Some of my gigs are one to two hours away and I end up driving home that same evening. Usually, if the gig is further away than that, then accommodations are provided. Personally, I want to arrive about one hour ahead of time. If there’s a sound...
Read morePlay at the Right Tempo
So, you’re on the bandstand and the guitar player starts every tune without any sort of a count off and you’re doing the gig for the very first time. Yikes!!! This happens more frequently than you might imagine. What to do? Listen and listen...
Read moreMore Practicing!
It’s not rocket science, but I need to say it so that I can hear it — the more I practice, the more comfortable I am on my instrument. It’s not always the amount of time spent practicing (yet that is a factor), but it seems to be important that I...
Read moreGet It In Your Ears
One thing that has helped me over the years is to listen to the great players and get them in my ears, so to speak. There is so much great music out there and different drumming styles which I want to try! When I hear something that bends my...
Read moreStaying Motivated
There have been times when it’s been difficult for me to stay motivated. My conversations with other musicians lead me to believe that I’m not the only one who has struggled with this. One thing that I have found, is that if I simply sit down...
Read morePracticing on the Practice Pad
I like practicing on drums instead of on a practice pad — usually. Drums are fun and there’s a great feeling that comes from hitting a drum. However, the pad has its place and recently I’ve been working on some specific exercises that work well...
Read moreMore To Come
A good friend of mine and I are working together writing tunes and recording. It’s not always easy, but it’s always fun. We don’t get together as often as either of us would like due to scheduling. So, it’s slow going but that’s just the way it...
Read moreMusic Making
The past weekend, I had the chance to play a great gig with talented musicians. The music was challenging, but it was also fun and painless at the same time. It just seemed like everyone showed up with the same goal — to make music. I can’t ask...
Read moreDrum Solos or Solo Drums
I like drum solos. I don’t feel compelled to play one on every song, but if it’s the right time — then I’m there! I really like supporting other people when they solo, yet when it’s time for the drum solo most musicians stop playing. It has the...
Read moreExtended Practicing
Lately, I have been able to get in some extended hours practicing on my drum set. All I can say is WOW. I love the feeling that comes from this. I do take breaks, but I’m trying to get to the point during the practice session where I can feel a...
Read moreBerklee Today Blurb
There’s a nice blurb about me and Gregory Tech Drum Center in the Winter 2012 Berklee Today alumni paper (bt). Thanks! http://www.berklee.edu/bt/233/alumnotes.html
Read morePracticing Without Stopping
During drum lessons, it has been my experience that many people tend to stop after playing something that was not written — a mistake. This could be on the drum set or a snare drum piece. My take on this is that unless it’s the same mistake every...
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