The DrumMantra Podcast
by Rich Stitzel
"The 20 Best Music Theory Podcasts of 2021" by Welp Magazine."#4 of Top 10 Music Theory Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021" by Feedspot"Top 10 Music Theory Podcasts You Must Follow in 2020" by FeedSpot"The 11 Best Podcasts for Exploring Music Theory Concepts on the Go in 2019" by Soundfly. The DrumMantra Podcast is all about going deeper with your practice in music & drumming. The goal is to advance the listener's confidence, insight, and inspiration through discussions on topics like approaches to practice, rhythmic concepts, technique, theory, creativity, gear, and the music business.The host, Rich Stitzel, is a veteran drummer, author, and educator with over 30 years of professional experience as a full-time musician.
Episodes
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Ep. 99 Why Do You Want to Be A Drummer?
🥁 *GO DEEPER WITH YOUR PRACTICE.* Are you practicing regularly but not making the progress you know you're capable of? Do you feel there's more you could be expressing behind the drums? *Welcome to DrumMantra® — a different approach to practicing, playing, and understanding the drums.* Created…
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Ep. 99 Why You're Not Getting Better at the Drums (It's How You Practice)
What if the reason you're not getting better at the drums is the way you're practicing? Repetition builds habits, good and bad. If you're repeating something without recognizing the problems in it, you're reinforcing those problems too. In this video I'll show you why that happens, how to…
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From Practice to Philosophy
From Technique to Philosophy As often happens in the Drumset Mastery Program, our technical work naturally led into a deeper conversation: Are we playing from our heads, or from our hearts? Are we serving the moment and the audience, or chasing attention? Are we aiming for “wows” or “yesses”? (As...
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Coaching Call: Finding Confidence Before a Big Gig
Coaching Through the Nerves: Helping a Drummer Find Confidence Before a Big Gig Performance anxiety is a deeply human experience. Whether you're stepping on stage for the first time or the hundredth, that swirling blend of anticipation, self-doubt, and adrenaline can shake even the most prepared...
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Big Band Drumming: The Philosophy, the Function, and the History
Big Band Drumming: The Philosophy, the Function, and the History Episode 96 of the DrumMantra Podcast Even if you never end up playing in a big band, understanding its role in the evolution of the drumset is essential to your growth as a drummer. The drumset was invented in the early 1900s—born…
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5:4 Polymetric Relationships, Secondary Pulses, and MORE!
Let's take a look at the 5:4 Polymetric Relationship in its NON-NATIVE expression in a series of 5-measures of 4/4! You can find the Primary Series Book on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/02vdltK8
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20th Note Practice 11.20.23
Shedding and discussing a couple of exercises from my most recent book, as well as a book I am currently writing. Join me for live practice sessions twice a week: https://www.drummantra.com/ Books in this video: Groove Studies with the 20th Note: https://a.co/d/0AqWNqj Thanks for your support....
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Practice: Not the What, but the HOW
This episode comes to you from my drive to a gig. Just random thoughts that hopefully will trigger an idea or an inspiration in you:-)
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The Somatic Drummer, Adam Gust
On this episode of the DrumMantra Podcast, I speak with the amazing drummer, Adam Gust. Adam had a traumatic accident a little over a decade ago that potentially could have ended his very promising career. In this conversation, we talk about the studies and research he began to do at the…
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Going Deep with Zach Miller
In this episode I catch up with the great Zach Miller from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wow. What a player. What a thinker. What a human. This is a deep and insightful conversation. ENJOY! You can follow Zach on Instagram here @zmillermusic For more information on DrumMantra you can visit...
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Advice for a Career in Music
I was recently asked to speak at a career day for a high school in St.Louis. The students had great questions and triggered some responses that I think may be helpful for anyone who wants to have, or does have a career in the music industry. The DrumMantra books are available on Amazon & Hudson...
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Weekly Transmission 2.4.22
In this episode: Mark Walker & Rich Stitzel PASIC2021 Documentary Film WATCH HERE DrumMantra Weekly Practice Sessions (REGISTER HERE) Blair Sinta's Drum Recording Expert Course Past Masterclass Guests Ari Hoenig's Masterclass on Sunday, February 27 (REGISTER HERE) Composing for DrumMantra Please...
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The Practice is the Practice
In this episode: Learning to Practice DrumMantra Weekly Practice Sessions (REGISTER HERE) Preparing for Ari Hoenig's Masterclass on Sunday, February 27 (REGISTER HERE) 1) Blair Sinta's Drum Recording Expert Course (20% discount for DrumMantra Members) Please subscribe to the DrumMantra YouTube...
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Practice Session, Rehearsal Prep, and Gig Cancellations
In this episode, I lay out a bunch of stuff that I've been up to this week which includes: Preparing for Ed Soph's Masterclass on Sunday, January 23 (REGISTER HERE) DrumMantra Weekly Practice Sessions (REGISTER HERE) Rehearsal/Music Prep Techniques Primary Series Editing for Hudson Digital Gig...
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The Foundational Series Practice Session
In this episode we eavesdrop into a Foundational Series Practice Session. You will be able to get a feel for how the class runs, the pacing, and even the hang. The Foundational Series is absolutely the material that will give you the strong foundation that you need to progress through polymetric...
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The Primary Series Practice Session
Happy New Year! Today we are going to eavesdrop on a Primary Series Practice Session. You will get to hear all of the exercises that we work on to see if you think you may be able to do them yourself. If it seems like a good fit, you are absolutely welcome to join us anytime! Sundays at 12pm CST...
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Teaching Strategies, Drum Battles, and Beyond!
In this episode, Rich was a guest on the Drum Brigade Podcast with Korey Kingston and Phil Pardell. They had a lot of fun, but also got very deep on a few topics including teaching concepts and philosophy, blowing chops, knowing what you want, and more! Enjoy!
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12 Steps to a Dan Weiss Fill
In this episode, I break down a complex fill performed by the great Dan Weiss into 12 exercises that, when mastered, will help you understand and execute this type of fill concept with more ease. If you are new to DrumMantra and would like to check out a free masterclass, please visit...
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Making Your Ideas a Reality
This episode is a replay of an interview I did on Austin Koziol's In The Groove Podcast. We talk about bringing ideas to reality, the importance of presence, my Drummantra philosophy and practice system, and so much more.
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Mental Loops, Roadblocks, and other Un-truths
We are all captivated by our thoughts. We are all challenged by our own debilitating beliefs. We want things to be perfect, we want to know the end before we begin, we don't want to be wrong, we don't want to make mistakes, we want to know the reward for the work. The time to begin is now because...
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Be Present in Your Practice
We practice our drum lesson because we are practicing our drum lesson. Period. We are not trying to become something. We just are in the moment. Practicing. A lot of beauty arises when we are in the moment. A lot of inspiration appears. Sometimes the inspiration is overwhelming, and it moves us…
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How to Incorporate Toms into your Groove
Tom Grooves are super-cool and can give an immediate energy lift to a song. Here I demonstrate and discuss 9 different tom grooves that will hopefully inspire you to get to the practice room and start working on your own! Have fun and thanks for the lesson request, Tiffany!
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Is Your Practice Efficient and Effective?
Do you feel like your practice sessions aren't focused, inefficient, and unfocused? Do you feel like you never get as much done as you'd hoped? The secret to practice isn't WHAT you are working on, but HOW you are working on it. Make sure to check out the free DrumMantra Masterclass "5 Exercises...
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Ideas On Doing A Recording Session & A Special Announcement
Are you being hired to do recording sessions? Are you doing drums AND percussion? Sometimes we tend to treat percussion as a smaller overall aspect of the session even though it can sometimes take up to 10x longer to do. Also, make sure you register for the May 31 Masters Session I am hosting…
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Building Linear Phrasing
Linear phrasing is a great vehicle for expressing yourself musically and rhythmically behind the kit. Let's start off with some simple phrasing concepts and isolate the voicings to two instruments to really challenge your creativity. We will also add in some coordination for good measure:-) Don't...
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Overcoming Your Mind to Find Peace
Finding peace is finding peace of mind. Most of the torment, tension, and trials stem from our thoughts. Thoughts that aren't necessarily grounded in reality. How do we find peace? How do we find creativity? How do we sustain ourselves in this trying time? I suggest we look inward and learn to...
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If You Wait Until You're Ready, You'll Never Start.
So many people that I speak with say they are so excited to present their ideas to the world, and they will start as soon as they have a few more things in order. Then they proceed to present a list that is so long and detailed that I know it will never happen. Start now in the messiness of your...
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Getting the Most Out of Your Practice Requires More Than Just Drumming
Most drummers I recently surveyed said they didn't have a clear, concise, and organized practice routine. They also said that when they are in the practice room they have a hard time staying focused and concentration. We need to look at practice from a mental perspective as much as an actual...
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DrumeoGab's Seamus Evely
Seamus Evely is one of the most driven, hard-working, passionate, selfless dudes on the planet. He follows his heart and gives 100% to his endeavors. I was able to have Seamus speak to a virtual room full of drummers and other instrumentalists about what it takes to build a successful podcast.
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5 Tips for Making the Most during "Social Distancing"
We have all been hit with quite a blow. And when I say all, I mean the entire planet. Musicians are out of work. Schools are closed. Restaurants and bars are closed in many places around the country. Grocery stores are empty in preparation for a potential quarantine or lockdown to try to…
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Dealing With Stress From a Mental Perspective
We all get stressed about things. Especially things that are last minute, or just around the corner from happening. One great way to deal with stress is to be prepared for whatever it is you are about to do. But not all preparation is created equal. DrumMantra Podcast was named "Top 10 Music…
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A Different Perspective for Creating Phrasing & Fills
I have been creating and playing games with students for over 20 years, and this particular one has been a huge hit regardless of the level of the player. The best part of this game is its a blast to play it with another drummer. I call the game Simon and you can join in on the drumming action in...
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The Zen of Drumming: Everything is Practice
Sometimes we get frustrated because all we do is practice and we really want to be playing gigs. Sometimes we are playing so many gigs that we don't have time to practice. Is there a middle ground? Can we figure out a way to benefit from everything we do regardless of what it is? What is…
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FULL LESSON ON POLYMETERS
In this episode, we look at the 1 to 8 to 1 polymetric time table as a hand warm-up, but then we add a couple of different foot ostinatos to crank up the coordination game a little. Please enjoy! DrumMantra Podcast was named "Top 10 Music Theory Podcasts in 2020" by Feedspot
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Going Deeper With Josh Jones Part 1
Principal Percussionist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Josh Jones, was trained from an early age to be one of the greatest percussionists in the world. He is a dedicated practitioner and an extremely thoughtful, intentional musician. We discuss some very deep and insightful topics in this...
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Ep. 65 FULL LESSON. YYZ: Groove Meditation in 5/4 Part 2.
In part 2 of this series on the rhythm of the Toronto Airport, more commonly known as YYZ (and more popularly known as the intro to the iconic tune from Rush's Moving Pictures album, also called YYZ.) I hope you enjoy my tribute to Mr. Neil Peart. DrumMantra Podcast was named "Top 10 Music Theory...
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Ep. 64 YYZ: A Groove Meditation in Five. Part 1
In honor of the great Neil Peart, I present to you Part 1 of a two-part series of coordination based on the iconic intro to the famed song, YYZ by Rush (which happens to be the Morse Code for the Toronto Airport!). DrumMantra Podcast was named "Top 10 Music Theory Podcasts in 2020" by Feedspot
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Ep.63 YYZ: A Groove Meditation in 5 (Introduction)
In honor of the great Neil Peart, I put together a lesson pack that is based on the intro to Rush's epic song, YYZ, from their album Moving Pictures. The rhythm to the intro is morse code for the Toronto Airport. Please pardon the unexpected emotional response to the untimely passing of Neil on...
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Ep. 62 FULL LESSON with MARK WALKER!
The great Mark Walker visited DrumMantra Studios for a podcast interview and when I asked him for three grooves everyone should know, we filmed and recorded an impromptu drum lesson. Enjoy Mark as he demonstrates & explains a ton of great information.
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Ep. 61 Water, Glasses, and Rituals
In this episode, I discuss my takeaways from the time I spent with Mark Walker last week. I take a look at what it's like to marvel at another's playing up close, what it feels like to be intimidated by it, and what I am doing to find common ground by building a bridge.
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Ep. 60 Going Deeper With Mark Walker
One of the greatest drummers in the world stopped by DrumMantra studios during a visit to Chicago. What started out as an afternoon podcast recording turned into an epic 4-day hang. Here is some of the footage from that hang & conversation.
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Ep. 59 “A good traveler has no fixed plans.” ― Lao Tzu
The 6th Century B.C. sage, Lao Tzu wrote a series of verses known as the Tao Te Ching. This book of wisdom is just as relevant today as it was 2500 years ago, and we can use his ideas to help us with how we practice, play, and interact with others.
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EP. 58 Accessing TRUE Inspiration
The mind can play tricks on us. It will make us believe we aren't doing what we are, and are doing what we're not. Thinking is like a muscle - it must be developed and trained. Breathing is involuntary but is also voluntary, and thus must also be trained. Creativity comes from within, and we…
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Ep. 57 Inspiration Isn't Necessarily Your Best Friend
All of us do it. We wait for the inspiration to hit before we make a move. This of course only works some of the time. What do we do when we aren't inspired? Usually, we make excuses or claim it's "meant to be" that practice doesn't happen today". Building a habit requires concentration,...
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Ep. 56 OCEANS: A Groove Meditation in 7
This month's featured lesson on my educational site, DrumMantra.com, is now up. _ This is an 18-part series in 7/8 time with a dotted eighth ostinato and twelve different ride permutations. It is loosely inspired by Vinnie Colaiuta's drumming on Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales album. _ I wish them…
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Ep. 55 Eight Steps to Overcoming Stage Fright
In this episode, we look at nervousness that can cause stage fright and then do a deep dive into eight ways to find balance and transcend your fears.
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Ep. 54 A Conversation with Lukas Landis
Swiss drummer Lukas Landis is a great player, an educator, and a really cool guy. _ He was a test pilot for the DrumMantra3030 course and helped shaped it before it was released to the public. _ The other day Lukas posted a modification for Rhythmic Melodies in the Foundational Series so I…
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Ep. 53 Discovering & Developing Your Voice
Knowing how to connect your external experience to your internal development is one of the best ways to discovering and developing your own voice. It's all about intention, awareness, and a deeper understanding of the inspiration/preparation/presentation process.
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Ep. 52 Five Steps to a Clear, Consistent Practice Routine.
Getting to the practice room is hard enough. Knowing what to work on is sometimes equally as challenging, and having the discipline, patience, and focus is sometimes nearly impossible. In this episode, I give you 5 steps to organize your practice into an experience that is effective and successful.
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Ep. 51 Thoughts on Peace
I just came across a little monologue I created for a video that I posted on youtube a couple of years ago. I am not a political person. I try to be as compassionate and empathetic as I can remember to be. Peace.
About this show
"The 20 Best Music Theory Podcasts of 2021" by Welp Magazine."#4 of Top 10 Music Theory Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021" by Feedspot"Top 10 Music Theory Podcasts You Must Follow in 2020" by FeedSpot"The 11 Best Podcasts for Exploring Music Theory Concepts on the Go in 2019" by Soundfly. The DrumMantra Podcast is all about going deeper with your practice in music & drumming. The goal is to advance the listener's confidence, insight, and inspiration through discussions on topics like approaches to practice, rhythmic concepts, technique, theory, creativity, gear, and the music business.The host, Rich Stitzel, is a veteran drummer, author, and educator with over 30 years of professional experience as a full-time musician.
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