News, Updates and Information Archive; 2006

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Fliplet fun for the holidays!
posted December 22, 2006-

No idea what to do with all of your extra free time over the holiday break? Well, stop scratching your head and click on over to the 'Online Lessons' page, where you'll find a brand new lesson . . . 'Fliplets.' Originally written for Drummer's Digest, this 'pdf' lesson is available in both English and Swedish! So print out all three pages, block out some time for practicing and get ready for a great triplet coordination workout. Happy Holidays!

Digest this . . .
posted December 10, 2006-

The Sweden-based online drum magazine 'Drummers Digest' has recently allowed me to come onboard as their new drum lesson instructor. The DD site contains a load of great drummer interviews, product tests, music reviews and more! My first drumset lesson, 'Fliplets,' was just posted! Check them out now (and often) at drummersdigest.com Many thanks to Jakob Herrmann and crew for the warm welcome!

Happy Thanksgiving . . . now get to work!
posted November 25, 2006-

Alright drummers, the turkey's been eaten. Now it's time to take the 'Gahu Challenge,' newly posted to the 'Lessons' page! We're taking all of the drum, bell and rattle rhythms from the Ewe 'Gahu' dance piece, and trying to play them simultaneously on the drumset! Gobble it up and have fun!

Three new articles posted. Learn to play Gahu!
posted November 4, 2006-

It's November- International Drum Month! For your percussive reading pleasure, I just posted three newly published articles. Salem Monthly's October issue featured my article 'The Basics of Hand Drumming.' It's a starting point for the absolute beginner who just wants to try creating some basic sounds. Get your hands on it on the 'Press/Articles' page! While there, also check out my interview with drummer Dave Stanoch and 'Gahu: Part One.' They both appeared in the Fall/Winter 2006 issue of World Percussion & Rhythm. Happy drumming!

upcoming Adult Beginning Hand Drum Class!
posted October 22, 2006-

Adults, big kids, young at heart . . . pull the djembe out of the closet and join me for the upcoming 4-week Adult Hand Drum Class at Riverfront Wellness Center in Salem! From 7:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesdays, November 14 through December 5, I will be introducing basic hand drum strokes, rhythms and counting, as well as teaching traditional percussion rhythms from various cultures. The entire series costs $40 per participant- more information can be obtained by calling myself (920-410-0465) or Riverfront Wellness Center (503-365-8399).
Also check out the latest issue of 'World Percussion & Rhythm' magazine out of Chicago. It features three articles by yours truly, including my interview with Dave Stanoch, as well as a lesson on the rhythms of 'Gahu,' a recreational dance of the Ewe people of Ghana. Enjoy!

Home! ( . . . for a little while)
posted October 2, 2006-

The past week's programs in Wisconsin were an absolute blast! A ton of "thank you's" to Lisha Vanevenhoven at the Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions, Val Meidinger at Marian College, Rich Norenberg at the Wisconsin Resource Center, Kim Burns at Emmeline Cook Elementary and Kristy Hutchinson at Jacob Shapiro and Emmeline Cook Elementary Schools. I also owe a pile of gratitude to Benjamin Cloyd, Rick Maki, Robin Cardell, Dane Richeson at Lawrence University, Dave Jerabek, the Jazz Orgy and the Guitar Center of Appleton (for coming through in a pinch). The week wouldn't have been remotely possible without everyone's interest, help and on-going support.
It is, however, good to be settling back into things here in Oregon. September has been a month of traveling- meaning little time at home. Lessons resume as usual beginning tomorrow . . . this week I will make percussive visits to Mountain View Middle School in Newberg and Willamette University's Contemporary Music Group . . . and check out the current 'Salem Monthly' magazine, which features my 'Basics of Hand Drumming' article! Back to it- see you soon!

Fox Valley . . . next week!
posted September 20, 2006-

I am super excited about the series of programs that I will be facilitating in Wisconsin the last week of September! There's no better way to start a week in Oshkosh than with the Jazz Orgy, and I'll be performing with my old bandmates at Peabody's Ale House on Sunday, the 24th! I can't wait to settle back into the ol' "flying V" formation with Mark Martin and Andy Mertens. Come on out, say 'hi,' and sit in with the band! Monday (25th) I will be presenting a 'Rhythms at Work' leadership & teambuilding workshop for the Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions in Appleton. Tuesday will consist of West African percussion programs at both Marian College in Fond du Lac and the Wisconsin Resource Center in Winnebago. Wednesday and Thursday will be packed with full-day 'Sights & Sounds of Ghana' residencies at Jacob Shapiro and Emmeline Cook Elementary Schools in Oshkosh. From there, it's a race back to Salem, Oregon for a Saturday spot at the Oregon Library Association's 2006 Showcase of Performers. Regardless of the schedule, track me down if you have a chance. Hope to see you along the way!

Wedding bells and more wedding bells (NO . . . NOT MINE!)
posted August 24, 2006-

Congratulations to Mike Schwobe, the designer [who I am forever indebted to] of this fantastic site. He and his bride-to-be, Natalie, will be getting married this coming Saturday, August 26th! Exactly two weeks after that, my little sister Margo will be tying the knot! Also to a Mike . . . (NOT Schwobe!). The end of September, I will be back in Wisconsin for a string of percussion workshops for Fox Communities Credit Union, Marian College, Jacob Shapiro and Emmeline Cook Elementary Schools (and possibly the Oshkosh Rhythm Institute- stay tuned). I'm looking forward to the whole month- connecting with the family, hanging with good friends and, of course, lots of drumming! If you're around Oshkosh, I'll also be playing with my old buddies The Jazz Orgy at Peabody's on Sunday the 24th. Please pop in and say 'Hi!'- I'd love to see you!

Kuku For You!
posted August 1, 2006-

Just added to the 'Lessons' page is 'Kuku For You,' an article that teaches the three basic djembe rhythms of Kuku, from Guinea. I have notated the musical examples in an easy-to-read 'boxed' format that will have you jamming in no time! A huge "Thank you, Yevu" to 'Big Mark' Whittlesey for introducing these to me in Ghana back in '03. Hope you're keeping cool . . . and Happy August!

Bring It On!
posted July 10, 2006-

By student request, I have decided to post some of the 'Bring It On' patterns I toss out in private lessons. These are random exercises- sometimes grooves, sometimes fills, sometimes rudimental, sometimes just plain goofy. They are often inspired by players I have recently seen, ideas that my students have created, or what have you. 'Bring It On' #1 & #2 can be found on the 'Lessons' page now. I will be adding more periodically, so check in often. I hope these challenge you and lead you to explore some of your own new ideas.

new Songo lesson up!
posted June 16, 2006-

Click over to the 'Lessons' page to get the latest addition, a great Songo groove embellished with left foot clave and more!

Jammin'
posted June 1, 2006-

Beginning on the 11th of this month, I will be playing every other Sunday evening (7-11pm) at Mac's Place in Silverton. The gig is a funk/rock jam, open to all interested jammers! I'll be alternating weeks with Rod Steward, another drummer from Salem. Check the 'Schedule' page to see when I'm at Mac's and come on out. Hang out, say 'Hi' and sit-in! Hope to see you soon!

Giggin' & Writin'!
posted May 4, 2006-

Anyone who just happens to be in Portland next Friday night (May 12th) should swing by the Red & Black Cafe, where I will be playing with my good friend Jeff Mitchell, who's touring through from Decorah, Iowa. I played on his new album, Batteries and Blankets, which has just been picked up by Doubleplusgood Records. Check it out!

Also keep your eyes peeled for the spring/summer issue of World Percussion & Rhythm magazine. They are publishing two pieces of mine: 1) the first in a two-part series introducing the drumming of Gahu (a recreational dance of the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa); and
2) an interview with drummer Dave Stanoch (an instructor of mine, great friend and phenomenal player).

Check back here for more details- I'll keep you posted as each of these become available!

More Double Bass Drum Fun!
posted April 25, 2006-

Only twelve more shopping months until Christmas, kiddies! Especially for the occasion I have added a little stocking stuffer for you! The latest addition to the LESSONS page is 'Double Bass Drum Exercises For Your Hands (I mean . . . Feet)!' It focuses on using common hand technique exercises to develop your foot control, speed and power. Check it out and let me know what you think!

New article/lesson!
posted April 5, 2006-

Make sure to check out this month's issue of Percussive Notes magazine. It includes my article 'Left Foot Clave for the Cha-Cha.' You can also view the article on my Lessons page. I have a few others that will be published in other periodicals in the near future, so check back here for more info.

No April Fools joke
posted April 1, 2006-

I'm here! Many thanks to my good friend Benjamin Cloyd for, at the last minute, offering to come along for the drive and help unload on this end. After a 65-hour journey through 8 states, with a 120lb. Great Pyrenees between us in the cab, and one minor truck breakdown, we made it! Now I'm off to unpack all of these totes!

Ready to roll
posted March 26, 2006-

Thanks a million to Robin, Chris, Dan, Tyler, Sam, Jake W., Jake H., Sawyer, Garrett, Mitchell, Gretchen, Jim, Trevor, John, Jarred, Aimee (& friend) and Ricky [hopefully I didn't miss anybody] for showing up and helping to load the 24' truck! You saved me literally DAYS worth of work. The studio and apartment were emptied in just a few hours! When I look into the back of the truck, see the motorcycle nestled between the two tympani, in front of stack after stack of 'drums & stuff,' I really appreciate the amount of work you all put in. (And I realize how little I'm going to enjoy unloading it all when I get to Oregon!) Thanks again to everybody. And by the way, Robin Cardell gets the MVP Award. I guess running all of those drum circles has really honed his packing skills!

Movin' west . . .
posted March 10, 2006-

This is my last month in Wisconsin. I have decided to relocate to Salem, a town just south of Portland, Oregon. Oshkosh has been very kind to me over the last six years and I am going to miss my family, as well as all of the students, bandmates and friends that I have gotten to know here. On the other hand, I am also looking forward to a change of scenery and the challenge of developing things in a new area. Beginning the first week of April, I will be teaching private lessons at Weathers Music in Salem. This site, my email address and- for a while- phone number will remain the same. Thank you to all of the students who have stuck it out for so long; thanks to all of the musicians who have put up with my shenanigans; and thank you to friends and everyone who has supported the development of my percussion programs, my travels and my musical growth. Keep in touch!

Dr. Kickbutt fans BEWARE!
posted February 18, 2006-

Just last night, I tracked drumset parts on a number of songs with Oshkosh's own Dr. Kickbutt. Yes- it's true- Dr. Kickbutt (and his Orchestra of Death) will soon, for the first time ever, be releasing a CD [you hoped this day would never come]! Chock full of the lovely [horrendous], sweet [at times horrifying] little ditties that his audiences have, until now [thank God], only had the opportunity [bad luck] to experience at his live performances. The recording is going great [what a mess]. I had such a blast jamming drumset on these tunes [what hell I've been through] that I'm heading back to the studio this afternoon to lay down percussion and miscellaneous noises [yah, me]! I will post more about the CD as the project progresses [run . . . get out while you still can].

Happy Valentine's Day drummers!
posted February 14, 2006-

I just finished a series of articles entitled 'From Zero to Drummer in 3 Easy Lessons' for World Rhythm Webzine. Click on the link above to read the first lesson, which introduces the GUN & DUN 'bass' strokes. Then check back during the next few months for the second and third. Also keep an eye out for articles coming soon in both Percussive Notes and World Percussion & Rhythm magazines. And while you're here, please swing over to my guestbook and drop me a 'hello.' See you soon!

Y2K6
posted January 17, 2006-

Welcome to the new year and thanks for stopping by my site! Two newly released CDs to inform you about. The latest Shut Eye Records compilation, 'Buzzlighter #11,' came out right around the beginning of the month. I played on track #2, 'Vertigo,' with the band Subdivider. And just today, I got my hands on the fresh-off-the-press, self-titled debut album from Helen Exner. I split drumming duties on her disc with a great local player, Greg Thiel. Click on the links above to check out either album (or both!).

Happy Holidays!
posted December 21, 2005-

Just wrapped up percussion tracks on Jeff Mitchell's soon-to-be-released album. What a refreshing project! In addition to Jeff and I, multi-instrumentalist Steve McCabe was on-board, and my favorite engineer, Justin Perkins, was turning knobs. The rhythm tracks were played on an array of interesting 'instruments,' including chains, Peruvian cajon, pails of water, 10lbs. of bird seed, tympani, cymbals scraped together, an assortment of old beat-up drums and, of course, a couple of electronic drum loops snuck in between the cracks, just for good measure! That done, it's time to enjoy the holidays!
Thanks for visiting the site. Merry Christmas!