Limited availability for summer lessons — book early to lock in your preferred time slot.
June 2026
🥁 Update
Audition Prep Starting July
Region & All-State audition prep sessions begin in July. Reach out now to get scheduled.
May 2026
📣 Newsletter
Rudiment of the Month: Flam Accent
This month's focus is the Flam Accent — a foundational rudiment every snare player needs to master.
June 1, 2026
DFW Percussion Instruction
PattersonDrums
Private percussion instruction for students across the Dallas–Fort Worth area — building technique, musicianship, and confidence at every level.
DFWBased Instructor
Serving students across Carrollton, Flower Mound, and the greater DFW area.
60+Active Students
Serving students from middle school through high school.
DCI& WGI Experience
World-class competitive experience brought into every lesson.
Hebron High School
Hebron Band Cluster · Carrollton, TX
Arbor Creek · Creek Valley · Killian
Lewisville ISD
Official LISD Percussion Instructor
Elite Competitive Background
Blue Knights DCI · Vigilantes WGI
About the instructor
Adam Patterson
🎓EducationB.M. Music Education UT Arlington
🥁Competitive Exp.Blue Knights DCI Vigilantes WGI
📍LocationCarrollton, Texas DFW Area
Welcome to Patterson Drums. I'm Adam Patterson — a percussionist, educator, and DFW-based private lesson instructor backed by over a decade of world-class competitive performance experience.
I hold a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Texas at Arlington, where I developed a deep understanding of both performance practice and the pedagogy behind effective teaching.
My background spans multiple years of competitive experience at the highest levels of the activity. I marched with the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps (Denver, CO) — a World Class DCI finalist organization — and performed with Vigilantes Indoor Percussion in WGI. I specialize in rudimental drumming and bring that level of discipline into every lesson.
Whether your student is just getting started or preparing for a high-level audition, you can trust they're receiving instruction built on a serious foundation — and delivered with genuine care for their growth.
🥁Battery PercussionSnare, tenor, and bass drum technique rooted in rudimental fundamentals and marching excellence.
🎹Mallet PercussionMarimba, vibraphone, xylophone, and full pit ensemble technique for front ensemble players.
🎯Audition PrepRegion, All-State, DCI, and school audition coaching — structured and results-oriented.
🎵Music TheoryReading notation, rhythm, counting systems, and foundational theory every percussionist needs.
📐Technique & FormGrip, stroke quality, posture, and physical mechanics — building habits that last a career.
🧠Mental PerformanceFocus, confidence, and performance mindset training for students competing at the highest level.
Skills & Performance
See Adam Play
Drumline content from Adam's competitive background — DCI, WGI, and ensemble footage. Videos and performance photos will be added as the program grows.
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Battery Ensemble Showcase
Full battery line performing in a competitive setting.
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🎵
Front Ensemble Pit Feature
Marimba, vibes, and synthesizers in a full production.
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🏆
DCI Season Highlights
Clips from Drum Corps International — Blue Knights DBC.
DCI · Competitive
❄️
WGI Indoor Percussion
Vigilantes Indoor Percussion — WGI indoor season clips.
WGI · Indoor
Lesson Scheduling
Book a Lesson
In-school lessons are the primary format — Adam travels between schools daily and pulls students during a class period. Before/after school and Saturdays are supplemental slots. All times are approximate and depend on your school's bell schedule.
Available
Full
Not Offered
Time Slot
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
🔒 To request a slot, email adam@pattersondrums.com with your student's name, school, and preferred time. Adam will confirm within 24 hours.
Tuition & Payments
Payment Options
Adam keeps payment simple and flexible. All options are accepted — pay whichever way works best for your family.
CheckPayable to Adam PattersonPersonal or cashier's checks.
Tuition is due at the time of each lesson or the start of each monthly cycle. Automated invoices are sent via email so you always know what's due. Questions? Email adam@pattersondrums.com.
How the Invoice Process Works
The system handles billing automatically so Adam can focus on teaching and you can focus on your student.
1
Lesson is booked and confirmedOnce Adam confirms your slot, your student's info is entered. Everything from this point forward is automatic.
2
Lesson reminder sent automaticallyYou'll receive an email reminder 24 hours before each scheduled lesson.
3
Invoice sent after each lesson or monthlyAn itemized invoice is emailed automatically showing the date, lesson length, rate, and amount due.
4
Pay with your preferred methodUse any of the payment options above. Include your student's name in the payment note so Adam can match it instantly.
5
Late payment reminder sent automaticallyIf a balance isn't cleared within 7 days, a gentle automated reminder is sent. Genuine emergencies are always handled fairly.
6
Monthly progress report includedEach monthly invoice also includes a brief progress note on your student — what was covered and where they're headed.
🎵 Powered by My Music Staff Lesson scheduling, invoicing, payment reminders, and monthly progress reports are all managed through My Music Staff — a professional studio management platform. Once you're booked, everything runs automatically. No manual follow-up, no missed invoices, no friction.
💬 Questions? Adam is happy to answer anything. Email adam@pattersondrums.com — payment plans and special circumstances are always considered.
Set your timer, put your phone face down, and focus. Adam recommends 15–20 minutes daily.
15:00
📋 Equipment List Coming Soon Adam is finalizing the official equipment requirements directly with Hebron ISD and the Hebron Band Cluster. A complete, school-approved gear list will be posted here once confirmed. In the meantime, don't buy anything yet — email adam@pattersondrums.com with any questions.
Practice Tips
Advice from Adam on making the most out of every session — whether it's 15 minutes or an hour.
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Always warm up with singles and doubles firstBefore anything else — 2 minutes of single strokes and double strokes at a comfortable tempo. Your hands need to wake up before you push tempo or tackle anything technical.
🎚️
Use a metronome every single timeNo exceptions. Practicing without a click builds bad habits that are extremely hard to undo. Start slower than you think you need to — accuracy at a slow tempo beats sloppy speed every time.
🐢
Slow is smooth, smooth is fastIf you can't play it cleanly at 70 BPM, you can't actually play it. Master the technique at a slow tempo first. Speed is a byproduct of precision — not the other way around.
🔁
Isolate the hard part — don't run it from the top every timeFind the measure or two that trips you up and work that section in a loop. Running the whole piece from bar 1 every time wastes practice time and reinforces the same mistakes.
👀
Watch your stick heightsConsistency in stick height is what separates clean playing from messy playing. Accents high, taps low — every stroke should be intentional. Practice in front of a mirror when you can.
😤
Stay relaxed — tension kills techniqueCheck your shoulders, arms, and grip regularly during a session. Tension creeps in as tempo increases. A relaxed grip and loose wrists produce faster, cleaner strokes than a death grip ever will.
📈
Bump the tempo by 5 BPM only when it's perfectPlay something cleanly 3 times in a row at the current tempo before moving up. If you make a mistake, drop back down. This is how you actually build speed without breaking down your technique.
📅
15 minutes daily beats 2 hours once a weekMuscle memory is built through repetition over time — not cramming. A focused 15-minute session every day will improve you faster than a long weekend session. Use the timer above and make it a habit.
Lesson Rates & Availability
Pricing & Schedule
All lesson rates follow the official Lewisville ISD graduate instructor rate. Pricing is set by the district — consistent, transparent, and the same for all students.
📋 Official LISD Rate Information Lesson pricing is determined by Lewisville ISD. Visit the official LISD website to view current graduate instructor rates.
The primary format is during the school day — Adam travels between schools daily. Before/after school and Saturdays are secondary options.
Session
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Time
Duration
🏫 In-School Primary
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
—
During class period
22 min
☀️ Before School
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
—
7:00 – 7:30 AM
30 min
🌆 After School
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
—
3:30 – 5:10 PM
30 min
📅 Saturday
—
—
—
—
—
✓
9:00 – 11:15 AM
30 min
✓ = Available · — = Not offered · Green = Primary format · Blue = Secondary / supplemental
⏳
Schedule Full? Waitlist Available
When Adam's schedule fills completely, parents can join the waitlist. You'll be contacted as spots open — or we can explore scheduling outside normal school hours.
🏫
Unified Curriculum Across All Schools
Adam teaches the same structured curriculum to all percussion instructors across the Hebron HS band cluster — Arbor Creek, Creek Valley, and Killian included.
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Fully Automated — Minimal Effort
Once booked, the system handles reminders, invoices, and follow-up emails automatically. Adam reviews his email — everything is designed to run itself.
Lesson Agreements
Policies & Agreements
Please read everything below before booking your first lesson. By booking, you agree to all policies listed here.
📅Scheduling & Lesson Times
Primary format is during the school day. Adam travels between schools pulling students from a designated non-core class period. Schedule is based on the student's school and class period.
Before school, after school, and Saturdays are secondary options for makeup lessons or additional practice.
All scheduling is done by contacting Adam directly. No lessons are held without a confirmed booking.
🔄Rescheduling Policy
Reschedules must be requested at least 24–48 hours in advance. Requests within that window may not be accommodated.
Reschedule by emailing adam@pattersondrums.com. Each student is allowed one free reschedule per month.
🚫Cancellation Policy
Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance are fully refunded or credited.
Cancellations within 24 hours will be charged 50% of the lesson fee unless due to a documented emergency.
School-related conflicts (band events, UIL, rehearsals) are always excused with no charge.
⛔No-Show Policy
No-shows are charged in full. If a student doesn't show and no prior notice was given, the full lesson fee is charged.
Adam will wait 10 minutes past the start time before recording a no-show.
Three no-shows in a semester may result in removal from the lesson schedule.
💳Payment Policy
Payment is due at the time of each lesson or at the start of each monthly billing cycle. Invoices are sent automatically.
Accepted: Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Cash, or Check.
Late payments beyond 7 days may result in a hold on scheduling.
🏫Curriculum & Program Standards
Adam maintains a unified curriculum across all schools in the Hebron HS band cluster.
Students are expected to practice 15–20 minutes daily between lessons.
Monthly progress reports are emailed to parents automatically.
By booking a lesson with Adam Patterson, you acknowledge and agree to all policies listed on this page. Last updated June 2026.
Self-Service Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't reach Adam? Check here first — most answers are right below.
📅 Booking & Scheduling
How do I book a lesson?+
Email Adam at adam@pattersondrums.com with your student's name, school, and preferred time. Adam will confirm your slot within 24 hours and get you set up in the system.
What times are lessons available?+
The primary format is during the school day — Adam travels between schools and pulls students during a designated class period. Secondary options are before school (7:00–7:30 AM), after school (3:30–5:10 PM) Monday through Friday, and Saturdays (9:00–11:15 AM).
What if the schedule is completely full?+
When Adam's schedule fills up, you can join the waitlist. Email Adam directly and you'll be automatically notified when a slot opens. In some cases, lessons can also be scheduled outside normal school hours.
What if my student has a school band event or UIL conflict?+
School-related conflicts are always excused — no charge, no penalty. Just email Adam as soon as you know about the conflict so the time slot can be offered to another student.
💰 Payments & Billing
How much do lessons cost?+
All lesson rates follow the official Lewisville ISD graduate instructor rate. Visit lisd.net/private-lessons for current district rates, or contact Adam directly.
Payment is due at the time of the lesson or at the beginning of each monthly billing cycle. Invoices are sent automatically via email so you'll always know what's due and when.
🥁 Curriculum & Progress
What will my student learn?+
Adam follows a structured percussion curriculum that covers rudimental drumming fundamentals, technique and form, music reading, mallet technique (if applicable), and audition preparation. The same curriculum is used across all schools in the Hebron HS band cluster.
How will I know how my student is progressing?+
Monthly progress reports are emailed to parents automatically. You don't have to ask — they come to you. If you have specific questions between reports, email Adam directly.
What equipment does my student need?+
Check the Equipment Resources page for Adam's complete recommended gear list. Short version: a practice pad, sticks, and the book "Stick Control" by George Lawrence Stone. Adam will give a personalized list at the first lesson.
Use the Contact page to send Adam a message directly. Adam is happy to answer any external questions not covered here.
💬 Quick Check-In
How's your student progressing?
Monthly progress reports are sent automatically through My Music Staff. Have a question before then? Adam responds within 24 hours.
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Display Options
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Show Announcement Panel
The hover tab on the right side showing updates from Adam.
Show Language Switcher
The 🌐 globe button in the bottom-left corner.
Compact Navigation
Slightly reduced spacing in the nav bar.
Newsletter & Updates
Choose what you'd like to hear about. All emails go through Adam directly — no spam, ever.
Weekly Practice Tips
A short email each week with a drill, technique tip, or concept breakdown from Adam.
Monthly Progress Newsletter
A broader update — what the program is working on, events, and curriculum notes.
Schedule & Availability Alerts
Notifications when new lesson slots open or Adam's schedule changes.
Challenge Announcements
Be notified when a new monthly or yearly challenge launches.
Contact Preference
How would you prefer Adam to reach out for confirmations?
Preferred Method
Used for lesson confirmations and direct communications.
📌 To activate any of these, email adam@pattersondrums.com with your name, your student's name, and which notifications you'd like enrolled.
Student Challenges
Monthly and yearly challenges are coming to Patterson Drums — a way to track practice milestones, compete with fellow students, and earn recognition at your lessons.
🏗️
In Progress
Adam is building out a monthly rudiment challenge system and a year-long 40 Rudiments Project. Check back soon — this section will be live before the fall semester.
💡 Want early access? Email adam@pattersondrums.com and let Adam know — he'll loop you in when challenges go live.
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Log Practice Streak
Track consecutive days you've used the practice timer. Stored locally.
Daily Practice Goal
Set a personal target — tracked locally, visible only to you.
Tempo Display
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Tempo Display Unit
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About This Site
Patterson Drums — built for Adam Patterson and the Hebron Band Cluster percussion program.
Version
2026.1
Updated
June 2026
Hosting
Netlify
Domain
pattersondrums.com
Powered by My Music Staff
Scheduling, invoicing, and progress reporting managed through MMS studio software.
