DRUM DRUM LESSONS LESSONS FACULTY FACULTYESSAY ESSAY by by Paul PaulWertico Wertico Assistant AssistantProfessor Professorand andHead Head of ofJazz Jazzand andContemporary Contemporary Music MusicStudies Studies
34 Roosevelt Review fall FAll 2009 34 Roosevelt Review fall 2009
To some people, Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) and actively perform and recordofwith many different artistsand around the globe. a drummer To some people,spends Chicago College Performing Arts (CCPA) actively performWith over Of all the musical instruments, and record with many different artists around the globe. With a drummer spends 40 years of private teaching experience, I’ve taught aover wide variety his or her life just Ofdrums all theare musical instruments, probably the most 40 years of private teaching experience, I’ve taught a wide variety his or hitting her lifethings just and of students, ranging from high school and college level players, to drums are probably the most misunderstood. fromprofessionals high school and college levelfrom players, to Wilco, hittingmaking things and a lot of ofstudents, highlyranging successful (Glenn Kotche the band misunderstood. making a lot of highly successful professionals (Glenn Kotche from the band Wilco, noise. To others, Jeff Quay from Blue Man Group and even players from the Chicago noise. To others, Jeff Quay from Blue Man GroupInand even players Chicagohave been the drummer invokes images of physical coordination, grace, enerSymphony Orchestra). addition, some from of mythestudents the drummer invokes images of physical coordination, grace, enerSymphony Orchestra). In addition, some of my students have gy and rhythm. Others look at a drummer and fantasize about what surgeons, anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, lawyers andbeen even a chamgy and rhythm. Others look at a drummer and fantasize surgeons, anesthesiologists, extra-musical opportunities and escapades he or sheabout mustwhat have expepion race car driver. psychiatrists, lawyers and even a chamextra-musical opportunities and escapades or she must have expepion race car driver. During all those years, I’ve always made it my policy to never rienced. To the more enlightened, thehedrummer represents the heart During all those that years, I’ve always made to “never never amount rienced. To the more enlightened, the drummer represents the heart tell students they “don’t have it” itormy thatpolicy they’ll and soul of any band, its driving force and thus its musical conductor tell students that they “don’t have it” or that they’ll “never amount and soul of any band, its driving force and thus its musical conductor in many ways. Actually, all of the above scenarios are valid in some to anything” because if they want to play drums, then they should in many ways. Actually, all of the above scenarios are valid in some to anything” because if they want to play drums, then they should respects, depending on the music and the circumstances. play drums. A beautiful thing about music is that it’s very accepting respects, depending on the music and the circumstances. play drums. A beautiful thing about music is that it’s very accepting During my professional career, I’ve been both a performer and an of different concepts and abilities. Just because you can’t play jazz During my professional career, I’ve been both a performer and an of different concepts and abilities. Just because you can’t play jazz instructor. I’ve played the drums around the world as a member of the doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t play rock or blues. instructor. I’ve played the drums around the world as a member of the doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t play rock or blues. It’s my job to find “the key that opens the door” for each indiPat Metheny Group from 1983 until 2001 and have been fortunate to It’s my job to find “the key that opens the door” for each indiPat Metheny Group from 1983 until 2001 and have been fortunate to vidual based on his or her talent, practice habits and musical interreceive seven Grammy Awards and several gold records. Currently, vidual based on his or her talent, practice habits and musical interreceive seven Grammy Awards and several gold records. Currently, I’m head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies in Roosevelt’s ests. Rather than just going through a preset routine or following I’m head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies in Roosevelt’s ests. Rather than just going through a preset routine or following some rigid curriculum procedures, I always try to some rigid curriculum procedures, I always try to evaluate and “diagnose” students on an individual evaluate and “diagnose” students on an individual basis then “prescribe” whatthey I think basis and thenand “prescribe” what I think needthey need on a lesson-by-lesson on a lesson-by-lesson basis. basis. For instance, mystudents CCPA students consistently For instance, my CCPA consistently many hours day and as a result practicepractice for manyfor hours every dayevery and as a result they improve leaps and bounds. They come they improve by leapsby and bounds. They come their nextprepared lesson prepared andfor hungry for back forback theirfor next lesson and hungry more. As a teacher, it’s gratifying and inspiring to more. As a teacher, it’s gratifying and inspiring to see suchsee huge improvements on a consistent basis. such huge improvements on a consistent basis. Other students (those who are professionals in Other students (those who are professionals in other areas) sometimes don’t have time to practice, other areas) sometimes don’t have time to practice, so it’s my what theywhat needthey during so job it’s to mygive jobthem to give them need during each lesson, while realizing that the next time I seetime I see each lesson, while realizing that the next them, a them, few ofathem may havemay improved only by only by few of them have improved what they learned at their last lesson. One student, what they learned at their last lesson. One student, a surgeon who possesses a good amount naturalof natural a surgeon who possesses a goodofamount musicalmusical talent, but has absolutely no time to talent, but has absolutely nopractime to practice, refers to his weekly lessons as the “pearl of “pearl of tice, refers to his weekly lessons as the the day.” He dreams of retirement when he’ll be the day.” He dreams of retirement when he’ll be able to spend all the time he wants with the hobby able to spend all the time he wants with the hobby he loves so much. he loves so much. A drummer’s primary responsibility is to “keep A drummer’s primary responsibility is to “keep time” and to give “life” to a tempo. Each type of time” and to give “life” to a tempo. Each type of beat gives a song a certain style and identity and beat gives a song a certain style and identity and makes people want to move and dance. Next time makes people want to to move and dance. Next time you’re at a wedding and want dance a cha-cha, you’re at a wedding and want to dance a cha-cha, if the drummer plays the cha-cha beat correctly, if the plays thedrummer cha-chadoesn’t beat correctly, you’ll have fundrummer dancing, but if the you’ll dancing,beat but and if theplays drummer know how to have play fun a cha-cha an doesn’t know how toswing play groove a cha-cha beat then and plays an overly complicated instead, overly complicated swing to groove good luck trying to dance a cha-cha that! instead, then goodone luck to dance cha-cha to that! In fact, oftrying the things that amakes a chaIn fact, one beat, of the things that and makes cha, a cha-cha… a rock a rock beat… a a chaa cha-cha… a rock beat, plays. a rockEach beat… and a songo, acha, songo… is what the drummer a songo… is what plays. Each of thesesongo, rhythms has a certain feel the anddrummer requires the drummeroftothese haverhythms coordination and independence of has a certain feel and requires the his or her limbs in order to play the beat correctly. drummer to have coordination and independence of his or her limbs in order to play the beat correctly. Paul Wertico performs at an outdoor concert in Wertico performs ChicagoPaul in 1982. at an outdoor concert in
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As an artist, you have to have As an artist, you have to have patience and dedication. As a patience and dedication. As a musician, I look at my personal musician, I look at my personal journey through my art and use journey through my art and use ititas a gauge for my life. as a gauge for my life.
To become successful in almost any area of music, the drumbecome of music, the drummerTomust first successful learn howintoalmost “feel” any andarea maintain a steady tempo. mer must first learn how to “feel” and maintain a steady tempo. This essential skill can be learned through repeated practice with a This essentialorskill can be learned through along repeated a metronome a sequencer or by playing withpractice variouswith recordmetronome or a sequencer or by playing along with various recordings that have solid time and then “hearing” and memorizing exactly ings haveThis solidistime and then “hearing” memorizing exactlyand that that tempo. accomplished both by and mental concentration that tempo. This is accomplished both by mental concentration and through muscle memory. through muscle memory. Some students are gifted with a better sense of tempo than othSome students are gifted with a better sense of tempo than others, much like some people have a natural sense of pitch. Possessing ers, much like some people have a natural sense of pitch. Possessing these abilities from birth gives students an advantage, but these these abilities from birth gives students an advantage, but these skills can also be taught. One other great way to hone one’s sense skills can also be taught. One other great way to hone one’s sense of tempo is by playing with fellow musicians who have a good feel of tempo is by playing with fellow musicians who have a good feel and sense of time. and sense of time. Although I am certainly biased, I believe there are many reasons Although I am certainly biased, I believe there are many reasons youngpeople peopleshould shouldconsider considerchoosing choosinga acareer career a professional young asas a professional drummer or, at the very least, take up playing the drums a hobby. drummer or, at the very least, take up playing the drums as as a hobby. Here are my top reasons: Here are my top reasons:
what being a creative musician is about. As an artist, you have to what being a creative musician isAs about. As an artist, have to have patience and dedication. a musician, I lookyou at my personal have patience and dedication. As a musician, I look at my personal journey through my art and use it as a gauge for my life. journey through my art and use it as a gauge for my life.
Many people can’t even walk and chew gum at Many people can’t even walk and gummultiat the same time, but drummers canchew handle the same time, but drummers can handle multitasking easily Drummers not only have to use all four tasking easily Drummers not only have to use all four limbs at once, but they also have to keep time, make the composilimbs at once, but they also have to keep time, make the composition and performance flow, create an appropriate and supportive tion and performance flow, create an appropriate and supportive drum part, remember the song’s form and structure and anticipate drum part, remember the song’s form and structure and anticipate the future. In addition, they must be open to anything unexpected the future. In addition, they must be open to anything unexpected and be able to back up and inspire soloists. Some even sing while and be able to back up and inspire soloists. Some even sing while playing the drums. playing the drums. Self-expression Playing Playing the drums allows people to Self-expression the drums allows people to express themselves through sound and motion. It’s an amazing way express themselves through sound and motion. It’s an amazing way to tell world what know When there’s a connection to tell thethe world what youyou know and and feel.feel. When there’s a connection between the drummer, the other musicians and the audience, between the drummer, the other musicians and the audience, it’s ait’s a truly magical feeling can’t be adequately described in words. truly magical feeling thatthat can’t be adequately described in words.
A healthy healthylifestyle lifestyle U2 U2band banddrummer drummer Larry Mullen A A chance make people happyBy performing By performing A Larry Mullen chance to to make people happy at at morefitfitthan thanEuropean Europeansoccer soccerstar starCristiano Cristiano Ronaldo, according isismore Ronaldo, according toan anarticle articleininthe theIrish IrishIndependent IndependentHerald Heraldnewspaper. newspaper. Research to Research hasshown shownthat thatevery everytime timethe theU2 U2drummer drummer rocks way through has rocks hishis way through a a 90-minuteperformance performanceononstage, stage,heheburns burnsmore more calories than most 90-minute calories than most topathletes. athletes.Scientists Scientistsconnected connectedmusicians, musicians,including including Blondie’s top Blondie’s drummerClem ClemBurke, Burke,totoequipment equipmentmeasuring measuring their heart rate, oxydrummer their heart rate, oxygenup-take up-takeand andthe thelevels levelsofoflactic lacticacid acidinin their blood they played gen their blood as as they played set.The Thestress stresson ontheir theirbodies bodiesasasthey theyplayed played was then compared aaset. was then compared to heart rates tothat thatofoftop topathletes. athletes.ItItwas wasfound foundthat thatthethedrummers’ drummers’ heart rates were and they could burn wereraised raisedtotoasashigh highasas190 190beats beatsper perminute minute and they could burn off typically burn off600 600calories caloriesininaaperformance. performance.Many Manydrummers drummers typically burn 400 hopes thisthis 400toto600 600calories caloriesper perhour. hour.The TheBritish Britishgovernment government hopes research will help develop programs for overweight children who research will help develop programs for overweight children who are arenot notinterested interestedininsports. sports.
weddings, mitzvahs, private parties events, musicians weddings, barbar mitzvahs, private parties and and otherother events, musicians perform a critical in people’s important memorable perform a critical rolerole in people’s mostmost important and and memorable events. That’s a big responsibility it can be very gratifying events. That’s a big responsibility and and it can be very gratifying to to know helped make someone’s special day with know thatthat youyou helped make someone’s special day day into into a daya with beautiful lasting memories. beautiful andand lasting memories.
The ability work with othersTo be Toa be a successThe ability to to work with others successmusician, must learn to work others on stage fulful musician, youyou must learn howhow to work withwith others on stage and and One of the compliments drummers getwhen is when off.off. One of the bestbest compliments drummers can can get is otherother musicians telltell them thatthat it was “so “so easyeasy to play withwith them” and that musicians them it was to play them” and that thethe other musicians feltfelt likelike “they could playplay things they’ve nevernever other musicians “they could things they’ve played before.” played before.” You never know when thethe “plane will go down” You never know when “plane will go down”
Since there’s no no realreal security in life and and you you never know whenwhen a a Since there’s security in life never know particular dayday might be your last,last, whywhy not live youryour life to itstofullest particular might be your not live life its fullest Playing problemfollow your life’s passion doing something you you trulytruly love love to do? Playingcreative creativemusic musichelps helpsdevelop develop problem- andand follow your life’s passion doing something to do? solving abilities In life, we’re always going to to find solving abilities In life, we’re always going find Finally, I’veI’ve found thatthat whether playing a live gig or Finally, found whether playing a live gigrecording or recording ourselves I’ve discovered thatthat ourselvesininnew newand andunfamiliar unfamiliarcircumstances. circumstances. I’ve discovered in the studio, you have no real idea whom you’re affecting, or whom in the studio, you have no real idea whom you’re affecting, or whom musicians often adapt better to different situations than people who musicians often adapt better to different situations than people who you’ll affect in the future. you’ll affect in the future. are used to a certain type of “stability” in their lives. By taking an are used to a certain type of “stability” in their lives. By taking an AnAn extraordinary thing happened when I wasI was playing withwith the Pat extraordinary thing happened when playing the Pat improvisational a person cancan learn improvisational“jazz “jazzattitude” attitude”totolife lifeiningeneral, general, a person learn Metheny Group in Italy. At the time, the country was racked by several Metheny Group in Italy. At the time, the country was racked by several how to embrace the unknown and make something out of nothing. And how to embrace the unknown and make something out of nothing. And kidnappings. A young man came to one of our shows and told us that kidnappings. A young man came to one of our shows and told us that even though change can be frightening to a lot of people, musicians even though change can be frightening to a lot of people, musicians for two years he was held for ransom in a cave and didn’t know if he for two years he was held for ransom in a cave and didn’t know if he are able to deal with things as they come. was going to survive. He said what got him through that unimaginable are able to deal with things as they come. was going to survive. He said what got him through that unimaginable A chance to continually improve and never be ordeal was thinking about our music. It’s amazing to think that the A chance to continually improve and never be ordeal was thinking about our music. It’s amazing to think that the bored Musicians learn how to truly express themselves by striving music we make can have such a powerful effect on people’s lives. bored Musicians learn how to truly express themselves by striving music we make can have such a powerful effect on people’s lives. for artistic growth and then for artistic growth and then by sharing their discoveries Paul Wertico is assistant professor and head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies at the Chicago College of by sharing their discoveries Paul Wertico is assistant professor and head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies at the Chicago College of with others. Part of the beauty Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He gained international reputation as a member of the Pat Metheny Group with others. Part of the beauty Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He gained international reputation as a member of the Pat Metheny Group of doing this is the journey where he performed on 10 recordings and four videos and won seven Grammy Awards. In reviews, his playing of doing thispeople is the journey where he performed on 10 recordings and four videos and won seven Grammy Awards. In reviews, his playing itself. Many in this has been compared to that of an “impressionist painter,” “an inspired madman,” a “restless innovator,” and “a itself. people in this has been compared to that of an “impressionist painter,” “an inspired madman,” a “restless innovator,” and “a day andMany age seem to want to true legend of jazz drums.” He also was one of the Chicago Tribune’s “Chicagoans of the Year” in 2004. His latday and age seem to want to arrive “there” immediately, legend of jazz drums.” He also waswas onereleased of the Chicago “Chicagoans of latest the Year” in 2004. His latesttrue DVD, Paul Wertico: Drum Philosophy, by AlfredTribune’s Music Publishing and his CD, Impressions arrive “there” immediately, without fully understanding DVD,featuring Paul Wertico: Drum Philosophy, was released by Alfred Music Publishing and his latest CD, Impressions ofest a City, his new band Paul Wertico’s Mid-East/Mid-West Alliance, is on the Chicago Sessions label. without fully understanding and appreciating the process of a City, featuring his new band Paul Wertico’s Mid-East/Mid-West Alliance, is on the Chicago Sessions label. Before becoming a full-time faculty member at Roosevelt in 2008, Wertico served on the faculty of the percusand appreciating the process of actually getting “there.” A Before becoming a full-time faculty member at Roosevelt in 2008, Wertico served on the faculty of the percussion and jazz studies programs at Northwestern University for nearly two decades. He has written educational of actually “there.” lot of thingsgetting nowadays areA sion and jazz studiessuch programs at Northwestern University for & nearly two decades. He hasand written educational articles for magazines as Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Drums Drumming, Drum Tracks Downbeat. lot of instant things nowadays are about gratification articles for magazines such as Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Drums & Drumming, Drum Tracks and Downbeat. about instant and quick fixes.gratification That is not You can contact Paul Wertico at
[email protected]. and quick fixes. That is not You can contact Paul Wertico at
[email protected]. 37
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