My whole thing is that there is validity in every teaching technique, philosophy and approach.
I mean, just from personal experience, I personally have observed percussionists and Drumlines who I didn’t think have a very accomplished or accredited instructor….
…and yet those percussionists and Drumlines turned out to be absolute bad asses!!!
Read MoreFor some people, it’s the hardest concept to grasp.
They see a drumming video and feel compelled to “help” by giving their 2 cents about their playing, their technique or the first left diddle that came in early.
They’ll say this to a complete fkking stranger!!!
Read MoreTo me, drumming is more than just a technical skill set.
Therefore, any issues that might not be solely a technical issue.
There could be mental issues.
There could be emotional issues.
As a drum teacher for several years, I know this to be true.
Read MoreI really don’t think that concept hit me until I started teaching. I didn’t even know I was doing it until one day, one of my Student’s said, “So, is this really going to be the last time?”
At first I’m like, “what do you mean? Of course it is…”
Then I realized, oh yea, when I say “last time,” I end up asking the Drumline to do a few more reps after that.
Read MoreAs a young performer, I loved going to competitions and competing against other groups.
As an instructor, I loved teaching Drumlines and taking them to competitions to compete against other groups.
I probably loved it even more when we won or got some nice placements and numbers ;)
But is that the REAL value of competitions?
Read MoreSome days, you think about how you are so destined to have chops for days, marching your dream Drum Corps and becoming the greatest marching percussionist who ever lived!
Then there are days where you don’t give AF at all and don’t even want to touch your drum sticks.
What gives?
Read MoreWhen I say you are not a special snowflake, don't take it the wrong way.
Read MoreBet you never thought you’d ever see a blog about…8 on a hand!!!
But as a tenor drummer, I find that it is important to talk about 8s in terms of how it can help beginning quad players learn their way around the drums.
Read MoreI credit the summer of 1996 as the time when I decided to really take marching percussion seriously.
I mean, during my first few years in Band and Drumline, I thought it was pretty fun and I wanted to be good of course.
But when I went to my first Drum Corps Show at Cal State Fullerton and saw the Blue Knights rehearsing, I was amazed at the precision and high execution that was possible at the highest levels of the marching arts.
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