Phil G. TakeLessons Instructor Music, Drums, Piano Nashville, TN

I started playing piano in the first grade and then switched to drums in the 6th grade.  In high school, I played for my high school's competitive marching band, therefore I have a strong background in all the rudiments.  I went to college at the Berklee College of Music and studied everything from jazz drumming to classical composition to songwriting.  My favorite artists range from Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, Leonard Cohen, to Bach, Thelonious Monk, and Arvo Part.  I am very passionate about music and take a very personal interest in all my student's musical development.  I have a strong teaching background - teaching private drum students throughout high school and college.  I also worked for a children's music education company after college for a year and was the Music Specialist for a summer camp in Brooklyn, NY.  I currently teach for W.O. Smith School of Music in downtown Nashville. I continue to teach, perform, and write music everyday and enjoy the artform of music making more than ever.  

My approach to teaching has always been to make playing and practicing fun.  With any lesson, written material will be used - whether it be from a book or something I have written out specifically for you.  I also try to move students in the direction of learning music in an organic way, for example, being able to understand and play along with recordings.  I also tailor exercises towards particular weaknesses and have been known to make Garageband demos for specific students to practice along with.  My chief aim is to get you fall in love with music making.  

i can teach any style on the drums. I am extremely proficient in the fundamentals (rudiments etc.) from being in the drumline in high school. I can also teach beginner piano.

Dobyns-Bennett High School - - 97-01
Berklee College of Music - Composition - 01-06

Music, Drums, Piano