drums

The Importance of Exploring

The Importance of Exploring

y Alexis Rastovich

Since the day they start walking, it is always a struggle to keep children away from out-in-the-open pianos or making unnecessary noises from their little voice boxes. My question is, why do we restrain them from these instruments? In fact, why do we keep ourselves away from unknown instruments? Yes, it sometimes is inconvenient to listen to the sounds of imperfect harmony, but the active learning that occurs when exploring is vital to our ability to grow as a musician, and perhaps more importantly, to grow as a person.

Maximizing Your Lessons

Maximizing Your Lessons

By Jason Jackowich

With drum lessons ranging from only 30 to 60 minutes a week, it’s very important to be looking at ways to maximize that time. What do we actually retain? What were those breakout chops we learned? 

I remember sitting down to my kit the day after a breakthrough lesson, picking up my sticks, and then ended up just staring at them for a bit. There was no way I could duplicate what I had learned. Sure the particular beat or chop was written down for me, but when I began practicing it, I wasn't able to conjure the same energy that I had in lesson. Why is this the case?  

The Power of the Paradiddle

The Power of the Paradiddle

By Jason Jackowich

I owe everything to my drumming instructor for opening the world of paradiddles to me. I work very hard to get my students to the point that we can open this sacred box of knowledge. It makes me smile every single time I can get a student to that point because I know they are about to embark on a journey that will open the student up to endless possibilities.