Beginner training plan
Your first lessonI typically say ‘show me what you got’ and let come what may. It’s a good way to gauge skill level, drive, intensity, focus, and adaptability all in one. From there, I ask questions and start developing a game plan. Depending on ability level, it can be anything from walking around the kit (à la a pilot walking around their plane prior to flight) to nailing down specific progress goals and anything in between. I have a full slate of songs from first timer to specialized songs for focused lessons.
Lesson 2-3Lesson 1 is more of a feel out and laying groundwork and here we start to build foundations and building blocks. Again, this is all skill level dependent. Building a song repertoire, identifying strengths and weaknesses, challenges in playing, short and long term goals and tailor making a suitable framework for each student. Homework will start to be assigned here.
Lesson 4-10This is where the real separation begins (no pun intended). We’ll start working on more mechanical things, perfecting the initial song assignments and making lesson changes based on progression.
Lesson 11+If you’ve reached this point, it’s clear you are driven and in it for the long haul. I usually see students wanting to fine tune pieces for school performances, kids in cover bands wanting to learn specific performance based songs, while more intermediate to advanced students want to do more advanced study on things like limb independence, jazz technique, metronome work and more.
