Drummer's Weekly Groovecast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 59 - Interview - Jack Bell Part 1 Aug 28, 2017

Show notes

Today we welcome master percussionist Jack Bell to the Drummer's Weekly Groovecast. For those of you unfamiliar with Jack he was the principal percussionist (for over thirty years) with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as well as the creator/coordinator of the percussion department at Georgia State University. In this episode Jack discusses his early interest in drums and his studies with legendary teacher, Harold Firestone. He details the methods he worked with, the teaching style of Firestone, and auditioning for the legendary Charles Wilcoxin. Jack then discusses studying with Cloyd Duff at Oberlin College and the opportunities that were afforded to him during his tenure there. Jack then talks about his 'audition' with Robert Shaw which initiated his eventual move and long time job as principal percussionist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. We round out the show with numerous stories about wonderful experiences along with mortifying moments that come with orchestra life. Make sure you visit Jack Bell's personal web site: www.melodiousmerchant.com At this site Jack has compiled and incredible amount of invaluable information for all percussionists including detailed biographical, educational, and performance material. Jack also has a series of videos available that highlight his instructional methods as well as his performance. Please check out his rudimental video demonstration: Rudiment video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4XnbPcoQY Subscribe to the Drummer's Weekly Groovecast! We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean and everywhere you get your favorite podcasts.

Episode 58 - Interview - Lee Falco (Donald Fagen And The Nightflyers) Aug 20, 2017

Show notes

Lee Falco is a drummer/singer/session musician and studio owner who just happens to have a little side project as the drummer for Donald Fagen and the Nightflyers. Much to our liking the current Nightflyer's tour happened to have a date scheduled in our neck of the woods and we took full advantage the opportunity. On a well placed 'off day' Jon and Phil absconded Lee and traipsed him all over Atlanta prior to sitting down for our interview. Lee discussed his upbringing and musical training in the Hudson Valley, New York area which led him to study at SUNY Purchase. Afterward he detailed his professional career including his initial meeting and further relationship with Donald Fagen. I'm not going to mention anything further other than you need to start listening to this episode now! For further info please head over to Lee's website: www.leefalco.com New episodes are available every Monday. We're available at Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, and everywhere you download your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today!

Episode 57 - Dealing With Burnout Aug 14, 2017

Show notes

It can happen to anyone. Too much of a good thing can result in diminishing returns. In this episode Phil and Jon talk from personal experience about how to battle burnout. Over practicing, high pressure sessions, travel, repetitive gigs, and just plain boredom are the usual suspects. However, as are most complicated subjects, the devil is in the details. We get to the root issues and give you many different solutions to overcome these problems without having to burn bridges due to frustration. We also talk about challenging gigs and give major kudos to a music director from a recent performance. In our final segment we review a new tempo improvement app available for your phone or tablet. Join us every Monday for a brand new show. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and wherever you acquire your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today!

Episode 56 - Interview - Drummers Of Oasis Of The Seas Aug 07, 2017

Show notes

Being a cruise ship musician conjures a myriad of different thoughts: constant vacation, see the world, play every day, steady paycheck, free room and board! Then the doubt creeps in: constantly away from home, out of touch with reality, losing your mainland gigs, ground hog day! In this special episode we talk to the drummers of Royal Caribbean's mega-ship, Oasis of the Seas. They discuss their experiences from audition to every day cruise life (both good and bad) and give us the realities of playing on one of the largest cruise ships in the world. Join us for our first podcast abroad! We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

Episode 55 - Compliments And Criticism Jul 31, 2017

Show notes

Accepting a compliment is something we appreciate and generally have no problem with. In fact most do so with great humility. However when it comes to taking criticism that's something we all need help with. That's because most of the time the aforementioned critique presented improperly. If we are honest with ourselves we can assess any criticism and learn from it. But that's often easier said than done. In this show we speak from our personal experience of being on both ends of the equation. Decoding criticism and the personal agendas they encompass is something we all must learn to do. It allows us to grow, improve and toss out the unfair and untrue. Join us as we give you advice and techniques to separate the wheat from the chaff. We finish the show with our segment on great underrated drummers. Join us every week for a brand new show! We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

Episode 54 - The Stick Show (aka What's In Your Bag, Man) Jul 23, 2017

Show notes

Drum sticks, brushes, multi-rods, mallets, and other strikers are the tools of the trade. They're the cheapest things we use but arguably the most important! No matter what gig you're on or whose drums you play you always carry your stick bag with you. In this show we discuss what we use, why we use them, and the importance of experimenting with multiple sticks and brushes. Sit back and settle in for another great show about gear! We finish off with our segment on great, underrated drum tracks. New shows are available every Monday. We can be found on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

Episode 53 - Interview - John DeChristopher (former VP Of Zildjian) Part 2 Jul 17, 2017

Show notes

We celebrate our one year anniversary with part two of our interview with John DeChristopher. We pick up with him becoming the artist relations manager at Zildjian and the close relationship he had with Lennie DiMuzio. He also discusses his work with the launch of Zildjian drum sticks, clinic tours, modern technology, and his rise to vice president of the company. We also touch on some specifics inside the factory and talk about the evolution of all the cymbal lines. We come full circle as John talks about his resignation from the company and the return to playing drums again. Finally we end the show with our Drummer's Weekly Groovecast Rorschach Test! Join us every Monday for a brand new show! We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

Episode 52 - Interview - John DeChristopher (former VP Of Zildjian) Part 1 Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

There are but a few cornerstone manufacturers in the music business and the Zildjian cymbal company is one of them. Today we welcome former Zildjian VP John DeChristopher. In part one of this interview John discusses his early musical upbringing in Massachusetts and how it led him to pursue a music career in performance. Eventually John found himself on the business side of the music industry. This combined interest took him to California where he worked for the Simmons Drum Company and ultimately an early incarnation of Drum Workshop. With these first two companies John describes making life long friendships with some of the great drummers of our time. He eventually moved back east continuing to represent DW when a chance meeting with Zildjian changed his life. Lastly you only have a few days left to register to win one of two great prizes from the Monk Drum Company. First prize is a 10" original Monk Drum. Second prize is a set of Monk Drum Bongos. Go to www.monkdrums.com for audio, videos, and more information. To register simply log into Itunes and leave us a short, written review. Your Itunes nickname will be used for the drawing. Join us every Monday for a brand new show! We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

Episode 51 - Subbing In, Subbing Out Jul 03, 2017

Show notes

If you stick around the music business for very long it's a 100% certainty that you will be called to sub for someone or have to ask another drummer to sub for you. For the uninitiated getting a substitute musician is not as simple as having "Jerry" in the next cubicle cover for you. Rather, almost all gigs employ you for your unique abilities and personality. So when finding or becoming a sub it's of paramount importance that certain criteria are met for your band and for the musicians that you are performing with. We finish up the show with our segment on must-have gear. New shows are available every Monday. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today! Lastly, don't forget to register to win free drums! To commemorate our one year anniversary we are partnering with Monk Drums (www.monkdrums.com) to give away two great prizes! First prize will be an original 10" Monk Drum. Second prize will be a set of Monk Drums bongos. To win all you need to do is go to Itunes and leave us a short, written review and you'll be entered to win! We'll be drawing the winners on Facebook Live during the week of our 52nd episode. Stay tuned for exact date and time!

Episode 50 - Psychological Techniques of Drumming Jun 26, 2017

Show notes

"Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical." - Yogi Berra Yogi, being the wordsmith that he was, leads us into this week's very important topic. We spend countless hours in practice rooms cultivating our technique, vocabulary and time feel. However the psychological aspect of our musical development is often overlooked. This week we dive into mental techniques to improve your drumming. We cover topics that help you confront and ultimately defeat common emotional and mental roadblocks: fear, worry, self-doubt, over thinking (restless mind), and rage. We then give you proven exercises and techniques that combat these issues. We finish the show with each of us discussing a great underrated drummer. Join us every Monday for a brand new show. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today! Lastly, don't forget to register to win free drums! To commemorate our one year anniversary we are partnering with Monk Drums (www.monkdrums.com) to give away two great prizes! First prize will be an original 10" Monk Drum. Second prize will be a set of Monk Drums bongos. To win all you need to do is go to Itunes and leave us a short, written review and you'll be entered to win! We'll be drawing the winners on Facebook Live during the week of our 52nd episode. Stay tuned for exact date and time!

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