Drummer Educator

Joe
'Jopey'
Fitzpatrick

All About Me

Educator

I teach private lessons from my home in Belchertown Ma.
My focus is on technique, note reading, groove, and musicality.
I try to incorporate music theory concepts such as form, melody, harmony, and texture.
Drum set styles explored include rock, funk, swing, latin, reggae, soca and world rythms in regular and irregular time signatures.

BACKGROUND:
    *Bachelors degree in Music Education with general music classroom certification
    *Over 10 years experience teaching general music in Public Schools
    *Have been playing the drums over 35 years
    *10 years experience in recording
    *Created, edited, & posted weekly podcasts featuring local musicians

PHILOSOPHY:
I believe students with a solid foundation of proper technique and strong note reading skills
will continue to excel and develop as musicians long after lessons have ended.
Students are encouraged to direct the focus of lessons and take an active roll
in their education.

I hope my love of drumming and music as a whole is shared with my students
in such a way that it encourages them to also find joy in the art of drumming.

FACILITY/INSTRUMENTATION:
My basement has been converted into my studio space which includes a comfortable waiting area for parents with a large window allowing you to see into the teaching space. In the waiting area is also my recording equipment. There is a large separate teaching room.

Instrumentation includes:
    *2 full drum sets
    *practice pads
    *a 4.3 octave marimba
    *various hand percussion
    *a piano
    *a recording studio

I encourage all my students to be well rounded percussionist.

Performer

I have been playing drum set professionally for over 35 years. I have played numerous styles including rock, jazz, funk, reggae, world beat amoung others.I have toured the country and abroad with various musicians and groups. I am currently involved with the following projects :

Trailer Park
Gaslight Tinkers
Ghok-Bi System
Show of Cards
T.J and the Peepers
Christina and the Flying Cantalinis
Samirah Evans

I have also recorded in many local studios including :

Northfire Recording Studios
Rotary Records
Waterhouse Recording
Ruckous Studios

See my upcoming events below.

Get in Touch

"Joe was my drum-set teacher for 5+ years when I was younger. I started at a basic level and he gave me the skills I needed to get to the point where I could develop my own style and continue learning on my own. Any time I felt stuck at a particular skill-level, a lesson with Joe would help me break that barrier. Joe has been my biggest inspiration as a drummer - and now, I am an inspiration for others."