In addition to teaching at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music (Jazz Course/JAM), I also offer private lessons and welcome students of all levels and backgrounds to swing the sticks with me. No matter where you live! Complete beginners included! 

To get the most out of our lessons, I offer three ways we can work together. Each one works great on its own, but they are especially effective when combined. 

• Asynchronous Coaching
  The most flexible and cost-effective option to study with me. Work entirely on your own schedule and  get the same personalized attention as live lessons, just not in real time. Perfect for anyone seeking ongoing professional guidance when they need it, without the commitment of scheduled lessons. (more details below)
   

• In-Person Drum Lessons
  Held at my private studio in Kawasaki (Japan), near Motosumiyoshi and Hiyoshi Stations. Easily accessible from Tokyo and Yokohama by train or car.
  
  

• Online Drum Lessons
  Live one-on-one lessons via video call using a dedicated music lesson platform. Works great for drums and is super-convenient. Perfect for busy schedules, when the weather's bad, or you simply live too far away. 

My Teaching Approach

I have been teaching drums and music-making for more than 25 years, and my aim has always been to help each student learn and grow in an effective, motivating, and fun way. Being both a dedicated educator and professional performer, I can help you develop practical skills and avoid the common mistakes I see holding many drummers back.  All lessons are tailored to your individual interests and needs, and I make sure that you progress at a pace that challenges you while keeping the process enjoyable and rewarding.

My teaching style balances guidance with discovery. I'll teach and demonstrate when necessary, but I also make you think and discover things for yourself whenever possible. I encourage you to be curious, ask questions freely, and be "naughty." Staying hungry and curious is the best way to learn! This approach helps you become an independent, creative musician. 

Good Music is Good Music!

My passion is jazz in all its facets, but I’m a versatile and open-minded musician, comfortable playing in many musical styles. I just love great music, in all its forms. I’m happy to work with you on whatever you’re interested in and curious to explore—whether it’s rock, pop, funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, Latin, classical music or something else. 

Building a Solid Foundation

I'm happy to work with you on anything you're interested in, but I also place great importance on teaching the fundamentals of drumming and music. When your technique and coordination are solid and you understand how to get good tone from the drums and cymbals, your playing becomes clearer, more musical, and more professional. You'll be able to express yourself with nuance and dynamics, giving you a wider palette of colors and textures in any style. When you can read and write music, whole worlds of drumming open up beyond what you've memorized...

I'll help you build a strong foundation in all the important areas—grooves and styles, proper technique, rhythm and coordination, improvisation, reading and listening skills, and more—integrated naturally into our lessons. This isn't about perfection or playing super fast. It's about giving you the tools to be creative and express yourself fully and confidently in any musical situation. Speed and stamina will come as natural by-products.

Pricing

Live Lessons (In-Person & Online)
¥8,800 per 60-minute lesson (tax included).
Longer and shorter sessions are available, ask me for details.

Lesson frequency is up to you. One-time and sporadic lessons welcome.

Asynchronous Coaching
¥9,900/month (tax included).

Combination Discount
Save when you combine coaching with live lessons.

Get in touch!

If you would like to learn more, or want to book a lesson, feel free to reach out. We can set up a short, free video call to talk directly and see how my lessons or coaching might fit your situation. 

There's no pressure or commitment. It’s simply a chance to ask questions, get to know each other, and get a clear picture of how I work. After that, you can decide whether you’d like to start lessons. 

frehsedrums@gmail.com

What is asynchronous drum coaching?

While I’ve always enjoyed working with my students in regular in-person lessons (and still do), one thing always bothered me over the years: the gaps between sessions with no check-ins or feedback.

Students would go home and practice on their own, but they often forgot important details, lost track, or practiced things incorrectly until the next lesson, which could be weeks away. Questions and challenges would come up during practice, but without the chance to ask, they often went unanswered or were forgotten. This slowed down the learning process and I wanted to find a better way to support my students.

So I tried something new. I gave them a way to stay in touch between lessons, where they could ask questions, share practice videos, and get my feedback anytime. Constant support, whenever they needed it instead of having to wait until the next lesson. What I found was that the students improved faster, were more motivated, and felt much better supported.

This is how it works

The idea behind it is simple and straightforward:

• You send me your questions or videos of your practice or performance—anytime.
  
  

• I review them and respond with personalized feedback and guidance. It's the same instruction as in my regular drum lessons, but via video or text.
  
  

• You apply the feedback in your practice, then send updates and new questions as you go.
  
  

• Check in with me regularly for support, motivation, or fresh ideas—whatever you need.
  
  

• Revisit my feedback anytime, slow down video demos, review comments, and learn comfortably at your own pace.
  
  

• Enjoy the freedom to learn when, where, and how it works best for you.
  
  

Some students use only the asynchronous format and are very happy with it. Others combine it with live lessons to get the best of both worlds. Both approaches work well, and we’ll find what suits you best.

About Me

I am a professional drummer, music educator, and dad of two from Germany, living in Japan since 2009.

I teach at the renowned Senzoku Gakuen College of Music (Jazz Course) and run my own drum studio in Kawasaki, Japan. From my studio, I offer both on-location instruction and internet based guidance, including asynchronous coaching and live online lessons. 

With over 25 years of teaching experience, I've taught at various music schools and privately. I've also led workshops and ensemble classes on jazz and improvisation at middle and high schools in both Germany and Japan. 

I studied music at Berklee College of Music in Boston (Class of 2004), and since then, I’ve performed across Europe, the USA, and Asia — from small jazz clubs to concert halls, arenas, and recording studios. I’ve also appeared on TV shows and commercials, including a feature on NHK’s 旅するためのドイツ語 (German for Travelers).

Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of artists, including Makoto Ozone, Sadao Watanabe, Seiko Matsuda, Lisa Ono, Akiko, Dan Nimmer, Yu Shirota, Sarah McKenzie, Tomonao Hara, Kengo Nakamura, Takana Miyamoto, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Jun Abe, Michel Reis, Martin Sasse, and Roman & Julian Wasserfuhr, among many others.

I proudly play and endorse Canopus drums and Zildjian cymbals.  

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.”

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.”

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!”

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!”