Durham Drum Lessons

06/11/2024

Tickets go on sale Friday y'all and are priced reasonably. We are doing about 21 dates, mostly at small to mid-size venues. A few West Coast shows will be added sometime later - most likely late November, early December.

This is gonna be a big freaking awesome time. Can't wait to reconnect with our friends, fans and family. I'm looking forward to playing these songs again with Matt Leigh and Justin. It's been way to long, and I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

06/03/2024

All things you need to know about this current version of Sixpence can be found here.

If you've not signed up for the mailing list, do so asap - big things are happening - shows, a tour(!), meet and greets, merchandise etc.

Stay in the know and more importantly let's get some coffee together when I come through your town on tour!

Official Website for the band Sixpence None The Richer who brought you the hits "Kiss Me", "There She Goes", and "Breathe Your Name" and are now touring and recording new music. Here you'll find new releases, tour dates, merchandise, videos, photos and more.

12/15/2021

Have you purchased my book?
durhamdrumlessons.gumroad.com/l/first_steps

Did you know I'm teaching 2 new group classes starting in January?

Beginning Drums:
https://outschool.com/classes/beginner-drum-set-lessons-by-kids-choice-winner-and-platinum-selling-drummer-ikAGiybf?sectionUid=b9943b07-2810-488c-bdf9-8f3289ee4a66&showDetails=true

Next Level Drumming:
https://outschool.com/classes/next-level-drumming-with-kids-choice-award-winner-dale-baker-UFxfflKQ?sectionUid=2c4b3985-0fa0-4222-b6d8-93021f2b2267&showDetails=true

Feel free to help spread the word!

03/31/2021

In addition to teaching privately (both in person and online via Zoom) I also offer a group class for beginner drummers on Outschool. This class is an affordable option for new learners looking for guidance on how to play the drum set. Check it out via the link below!

In 10 weeks, we'll learn foundational drum beats and fills, basic rudiments and how to read and compose music. We'll complete our time together by reading and playing along with an accurate transcription of a popular song by Tom Petty.

03/17/2021

Celebrate St Patty’s Day with a Durham Drum Lessons branded glass!

https://www.zazzle.com/pint_glass-256191013321490431

You’ll also find t-shirts, coffee mugs, playing cards and trucker hats there as well!

This is the official Durham Drum Lessons Pint Glass! Drink responsibly!

05/26/2020

...
New tutorial is up and on my Durham Drum Lessons You Tube page...but you can watch it here, ‘cause it’s short!
In this video I show how to change the settings in YouTube to slow down or speed up the videos you watch and listen to.
🤘🤘🤘

05/01/2020

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Anyone remember that song “Snakes” by ? My goodness, this was one of my favorite songs back “in the day” and a guilty pleasure while I was enrolled at studying Jazz 😉.
Truth is I’m a pop guy at heart and I loved how this song sounded looped, but was in fact played by studio guys holding down the fort, so to speak. Much like how Buddy Rich played on those records or played on that Johnny Hartman and record, plays it cool and doesn’t distract from the song.
So here’s a challenge for you: play the beat (transcribed for you here) for 7 minutes at BPM=115 and also play it with the song without embellishment or additional fills?

04/24/2020

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I’ve been using the drum solo from the song as a way to teach my students about ghost notes and introduce the idea of break beat and funk drumming to students unfamiliar with the influential music of James Brown and The Meters, etc.
This 8 bar drum solo is chock full of some tasty drum cliches that hearken back to the glory days of funk and soul drumming.
This solo is also a great one to learn and play if you have a to use. Here I am using my limited edition pre-tuned toy marching drum as my side snare, playing the solo at no-where close to the original tempo of the song!
There are some other side snare variations to use for this solo, but for now that will have to wait!

04/23/2020

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I am a big fan of those videos, especially the ones where he messes with the triplet feel while playing in 4/4. He just has a “groove” ya know? And his spirit and joy is infectious. .
Inspired by his creativity and due to and the lack of students physically coming to my studio - and moving all my teaching online), I’ve been able to leave my kit set up and experiment a bit with sounds and ideas. It’s been fun and a good distraction.
I’ve been messing with a groove for a short song I created that goes from 4/4 to 6/8 . This is what it sounds like so far through my phone and without my backing track .
I’ll post the completed version when it’s done, but for now I thought I’d give you the taste of what I’m cooking up!