Drums with Brian K.

I’ve been told I have “the patience of a saint”, and that my “ability to tune in is impressive.” – which I interpret to mean I have a knack for assessing what areas a student needs to focus on and the best approach to take. I’ve been accused of being too silly sometimes. You have been warned. ☺ In keeping the learning process fun and interesting, I’m a big advocate of utilizing any possible resource out there for the benefit of the student. I love gadgets! Must be at least half a dozen devices around here expressly for the purpose of improving a drummer’s time-sense. I was a multimedia developer for 10 years, specializing in computer-based training, and I draw on that experience as well. I’ve also been accused of having too many gadgets. Other relevant experience includes teaching Music Appreciation at a New York City private school. Being a bit of a timbre-geek, I also introduced Electronic Music (analog synthesis) to the curriculum, for some of the more enthusiastic students. My own education includes Schenectady Community College (Percussion Ensemble – Marimba and Drum Set), Berklee College of Music (Instrumental Performance), and Empire State College (Early Music – Woodwinds and Percussion). I’ve also had many years of studying privately. Most notably with Sam Ulano in New York - focusing entirely on sight-reading. Sam is a legend in the field. He is known by his friends and associates as "The Drumchiatrist". I also studied vibraphone with Tom Brown, vibist for WRGB's The Earl Pudney Show in the '60s. Tom was also the instructor for my percussion ensemble class at SCCC, and a real tyrant! I've attended numerous drum master classes offered through Modern Drummer Magazine (held at Montclair State University, NJ), and Drummers Collective, NYC. I've attended workshops in both African and Latin drumming. I'm actively involved with NAFDA, an organization comprised entirely of frame drummers (e.g., bodhran, riq, kanjira, tar, bendir). I have attended a number of their workshops held annually in Brattleboro, VT. One of the greatest experiences was six months of in-depth and intensive study with master drummer Ganesh Kumar on the South Indian kanjira. My performance experience includes rock, progressive rock, Broadway (local productions), pop, folk, jazz (bop & free), modern dance, mainstream, and worldbeat. My most recent gig was providing auxiliary percussion for a note-for-note Grateful Dead tribute band, "Dead On". Transcribing Mickey Hart's parts was an education in and of itself! *** Lesson Details *** Lessons will be catered to the interests and goals of the student. The overall objective is for the student to evolve into one who has a great command of the instrument; where musical expression becomes second nature. Words and phrases like “Articulation”, “Polyrhythm”, “In the pocket” may surface. No heavy dogma here, though. However, there are some good-drumming guidelines handed down through the ages that’ll be covered. But we also might have a bit of fun breaking a few of those rules, just to see where it leads; a little out-of-the-box thinking. There is one tenet that’ll remain constant throughout... Rhythm is defined by the space between the notes! And where drummers typically don’t work alone, I would hope that the following could be said of my students: “Plays well with others”! *** Studio Equipment *** Basement set up. Brand new construction. 4-piece acoustic and 5-piece electronic drum kits available. Single or double kick pedal. Left-handed or ambidextrous players welcome. Percussion instruments. Seating for parents available. One dog. Three cats. *** Travel Equipment *** Ideally, a student should have a drum kit & sticks. Basic entry level, or second-hand is fine. Also, their own metronome (or other time keeping device). And lastly, their own copy of whatever method book we're working from. In lieu of that, I could bring portable practice pads, or electronic pads - easy enough to set up - along with whatever supplemental study material seems applicable. *** Specialties *** I've been exposed to a wide array of musical genres from around the world. I grew up with my Dad's Stan Kenton collection and British Pop. If I was to single out a specialty, it would be progressive rock, or neo-prog, and the comfort level I have approaching odd meters.