Drum Lessons
(face-to-face & online)
Are you interested in learning to play the drums or looking to level up your existing drumming skills?
With over 20 years of experience as a professional drummer and drum teacher, I offer personalized drum lessons to students of all levels. Whether you’re a hobbyist or an aspiring professional, I can help you unlock your potential in drumming and music and become a well-rounded and creative musician.
“The World of Music”
Jazz Drumming and more …
While my expertise lies in Jazz and all its forms, I have a deep love for all genres of music. In my classes, I cover a wide range of styles, including Jazz, Pop, Rock, Funk, Hip Hop, Brazilian and Latin music. I am an open-minded person and versatile player who is always eager to explore various musical forms and expressions with my students, depending on their interests and needs.
Technique & Fundamentals
Regardless of musical styles, I strongly emphasize the importance of mastering the fundamentals and building a strong base by enhancing overall musical and instrumental skills. This includes developing proper technique, drum rudiments, coordination, rhythm, musicality, reading music, creativity and improvisation, and achieving a remarkable tone on the instrument. Furthermore, I can provide guidance for auditions, including those for college programs, and help you excel in ensemble playing.
Languages
My lessons are available in English, German, and Japanese.
ドラムレッスンは、主に英語とドイツ語で教えていますが、日本語も多少話せます。私のレッスンに興味のある方は、お気軽にご連絡ください。
Location
My private drum lesson studio is located near Motosumiyoshi station (元住吉駅), making it easily accessible from Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kawasaki by train or car.
Price & Scheduling
A one-hour private drum lesson costs 8000 JPY, including the studio fee and all taxes.
I also teach 30- and 45-minute lessons, as well as longer sessions like 90- or 120 minutes.
Some students prefer occasional lessons, while others prefer to visit more frequently. I am flexible with scheduling and will be happy to work with you to meet your needs.
Have a question? I’m happy to help!
If you have any questions about my drum lessons, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m also available for direct communication through phone or video calls.
* if you don’t hear back from me within a few days, please check your email spam folder.
About Me
I am a professional drummer and music educator from Germany, living in Japan since 2009. I am a teacher at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music (jazz course / JAM), while also running my own drum lesson studio for private instruction.
My educational background includes studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. Throughout my career, I have performed in concerts, tours, and recording sessions across Europe, the USA, and Asia, in addition to making several TV appearances in Japan. Artists I have worked with include Makoto Ozone, Sadao Watanabe, Seiko Matsuda, Lisa Ono, Dan Nimmer, Tomonao Hara, Michel Reis, and Roman & Julian Wasserfuhr besides many others.
Online Drum Lessons
Besides teaching face-to-face, I teach many of my private drum lessons online using a new music education platform called “Forte Lessons”. Forte is very user-friendly and offers excellent video and audio features optimized for online music lessons. If you’d like to learn more about them, please visit their website at https://fortelessons.com
Online education has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason – it works great! Thanks to advancements in technology, I am able to offer the same quality drum lessons online as I would in-person. Students enjoy the convenience and flexibility that online lessons offer. They are time saving and safe, especially for children.
What the students say…
Yuki O.
“I highly recommend Dennis as a drumset private instructor, I’ve been taking drum lessons from him for about 3 years now and I’m very happy with the progress i’ve made with him! Currently preparing to study jazz performance at a college level and Dennis has really helped me with that.” (2023)
Chris M.
“I’ve been studying with Dennis both in person and online since 2019. He is patient but persistent, always pushing me forward while encouraging and guiding me in my efforts to be a better musician. He has also helped me work on any type of music I have wished to. Taking online lessons with Dennis on forte has been quite smooth; he understands and uses the technology effectively. I recommend Dennis without hesitation.” (2023)
Sebastian S.
“Our son started drums lessons with Dennis about 3 years ago, at the beginning face to face lessons and later due to pandemic situation online. So we know Dennis very well and we strongly recommend Dennis not only as a very good teacher, but also as a very nice person. Our son enjoys a lot the lessons and he plays with fun and confidence because Dennis finds a good balance between challenging drums theory, relaxed communication and playing together drums. Dennis writes personalized music notes for the level and music interests of our son. Even if we live know in Germany, Dennis is very flexible in providing us a proper and reliable lesson schedule: he never forgets appointments, he is always punctually and in a good mood! We are very grateful for his engagement in teaching our son in a high quality and fun drum experience!” (2023)
Gary L.
“Dennis has been giving my son online lessons in English for two years. He is a kind and patient teacher and is always creating new ways to keep the lessons interesting and fun for my son. The online technology works great and makes it possible for us to attend lessons remotely from our home in Tokyo. I highly recommend Dennis for drum lessons!” (2023)
