GrooveFEST FAQs for families…

The last public student performance the studio produced was way back before the pandemic. Since then, there have been quite a few new students join the studio. Now that things seemed to have normalized, it is time to perform again. After all, being great in the practice room is one thing, being great in front of a live audience is another kind of test altogether. I put together this set of FAQs based on the questions I received from parents and guardians which I think will be helpful.

1. What is GrooveFEST exactly?

A. GrooveFEST is a catchier name for a student recital or student performance. GrooveFEST is intended to be a fun experience for the students in a friendly live environment.

2. Is participation mandatory?

A. No, participation is voluntary, but I strongly encourage students to participate because it is a terrific learning experience.

3. Is there a cover charge or fee for participating?

A. There is no fee, but this is a fundraising event for the studio to help cover its general operating expenses. You can make a tax deductible donation to the studio HERE.

4. How much performance time will my student have?

A. Performance time allotted to each performer will depend on the total number of performers we have signed up. We have ninety minutes allotted for this event.

5. Where is the event being held?

A. The performance is being held on stage at Kennett Brewing Company, 109 S. Broad Street in Kennett. KBC is located in the same building as grooveKSQ but on the ground floor. KBC has two entrances, one on Apple Alley and one on South Broad Street.

6. What if my son or daughter is nervous about performing?

A. My job as an educator is to put the students in a position to succeed. Some nerves before live performance is a totally natural thing. If I think that your son or daughter is going to have difficulty, I will let you know. (note: this has not happened one time yet!).

7. When should we let you know if my son or daughter is participating?

A. The earlier the better! The more time I have to plan the program, the better experience everyone (performers and guests) will have.

8. Is this a competition?

A. The only person the students are competing against is themselves. So no there is no competitive aspect among the performers. We will have some trivia and games and maybe a few prizes.

Djembe Master Class Notes

Last night an enthusiastic group gathered here at the studio to learn from djembe master Pape Demba Samb. We spent a fun and energetic 90 minutes together communicating through drumming.

It really is something you have to experience live, and whatever you may have heard on a recording, hearing the sound of all those hand crafted Senegalese instruments played in a group really is an incredible experience.

Pape teaches individual lessons here at the studio. Please email me for more details.

We are planning on running another master class in April. Please join our email list by texting GROOVEKSQ to 66866 on your smartphone to stay up to date with the studio’s events.

New Faculty Spotlight: Introducing Pape "Paco" Samb

Pape Demba "Paco" Samb comes from a family that have been griots in his native Senegal for hundreds of years. As a griot, Paco is one of the keepers of the ancestral history, stories, and music of his Wolof peoples. As a master hand drummer, Paco not only plays the instruments but he and his brothers build several types of drums as well. He performs both contemporary and traditional Senegalese music, as well as reggae, rap, funk, jazz, pop and a variety of other styles. Paco heads his own drum ensemble called Super Ngewel and released his first album in 2014.

The Benefits of Daily Practice

One concept that is consistent across all the members of the studio, regardless of experience level is this concept: daily practicing yields significant improvement over time. The longer the period of time, the larger the increase in improvement. This is an observation from decades of my own musical journey as well as the instruction of others.

Different students of course have different goals. Perhaps the student is just getting started, or perhaps they are playing at a proficient level and are preparing for an audition for a high school or university level ensemble. Both of the situation require different levels of input. But the concept remains the same.

For the beginner student, perhaps five to ten minutes a day is advisable in order for the student to feel comfortable with the drumsticks in his or her hands to gain basic functionality in terms of approaching the instrument.

For the advanced student, preparing for a university school of music audition, perhaps a practice plan that occupies three or four hours a day is advisable. Again, each situation is unique and that is one of the benefits of studying percussion here at groove - custom tailored advice on practice habits.

Suggested reading on this point is here from the Association of Psychological Science: Deliberate Practice and Performance in Music, Games, Sports, Education, and Professions: A Meta-Analysis

Calling All Friends of Groove: Our Year End Fundraising Campaign

This last year, the studio provided free after school programming to middle school students in collaboration with After the Bell and also produced a live performance event at no cost to the students. In order to expand the studio’s low-cost or no-cost programming for middle and high school students in 2022, please consider making a tax deductible donation to the studio.

Are you a Friend of Groove? Consider making a tax-deductible donation though our Fractured Atlas site, and check out the thank you gifts!

$50 - an acknowledgement on social media and a listing on our website on the Friends of Groove page;

$100 - everything above plus a new hand drawn logo tee;

$250 - everything above plus a groovePAD;

$1000 - everything above plus a 90 minute private house concert by Bryan’s jazz trio at a mutually agreed time.

Improvisational Exercise, long form

Routine in our practice is a valuable thing. There is value in staying organized and focused in our quest to improve. However, too much routine can be detrimental to your growth as a drumset artist. This is an example of a long form improvisational exercise that I use with my students - I'll hold down a pattern (this one happens to be in 12/8), and the student's job is to not think - just create. It takes some time to free oneself from your own headspace. I recommend trying this for at least 15 - 20 minutes. Once you can spend a hour continuously in this headspace, some interesting things can result.

In this video, David Robinson comes up with some interesting ideas over the 12/8. Spend some time with this video and you will see what I mean.

If you are interested in studying with me, please click here.