Oscar Hansen

I am a percussion teacher with a passion for teaching students of all ages about the exciting world of percussion instruments. I have a strong background in both concert and marching percussion, having made all-state in all years of middle/high school and being part of my high school marching band for 4 years. 

My love for percussion began at a young age when I joined a drum line in Groove inc at the age of 5. Since then, I have been involved in everything from the  Casper Troopers Drum and Bugle corps drum line, to the percussion ensemble at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. I am proficient in playing snare drum, tenor drum, and bass drum because of my time as an instructor at Groove inc, and I am able to teach concert percussion(snare, timpani, and marimba). 

The teaching style that I use is based on the student. It is an approach that prioritizes the individual needs, interests, and abilities of each student. In the context of drumming, this teaching style can be highly effective in helping students to develop their skills and achieve their goals.

At the heart of this teaching style is a focus on the fundamentals of drumming. These fundamentals are the ABC's of drumming,  Always start slow, Big and loud, and Count out loud. These provide a strong foundation upon which students can build their skills and knowledge. Emphasizing basics and developing good habits/techniques serves students well as they progress in their drumming journey.

The first letter is A, "always start slow".  This approach helps students to develop their sense of timing and rhythm, as well as their ability to play with control and precision. By starting slow and gradually building up speed and complexity, students can avoid becoming overwhelmed or frustrated, and can instead focus on building their skills in a manageable and enjoyable way.

The second letter is B, "big and Loud". Go big or go home is a popular saying, and it definitely applies to drumming. In order to play confidently you must learn confidently. As a teacher, I have learned that mistakes are the stepping stones to success, and my role as a teacher is to lead you through struggle to your goals.

The last letter is C, "count out loud". As an essential component of this teaching style, Counting out loud helps students to internalize the rhythm and timing of the music, and to develop their sense of phrasing and musicality. By counting out loud, students can also improve their ability to play with other musicians, as they learn to coordinate their playing with the timing of the music.