Tom Bernett Demo - Experience

Currently Accepting New Drum Students in central North Carolina.

Location:

I teach at the Sandhills Academy of Music in Pinehurst, North Carolina and regularly accept 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 Moeller stroke, which was 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 who are taking advantage of the speed and power offered by the Moeller stroke.

French stick control is used for speed with finesse, often required with combo jazz music, musical theater, and traditional orchestral playing, while the Moeller method offers great speed with maximum power and 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 flexibility 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 other physical or athletic endeavor, mastery requires continuous practice. Just as in athletics, if the activity is ceased for an extended period of time, the muscles lose all the toning and developmental progress they have made, and the training must then start over from the beginning. Thus, from the standpoint of drum lessons, 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. Students should plan on a minimum of at least 30 minutes of daily practice -- truly dedicated students will practice at least an hour per day, and hopefully even more in several segments. (More practice time means better and faster 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.

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 are one lightweight pair of sticks for drumset playing and one "marching" weight pair of sticks for muscle and technique development. Beginning students will also need to acquire 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 a good sense of "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 or through many internet outlets.

Fees:

Lesson fees are $120 per month, payable in advance no later than the first lesson of each month (check, cash, or PayPal).

Missed Lessons: (Illness, emergencies, or vacations)

If students/parents provide advance notice of missed lessons, make-up lessons will be offered at no additional charge.

Although 24-hour notice is preferred, telephone or email notice of missed lessons MUST be provided no later than 12:00 Noon on the day of the lesson.

Failure to provide such notice will mean the forfeiture of that portion of the lesson fee with no make-up lesson.

In the event that I must cancel lessons because of performance obligations or a rare vacation trip, adequate notice will be provided to all students/parents, and make-up lessons will be provided.

Make-Up Lessons:

Students who provide proper notice of missed lessons will be elegible for a make-up lesson. Make-up lessons are offered on the third Saturday of each month. Make-up lessons must be individually scheduled in advance.

Holidays:

Lessons schedules that must be altered due to holiday conflicts will be announced during the month preceeding the holiday. The only holidays that affect lesson schedules are: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Fourth of July; Labor Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas. The teaching studio is OPEN on Presidents' Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, and M.L.King Day.

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) or email me at: ttbernett@nc.rr.com

The Sandhills Academy of Music is located 300 Dawn Road, Suite 2, Pinehurst, NC 28374 (Hwy 5 frontage road at Blake Blvd) Adjacent to Community One Bank, Elmore Furniture, & Kings Frame Shop.


			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

	Currently Accepting New Drum Students in central North Carolina. Location: I teach at the Sandhills Academy of Music in Pinehurst, North Carolina and regularly accept 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 Moeller stroke, which was 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 who are taking advantage of the speed and power offered by the Moeller stroke. French stick control is used for speed with finesse, often required with combo jazz music, musical theater, and traditional orchestral playing, while the Moeller method offers great speed with maximum power and 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 flexibility 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 other physical or athletic endeavor, mastery requires continuous practice. Just as in athletics, if the activity is ceased for an extended period of time, the muscles lose all the toning and developmental progress they have made, and the training must then start over from the beginning. Thus, from the standpoint of drum lessons, *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. Students should plan on a minimum of at least 30 minutes of daily practice -- truly dedicated students will practice at least an hour per day, and hopefully even more in several segments. (More practice time means better and faster 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. 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 are one lightweight pair of sticks for drumset playing and one "marching" weight pair of sticks for muscle and technique development. Beginning students will also need to acquire 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 a good sense of "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 or through many internet outlets. Fees: Lesson fees are $120 per month, payable in advance no later than the first lesson of each month (check, cash, or PayPal). Missed Lessons: (Illness, emergencies, or vacations) If students/parents provide advance notice of missed lessons, make-up lessons will be offered at no additional charge. Although 24-hour notice is preferred, telephone or email *notice of missed lessons MUST be provided no later than 12:00 Noon on the day of the lesson.* Failure to provide such notice will mean the forfeiture of that portion of the lesson fee with no make-up lesson. In the event that I must cancel lessons because of performance obligations or a rare vacation trip, adequate notice will be provided to all students/parents, and make-up lessons will be provided. Make-Up Lessons: Students who provide proper notice of missed lessons will be elegible for a make-up lesson. Make-up lessons are offered on the third Saturday of each month. Make-up lessons must be individually scheduled in advance. Holidays: Lessons schedules that must be altered due to holiday conflicts will be announced during the month preceeding the holiday. The only holidays that affect lesson schedules are: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Fourth of July; Labor Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas. The teaching studio is OPEN on Presidents' Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, and M.L.King Day. 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) or email me at: ttbernett@nc.rr.com The Sandhills Academy of Music is located 300 Dawn Road, Suite 2, Pinehurst, NC 28374 (Hwy 5 frontage road at Blake Blvd) Adjacent to Community One Bank, Elmore Furniture, & Kings Frame Shop.

	Tom Bernett 838 Knollwood Village - Southern Pines, NC 28387 910-692-8839 ttbernett@nc.rr.com