private study is available in the following areas:

AFRO-CARIBBEAN HAND DRUMMING (congas, batá, plena)

Basic conga styles and techniques
• tones, techniques and orchestration
• general drum rhythms and repertoire from the Caribbean
• “chop builders”
• clave concepts and rhythmic perception

Music of Haiti and Vodou
• ensemble rhythms of Haitian Vodou (rada, petro, kongo, ghede, etc)
• solo drumming styles

Music of Cuba and Santeriá
• sacred ensemble styles
• Batá drumming
• secular styles, including salsa, merengue, and rumba
* song classes (Haitian, Cuban) are also offered

Music of Puerto Rico
• Plena ensemble rhythms
• soloing on requinto

DRUMSET (jazz, latin)

The BIG FIVE
• time
• independence and coordination
• orchestration
• textures - sound concepts and techniques
• the musical role

Jazz
• comping styles
• coordination (2 to 4 way independence concepts)
• comprehensive style and analysis of artists

Latin / World
• application of world rhythms to drumset
• "Vodou Drumset" (from the 2002 Carl Fischer publication Vodou Drumset)
• latin and salsa styles
• clave concepts, exercises, and application

VIBRAPHONE (jazz, contemporary)

Jazz
• scale and chord theory
• comping and soloing techniques
• transcription and arranging
• tune repertoire

Contemporary
• modern vibraphone techniques
• classical and new repertoire

SNARE TECHNIQUE / HAND DEVELOPMENT

• techniques exercises for orchestral and rudimental playing
• Stick Contro and Syncopation variations and applications
• rhythmic analysis

FEES

• $50 USD per hour / $30 USD per 1/2 hour
• one hour group classes (congas, hand drumming 3-5 students) $20 per person

TEACHING LOCATIONS

• at my residence in Coatesville, PA
• DRUMS ETC in Lancaster, PA

BIO and LINKS

• for my bio and background information GO HERE
• visit me on YOUTUBE or MYSPACE

CONTACT for availablity, scheduling, and directions to either teaching location
email: jdapercussion@gmail.com

James Armstrong is also available for master class and lectures.
go HERE for information