I learned the hard way that great players don’t always make great teachers. I spent too much time and way too much money trying to learn from people who had no idea how to teach, and who at best, had me simply copy their “good stuff”. I didn’t want to just copy someone, I wanted to learn how to come up with good ideas on my own. Safe to say I got my wish. I eventually wound up learning from:
Gary Chaffee - Easily one of, if not THE most important and influential drum teachers in history. Guys like Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Dave DiCenso,JR Robinson, Kenwood Dennard, and Todd Sucherman learned from him, as have hundreds of other big name drummers. His systems literally changed the way the drums are played, and whether its polyrhythms on the set, the linear style, his sticking system, or his use of mixed subdivisions (the “rhythm scale”), his influence can be heard in virtually every style of drumming today. He retired recently, but his influence surely will be felt forever.
Tony Cruz – I think of Tony as my first real drum teacher. We met in 1995, and once I realized he was the same Tony Cruz who Gary Chester, author of “The New Breed” referred to as “one of the up and coming drummers of today” (along with Danny Gottlieb, Dave Weckl, and Kenny Aronoff), I was both excited and scared to learn from him. I was excited that I finally had the chance to learn from a big name drum teacher, and scared that it was going to be very difficult. Well it was difficult, because Tony was the first teacher to give me tough love and call me out when I didn’t practice enough, but it also set me on my way to study with Gary Chaffee, who, without Tony’s guidance, I wouldn’t have been prepared for. It turned into more than just lessons; Tony and I have been good friends for 16 years now. We speak often, and hopefully his lessons will soon be available on this site.
Dom Famularo is known as “Drumming’s Global Ambassador“. On top of incredible skills on the set, he has a magnetic personality, a contagious laugh, and an inspiring outlook on life. Because of these traits, he travels literally all around the world to motivate and inspire other drummers. I met Dom at a time in my life when I needed inspiration, and he delivered. He was one of the first drummers offering online video lessons, and he graciously helped me with my first venture into providing Internet lessons way back back in 2005.
Tommy Igoe His amazing drumming abilities, and intelligent, no nonsense approach to teaching have made him one of the most famous and well-respected instructors today. His “Groove Essentials” series of books and videos, as well as his “Great Hands for a Lifetime” have become must-haves in every drummer’s library.
Pete Scattaretico Pete studied with Lenny Tristano and Ed Soph, and studied classical percussion at the Westchester Conservatory. He has performed at many well known venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Village Vanguard NYC, and many more. He is a jazz drumming master, amazing with brushes (a lost art) and he’s also a true jazz historian. Pete introduced me to jazz, melodic soloing, and all things Elvin Jones and Tony Williams.
