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Progressive Rock & Pop Independence For Drums
A Step-By-Step Guide to Building Basic Drumset Coordination
Developed over my 40+ years of playing and teaching, 'Progressive Rock & Pop Independence For Drums' is an introductory method for new drummers enabling them to quickly and easily develop the coordination and independence skills necessary to become a successful drummer.
Marty Brasington is now accepting students. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, Marty's 40 years of drumming experience will provide you with the expert instruction you need to help you become a better drummer!
Techniques taught:
Marty Brasington is a dedicated musician and instructor with over 40 years of playing experience as a successful live and studio drummer.
Marty started his career like many drummers, playing in his high school marching band, and quickly became interested in playing the drum-kit. After high school Marty studied at the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
Marty then moved to the greater New York City area, where he began recording and touring in both the U.S. and Europe with several projects including the melodic rock band Norway (Frontiers Records), singer/songwriter Laura Diamond (3 Wishes Records), alternative rock band Active (Tribeca Artists Records), Danger Danger (Sony Records) lead singer Ted Poley, as well as a variety other projects, which included playing over 150+ dates a year on the Jersey Shore.
Click here to listen to some of Marty's recorded work!
Marty has also been featured in both DRUM! and Modern Drummer magazines!
Currently, Marty is the drummer with the popular Columbus, OH cover band These Guys Live. He has also played with many other local bands including Breaking Sane, Level 7, Jaded, Sonic Boom and the VV Smith band.
Marty is a hands-on teacher who takes pride in developing customized lesson plans for every student based on their current skill level and goals. Primary areas of focus include: rudiments, stick control, music reading, coordination & independence, syncopation, double bass drumming, and general musicality.
Marty's knowledge, experience and patient teaching style can help students of all ages and abilities develop the skills they need for a rewarding life in music.
Visit theseguyslive.com for additional show dates and more information.
"My children have been taking lessons with Marty for several years now. He's a great instructor and does an amazing job keeping them challenged but not overwhelmed."
"My son loves lessons with Marty! Unlike his last teacher who only worked on the same exercises week after week, Marty keeps things fresh by doing hand exercises, book exercises, playing along with songs, playing back and forth on 2 drum sets, and Marty also plays guitar so sometimes they just "jam". He actually looks forward to lessons now and he's making great progress. Highly recommended!"
"Marty is a great drummer himself and also has great rapport with my son - who is learning and developing skills by leaps and bounds with Marty!"
"Excellent teacher!"
"Very glad that I have chance to work with Marty!"
"Marty is a patient, competent and really knowledgeable teacher. My son has had a number of drum teachers in the past and Marty is his favorite by far! He has learned so much in a short period of time. We definitely recommend him!"
"My teenage daughter has been taking lessons from Marty for 2 1/2 years. He is the perfect instructor for her. She likes that he teaches her about multiple aspects of drumming, including rudiments, reading music & playing along with songs. When he corrects her playing, he compliments her on the parts she did right & then challenges her to improve on her weaknesses. He's super patient. It's been great watching her skills develop. I highly recommend Marty as a drum teacher!"
I am really bad about asking students for recommendations... If you'd like to let me know how I'm doing please leave a recommendation or comment here. Thank you!
A limited number of lessons at my home studio in Blacklick — with dual drumkits set up — are currently available. Lessons are available on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings. I also make times available on Fridays when I am not gigging. Therefore, Friday availability will vary week to week. Contact me with any questions regarding available times or scheduling. (Click here for In-Home Lesson options.)
For those students looking for a single introductory lesson before purchasing a larger package. During this intro lesson I will assess the students current abilities with reading, basic stick control and rudiments, drum set coordination, etc. which will allow me to develop a personalized curriculum to move forward. (Available for new students only.)
The In-Studio Private Lesson Package - 4 Pack is a block of 4 lessons. You will receive your choice of (4) 30 minute or (4) 45 minute private lessons at my home studio in Blacklick, OH. Schedule lessons every week, every other week, or whatever best fits your schedule.
The In-Studio Private Lesson Package - Big Block is a discounted block of 13 lessons making it the most economical choice for long-term learning! You will receive your choice of (13) 30 minute or (13) 45 minute private lessons at my home studio in Blacklick, OH. Lessons are scheduled every week over a 3 month (13 week) period.
If you just want an occasional single lesson to work on something specific, you can schedule a single In-Studio Individual Private Lesson at my home studio in Blacklick, OH whenever needed.
I can also provide lessons in your own home using your own drums! Each in-home lesson is 45 minutes in length and pricing is based in part on distance and my required travel time from Blacklick, OH. Please enter your address below to view the most popular lesson package options and pricing. Contact me with any questions.
For those students looking for a single introductory lesson before purchasing a larger package. During this intro lesson I will assess the students current abilities with reading, basic stick control and rudiments, drum set coordination, etc. which will allow me to develop a personalized curriculum to move forward. I can also provide guidence with drum set positioning, ergonomics and tuning. (Available for new students only.)
Price:
The Standard Private Lesson Package - 4 Pack is a block of 4 lessons. You will receive four 45 minute in-home private lessons. Schedule lessons every week, every other week, or whatever best fits your schedule.
Price:
The Standard Private Lesson Package - Big Block is a discounted block of 13 lessons making it the most economical choice for long-term learning! You will receive thirteen 45 minute in-home private lessons. Lessons are scheduled every week over a 3 month (13 week) period.
Price:
If you just want an occasional single lesson to work on something specific, you can schedule a single Individual Private Lesson whenever needed.
Price:
If you'd like to submit another payment (i.e. to make a payment for a custom lesson plan previously discussed and agreed to) please click the 'Buy Now' button below and enter the amount you wish to pay in the 'Price per item' box on the following PayPal page and click the 'Continue' button. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Want to hear some of my recorded work? Below are a few streaming mp3 files from some of the recordings on which I have appeared. Click a song title to listen.
To listen to more of my recorded work, visit the discography section of my personal website: martybrasington.com/discography.
Below are just a few videos of bands I've played with over the past few years and a couple of drum covers recorded on my iPhone. Most of the 'Drum Cam' videos are just short snippets as the raw stage sound isn't perfectly balanced. More to come as I dig through the archives.
Below are links to some of the gear and books I most frequently recommend. If you have any questions about sticks, heads, drums, cymbals, pedals, etc. please ask! (Note: if images are not showing, please disable your browsers content blocking.)
I have performed and recorded with many different artists and bands over the years, which has helped me build great diversity in my playing. Each artist I have worked with has helped me grow as a musician, and through those varied experiences I have been able to gradually develop and refine an outstanding curriculum to pass on to my students. I've also been a lifelong student of the instrument as well, starting from my early days in school band and orchestra and progressing through high school marching and stage bands, drum corps, studying at Berklee College of Music, and continuing to this day.
While my exact teaching approach will vary from student to student, essentially it comes down to: a) determining the students goals; b) assessing their current skill level; and c) developing a curriculum to help them improve their proficiency in order to meet their goals. For example, for a high school age student looking to audition for marching band, we'll spend the majority of lesson time building hand technique through rudiments and stick control exercises, along with a good amount of music reading. For a drummer looking to sharpen their skills and better their performance with their band, we'll identify those areas needing work (i.e. basic timekeeping, coordination, double bass playing, etc.) and work on each area as needed.
Absolutely! In fact, that's the best way to start. By seeking qualified instruction right away, students can avoid developing bad habits that could take significant time and effort to correct later on. The majority of my students have less than 6 months playing experience before starting lessons.
I happily teach each both children and adults. However, I generally ask that students be at least 10 years old to start lessons with me. This is not to say that younger children are incapable of learning drums. It's just not an age group I am particularly comfortable teaching. However, if you have a young student interested in lessons please feel free to contact me to discuss.
Absolutely not! There is no such thing as too old to learn something new. I've been playing drums for over 40 years and I'm still learning! If you have the desire to study and practice, you can learn to play!
Even if you wanted to, it would be impossible to completely "start over." Your past musical experience is part of you. For students who have extensive experience we will define your goals, identify your weaknesses and develop a curriculum to strengthen those areas.
How good are you now? ;-) All kidding aside, everyone is different. If you're motivated and have an innate natural ability you could show significant improvement after just a few lessons. Others may take longer to make noticeable strides forward. I can help give you the tools, but what you build with them and how long it will take will be entirely up to you.
Yes! While many drum instructors work exclusively on technical exercises, only by learning how to utilize technical proficiency in a musical context will you be able to reach your goals.
I strongly encourage all students to learn to read music. Especially when delving into advanced rhythms and coordination/independence exercises, knowing how to read music will allow them to see exactly how each limb interacts with the others and at exactly which moment in time. This visual aid can help students learn much faster and help them understand concepts that might otherwise be difficult for them to grasp.
As a drummer, I'm naturally drawn to styles and artists that are "drumistically" interesting. My iPhone is constantly filled with a diverse mixture of artists and styles. I can listen to big band music, followed by some avant-garde fusion to full-out, double bass blazing heavy metal. Professionally I have played everything from pop, rock, hard rock, heavy metal, jazz-fusion and country!
As a working drummer, I've played virtually all types of music at one time or another. For new students, all the various types of music tend to sound extremely different from one another. However, as you develop a strong knowledge of drumming, it becomes clear that almost all styles of music are based on the same fundamental elements of rhythm.
Yes! Purchase any lesson plan above and then contact me. I will email you a printable, personalized gift certificate that you can present to the recipient. After receiving the gift all they have to do is call or email and we will arrange the exact dates and times of the lessons.
I teach primarily out of my home studio in Blacklick, OH which is set up with dual drum kits and digital recording capabilities. There's also a convenient waiting area in the loft outside of the 'Boom Box' for parents to wait during their child's lesson. I also provide lessons in students' own homes using their own drums in the greater Columbus Metropolitan Area. Virtual lessons are also available anywhere in the world with an internet connection!
If you're just starting out, or just want to concentrate on the snare drum, you can get started with nothing more than a pair or sticks and a basic practice pad. (I can even supply these for the first few lessons.) Good quality sticks and a decent practice pad are both very inexpensive; you should be able to get both well under $50. (Ask me if you have questions.) As you progress I'll ask you to purchase the occasional book to allow you to practice between lessons. And, of course, when you're ready for full drum kit lessons, you'll need a set of decent acoustic or electronic drums. Again, I'm always happy to help you determine the right equipment for you if you have questions.
I generally teach afternoons and evenings Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. (Friday schedules subject to change based on my live performance schedule.) Contact me to inquire about currently available lesson times or if you have any special scheduling requests.
To cancel or change a scheduled lesson, all you need to do is call, text or email me at least 24 hours prior to the time of our appointment. Any lesson that is missed or cancelled after the cut-off time must be paid for in full. (Occasional exceptions for illness or emergencies may be granted by instructor.)
Go to the Lesson Signup section. Then, simply register using the PayPal buttons. Or, send me an email through the contact form. I will promptly respond to answer any questions you might have and to schedule our first lesson together! I look forward to meeting you!
This free PDF lesson is a great endurance and stick control exercise taken from George Lawrence Stone and popularized by Joe Morello in his "Master Studies" book. Please contact me if you have any questions about how to practice this exercise.
In this free PDF lesson you'll get 6 new ideas for creating sextuplet fills and solo ideas utilizing note groupings of 2, 3 and 4 between the hands and feet. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about any of the examples.
Think of the drum rudiments as the "building blocks" of drumming. They are roughly equivalent to a pianist or a guitarist learning and practicing their scales. These rudiments are important to help a drummer develop technique, control, coordination and become technically competent.
Drum tuning is an often overlooked and mystifying concept to a large percentage of drummers, even many who've been playing for years. Check out this video for a great overview of basic drum tuning by DW's John Good.
Whenever possible, I do prefer email correspondence as email prevents me from being interrupted with non-urgent calls and text messages during lessons. If you're a prospective new student or have questions and would like to speak with me, be sure to include a valid email address. I will generally email you first to schedule a time to talk, as I am frequently busy until quite late in the evening.