I have a few new students who want or need to play with the Traditional Grip. Two of them will need to do this in order to be able to play with the drum line in school. So, I’ve gone back to really shedding this. My first drum teacher taught me...
Read moreMarcus Gilmore
From 1991-2000, I was fortunate to teach part-time at the Juilliard School in NYC with the Music Advancement Program. MAP is dedicated to bringing music to “intermediate and advanced music students from New York City’s five boroughs and the...
Read moreDesert Island Drum Book
Over the years, I have acquired quite a few drum books. The majority of them are very useful, well written, and I refer to them time and again. However, if I had to pick one book for my “Desert Island Drum Book” it would be John Riley’s, “The Art...
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 moreMusical Ego and Being Humble
Earlier this week, I was humbled (once again) hearing some musicians at a jam session. Philadelphia is still relatively new to me, so I am still exploring the various places to hear music. I really enjoy hearing great music — regardless of the...
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 always...
Read morePractice At Home
When I’m working on new material on the drums, I want to develop a level of fluency with it before test driving it at a gig. I want it to be fluid and not sounding as if I’m struggling. That being said, I’m not always successful in this. There...
Read moreSetting Drumming Goals
It’s a new year — 2018 — a time for new beginnings, taking stock of where I am, where I want to be, and setting drumming goals. I’ve been having so much fun running jazz workshops at my studio that one goal of mine is to learn more jazz...
Read moreHappy Holidays and Happy New Year!
I hope that this coming year will bring peace and love to everyone. I’m going to keep doing new things and challenging myself. Here’s a little Christmas Video I made for a cousin of mine who requested a Christmas gift. I hope you enjoy it.
Read moreJazz Workshop!
I am pleased to announce that Gregory Tech Drum Center is now offering 10-week jazz workshops in Yardley, PA. Learn to play jazz while having fun. Guitar, Bass, Piano (keyboards), Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Vocals — all instrumentalists and...
Read moreKeep Listening to Music
I really love music, and I really love listening to music. Not only do I enjoy putting on a favorite recording (or discovering a new one), I particularly enjoy hearing a live band doing their thing. You don’t have to be famous or on some big...
Read moreImportant Traits of a Good Drummer
Many drummers are familiar with Tommy Igoe these days. (If not, please google him.) Tommy’s father was Sonny Igoe — maybe not a household name, but very influential back in the day. Tommy has credited his father’s method of teaching as the basis...
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