zoom Lessons

Former cymbalist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center faculty as well as the Chairman of the Percussion and Brass departments at the New England Conservatory brings his passion for teaching right into your home. Learn fundamental techniques, practice strategies, and how to add richness and depth to your cymbal performance. 

Now offering private lessons, joint lessons or lessons for up to three people sharing a lesson and would include specific instruction on:

• Proper stance

• Proper grip

• 5-7 Steps/Exercises to full command of the cymbals, including steps as written down in Cymbalisms - A complete guide for the orchestral cymbal player, published by Hal Leonard. Cymbalsims is available from most dealers or direct from the author: Frank Epstein.

• Study the major cymbal repertoire including:

  • Tcaickovsky- "Symphony No. 4"

  • Prokofieff’s -"Romeo and Julliet"

  • Rossini-"Overture to William Tell”

  • Moussorgsky-"Pictures at an Exhibition”

  • Mahler "Symphony No.2”

  • Debussy-"La Mer”

  • Ravel-“Daphnes and Chloe”

  • Dvorak-"Symphony No. 9”

  • Bartok- "Miraculous Mandarin”

  • Rimsky Korsakov-“Scheherezade" to list a few.

• Learn about Cymbalisms, the name given to 22 special strokes which produce special sounds all used in the orchestral repertoire, including: the Hiss, the Swish, the Swirl, the Whizz, the Roll, the Slice, the Slit, and the Multi Flap to list a few.

• Learn to play with confidence and a great sound, how to interpret the repertoire. Learn how to select cymbals and the use of special cymbals for certain pieces in the repertoire. Become an accomplished cymbalist and enjoy the art of playing cymbals.

Lessons to be scheduled to fit the student’s needs and wishes and ability to grasp the material.

A student can choose however many lessons he/she wishes. It will probably take about 5-6 lessons to accomplish all of the above. Again it is the students scheduling, wishes, and progress that determines how many lessons are to be undertaken.

It is expected that lessons will be scheduled according to the student’s progress and that includes how much practice has been done. Progress and satisfaction by the student and the teacher are important in determining how fast the student progresses.

Masterclasses are offered. The approach is similar to the above but in a group setting and will include some playing by the student as well as mostly by the instructor demonstrating the various strokes and repertoire.

For Further Information, fill out the form below and Frank will contact you upon receipt.