Durham Drum Lessons

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!

TOUR | Sixpence None The Richer

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!

The Official Home of Sixpence None The Richer 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.

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!

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!

Beginner Drum Set Lessons by Kid's Choice Winner and Platinum Selling Drummer | Small Online Class for Ages 9-14 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.

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!

Pint Glass | Zazzle.com This is the official Durham Drum Lessons Pint Glass! Drink responsibly!

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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?

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Can you guess what song this is, just by the drum chart?

And btw, this is how I chart a song, typically. Nothing against the but I’ve been in too many situations where the client wanted me to play EXACTLY what was on the recording, or maybe that’s just my OCD that kicks in 🤔For every gig, my desire is to do all I can beforehand to be ready for anything the client might ask. Transcribing is one of the tools I use to help me feel more prepared.

When asked to play an iconic groove or song that has been seared into all of our collective memory, I feel the best thing to do is to learn it as close as you can to the original. In performance you may deviate some, but at least you have a starting point, right?

When playing covers I feel that we could all benefit (players and listeners too) from just playing, WHAT’S ON THE PAGE (or trying to, at least). Respect the players, producers and decision makers that felt confident about the music they originally released into the world! There is so much to learn from the drummer and musicians who recorded and played on the original. By transcribing a drum part, you are somewhat unconsciously learning about song structure, learning how to compose a drum beat that builds throughout, and building curiosity about important things like: why is that cymbal on that beat or in that measure?

So, yeah. I’d rather transcribe something than rely on numbers. The transcription gives me a solid place to start when crafting the part I’m going to play. And most of the time, I’m hard pressed to improve upon the original! And as an added bonus, I always grow and learn in the process of doing it this way.

Wanna learn how to transcribe? Send me a DM or sign up for a lesson on my website: www.durhamdrumlessons.com