Drum Lessons with Dennis

03/06/2024

Drumset lessons. Take the plunge. You, or your son, or your daughter; can stop watching and begin a life of laying down rhythmical bliss - with authority.  Learn a few simple beats or become a legit player. Enquire within.

04/30/2022

05/22/2021

When soloing: Ya gotta have the “it” factor. Creativity, expression, and showmanship…and extreme confidence. A solo with a bunch of people staring at you can be intimidating, especially for new drummers. But if you’ve got skills, at some point you flip that switch and you put them on display for the audience. You’re in the driver seat, they’re in the back and get the privilege of riding. You own them and it’s showtime. How many drummers make the mistake of thinking they have to be as good as Neil Peart or Buddy Rich to solo, try to sound like them, and fail. I believe your drum solo should be 75% simple so most people can understand it. This gets everyone involved. And, they’ll be more interested in your complex “amazing“ skills when you draw them in with simpler, groove oriented stuff. And, the creative element can always do wonders. “Zig“ when they expect a zag. Stop in the middle of your solo completely and just look around. Nobody has any idea what you’re about to do next....they lean in. Then, go completely the opposite direction. Personality!! Click your sticks together and get them clapping. The psychology and performance of a great solo is missed by MANY drummers, and often the most technical drummers get so complex they can lose the audience (except for the few drummers studying him). You don’t have to be Mike Mangini - but you must be awesome. Lay down a unique solo with confidence, that only you could do, and people will love it.

04/15/2021

Mechanics: you need them for running, shooting 3’s, swinging a golf club, shooting a rifle, ballet, chopping woods rc...There's a way to do things, physically; so you can do those things better. Just as important playing drums. Over my years of teaching, I've seen some of the strangest approaches to hitting a drum I ever could have imagined - before the Zen-like training begins. I've even had two people fall off the stool. How does that even happen??! Good times... With drums, you can get both under concerned and over concerned with mechanics. But basically, 1) set your drums up in a way you can reach them easily. 2)Have your stool at the right height so your leg is roughly a 90 or 100 degree angle and can hit the bass drum efficiently. 3)STOP sticking your elbows out, let them hang at your side comfortably unless you have to really reach for something. 4)set your wrists free! Stop over-controlling the stick. It's your wrist that (mainly) moves the stick, not your elbow or shoulder! You won't last 10 minutes playing vigorously with your arms. Swing away with the wrists! 5) keep all your fingers on the sticks, at least for match grip. No flyaway pinkies! 6) DON'T FALL OFF THE STOOL!!!!

12/29/2019

Linear beats

06/20/2019

USE YOUR LEFT FOOT on that hi-hat pedal! Quarter notes, eighth notes, staggered 8th notes. It can also be used strategically and musically - less as a metronome - but one step at a time... Practice using the left foot through beats and fills. Using it strictly AS a metronome can add quite a bit to your overall feel, especially when changing between quarters..eighths..etc..

10/02/2017

Quick drum lesson - advanced shuffle beats

07/26/2017

One of the best ways for improving your knowledge, endurance, and skill level is:

PRACTICING

(that was free of charge)

04/30/2016

Right on!!

http://rockmyworld.com/10-essential-tips-for-drummers/

There’s probably a few more here, but these are probably some of the ones that have or would’ve helped me the most early on. 1. Get lessons from a professional ...

01/06/2016

Young execs, grandmothers, future rockers, jazzers, or snare drummers: come see me - it's time to play!!

My name is Dennis Cussen. I have a day job, a college degree, and several kids. Before all that, I played drums. I still play and teach, and am open for more students in the Kansas City area.