DRUM LESSONS - Paul Wertico

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
35
36 Roosevelt Review fall
FAll 2009
36 Roosevelt Review fall 2009
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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