An EXPERT level of groove from Nate Smith

If you are unfamiliar with The Fearless Flyers, it is time for you to become acquainted. This compact lineup (Mark Lettieri and Cory Wong on guitars, Joe Dart on bass and the Jedi Master Nate Smith on drums) is one of the most entertaining bands I have heard in a very long time.

Armed with only a bass drum, snare drum and a pair of hi-hats, Nate Smith expertly drives this band for a blistering 40 minute set. So much of what Nate plays is incredibly subtle, so this performance takes multiple listens and views to unpack what he is playing here. Also, his performance here is a testament to what can be accomplished with a minimal setup, and especially the hi-hat alone. This part of the modern drumset is often overlooked for just how versatile and effective it can be all by itself. There are no ride or crash cymbals in Nate’s setup. All hi-hat, all the time.

The other aspect of Nate’s playing here that demands your attention is his use of ghost notes on the snare drum. There is a tremendous amount of detail and intention in Nate’s playing.

Studying this performance is is a worthwhile use of time for my intermediate to advanced students.

Enjoy!

ALSO, note the presentation itself. The airmen/air force thing isn’t overdone. There are no props. There is no choreography. It is a gimmick that works well precisely because the band is subtle about it.

Djembe Master Class Notes

Last night an enthusiastic group gathered here at the studio to learn from djembe master Pape Demba Samb. We spent a fun and energetic 90 minutes together communicating through drumming.

It really is something you have to experience live, and whatever you may have heard on a recording, hearing the sound of all those hand crafted Senegalese instruments played in a group really is an incredible experience.

Pape teaches individual lessons here at the studio. Please email me for more details.

We are planning on running another master class in April. Please join our email list by texting GROOVEKSQ to 66866 on your smartphone to stay up to date with the studio’s events.

Djembe Master Class Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: I don’t have an instrument, can I still participate?

A: YES!  We will have drums available here - and they are all hand made by Paco’s family in Senegal and are just incredible drums. There is a rental fee of $10 for the instrument but trust me it is worth it. The rental fee for current high school students is included in their ticket.

Q2: I am a beginner, would this class be for me?

A: The studio’s educational philosophy is that our doors are open to ANYONE who wants to learn.

Q3: Is there a discount code for high school students who want to attend?

Yes- for current high school students, use the discount code STUDENT when you purchase your seat.  The link to reserve your seat at this event is here. As of now we have 6 seats left. 

New Faculty Spotlight: Introducing Pape "Paco" Samb

Pape Demba "Paco" Samb comes from a family that have been griots in his native Senegal for hundreds of years. As a griot, Paco is one of the keepers of the ancestral history, stories, and music of his Wolof peoples. As a master hand drummer, Paco not only plays the instruments but he and his brothers build several types of drums as well. He performs both contemporary and traditional Senegalese music, as well as reggae, rap, funk, jazz, pop and a variety of other styles. Paco heads his own drum ensemble called Super Ngewel and released his first album in 2014.

The Benefits of Daily Practice

One concept that is consistent across all the members of the studio, regardless of experience level is this concept: daily practicing yields significant improvement over time. The longer the period of time, the larger the increase in improvement. This is an observation from decades of my own musical journey as well as the instruction of others.

Different students of course have different goals. Perhaps the student is just getting started, or perhaps they are playing at a proficient level and are preparing for an audition for a high school or university level ensemble. Both of the situation require different levels of input. But the concept remains the same.

For the beginner student, perhaps five to ten minutes a day is advisable in order for the student to feel comfortable with the drumsticks in his or her hands to gain basic functionality in terms of approaching the instrument.

For the advanced student, preparing for a university school of music audition, perhaps a practice plan that occupies three or four hours a day is advisable. Again, each situation is unique and that is one of the benefits of studying percussion here at groove - custom tailored advice on practice habits.

Suggested reading on this point is here from the Association of Psychological Science: Deliberate Practice and Performance in Music, Games, Sports, Education, and Professions: A Meta-Analysis

On Creativity and the Brain

If you haven’t seen it, there is a terrific article and podcast from KQED about creativity, music and brain function. While the article talks about melodic instruments like piano, the general concepts are applicable to drums and percussion as well.

In short, creativity is a skill that can be cultivated. This is why in part the students at groove get a more student driven experience than you might find in other studios. This is also why for the more advanced students here, free form improvisation is emphasized.

You can read the article here.