Tom Bernett's
Drums and Vocals Demo Page
More than 35 years of professional experience
TEACHING
Home.....History.....Experience.....Styles.....Equipment
Drum Examples. ..Vocal Examples.. .Playing. ..Teaching
Drums and Vocals Demo Page
More than 35 years of professional experience
TEACHING
Home.....History.....Experience.....Styles.....Equipment
Drum Examples. ..Vocal Examples.. .Playing. ..Teaching
Currently Accepting New Drum Students in Pinehurst, NC:
Location:
I teach at the new Sandhills Academy of Music and am currently accepting new drum students, from beginner through adult.
Method:
My initial stress is on developing a student's hands, followed by independence on the drum kit.
I teach a modern rudimental approach to the drum set that incorporates elements of both French stick control and the drumming methods of Sanford Moeller, which were developed in the early 1900s and made famous by Buddy Rich and famed drum clinician Jim Chapin. More recently, the Moeller method has been receiving increased interest among young rock drummers due to the rise of the newer generation of drumming stars such as JoJo Mayer, Neal Peart, Steve Smith, and many others.
French stick control is used for speed with finesse, often required with combo jazz music and traditional orchestral playing, while the Moeller method is used to develop the speed and power that is useful in rock music, big band jazz, or drum corps style playing. Mastery of both methods helps insure that drummers are prepared to perform with exceptional skill in all musical situations -- this is especially useful in variety bands, shows, and studio situations where drummers are required to rapidly change between many different styles of playing.
In addition, these stick control techniques can provide a solid technical foundation for learning other percussion instruments such as marimba, vibraphone, or tympani. I also stress the need for young drummers to learn to read music in order to expand their musical horizons and to increase their employment opportunities should my students someday decide to turn pro.
My goal is not to grow a crop of drummers; my goal is to grow good musicians who happen to play drums.
Lessons:
Lessons are 30-minutes in length. Students are expected to take one lesson per week. Extremely advanced or dedicated students may apply for an additional one lesson per week, provided their schedules allow for sufficient practice time, however more than one 30-minute lesson per week is a very rare situation.
My teaching schedule is based on a year-round learning theory. The muscle control and mental coordination required to be a good drummer is a physical activity and, just like any physical endeavor, mastery requires continuous practice. It is impossible to advance as a musician if students take summers off!!! Therefore, students are expected to attend lessons on a year-round basis. (Consideration is made for vacations and for legitimate emergencies.)
Student Requirements:
Students are also expected to devote sufficient time for practicing every day. It is a waste of the parent's money and a waste of my studio time to maintain students who will not devote a minimum of at least 20 minutes to daily practice -- truly dedicated students will practice an hour or more per day, and hopefully even more in several segments. (More practice time means better results!)
Students are expected to avoid distractions to learning. I strive to make learning interesting and fun, and I make sure students are able to relate lesson materials to their favorite musical styles so that their interest and dedication are maintained; but it is difficult to teach an adolescent who is addicted to television or video games.
In an attempt to impress these concepts on young people, I have developed a symbolic "contract" that I ask each student to sign, in which the student promises to practice more than they watch television, more than they play video games, and more than they text their friends. I ask them to sign this commitment to be a good student and not waste their parents' money and my time.
Equipment Requirements:
Students are required to provide their own drumsticks, as well as be responsible for the purchase of various lesson books and materials as they progress. Initial requirements for beginning and intermediate students are one lightweight pair of sticks and one "marching" weight pair of sticks, along with the book "Stick Control" by George Lawrence Stone.
Although a owning a drum set is not initially required, students will require at least a practice pad for home practice. Also, since having good "time" is a vitally important part of being a good drummer, students must have the opportunity for regular practice with a metronome -- inexpensive digital electronic metronomes are available at any music store and through many internet outlets.
Fees:
Lesson fees are $30 per lesson, payable monthly in advance. Again, consideration is made for legitimate emergencies and family vacation plans.
Contact Information:
For more information or to sign up for lessons, please call me at 910-692-8839 (or cell: 910-603-6467... note: cell phone not answered while teaching lessons or during performances).
The Sandhills Academy of Music is located in the Pinehurst Plaza (Sandhills Bowling Center, Food Lion, etc), 1680 NC Hwy 5, Suite 105, Aberdeen, NC 28315. The phone number for the front desk of the Academy is 910-420-2746.
Location:
I teach at the new Sandhills Academy of Music and am currently accepting new drum students, from beginner through adult.
Method:
My initial stress is on developing a student's hands, followed by independence on the drum kit.
I teach a modern rudimental approach to the drum set that incorporates elements of both French stick control and the drumming methods of Sanford Moeller, which were developed in the early 1900s and made famous by Buddy Rich and famed drum clinician Jim Chapin. More recently, the Moeller method has been receiving increased interest among young rock drummers due to the rise of the newer generation of drumming stars such as JoJo Mayer, Neal Peart, Steve Smith, and many others.
French stick control is used for speed with finesse, often required with combo jazz music and traditional orchestral playing, while the Moeller method is used to develop the speed and power that is useful in rock music, big band jazz, or drum corps style playing. Mastery of both methods helps insure that drummers are prepared to perform with exceptional skill in all musical situations -- this is especially useful in variety bands, shows, and studio situations where drummers are required to rapidly change between many different styles of playing.
In addition, these stick control techniques can provide a solid technical foundation for learning other percussion instruments such as marimba, vibraphone, or tympani. I also stress the need for young drummers to learn to read music in order to expand their musical horizons and to increase their employment opportunities should my students someday decide to turn pro.
My goal is not to grow a crop of drummers; my goal is to grow good musicians who happen to play drums.
Lessons:
Lessons are 30-minutes in length. Students are expected to take one lesson per week. Extremely advanced or dedicated students may apply for an additional one lesson per week, provided their schedules allow for sufficient practice time, however more than one 30-minute lesson per week is a very rare situation.
My teaching schedule is based on a year-round learning theory. The muscle control and mental coordination required to be a good drummer is a physical activity and, just like any physical endeavor, mastery requires continuous practice. It is impossible to advance as a musician if students take summers off!!! Therefore, students are expected to attend lessons on a year-round basis. (Consideration is made for vacations and for legitimate emergencies.)
Student Requirements:
Students are also expected to devote sufficient time for practicing every day. It is a waste of the parent's money and a waste of my studio time to maintain students who will not devote a minimum of at least 20 minutes to daily practice -- truly dedicated students will practice an hour or more per day, and hopefully even more in several segments. (More practice time means better results!)
Students are expected to avoid distractions to learning. I strive to make learning interesting and fun, and I make sure students are able to relate lesson materials to their favorite musical styles so that their interest and dedication are maintained; but it is difficult to teach an adolescent who is addicted to television or video games.
In an attempt to impress these concepts on young people, I have developed a symbolic "contract" that I ask each student to sign, in which the student promises to practice more than they watch television, more than they play video games, and more than they text their friends. I ask them to sign this commitment to be a good student and not waste their parents' money and my time.
Equipment Requirements:
Students are required to provide their own drumsticks, as well as be responsible for the purchase of various lesson books and materials as they progress. Initial requirements for beginning and intermediate students are one lightweight pair of sticks and one "marching" weight pair of sticks, along with the book "Stick Control" by George Lawrence Stone.
Although a owning a drum set is not initially required, students will require at least a practice pad for home practice. Also, since having good "time" is a vitally important part of being a good drummer, students must have the opportunity for regular practice with a metronome -- inexpensive digital electronic metronomes are available at any music store and through many internet outlets.
Fees:
Lesson fees are $30 per lesson, payable monthly in advance. Again, consideration is made for legitimate emergencies and family vacation plans.
Contact Information:
For more information or to sign up for lessons, please call me at 910-692-8839 (or cell: 910-603-6467... note: cell phone not answered while teaching lessons or during performances).
The Sandhills Academy of Music is located in the Pinehurst Plaza (Sandhills Bowling Center, Food Lion, etc), 1680 NC Hwy 5, Suite 105, Aberdeen, NC 28315. The phone number for the front desk of the Academy is 910-420-2746.
Tom Bernett
838 Knollwood Village - Southern Pines, NC 28387
910-692-8839
ttbernett@nc.rr.com
838 Knollwood Village - Southern Pines, NC 28387
910-692-8839
ttbernett@nc.rr.com