With direct assistance from global drumming ambassador, Dom Famularo, the Learning Advantage program was engineered by Mapex to strengthen its ongoing commitment to music education.

Learning Advantage is supported by two core principles. First, Mapex ensures that dealers are equipped with well-maintained, high quality drum sets and hardware on which students can successfully learn. Secondly, Mapex provides an avenue for its member instructors to enhance their own education and, in turn, pass that knowledge along to their students.

Industry research reveals that students excel at a faster pace and are more likely to practice when their equipment is of high quality. Mapex Learning Advantage Dealers are offered extra incentives to keep their teaching studio gear replaced frequently and in excellent working condition.

Learning Advantage instructors have direct access to some of the greatest teaching resources in the world. Lesson plan archives, access to new teaching methods and direct contact with some of the industry’s greatest living instructors are just a few of the components that allow Learning Advantage Instructors to empower students of all ages and abilities.

With its goals firmly in place, Mapex is committed to challenging student drummers to reach their fullest potential and most importantly, have fun while doing it. The Learning Advantage Program places Mapex in a position to pave a path of learning that propels the next generation of drummers into the exciting world of modern drum set artistry.

When you are looking into percussion education, look into Learning Advantage and see the future. Mapex Learning Advantage... It’s not about the drums. It’s about the drummers

5/17/2007

The Fun of Teaching

By Dom Famularo and Stephane Chamberland

The Three “A’s” and beyond…
Learning is a life long journey. Everyone learns differently. Discovering the key to each situation takes understanding and patience. When we begin the learning process, there are three steps called the three “A's”.

The first “A” is to Absorb. Like a sponge, we take the knowledge in our brain and body. It could be achieved by taking lessons, watching DVDs, surfing the Internet or reading a good book.

The second “A’s” is to Adopt. This is when you practice and reprogram by constant repetition. This involves perseverance and dedication. It must become a part of you and the student.

The third “A” is to Adapt. Your imagination will be a great tool to succeed. Take what you have learned and create something new based on the idea. Make it your own. Think out of the normal box of ideas. Try anything that comes to your mind!

Now, let’s move beyond all this…..Share what you have learned. This is where inspiration leads the way. Let other people experience your learning journey. Share with performance or teaching


The Rewards of Teaching…
Teaching students fulfills us as we see them learn, grow and enjoy music with our guidance. The goal is to inspire to aspire. Playing drums is a journey and it gives extreme power to the people that decide to take the ride. Meeting new students and passing on knowledge is very motivating for the teacher. From the first moment you shake their hands to the last moment where they become mature players, it’s always exciting. To be able to receive this reward, we need to give of ourselves. The more you give the more you receive. Teaching is a cycle, a positive learning cycle. There is such a high in taking a student by their hands and heart and lifting them to the next level! This is true empowerment!


Meeting each student…
There is so much enjoyment in the first meeting of students. Each person is different. This is why we need to talk to them and discover who they are. Asking them what their favorite drummers are, what bands they like and what got them into music is a great start. There are many clues. They often wear shirts of their favorite bands and carry music in their IPods. We just have to be receptive and to listen.

A concerned teacher must try to understand the goal of each drummer. Where do they want to go? This is the long time goal that we subdivide in small steps. Some students want to become great rock drummers and some want to learn every musical style. Others want to understand more technique or to become a better reader. Still, others want to learn everything about drumming. To teach all levels, we must evaluate the students learning ability. Find out what they want to achieve and create a personalized lesson for every need and close the gap! The rewards of each students success is where the enjoyment of teaching exists!


As Teachers, We Will Always Be Students…
To learn any art form, there is no moment in our life when we say, that’s it and we have learned enough! This moment is the end! As a dedicated teacher we remain students. We still learn from new books and DVDs. We still take lessons and we still grow as people and musicians. The more we learn the more effective we become. Everything in this world is growing so fast. We need to practice sometimes only to stay where we are!

It’s always a pleasure and a fun experience to be an influence to younger players. Always keep in mind that it could be our last lesson and that in life each minute could be the last. The secret is really to enjoy each student, each moment and to enjoy and appreciate the fun of teaching.