I'm going to echo previous reviews as I find them completely accurate. I've been taking lessons with Jason for about 6 months now. I'm in my late thirties and have no previous experience with music. I had been wanting to learn to play the drums for a while, but the idea of starting from nothing at this age was daunting. I couldn't be happier that I reached out to Jason. He's really good at what he does. Each lesson plan is well thought out and engaging. He does a great job of explaining the exercises and how they fit into the macroscopic viewpoint of drumming. Jason's an amazing drummer and a kind, genuine human being. He creates a great environment that provides for a safe space to learn, all while challenging you to grow. I highly recommend Jason if you're looking for an instructor. I trust his process and always look forward to the next lesson. read more

Highly recommended for both adults and kids. My daughter had such an amazing experience with Jason. He is a jaw-droppingly talented professional drummer, a skilled and patient teacher, and a wonderful, down-to-earth human being. Jason didn't just teach my 9-year-old daughter how to play drums, he exposed her to new musical genres and both classic and contemporary songs. I can't stress enough how great he is with kids; he really knows how to make the lessons fun and tailor the experience to individual students and their interests. read more

I phoned Jason one day to inquire about my son learning to play drums, and he was so friendly and informative. He explained a little about how he teaches, what he recommends for beginners, and his rates etc. He just seemed like a completely reasonable guy, and in the year and a half that my son has taken drums from Jason, he has been. He is a good human being, a great teacher, and awesome with my kid. My son can be skeptical, nervous, shy, etc, which can really impede his progress, but Jason has a great way with him. He made him feel at ease, and he is becoming a better drummer every week. His teaching challenges him, but he's getting it! My son looks forward to his lessons every week. Jason is also a professional musician, and a wonderful drummer. He really loves playing drums himself, so this enthusiasm carries through to his teaching. If you are looking for an amazing drum teacher, give him a ring! He is fantastic! read more

I'm starting with drums as a total beginner in my late twenties. Jason makes the process an exciting and fun one - by creating a safe and structured environment for me to begin my drumming journey. He's gone above and beyond to make sure I have access to drumming equipment, answering questions about his assignments over text, and is one of the friendliest teachers I've ever had full stop. I feel engaged and interested every time I have class and the hour that we're drumming flies by. He's methodical, dynamic, and creative with his teaching and takes care to explain things in a variety of ways when I can't get it the first time. Jason is extremely technical, and detail-oriented, and frames things perfectly for me to digest what's going on.. and most importantly, be connected with the drums as a powerful medium of expression. Jason genuinely cares about his students as people, and I would recommend him to anyone! read more

Jason is simply the best. I came to him with zero experience or knowledge of drums, and over the last few years he's taught me so much. His lessons are personalized with the goal of keeping me excited about drumming. He even tolerated teaching me a Taylor Swift song! He's so passionate about drumming and is as excited about drills and fundamentals as he is about rocking out to a metal song. Whether you're an adult or a parent looking for your child, I can't recommend Jason highly enough. read more

I've always wanted to play the drums and finally got started at age 50 with Jason's incredible instruction! It's no easy feat to get your limbs to work independently, especially at middle age, but Jason has made it fun and accessible with his patient instruction and assignments that reflect my love of '80s music, and his enthusiasm helps me power through the basics of rudiments, musical notation and proper technique. He's a real-deal punk and heavy-metal musician, yet he tailors our lessons to my level and tastes, making me feel like valuable contributor when we play together on his top-notch dual drum kit. I love visiting Jason's cool Temescal studio, and he's a genuinely kind, interesting human being whom I enjoy hanging out with. If you too want to realize your dream of playing the drums or improving your skills, I highly suggest working with Jason! read more

My 7 year old son has been taking drum lessons with Jason for about a year, and I have to say it has been life changing. He plays his drums all the time, his walls are covered in posters of his favorite drummers, for Christmas he just asked for drum gear and didn't even request a single toy ... It has really been wonderful to watch his love of music take off. Jason has obviously put a lot of thought into the structure of his lessons, and really stresses perfecting the fundamentals. My son's skills at reading music, time-keeping, form, and theory are way more advanced than I was expecting after one year of lessons. I was talking to a friend who is a professional composer, and I described a lesson where Jason taught my son about the history of triplet orchestration starting at Buddy Rich and going up to Tony Williams. You could hear my friend's jaw hit the floor. This is the kind of stuff you expect to learn when you get a music degree. Most important, however, is the way that Jason has inspired my son. He sees his teacher as somebody who is patient, kind and humble, yet also knows that Jason has played on a slew of iconic albums. You really cannot ask for a better role model. read more

Jason looks to be a really good drummer, though I'm not qualified to tell. What I do know is that he is heck of a good teacher. He deeply understands the balance between fun and hard work, and how both are needed for sustainable progress. His patience is as consistent as his beat, and the way he can keep a 5 year olds attention focused for a full 30 minutes is nothing short of a miracle. read more

Jason is so talented as a drummer and a teacher. He has thoughtful assignments that have helped me to learn quickly. He has improved my drumming immensely. He is very dynamic in his abilities. He also taught my son, and is very engaging with children. I would recommend him to adult and children students who are beginners or just wanting to tighten up their skills. read more

Jason is awesome. If you are currently looking for a drum teacher, you should book a lesson with him now. But just in case you don't trust me, or you are the type to need reasons, or further explanation here goes: 1) He is good with people (this includes children). I hired Jason as a drum teacher for my son, it ended up that we knew some of the same folks from around the way and we become fast friends. Which is nice, but in the end it is about the student right? He listens to my son, got to know him as a person and adjusted his teaching style to meet my kid where he is at. 2) He is reliable. If you have ever gotten music lessons before, or worked with musicians, this statement doesn't need an explanation. However, being that he is a *professional working musician* one needs to make arrangements when Jason goes on tour or need to reschedule and he has your back. He gives plenty of notice, will refer you to a pinch hitter if you need one or schedule you for a different time or day...this goes for your crazy schedule as well. 3) His prices are reasonable. Its true. I am not going to justify this further, because if you disagree you don't deserve him anyway. 4) He is good at what he does. Jason is a practicing professional musician who writes music and plays music. Not everyone who is good at executing and creating is good at teaching and vice versa. Jason can do it all. he can teach kids, your grand parents, and even you a thing or two about a thing or two. 5) His studio is in a good area. If you have been around the East Bay for a while (or not) you might know that a lot of studios are in dubious areas. You can get posh drip coffee or Oaxacan inspired quesadillas, a $3.00 Doughnut, or a hip-ass haircut, all within walking distance. Your car will most likely not get broken into, and chances are (if you are booking lessons for your kids) you won't have give your kid life lessons on the way back to the car. read more

Jason has been an incredible drum teacher for my son, who's been going to him for about 1.5 yrs. We've had a few piano and drum teachers over the years and Jason is truly the best. For parents, he is responsible and easy to work with. For students, he is inspiring, flexible and kind. He has fostered my son's interest in music overall, becoming a musical mentor of sorts. If you are looking for a drum teacher for your child I cannot recommend Jason highly enough. I'm sure, given his drumming skills and easy personality he would be equally good for adults. read more

I've been studying with Jason for about 4 months. I'm an older adult with 2yrs drumming experience. I have made great progress. The lessons are fun, challenging, interesting, and informative. I'm in a band now and he helps me with the drum parts. I'm inspired by his sincerity and dedication to the craft. I highly recommended Jason for drum instruction. read more

Jason is a great drum instructor. I have been playing drums for 26 years and wanted to learn new ways to spice up my playing & new warm up practices that weren't boring. He taught me both and inspired me on new various beats and fills. Most importantly, he inspired me to practice on my own outside of band practice which I had lost the will to do in the last few years. A year and half of having weekly lessons (give and take when he's gone on tour or my schedule gets too hectic) I still find his lessons very useful and wish I could take more per week. Not only does Jason know how to teach various styles and for various practice levels, he has been very flexible with me on my availability and wishes of what I want to work on that week. I highly recommend trying him out no matter what your skill level is. From what I have seen and heard he's also excellent at giving children lessons too. read more

Jason is a really great teacher. I've taken many music lessons from many instructors over my 26 year history of playing music and Jason is one of my favorites. He is inspired, encouraging, listens to what you want out of lessons and covers not just the techniques, but the frame of mind that helps you really connect to the instrument. He is extremely patient and selflessly giving as many great teachers are. Especially as an adult learning a new instrument and feeling the beginners insecurity that comes with it, he is nothing but gentle and encouraging and adjusts to where you are on any given day. I imagine he's great with kids for this reason as well! Technically speaking he is a wealth of knowledge and always has new and challenging concepts at every lesson. He is also really affordable and trust me, you get more than what you pay for in the quality of his work. Thank you Jason!! read more

I've been playing drums for 14 years and after feeling a little stalled on my progress (a good musician knows you can always be better;) I decided it was time for a different approach. Jason is a long standing member of the east bay music community and exudes a passion for drums that is a rarity among our often jaded or pretentious scene. His enthusiasm is infectious, and has gotten me more and more excited about the instrument. His lessons are organized; individually tailored to each student, and he is very sensitive to not letting you get bored. Yes, I've technically learned a lot from him (like, A LOT) but most of all I think I appreciate his ability to make you LOVE the drums, and all things drumming. read more

I took lessons from Jason for six years, starting as a complete beginner. He is an incredible teacher, and from him I've learned not just how to play drums in a technical sense, but how to develop my own style and groove, a sense of musicianship, and most importantly, an understanding of the importance of constantly working on technique. Jason is a patient and enthusiastic teacher, as well as a talented musician, and I recommend him to anyone looking to begin learning or to improve their drumming. read more

Jason has been absolutely fantanstic with my two sons. He is knowlegeable, focused in his teaching approach and execution, and above all patient. I have seen my sons' drumming skills emerge and grow, along with their confidence. Jason has also been incredibly reliale and flexibe in scheduling lessons. read more