In addition to teaching at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music (Jazz Course/JAM), I offer private drum lessons and coaching for students of all levels and backgrounds. Whether you've never held drumsticks before or you're already playing gigs, I welcome everyone to swing the sticks with me!

To fit different schedules, learning styles, and locations, there are three flexible ways we can work together. Each one works well on its own, but they are especially effective when combined. 

• Asynchronous Coaching
  The most flexible and cost-effective option. Send me questions and videos of your playing anytime and get detailed feedback, practice guidance, and materials quickly—just like a live lesson, but on your own schedule.

Ideal for dedicated self-learners and anyone who wants ongoing professional support without having to wait until the next scheduled lesson. Works from anywhere in the world, whether you're at home or traveling. 
 

• 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. Perfect for busy people, when there's no time to travel, the weather's bad, or you simply live too far away. 

My Teaching Approach

I have been teaching drums and performance skills for more than 25 years, and my aim has always been to help each student to learn and grow in an effective, motivating and fun way. As both an educator and an active professional performer, I bring plenty of experience and insights to help you reach your musical goals. I tailor each lesson to your individual interests and needs, and make sure that you progress at a pace that challenges you while keeping the process enjoyable and rewarding. 

Musical Styles

My passion is jazz in all its facets, but I’m a versatile and open-minded musician, comfortable playing in many musical styles. I simply 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 any musical style you're interested in, but I also place great importance on teaching the fundamentals of drumming and music. When your technique is 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, coordination, improvisation, reading music, 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 a natural by-product.

Get in touch!

If you’re interested in studying with me or would like to learn more, feel free to reach out. We can set up a short, free video call to talk about your background, goals, and 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. 

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!”