Matt has been teaching a principle-based approach to drumming since 2009 and has experience with students of all ages and skill levels.
The fundamental principle that Matt teaches is that rhythm is a language.
The language of rhythm is just like any other language; we can speak it, we can read it and we can write it. Matt’s approach to drumming combines all three of these elements to give students the tools they need to create their own authentic expression on the drums. All lessons are custom tailored to each students unique learning style and interests.
Matt has been teaching a principle-based approach to drumming since 2009 and has experience with students of all ages and skill levels.
The fundamental principle that Matt teaches is that rhythm is a language.
The language of rhythm is just like any other language; we can speak it, we can read it and we can write it. Matt’s approach to drumming combines all three of these elements to give students the tools they need to create their own authentic expression on the drums. All lessons are custom tailored to each students unique learning style and interests.
A Principle-Based Approach for Students of All Ages
Kids
Drumming is a great way to introduce young people to music. The inherent nature of rhythm makes it easy for beginning musicians to understand and mimic the patterns they hear and see. The instant response of sound and touch makes learning the basics of drumming very accessible for beginning musicians. Matt accepts private lesson students as young as 8.
A Principle-Based Approach for Students of All Ages
Kids
Drumming is a great way to introduce young people to music. The inherent nature of rhythm makes it easy for beginning musicians to understand and mimic the patterns they hear and see. The instant response of sound and touch makes learning the basics of drumming very accessible for beginning musicians. Matt accepts private lesson students as young as 8.
Teens
You can pick up the sticks and start making music at anytime. Teenagers benefit immensely from learning an instrument like the drum set. The mental and physical coordination helps with cognitive function, hand-eye coordination and connecting both hemispheres of the brain. Drumming is a skill that takes practice, concentration and disciple in order to make progress. Teens get great value out of learning a skill set that requires this type of dedication in order to see progress. The social benefits of drumming and music are also undeniable. Music is best shared and drumming leads to opportunities to play with other people and create a shared experience.
Teens
You can pick up the sticks and start making music at anytime. Teenagers benefit immensely from learning an instrument like the drum set. The mental and physical coordination helps with cognitive function, hand-eye coordination and connecting both hemispheres of the brain. Drumming is a skill that takes practice, concentration and disciple in order to make progress. Teens get great value out of learning a skill set that requires this type of dedication in order to see progress. The social benefits of drumming and music are also undeniable. Music is best shared and drumming leads to opportunities to play with other people and create a shared experience.
Adults
Adults benefit immensely from drumming. Wether you are a long time drummer seeking to hone your skills, or you just need a new hobby, drumming can have profound effects on your health and well being. No matter your age drumming can be a great way to release the stresses of the day.
Adults
Adults benefit immensely from drumming. Wether you are a long time drummer seeking to hone your skills, or you just need a new hobby, drumming can have profound effects on your health and well being. No matter your age drumming can be a great way to release the stresses of the day.
"...Matt brings an energy to his instruction which is exciting and motivating, and he gives generously from his technical expertise and his broad musical knowledge...Although Matt emphasizes success through practice, he balances this with a personal interaction which is light and fun..."
Kristan NasalParent of student“Eight years ago, Matt became our son’s drum set instructor. It was the best decision! Matt is personable and always made the lessons fun. He is reliable and has a real passion for drumming and music, which had a huge impact on our son over the years. He became the drummer he is because of Matt’s guidance!..."
Mike & Kristen GossParents of student"...Matt caught my attention the most because he specialized in drum set playing specifically. Since starting my lessons with him, Matt has been an awesome teacher and friend. He’s so skilled in what he does. He is professional, but makes everything fun!... I am positive I would never be where I am today as a drummer without Matt’s diverse teachings of drum set playing.”
Dylan GossFormer Student"Matt gave our son private lessons and also taught him in a school music program. He's a great teacher and motivator. He knows how to communicate with young players, mixing a sense of fun with just the right amount of rigor. Highly recommended!"
Scott SmithParent of student
"...Matt brings an energy to his instruction which is exciting and motivating, and he gives generously from his technical expertise and his broad musical knowledge...Although Matt emphasizes success through practice, he balances this with a personal interaction which is light and fun..."
Kristan NasalParent of student“Eight years ago, Matt became our son’s drum set instructor. It was the best decision! Matt is personable and always made the lessons fun. He is reliable and has a real passion for drumming and music, which had a huge impact on our son over the years. He became the drummer he is because of Matt’s guidance!..."
Mike & Kristen GossParents of student"...Matt caught my attention the most because he specialized in drum set playing specifically. Since starting my lessons with him, Matt has been an awesome teacher and friend. He’s so skilled in what he does. He is professional, but makes everything fun!... I am positive I would never be where I am today as a drummer without Matt’s diverse teachings of drum set playing.”
Dylan GossFormer Student"Matt gave our son private lessons and also taught him in a school music program. He's a great teacher and motivator. He knows how to communicate with young players, mixing a sense of fun with just the right amount of rigor. Highly recommended!"
Scott SmithParent of student
Matt’s Core Principles
Rhythm is a Language
Regardless of age, ability level or stylistic interests viewing rhythm as a language is the core principle that transcends everything else.
Rhythm is a language, just like any other, that can be spoken (played), written, read and ultimately understood and communicated.
Playing
It is important to gain the proper skills needed in your body in order to play the grooves and ideas that you want. Matt will help you with hand & foot technique, posture, breathing, stretching, ergonomic drum set up and other skills regarding the physical action of playing drums.
Reading
The mental understanding of how patterns and rhythms work against a measured pulse is essential. You will learn the vocabulary of rhythm by using “letters”, “words” and “phrases” and how they apply to the drum set. This skill set will help you more effectively discover your own voice and style on the drums. Reading music opens you up to a whole world of drumming and music. When you can read music for the drum set it makes it possible to play things other musicians have written and played.
Writing
Matt works with students to help them understand how to hear patterns and begin to transcribe what they hear. Transcribing what other drummers have played is like looking into the creative minds of all the great drummers that have come before us. When you are able to write down your own ideas it gives you the chance to edit them on paper. You can begin to challenge yourself by changing the patterns into things you have never played before.
The Golden Rules To Success
In Matt’s early years of teaching he began to notice that no matter what a student was working on, no matter their age, no matter their skill level, that the same three pieces of advice would continue coming up over and over again. It seemed like no matter the situation the answer always had its roots in one (or a combination) of the following:
Start Slow | Count Out Loud | Keep It Steady
Matt would say these three things so much that they eventually became known as the golden rules to success. Now it is at the core of Matt’s philosophy on drumming.
Start Slow
“I Am The Turtle”
Accuracy is more important than speed. When you start slow it gives your brain and body time to learn and integrate new things the proper way. Muscle memory takes time to develop and starting slow is the best way to ensure correct rhythms, techniques, reading and flow.
Count Out Loud
“When I Say It, I Play It”
Counting out loud gives you an audible grid that you can align all your notes with. This ensures that you are playing things when you think you are playing them instead of guessing at where they are supposed to go.
Keep It Steady
“Messing Up Without Messing Up
As a drummer our primary goal is to groove and keep the pulse moving forward at all times. This means that we do our best to keep playing even when things get a little dicey. Mastering the art of “playing through” your mistakes is one of the most important and subtle skills a drummer has.
Mind & Body Connection Through Breath
The ancient ying/yang symbol perfectly captures the balance between mind and body that we strive for as drummers. You need a bit of each and can’t have one without the other. Conscious awareness of breathing is the number one practice that will help you connect these two elements.
There are times for playing and there are times for practice.
Ideally the things we practice will eventually become part of our drumming vocabulary and flow out of us when we are communicating on our instruments. To get to this point we must allow the concept to pass from the mind to the body through a relaxed and intentional practice.
Mind
Logic, Practice, Counting, Reading, Concepts
The mind is necessary in understanding the things we play on the drum set. We can conceptualize new patterns, read and write new ideas, count and figure them out logically. But these concepts must be passed on to the body in order to be outwardly expressed on the drum set.
Breath
Breathing is the link that connects the mind and body and anchors us in the moment. Incorporating conscious breathing into your drumming will help promote relaxation, focus and clarity during both practice and performance.
Body
Feel, Play, Groove, Flow, Execution
Being able to feel the music and groove in the moment is vital for every drummer. When we are truly in the moment the mind lets go and our body flows through all the patterns we have taught it. However if we are all body and no mind we won’t have an understanding of what we are playing. This can be limiting to our creativity and inspiration on the drums. Being able to turn ideas over to the mind allows for endless expression.
Matt’s Core Principles
Rhythm is a Language
Regardless of age, ability level or stylistic interests viewing rhythm as a language is the core principle that transcends everything else.
Rhythm is a language, just like any other, that can be spoken (played), written, read and ultimately understood and communicated.
Playing
It is important to gain the proper skills needed in your body in order to play the grooves and ideas that you want. Matt will help you with hand & foot technique, posture, breathing, stretching, ergonomic drum set up and other skills regarding the physical action of playing drums.
Reading
The mental understanding of how patterns and rhythms work against a measured pulse is essential. You will learn the vocabulary of rhythm by using “letters”, “words” and “phrases” and how they apply to the drum set. This skill set will help you more effectively discover your own voice and style on the drums. Reading music opens you up to a whole world of drumming and music. When you can read music for the drum set it makes it possible to play things other musicians have written and played.
Writing
Matt works with students to help them understand how to hear patterns and begin to transcribe what they hear. Transcribing what other drummers have played is like looking into the creative minds of all the great drummers that have come before us. When you are able to write down your own ideas it gives you the chance to edit them on paper. You can begin to challenge yourself by changing the patterns into things you have never played before.
The Golden Rules To Success
In Matt’s early years of teaching he began to notice that no matter what a student was working on, no matter their age, no matter their skill level, that the same three pieces of advice would continue coming up over and over again. It seemed like no matter the situation the answer always had its roots in one (or a combination) of the following:
Start Slow
Count Out Loud
Keep It Steady
Matt would say these three things so much that they eventually became known as the golden rules to success. Now it is at the core of Matt’s philosophy on drumming.
Start Slow
“I Am The Turtle”
Accuracy is more important than speed. When you start slow it gives your brain and body time to learn and integrate new things the proper way. Muscle memory takes time to develop and starting slow is the best way to ensure correct rhythms, techniques, reading and flow.
Count Out Loud
“When I Say It, I Play It”
Counting out loud gives you an audible grid that you can align all your notes with. This ensures that you are playing things when you think you are playing them instead of guessing at where they are supposed to go.
Keep It Steady
“Messing Up Without Messing Up
As a drummer our primary goal is to groove and keep the pulse moving forward at all times. This means that we do our best to keep playing even when things get a little dicey. Mastering the art of “playing through” your mistakes is one of the most important and subtle skills a drummer has.
Mind & Body Connection Through Breath
The ancient ying/yang symbol perfectly captures the balance between mind and body that we strive for as drummers. You need a bit of each and can’t have one without the other. Conscious awareness of breathing is the number one practice that will help you connect these two elements.
There are times for playing and there are times for practice.
Ideally the things we practice will eventually become part of our drumming vocabulary and flow out of us when we are communicating on our instruments. To get to this point we must allow the concept to pass from the mind to the body through a relaxed and intentional practice.
Mind
Logic, Practice, Counting, Reading, Concepts
The mind is necessary in understanding the things we play on the drum set. We can conceptualize new patterns, read and write new ideas, count and figure them out logically. But these concepts must be passed on to the body in order to be outwardly expressed on the drum set.
Breath
Breathing is the link that connects the mind and body and anchors us in the moment. Incorporating conscious breathing into your drumming will help promote relaxation, focus and clarity during both practice and performance.
Body
Feel, Play, Groove, Flow, Execution
Being able to feel the music and groove in the moment is vital for every drummer. When we are truly in the moment the mind lets go and our body flows through all the patterns we have taught it. However if we are all body and no mind we won’t have an understanding of what we are playing. This can be limiting to our creativity and inspiration on the drums. Being able to turn ideas over to the mind allows for endless expression.
Sample Drum Lessons
Led Zeppelin "Black Dog"
Rush "Tom Sawyer"
Tool "Pneuma"
S.O.A.D. "Toxicity"
Imagine Dragons "Believer"
Vulfpeck "It Gets Funkier IV"
What You Get
Personalized one-on-one lessons with Matt
Over 15 years of drum set teaching experience
1000’s of students taught
Customized curriculum based on interests and skill level
Flexible lesson options
Online lesson resources
Written exercises, patterns, grooves, songs and more
Easy payment options
Location
Matt Teaches all his lessons at Sunburst School of Music in Pittsburgh, PA. All payments and scheduling are done through Sunburst School of Music’s Website.
Are you ready to take your self expression, creativity and enjoyment of drumming to the next level?
Click the link below to register now!
Background Check & Clearances
Matt has all required clearances to teach professionally in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Clearance
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check
- Mandated Reporter Training