Wednesday Sermon: Why Are We Doing All This?

It is helpful to consider the question of why practice everyday, and why work so hard on technique and hand speed and dexterity? The answer is pretty simple. When the performance arrives, as a drumset artist you do not want to spend energy or time or concentration on how your hands and feet are going to work together. All those practice hours train your hands what to do.

All that training gives the performer freedom to simply be creative on the drumset and have a more effective communication with the audience. Any time spent thinking about how your hands work during a show is robbing the audience of something potential magical, which is the connection between performer and audience.

Answer Key for Transcription Challenge #2

For those of you playing along at home….here you go! This challenge included 7 stroke rolls and also there were a couple of “odd” groupings of single 5s and single 7s in there to keep you on your toes.

Next time, we break rhythms up around the drum set. First the video, then the score:

Transcription 2 12062020 by Bryan Tuk Drums

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is approaching, and as grooveKSQ enters its third year (already!), there are many things and people to be thankful for:

The students, who work hard to get better every week, and come up with interesting ideas for material to develop;

The parents, for supporting the students, bringing them to and from lessons, and reminding the students to practice;

The donors who have made financial contributions to assist in carrying out grooveKSQ’s programming; and

The business partners who have sponsored events, or have participated in projects with us.

THANK YOU ALL, without this tremendous growing community, none of our programming would happen. There are big plans for 2021 that I will share with you in the coming weeks. Until then, I hope that you all stay safe during this challenging time.

grooveTALK, Ep. 2: John Evans, principal timpanist Naples Philharmonic

John Evans, principal timpanist, is in his thirtieth season with The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University and a Master of Music degree from Temple University, where he was a student of Alan Abel, former associate principal percussionist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

This is a great conversation that contains many lessons for aspiring professionals.

Wednesday Sermon: All That Matters

During the Wednesday Throwdowns, I try to lead the viewers through as many exercises as possible at varying tempi. Every so often a mini-sermon comes out, and this one I think is worth you time. (It’s all of two minutes long). You can tune in to our Monday live improv sessions and Wednesday Throwdowns on Twitch here.

grooveKSQ Turns Two!

It was two years ago on October 1, 2018 that grooveKSQ opened its doors to aspiring drummers and percussionists. This is a thank you message to all the aspiring musicians who have or are studying here, and especially their families for their support and also to our donors and financial supporters who recognize the value of arts education and community building through the arts.

I am very much looking forward to year three and beyond. One great way to stay in the loop is to join our email list, by texting GROOVEKSQ to 66866 on your smartphone. If you are interested in studying at groove, or want to know more about any upcoming programming, please email me.