Article about John Pochee

Here is an article about one of the great Sydney jazz drummers, John Pochee. I'm glad to hear that Bernie McGann's Bundeena and Ten Part Invention's Unidentifid Spaces are two of the albums he is most proud of, I love those albums.  http://australianjazz.net/2014/03/john-pochee-part-of-the-music-by-john-shand/

Advice for free!

Some of the important things I've learnt over the years, things I've done which I recommend, and things which I wish I'd done when I was at school:

Buying a Glockenspiel Pack

For those that need to buy a Glockenspiel and practise pad pack:

The Optimum Glockenspiel is a product offered at Optimum Percussion, Burwood. It includes a Student Glockenspiel, pair of drum sticks and glockenspiel mallets, a stand, a practise pad, and a bag.  Cost: $249.
Click here for information on this pack, click here for Optimum Percussion's address and contact info.

Trinity Grades

This year some of my students are working on the Trinity Guildhall examination material.  Click here if you want to read about it, although you don't necessarily need to. It's an alternative to the AMEB, similar type of program but more widely recognised around the world and the percussion resources are better.

Lewis Nash Jazz Drumming workshop

Here are a few videos worth checking out for students interested in jazz, by Lewis Nash. He's very eloquent, he plays a bit, and it's a good explanation of this approach to playing the drums. He mostly talks about playing in an ensemble, being supportive, etc, it's a chops free zone.

Holding the Sticks (Gottlieb video)

Here's a video of Danny Gottlieb, a student of Joe Morello.  One of my teachers, Jim Piesse (who is excellent, by the way), was also a long time student of Joe's and my approach to technique basically comes from that tradition.

The video is one in a series, this one is a good demonstration of holding the sticks.  I've posted it because I've been talking about this with a couple of students, it reinforces what we've talked about. 

Gdansk

A video of "Gdansk", for those of my students that are learning it...

Purdie & Half Time Shuffles

A couple of videos featuring Bernard Purdie, the "Purdie Shuffle" / Half-time shuffle

First with Purdie himself and Steely Dan (a few good clips and recordings of just drums, skip through most of this video):

Hamish Stuart Video

Here's a video which covers all kinds of questions about drumming with one the drummers in Sydney I respect most, Hamish Stuart. He talks about his choice of drums and cymbals, whether to clean the cymbals or not, tuning the drums and recording then asks the engineer about microphones for the drums. Worth checking out for drum students who are wondering about these things.

Monk's Advice

I recently came across some advice from the great jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, as transcribed by saxophonist Steve Lacy.

Drum Gear Part 3: Drum Kits

This is part 3 of my advice for students and parents about buying equipment.  I'm doing some research on student model kits, I have some general advice and so far one specific recommendation.

AMEB Percussion Grade 3

The following pieces and exercises are part of the AMEB Grade 3 Percussion Syllabus. The actually syllabus is so complicated and boring that it puts me to sleep so I've simplified it for students who need to know what is involved. It includes a lot more choices for pieces but I've narrowed it down to the resources I use.

Creativity and Education (Videos)

This is a great talk by Ken Robinson on creativity and education:

Ashbury Primary

I'm now teaching at Ashbury Primary School. This info is for parents of my students at Ashbury PS.

Facebook

A quick note about Facebook...

Drum Books: Intermediate-Advanced Students

THIS IS NOT A LIST OF BOOKS FOR EVERYONE TO GO OUT AND BUY.  

I'm putting them here so that when I tell people about a book, they can check here and easily find the right information. I'll let people when they need to get a book.
In this post: Stick Control, The All American Drummer, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary, Master Studies, Syncopation, Modern Reading Text in 4/4, Alfred's Beginners Drumset Method, Advanced Funk Studies, Drum Standards, The Art of Bop Drumming, Beyond Bop Drumming

Drum Books: Beginner Students

THIS IS NOT A LIST OF BOOKS FOR EVERYONE TO GO OUT AND BUY.  

I'm putting them here so that when I tell people about a book, they can check here and easily find the right information. I don't pile students up with books, but sometimes they're useful.  I'll let people when they need to get a book.
In this post: Essential Elements, Alfred's Drum Method Book 1, Fast Track Drums Book 1

Drum gear Part 2: Heads and Practise Pads

This is a continuation of my first post about drum gear, which is just my humble advice to students and parents about navigating the world of drumming products.  

Drum gear Part 1: Sticks, Brushes and other implements

From time to time I get asked by students and parents about buying drums, cymbals, sticks, skins and other gear.  I don't consider myself an expert in the latest and greatest products, and I'm not in the business of reviewing or endorsing products. I have, however, been dealing with drums and drum shops for almost 20 years, I don't have an affiliation with any manufacturer, store, supplier or brand, and I do have the best interests of my students at heart (not the best interests of a music store). With that little disclaimer, here's my humble advice: