Welcome to "See You On The Bandstand", the monthly newsletter devoted to the news and events surrounding the students of Marvin Bugalu Smith's School Of Time. The current January 2008 newsletter is the biggest so far, thanks to the students. Check back monthly as we talk about the world of jazz drums. the local scene, news, student progress reports and other exciting drum and jazz related topics.

The newsletters highlight the students experience on teaching and playing jazz drums, sharing their views on playing on the bandstand and much more. This important information will make you play better drums.

"A newsletter for today’s people, written by the people, because the music belongs to the people."

Your teacher,

Marvin Bugalu Smith

Technique is only the tip of the iceberg ! by Marvin "Bugalu" Smith - 12.11.07

We have all watch master drummers like Elvin Jones, and Max Roach play and there is one thing that makes their playing great and that is they all play very effortlessly moving the spirit in the music. Now they all have very good Technique and they know very well the rudiments of drumming but the way they play anyone can see that it’s more then Technique, it’s playing effortlessly. Now how do you get to this level of playing effortlessly? Moving the spirit in the music?

Bugalu’s answer: I have many students that ask me this very important question at least 4 times a month Well the first thing that one must do is to get the Technique under your hands to the point were you don’t have to think about it on the bandstand at this point your mind is free not heavy from thinking, Thinking will slow you down, and make you have a lot of hesitation in your playing the key to effortless playing is to flow like water so that even mistakes are themselves music. Then music is then in the realm of no rights, and no wrongs or the realm of “perfection“. or Effortlessly playing. You should go and check my videos out. Then you will see Effortlessly playing. In action and you will understand that Technique is only the tip of the iceberg.

Untitled By Kesai Riddick

          People tend to be amazed when they hear Marvin’s students playing. A lot of them don’t believe that he could have taught us so well. Most drum teachers don’t have as much success as Marvin does with his students because they teach in a conventional way that rarely benefits the student.
         One of the differences between Marvin and other drum teachers is his compassion. Compassion to feel another person’s pain and give what is needed to help that person grow. Marvin truly wants his students to learn to play the drums. He takes his time with his students so they get a quality lesson. He never cuts corners and he never teaches superficially. He gives everything that he’s learned and everything that he uses on the bandstand to his students. This is something that a lot of other drum teachers fail to do. Most of this comes from their ego and their fear of being outplayed by their students.
         Marvin is free of such worries and fears because of his high life condition that is going on inside of him from moment to moment. He is able to achieve this state of being because of his sincere desire to help all people. The energy generated from this intention is what gets his students playing on such an advanced level.
         Ordinary people have a hard time comprehending who Marvin is and why he’s able to have success that he does. They refuse to believe that one man can achieve so much where others have failed. What they don’t realize is that Marvin is consciously and actively striving to assist everyone in their success, and that is why his teaching is so effective.
All drummers want to feel freedom and openness while they’re playing. Marvin knows this, and he knows how to teach people to go there. With this kind of intent, anything is possible and all obstacles become stepping stones to victory and achievement. It’s time to open the provisional and reveal the true.

Making Peace in Your World         by Andrew Greeney

    Happy New Year to all the drummers!!! The holiday season conjures up warm memories for people of all walks of life from around the world. I would like to pose this question: Why can't everyday be like Christmas and New Year's day? Christmas could also mean the holiday season in general or any other special day when people come together.
    Let's first look at the holiday season. This is the time of year when people become instilled with what's known as the holiday spirit. This means people will set aside their differences and go out of their way to spend time with each other. We are more apt to be neighborly and perform random acts of kindness. People feel compelled to reach out to someone they may have passed by any other day. We may humble ourselves by performing charitable acts and donating our time and money. Basically, it's a time of caring for our fellow man and we feel reverence for the dignity of each person.
    Now let's take a look at New Year's. In the grand scheme of things, this is just another moment in time and the universe is continually in motion. On Earth, it is the beginning of our calender year so it feels like we're starting over again. We have a sense of renewal of purpose and we make determinations and goals that we want to complete within that year. This is a time when, based on our passed experiences and present circumstances, we reinvent ourselves and try to change for the better.
    All to often, after the holiday season is over, people go back to the same feeling they had before the holidays and fall back into the same old routine (myself included).
    The essence or spirit of these holidays is what I want to talk about. Imagine a world where people care for each other and continually strive to challenge themselves and reach their highest potential. These two attitudes of 'caring' and 'striving' have been Bugalu's most important teachings for me and will help you on the bandstand.
    To make peace in one's world or environment (which includes the bandstand), one must change from within. To play music, especially jazz, one has to be very attentive and open minded. Bugalu taught me that achieving this state of mind depends on your feelings towards other people. For example, if you harbor feelings of hatred and jealousy or hold a grudge against someone, or look down on another person, you won't be able to play full. Instead, the mind becomes trapped in delusions and you will be preoccupied. The feeling that you are right may well up inside you. The body tenses up as a result of this. When you can be conscious of these feelings and set them aside it is easier to communicate. If you adopt an attitude of caring for the people and playing to make the people feel good, your mind will be in the right zone to listen and take the shape of the music. This applies to the bandstand and life in general.
    The New Year's spirit will also help us on the bandstand and when we are practicing. When I say that we can continually reinvent ourselves, I do not mean that we should continually change paths in life, but we should continually challenge ourselves and grow. It has often been said that in order to become great, you have to 'pay your dues'. In other words, one who has endured a very hard life or overcome great challenges will be a great player. While this is true, everyone has the power to challenge themselves. We must renew our determination each day to master ourselves and to never be defeated. If we do this, our growth becomes like that of a tree; you may not see it from one day to the next but after some time passes you will be stronger.
    So, in conclusion, I'm going to make it my determination to have the Christmas and New Years spirit everyday. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and...SEE YA ON THE BANDSTAND!!!!!

What A Year It Has Been! by Jan Jurgielewicz IV

Well, this month will be one year that I have been studying drums with Marvin and what a year it has been. The funny part was finding Marvin. I was looking for a place to restore some 60's drums (which have since been sold) and I found Precision's site, this was the first week of January, 2007. I was looking around the site, and right on the first page, was Marvin. Truth be told, I was just starting to play the drums as some old friends needed someone. I had played guitar with the cats, but they said they heard me a drunken party and that they needed somebody. I had always wanted to play the drums, but since my father was a guitar player, he sort of got me into that when I was 13, and I stuck with it, playing rock and writing sings, 100's of songs, just doing my thing. Well, 1992 came around and I considered moving to Seattle as that was where the whole music scene was, instead I got a job and stayed, got married and sort of forgot music, only playing in a few cover bands for fun. The last few years have been good to me, I have a child, a job and really wanted to get back to the music, it is relaxing and plain fun. After playing drums "for fun", for about 6 months, I seriously realized I needed lessons, but there is NO ONE in Ct that can really play.

Fast forward to January, 2007, there I was looking at Marvin's picture at Precision, so I investigated him to the fullest, went on MySpace, then BAMMM !!, I saw the Terrace sessions on video. I also saw Kesai's videos. Realizing, Marvin is the best drummer I have ever seen, his students are really good as well and that his picture at Precision, said "Now accepting students". I knew what had to be done. I made one smart choice when deciding to take lessons, I KNEW, I had to find the best jazz drum teacher out there, as if I can play jazz, then anything else, would be simple in the end (rock, funk, big band). So, I sent the email to Marvin, I had no ideas what this man would think, taking a non-schooled rock guitar player and starting literally from the most basic of places. I knew I was the level of a kid in middle or high school, but as a 37 year old dude, this was going to be a little challenging. Well, Marvin wrote back, and we arranged to meet. My wife thought is was a great idea to get lessons, my father wondered why the hell I would drive 90 minutes and others thought I was just nuts to try this. (Why people have an issue with adults taking lessons, is really weird), but it is the whole ego / criticism thing, which I understand now. People think they can't learn or they already know everything, or they don't want to think there are people more experienced and talented than them that do what they want to do, this is a bunch of crap, lessons in ANYTHING are a good thing, it makes you a better player and person.

So, I went to NY, on a Sunday, I was REALLY scared the whole drive there, here I am meeting strangers, far from home, having no idea what to expect. So, I knock on the door, meet the crew, then they make me set up the drums and play. I thought I was going to throw up, just die, playing in front of a jazz master and 2 of his students that are amazing players. Well, I survived, then the next week, I took my father to a jam session. On the car ride home, he said is a serious tone, that the guy (Marvin) is real real good and you should try to study, listen and learn from him as long as you can, he said "I can see why you drive to here now, and there is no one in CT that can play like that". So, it was done, my dad's approval, my wife's approval, and I felt it was good. Marvin then arranged to have a custom Precision drum set made for me, exactly to his specifications and Gary gave me a great price. I now have a drum set to use for the rest of my life playing, and I treasure it.

Then the next step, was getting past a bunch of ego and trust issues I had, well this took about 8 months, and I really had a tough time, just dealing with stuff and after a couple of days in September of just bad stuff going on, I was set straight. Marvin understood my situation and I understood his goals. So, as long as I can keep the practice, listening and playing up, it will be good. I plan on really using 2008 to firm up on the technique, as Marvin mentions this month, the technique is something that I and all drummers just HAVE to grasp, learn and obtain, then you can move on. There are so many drummers that think they can play, use double pedals and low tuned drums to hide their lack of technique, and I really can see more clearly now. Well, after the first year, I have learned some technique, made it to the bandstand (the rookie of the crew) and have made some really good friends in the process. Hopefully year two brings me to a higher place with the drums and that we all have a safe, healthy and happy New Year !! SYOTBS !!

Thinking is slow! Motion is fast! By Marvin "Bugalu" Smith

Now students always ask me “Bugalu? How do you play so effortlessly? Well the answer is to keep your mind out of the mix and use your motion, which includes body movements. Okay, if you’re still not clear on how to do this, then read the following: I developed this when I studied with Elvin Jones back in 1970’s. First, let’s look at the mind for a moment. “The mind wants to know where everything is on the bandstand and the mind likes to worry a lot.” maybe you can understand this by thinking of what happens to your playing on the bandstand when you start to worry. One of the things that happens is you get tense and you tighten up, this happens in your body movement. Worrying about things like did I practice right. This kind of worry slows your playing down to a stand still. This is what the mind does to you on the bandstand making you not enjoy playing the moment. Now motion on the other hand, depends on the moment in time, and the flow of time. Moving like this is worry free, helping you to enjoy playing the music more. So from now on remember that....... "Thinking is slow! Motion is fast."

A Story By Fitz Sam

I'm a bit embarrassed to relay this story, but this is one of the reasons I always come back to the drums and to Bugalu. When I first met Master Marvin Bugalu Smith I was only playing percussion. In those days I didn't own a drum set. I would arrive for my lesson at Bugalu's house and work on his set. The first thing I was taught was sing one. I had no idea how it would fit into the music, I had no clue of the value of the lesson I was gifted with. One day I was in the room working on the swing one, Bugalu had some company so he left the room. I must have fell into a trance, because all of a sudden every stroke became clear, the high hat, bass drum, snare and cymbal were all in alignment, while maintaining proper dynamics. I was playing above my level and it felt easy as pumpkin pie. I could not believe it, a feeling of ecstasy began to take over my body. Bugalu walked into the room I couldn't speak. I felt an orgasm explode in every cell of my body. I could not believe it. Was this real, is this happening to me? Yes, this happened, to me. This experience exposed me to what is out there potentially for every drummer.

The roundness of three, the mesmerizing power of the quarter note. This is one of Bugalu's first lesson's, SWING ONE. I later grew to understand to a small degree how to use this exercise in the music. There is still much more to learn, the lessons are deep, each individual exercise contain a treasure trove of information, possibilities, variation, wisdom, ALL OF THAT. I hope for the return of that orgasmic sensation, it has not. However I would like to say there is a good feeling that envelopes you on the bandstand when the music is swinging. I could go on and on about the great value of Marvin Bugalu Smith's teachings. His work is university level and above, and above that and so on and so for forth. Any contact with this great master will benefit ones playing.

The Return by Doug Bueno

After 18 months of being away from the school and the jam sessions I'm back, feeling like I'm ready to take some leaps forward. One of the biggest benefits of this school is the Terrace Lounge. Being able to study and having somewhere to put it, with some seasoned musicians). I find its the best way to study, every week their is a different lead and if you stick around for a year or so you can see the rotation of musicians. The bandstand is a place to learn how to play the songs and work on so many other factors. When I met Bugalu I knew nothing about jazz or the drum set. The way he sounded is what attracted me. I went to Saint Nicks Pub with him and he tore the house down, he played with all the baddest cats at the club and still includes his students. He brought the best out of the musicians on the band stand.