Well my Drumming Instructor – from my start of taking Lessons:-
(1) Anthony Fong
I started off at Yamaha (under Mr Anthony Fong) for 3 months only – then left as I had to do my 2 year Part Time Study here…
He taught me – Disclipine – as he is a very strict Instructor and if I do not practice my Homework given to me – he left me alone all by myself in the room for that lesson – never teach me anything new on that day itself and show me he is angry – so I always make sure – I practice what he taugh and do my homework …hahahahhaha.
Yes – Disclipine – was a very very Important Leassons I learn from him
(2) Tony Zee
After I finished my studies, I party a lot and I get to know a Philippino Drummer at a club by the name of Ricky..he is very good looking chap and has a lot of chicks. So I decided to take Drums Lessons back from Anthony, but there was no slot for me- so he recommended me to learn from Mr Tony Zee.
I learn from Tony Zee at Swee Lee, taught me all the pull-up techniques and so on….it was nice but the most valuable lessons I had was – his persistence advice to me – that I have to play with a Band, play with a band….so I did because he was so pushy on me…and I found out that it was good for me…as taking lessons itself is not enough.. I have to go out and play as per his advice to gain real experience playing with a band…
I started to play Blues for 6 months, then later Jazz till now still
(3) Alvin Of Music Lab
I went to Alvin with a Basic aim to learn Jazz Drumming from him….I learned a lot and change my stroke to using rebound here..It was great.
Lessons were very innovative and fun, I learn for the 1st time (using A Metronome) to practice to acquire good timming here. Learn to write notes, Play Songs, Transcribe songs and so on. Alvin too advice me to play more frequently with Bands to improve myself and do not restrict myself to only – one form of Music…Music is Music – and they are all good…the more I learn and listen – the more I could apply
As a matter of fact, even after I had left Music Lab for more than a year, he still gave me the Opportunity to play at Crazy Elephant in one of the School Gig…..He was a Great Teacher and a Great Friend and Buddy indeed.
Actually I learn a lot or I should I say (Most here) from Alvin.
(4) Alfe Kim & Brandon Khoo
I am lucky to have the opportunity to learn Rock Music finally from Chris (my dear Philippino Friend and now a Brother) from the Band TnT..and together we got Member of Mamborat and TnT and with me – to form the Rock Band –“ Elements “ in Oct 2009….It was fun and this was the beginning of my journey into Rock Music.
I found out Rock calls for something very different (as I have to use Double Pedal a lot) and I have to play with a lot of Energy which was totally different in the way I did my Jazz…It is very very Physical here.
My this fresh experience tells me – there is no distinction between Rock and Jazz (in terms of which is easier) casue they are truly both not easy to do (in fact Hard) and they are different in aspect really.
I wanted to really learn more about Rock Drumming from a Rock Drummer who does a lot of Rock – so I am now currently learning from Alfe Kim (A Drummer who plays Rock) and Brandon Khoo
(4A) Alfe Kim
I find Alfe a very Energetic Drummer (seems like this Instructor of mine) no need to sleep one…hahahahha maybe he is young now lah (older than he chai-see lol). I am learning Double Bass Drum Techniques and how most Rock Drummers plays in Rock Style. And - Rock is about a certain kind of Attitude.
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(4B) Brandon Khoo
I had only one-lesson with Brandon Khoo so far and it was yesterday (2 hours) – where he taught me the – Moeller Techniques.
Truly, I have to credit him for being able to (for the 1st time) expedite and explain to me so clearly and in details how the Moeller Technique is being expedited, and how I should be practicing it.
As Bandon told me in his own words yesterday – all the above my Instructor taught me was absolutely correct and is good for me (that’s why I had improved so much now) – and he himself was using all the above methods as what I have learned till not too long ago – after he met and learn from Dom Famularo and (I don’t know the guy name something like ehhhh I think is - Maksym Deomin in Canada) …. Where Brandon now uses – Moeller he says
So why did Brandon taught me the Moeller ? - - - ..It was because I actually told Brandon (I feel awkward on my left hand and certain pain I had since I did Rock Music – because – I have to hit very hard & loud and I am really using all my might here) - -so much so that after every 2 hours Rehersals I am really so Exhausted (but this is ok normal ) – but the worst thing is – My Hands hurts (especially my left hand that is on the snare) ….so in order to help me from further injuring myself – he taught me Moeller .. which is not easy for me – as I know I need to change here…and change is tough – as old habits die hard – but I have to….as Rock is Brutal, and since I will continue doing Rock (as I love it so very much) it can be very damaging to myself if I do it wrongly over the long run….so he taught me.
So – which is my Best Instructor – I truly feels – ALL OF THEM are great. It’s True. I learned from all of them, and I learn to be more Versatile and Acceptingly Opened nowadays as I benefited more learning from many Instructors…
It is a non stop Journey here…and I feel Blessed being able to have great Instructors like above – to bring me to where I am today. I’m not saying that I’m Good, I’m still not (because I have myself to blame) as I’m lazy…but without them – I would be nowhere at all.
And I take this very opportunity partly to share with you all – and to Thank each and every of them here…..These are my Teachers (and forever my Teachers) and Great Teachers they are that I would highly Recommend too (from my personal experience here).