The basic goal that I have for myself as an educator hasn’t changed in the 10+ years that I’ve been teaching: “Make my students better musicians”. Though the basic end goal hasn’t changed much, the steps along the way from point A to point B have changed and evolved significantly. My experiences with different musicians, teachers, bands, orchestras, percussion ensembles, drumlines, and more have inspired me to try new pedagogical approaches, and these new approaches have given me valuable insight into what is most effective and what yields the best results for each type of student.

The great marimbist and pedagogue Robert Van Sice said it best – “There is nothing worse than cloning and calling it teaching”. While there is a level of fundamental foundation that needs to be established to facilitate the most efficient growth, It is important to recognize that every student learns differently, is motivated in different ways, and has bodies and muscles that function differently. For these reasons, an individualized curriculum is essential, and will yield the best results while developing a truly unique musician. Although the curricula is fine tuned on a personal level from student to student, the essence of the lessons and experiences with me can be divided into three categories that answer three questions: Why, What, and How.

The Why

The “Why” question is a vital starting point. Understanding why you want to learn and master your instrument is the cornerstone of your musical development. It provides a clear purpose and a destination to strive for. However, it’s important to recognize that the answer to the “Why” may evolve over time (mine certainly has); as you grow as a musician, your goals and aspirations may change, and that’s perfectly normal. Embracing these changes and adapting your path allows for continued growth and fulfillment. By establishing your “Why” early on, you lay the foundation for a meaningful and rewarding musical journey.

Discovering the answer to the Why requires introspection, soul-searching, and challenging questions. It involves understanding your passions, motivations, and desires. Through this process, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself as an artist and your connection to music. Once you have a clear “Why,” the rest of the learning process falls into place, as it becomes guided by your purpose and goals.

The What

Once we establish a “Why”, the rest of the (or any) musical learning process can ultimately be simplified into two parts – the first being hearing the music internally, and the second being making that music externally, on your instrument. The “What” focuses on the former.

The “What” question revolves around the music itself—the music we play, the sounds we create, the phrases we shape, and the messages we convey. Answering the “What” requires a deep exploration of musicality and expression. It requires exposure to a wide range of music, understanding the backgrounds and inspirations behind the music, and vigorous analysis of the music. Ultimately, the choices we make in music are personal, but they must be driven by deliberate intention; by honing your ability to answer the “What”, you develop a musical voice that is uniquely yours.

The How

Once we decide what we want the music we’ll be making to sound like, we can focus on how we can make that happen. The “How” encompasses the practical aspect of turning our musical aspirations into reality. It is the bridge that connects our creative vision to technical execution. In the “How” stage of the learning process, we dig into the many methods of practice that are available to us, including (but not limited to): slow practice, additive methods of practice, the utilization of singing (even for drummers!), mechanical isolation, and much more. The “How” also includes focusing on our physical tendencies and deficiencies, isolating the technical obstacles we face between what we are capable of doing and what we want to be capable of doing, and establishing a plan to improve our technical abilities and minimize the deficiencies. Focusing on the “How” further eliminates the physical limitation barriers between where we are and where we want to be; by developing a deep understanding of technique, exploring various practice strategies, and cultivating disciplined habits, we unlock the tools necessary to bring our musical ideas to life.

To summarize: The “Why” gives us the motivation; The “What” gives us the direction; the “How” gives us the facility. It’s important to note that these steps do not necessarily occur linearly – the “What” may influence the “Why”, the “How” may change our opinion of the “What”, etc. From an overarching point of view, though, almost all we do together will fall into one of these three categories.

In addition to what I have listed here, I firmly believe in open lines of communication, constant reflection and feedback on the effectiveness of the practices and techniques utilized, and assuring that you (the student) are happy with the product you are receiving. By guiding you to uncover your purpose, encouraging deliberate and intentional musical choices, and providing you with the technical skills to realize your musical visions, I aim to empower you as a well-rounded musician. Together, we will embark on a journey of self-discovery, artistic growth, and profound musical expression; this is your journey – I am simply the tour guide.