| Hennessey On Drums | Lessons, Sessions, and Live Drums | Providing The Pulse For Your Purpose
Hennessey On Drums | Sacramento Drum Teacher & Drummer for Hire
Hennessey On Drums is a private drum instruction studio serving students throughout the Sacramento area, led by Patrick Hennessey. Mr. Patrick (as many of his young students call him) is a professional drummer with more than 40 years of experience performing, recording, and teaching. Lessons are one-on-one and built around each student’s goals, covering everything from funk and rock to metal, soul, country, and Irish rock and all points in-between. Whether you’re an 8-year-old picking up sticks for the first time or an adult looking to finally learn the instrument, Hennessey On Drums offers Sacramento students a personalized path to becoming a confident, well-rounded drummer.
With over 40 years behind the kit, Patrick brings a level of real-world experience that few Sacramento instructors can match — including work on 10+ recorded albums and recognition as an ASCAP-affiliated artist. His playing spans a wide range of styles, from funk, rock, and metal to soul, country, and Irish rock, giving students a well-rounded, versatile foundation no matter what music they want to play. Based right here in Sacramento, Patrick offers students the rare chance to learn directly from a working professional musician, not just a teacher who plays on the side.
“I Do What I Love, I LOVE what I DO, because I’m a drum teacher!”
“TeachingDrums, is exactly what I wanted to do ever since attendingmy first drum lesson. I’m proud to be a Drummer and a Drum Instructor.”
“The first step may be your next step. Let’s take it together.“
Sacramento Drum Teacher & Professional Drummer | About Hennessey On Drums
“What’s The Hype About Hennessey?”
Meet Mr. Patrick Hennessey – Professional Drummer, Recording Artist & Passionate Drum Instructor
This Is the Hype!
With 40+ years behind the kit, Patrick Hennessey is a professional drummer, drum instructor, and ASCAP performing and recording artist. He has performed across the country and contributed to more than 10 full-length albums.
Patrick began playing in Minneapolis and built his career across funk, metal, folk, soul, country, and Irish rock. Today, he performs throughout California with Stout Rebellion, The Pint Thieves, and Wander West while working as a Northern California session drummer.
Drum Lessons with Heart
Patrick brings decades of real-world experience to one-on-one private drum lessons. His goal is simple: help every student develop confidence, technique, and a lifelong love of playing drums.
His teaching style is supportive and adaptable, with experience working with students of different backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities.
He is passionate about making music education accessible and meaningful, especially for multicultural students and those with learning challenges such as Autism and ADHD.
Mr. Hennessey is proud to be affiliated with Soul tone Cymbals and the D’Addario Education Collective, continuing to inspire the next generation of drummers through music, mentorship, and groove.
Private one-on-one drum lessons in Sacramento for beginners through experienced players, ages 8 to adult. Learn technique, timing, coordination, musicality and the skills you need to become the drummer you want to be.
– The path to every destination begins with the first step.
What services are offered?
Drum Lessons for Beginners
Drum Lessons for Kids
Adult Drum Lessons
Intermediate & Advanced Drum Lessons
In Person and Online Drum Lessons
🥁 What You’ll Learn
Drum Set Practice and Performance
Snare Drum Rudiments
How to Tune Your Drums
Double Bass Drum Techniques
Various Styles and Genres of Drumming
Did I miss something? Then, we’ll work on that together too!
🥁Frequently Asked Questions
Can I (or My Child) Really Learn to Play the Drums?
And How Will I Know If We’re Making Progress?
These are a couple of the most common questions I get from new students and parents—and they are great.
The short answer? Yes, you can absolutely learn to play the drums. Measuring progress isn’t always as clear-cut as you might think.
🎯 The Truth About Learning Drums
It can be tough to know if you are (or your child is) making progress. Even when you’re already a drummer or multi-instrumentalist.
Even with decades of experience, I can tell you: in the beginning it’s often a best-guess situation.
Here’s why: every drummer is different. Progress doesn’t always look the same.
Some students might nail an incredible drum solo but struggle with playing a steady groove.
Another might excel in marching band but find it difficult to coordinate all four limbs on a full drum set.
Some students can’t read music but they can replicate complex rhythms by ear with ease.
And guess what? All of that is normal.
💡 You Don’t Have to Know—That’s My Job
If you’re unsure about ability or progress, you’re not alone—and you’re not expected to have the answers.
That’s where I come in.
My goal as your drum instructor is to help you explore your unique path. And it all starts with a single, simple step…
🥁 Your First Drum Lesson: Establishing a Starting Point
Your trial lesson is where we begin your drumming journey. Think of it as a baseline—a casual, low-pressure starting point.
It’s not a test, and it’s not meant to be perfect. It’s just a way for me to understand where you are right now. And about that baseline we establish? It will change—daily, weekly, monthly—and that’s also completely normal.
🎵 Progress Looks Different for Every Drummer
Drummers live on a spectrum. There is no “right speed” or “right path.” Whether it takes you ten months or ten years, your journey is valid and belongs to you.
You are a drummer:
✅ When you show up for you ✅ If you give your best effort ✅ As you face challenges ✅ When you do something you thought you couldn’t
That’s growth. That’s progress. And that’s when the magic happens.
Pricing can vary depending on the needs of the student, but all lessons start at $30 per lesson.
Schedule Your First Drum Lesson.
🙌 Let’s Take the First Step—Together
You’ve already done the hardest part: you found me.
If you’re ready to begin—or continue—your drumming journey, I’m here to help you every step (and beat) of the way.
📬 Ready to Start?
✅ Take Drum Lessons with Hennessey 👉 Email me at [info@hennesseyon.com] 👉 Book Your First Lesson [by filling out this form]
Mr. Hennessey is now accepting new online and in person students ranging in age from 8 through adult.
Sacramento Drumming Tips & Advice Blog
Welcome to the blog — I’m Patrick Hennessey, a Sacramento drummer, teacher, and ASCAP recording artist with 40+ years behind the kit. Here I share what I’ve learned about drum lessons and technique, what to look for when hiring a drummer, and the ins and outs of session recording work. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a bandleader looking for the right player, I hope you find something here that will inform your next step.
Give the Drummer the Set List Before the Gig What do you mean you don’t have a set list yet? Soundcheck is not the first time I should discover what’s on tonight’s set list. It happens more often than it should — as a hired player I’m here, gear set up, and someone finally says, …
Have you ever had a gig booked and one of your band members bails out on the gig at the last minute? The show is tonight, but you’re short a musician. Maybe the regular bass player is making a sandwich at home in his kitchen, and it is showtime, right now! (True Story.) Perhaps you’re …
A Beginners Guide If you’re just starting out on the drums, one of the first questions you’ll face is how often you should actually be taking lessons. For most beginners, once a week hits the sweet spot. This cadence gives your instructor enough time to introduce new concepts—whether it’s rudiments, coordination exercises, or your first …
Connect with a Professional: Drum Lessons, Sessions & Live Drumming
Let’s Work Together – Lessons, Sessions & Live Performances Whether you’re picking up sticks for the first time, need a rock-solid groove laid down in the studio, or want raw, driving energy behind your live show — I’m here to deliver, Connect for Live Drums, Drum Lessons, and Drum Sessions, contact me at the bottom of this page.
🎵 Drum Lessons: Would you like personalized one-on-one drum lessons for all ages and skill levels? I do this both privately and through a local music school. I specialize in working with diverse learners which include students with ADHD, Autism, and other learning differences, creating a fun, supportive space to grow through rhythm.
🎧 Session Work: Do You Need professional drum tracks from a real live human being for your next recording project? I provide remote and in-person drum session services. I work in a wide range of genres. With years of recording experience and a solid grasp of feel, tone, and timing, I’ll bring exactly what your track needs.
🎤 Live Performances: Are You Looking to add a dynamic, versatile drummer to your lineup? I’m available for live gigs, tours, and special events. Whether it’s rock, soul, folk, funk, or Irish punk—I’ve been there, played it, and loved every beat of it. When you’re ready, let me have a crack at your songs.
📩 Get in Touch: Are you interested in lessons, booking me for a session, or hiring me for a live performance, then I’d love to hear from you!
Let’s Create Something Great Together!
Please reach out via email [info@hennesseyon.com], DM me on Instagram [@hennesseyondrums], or fill out the contact form at below.
