College bands

1. Is reliable and easy to work with. They have a great attitude, they are rested, prepared, and ready to go on time every time. They’ve left extra time before the downbeat to deal with the unexpected.
2. Playing the part correctly is a given. Good drummers bring more, they inspire the rest of the musicians to play their best.
3. Watches the conductor and takes direction.
4. Doesn’t goof off too much during downtime at rehearsals. Still sometimes a problem.
5. Pays attention to dynamics and balance of the group.
6. Their time is now together. Their feel will be sophisticated and appropriate by the end of the college experience.
7. They practice their butts off. They understand this is the time to get it to together before life arrives.
8. Manifest a confident swagger that comes from knowing they are the "sh*t".

David

​Whiplash intensity without the drama. My memories of Berklee, years ago where similar to the antics in that movie. 

​What is a good drummer? All of us are intrigued by this questions. The following series of blogs outlines my experiences at the different levels at which drummers play and who they get to play with.

Background:

I've listened to over 500 interviews on drummers resource podcast.  Yep, 500+ professional drummers telling their stories. On top of this is my own experience running a high school jazz bands for a couple of decades and three decade career hiring and working with some of Canada's finest drummers.  Finally my own journey has I rise through the ranks. 

Here is part 1

1. Junior school/High School bands
   1. Plays the part correctly
   2. Watches the conductor
   3. Doesn’t goof off too much during downtime at rehearsals
   4. Pays attention to dynamics
   5. Takes lessons outside of class, if possible
   6. Organizes jams outside of class
   7. Hangs with peers who share their passion

David

​How?

1. Set time aside to practice on a regular basis. Start with 10-minute blocks in the calendar. You can accomplish quite a bit in that time. Over time increase the practice duration.
2. Use a metronome, a loop, drum machine, or a favourite recording (with steady time) to practice your rudiments and patterns with.
3. Set time aside to jam along with recordings. Playing the same tunes, over time, will help you dig deep intro what is happening.
4. Organize your practice space. Have all your tools ready at hand.
5. Take lessons.
6. Do your homework. :-)

I can help you out.
 
David 

Family band time. I've created a short fun piece for my youngest students to play with family members. This is going to be crazy fun. 

​David

There is no cure for cymbal collecting. Or snare collecting. Or as Paul DeLong recently publicly declared, drum set collecting. 

A young musician goes to an audition. She is keen, she has practiced, mastered her time, learned the repertoire, paid her dues. She is ready she thinks. 

The band members quiz her." Can you play 32nd note paradiddles with your feet?"
She eagerly responds, "Of course, now do I have the gig?"
"No"
"Why,  I actually won a drum contest doing that."
"That's why we fired the last drummer. Guy put them everywhere"

Moral of the story. Play the song. We drummers are accompanists. Remember Buddy Rich had to start his own band. 

If you'd like me to help you on your journey, call me. 

​David

My first go to stick for jazz trio are HeadHunters Maple C or the smaller Bop B with rubber grips. Light, subtle, and fast. The best pair have worn out tips for mellow ride cymbals tone.

For louder situations, say in a classic rock band where I need speed and endurance HeadHunters Maple CCC give me that speed with more oomph. Once again, I love the rubber grip.

Occasionally in louder jazz situations the Vic Firth Peter Erskine Big band sticks are just the thing: power and speed.

How do you find yours? Purchase 5 different pairs: a maple 5A, hickory 5A, front weighted, back weighted, and at least one pair that have rubber grips. Try them out in different situations and see what happens. 

1. Size makes a difference.
2. Front and back weighted make a difference. 
3. Wood makes a difference, maple is softer than hickory and gives a mellower sound.
4. Tips make a huge difference. Take your favorite ride cymbal to the store and ask the clerk to play it ride with different sticks. Stand back 20 feet and listen.  

If you'd like some help putting those sticks to some good use, call me, I can help. 
​
David

Brought in by a 14 year old student.  Didn't see that coming. This will be fun to teach. 
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._L._Burnside


David

1. You need a drum set to start. No, many drummers have stories of spending an extended period working on the drum pad and mastering basic rudiments and developing some time sense before moving onto the kit.
2. You need a full kit. High hat, bass drum, snare, and one ride are the core of a drum set. Music can be made on just those four instruments.
3. You can teach yourself. Yes, if you are a genius. But even then, YouTube drummers often are lagging because fundamentals where never learned in the order required. Their grip can be wonky, elbows flapping, feet  flaying, cymbals being trashed. Drummer in a blender syndrome I call it. And don’t mention time feel, control, and endurance. It’s all brute force and perspiration. Cool when you are 14, not so cool at 17.
4. It’s easy. The four basic drums beats are easy to get under the hands and feet. Time, balance, musicianship, fills, as deep as you want to go.
5. Rock is easier to play than jazz or vice versa. If you play one genre, try the other. You will discover the truth soon enough.
6. Drummers don’t need to read music. True, but it will narrow your opportunities. And, learning new music and remembering it will be time consuming. Easy when you are a teen, harder as an adult with responsibilities.
7. Drummers don’t need hearing protection. That’s up there with the myth that Covid is a hoax. You do.

David

The teacher in action. October 2020 I finally play in a garage band.