Explore New Song Percussion Lessons

Percussion Lesson Options
New Song School of the Arts (NSSOTA) offers a comprehensive, dynamic approach to percussion instruction, designed to inspire students of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner exploring rhythm for the first time or an experienced player looking to refine your craft, NSSOTA provides personalized percussion lessons tailored to your musical interests and goals. Lessons are conducted in state-of-the-art facilities with the flexibility to focus on classical or popular styles, ensuring a well-rounded and enjoyable learning experience. Let’s explore what makes our percussion program unique.
At NSSOTA, students have the opportunity to learn a wide range of percussion instruments, including:
- Snare Drum: Develop precision and control with one of the foundational instruments of percussion.
- Xylophone: Master melody and rhythm with this versatile mallet instrument, suitable for both classical and modern compositions.
- Drum Set (Acoustic and Electronic): Explore dynamic playing styles on acoustic or electronic drum kits, perfect for rock, jazz, pop, and more.
- Auxiliary Percussion Instruments: Dive into the exciting world of auxiliary percussion, including tambourine, triangle, cymbals, and more.
Our curriculum encourages students to explore multiple instruments while building core percussion skills, allowing for a well-rounded musical education.
NSSOTA offers virtual and in-home lessons, allowing students to learn percussion instruments from the comfort of their home. Virtual lessons use secure platforms, enabling instructors to provide real-time feedback on technique, posture, and sound production. For students with busy schedules or transportation challenges, virtual lessons offer the flexibility to continue their musical education without compromising on quality.
In-home lessons bring the instructor directly to the student’s home, offering personalized guidance in a familiar environment. This option is ideal for families who prefer a convenient, flexible approach while ensuring students receive the same professional instruction they would be in a traditional classroom setting.
Private Percussion Lessons: Tailored Learning for All Ages
Private percussion lessons at New Song School of the Arts are structured to meet the unique needs of each student. From young beginners to seasoned players, the one-on-one instruction ensures that the curriculum is customized to individual skill levels, musical interests, and learning pace.
For children, the teaching approach incorporates fun and engaging techniques to develop foundational skills such as rhythm accuracy, stick control, and ear training. Teachers integrate creative activities, games, and familiar rhythms to make learning enjoyable while building the student’s confidence. As students progress, they explore advanced techniques like syncopation, dynamic expression, and ensemble playing. The NSSOTA curriculum is flexible, allowing students to explore various percussion instruments, including snare drum, drum set, hand drums, and mallet instruments like marimba, while still focusing on core technical and performance skills.
Teens and Adults receiving private percussion lessons benefit from a customized curriculum as well. Whether learning percussion for the first time or revisiting it after years, adult students can progress at their own pace in a low-pressure, supportive environment. Lessons may focus on mastering favorite songs, improving rhythm skills, or developing techniques to play in bands or ensembles. Instructors balance technical skill development with the personal interests of the adult learner, making lessons both enriching and enjoyable.
Children, teen and adult intermediate and advanced students can refine techniques, master challenging repertoire, or focus on specific interests such as solo performance, ensemble playing, or modern drum set techniques.
Teaching Emphasis: Classical or Popular Styles
NSSOTA offers flexibility in teaching styles, allowing students to focus on:
- Classical Approach: Explore orchestral techniques, mallet instruments like xylophone, and formal repertoire, with a focus on precision and artistry.
- Popular Approach: Learn contemporary playing techniques for drum set, auxiliary instruments, and rhythm-driven styles like rock, pop, and jazz.
Our instructors adapt their teaching approach to each student’s interests, ensuring an engaging and personalized learning experience.
New Song School of the Arts provides ample opportunities for percussion students to perform in front of an audience, whether in group settings or as part of recitals. These performances help build confidence and stage presence, which are essential skills for any musician. Students in both private and group lessons will be invited to showcase their progress during recitals held in the school’s Recital Hall or Black Box Theater. Additionally, group lessons often culminate in ensemble performances, where students can experience the thrill of playing with others in a live setting.
In addition to teaching technical aspects of each instrument, NSSOTA’s percussion instructors place a strong emphasis on music literacy. Reading music is an essential skill for all musicians, and brass players will learn how to read treble, bass, and tenor clefs, depending on their instrument. Lessons begin with simple exercises and progress to more complex pieces as students advance. Instructors cover the basics of note reading, rhythms, dynamics, and articulation, ensuring that students have a comprehensive understanding of how to interpret and perform music.
NSSOTA also integrates music theory into lessons, helping students understand the structure of the pieces they are playing. This includes learning about chords, scales, and musical forms, which are crucial for both solo and ensemble performance.
Percussion lessons at New Song School of the Arts provide a comprehensive and adaptable approach that nurtures the musical abilities of children and adults alike. With experienced instructors, flexible lesson formats, and a curriculum designed to encourage growth, creativity, and performance, NSSOTA creates an ideal environment for anyone looking to develop or enhance their percussion skills. Whether in private or group settings, New Song School of the Arts guides each student on a rhythmic journey that fosters a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of percussion.
THE LEARNING PROCESS:
A Structured, Supportive Approach
At New Song School of the Arts, percussion instruction follows a structured yet flexible approach, allowing students to progress at their own pace while mastering the core skills necessary for musical success. Each lesson is tailored to individual goals, but all students build a strong foundation in key areas such as rhythm, technique, ear training, music theory, and performance.
For both children and adults, lessons include:
Sight Reading
- Understanding the Language of Music: Continuous sight-reading exercises help percussion students master the language of music. By regularly practicing rhythm reading and interpreting percussion notation, students develop the ability to quickly adapt to various styles, including classical, jazz, and contemporary music. This foundational skill is essential for percussionists of all levels, enabling them to perform new pieces fluently and accurately, whether on snare drum, drum set, mallet instruments, or auxiliary percussion.
Rhythm and Timing
- The Foundation of Percussion: Percussion students develop strong rhythm skills through exercises, metronome practice, and ensemble playing. These activities help internalize timing, improve syncopation, and maintain steady tempo, which are essential for confident and precise playing in solo or group settings.
Technique
- Building Dexterity and Control: Proper technique is crucial for developing precision and artistry in percussion. Instructors focus on stick grip, hand positioning, and coordination, ensuring students develop smooth and accurate playing skills. This foundation allows for greater musical expression and helps prevent injury, whether students are playing the drum set, hand percussion, or mallet instruments.
Ear Training
- Empowering Creativity: Ear training helps percussion students recognize rhythms, intervals, and dynamics, empowering them to play by ear. This enhances improvisational skills and deepens their connection to music by enabling intuitive understanding of phrasing and expression.
Music Theory
- Understanding the Structure of Music: Regular music theory lessons are integrated into percussion instruction, helping students understand rhythmic notation, time signatures, and musical form. This knowledge enriches their ability to interpret, compose, and perform music across genres.
Performance
- Gaining Confidence on Stage: Performance is a vital part of percussion instruction at NSSOTA. Regular recitals and ensemble opportunities allow students to showcase their progress, build stage confidence, and develop teamwork skills. These experiences help students grow into versatile, well-rounded musicians.
Music Explorer Program
Not sure where to start when choosing an instrument? Allow us to help you in this process.
Try three different instruments and do 4 consecutive lessons in each. Toward the completion of the third instrument choose which instrument to continue learning.
Young Scholars Program
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) emphasizes specific aspects of music such as music theory, music history, music appreciation, etc. This program creates strong musicians and is meant to compliment private lessons but is also perfect for a student not yet studying an instrument. Students in YSP desire a fun, engaging, in depth, and academic approach to musical knowledge and awareness. The “Young Scholars Program: Music Theory Class” incorporates thought-provoking activities and academic exercises that develop an understanding of the “nuts and bolts” of music. The class course culminates with the Texas State Theory Exam, and the student will be awarded based upon their test score. Relatedly, annual participation in the Texas State Theory exam looks great on college or scholarship applications.