Welcome to My Drumming Site!

Inside my website you'll first find my drumming tips and articles archive. On this page there are links to drum articles that cover everything from learning how to play the drums, to drumming techniques for speed & endurance, specialized drum techniques, drumming warm-up and stretching exercises, freelance drumming, singing & drumming and more. I've also got a new section "almost done" on one-handed roll techniques, and a page that's dedicated just to hand drums and hand drumming. If you've visited this site prior to the end of 09, please note that I've updated the whole thing; including both articles on "techniques for developing drumming speed and endurance". More video clips will be coming soon too. So, stay tuned. I have some GREAT warm-up videos in editing now! most of all, I hope some of this stuff helps you in some small way.

Performing at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut with "Wheel"

Comment #1:
I continue getting a lot of emails on the topic of "speed drumming". And it's quite apparent that "drumming for speed" carries with it a lot controversy - especially "The World's Fastest Drummer (WFD) competition". Frankly, I don't understand "why" so many drummers are so "polarized" about developing drumming speed, or, even competing to see who's the fastest drummer? Okay, I will admit that I "was" a finalist in the "World's Fastest Drummer (WFD) Competition" at the 2004 Winter NAMM (whoopee, right? - right). But this doesn't mean I'm a "speed freak" (as a drummer or humanoid). But maybe a comment or two based on my unique perspective will help (famous last words)?

First off, when you actually realize you're "going" to be in the Finals for an event like the WFD, you feel humbled, surprised, shocked and nervous. You also realize quickly that it's going to be a "very unique" experience - one you should embrace. After this, you realize you better get to work" to optimize your sticking accuracy, endurance and speed (and at that point in time there was nothing on the web to help you). In reality, what I ended up actually doing through all of this was improve my "drumming technique". This is what everyone seems to be missing about working on your speed - and it's a VERY important! Why? Well, I had to look at little things; like how I was holding the sticks in each hand, how I used my fingers, wrists, arms and shoulders, how high my rebound strokes were, how good my meter was and which hand was my weakest. From this, I began to notice even more technical drumming issues that needed addressing.

This was unexpected and quite surprising, but also very good. And although I no longer work to attain "maximum speed for 60-second runs", I continue to use many of the drumming speed and endurance exercises that I developed (and obtained from a few top speed drummers) because they all help maintain balanced power and endurance. Derivations of my hand exercises have done wonders with my feet as well (being a double pedal player). As a result, my overall "feel" and "groove" has improved quite a bit - which has enabled me to play better on the drum kit in any situation.

So, from my point-of-view, drumming for speed is NOT an "end-all". But it does provide many ways to enhance multi-limb balance, power, endurance, and "feel" - and these are ALL very important aspects to any performing drummer!

FYI: I actually "fell" into the whole WFD thing by accident. I never intended, or wanted to be known as a "fastest drummer". I went into a local music store, qualified there, then regionally (at Berklee), and then qualified at NAMM for the finals. In fact, NEVER before had i considering ANY type of "competitive drumming" situation like this. BUT, because there was no subjectivity involved here - that intrigued me. Anyway, I was quite surprised in the end to be sitting on the finals stage, and to place third internationally! The free flight, room and pass for NAMM in the winter for 60-seconds of playing sure was a good deal too. But I was most excited about meeting so many top drummers - and getting to play on all the latest drum equipment. My wife also loved it - since she got to go free to NAMM with me too! 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. And click here to view a shortened 1-minute Flash Video Summary of the 2004 World's Fastest Drummer Finals

Rockin' at "The Burren" near Boston

Comment # 2:
Currently, I've been performing quite a bit with a lot of different players (and have been loving it). Recently, I did a local production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (I love pit band playing) while I continue to do other freelance work with various ensembles, artists and bands. I was fortunate enough to perform a jazz-fusion concert at the Firehouse Center for the Performing Arts with a regional "all-star cast (including electric and upright bass virtuoso, John Davies) and several other great players. John was one of the ONLY "white" Motown session players ever! He played with MC5, played on Michael Moore's most recent movie, and has done much more. He's a great player and friend. Shortly after that, I working on a jazz-fusion project called "Shuffle Monk", led by Brian Thompson (who toured with Maynard Ferguson Maynard Ferguson as a trumpet player for almost 5-years). Currently, I'm in the studio with John Davies and Eric Kolosey (and others) recording an original album that should be coming out in February, 2011.

Playing with Brian Thompson

For all you drummers and percussionists still here, I really do hope you find something of interest on this site. Sharing is what it's about, and that's what everything here is all about too. Please continue to contact me about what you like and don't like about drums, drumming and the like - as well as the site itself. I DO appreciated all the input. And for you "non-drummers" still here, I hope you enjoy your visit too. Maybe we'll work together someday! One never knows! If you're interested, then go right ahead and look over my musical biography, and then listen to some audio examples of my drumming. Use my contact form to send a message and I'll get back to you promptly! Take care...