Welcome to My Drumming Site!

As you surf around the site, you'll find a section on drumming articles & drum tips. Here I cover topics ranging from learning to play drums, improving drum technique, drumming speed & endurance, drumming stretches & warm-up exercises, learning to sing & play drums and more. I've also got a new section on one-handed roll techniques and a page dedicated to hand drums and hand drumming. If you've visited this site prior to December 08, please note that I've updated the whole thing; including the two articles on "developing drumming speed and endurance". More video clips will be coming soon too. So, stay tuned.

Performing at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut

Based on comments I continue to receive, the topic of "speed drumming development" has a bit of controversy surrounding it. Some drummers feel that "the very concept of developing drumming speed is wrong". Others feel that "the "International Fastest Drummer Competition"(WFD) is a bad thing". Well, from my own experience as a participant in a WFD Finals Competition, I can only say that working on speed DOES actually provide other benefits to your kit drum technique! I no longer practice for speed like I did, but I do use my original exercises to help me improve my sticking and endurance, and hand-to-foot technique which helps me improve my feel and groove on the drum kit. So, although drumming speed is DEFINITELY NOT everything, developing balanced wrist, finger and foot strength, technique and endurance are VERY GOOD things in general - and the exercises ARE related.

The clean, crisp, and sometimes "speedy" playing that was a Buddy Rich hallmark sure is something to admire, don't you think? His precision sticking didn't just "happen" either. He had to "shed" to play the drums like that! At the same time, he didn't "DEPEND" on his speed". Sure, he loved to solo (and he was a great soloist), but he rarely played at maximum speed for long durations of time (surely not for the 60-seconds you must play in any WFD event). But this difference doesn't mean the WFD is useless?

As for myself, I literally "fell" into the WFD qualification process (NEVER considering ANY type of "competitive drumming" situation prior to it). I guess I was intrigued by the fact that subjectivity was not involved. I was really quite surprised at winning locally, and then regionally! Although earning a free trip to Winter NAMM for 60-seconds of work was cool, I was most excited knowing I was going to meet  some of the top musicians around; as well as see and play the latest in drumming equipment. My wife liked the idea too - because she was also able to go! To top it all off, I NEVER expected qualify; let alone place third in the finals! I learned so much from that experience, and I continue to learn.

If you're interested in the WFD competition read this article on the 2004 World's Fastest Drummer Finals I was a part of from Drum! Magazine. Also, click here to view a shortened 1-minute Flash Video Summary of the 2004 World's Fastest Drummer Finals (a broadband Internet connection is best for this). There's more info out there on the web too...

For all the drummers and percussionists here now, I really do hope you find something interesting on this site; since sharing is what it's all about. And please continue to contact me about what you like and don't like about the site. I DO appreciated the input. For all the "non-drummers" here now, I hope you enjoy your visit too. Maybe we'll work together someday! With that in mind, if you're interested, check out my musical biography, and listen to some of my drumming audio clips (I have more). Then, you can use my contact form to send a message. I'll get back to you promptly! Take care...