Paul Blood
Junior Member
I thought it might be interesting to discuss our drum teachers, what we studied with, and the impact they had on us. I’m sure lots of us have studied with the same teachers too…. Maybe we could share memories about them.
I for one, would not be half the musician I am today without the aid of these instructors. Growing up in cultural wasteland before the internet even exited, drum lessons were a necessity for me. I am very fortunate that my parents were supportive for most of my studies. They didn’t help much with equipment though, I had to do paper routes, wash cars, and yard work to buy most of my gear which helped build a more solid work ethic.
I’m including private and group lessons/classes (PIT and University of North Texas) I’m not including clinics/master classes or one time lessons. I put in parenthesis a very brief description of content that I remember studying. Unfortunately, there are a few names of instructors that escape me now, and some are coming back to me as I write this list. My list is very long, and with all the studies I’ve done I’m still not any kind virtuoso or anything, but I’ve enjoyed the journey!
Jack Verga (hand technique, snare drum, reading, drum set)
Nick Vincent (Chart reading,)
Curt Anderson (hand technique, snare drum, drum set)
Wally Snow (hand technique, snare drum, vibes)
Wyne Smith (drum set applications of Louie Bellson’s Modern Reading Text, vibes)
Billy Dorn (marimba, timpani)
Casey Schurell (stickings, drum set applications of Ted Reed’s Syncopation)
Richard Wilson (hand technique, snare drum, foot technique)
Joe Brancato (hand technique, jazz drum set)
Jeanette Wrate (Melodic/compositional approach to drum set soloing, vibes)
Joe Pocoro, ( Drum set applications of rudiments)
Ralph Humphrey, (odd times)
Chuck Silverman (Latin Drum Set and Percussion)
Chuck Flores (Jazz drum set)
Steve Houghton (Chart Reading)
Gary Hess (Reading)
Efrian Toro (Latin drum set and percussion)
Debra Schwartz (marimba, orchestral percussion)
Ed Soph (hand technique, foot technique, chart reading, jazz drum set)
Dan Robinson (Garibaldi style funk)
Henry Okstel (chart reading, brushes)
Mike Drake (drum set)
Ron Fink (snare drum)
Robert Schietroma (marimba)
Mark Johnson (marimba)
Mike Noone (vibes)
David Romero (bongo, bongo bell, guiro)
Luis Conte (bongo)
Ricardo Bozas (congas, bongo, timbales, Brazilian pandeiro)
Brad Dutz (congas, multi percussion)
Brian Kilgore (congas)
I for one, would not be half the musician I am today without the aid of these instructors. Growing up in cultural wasteland before the internet even exited, drum lessons were a necessity for me. I am very fortunate that my parents were supportive for most of my studies. They didn’t help much with equipment though, I had to do paper routes, wash cars, and yard work to buy most of my gear which helped build a more solid work ethic.
I’m including private and group lessons/classes (PIT and University of North Texas) I’m not including clinics/master classes or one time lessons. I put in parenthesis a very brief description of content that I remember studying. Unfortunately, there are a few names of instructors that escape me now, and some are coming back to me as I write this list. My list is very long, and with all the studies I’ve done I’m still not any kind virtuoso or anything, but I’ve enjoyed the journey!
Jack Verga (hand technique, snare drum, reading, drum set)
Nick Vincent (Chart reading,)
Curt Anderson (hand technique, snare drum, drum set)
Wally Snow (hand technique, snare drum, vibes)
Wyne Smith (drum set applications of Louie Bellson’s Modern Reading Text, vibes)
Billy Dorn (marimba, timpani)
Casey Schurell (stickings, drum set applications of Ted Reed’s Syncopation)
Richard Wilson (hand technique, snare drum, foot technique)
Joe Brancato (hand technique, jazz drum set)
Jeanette Wrate (Melodic/compositional approach to drum set soloing, vibes)
Joe Pocoro, ( Drum set applications of rudiments)
Ralph Humphrey, (odd times)
Chuck Silverman (Latin Drum Set and Percussion)
Chuck Flores (Jazz drum set)
Steve Houghton (Chart Reading)
Gary Hess (Reading)
Efrian Toro (Latin drum set and percussion)
Debra Schwartz (marimba, orchestral percussion)
Ed Soph (hand technique, foot technique, chart reading, jazz drum set)
Dan Robinson (Garibaldi style funk)
Henry Okstel (chart reading, brushes)
Mike Drake (drum set)
Ron Fink (snare drum)
Robert Schietroma (marimba)
Mark Johnson (marimba)
Mike Noone (vibes)
David Romero (bongo, bongo bell, guiro)
Luis Conte (bongo)
Ricardo Bozas (congas, bongo, timbales, Brazilian pandeiro)
Brad Dutz (congas, multi percussion)
Brian Kilgore (congas)