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Introduction to Drumming
October 3 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am Central
This four-week class meets on Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, and 24.
This high-energy, hands-on course is designed specifically for absolute beginners who want to build a musical foundation from the ground up. Over the course of four weeks, we will transition from the very basics of holding the sticks to playing full grooves that form the backbone of modern music.
We’ll start by learning the essential mechanics of the drum set, including proper posture, grip styles, and how to coordinate your hands and feet without feeling like a tangled mess. You’ll learn the foundational rock rhythm used in thousands of hit songs—to ensure you are making music from day one.
As the course progresses, we move beyond simple beats to explore rhythmic literacy and limb independence. You’ll be introduced to basic drum notation, allowing you to read rhythms and learn new songs independently. We also dive into the world of fills and rudiments, teaching you how to move across the tom-toms and cymbals with confidence and flair. By the final session, the goal is for every participant to be able to keep solid time while playing along to a full track.
Everything you need for the class is provided, so you don’t need to own a drum set to get started. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes to help with pedal control. Whether you’re looking for a new creative outlet or just want to understand the “heartbeat” of your favorite band, this course offers a supportive environment to find your rhythm.
About the Instructors
Dave Taub began playing drums at age 10 and went on to study music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. His mentors included Vic Firth, Michael Shrieve (of Santana), Gary Chafee, Alan Dawson and Charles Perry. In 1980, Dave returned to New York to play with John Lennon’s band. After John’s untimely death later that year, Dave stayed in New York to become a session drummer and sideman. Dave has worked with, or performed with, greats including Chaka Khan, Little Feat, Mountain, Leon Russell, James Brown, The Outlaws, Paul Butterfield, Bonnie Raitt, Levon Helm, Charlie Daniels, Waylon Jennings, Steve Young, James Montgomery Blues Band, Sad Cafe, Papa John Creach, Nik Kershaw, Kenny White, The Talking Heads and others. Dave is a founding member of The Power Section.
Jason “Shakes” West has been playing drums for over 25 years. He started playing at 11 years old. He’s played with Sebastian Bach, Murder Dolls, Wednesday 13 and more. He currently plays with Evil United, Athanasia, Union Underground, Down Generation and Thunderhorse. Jason has been a touring drummer for the last 15 years and toured both the United States and overseas.
Joseph Briones hails from San Benito, Texas, and has over 30 years of experience as a drummer. Joseph began playing drums at 8 as a self-taught player learning by ear. He later joined a middle school band and studied percussion techniques through high school and beyond. Joseph is the founding member and songwriter of San Antonio’s punk and thrash band Violent Practice, and the indie and alternative rock band RMRS. He has also toured in several music festivals and national and regional music tours as a drummer, most notably, the Vans Warped Tour.
