KIM DERR- ADULT STUDENT, DRUMS 

How does Dave’s Non Traditional style of teaching compare to
Traditional Music Lessons?
"Dave's teaching style is much better than traditional teaching. I have
taken traditional music lessons where I learned to read music and played
along to sheet music. I came to Dave because I felt like I was playing
notes in a void. After one lesson with Dave I realized that I had been
playing in a void! Music is not about sitting and playing note after
note with a metronome beating behind you and being scolded for being too
quick on the quarter note when it just FELT right to slip it in just a
little faster. Music is about feeling and hearing and that is what Dave
teaches. It is why people respond so deeply to music, because we hear
it and we feel it. To me, traditional learning compared to Dave's style
is like comparing paint-by-numbers to Picasso. As a side note, I have a
friend who auditioned for Julliard. After she played a few bars of
music they asked her to put it aside and the professor sat at the piano
and played a composition then asked her to repeat it by ear. That got
her admitted to the best music school in the US - she was able to play
it by ear....."

Would you suggest these lessons to others?
"Yes! It is a great experience for both kids and adults. I think
anyone at any age and experience level would gain from Dave's lessons.
It is the total experience, lights, stage, recording equipment and a set
of drums anyone into drumming would love to play! Not only do you learn
- but you feel like you are a rock star!"

What sets Dave Miller apart from other music teachers?
"Dave has the ability to take his love of music and share his passion
for music as a musician and a teacher. He presents the full experience.
He also has a great understanding of how to teach, when things become
frustrating - he doesn't push so hard that it becomes a bad experience.
He keeps it interesting, never a repeat of the same lessons over and
over. He makes lessons fun, I think that is the biggest difference
between Dave and other teachers. With it being fun - you naturally
learn more because you come away from the lesson feeling positive and
wanting to practice what you learned. With my "other" music teacher, I
used to often come away feeling upset because I wasn't getting the
notes right or because my timing was off a bit. Dave will find a way to
turn those beginner mistakes into a opportunity to get it right by
playing it a different way, breaking it down to the basics or
demonstrating how to do it correctly."

What do you like most about lessons?
"I like the fact that I look forward to them so much and that I come
away from each one feeling good about what I have learned. Dave always
gives 100% at every lesson, never watches the clock or seems distracted.
He is always fully involved, playing along with you, watching you
etc... He also takes the time to know you as a person - which makes his
teaching better as he learns how to best communicate with you and teach
you music. I also like that he plays the guitar while I am drumming, I
have the opportunity to learn how to play with another musician."


What’s your opinion of the atmosphere of the studio?
"I love the space! I like the stage and lights and the ambiance of
being in a space created to make music. Some of the other lesson spaces
I learned in were awful - learning in the back of a crammed music store
where everyone who came in could watch my lesson (very uncomfortable!)
and sitting in a giant room with nothing but a few stools and a drum
set. Dave's space is a good space to become comfortable in, it prepares
you to be on a stage playing music with lights and such."



Do you feel you’ve improved as a musician?
"Yes. I have learned more from Dave in a few months than I had learned
in nearly a year of other music lessons. I find that I am not only
playing better but understanding music better. I've become a better
listener and am enjoying music more both as a musician and a listener.
I like that he is teaching me to be a musician not to just to play the
drums."


How would you rate the equipment?
"GREAT. I don't think I would ever had the opportunity to play on the
amazing Roland drum set he has with the great mixers and sound equipment
and synchronized lighting. I'm still amazed that he lets his students
play on his own equipment..... In my prior lessons, I played the old
beat up drum set and the teacher played the Pearl set. I used to sit
there and wonder how I would sound playing on his set. Dave shares!
"
Is there a difference between taking lessons from a performing musician
vs a hobbyist?
"Absolutely - from Dave you can learn the entire experience of
performing music with his studio set-up as well as the business of
music. As a professional who has helped people set up businesses and
market them, I am very impressed with the level of professionalism Dave
has brought to his music business. Anyone interested in becoming a
musician can learn a great deal from Dave. He is a wealth of knowledge
on everything from how to perform on stage to recording a CD."



What did you find most interesting during your lessons?
"Probably everything! From the minute I walked in the door of Dave's
studio I was very excited to begin learning from him. As a slightly
non-traditional drum student (almost middle aged woman) I felt like a
kid again - I couldn't wait to get up on that stage and play. I feel
that way every time I go for a lesson. I have also gained a great deal
of respect and admiration for Dave as a person and a teacher. He has
amazing talent, I consider myself very fortunate to have him teaching
me. Every lesson is different, Dave also keeps it interesting."

Chris and Meredith Coppola, Parents (2 boys, drums and guitar, ages 6 and 11)

How does the Non Traditional style of teaching compare to Traditional Music Lessons?

 "Non traditional seems to encourage playing by feel and ear, whereas traditional focuses on notes and chords. I think it is a great idea to let the student pick songs from performing artists that they like."

Would you suggest these lessons to others?

 "Yes, definitely: especially a student who wants to perform modern/rock/blues."

What sets Dave Miller apart from other music teachers?

 "The method of teaching. Very laid back, relaxed. He understands children and doesn’t demand unreasonable practice schedules. He gears the lessons towards the student’s own individual goals."

Have you seen improvement in your child’s playing since he/she started taking lessons w/Dave?

 "Yes, definitely. In a short period of time, went from unfamiliar with the instrument to consistent basic skilz."

How would you rate the equipment?

 "Excellent! I think the live working stage is an incredible motivator, and the professional recording equipment adds a valuable facet to the learning environment."

How would you rate the affordability of the lessons?

 "Fine: Excellent value for quality. We found that with the lessons being non-traditional / less structured, one of the things that was helpful in getting them to practice was knowing what the children were responsible for working in between lessons. In some lessons, there were many new concepts introduced, and it was hard for our child to retain them all for the next lesson. We always felt welcome in the studio as parents and enjoyed being incorporated into the lessons. This made us much more capable of helping with practice. Getting to have a beer with Dave and getting to jam on harmonica was sweet icing on the cake!"

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