5/5 stars! I've been taking lessons with John for almost 2 months now, and I already feel comfortable reading sheet music, playing numerous grooves, and I've already learned a song! John is an excellent teacher and breaks everything down so it's easy to understand, but you're still able to see progress quickly. John gives his lessons out of a private and comfortable studio space. There is a free parking lot as well! I can't wait to keep learning the drums and discover all that I'm able to learn in even a few more months. read more

I had been playing drums on and off for 20 years when I first started working with John. Right out of the gate John identified my strengths and weaknesses and in a short amount of time built my skills and confidence up enough to start gigging again. Whether you are new to drums or are looking to hone your chops John is the guy! read more

My kids (now 12 and 14) have been taking drum lessons with John for the past four years, and we truly couldn't have asked for a better teacher. When they started, they had zero experience with drums, and now they're playing with confidence, skill, and a real love for music. Our older child recently joined the high school marching band--something we credit in large part to John's encouragement and excellent teaching. What really sets John apart is his patience, deep knowledge, and the way he connects with kids. He explains things clearly, keeps lessons fun and engaging, and knows exactly how to push them without overwhelming them. His passion for drums is absolutely infectious--it's hard not to get excited about music when he's around. Beyond being a fantastic teacher, we're so grateful for the impact he's had on our kids over the years--not just as a music instructor, but as a positive and consistent presence in their lives. If you're looking for a drum teacher who knows his stuff, connects with kids, and inspires a true love of music, John is it. Highly, highly recommend! read more

John is a great teacher. Super patient, kind, communicative, and encouraging! Highly recommend. Plus he is flexible when possible if you need to reschedule. Genuinely 10/10 instructor for all levels read more

John is AMAZING. He is so patient with my son. He really is a great teacher. We will continue our lessons.

John is a good drum instructor, knowledgeable and patient. I see that he is developing a good relationship with my son (6 yrs old). He's taking time and effort to understand the needs and abilities of his student. He encourages his student to work on their skills and provide positive feedback. My son gets excited every time John say " you are doing great" and when he makes mistake he says "it's ok, I make mistake too". I'm glad I found a good instructor for my son. Not to mention John's studio is safe and clean. read more

Drum Lessons - John James - Learning with the pro - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - North Hollywood, California

When my son started begging me for drum lessons I was truly lost on where to find a great teacher. I found John James the Great via Yelp and feel it's my duty to confirm all the outstanding reviews! John James is one of the most incredibly gifted teachers, with the patience of a monk, and he has lit a passion in my son for drums and nurtured it over the past 6 months. I'm blown away by his ability to really get my *very active 6 year old* to focus for 45 min straight! I cannot say enough about how grateful we are to find such a brilliant and dedicated teacher. And if you get the chance to watch him play I can assure you it is the greatest treat! Thank you John James, we are infinitely grateful for your talent and teaching prowess! read more

Drum Lessons - John James - Carter crushing drums thanks to John James! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - North Hollywood, California

John is by far one of the best teachers I've ever had. You can tell he's taught a wide variety of students with a vast array of learning preferences and personalities. I'm an adult student with adult stress and his lessons feel like a mix of fun, support and helping you believe (and achieve) things you never thought were possible. I just learned my second song and am already seeing how the curriculum he designed is building a strong foundation. When I first arrived, I was so nervous and intimidated - complete with sweaty palms - but quickly realized there was no reason to be because John is so kind and down to earth. He never judges you and is quick on his feet to accommodate you. He's such an incredible teacher that I would absolutely plan on continuing remotely if I ever live too far from his in person studio (which feels really comfortable and safe, with plenty of parking). Knowing how to play and knowing how to teach are two very unique skills. John is the best at both! read more

In addition to being an obviously talented musician, John is patient & trustworthy. So nice to see my daughter all smiles after each lesson. As long as she's interested in taking lessons, we will be with John. Really happy we found him. read more

I have been taking lessons with John for about a year and I couldn't be happier! He breaks down lessons in a way that is easy to understand and replicate when I practice at home, and his lessons are paced perfectly so that the material is challenging without ever becoming overwhelming. He is flexible, patient and has a great attitude. My drumming has improved significantly with John and I am so excited to continue working with him. Highly recommend!! read more

I have nothing but good things to say about John. His lessons were super enjoyable and he'll provide you the foundation to learn and improve as a drummer. I like how he switches up the pace depending on your progress so I never feel super overwhelmed when I go home and practice my drills. Highly recommended to anyone who's interested in playing the drums! read more

I randomly decided I wanted to learn to play the drums, at least learn to perfect ONE SONG... Thus I took to GOOGLE MAPS to find a drum teacher. All the great reviews about John are true. He is an awesome teacher and made what I have learned thus far in my drum lessons feel EASY to learn... And this is coming from someone with ZERO musical talent... I'm taking NIL, NOTHING, NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT SHEET MUSIC BEFORE. Had NO IDEA what the notes meant and what the specific drums were called, etc! But now I'm in a place where I KNOW what almost all the notes mean and I can translate that onto the drum set (and this is after only 4 sessions). UNFORTUNATELY I have to discontinue my sessions with John because I'm moving BUT... I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend him if you're looking to tap into your BAD ASS INNER DRUMMER! Plus, his hourly rates can't be beat! read more

We have been with John for 7 years! He has taught my son so much. As a result, my son has a wide range of music he listens to, he can play drum set to many songs new and old. When he finally started band in middle school, he performed his first drum solo (coached by John) that blew us all away. John is patient yet firm. He is a talented and skilled private teacher and you will be able to excel and hone your skills whether your revisiting drums or learning for the first time. We highly recommend!! read more

Drum Lessons - John James - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - North Hollywood, California

If you're really serious about learning to play the drums, then John is definitely your guy! I've been learning with John for about a year and a half now, and I'm a teacher myself, so I'm really picky about how others teach. One of the things that really sets him apart is that he majored in percussion at a university, so he has a very technical and thorough background. Luckily, for his students, we learn in a very comprehensive manner, which builds upon skills that he teaches methodically and with great finesse. Students play super fun songs while increasing their ability to read music, comprehend theory, master rudiments, etc., all at the same time! John knows how to push you to your limit at every lesson while still having fun and ensuring you are learning. He should actually be charging more because of his college training and exemplary teaching. Again, if you're really serious about learning, then, I can't recommend John enough! read more

My son had charter school funds to spend and decided he wanted to try drum lessons. John accepted our funds and was near us in the valley. We LOVE him. Not only is he a fantastic teacher but he's also a wonderful person. He teaches both children and adults so he's patient which is always important in an instructor. He's also flexible. We had a standing appointment once a week but when something came up he could always find a makeup time. I asked my 13 year old what he wanted to say about John and he said "Everything, he's great at everything. I especially appreciate that he doesn't rush you." Which is true but also funny because at one point my son wanted to move a bit more quickly than what he was ready for and John knew exactly how to handle the situation. You will not be disappointed with John James Drums Lessons! read more

Best teacher in the world! Super patient and friendly and knows his stuff. Couldn't be happier with him as my teacher!

He is an amazing music instructor to say the least, I joined 4 years ago ( 13 yrs - 17 yrs old ) and finishing now doing marching band and aiming for all city marching, learned tons of songs on drum kit and will use the skills I learned from him in the future. I seriously couldn't be where i am today with these lessons forever grateful to have such a good drum teacher !! read more

Let me start off by saying John is THE BEST. I've always been back and forth with taking drum lessons until finally I've decided to just go for it. I'm very lucky because every session I've had has always been fun and definitely worth the money. I learn new things every time we meet and I can say my progress has been significant. Can't say anything negative about my experience because every session has been wonderful. John is very very knowledgeable, he's very patient and understanding and you can see his passion and dedication through how he treats his students and how he teaches the craft he has perfected. I've been taking lessons with him for a couple of months now and it's one of the best decisions I've made. I don't think I'll go to a different teacher ever. No matter what level you're on as far as your drumming experience goes, John will definitely take you where you want to be and need to be. Don't hesitate! Pretty awesome dude. You won't regret!! Cheers! -Kerry read more

I came to John for drum lessons over 6 months ago because I had a very weak sense of rhythm. I had a hard time staying in the pocket and he's been absolutely amazing! Super patient, incredibly skilled, and makes every lesson count. He goes above and beyond to teach you the art of drumming. Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn drums or build rhythm! read more

I have been playing musical instruments since I was 8. I decided to pick up drums now at 27 years old and wanted to give John a try due to his great reviews. The knowledge, energy, and patience John brings to each lesson is exactly what new students need to grow and become great drummers! John has been teaching me now for almost 5 months and the progress has just been great. I'm sure there's also plenty for experienced drummers to learn from John as well due to his strong musical training and years of experience. The process for starting lessons was simple: I reached out to him over yelp via messaging, he responded quickly, answered all my questions, and got our first lesson scheduled that same week. I highly recommend John for all your drumming needs. read more

My entire life I have wanted to learn to play drums. Decided one day, it's not too late! Went on Yelp and found John. I was a little apprehensive at first about learning, but he starts you off with baby steps, makes it so easy and fun. Every week I learn something new and leave my lesson pumped. Every day I look forward to playing my drums. John has an amazing ear, loves music, knows everything drums, I have a ton of questions, he is patient with me and answers them all. It's really fun watching him play, he is amazing! He is flexible on scheduling, really easy to work and communicate with. So glad I found him! I LOVE PLAYING THE DRUMS and it thanks to him. read more

Been a while since I posted here so posting again now. John is a great teacher. A few years ago, I picked up where i left off after giving up drums at age 15. John got me right up to speed, and right away I was making breakthroughs, more or less 30 years after being away from the kit. I took a few years off due to work and relocation and lack of access to drums, etc, but picked back up in May 2020, mid-pandemic, via Zoom. I sent John my list of goals and we've been working toward them ever since. He's patient, but also pushes me just enough to make little victories and breakthroughs. My only regret is that I took those years off, but but we're in a groove now and I'm looking forward to working with him more. read more

Our elementary-school-aged son wanted to learn to play drums and John came highly recommended as an instructor (for both adults and children) from other homeschool parents. We feel so fortunate to have found him! John is the perfect combination of teacher and coach. He is knowledgeable, kind, patient, and extremely motivating. John provides positive feedback and also encourages our son to stretch a bit beyond his comfort level - just the right amount - to improve in his drumming week after week. John's pace and method of instruction have been a great fit for our son, who is totally exceeding our expectations in drumming, reading music, and having so much fun that he even enjoys practicing daily at home. After six weeks of doing lessons with John once per week, our son was enjoying them so much that he asked if he could start doing them twice a week. It's awesome to see my son having such a blast and feeling the sense of accomplishment that comes with learning an instrument. Having a great teacher makes all the difference. We highly recommend John! read more

John James is a great drumming teacher! He is able to keep things moving and light for kids, while at the same time pinning down technique and fundamental skills. Excellent rapport and honest feedback for children to learn by, and provides an organized program of instruction. Highly recommend. read more

John is an amazing drum teacher! I've been drumming for over 20 years, off and on, and finally got back into taking lessons to improve my foundational drumming and John has been "instrumental" in my rapid progress and confidence. He's very supportive, encouraging, and fun! Unlike some teachers who are great drummers, but not necessarily good teachers, John has years of experience as a drum teacher and am so excited to be continuing my drum journey with him. Thanks, John! read more

Teacher John is an amazing teacher and role model for our son. He knows all the tricks to make kids listen without being strict. He has great lesson plans that are easy for kids to follow. He is super patient, and I learn a lot from him as a parent. Highly recommended. I wish we knew him earlier. read more

I've been with John James for over two years now and every week I'm learning new things! It's always the highlight of my week! Great Price and Flexible with our schedule! Highly recommend! read more

Highly recommend John. He is one of the most experienced music teachers I've met. He's very patient and knows how to break down issues and explain how to overcome specific challenges. If you're looking to properly learn how to play the drums, look no further. I've been a student of his for a fair bit of time now and really happy with my progress. read more

I can't say enough good things about John! He really knows how to communicate his impressively vast knowledge in a way that's easy to understand. He's nice and laid back and creates a great learning atmosphere. He also knows how to get down to business, always pushing me just enough to make me a better drummer. I've been studying with him for only two months, but already my skills have improved immensely. Sign up. Take lessons. You won't be disappointed. No matter what your skill level - this is the drum teacher for you! read more

John is such an incredible teacher! I went into the drum lessons with zero knowledge looking to learn a new instrument and Johns lessons and ways of teaching are extremely straightforward for a beginner to process but still pushes you enough to keep improving during tougher lessons. Ive been receiving lessons from John for almost a year now and I can now confidently get behind a kit and play grooves and songs. John is very flexible with scheduling especially if things come up last minute. Overall I've had nothing but a good experience since learning from John and I highly recommend him to anyone willing to learn! read more

All the 5-star reviews are well deserved. He's encouraging, supportive, makes you feel at ease (even when you're palms are sweaty), easy to get along with, kind, and sets up lessons in a way where you will progress fast. My lessons with him are the highlight of my week. I'm so glad I found John! read more

In addition to being an incredible player, John is also a great teacher. He has a serious passion for music and drumming, and lessons with John are a ton of fun. He's encouraging, professional, and a great communicator. He also has a great studio and awesome sounding drums! read more

John is seriously the best drum teacher in existence. He is kind, understanding and patient but still pushes me to accomplish my goals every lesson. I've improved so much within a short amount of time, I only wish I had found him earlier! No matter what age or level you are at John is the teacher you want and need! It's the one thing I look forward to every week. Don't go anywhere else!!! read more

After trying two different teachers before finding John - I can't say how much I love his style of teaching the drums. I can't believe how much I've learned in just a couple of months. He pushes me when I think something is too difficult and he believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. He is super patient and takes things at whatever pace I'm moving. My weekly lessons are definitely the highlight of my week. read more

John has been an excellent teacher! He is great for all levels of instruction, and is very flexible with scheduling. Whether you'd like to learn to read, work on your hand techniques or practice syncopation he can help with it all. Highly recommended read more

John is a humble, well rounded teacher and makes sure you understand what you are doing before moving forward. I was able to learn fast with him! -Justin read more

When I first reached out for lessons, I had little to no expectations. I had never played drums before, just knew I wanted to learn. Immediately John gave me confidence that I could do this, and I was so impressed by his skillful selection of exercises and way of introducing each concept. Never have I felt incapable of growth, and I leave every lesson energized - ready to take on the next step! Phenomenal teacher. Look no further!!! read more

I have taken lessons from John for about two years now, and from day one it was clear that he was a fantastic teacher. He is incredibly passionate about drumming (and music in general), and is totally focused on your growth as a drummer during your lesson. Beside that, he's just a great guy - very nice and easy going. I would recommend John to anyone. Five stars! read more

John is an amazing teacher! I started lessons with him ~6 months ago, and I can see tremendous progress with each lesson. He is extremely thorough with his technique and has many tricks up his sleeve to help me get through any difficulties I have with playing/music theory. I've taken lessons before with other drum teachers and they aren't as attentive as he is, from the books he chooses, to how he conducts his lessons. Highly Recommended!! read more

I've been working with John for the past couple of months and have already learned so much. He is enthusiastic, attentive, helpful, and on point. He provides you with a strong foundation from which to grow from and further your drum abilities. Class is always fun, and I always come out of it feeling like I've learned so much. I would highly recommend John as a drum teacher!! read more