Peter Erskine App Features LAMA Drum Instructor Aaron Serfaty

New App!

We are very proud to announce LAMA drum instructor Aaron Serfaty, the go-to studio drummer for Afro Cuban and Brazilian drumming, is featured on the “Erskn Afro Cuban Essentials”, a brand new app from Peter Erskine (currently available in the App Store).

Here is how the App works:

Using the built-in mixer, the user can create their own combo: full rhythm section (trio), music-minus- piano, music-minus-bass, music-minus-drums, or solo tracks of drums-only, bass-only or piano-only PLUS any combination of congas, bongo and timbale percussion tracks. There are click-track and count-off options, too. 

This YouTube video showcases all the features of the app:

Want more from Aaron? Check out his quick tip videos from LAMA College for Music Professionals below:

-LAMA Staff

Video Quick Tip – Recording Drums

LAMA Instructor Andrew Murdoch discusses ways to record drums to achieve your ideal sound. In this video, he specifically takes on snare drums and some older Pearl toms (where they’ve added Naugahyde under the heads). Interesting stuff!

-LAMA Staff

Drummer Chaun Horton Talks Preparation, Studying, Performing

Chaun Horton at LA Music Academy College of Music

LA Music Academy alumni have gone on to play with some of the biggest names in the music industry. LAMA drum grad Chaun Horton is one of them. He just wrapped this video where he talks about growing up and playing in the church, what to expect from the LA Music Academy drum program and playing with pop/R&B stars Macy Gray and Natasha Bedingfield:

Best of luck Chaun — the video turned out great!

-LAMA Staff

Video Quick Tip: Jazz Drumming – “Accenting Triplets”

LA Music Academy College of Music Jazz Drums Instructor Tony Inzalaco received a Bachelor’s degree (percussion) and a Master’s degree (music education) from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. He has performed in Carnegie Hall, The Guggenheim Music, The New York World’s Fair, the Apollo Theater and the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. While in New York, he played in all the major jazz clubs including the legendary club Birdland. He has traveled extensively, performing in major club venues and festivals in the U.S., Canada and throughout Europe.

He has played in person, on radio, on television or recordings with the following jazz masters: Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Maynard Ferguson, Donald Byrd, Dizzy Gillespie, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rossolino, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Drew, Roland Hannah, Ron Carter, Slam Stewart, Niels H.O. Pedersen, Kenny Clarke, Anita O’Day, Carmen McRae, Irene Reid, Jimmy Rushing and Lionel Hampton. In addition, he has the unique distinction of being one of the very few drummers to have ever worked for Buddy Rich. He also spent one year as Bobby Darin’s personal drummer. He now plays in the L.A. area with a quintet that spotlights him not only as a jazz drummer but also as a jazz composer.

In this video, Tony discusses different ways to accent the triplet in jazz drumming:

-LAMA Staff

3rd Annual #Drummer’s Reality Camp June 27-30!

Guess the drumkit!

Neil Peart, Doane Perry, Gil Sharone, Zigaboo Modeliste, Marco Minneman, Ralph Humphrey, Joe Porcaro, Tony Inzalaco, Gary Ferguson and Uli Frost are confirmed for the third annual Drummer’s Reality Camp, June 27-30, 2012 at Los Angeles Music Academy College of Music (and one day at DrumChannel.com studios).

For more information, CLICK HERE. The new Facebook page is up: www.facebook.com/drummersrealitycamp. Stay up to date and connect by liking the page today. Didn’t get a chance to attend last year? Check out the new 2012 promo video for some highlights!

Please help us spread the word about this fantastic event!

-LAMA Staff

3rd Annual Drummer’s Reality Camp

We’re very excited for the third annual Drummer’s Reality Camp at LA Music Academy (and one day at DrumChannel.com studios). They haven’t even announced official dates yet, but usually takes place at the end of June/early July. We’ll know more about dates and artists very soon.

For now, there is a brand new Facebook page up: www.facebook.com/drummersrealitycamp. Go like the page so you don’t miss any announcements or news!

Here’s a wrap up video from last year. Please help spread the word about this fantastic event!

-LAMA Staff

Video Quick Tip – #Drums: #Gospel Chops Variations

Gary Ferguson teaches funk drums at LA Music Academy College of Music. After his first recording at the age of 17 with Shirley Bassey, Gary Ferguson began touring in the mid-70’s with Etta James, Olivia Newton-John and Cher. Since then, he has also toured/recorded with Eddie Money, Ray Charles, Glenn Hughes, Jim Messina, Roberta Flack, Yoko Ono, David Benoit, Les Dudek, Michelle Phillips, Bette Midler, Susanna Hoffs, Charlie Sexton, Billy Preston, Melissa Manchester, John Hiatt, the New Radicals, Stevie Nicks, Lani Hall, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter, James Ingram, Billy Bob Thornton, K.D. Lang, Pat Benatar, Ben Folds, and many more. In 2000, he performed on the Women Rock Lifetime television special, featuring Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, The Dixie Chicks and more. Gary has also recorded on many film and jingle dates and has also contributed tracks to the GarageBand Drum Libraries.

In this video, Funk Drum Instructor Gary Ferguson demonstrates a great hand/foot combination based on gospel chops to create some exciting variations. For more info, visit lamusicacademy.edu

-LAMA Staff

Video Quick Tip – #Drums: “The Half Time Shuffle”

Dave Beyer is an in-demand professional drummer and educator in the Los Angeles area. He toured and recorded for 3 years with Melissa Etheridge, and has played or recorded with The Motels, Jewel, Joan Osborne, Gregg Allman, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Stephen Bishop, Helen Reddy, Jango, and Debra Davis. He has performed at major venues worldwide, including the Greek Theater, Universal Amphitheater, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Woodstock, Madison Square Garden and Royal Albert Hall; and has played on The Tonight Show, David Letterman and Ally McBeal, to name a few. Dave also stays busy as a session player, a producer and runs his own recording studio.

In this Quick Tip, LA Music Academy rock drums instructor Dave Beyer demonstrates several variations of the half time shuffle. For more info, visit lamusicacademy.edu

-LAMA Staff

Video Quick Tip: Jazz and the Ride Cymbal

Joe Porcaro’s musical spectrum ranges from jazz and rock to opera and symphonic. He has recorded with jazz artists including Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Freddie Hubbard, Don Ellis, Mike Manieri and rock/pop artists such as TOTO and Madonna. His credits includes numerous television shows and movies. One of the most highly regarded percussion and drum instructors in the world, Joe is the author of two drum books: Joe Porcaro’s Drum Set Methods and Odd Times, and the instructional video Joe Porcaro on Drums. Please visit www.josephporcaro.com for more info.

LA Music Academy Drum Department Co-Chair Joe Porcaro thoroughly explains the jazz ride cymbal beat, including different ways drummers phrase it. www.lamusicacademy.edu

-LAMA Staff

Video Quick Tip – Drums: Left Hand Ghost Note Funk Ostinato

Gary Ferguson teaches funk drums at LA Music Academy College of Music. After his first recording at the age of 17 with Shirley Bassey, Gary Ferguson began touring in the mid-70’s with Etta James, Olivia Newton-John and Cher. Since then, he has also toured/recorded with Eddie Money, Ray Charles, Glenn Hughes, Jim Messina, Roberta Flack, Yoko Ono, David Benoit, Les Dudek, Michelle Phillips, Bette Midler, Susanna Hoffs, Charlie Sexton, Billy Preston, Melissa Manchester, John Hiatt, the New Radicals, Stevie Nicks, Lani Hall, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter, James Ingram, Billy Bob Thornton, K.D. Lang, Pat Benatar, Ben Folds, and many more. In 2000, he performed on the Women Rock Lifetime television special, featuring Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, The Dixie Chicks and more. Gary has also recorded on many film and jingle dates and has also contributed tracks to the GarageBand Drum Libraries.

In this video, Funk Drum Instructor Gary Ferguson demonstrates a very useful left hand ghost note ostinato for funk drumming. For more info, visit lamusicacademy.edu

-LAMA Staff