Featuring 3 FRESH Teaching Tools
Instructional Classes
Mark provides a step-by-step instructional video class for all 20 lessons of his book to guide you and your students through every concept. Perfect for in-class lessons and homework assignments.
PadLab™ Practice
PadLab™ is a revolutionary music learning tool by Rhythm Monster that gives you and your students complete control to practice every exercise and etude. You'll never teach the same again, and your students will LOVE practicing at home!
Play Along Videos
Once your students have learned a lesson and practiced with PadLab™, it's time to Play Along with Mark to some awesome original music from around the world. These are perfect for playing tests and fun for all levels of Monster Percussionists!
Mark Wessels
same trusted instructor, new Fresh Approach
An internationally respected author and educator, Mark is currently the Director of Education for the Avedis Zildjian Company. As a publisher, his “Fresh Approach” method books are among the most successful in the world, with over 500,000 copies in print between the current titles. Over the past 25+ years, Mark has been instrumental in developing online educational content. In 1995 he founded one of the first websites devoted to percussion education (TheDrumClub.com). Since 2001, he has worked to produce some of the most popular online percussion resources on vicfirth.com, including Essential Rudiments, Percussion 101, Groove Essentials, DCI/WGI In-the-Lot and “Learn the Music” videos. Mark has continually pushed the bar forward with percussion entertainment as well, producing videos from PASIC, Montreal DrumFest, UK Drum Show, VFJams, and Zildjian Live productions to name a few. He has continually pushed the bar forward in percussion education and is excited to partner with Rhythm Monster to create this ground-breaking digital series for percussion students of all ages.
How it Works
1. Teach with Mark
It’s like having Mark as your students' new private instructor! Guide a classroom of students through any lesson just by logging-in and hitting play. Students can also work on their own from their phones or any other device.
2. Practice with PadLab™
Every video class has speed and formatting adjustments, making practice easier and more fun with PadLab™! Watch as your students learn each exercise and etude faster and easier with this revolutionary teaching tool.
3. Evaluate by Playing
Students can be evaluated and show-off their new skills by jam'n along with Mark! Every exercise and etude has a Play Along video featuring some killer original tracks of music from around the world. Playing tests have never been so fun!
4. Track Progress
Every student gets their own individual login to always know where they left off, and you will always know where they’re succeeding and where they need more help. Since the Digital Series streams from any device or browser, students have unlimited access and opportunity to practice anywhere they have a phone, tablet or computer.
"His videos showcase the highest quality."
Not only does this open the door for many more kids to participate in percussion, it allows the students to work at home and still receive quality instruction. His videos showcase the highest quality of information, instruction, and production. I would recommend this to anyone!
Chris Retschulte
Percussion Director
Rockhill HS, Prosper, TX
"King Midas of Percussion Education."
Mark Wessels is the 'King Midas' of percussion education. Everything he has put out, from the 5-Minute Theory books to the most recent edition of the Fresh Approach video series, has been solid gold! My 45+ years of performing and teaching says that one couldn't go wrong using Mark's methods. I heartedly recommend the Fresh Approach methods video series!
Neil L. Quinn
Vic Firth Artist, Educator
Lake Charles, LA
"WAY better than searching on YouTube!"
Drums are awesome, and there's so much to find online. YouTube has been my go-to until now, but this is WAY better! I usually watch and play along from my phone, and PadLab is my new favorite game (tho I know it's totally not a game).
Cassy
Future Monster Drummer
Lansing, MI
YOUR STUDENTS WILL LEARN...
FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUES
A solid foundation of technique is necessary to become a great drummer or percussionist. Mark will guide you in an easy to follow step-by-step curriculum that will build one skill on top of another, creating a clear pathway to success for you and your students.
MUSIC READING
Throughout the Fresh Approach lessons, students are introduced to the music theory concepts they need to be successful musicians. Easy to follow exercises will teach and reiterate the basics of how to read music from the beginning to advanced levels.
PHRASING & MUSICIANSHIP
Help students truly understand the nuances of phrasing and stylistic interpretation that is necessary to become a Monster Musician. Mark's fresh exercises and etudes will reinforce fundamentals AND will take any band program's expression to new heights!
"Mark has done it again!"
This collection of videos are more than just tutorials, students can follow along in a structured private lesson with warm up time, technique development, and new theory to be covered. The videos would be wonderful to to assist band directors structure their beginner percussion class and have students follow along at home. This is exactly what the percussion community needs in these times!
Shannon Jacobs
Percussion Instructor, Arranger,
Clinician, Adjudicator
Forney, TX
"5th & 6th grade Percussion are my FAVORITE classes now!"
I love teaching beginning band students, but as a woodwind specialist, I didn't think I would ever be truly comfortable with my percussion students. 5th and 6th grade percussion are my favorite classes now thanks to this online series from Mark and Rhythm Monster!
Jennifer K.
Arts & Band Faculty
Richmond, CA
"Do Yourself a Favor and subscribe now!"
It is always fun to get the information straight from the source. Mark begins each lesson with warm-ups to develop and reinforce great technique and sound quality. This would be great for beginners as well as a way to review for the older students. He presents all materials in a cear and concise manner making learning efficeint and— most importantly— FUN! Since we're all in aweird place with a combination of virtual and in person learning, this program is worth eery penny for the young percussionist. Do yourself a a favor and subscribe now!
