Drum Set Studies with a internationally acclaimed drummer that has performed with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members, Grammy winning and acclaimed artists in many genres.

I studied with Karl back in the 80’s and it was by far the best decision I’ve ever made musically. Karl completely changed the way I viewed the drums AND the way I listened to music. While I haven’t studied with Karl for many years, his teachings brought my playing to a level where I was able to get 95% of the gigs I set out to attain. This isn’t to sound self-promoting about my own playing, but it’s a testament to the depth and passion behind his teaching…he truly prepares his students to compete. I’ve studied with other renowned drummers, but in the end, it was Karl’s teachings that I feel made the real difference in my playing. Anyone can teach a few things here and there and call themselves a “teacher”…but having the experience, knowledge and ability to REALLY teach, is a whole different level, and Karl has achieved that level several times over. If I didn’t live in Tampa, I’d still be studying with him to this day. My only regret in studying with Karl is that I didn’t practice harder and was sometimes unprepared for my lessons, and that was my loss. My advice? If you’re serious about the art of drumming, study with Karl, but work hard and keep up with his lessons, don’t slack! He is well aware of what you need to learn, and he doesn’t throw stuff at you for the heck of it!! Be serious!

“I had the opportunity to study drum set with Karl during my high school years, 1997 to 2001. I had studied with local teachers for several years prior, but no lessons I had could have prepared me for what Karl had to offer. Studying with Karl rapidly brought my music reading, coordination and technique to levels I could not have imagined achievable at that age. After studying with Karl for a time, I noticed that I wasn’t just playing notes anymore; I was playing music.”

With Karl’s encouragement and requirement to “practice every day that you eat,” I consistently won first chair in snare drum, tympani and auxiliary percussion for the All County Band, as well as first chair in snare drum for Area Band and Region Band. I am confident that, had I not studied with Karl Latham, I would not have received scholarships to Mason Gross School of the Arts and Berklee College of Music. I ultimately chose to study classical percussion at Mason Gross for a year before transferring Purchase College, State University of New York, where I continued my studies with world-renowned jazz drummers John Riley (Miles Davis, Vanguard Orchestra) and Richie Morales (Spyro Gyra). While I learned much from subsequent teachers, today when I am in the practice room, I consistently return to my notebooks from high school, filled with exercises and ideas I took from Karl. When I’m on gigs in New York City, across the country or at a festival in Europe, I warm up with things Karl taught me. When I show up to a gig and am handed charts I’ve never seen to perform with musicians I’ve never met, I rely on the tools Karl gave me and the foundation he helped me build to get through the show and make music happen. I would not be the musician I am today, nor would I be making a living playing music, had it not been for Karl’s dedication to education and his willingness to share his real life experiences as a world-class performing musician.

“I came to Karl as an older, advanced player with a professional background and experience across live, recording, classical, jazz, rock and pop situations. From the first lesson, and exponentially after about the third, my playing and approach was radically altered- and all for the better. Karl’s experience, manner and practical approach was exactly what I needed to grow as a player and reinvigorate myself as a drummer. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking to expand their horizons, fill in any weak spots, and realize more of your potential.”

“I took weekly lessons with Karl Latham throughout high school and still set up a lesson when I need to hone any drumming skill set. Karl enforces versatility in his students, while never neglecting to help them to reach their own musical goals. A mix of discipline, creativity and passion for the instrument are what I had instilled in me throughout my time taking lessons from Karl. The ample experience Karl possesses as a professional drummer is shared with no hesitation in each lesson. Whether it is regarding his work touring, or in the studio, Karl’s hands on knowledge augments each lesson. In lessons Karl is always encouraging, but never fails to call out a lackluster practice ethic. I have been very fortunate to have taken lessons from Karl Latham and would recommend any drummer looking to open their horizons to do the same.”

Karl is not only a phenomenal player, but the man truly understands how to teach. I learned more for him in one year than i did in the past 7 years of my drumming experience with multiple teachers. Karl is the all around complete package. He can teach almost any style one could wish to learn. He has a great personality, a brilliant mind, and a true understanding of what it means to teach. As for his ability on the drums, all one needs to do is hear him play. I promise you’ll be sold. I recommend Karl highly to anyone with an open mind who wants to learn.

Very awesome teacher, very knowledgeable, well worth the time. I don’t know of anyone who has taken lessons with Karl and not improved.

Karl is the best drum teacher you could ask for. Under his teaching all through high school I learned and grew exponentially, far more than I ever would have under any one else. He’s more than the typical babysitting experience you get with local “music instructors”, very tough but fair and knowledgeable :) if you’re looking to move to the next level with drumming and take your musical pursuits seriously, Karl is the guy for you :) (very fair and affordable pricing too)

Karl has been a friend and colleague for many years. He is one of my favorite drummers and the many accomplishments of his students speak to his great abilities as a teacher. Karl is the best!

Karl Latham is a drummer with knowledge of most every style. He is a great teacher who really cares about his students and their future. His experiences just help enhance his teaching. You couldn’t find a better local teacher anywhere around here. I had gone to him for 6-7 years and still keep in touch. Would highly recommend him if you or your kids are looking to take lessons.

Karl is an incredible educator - inspiring, enthusiastic, and dedicated. He’s amazing at tailoring his lessons to the specific needs of each individual student, providing a combination of foundational technique with creative approaches to the drum set. I’ve witnessed his pedagogical prowess with students at Drew University, and also with my eight year old son, Joshua. In both instances, he excels. I’m not sure who has more energy, Karl or my son, but they work well together! I would give Karl my highest recommendation!

for anyone considering studying with karl, I say this; DO IT! karl is not only vastly knowledgeable but he also has the ability to play with the utmost skill, technique and feel. I was fortunate to have studied with joe morello and wanted to continue where I left off after his passing. the person best able to understand joe morello's method, have his own method and get me back on track was karl. once I began studying with him there was a noticeable improvement in my playing. different musicians I've played for also noticed my improvements. thanks to karl I was able to once more move forward with my playing!

I met Karl 10+ years ago by chance at a local music store. At the time I was unable to read music and learned only by ear. Karl expanded my musical vocabulary to many genres, taught me impeccable hand technique (which I'm thankful for always while on long tours), and took my playing to the next level. I'm forever grateful for the time I spent studying with Karl.

Karl has so much to offer his students. His knowledge and experience as a professional drummer make him an exceptional teacher. His focus on the rudiments has given my son the tools to proper drumming, and he has brought him so far in three short years! Thank you, Karl!

Studying with Karl took me to the next level musically. While my time with him was shortchanged due to my moving to a different state, his teachings were an invaluable resource even years later as I completed conservatory auditions. Not only does he have a breadth of professional experience to reference, he brings a rare and unwavering enthusiasm to every single lesson. As a student, you will always come away with more than your money’s worth, for Karl’s enthusiasm makes him unable to stop teaching at the scheduled end of a lesson. He will carry on giving wisdom, practical feedback, and a multitude of exercises to work on because he cares about you and wants to see you succeed. And you, the student, will walk away much better for it. No matter who the student is, Karl makes it his mission lift him or her up both musically and personally. I am still grateful to have had him as a teacher.

I have had the pleasure and privilege of taking lessons with Professor Latham and can say he truly changed my drumming performance, practicing, and technique for the better.

If you want quality lessons from a very passionate, knowledgable, and expert drummer; contact him.

I’m a pianist/keyboardist who has worked with Karl many times. The fact that someone of his caliber is even available to teach is amazing. If you are looking for a teacher, look no further than Karl.

You can’t find a better teacher! Karl can groove in any style, and his students consistently place in top chairs in both classical and jazz honors bands. Come hear him play to get it!

Karl Latham teaches students not for the money, but for the sole pleasure of passing down his love of drumming to the next generation. His teaching styles and immense knowledge of the craft help to improve not only beginning drummers, but also advanced players.

In addition to his teaching, Karl does everything he can to push his students’ careers and talents forward. Although I delved away from drum set to pursue classical percussion, Karl was there to not only make sure I was prepared, but also to make sure I had another teacher who would push me just as hard. I could not imagine where I would be if it wasn’t for Karl Latham.

For anyone considering a career in drumming, or even to learn just for fun, take lessons from Karl Latham.

Karl has been my teacher (at Drew University) since 2016. He's a great mentor who understands what I need to develop and helps guide me there. It's also great to hear about his professional experiences, be it playing live on Broadway, recording at his home studio or touring in Europe. The best part, though, is seeing a master drummer up close, as I'm a music fan as well as a player. It inspires me to strive for constant improvement.

Master musicianship and teaching excellence !

Karl is the secret weapon for drumming. No matter what style of music you wish to pursue, Karl knows how to bring you to a much higher, professional level of playing.

I came to Karl to study Jazz as a sophomore in high school. I was consistently falling short in auditions throughout my high school career and was longing for that last push towards success. After just about 3 months of studying with Karl I began to win numerous auditions not only in the field of Jazz but Classical as well.

Karl’s experience studying under the greats such as Gary Chester and Joe Morello really shows throughout even just one lesson with Karl. He truly knows not only how to play like these drumming legends but teach like them as well which is a skill very few possess.

Karl’s passion for drumming is contagious and that is exactly what anyone who has studied with him will say. If you really want to learn, Karl will take you where you want to go in the world of drumming.

It’s simple. If you want to learn, Karl Latham will teach.

Karl doesn’t turn anyone toward any one type of music. Instead he provides the tools that allow a student to play any style that he or she wants to play (or will want to play in the future). I had the privilege of studying under Karl for about 7 years. When I came to him I was just trying to learn to play well enough to make middle school jazz band. By the time he and I parted ways I was off to pursue a serious career in music. I still come to him when there’s anything at all that I am looking to learn.

Karl is the perfect drum teacher for anyone of any age or skill level. He is the teacher for anyone who might want to play casually or professionally. In all the years that I’ve known him, Karl Latham has been a terrific mentor, teacher, and close friend.

Karl, who I've known for 25 years, is a master musician and educator. If you want to take yourself as far as you can go call Karl. Do the work he assigns you with spirit and love, get ready to be happy.

Karl Latham. I can't think of any drummer I've worked with over the years who is as comfortable in the recording studio as he is in a Broadway pit orchestra, casino lounge, concert hall, A-list jazz club, university classroom, or on a festival stage. It's the combination of experience, versatility, taste and unbridled energy that makes him a first call drummer across multiple genres, and it's is love of sharing and humanity that make him the top of the list for drum students of all levels. Karl is The Man! You dig?

Karl is that rare teacher who can work with beginners and make them forget whatever insecurities they may have, yet has the advanced knowledge and abilities to help advanced players up their game as well. And his real world experience provides a wealth of examples of how to approach gigging and handling oneself in a professional manner. Styles, technique, practicing concepts, method-book work...Karl’s approach is all encompassing and rooted in the advancements of drumming’s great innovative instructors.