Drumming is about having fun. Having fun is about playing well. Playing well is about directed instruction. Playing music with others is about time and groove, period. The band wants to hear our pulse, good vibes, and steadiness. This happens when we work on our "stage one drumming"

In short:

1. Our posture at the kit
2. Knowing the appropriate grips: French, German, American, Traditional
3. Control and knowledge of drum strokes: Full, tap, whip, finger and more
4. Practicing our rudiments: cornerstone of every great drummer and aspirant.
5. Understanding pocket: laying down a groove that fills the dance floor or in the case of jazz, has fingers snapping.
6. Hand accents: a key to groove, feel and drumming finesse.
7. Our Time development: The great Terry Clarke and Greg Hutchison both said, no time, no gigs. Or in our cases, basement banishment.  It can be learned. 
8. Learning how and what to practice to make the most of our precious practice time. Learning to practice well will help us maintain the enthusiasm we brought to the project. Drummer Benny Greb believes, and so do I, that seeing and hearing progress is the key to drumming joy. 
9. Enjoy playing some tunes or beats: the reason you are signing up. 

Chat soon, 

David

This track challenges a students' ability to hold a groove for an extended period of time. Drummer Grady Tate plays with so much feel, groove and simplicity.
No small feat. 

David

Transcribing the drum chart for Robot Rock made me feel 13 again. 
When listening at 1/2 tempo, I hear some interesting sound artifacts with the bass drum part, like it was being doubled.
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​David

How I will be spending some practice time over the holidays, preparing this piece. A fun solo piece for the snare drum.

​Good hand skills are the core competency of drumming. Learning some solo repertoire is a fun way of going about it. 

If you swing them a bit, they morph into a New Orleans Roll offs or drum solos pretty fast. 

​David

Snare Drum Solo. Chris worked it out be ear. Smart kid. 

He's six, he's killing the intro. 

​David

Beat #1: RL Accent with a high stick with the Right, low height with the Left will create a good accent without resorting to caveperson drumming. :-)
beat #2: A super opportunity to practice our open handed drumming. Try the Left hand on the high hat, Right on the floor tom.
Beat #3: Crosshanded with Right on High hat. Or, if you wish, stay openhanded.

​The fills are tricky, call me. 

Have fun. 

David

What to listen for:
1. Ghost notes
2. Flams
3. Change of groove and tempo
4. Syncopated drums fills
5. Sudden ending

Have Fun. 

​David