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.  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

          When I began studying Jazz drumming, I was so focused on getting my chops together that I neglected the music. Failing to see the role that a drum solo has within the larger context of the music, I got hung-up on technique and what I was going to play. After years of thinking this way I had lost sight of my initial joy for the music. This misplaced joy has made my music stiff, flat and uninteresting to listen to. I’ve come to the point where I have to do something about it. Otherwise, my playing will be always lackluster.
           With the help of my teacher Marvin Bugalu Smith I’ve started to reconnect with my joy. Marvin is always coming up with ways to challenge his students to play better. One thing he has all of his students working on is a new homework assignment that involves watching his drum solos and the Wizard of Oz ( for more information on this assignment check out Bugalu’s article in this month’s newsletter). After working on this assignment I had a better understanding why joy is so important especially while you’re playing. It’s that feeling that everyone can relate to and the reason why we play in the first place. Joy is the energy that gives life to the music and raises the people’s spirits.
           Another lesson Marvin’s assignment taught me was that when you feel and play like a child you lighten up. This lighter feeling in body, mind and spirit made it easy for me to embrace the flow of time and be more receptive to its powerful motion. I was watching Clip 5 from Marvin meets the Wizard of Oz series and playing triplets on the pad. I realized soon after that what Marvin was playing on the video and what I was playing on the pad was one. I felt like I was going to burst wide open. Marvin has always talked about the power in time but it wasn’t until I did this new homework and went back to feeling like a child did I gain a better understanding of what he meant.
           My re-discovered joy has renewed my practice and devotion to the drum. Before this new homework I felt as if there was weight on me and my playing. This child-like joy made me realize that I put the weight on myself. It’s also opened me up to feeling a bigger all-inclusive joy. Feeling this connected has awakened me to the responsibility that drummers’ have to share this joy with their fellow musicians and the audience.
Being in touch with my inner child has deepened my understanding of the flow. The joy and wonder that a child feels is a prerequisite to riding the flow of time effectively. A child doesn’t worry or think while they’re playing, they just go with what feels good. Adults judge what’s happening in the moment; a child simply enjoys the moment. This innate joy of time is in everyone but if ignored or suppressed it will become dormant.

 

        Another assignment Marvin gave us is called "Over the rainbow - The dream homework". I thought this assignment was really great. This is what Marvin wrote to me:
 

1. Go to YouTube and type in Bugalu meets the Wizard of Oz. watch all the clips in the series.

2. Go to Google and type in the Wizard of Oz. Watch the clip from a child's point of view.
 

     We are going back to the wonderment in your heart or putting the wonderment back in your heart. Then go and play your drums with this young child's point of view. Repeat this as much as needed your online teacher ....  Bugalu
 

      Now, I tried part 2 first because Marvin had not yet posted the video series when he first gave me the assignment - he sent this updated assignment after the videos had been posted. This had great results for me when I played at the jam session the next night. I felt lighter and was able to have more fun because I had gotten in touch with my inner child. After watching the film, I though about how I felt and the curiosity that I had when I first started playing the drums. I would call this the beginner's mind. Bugalu's homework helped me get back to the beginner's mind. When our mind is clouded by stressful events in our lives, it makes it hard to play. It's important for me to remember that whatever I might be preoccupied with will not change between the time when I get on the bandstand and the time when I get off. So, I may as well relax, have fun, and let the inner child play. This is the great lesson I learned from this assignment. I will watch the movie again and I am still working on the videos. I am sure I will see more great results in my playing!- Thanks Bugalu! - SYOTB
 
 

       This last week has been another moment where, I as a musician, question and doubt my abilities, and even why I am moving from one instrument to another, abandoning the comfort level I always had on guitar or even bass, the 1,4,5's, the 3 or 4 chord rock songs, to move to another arena where not only is the instrument different, but jazz is like comparing a Nuclear Physics PHD (Jazz) to 3rd grade science student (rock / pop).  So why do I try to learn and play drums?   Well easy, because it is fun, not only to challenge myself to learn, practice, accept critique but to experience the feeling of being part of a musical communication to the audience.  I need the crowd, the people, and the energy that they bring.   This week's homework has been enlightening as Marvin asked us to watch the Wizard of Oz to enter a child like state, so I decided to go with the flow and watch the movie and also Willy Wonka, I am fortunate enough in that with my son, I have cartoons on the TV 24-7, and while sometimes I do not pay attention, there are times when I will sit with my son and watch Tom and Jerry, The Polar Express and many other shows, all the while, time skips by and I absorb into the show, most of the time laughing at the silliness but also watching how he reacts to the show.  Having witnessed Andrew and Kesai really take advantage of this has been very inspirational to me to lighten up on everything, stick with my fast, keep hammering away at the drums, but I am starting to understand more and more why the technique and rudiments are important.

     I would estimate the last month, I have been the most comfortable playing, relaxation is getting better and better, but then my major problem comes back to haunt me and the lack of technique is hurting me, as one can be the most relaxed drummer on the planet, but grip, stick control and weak rudiments allow  a drummer to only play at a certain level.  I do have to give credit where credit is due, Marvin, Kesai and Andrew have been patient, understanding and I don't think anyone one teacher could have brought me as far along as I am after 15 mos, this is certain.  The question now is how much farther can I take it, the instructions are clear, technique, child like heart and relaxation.  Will it ever happen?  Well, time to go with the flow and practice, and someday find out.    SYOTBS.....