The Drummer’s Dominion is the home of drum-related blathering and minutiae humbly proffered to the drum gods and the Overlords of the Interwebs by Patrick Sanders. Check out what I’m checking out, peruse the growing Lessons library… Just indulge in some DROOMS for a while.
It’s hard to be a drummer-in-training, because there are very few apartments that are soundproof enough to practice in. (Where do good drummers really come from?)
—Frank Zappa
Who’s behind this mess?
I began my studies in drumming somewhere around 1989. My musical roots are nothing out of the ordinary. Growing up in Illinois, I went through the standard school band programs, I was in a prog rock garage band—blah, blah… I was very fortunate, however, to study privately during junior high and high school with Frank Hensler, whom I accredit with teaching me volumes on the fundamental nuances in the art of drumming. I went from treating drumming as a hobby to developing my art through constant practice and the guidance of Frank.
I decided, though, to put my drumming on hold and follow a childhood dream, entering the Marine Corps in July of ’97 and spending the next 2+ years in the infantry. Music and a practice pad helped keep me sane, and I discovered a desire to pursue music professionally. By dumb luck and coincidence, I was able to audition for the Commandant’s Own, United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. With absolutely no prior marching or drum corps experience, I practiced my tail off and marched as a member of the bass line in 2000, performing in hundreds of shows all over the country (including DCI Championships), and an overseas tour of Italy, Kuwait, Oman, and Germany. I jubilantly separated from the Marine Corps in July 2001.
I moved back home to Illinois and readied my application to Berklee College of Music. I spent about a year practicing, studying music theory, and working at The Drum Pad with Victor Salazar, now of Vic’s Drum Shop.
I started at Berklee in the summer of 2002. It was a tremendously rewarding and challenging (and stoopidly expensive!) experience. I studied with some amazing instructors and learned a lifetime’s material in a very compressed period of time. I graduated with degrees in both Performance and Music Business in December 2005.
I now live in the Boston area, playing whatever and with whomever I can. It’s not a full-time job, but that’s probably why it’s still fun…!
Patrick Sanders
I hate this smug crap, but if you really want to know (in roughly chronological order):
| Studied with | Played with |
| Frank Hensler* Mike Manigini* John Ramsay Rick Considine* Casey Scheuerell* Dave DiCenso* Jon Hazilla Bob Kaufman Jamey Haddad Eguie Castrillo Victor Mendoza* Skip Hadden Kim Plainfield Steve Wilkes Bob Tamagni * private instruction |
Absalom USMC Drum & Bugle Corps Nominis Umbra Ashley Farrell Leona Chan Esperanza Spalding Craig Ferguson Andres Ponciano Tuffus Zimbabwe Chip Johnson April Thomas A Shade of Difference JCO De Fenestra Next Move Bees Deluxe |
Want to contact me? Post to the comments or e-mail me at patrick [at] drummersdominion [dot] com