Services & Pricing

Welcome to www.ssdrums.com, the website that introduces Steve Smeltzer's services as a professional drum instructor in Fort Wayne, IN.

For over thirty five years, Steve has been teaching students of all ages everything from classic jazz rhythms to the very latest in current rock beats. He's taught elementary school students who are preparing for middle school band, high school students in marching and jazz bands, college aged students in local rock bands, as well as professional drummers who wanted to brush up on reading skills, rudiments or learn advanced styles. 

On a typical lesson day, you may find Steve teaching one student a bounced double stroke roll, the next student the rhythm to a Beatles song, the next student a fill to a Tool song, and another student a complicated Dave Matthews Band song in an odd time signature. He even figures out the drum machine rhythms to rap and hip-hop. 

Central to his teaching philosophy are three elements.

1. ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUALITY:  Every student has his or her unique strengths, short-comings, immediate needs and most importantly,  personal music interests. Considering these factors, Steve's job is to develop an individual lesson plan that is efficient, interesting, rewarding and applicable to the student's current musical situation. 

2. positive reinforcement: Steve is a great believer in positive reinforcement. No matter how insufficient a student's performance may be, there is always something that is positive and can be built upon. When students learn that they are doing something right, they feel "on track", positive and able to tackle the next task at hand.  

3. RUDIMENTS IN THE REAL WORLD: Drum rudiments are a very important cornerstone of modern drumming. They are basic left and right hand sticking patterns that are practiced by drummers, much like pianists practice musical scales. They help drummers immensely but can be very boring to practice. That's why Steve shows his students, from the very beginning, how to play rudiments as rhythmic musical phrases, not as uninspiring exercises. It's how real drummers play rudiments in the real world of music.    

Using these principles, Steve has helped his students work hard to receive awards, embark on professional careers and even become drum teachers, themselves.     

If you are considering taking drum lessons and would like try Steve's approach to drum lessons, feel free to contact Steve by email or call him at 456-2954. His drum studio is located at Mynett Music Company, 3710 Hobson Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815. Mynett's phone number is 482-5533.

Testimonials

Steve would like to thank all his talented friends, colleagues and clients
who took the time to write the following testimonials.

"In the business I am in I have been fortunate to work with or meet some of the best drummers in the world...names like David Garibaldi, Billy Cobham, Ed Thigpen,  Buddy Rich, Kenny Aronoff, Elvin Jones, Clyde Stubblefield, Dane Clark,  Russ Kunkel, and many, many others. I would easily put Steve Smeltzer in that same list. I have known Steve for almost 30 years. I have never met a better drummer or for that matter, a better person.  I have seen him perform hundreds of times on stages and in recording sessions. No matter what style of music Steve is playing I can count on him to be amazing and accurate, while at the same time knocking me out with his creativity. Whenever a friend or family member asks me about learning to play drums, I ALWAYS say "call Steve Smeltzer". There is no better choice!"

Chuck Surack
Founder and owner of Sweetwater Sound

"I've had the opportunity to make music with Steve Smeltzer on many
occasions and I have found him to be one of the smoothest players anywhere.
He has deep pockets for his grooves to sit in, and he is always one of the
most creative musicians on the stage."

Dr. Dan Moore
Professor of Music
The University of Iowa

"Steve has the experience, the talent, the technique and the patience that makes a great teacher. Most importantly, however, is his positive attitude. Not every student will become a professional drummer, like Steve, but along the way they should have a positive learning experience that I'm sure they'll get with Steve Smeltzer. I've had the pleasure of working with him many times and I can't think of anyone I would rather teach my own kids."

Bill Mallers
Music Producer, Musician, Studio Owner, Songwriter
rippleFX:Inc-Indianapolis, IN

"Steve is one of the most versatile and well-rounded drummers I know. His technique, stylistic interpretation, groove, and most importantly, musicality makes it a pleasure to share the stage with him. Students in the Ft. Wayne area are missing out if they don’t utilize the great resources Steve Smeltzer provides to the drumming community."

Mat Britain
Vanderbilt University-Adjunct Instructor of Music
Britain/Moore Duo, Deep Grooves Steel Band, Caribe, Nashville studio (freelance)-Nashville, TN

“Steve Smeltzer is one of the two most accomplished, most complete, and most musical drummers I’ve known in 35+ years as a player and producer.  Of those two drummers, he’s the one who also has the personality to be a teacher.”

Jim Bordner
Gravity Music
Ft. Wayne, IN

"I give Steve my highest compliment that I give any musician. His playing sounds “musical.” What I mean by that is that he has gotten long past the physical and rudimentary aspects of the instrument and has reached that point of expression and creativity to which we all strive. It’s an honor to call him my friend and I love when we get the chance to do a jazz gig together which is never often enough. He’s a great teacher with tons of experience in all styles and I would recommend him highly to anyone getting started on drums. Or even if you have experience, Steve can show you the fine points."

George Ogg
Guitar Performance and Instruction
Ft. Wayne, IN

"I took my first lesson from Steve in 1976 when I was in high school, I was 16 and Steve was 19. His style of teaching was very smooth and laid back, unlike other teachers. I learned a lot over next 2 years and went on to play in numerous bands to this day. Currently I’m playing with a cover band, appropriately named UNDERCOVER. Both of my sons took lessons from Steve, my oldest for 7 years, my youngest for almost 10 years. Both play in bands today, my youngest is the drummer for GRADEIGHT. I have seen Steve play out several times over the last 30 years, and it is something to be seen. Thanks, Steve."

Denny Schenkel
Fort Wayne, IN

"My son, Conner, has been taking lessons from Steve for approximately 6 years.  I have attended the lessons with him and have personally observed Steve’s teaching abilities.  He, Steve, has nurtured my son’s natural talent to a point where Conner is quite an accomplished drummer.  Steve’s drumming knowledge and teaching style is one of the best I have seen.  I would recommend him to the beginner as well as a seasoned student"

Tim Bland
TLB Ventures (professional sales/marketing)
Fort Wayne, IN

"I was struggling with my drumming. And I had a different instructor. But I called Steve Smeltzer to talk about why I was struggling.

Now, I've known Steve off and on over the years, but not well. Ours was a phone relationship as much as anything. But he immediately remembered me and was just as quick in talking with me about what I might do. We finally decided that I'd visit with him at his studio.

So there we were, brand new student and veteran drum instructor. He had me do a couple of exercises. Then we played the CD I brought. He spotted right away what I was doing wrong and what, in his judgment, I ought to do about it. He was helpful, to say the least. I know Steve would be good with beginners; and I have every reason to believe that he would help veterans every bit as much."

Craig Klugman
Fort Wayne, IN

"My name is Bill Lichtsinn and I first met Steve at Guy Zimmerman Music around 1976 when I first started playing the drums. Steve was (and still is) a very fine drum teacher. One of my favorite memories of my early lessons was coming into the studio and finding the drumset set up funny. By funny I mean everything was backwards. Now I know I've only been playing a couple of months but this wasn't right. I asked Steve what the deal was and he told me that he had a new student and he was left handed. I said yea so! He then proceeded to tell me that this is how left handed drummers set up their sets. Which I quickly responded with I'm left handed!

He thought for a minute and said well we'll keep doing what we're doing and you will thank me later. So I kept playing in the right handed way never questioning what was right or left and wouldn't you know it, some years later when I tried out for the high school jazz band the music director was so impressed with my left hand coordination he put me in the first drum chair. The next time I saw Steve I indeed thanked him.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to hear Steve play and I must say he is definitely one of if not the finest drummer in the area. He has a great feel and touch and can play any style of music that is demanded.

I've been fortunate to have him not only as a teacher but as a friend.  When ever I need help figuring out a certain style or pattern I know I can call on Steve to help me figure it out.

I currently play for several bands with very different musical demands. First is The Auburn Little Big Band which is a jazz ensemble playing big band music from the 40's and 50's.  Next is The Answer Band and they play a variety of music from 50's,60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and current hits.  And finally I play percussion with The Unity Performing Arts Foundation, this is a multicultural group playing gospel, jazz, rock, R&B and soulful music. If it were not for the teachings and guidance of Steve Smeltzer, none of this would be possible.

Steve, Thank you so much for all that you've done for me over the years."

Bill Lichtsinn
Drummer, Percussionist
Fort Wayne, IN

"Steve Smeltzer is a fantastic drummer who is versatile, punctual, professional, dependable and courteous."

Tony Marino
Pianist, Composer
Fort Wayne, IN

"I've had the pleasure of playing with Steve over the last 17 years; it's always an enjoyable experience.  He's a fine drummer with lotsa chops and excellent taste, and is just a blast to work with!  One of the areas top drummers."

Dave Nelson
Jazz Bassist
Fort Wayne, IN

"Steve always plays the right thing at the right time. 
Steve has the broadest scope of musical styles of any drummer I play with.
Steve is perfect for all gigs.
Steve allows me to play at my creative best.
Steve is a drum Jedi Master.
Steve makes me a better musician.
When I want drumming magic, I call Steve. 
When I want a solid multi-faceted drummer, I call Steve."

Dave Latchaw
Educator, Keyboardist, Composer, Performer, Owner of www.latchmusic.com
Fort Wayne, IN

"Steve is a true talent and one of my favorite drummers.  He can take any gig and bring it musically to the next level."

John Weber
Saxophonist
Fort Wayne, IN

"As Instrumental Director of a local middle school music program, I always recommend my percussion students to receive lessons from Steve Smeltzer. Steve is my first choice in one on one instruction. His experience and ability to listen to the student, so as to determine the student's needs and progress, is so important to their progress. Steve is the best, from beginner to advanced."

 Jerry A. Farrington  
 Blackhawk Middle School

I first saw Steve playing in 1992 with a fantastic little Jazz Quartet.   I remember thinking at the time what an honor it would be to play with him.   I have been fortunate since then to have played many different kinds of playing situations with Steve:   from Latin, rock and roll, pop, R&B, and jazz.  Each time I am struck by his versatility.  He is grooving, tight, yet relaxed, and he swings hard, even at soft volumes where he brings out the best of the players around him.    He knows the tunes, and he has a fantastic sense of melody, which can be rare to find in a drummer.  He knows what to do in--what could be otherwise--difficult playing situations, making things very easy for the rhythm section.  His solos are highly inventive, always tight, precise, creative, and sometimes funny.   He makes you listen close because he plays with intelligence, subtlety and nuance.   It is a pleasure every time to play with him.

Eric Clancy
Professional Keyboard Player

A great teacher is one of those rare people whose heart is connected to
his love of what he enjoys and who can explain things in an interesting
way to make the student feel they have found their own personal
connection to the thing they love. Even if the student is not playing
drums, Steve can explain the role of the drummer and how to read/feel
rhythms to get you where you want to go.

In addition, I can't think of a more easy-to-talk-to, humble guy.
Go ask him some questions and find out for yourself.

Duane Eby
Songwriter/guitarist

"Steve is a great teacher for bright children. He lets them express themselves and then he goes back writes down the music and shows them the fundamentals, if only our schools would take the same approach".

Greg Shoup
Fort Wayne

"For years Steve Smeltzer has had a stellar reputation among Fort Wayne musicians as an excellent drummer. His knowledge and versatility make him an excellent choice as a drum instructor."

Jim Steele
Pianist, Composer, Performer