Drum Lessons in Longmont, CO
Paul Christiansen and Ryan Elwood teach drums at Mojo's, from a student's first steady beat to playing confidently in a full band.
Why Learn Drums at Mojo's
Paul Christiansen has taught drums at Mojo's since 2010 with personalized, one-on-one instruction, and Ryan Elwood has worked as a professional drummer since 2000 across blues, funk, rock, pop, country, and jazz. Between them, students get real technique paired with real playing experience.
Paul Christiansen
Teaching drums at Mojo's since 2010, with personalized one-on-one instruction built around each student.
Ryan Elwood
A working drummer since 2000, with professional experience across blues, funk, rock, pop, country, and jazz.
A Drum Program for Every Age, Ability and Style
| Musical Style | Core Techniques |
|---|---|
| Rock / Metal | Solid backbeats, heel-up kick power, double-bass endurance, rimshots, and fast tom fills |
| Funk / R&B | Ghost note articulation, linear grooves, syncopation, and deep pocket |
| Jazz / Fusion | Feathering the bass drum, ride cymbal phrasing, four-way limb comping, and brush work |
| Latin / Afro-Cuban | Clave independence, cascara patterns, cross-sticking, and polyrhythmic limb coordination |
| Pop / Hip-Hop | Click-track precision, half-time feel, hybrid acoustic/electronic pad integration, and dynamic restraint |
Universal Foundations for Every Drummer
| Universal Foundation | Core Focus & Mechanics |
|---|---|
| Ergonomics & Kit Setup | Dialing in throne height, posture, and pedal angles to play relaxed and eliminate joint strain |
| Grip & Natural Rebound | Finding the thumb-finger fulcrum and using natural stick bounce (Moeller stroke) instead of arm muscle |
| Four-Way Limb Independence | Decoupling both hands and both feet so each limb moves independently with clean timing |
| Core Rudiments | Mastering single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles, and flams, then voicing them across the drums |
| Timekeeping & Pocket | Internalizing the click track, locking with the bass player, and maintaining steady tempo at any volume |
"Paul is WONDERFUL for teaching drums. He's so engaging, energetic and kind. My son had been practicing drums for a short while elsewhere and while he liked it a lot and the instructor was fine, Paul has brought out something more with my son. A true gem in the community!"
Read more reviews on Google Reviews and Facebook Reviews.
Drummers who want a group-playing experience can also join our summer camp band or pair up with a bass student to build a rhythm section.