I have received a number of inquiries regarding my availability for lessons through the mail. If you have been unable to find a suitable teacher in your area, and are considering correspondence lessons, please contact me via the malletjazz.com "Inquiries" form:

www.malletjazz.com/inquiry.html

I'll be happy to discuss your situation with you, to determine if correspondence lessons will suit your needs as a student.

A brief synopsis of my teaching experience is presented at the bottom of the page. Also, feel free to check out the lessons offered on the pages of malletjazz.com, to get an idea of the way in which I present my materials as a teacher.

Correspondence Lessons - Jazz Studies

subjects including:

improvisation
chord voicings
comping
four-mallet textures
harmony and jazz theory
melodic development
unaccompanied performance (dealing with vibraphone specifically)
arranging

The lesson format - after first contacting me, the student will send me an audio or video recording of their playing. I will prepare comments, recorded on CD-ROM (or audio cassette if requested), along with performance demonstrations of concepts, and written materials as needed.

The cost per lesson is $45.00, which covers my time spent preparing each lesson, as well as my costs for shipping and my materials. (For students outside the Continental U.S., please add $5.00 extra to cover added shipping costs) Students are responsible for the cost of shipping their materials to me.

For more information, please use our "Inquiries" form:

www.malletjazz.com/inquiry.html

James Walker

Education Bachelor of Music, Percussion, Ithaca College, 1988 (percussion studies with Gordon Stout, Bill Molenhof; jazz studies with Bill Molenhof and Steve Brown) Master's of Music, Percussion, Northern Illinois University, 1990 (percussion studies with Rich Holly and Robert Chappell; jazz studies with Antonio J. Garcia) Performer's Certificate, Northern Illinois University, 1997 (percussion studies with Robert Chappell, Al O'Connor, Cliff Alexis; jazz studies with Fareed Haque, Willie Pickens, Ronald J. Carter). Teaching Experience Jim Royle Drum Studio, Fall 2002-present Northern Illinois University (sabbatical substitute for Rich Holly), Spring 2000 Ithaca College (sabbatical substitute for Gordon Stout), Spring 1995 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Northern Illinois University, 1988-90, 1995-97 Clinics presented at: Western Connecticut State University Kent State University Hartt School (University of Hartford) Elgin Community College Trenton State College Connecticut and New Jersey MENC conventions numerous high school presentations Published Materials Percussive Notes Jazz Player Magazine Click here to access James' professional resume in PDF format.