Teacher's Forum
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Teacher's Forum - Technique
Drumset technique is the means by which the drummer expresses his musical intellect and feeling. Technique and expression function together as part of the central directive system which incorporates the mind and body (or inner and outer self) in producing…
Teacher's Forum - More Effective Learning
As a private teacher, professor, and researcher, I have a great interest in learning how our brains, neural systems, and bodies work together as we develop music and drumming skills. I’ve done research for several years to devise ways for…
Teacher's Forum: A Logical Approach To Teaching The Roll
by Forrest Clark Forrest Clark has performed with the Utah Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded with Leopold Stowkowski, Igor Stravinsky and Bruno Walter among others, and is the author of the Encyclopedia…
Teachers Forum - Forming An Approach
A crucial point is the bridge between the subject matter, the student, and the method. The link between the three must be strong if the method and the subject matter are to serve the essential needs of the student. TO…
Teachers Forum: The Gladstone Technique
The late William D. Gladstone was a multi-faceted percussionist who for many years worked in the pit orchestra of Radio City Music Hall in New York. Many well known drummers studied technique with him during the 40's and 50's. TO…
TEACHER'S FORUM - Building a Teaching Business
I’ve owned and operated my own teaching school, Jeff Salem’s Music Studio, for eleven years. Prior to that I taught percussion lessons at a local music store for twelve years. When I decided to branch out on my own, the…
A Yogi’s Approach to Learning Drums
Teacher’s Forum A Yogi’s Approach to Learning Drums Awareness Exercises for Developing a More Fluid Connection With the Instrument by Nicholas Schlesinger One of my drum students is a yoga instructor, and recently during a lesson where we were focusing…
TEACHER’S FORUM - Those Who Can, Teach
Drummers today face increasingly difficult circumstances trying to earn a full-time living playing music. To make ends meet, many turn to instruction. I’ve outlined here some of the things I’ve learned over decades of teaching to help you if and…
TEACHER’S FORUM - Teaching Young Children
Nothing is more exciting than watching new students enter my teaching studio for the first time and seeing them react to all the drums, cymbals, percussion, and posters. It’s like a candy store for them—they want to indulge and eat…
The Reeducation of Drumming Education by Ben Sesar
I’ve made it my mission to carve a straighter path to greatness, not only for myself but also for those willing to learn. In doing so, however, I’ve had to question the current standards regarding the way we educate ourselves…
Teacher's Forum - Interleaving
A typical practice session is often laid out in a format that sports psychologists call “block learning,” where you repeat the same skill over and over for a predetermined amount of time. If you’re practicing four different skills (A, B,…
How to Practice: Get the Most Out of Whatever Time You Have
Enthusiasm is your fuel to improve your drumming. You probably spend time working on grooves and fills, playing along to recordings, searching YouTube for videos, attending concerts, practicing from method books, and jamming with other musicians. These are all key…
