San Francisco Drum Lessons - Learn Tension Free Drumming

About

David Dieni's SF Drum School

Unlock Your Potential, Accelerate Your Playing with
the Power, Speed and Control of Natural Drumming!

Are you an experienced drummer hitting the wall?
Enduring discomfort or pain because of bad habits?
Maybe your child is a budding drummer- with pots and pans!
Or you've long nurtured a dream. . .

Whatever your experience or situation, I can help!

At SF Drum School I teach students of all ages and backgrounds: children to adults, beginners to advanced.
I have twenty-five years professional experience encompassing rock, classical, theater, jazz and everything in-between.
I've coached percussion at St. Ignatius Preparatory and the San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA). I'm endorsed by Vic Firth and Sabian.

Teaching for me is sharing my love of drums with my students. With that in mind, I strive to make learning fun
and full of the excitement of discovery! I encourage questions and making mistakes as you learn. Why?
Because playing an instrument is one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have!

Whatever your interest-

Drum Set, Marimba, Snare Drum, Timpani or all the Classical Percussion,
I offer lessons tailored to you or your child's specific needs.

My Education:

San Francisco Conservatory, Masters in Percussion
Oberlin Conservatory, Bachelor of Music

Teachers:

Dom Famularo, master drummer and expert of the Stone-Moeller-Gladstone systems of drumming.
Jack Van Geem, principal percussionist with the San Francisco Symphony and marimba soloist.
Fred Hinger, timpanist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Alan Dawson, master jazz drummer

My performance experience is diverse and includes:

Berkeley Repertory Theatre, California Cabaret, Marin Theatre Company, CTA Crossroads Theatre,
Skywalker Sound (studio work), City College of San Francisco (theater department)
Sacramento Philharmonic, Stockton Symphony
California Pops Orchestra, Mendocino Music Festival,
Berkshire Choral Festival, Pavarotti World Tour Orchestra,
Golden Gate Park Band, Springfield Symphony (MA)
Recorded on the Koch International label.

The drums are an instrument independent of style- there's a foundational technique regardless of the music you play.
This technique is best exemplified by the Stone-Moeller system, a tension free way to play based on natural motions.
The result? Speed, power, control and a lifetime of drumming enjoyment!

Some of the things we'll cover:

Developing a loose grip and stable fulcrum
Using natural stick rebound to achieve effortless playing
Understanding the five hinges of drumming and how to use them
Freestroke Technique- the secret to relaxed control and speed
Moeller Technique- the key to power and blazing speed
Open hand playing- greater freedom with no more crossed arms
Coordinating the limbs into a relaxed, balanced whole
Reading music without sacrificing a relaxed approach to playing
Developing good time
Learning songs from your favorite bands
Balancing everything in a seamless whole whether it's a drum set groove or Bach on marimba.

You need only a pair of sticks and a practice pad to get started.
Once you own the fundamentals, you'll have the ability to venture in any musical style you desire!

I offer reasonable rates for 60, 45 or 30 minute lessons.
And did I say I do my best to make it all fun?


David Dieni