Private Drum Lessons

PRIVATE DRUM LESSONS

PRIVATE DRUM LESSONS

LET ME HELP YOU REACH YOUR DRUMMING GOALS!
RANCHO CORDOVA | FOLSOM | CARMICHAEL | SACRAMENTO



Private Drum Lessons


From beginner to expert levels, let me help you reach your drumming goals!


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35 Years Experience


Discover more about the instructor who will be teaching you or your child. Navigate through the tabs to explore Karen’s motivations for teaching the drums, as well as her background, rates and experiences in drumming.

MY PHILOSOPHY


I firmly believe that music serves as a channel for unrestricted expression and personal growth, unlocking avenues otherwise unreachable. My dedication lies in sharing my experiences, thoughts, and ideas with individuals on their unique musical journeys. Guided by a passion for facilitating others in achieving their drumming goals, I emphasize the transformative power of music and the collaborative synergy among drummers, tapping into creative realms that thrive through collective exploration.

My approach involves equipping students with the essential tools for success. I instill proper technique, enabling them to effortlessly play at varying speeds and intensities. By teaching music notation, I empower students to transcend auditory limitations. Emphasizing consistency in tempo and rhythm, I prepare them to anchor the cadence for an entire ensemble. Limb independence is a key focus, providing the flexibility to meet diverse playing demands. The mastery of dynamics sets my students apart, elevating them from good drummers to exceptional ones. I also impart showmanship techniques, allowing students to impress and entertain friends with flair.

With over 35 years of drumming experience, I share my wealth of knowledge, passion, and expertise through teaching. My commitment to teaching stems from a genuine desire to contribute to the drumming community, fostering limitless possibilities for my students. I teach not out of obligation but out of a profound love for the art of drumming.


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FINEST DRUM SETS


I offer cutting-edge drum sets to ensure an optimal learning experience. My students have access to world-class kits featuring top-tier cymbals and high-quality hardware for an exceptional playing experience.


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TEACHER EXPRESSION

Drum Cover – “Problem” – Ariana Grande

This drum cover demonstrates incorporating drum rhythms to match the singer on the bridge section, sixteenth note triplet drum fills, right hand independence with three’s on the Hi-hat, cymbal chokes with a drum stick, and a little “show boatin” on some of the drum fills. There is no click on the track of this song and this is the first and only time I’ve recorded this cover on this location and has zero edits. No second chances are given so this cover demonstrates my ability to play it right the first time :).

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STUDENT / TEACHER

Ishan age 14 | With 2 years of drum lessons, Ishan demonstrates reading and playing drums from the drum book “Block Rockin Beats”.

Ishan has been a joy to teach and I am proud of him for taking his learning experience to the next level. Ishan practices consistently and every week I assign him something new he comes back to his lesson prepared and nails it! Ishan never played drums before I started working with him and here Ishan shows his ability to read and play proficiently from one of the many books I teach out of, “Block Rockin Beats”. Ishan demonstrates his ability to play drums with proper dynamics, correct technique, clean open hi-hats, and excellent tempo/rhythm. Ishan does not rush or push the tempo to go faster, which is a common mistake for new drummers. He holds the tempo steady and I couldn’t be more proud!

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TEACHER EXPRESSION

Drum Cover – “Rather Be” – Clean Bandit

This drum cover demonstrates inverted para-diddles with total freedom on the kick, ghost notes with a back beat on counts 2 and 4, non-straight right hand on the ride and hi-hat, some “show-off” licks with 16th not triplet fills, and a cymbal spin. There is no click and very little drums on this track. I am demonstrating my ability to hold the tempo solid on my own and not float around the track with rushing and dragging. This is the first and only time I’ve recorded this cover and has zero edits and demonstrates my ability to play it right the first time.

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STUDENT / TEACHER

Jono age 8 | With 2 years of drum lessons, Jono demonstrates creative drumming by trading two bar fills on the fly.

Jono is such a great student and a joy to teach. He has much desire and passion to learn the drums and I am proud of his ability to listen well and to just go for it! Jono started drum lessons with me and I’ve been teaching him for the past two years. Here Jono demonstrates trading two bar fills with me. Jono comes up with his own ideas on the fly using his creative outlet demonstrating his skills. I’m proud of Jono for staying in time/tempo, which is one of the most important roles as a drummer, for his ability to know when his two bar section is up by crashing on count 1 of the 3rd bar, and for showing his creativity on the drums.

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TEACHER EXPRESSION

Drum Cover – “I Thank God” by Maverick City Music x UPPERROOM

Playing live worship at Bayside Church. “I thank God” is an example of upbeat modern gospel drumming. Listen on the bridge of the song for syncopated right hand bell allowing freedom with the right hand. Most of the song is played on the toms as many worship songs do nowadays in order to drive the rhythm forward. With no room for error, this demonstrates the power of proper technique to achieve speed and power with ease.

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STUDENT / TEACHER

Matthew age 10 | With 5 years of drums lessons, Matthew demonstrates proficient reading and playing from the “Drum Fill Workbook”.

I have had the honor to teach Matthew for the past 5 years and I am proud of his eagerness to learn the drums and his willingness to try anything on the drums that I ask of him without hesitation. Matthew is 10 years old and started drum lessons with me at age 5 and has never had drum lessons before me. Matthew demonstrates reading and playing out of the “Drum Fill Workbook”. I’m super proud of his progress and his ability to read and play drum music as quickly as reading an English book. Matthew shows that he can read and play a variety of notes containing, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, syncopation and drum rolls moving back and fourth from the hi-hat to the snare drum. He is also able to stay in time/tempo, which is one of the most important rolls of a drummer.

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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Explore testimonials from both students and parents to gain insight into my teaching abilities.


Hello... my name is Janice Villanueva and I am a mom of 3 amazing boys. At a very young age, they were obsessed about DRUMS and wanted to take lessons. So I asked around and found Miss Karen who was a worship drummer from our previous church, IMPACT Community Church. She was definitely willing to teach my 5 and 6 year old sons and their best friend. This opened up great opportunities for Miss Karen as I am an owner to MILE Preschool (4 locations) in West Sacramento. Many other young drummers became interested and in the total of 5 years, she taught over 10 children from our preschool. She showed her passion with the community by expanding into our local after school program and taught drums to a few elementary school students. As my 3rd son became older, he began to take lessons so we had 3 drummers in my house! It was a momma's dream come true. In addition to teaching my boys, Miss Karen had a beautiful partnership with the children of MILE Preschool. Karen's deeply imprinted her love and talent for drums on the hearts of these drummers!!!

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Have Questions?


Get in Touch!

Feel free to reach out by phone or message, and I will respond as soon as I’m available.

Rancho Cordova
California
+1.209.418.7220
karen@churchdrummer.com

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