Welcome to the Discussions section. Here you can leave me a message or post a question. I'll do my best to respond in person. If you'd like to contact me directly, feel free to email me at the address below.

Add New Message
Mr. Riley I've been grappling with deciding whether to play traditional grip or matched grip and whether to play heel up or heel down. Is it a situational thing depending on what music you are playing and is it therefore worthwhile practicing both approaches? Thanks so much. You are a constant inspiration for me to always keep on improving.
by Julian (Cape Town )February 14, 2010 7:59 AM
John, I saw your video on developing up tempo ride playing. Are you leaving your thumb on the stick in sort of a French timpani grip or is slightly to the side with sort of a modified French timpani grip ? I have been working on the up tempo exercises in the "Beyond Bebop" book. I was taught to keep the fulcrum between my thumb and indes finger. I have been trying to work on a "Moelller approach" to keep my index finger out of the way and loosely grip the stick between my thumb and middle finger . It is easy for me to do this when playing on the snare but on the ride I still want to keep my thumb on top of the stick and the fulcrum between my thumb and index finger. What do suggest? Thanks,
by Craig (Jonesboro, AR)February 7, 2010 10:07 PM
Hi John, I am one of your many dedicated students that you have never met!! I'm in Burlington, Vt and I'm bummed you have a sub for tonight's Vanguard concert here in town. Oh well, maybe next time!! Thanks for ALL your dedication, you have greatly enhanced my ability to play the drums Be well, Peter Torrey
by Peter Torrey (Burlington, VT)January 29, 2010 6:20 PM
Sr.Jonh Hello, my name is Marcio Amaro Brazilian and I am an admirer of his talent and musicality, most recently talking to my teacher Kio Davis he told me about something called a throw and catch, and watching a video on your you tube, Mr. talk about it in a video on the net speed in play ride, please tell me where I can research more on this subject and what references to throw and catch I have to watch, who are the teachers who use throw and catch, who are the new drummers who use throw and catch, I'm interested in the subject, and I know that many new drummers Busam not at the root of the matter and learned to find the roots and come to you if you can help me be a huge help if you can not , To me is a great pleasure to speak with oce.ok grateful for the attention of your Brazilian fan MARCIO AMARO.
by Marcio Amaro (Rio de Janeiro - Brasil)January 20, 2010 1:48 PM
I just voted for you in the 2010 modern drummer readers poll for, Best Jazz Drummer, best publication, and best instructional DVD, Good luck !
by Mike (FL)January 4, 2010 12:57 PM
<-- previous pagenext page -->