As an advanced drummer (42 years old), about a year ago I was looking for a professional, studied drum teacher to help me analyze weaknesses in my technique (especially the left hand), show me alternatives and thus improve my technique as well as teach me jazz style.
In the end, I found Thomas - and after a year of lessons with him, I am incredibly happy to have chosen him as my drum teacher. And not only because, in addition to fixed lesson times, he offers card models that allow me, as a working professional and family man, to flexibly plan my lessons.
Why else? He quickly filtered out my technical weaknesses thanks to a quick and clear ability to analyze and showed me different ways to better train both hands. Likewise, he introduced me to the basics of jazz in a well-portioned way and with an eye for the essentials, while also teaching me, over time, nuances of many other styles that I had already mastered in the basics. On both counts (technique and styles), I was pleasantly surprised at the professional repertoire Thomas possesses. Even for a studied drummer, I don't take this level for granted!
Besides that, however, he also gave me very useful input in the categories of rudiments, foot techniques, dynamics, sound, timing, skin and groove and helped me out whenever possible with books or instructional videos from his own fund. With his help, I have received what I consider to be a tremendous increase in learning in terms of my drumming within a year. And also thanks to him I realize how much 'air to the top' is still there, which motivates me personally very much.
In addition to the technical aspects, I would also like to say a few words about the human and pedagogical aspects: Thomas always patiently made me understand with clear and honest words what a problem was and how or with how much effort one could probably fix this problem (point: transparency). He also always conducted the respective sessions very individually oriented to my wishes (point: individual learning support), but also prepared and followed up the lessons (point: diligence). In addition, he found a healthy balance between challenging and over-challenging.
Last but not least, I noticed how much fun it was for him to get back into certain areas in response to my questions or needs and to professionalize himself in the process.
By the way, I myself hardly ever write reviews on the Internet, because I often consider them to be rather irrelevant. Here, however, I feel I can do something for someone who has also helped me - and this help is anything but trivial for me as a passionate musician!
Thank you for being willing to read all this. I hope you were able to get an idea of my impression of Thomas. For him definitely and with conviction: Five stars, most deserved! My lessons at least will continue ... ;-)
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