Many drummers refer to themselves as a “groove drummer.” That’s fine. However, I recently heard Vinnie Colaiuta reply something along the lines of, “well, I hope so!” We all need to groove. I want to be dancing...
Read moreComfort Zone
I am in my comfort zone when playing the drum set. Not so much, when playing hand percussion. Yet, I play more and more Early Music gigs where I need to play tambourine, frame drums, and other percussion. Listening to the masters gives me an idea...
Read moreInspiration
Inspiration can come from so many different things — beautiful places, sounds, images, feelings, hearing great music. More and more, I am trying to be open to it all. Yes, I still get stoked when I hear a wonderful band or an amazing drummer, but...
Read moreRediscovering
I am in the process of rediscovering what moves me as a musician, and more specifically, as a drummer. Ever since the beginning of this pandemic, I have had time to explore my creativity more and more. I know that I am not alone in this. Although...
Read morePush Yourself on the Drums
At this point in my drumming life, I know what I can do comfortably. I also know what I cannot do. I continue to try to push myself to learn new grooves, new stickings, and generally fresh ways of approaching the instrument. It’s an ongoing...
Read moreKeep Practicing
Over the years, it’s been a bit of a mantra of mine to simply keep practicing. As it turns out, sometimes it’s not so simple. I run my own business which is multi-faceted. I love what I do and I am so grateful, and yet it seems that...
Read moreHappy 2019
Happy New Year to everyone! 2019 is here! I just received a nice email from a good friend who talked about working on some pretty hard stuff — Joe Morello’s Master Studies and Ted Reed’s Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern...
Read moreDifferent Venue | Different Band | Different Day | Different Gig
Different Venue | Different Band | Different Day | Different Gig — something for everyone! I have written before in this space stressing the importance for drummers to play the gig you’re currently on at any given moment. I hope to reach...
Read moreTeaching Drums
I have been teaching drums for quite a while at this point, yet in never ceases to amaze me when a student starts to get it. This may be something as basic as their first drum beat, fill, or even their first snare drum etude. It just always gets...
Read moreAnd Repeat
Just when I think I have some things together on the drum set, something else comes along that trips me up. While this obviously frustrates me, I strive to embrace the process. I find that it helps if I allow myself to feel whatever amount of...
Read morePlay the Gig (Again)
I have posted before about the notion of playing the gig you’re on — not the one that you may be dreaming of. You can search for that post — it’s only slightly different than this one. The theme is the same, and bears repeating. I...
Read moreComfort Zone
The bass player in one of my jazz workshops was having some problems not too long ago. As I was coaching him on some ideas to help deal with some of these issues, he came up with a brilliant phrase: There is no growth in the comfort zone and no...
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