Listening and Learning

Lately I've been receiving a lot of email from beginning drummers. It's been great. Drummers from China, the US, Canada, the Philipines, Australia, WOW! Many want advice on how to start to play drums. Let me see, a girl from Colombia wants to learn Pearl Jam beats, another drummer in China wants to learn about Cuban music. Amazing and Exciting.

I ask these drummers if they have access to the music they want to learn about. This is about as important, or more important, than finding a teacher. I know that when I began to seriously play drums, all I did was listen to music I liked and I triedto copy the beats I heard. Led Zepellin, Cream, Jethro Tull, the Flock (ever heard of them?) I liked them all.

Many drummers ask me if they can recommend a school or a teacher, which is always a pleasure to do. Thankfully I've met some great drummers who also teach. So, it's very cool to be able to recommend teachers to up and coming drummers.

Harold Harms was my first teacher, in Miami, Florida. I think I was about 19 or so. We studied reading and coordination exercises. Before that I practiced Stick Control by myself and followed GL Stone's directions in the book ("Practice Each Exercise 20 Times"). I also did a lot of listening and copying my favorite drummers like Clive Bunker, John Bonham, Clyde Syubblefield, Jab'o Starks, and others. When I lived in Philadelphia I had some lessons with Armand Santarelli. Later, I had a few lessons with Steve Bagby, in Miami.

When I moved to LA I studied with Richard Wilson and Murray Spivack. This was a period of great growth in my drumming. Both Richard and Murray concentrated on snare drum technique and reading. My drum set lessons were all developed by me. I've done a lot of writing and creating, in order to develop my own style of drumming.

Listening is so important to our growth as musicians. Keeping opportunities open to new listening experiences is very important. A good teacher who listens to you as well as one who gives you relevant exercises can be very important as well. Perhaps I can recommend a teacher to you. Hear from you soon!

Do you have any drumming and/or musical subject you'd like to know more about? Please write to me and I'll do my best to address your requests!