General Lesson Info
At DrumWorks School of Music, we’re proud to provide high-quality music lessons for students of all ages and skill levels throughout the Lehigh Valley area. From beginner musicians to advanced performers, every lesson is customized to match your goals, learning style, and pace. In addition to our renowned drum lessons, we’re also home to skilled guitar and bass teachers who offer professional, one-on-one instruction designed to help you grow as a musician. All of our instructors are full-time performers and educators based in the Lehigh Valley, bringing real-world experience and passion into every session. Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or refining your technique, DrumWorks ensures a fun, supportive, and productive learning environment. Join us to sharpen your skills, build confidence, and enjoy the rewarding experience of music-making. Contact us today to get started. Music Lessons We Offer: * Drums * Guitar * Bass Guitar Scheduling: The schedule that works best for the majority of students is a 30-minute lesson once a week, same day and time every week. Consistency is crucial in developing as a musician, and a regular weekly lesson format, combined with appropriate practice in between is a good starting point for most students. There are some instances where other scheduling may be preferred. More advanced students, as well as, those traveling a significant distance sometimes, prefer hour lessons every other week, and some student’s curriculum justifies taking an hour every week. Availability varies for each teacher: To schedule music lessons, or for questions regarding scheduling, please call us at 610-391-0720 or email. Hours are by appointment only. We are located in Orefield PA for the convenience of our students throughout the Lehigh Valley area. Rates/Payment: Lessons are $35.00 per half hour or $70 per hour. Lesson tuition is paid to your teacher monthly at the first lesson of each month. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted. Attendance: 24 hours notice is required for all cancellations, or to reschedule a lesson. Any missed lessons not cancelled or rescheduled 24 prior to the time of the lesson are charged in full. What to bring: Drum students only need to bring their own sticks, books and any other lesson materials they are working on. Our studios are fully equipped. The drum room has two drum kits, stereo, headphones, drum machines etc. Guitar and bass students need to bring their own guitar, books and lesson materials… amps are here to use.
Drum Specific Lesson Info
This information is specific to drum studies with Scott Williams and is based on the most common questions people have regarding drum lessons. If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please call 610-391-0720 or email. Accepting students of all playing levels, from beginner to advanced. Past and present students include every type of drummer imaginable… beginners entering the 4 grade music program, semi-pro drummers out playing in bands, college music majors, advanced players looking for new ideas and inspiration, and other drum teachers. Ages 8 & Up Eight is typically a good age for beginning study of the drums. That, of course, is a generalized statement. We have seen students as young as 6 that were ready and successful students, but our usual recommendation is 8. On the other end of the spectrum, there is no upper age limit. Scott has many adult students that started out playing the drums later in life and are enjoying a great new hobby! Specializing in Drum Set and Snare Drum Curriculum Our beginner and advanced drum lessons focus on modern drum set playing and snare drumming. Those are very broad categories that encompass many things. For a general overview: Drum Set Studies Include * Drum set technique and mechanics from basic to advanced * Developing knowledge of musical styles (Including rock, jazz, world styles, latin, afro cuban, reggae, funk, hard rock/metal, theater, etc.) * Developing great timekeeping skills and feel * Fills and soloing * Interpreting music as a drummer (we play along to recorded music to develop this) * Reading drum set notation and charts * General musicianship on the drum set * Specifics of drum set technique (advanced players) Snare Drum Lessons Snare Drum Lessons Include * Hand technique (grip, stroke, etc.) * Reading snare drum notation * Rudiments * Mastering rudimental and orchestral snare pieces * School band methods (for school band students) Prepare for school or college auditions. If you have an audition for acceptance into the school band, for chair placements within the band, acceptance into a music college, or even a scholarship, Scott Williams is happy to help. Over the years, many of his students have faced auditions at all these level, and the success rate has been incredibly high. Go to your audition knowing you’re prepared!
Meet the Instructors
Our team of experienced and caring educators is our greatest asset, dedicated to nurturing every musician's unique journey.
D. Scott Williams
Drum Instructor & Proprietor
As one of the top music instructors in the area, D. Scott Williams is a drummer, educator, author, and the owner of Drum Works School of Music in Orefield Pennsylvania. Scott began playing professionally at a young age over 30 years ago. He has since played throughout the US as well as on European tours. Scott enjoys a busy performance schedule and plays with a wide variety of artists of different styles. Currently, he can be seen playing live with Pennsylvania guitar legend Mike Dugan, Jake Kaligis and the New Constitution, instrumental funk/fusion trio Drop3, and guitarist Scott Bradoka. Some other artists that Scott has recorded or performed with in the past include Idle Threats, Rhino Campground, Steve Brosky, New Amsterdam, and many others. Scott Williams is the author of several instructional drum books. They include “The Funky Six”, and “Drum Fills… The Basics and Beyond”. Both are available internationally from Mel Bay Publications. In constant demand as a drum lesson instructor in the Lehigh Valley, he enjoys a busy teaching schedule. For over 15 years, Scott has taught drummers of all ages and skill levels. He has created a strong drum curriculum drawing on years of experience performing, recording, teaching, and his lifelong study of the art of drumming. This enables Scott to offer something to drummers of all styles, ages, and levels of experience. His students vary from absolute beginners (both young and old!) to experienced players looking to further their abilities, and even other drum teachers. For more specific information about Scott’s drum instruction and curriculum, please see the Music Lessons page of this website, or call 610-391-0720. Scott has studied at the prestigious Drummer’s Collective in NYC with master teachers Kim Plainfield and Frank Katz, and also with Jimmy DeGrasso (Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Y&T) along with numerous other gifted teachers. The high standards that were set by these music instructors and teachers remain an important influence on Scott as an educator. In addition to teaching at his studio, DrumWorks School of Music, Scott has taught for over 10 years at the California Drum Shop, The Community Music School in Allentown, PA (1984-1985), and was the Percussion Instructor for the Parkland High School Marching Band (1985 & 86 seasons). Scott is a Vic Firth Artist and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team and The Percussive Arts Society.
Gus Schnable
Guitar and Bass Instructor
Gus Schnable has been a professional musician for over 24 years and has been teaching for the past 13 years as one of the area’s leading music instructors. Well-versed in numerous genres of music, including jazz, funk, R&B, rock, metal, and classical, Gus enjoys a full roster of students and is continually active in recording and performing in various group settings. Gus holds a Master’s Degree in Music Theory from Temple University. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Berklee College of Music with a concentration in Jazz Theory and Arranging. He is an active member of The Society of Music Theory and the Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic, and an avid participant in the SMT Jazz and Popular Music discussion groups. In March of 2004, Gus presented a paper at the Mid-Atlantic Music Theory Conference in Philadelphia based on his research in Generative Theory and its applicability to jazz music, specifically in the music of Charles Mingus. With his education and professional experience, Gus has had success in helping students with placement into college music programs throughout the country. For 13 years, Gus has maintained a thriving private teaching practice in and around the Lehigh Valley area. He has also held an adjunct teaching position at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA (2006-2009). Since 2005, Gus has been a sound consultant for the C.F. Martin guitar company. Also being a private music instructor. Some groups that Gus has recorded and performed with include Rhino Campground, Devils Half Acre, Scott Bradoka, Flirtin’ with Mama, The Starlites, and Blitz. He has also done pit orchestra work for the Civic Theater in Allentown, PA for the Who’s rock opera “Tommy”. In the summer of 2006, Gus toured Germany with Scott Bradoka opening for Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy. In 2008 he headed back to Europe, making stops in Germany and Prague with Scott Bradoka and the Staggering Evil Genius’, touring as a support act for Robert Cray, The Hooters, and Dicky Betts. Currently, Gus can be heard playing with the instrumental funk/fusion band Drop3 and the ten-piece R&B/Soul band Flirtin’ with the Mob.