Private Lessons

Areas of Study

In concert percussion I am able to teach all aspects of band or orchestral percussion, including snare drum, mallet percussion, timpani, and auxiliary instruments, from beginning to high school levels.  I teach beginning and intermediate drum set, including rock, jazz, and Latin styles.  I teach rudimentary or marching percussion from beginning to high school levels.  I also teach beginning guitar and ukulele lessons.

During each lesson, we can work on any instrument at any time as lessons are not limited to one instrument per session. It’s not uncommon to divide time between a few areas of focus.

Practice expectations

Home practice time is the most important factor in your development as a musician.  The goal of private lessons is merely to guide that individual practice time so that it is most effective.  The amount of time you spend practicing on your own is equal to how fast you will grow as a musician.

It’s important to have a practice routine; that is, have a certain time set aside for practicing on a daily or weekly basis.  This might be after supper, after homework is done, or before kick-boxing lessons, but having some regular time set aside to practice is very effective.  With most (nearly all) beginning musicians, this takes parental support.  After they develop an appreciation for the benefits of practicing, less and less of that support is needed.  The development of practice habits is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful lessons learned in musical study and students will reap the benefits in many other parts of their lives.

Payment options

Lessons are $30 per half-hour lesson, or $40 for a 45 minute lesson.  In some cases, an additional mileage charge will be agreed on.  Lessons are paid in advance on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.  Checks are made out to Chris Stroh.

Canceling a Lesson

There will be times that either student or teacher need to cancel a lesson due to vacations, special events, illness, and so on.  I ask that you notify me at least 12 hours in advance the scheduled lesson time.  In that event, you will not be charged for the missed lesson.  In some cases, the lesson can be moved to a different time. “No show” lessons where a student is not available for a lesson without 12 hours’ notice will still be charged the full amount for the lesson.

I agree to give you 12 hours’ notice if I need to cancel or reschedule a lesson.  In such a case, I will contact you through your preferred communication method.  In most cases I will give you a weeks’ notice or more.