korn, master drummer/ teacher
arturo rodriguez, master percussionist and teacher of latin and world percussion.
ages 7-8 years, AND UP TO adultS of ALL backgrounds AND ABILITY are welcome.
i hope to hear from you and SEE YOU AT THE STUDIO SOON. kind regards, glenn thilman