Welcome to My Drumming Site!
Please check out my drumming tips and articles archive. On this page are links to articles ranging from learning how to play the drums, 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 on one-handed roll techniques and a page dedicated to hand drums and hand drumming. If you've visited this site prior to November 09, please note that I've updated the whole thing; including the two 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!
Performing at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut
Comments - #1:
Lately, I've been getting comments on "speed drumming". It seems that "drumming speed" (or just drumming fast) has a good level of controversy behind it. Personally, I don't see the reason for most of it, but drummers seem polarized about "developing drumming speed". Some even take issue with the "International Fastest Drummer Competition (the "WFD").
Well, it just so happens that I was a finalist in the "World's Fastest Drummer (WFD) Competition" in 2004 at Winter NAMM (I know - whoopee right - well hang in there). Anyway, this "truly unique" experience forced me to work on exercises designed to optimize my sticking speed (really, my "technique"). But as I was doing this, I actually began noticing other technical drumming issues that I needed to deal with. And although I no longer practice to attain "maximum speed", I DO use the many drumming speed and endurance exercises I learned - and developed during this time. They continue to help me balance power between my hands (and my feet), enhance my endurance, and improve my sticking accuracy. In addition, I have other drumming exercises that help improve how I use my hands AND feet together. So now I'm FAR more concerned with how ALL of my limbs work together! This ends up enhancing one's feel - so you can really "groove" on the drum kit. So I guess the bottom line is that drumming for speed may NOT be an "end-all", but it has provided me with many ways to help work on multi-limb balance, feel, endurance, and finesse - and these are ALL very important aspects to performing WELL! And I owe it ALL to my WFD experience...
As for my WFD experience, I actually "fell" into the whole thing; qualifying locally, regionally, and then nationally - winning again and again in disbelief. I had NEVER before even considering ANY type of "competitive drumming" situation. But I think the fact that subjectivity was not involved here intrigued me (the Drumometer). All I can say is that I was quite surprised to be on the finals stage and to place third internationally! A free trip to NAMM in the winter for 60-seconds of work sure was cool too. But I was most excited about meeting with so many top drummers - and getting to play on all the latest in drum equipment. My wife also loved it - since she got to go free to NAMM too! Anyway, I learned quite a lot while there - and I continue to.
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... |
Rockin' The Burren w/Cooper's Escape
|
Comments - # 2:
Currently, I've been performing quite a bit (and loving it). Recently, I worked on a local production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It was a great time - and the musicians and performers were all quite talented. Andrew Lloyd Webber sure can put together a Broadway musical. He's a genius! Anyway, I'm trying to get some video of the show for the site!
Playing Funk and Soul with "My Buds" from Manchuka
|
Finally, 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. And 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... |
