FAQ ABOUT LESSONS
How do I register for lessons?
Lesson Registration happens year round when space is available. You can register on the Lesson Registration page, or Download the Registration Form PDF HERE which will need to be filled in, scanned, and emailed back.
How much are lessons?
Lessons are $35/half hour and $52/45 minutes, and $70/hour.
Group Lesson Fees will be in the course description when they are offered.
What is a lesson block?
Lesson blocks are pre-paid lessons. They are required to reserve a regular/weekly space. You may purchase 2, 4 or 8 lesson blocks. If you want to take occasional lessons, you may pay at the time of your lesson by cash or e-transfer. International students may use Paypal (5% service charges apply). For group lessons, full payment is due at registration.
Where are you located?
My studio is located in Calgary, Alberta, in the community of Deer Run, SE.
Zoom lessons are available internationally.
Why are Virtual/Zoom lessons the same price as in person?
Lessons, whether in person or on Zoom, are individually curated for each student or group. When you are paying for a lesson, you’re paying for my time. Virtual lessons take MORE preparation than in person lessons for both the teacher and the student. This takes dedication on both sides to be prepared (having technology up and running, scanned music, recorded music ready to play etc.). It is important to note that both in person and online lessons have value, and are different! You can definitely learn a lot and get a lot of guidance virtually. Posture analysis, technique issues, timing, development of skills are all possible online!
What Payment types do you accept?
E-Transfer, PayPal (5% service charges apply), cash and cheques (for in person lessons only) are accepted.
What equipment do I need to start lessons?
Depending on what type of lessons you are taking, you will need a minimum of drum sticks and a practice pad, as well as a binder for your lesson notes. Drum sets are available to rent if you're not ready to commit to buying one.
What do I need to bring to in-person drum set lessons?
Drum sticks, a binder with lined paper for taking notes, a pencil, drumming books you are studying from, indoor drumming shoes (runners, or any shoe with a rubber sole that will absorb impact in the heel), a list of questions you may have, and a good attitude! When you are committed to learning, you will want to invest in some good educational books.
Drum set students use Linear Drumming by Mike Johnston, Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone, Groove Essentials 1.0 or 2.0 by Tommy Igoe. Celene also has her own original PDF exercises for students and may customize exercises just for you!
What do I need for Virtual and group lessons?
You will need your practice pad and sticks, or drum set (depending on your course), a laptop or tablet to run Zoom.us, and a set of headphones to plug into the laptop or tablet to best hear and be heard. It is highly recommended to have a speaker to connect your metronome and music to, which will allow us to use play along songs, and to work together with your timing. The speaker will need to be loud enough to hear while playing, and for me to hear out loud as you play. We can work together to find the right balance.
Zoom is my preferred program/app to use for virtual lessons. You will need to set up your FREE Zoom account at Zoom.us . You will need to adjust your audio settings to TURN ON "original sound" in order to be heard. You may also need to turn "Noise suppression" to the "LOW" or “OFF” setting. Without these steps, I will be able to see you, but not hear you when you are playing. Depending on your device, you may need an external microphone. Please google your device and “zoom audio settings 2024” for the most accurate information. Please do so before your lesson time.
How do I play along to music for virtual lessons?
The BEST Set up is an external stereo speaker of some sort to play your music and metronome through so it can be heard. Some students have a small amplifier with their electronic kit, this works with an AUX-in cord (usually a 1/8”) which plugs in their device to the brain, some have a Bose 360 speaker, some have an old stereo they are able to use Aux-in to play music and the metronome through. Without this, I will not be able to hear you play along to music or your metronome. You might be able to hook up your music through your mobile device and play along to it while screen sharing, but this is NOT always successful. Outside speaker is best.
How can you know if your sound is working properly?
On your own time before your lesson, open Zoom and go to “record on this device”. Play your music device and play simultaneously while recording yourself. You will be able to save your recording and see how well sound is working for your lesson. This is also a good way to check out how you are playing. Use this tool for your own growth!
I highly recommend using a laptop for Zoom lessons vs a phone as it will give you a bigger view for seeing techniques and of the sheet music I may share on screen share. Sometimes the zoom app available for iPads and tablets does not allow for all the features.
What ages do you teach?
Nobody is too old to learn how to play!
And how young is too young? It depends on the interest level. Any child who is really keen to learn and has a decent attention span will succeed in lessons. If you're not sure, we can set up a phone interview to assess the situation. Most children have a decent attention span starting at 8 years of age, but even younger children can get something out of learning drums. Lessons for younger children will be generalized music and rhythm, rather than specific to only drums. We need to foster a love of music!
Which type of drum set is better? Acoustic or Electronic?
Acoustic drum sets have many advantages over an electronic drum set, including longevity. However, some home situations will require or desire a quieter option which electronic drum sets offer.
Always get the best quality you can afford, sticking to known brand names. Remember that each brand will have an entry level, intermediate, and professional level kit. The price tag usually reflects this.
For a more detailed answer, read my Blog Post about it here
When will I see improvement?
There are many factors to your progress in your practice. First factor is your time. You will get out of lessons what you put in. Each lesson is an individual plan to improve. Practicing is like a piggy bank. As you practice skills, you put those skills into your muscle memory to draw from later. Consistent practice daily for 20 minutes will show more drastic results than big bursts of practice time less often. Your progress is up to you!
What books do I need?
This will depend on your level, what you already have in your lesson library, and what you are currently working on. Check with Celene which books best suit your lesson needs.
The books used most in drum set lessons are:
Stick Control by George Stone
Linear Drumming by Mike Johnston
Groove Essentials 1.0 for beginners and Groove Essentials 1.0 and 2.0 by Tommy Igoe for intermediate/advanced students
Other books that we may use:
- Realistic Rock by Carmine Appice (for beginners)
- Syncopation by Ted Reed
You will not need ALL the books when you first begin, however these are good books for your drumming library!
If your question has not been answered, reach out to Celene by Clicking Here