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Each month we will be featuring different
drummers and styles of music, letting them speak their mind on all aspects
of drumming, equipment, what they love about the drums, philosophies and their
reflections on music from the drummers unique perspective.
Please contact us if you would like to share your thoughts at info@MetroMusicMayhem.com.
love of learning new things
My name is Greg Sherman and I’m
a Drum Instructor here in South Florida for 17 years now. I play
in a cover band called “Top Priority” of which I’ve
played in for 25 years now and still perform locally live at least 3
times a month . I’ve done numerous original situations over
the years most namely UnityGain, which I think is some of my best drumming
thus far. I’ve been the Drum Dept manager for Sam Ash Music
in Margate, Florida for over 10 years now.
I’ve taken
drum instruction all through my life and because of this love of learning
new things musically on the drums; I myself became a drum instructor. I’ve
studied this art since I was 7 years old and continue to learn to this
day. Having taught literally hundreds of students over the years,
I found myself a true passion for teaching. |
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This is what I
was meant to do. I
love seeing a student take an idea and expand on it so as to make it “his
or her” own. It’s getting them to understand
a concept and not learning a lick that I know that makes this worthwhile. This
is the incredible lesson learned from Steve Rucker. Steve is the
head of the University of Miami drum department of whom I studied with
privately for 2 ½ years. Take an idea, place it on the
kit in as many ways as “YOU” can come up with.
This
is an incredible way to learn and it infected me beyond words….I
Love the fact that a student can learn all the different subdivisions
available, and then take something that was once an exercise, and make
it a staple part of their playing. This is why I continue to teach drums
to this day. I love teaching these concepts to new students.
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practice routines
I’d like to touch on practice routines and what I feel will work for the
drummer looking to really get the most out of their playing. First off you have
to be motivated and certainly dedicated to this instrument. You not going to
go to bed one night, and wake up with the ability. It will take some time to
develop.
That being said these are the things to strive for.
- BE A GOOD READER. This will help in understanding
not only what you play now but also give you the chance to tap into other
types of genres simply by looking at a method book. I may not be able to
play something today but by looking at a book I can then hear the rhythms
in my head and start to learn it
- Learn how to play as many genre’s as possible
to expand your musical vocabulary. I am a testament
to this as my phone rings for different performance situations, weddings,
Bar mitzvahs, & corporate gigs down to studio sessions.
- Be organized as to
how you put the time in. Keep track of practice times
and stick to a routine, I highly suggest a steady diet of hand/foot related
studies, accenting patterns and jazz related studies. You could literally
make a career out of these alone. Those that worked on these things with
me over the years and really put the time in became great players who are
all in musical situations right now.
- Without a doubt, Play with A Metronome…this
is ultra important in my eyes. You will be confronted with a click in any
studio setting. Learn to play all subdivisions with a click.
- Above all else, get a great teacher. Someone who
knows what is important in getting your playing to the next level. I hope
this helps all of you drummers out there a little on how to advance one’s ability’s.
Anyone that is interested in learning to
play drums can contact Greg at (954) 816-0907. Also check out www.topprioritymusic.com for
a chance to catch the band live. Feel free to contact me on any drum related
questions or concerns at drum4@bellsouth.net.
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