Ned is more than just a great drum teacher, he's a human encyclopedia of percussion, an amazing analyst of style and technique, a really, really nice guy, and most importantly a great drum teacher. I started seeing Ned when I'd decided that after becoming pretty competent in Rock Band, I might actually try learning for real. I've always thought about drumming but never pursued it. In the past year not only has Ned inspired a love of drumming I never knew I could have, my technique and skills have vastly improved. Not only can I handle an acoustic set with confidence, I can kill at Rock Band now too :). I would recommend Ned for anyone in the greater Seattle area who is looking for a holistic drum teaching experience. read more

Drum Lessons with Ned Smith - First Lesson! - Tutoring Centers Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

We originally started lessons with Ned because my middle-school aged son wanted to play drum set. Ned was excellent, getting my son to understand the basics of playing on a set. However, it turns out my son started to favor symphonic band and orchestral playing. Ned adjusted his lessons to now cover not only rock and roll drumming, but things like proper tympani technique and snare drum rudiments, including drum corps and marching band techniques. Ned also helped him prepare for All State band and orchestra auditions. The end result was 3 years in all state in high school, and 4 years on the drum line at UW. read more

My older son started with Ned when he was 6 - 2 years ago-. He loves the drums, but mostly he loves having drum lessons with Ned. Not only Ned is a great teacher but he is great with young age kids. Soon my other one (6 now) will start as well. Thank you Ned read more

Awesome drum tutor! He has really fun lessons that let you learn techniques and there's some fun activities mixed into the lesson such as copycat, and jamming along to songs! For my lessons during the beats I improvise drum fills with Ned which is always a blast. Highly recommend! read more

As a first time student and having never played any instruments and not knowing how to read music I was very nervous taking drum lessons. But one class with Ned and all my doubts were resolved. He has a great teaching style. Very natural and tuned into the skill level of the pupil. He doesnt try to make you change the way you play but rather works with your natural style and helps you improve your technique. I was amazed how quickly I was able to play after just my first 2 lessons. I am no longer a student but thats mainly due to time constraints. But I have a drum at home and with Ned's instructions I practice as often as I can. Ned is also very open to answering questions by email even after you are no longer a student so I get tips from him even now. All in all Ned has great patience, is an excellent communicator and has a vast knowledge of music genres. He is also a real fun person to work with so take a class and you wont be disappointed! read more

We were heartbroken to find out that my daughter's prior drum teacher would no longer teach on the Seattle Eastside. But along came Ned via a recommendation from another parent. We have had 2 great years with Ned and look forward to more drum techniques along the way. His patience is boundless- - he can listen to constant banging of sticks repeatedly. Thankfully, my daughter (not a drum master and a head banger) has not wasted years of lessons and joined the school band as a percussionist. Shows that Ned can inspire kids to get out of their shell. read more

Ned is a wonderful teacher and a really great person. He teaches out of his home in the Somerset neighborhood of Bellevue. Ned has been teaching my 9 year old daughter for 3 years. She is a special needs kid who is difficult to teach (Severe ADHD, ODD, and Sensory Disorders). Ned is so patient and flexible. Under his instruction, she has transformed into a confident performer who no longer gets upset when she misses a beat or drops a stick. She loves her drum lessons with Ned and wishes all teachers where just like him. I enjoy the lessons as much as my daughter. It is entertaining and fun to watch them play together, whether they are playing "copy cat", having a drum "conversation", or playing her latest favorite pop song. Even family visiting from out of town like to join us to watch the lessons and always comment on what a great teacher Ned is. Ned can teach anyone of any age and any skill level, even those with special needs, Autism, or disabilities. He doesn't make you buy a specific book. His lessons are tailored to your individual needs and wants. He can teach you to play any style of drumming, whether it be Jazz, Rock, Big Band, or Drum Line. If you are looking for a drum teacher in the Bellevue area, call Ned first! read more

I played in a band before and wanted my son to understand how much fun that is. The other night in his lesson he was playing along to one of his favorite songs and Ned would jump in and accent the beat or give him new things to try and the joy and smile on my son's face was just priceless. I thought to myself- he gets it! Ned prioritizes good form but also knows kids learn best when they are having fun. My son is already talking about forming a band with his friends. read more

I'm a professional singer/rhythm guitarist, and was asked to also play percussion in my band. I started taking drum lessons with Ned, and all my music skills went through the roof. I'm a much better musician now...and the lessons are so much fun! Ned has great ways of boosting students enthusiasm. It always feels like going to a party when I show up for a lesson. I also see big smiles on the faces of his child students and adults alike when we cross paths in the hallway. read more

Ned Smith is just across the street from Microsoft near the intersection of 155th Ave NE & 51rst, where he teaches at his home studio. He mostly teaches professionals who sneak out of work, stay at home parents, homeschool kids, etc., while his kids are at school. Exceptions are Tues afternoons for kids (he provides a babysitter so sibs can play in the family room while their parents learn drums with their kids), and Saturday mornings. 1st lesson is free. Ned is an accomplished drummer but doesn't spend much of a lesson playing for his students, at least not in my lessons. He mostly keeps me on the hot seat helping me 'breakthrough' to new coordination. When I told him in my first lesson that if I couldn't get time to practice I'd have to quit because it wouldn't be worth the effort he surprised me. He said something like, "Quit now. You're a professional with kids and an active social life. The chances that you'll be able to practice much are very low. That's why I've taken drum teaching to a new place. I don't assign homework that you then come in and perform. You learn right here making significant ground in every lesson so you walk out knowing you're actively reinventing yourself. One year later you'll be putting out craigslist ads seeking bands and answering ads for bands seeking drummers, or firing up something with guys from work." He pointed out that if you shake a tree in Seattle a guitar player falls out. First word out of the guitar player's mouth, "Are you a drummer?" Well, he might be right about this. I've been studying with him for 6 months and I can honestly say that I can go into a Guitar Center and completely shock my wife and kids by bashing the drums as I rock out next to pimply rocker kids on drumsets next to me. Some of my professional friends came over for dinner with their guitars and amps. They've been pushing me to jam with them since my first lesson. Rediculous. I surprised us all by playing beats and fills no problem. I kept asking them if they knew all these songs I've played in my lessons. Which made me feel very knowledgeable when they couldn't. I obviously didn't have to prove if I could do the tunes all the way through. The guys, doctors, said, "We've got to start a band dude." Our wives watched shaking their heads like they've given birth to extra boys. After, my wife told me I was giving her huge jr high flashbacks. But now we've got the fever. The bass player fired his daughter's drum teacher the next day. SHe's been studying with a teacher for 2 years and still couldn't rock out a beat and a fill. When he called Ned for lessons, Ned made him promise to bring his bass with them. She got into the groove on the first lesson. They take an hour lesson every week and he's learning everything she's learning on the drums. They're going to start a family band yada yada yada. He's suddenly buying her better drum and cymbal equipment. "How could anyone get good with a crap pedal like this?" Ned's flexible about rescheduling saying his market is busy people. He doesn't let you off the hook if you don't want to come in, you still have to pay if you can't find a reschedule time. I usually go in on Tues but have taken lessons everyday of the week but Sunday from him. Once I arrived early for my lesson on a saturday and was hanging out with the moms in the family room. The student in there with Ned was being taught the intro and 1rst verse to a new tune every 3 minutes or so. They just kept banging out these tunes and only stopping if the guy couldn't get it. You'd here some mumbling some demoing and then the music would fire back up again. And the guy would start to get it. I was thinking man someday I'm going to be playing like this guy. When the door opened, out walks a sweating 5 year old! Ned said the kid learned last year playing air drums standing beside the drummer at his church every Sunday. So, Ned teaches him by asking if he saw the drummer do anything new that week, they figure it out, then do some music reading for 5 minutes, then Ned just plays for the kid and the kid mimicks him. I asked what other interesting students Ned has. Ned teaches people with physical handicaps, pros with reading problems or tendonitis or other maladies, autistic kids (Ned has a clinical psych degree), emotionally challenged kids and adults, and people going through huge life changes. He gets a lot of soon-to-be-dads who know it's now or never. He also gets a lot of people going through relationship changes. Ned thinks drums become very symbolic for people working through to a new place in life. "Drum skills are tangible proof we can reinvent ourselves, make waves, inconvenience people with noise, and make people dance the way their parents don't want them too." Ned's patient. I'm a spaz who can barely keep hold of his fork. This has been great for me. I can even flip and twirl sticks now! read more

I have known Ned for years and he has worked with me on and off for most of them. I need to get back into my drums so of course I will go to NED to get me motivated and out of my musical dulldrums. Ned has always been patient with me and very encouraging. I would bring in music I was wanting to try to learn. He would graciously listen and try to teach me the basics of the songs. Most of the time I figured it out but mostly with his help. NED... I will be back :) Thank you !! read more

I have been taking lessons with Ned for over 6 years now, he is patient, thoughtful and tailors each lesson to the student's ability and energy level. I look forward to my bi-weekly lesson and am glad to know Ned! read more

Very friendly, fantastic teacher.. Can help you with any aspect of drumming: Teaching basics, proper way of exercising, transcribing music... He is great with different styles of music. Very accommodating of different learning paces.. read more