Hello

I have read an article about you in the german "drums & percussion" magazine... and seen a video-recording of a Steve Winwood show from ´97. I like your playing very much. I find this video very inspiring.

There's one thing I would like to ask you:

I am a 33 year old - classical trained - drummer, but playing and teaching the drumset becomes more and more important for me. The most difficult thing for me in playing the drumset is to be able to play "in front" or "laid back". When I practice with a click I have a "reference" to play with, but I wonder how I can build this "reference" without using the click all the time.

I hope my english is good enough so you can understand my question...

greetings & all the best for your future, Jochen

Dear Jochen,

Thanks for your email. I understand what you are asking & it is difficult to explain it on an email without demonstrating it on the drums. It is a very important question.

The best advice I can give you now, is to play many styles of music & get familiar with the way they approach the grooves to the music. First play along with CD's & then play with as many people as possible & record yourself always (rehearsals, performances, etc.) & listen back. Also continue to practice with metronomes & clicks. Use them as a tool to your purpose.

You see... some styles of music have to move forward in different sections & some ostinato oriented ones like loops can be on clicks, steady till the end. The bottom line is to make whatever music you are playing feel good & if it is to turn off the click on the solo section & move a little forward with the music's excitement , then you should. However, there is a difference from "breathing with the music" & "dragging & rushing the music". That is the thing to be learned & it definitely comes with playing alot & having fun with the music you are playing, but remember... you can not have fun with the music if you & the band are not making it feel good!

I hope I helped somehow,

Good luck, peace

Walfredo

08/02

Remember, YOU are the good professor!!!

Hello!

I write you because passed one year, you came in our country a night: Grandvillars in the East of France, near Switzerland. And I came with my seven year old daughter Marie, to hear your concept of drums and your wonderful drum playing. She was near you on a chair all the time... If you remember. And just after the end, you wrote "peace + rhythms and solfegio" on a poster, and she give you a kiss at cheek for thanks, before going home. This poster is on the wall from her sleeping room and my little girl looks every day to it! She learn percussion now second year in a local music school (Valdoie) and is a very good solfegio student. She plays every day on her little drums.

I know she likes music, but her pleasure to play drums came from You. I'll let you know it.

As adult, I appreciate your professional and musical attitude this night a year ago. Be sure you tell musicians of the world that best message to the youngest generation " that you make and think music like a game to play every day".

Not the same language, not the same people, not the same country, not the same age, but your lesson was understood by a young girl!

For this I give you news, because Masters like you are precious.

Continue your work because music is more than important to all!

Un grand BRAVO!

A grateful father (amateur trumpet)

P.S. Sorry for my poor English...

;-))

11/02