Bettencourt Drumming

I provide in-person drumming lessons at Play Music Studios in Cupertino, California, and remote lessons for students across the country. Please note that I only offer in-person lessons in Cupertino. My rates are $40.00 for 30 minutes, $55.00 for 45 minutes, and $65.00 per hour. I teach 45 students each week, both in-person and remotely.

With 51 years of drumming experience, most as a professional, I have a passion for teaching others. For the past 35 years, I've enjoyed teaching kids and adults, with many students progressing to become professional drummers. I began my drumming journey studying with a member of the San Francisco Symphony, who was the house drummer at Bimbos in SF. I learned classical drums and a modern approach to the drum set.

My teaching method includes reading all levels in both snare drum and full drum set, focused snare drum and sticking technique, focused drum set and feet techniques, how to groove, dynamics, fills, posture, relaxation techniques for greater speed and endurance, and teaching GADDIMENTS, the new book by legendary Steve Gadd, among many other great books.

For an hour lesson, I teach students how to groove with a bass player via accompaniment on the Chapman stick, which is like a bass and guitar on one neck. I also play bass guitar for accompaniment. All levels and styles are welcome, including rock, jazz, funk, swing, reggae, fusion, ska, among others.

I have professional experience drumming with The Square Roots, The Road Hogs, The Room Shakers, The Gravity, and many others. Without teachers, there can be no great drummers, and I take pride in helping to create the next generation of drumming professionals.

Rock, Blues, Country, Folk, Jazz, Classical, Recommendations available