The Business of People Making & Music Education

Hi Folks- I thought I'd send out a message regarding some of my philosophies on Music Education as it relates to the Seattle Drum School. How many of you parents took lessons as a kid and hated your piano teacher or had a terrible experience in middle school band? I hear that story all the time! Music Education has changed a lot in the last twenty years. I often tell parents: "I am not trying to make your kid into Miles Davis." Our goal here at the Drum School is to give kids (and adults) a positive experience in music. Period. There are many benefits to working with a private teacher like learning how to practice effectively, understanding abstract musical concepts, and the social interaction with adults. I often tell my students "The best thing I can teach you today is how to teach yourself." This applies to much more than teaching yourself how to play saxophone or guitar. These are life skills that apply to anything that you want to be good at. I like to think of this place as not just a music school, but as a business of people making- and I just love it. That said we can, and do turn out some amazing musicians. In fact I have five (yes five) students who are attending Berklee College of Music this fall. I'll save that story for another blog post. In the meantime I hope to see you here for a music lesson or at a show in the Slab.  Send me your comments or questions.

Very best regards,

Marc Fendel, Seattle Drum School Georgetown