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L e s s o n s

Brian Yarkosky is not only an active performer, but also a Seattle based percussion instructor working throughout Western Washington in many capacities.  He works as a performer, private instructor, ensemble director, clinician, coach, arranger, publisher, and adjudicator.  As an educator, Brian devotes much of his time teaching the many instruments of the percussion family to students.  Many of his students and ensembles have competed and won places at the state level for the WMEA Solo/Ensemble Contest.  Several of his students have gone on to college earning music scholarships and winning auditions into music conservatories and nationally recognized drum line programs. Brian has had students admitted to the Juilliard Percussion Seminar, Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps, University of Washington, Central Washington University, University of Oregon, Boston Conservatory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Eastman School of Music, Seattle Youth Symphony, Yale University, Columbia University, and many more.  Brian maintains a private teaching studio in his Bellevue home as well as at Islander Middle School and Mercer Island High School.  He teaches lessons on snare drum, mallet percussion, timpani, orchestral percussion, and non-western percussion.  He also teaches drum set lessons in styles such as jazz, rock, funk, calypso, hip-hop, and pop.  Brian has taught all levels of players form beginner to collegiate and adult enthusiasts.  Please feel free to contact him for current openings.  Refer to the Biography page to see his performance credentials. 
drum lessons
​How long/often are lessons?
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Lessons are weekly and can be scheduled for 45 or 60 minutes. 

 

What books/materials are needed?

 

If you're just starting out, I recommend the following:
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1 pair general drum sticks (eg. Vic Firth SD1)
Practice pad
Spiral notebook
Alfred's Drum Method Book 1
     by Sandy Fieldstein/Dave Black
Metronome
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Frequently Asked Questions:

How much do you charge?
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Lesson rates vary by location and length.  For current rates please contact me.

 

Where do you teach?
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I teach lessons in Bellevue at my home studio in the Eastgate neighborhood, at Islander Middle School, and Mercer Island High School.
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What instruments do you teach?
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All things percussion:  Drum lessons, marimba and mallet percussion lessons, snare drum, timpani, drum set, orchestral, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban percussion lessons.

 

 
How much should a student practice?
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This depends on age, skill level, and individual goals.  You can never practice too much!  The more you put in, the more you get out.  The times below are the minimum lengths recommended.

 

Beginners: 20-30 minutes per day, 5 days a week.
Intermediate: 30-45 minutes, 5 days a week.
High School students: 40-60 minutes, 5-6 days a week.
Advanced HS student (college bound musician) 1-2 hours per day, 6-7 days per week
Undergraduate Music Major: 3-4 hours daily
Graduate Music Students: 4+ hours daily
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