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Teacher, tuner, cleaner, and stagehand. Serving the Bay Area.

drum
teacher

drum tech

I TEACH  KIDS.

 DRUMS are my number one passion and I love teaching kids! I have taught summer camp at Blue Bear School of music and am a teacher assistant for the beginner jazz ensembles at school. I am mostly focused on music itself and helping my students play basic and well known grooves. It is important for them to develop their skill slowly and effectively and I will make sure to not rush or push them to play things that they don’t feel comfortable with yet. 

 

I like to divide my sessions in two. That means thirty minutes of teaching and thirty minutes of babysitting before pick up. In the last thirty minutes, I will have a list of activities that we can do like board games, card games, rhythm games, shows, and if the parent allows it, some friendly video games. While developing skill is important, I want to make sure my students are entertained. I charge $40/hour. 

While I’m offering to help out voluntarily at this stage, I approach every gig with the same level of skill, commitment, and quality you’d expect from a paid role.
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LOADING

I'm really good at roadie and loading services, especially when it comes to setting up for a show. I make sure all the gear is unloaded, organized, and set up quickly so everything’s ready on time. I know how to move quickly without rushing, making sure all the gear gets out safely and efficiently.

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SET UP

I’ve always loved setting up drum kits. There’s something really satisfying about getting everything positioned just right so it feels natural to play. I’m careful about the angles, the heights, and making sure the setup looks clean and professional. Every kit is a little different, and I enjoy taking the time to dial it in perfectly.
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TUNING/CLEANING

I offer drum kit cleaning and tuning services to keep your kit sounding and looking its best. I’ll clean off any buildup, check over the hardware, and get everything dialed in so the drums are tuned evenly and feel great to play. Whether you want a tight, punchy sound or something deeper and more open, I’ll make sure your kit is ready to go.

ABOUT BAXTER

Baxter Firman has been playing drum kit in San Francisco since he was 7 years old. He curently plays with his high school instrumental jazz ensemble, the Blue Bear All Star Band, and his basement metal band. Between rehabbing a vintage drum kit with his high school teacher and supplementing with Youtube tutorials, he has become quite handy with his drum tools. He is relentlessly passionate about keeping gear in tip-top shape and aspires to be a full-blown, professional drum tech someday.

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Photo: jamming with Grammy-winning artist Fantastic Negrito in 2024

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"Baxter has helped set up numerous Blue Bear ASB shows - showing up early, loading gear, setting up/tuning the drum kit, and more. He takes direction well and does good work. I always appreciate having him."

TENNESSEE MOWREY

All Star Band Director, Blue Bear School of Music

Testimonials
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