What a fantastic, knowledgeable, and creative teacher!!!! Mr. D was my percussion instructor in high school orchestra and shaped me into a much more competent musician. I wouldn't be who I am today without him. I AM A DAVID DIENI STAN!!!!!! read more

Love David! He's an amazing teacher. He approaches learning from first principles; teaching you WHY so you can build your technique with the best possible fundamentals, instead of rushing you into bad habits. Super nice guy - lessons are totally worth the price! read more

David has been teaching my 6 year old son for the last few months while I've been sitting in on the lessons. I wholeheartedly recommend David not only as a teacher, but also a musical mentor, for anyone who is interested in learning the drums. His knowledge, patience, ability and humor makes learning engaging and meaningful - all of which are extra important to me since my son is so young. At times, my son's curiosity gets the best of him mid-lesson so would get distracted and ask lots of random questions. I'm always so impressed how David enthusiastically, and often humorously, addresses all inquiries with relevant ideas and even examples from other art disciplines, all given with the utmost patience and care. When my son gets frustrated, David also gives the best pep talks to bring him back into the right mindset to move the lesson forward. It's no wonder that he always look forward to his lessons with David! I simply can't wait to see my son's growth as a drummer under David's wing in the coming years! read more

Mr. Dieni has sworn to the 'Percussive Hippocratic Oath'. There is no such thing, but if there was, it would describe the ethical code by which David operates his educational practice. Believe it or not, there is a "right way to drum", no doubt about it. Some percussion teachers never learn that lesson well enough to pass it along to their students. I know because I've taken lessons from them. In my past, I have been a member of several elite drum corps but over the last 10 years, as I started my high-tech computer career, I let my chops go but never lost my love for drumming. David has personally helped me undo years of neglect and bad hand technique. After a two years of perseverance in the face of adversity, I have made unbelievable strides in getting my skills back that I would've told you two years ago were totally impossible. I can't say enough about David in the capacity he has served as my personal guide from the abyss of bad hand technique back to the land of the living drummer. Thanks David, I feel a genuine sense of gratitude to you for having guided me back to the activity I identify with and love. read more

Our son has taken drum lessons from David for about 4 years. He has learned so well from Dave. He even did a science fair project on the rebound characteristics of different drumsticks! He has taken the love he has found for percussion to Cazadero music camp every summer performing orchestra level pieces. He is ready for high school now, a local high school that has an award winning marching band. He had a recent evaluation for his band level placement. David had ONE lesson to get him ready with a drum solo to play for the band directors at the high school. He only got to use a drum pad but, he impressed them. They skipped him over the beginning band for Freshmen, over the intermediate band and placed him in the Concert Band along with the marching band that goes to competitions and he will have the chance to be on the drum line - what he has aimed for the last several years. We know he couldn't have done it without the support and belief in his talent from David. We hope our son continues to have time to work with David as he continues on with his percussion skill set in high school. read more

My thirteen year old daughter has been taking lesson form David for the past 6 months. We found him on Yelp! Thank you!! My daughter is learning the marimba from him. He is very supportive and patient. My daughter needed to learn two pieces for her SOTA audition. He taught her a snare drum and marimba piece. He put together a plan and gave her homework to do weekly and she was prepared to audition in seven weeks. David knows what he is doing and is so passionate about his studnets. He even loaned my daughter his special mallets for her audition. My daughter was accepted into Sota and we owe it all to David. He is an exceptional teacher. My daughter has taken lesson from other drum teacher but David is definatly a true professional. If you need a drum or marimba teacher look no further David Dieni's is your guy!!! read more

David worked with our son to prepare him for his SOTA High School audition. David understood exactly what was required for the audition and put together a rigorous plan, including helping him select the right musical pieces. Success! Our son got an offer from SOTA and is thrilled (and so are we!) We are sticking with David, because he is a great teacher and an expert percussionist. His lessons are lively and engaging and we are glad we found him! read more

So I've been taking lessons from David for over two years now, and I must say that its been great. I started playing drums really late and his focus on technique has really helped me adapt to the demands of drumming. Classes are informal and he almost always spends more than an hour with you. His taste in music is wide and the best part is even after 30 odd years of playing drums, he knows that learning is a never ending process. I'm glad to say that David is more than just my teacher, but also my friend. read more

David is a fantastic teacher -- I worked with him on my freestroke for a number of weeks and was impressed with him as an educator, a player, and just an all around awesome and funny guy. It's rare to find all of that in a teacher and I would highly recommend him to other students! read more

I've been studying with Dave for about 6 months and I completely agree with the other reviews. Dave is totally committed to his students and to providing dedicated, focused instruction on drumming technique. He has the really unique skill of being able to explain mechanical technique in an easily understandable way and on top of it, he takes the time to make sure you're progressing from lesson to lesson and offers nothing but encouragement. A really great teacher and inspiration! read more

So far, so good. My 5 year old son is enrolled with David. He just had his 3rd lesson. He really looks forward to his lessons, and David is very patient, which is essential to teaching a 5 year old anything. Looking forward to continuing with David, as is my son. read more

David is a great drummer, with a great attitude. I needed a drummer at the last minute to fill in on a gig. David was able to do the job with less than 5 hours notice, and he managed everything we threw at him; standards and ballads, rhumbas and waltzes, Country and Western, Beatles and Stones, even an impromptu Doors medley. I didn't know this guy before, but now I'm hoping he is available on a regular basis. His professionalism is exemplary. Got to the gig early, played 90 minutes and stayed for one last song. He facilitated a good rapport with the audience and musicians he had never played with, or even met. I think just as important as anything else, David knew how to play the room; not too soft, not too loud so that conversation could flow while couples were on the dance floor. This guy displayed a lot of great chops, good control, awareness of the situation (sensed when I wanted the tempo pulled back a bit) and when we threw a solo his way he expressed himself well. Musicians share a lot of unspoken cues and he caught 100% of them. I'm writing this review not as a student, but as a musician, and one who was very impressed . David is a pro and a pleasure to work with. He knows his stuff, can switch genres easily, has great technique, is very musical, and is easy going to boot. read more

I took lessons with David for a year and thoroughly enjoyed my time with him. The only reason I've had to discontinue drum lessons is because my schedule won't permit it at the moment. I had reached a point in my drumming where I felt it had stagnated somewhat and I knew that the key to better playing was having a sound grasp of rudiments and correct stick technique, both of which David was able to help with through tailor-made weekly exercises. Highly recommended for both experienced players and beginners! read more

David is an excellent teacher, and I owe a great debt of gratitude for his patience, dedication, and humor in helping me develop my technique. Before coming to David, I had already played drum set for 17 years, but I had terrible technique. In some ways, I was an intermediate drummer, but in many other ways, just a beginner. After 17 years of drumming with incorrect technique, it has been challenging to, first, unlearn years of muscle memory, and then, learn how to play correctly. Six or 7 years later, I continue to go back to David for lessons. I've risen to his challenge to play open-handed (left hand on the hi-hat and right hand on the snare), which is a much more natural way of playing compared to how most drummers play (arms crossed). Combined with David's commitment to the Free Stroke and Moeller technique, playing open-handed has greatly expanded my creative possibilities. Additionally, he's just published a fantastic book through Hal Leonard called "Drumming In All Directions," which is a series of exercises and groove melodies that build toward greater "interdependence," so that all the limbs know to how work together. I can't say enough about this book. I'm barely through the first page of exercises, and it is really paying off. I wouldn't look any further for an excellent drum teacher who will teach you how to play in a relaxed, natural way, which will increase your creative control and let you have more fun. -Mark, Oakland, CA. read more