| drumsforu.com interview with Keith Zebroski |
| 7-10-07 drumsforu.com 1. How long have you been playing? Keith I began playing drums in 4th grade, when I was 10. I started off with piano at age 7 but realized that playing drums was what really interested me. drumsforu.com 2. What got you into playing the drum set? Keith When I was about 8 or 9, I went over to a friend's house and there was a drum set there. I remember getting on the drum kit and just playing swing grooves and big band type rhythms. I can think back on the things that I naturally played and it's funny how advanced it was when I compare it to things that I work on with my drum students. Regardless if playing comes naturally to you or not you can always develop the necessary skills needed to play by working with a good instructor and practicing. drumsforu.com 3. Did you play in school? Keith Yes I did. I remember seeing the jazz band play during an assembly for the entire school and when the drummer played a big fill or a solo, the entire school screamed. I believe that's what inspired me to play drums, I wanted to be able to do that for an audience. I was first chair in the 6th grade band as a fifth grader and played in as many groups as I could, be it concert band, jazz band, orchestra and show choir. drumsforu.com 4. Your opinion on the 40 rudiments & how they are used? Keith The rudiments are great and very useful. I always tell my students that the rudiments are your "chops," they are a way to be a great technical player, even if you don't use them often in your practical playing. It's great to have the control and finesse achieved by mastering the rudiments. Having the ability to play at a high technical level but holding back and letting them out in a tasteful manner is the key to being a good musician. drumsforu.com 5. What lead you to where you are now? Brief history. Keith I began playing in 4th grade, taking private lessons and being involved in the music program at my school. By the time I was in 6th grade, I was playing in bands with my friends outside of school. I played in bands with friends all throughout high school and college. I went to college for music, not that I felt doing so would get me in a professional situation but I felt that as long as I had to spend 4 years studying something it might as well be something I loved. After years of playing clubs with my band, we eventually got signed to a major record deal. The band, Nine Days, had a gold record and a number one single but changes in the record label led to the band breaking up. After that, I moved to Austin, Texas where local musical connections led to an audition for Miranda Lambert. drumsforu.com 6. What type of drum set are you playing now? Keith I play TAYE drums. My setup includes: a 22" kick, 14x7 wood hoop snare, 13,16 & 18" toms, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drum Heads, S-Hoop Rims and Vater Drumsticks. drumsforu.com 7. Do you use match or traditional grip & why? Keith I play match grip. I feel it's easier to get around a drum set this way and I can get much more power out of playing match grip than traditional. I do feel it's important to be able to play traditional as well. As a teacher, I work with students who are working towards being able to play in a drum line situation and with traditional grip being the style used in marching percussion, it's important for me to be able to teach this style of sticking. drumsforu.com 8. Drum solos: do you like them, play them etc? Keith No, i don't like to solo. I enjoy hearing them if it's a great technical, musical player but I don't enjoy doing them myself. I'm more of a "song" player than a technical show off. I feel most solos are self indulgent and boring unless they are performed in a drum clinic situation. drumsforu.com 9. Your advice for an inspiring drum student? Keith Get with a good teacher, practice a lot and play along with the music you love. Put on headphones every day and spend a half hour to an hour just playing along with music. It will build your timing, your endurance and your song repertoire. drumsforu.com 10. Your practice routine? Keith I warm up by playing rudiments and sometimes just chop patterns that alternate relaxing my muscles and pushing them. When I practice something difficult, I start very slow, perhaps just a small section at a time. Then I work up the speed using a metronome. I don't practice every day but I do play just about every day. Think of it as playing and having fun as opposed to work and you will enjoy the time you spend working at your instrument. www.keithzebroski.com Thank you so much Keith for sharing your time, experience and, knowledge with drumsforu.com. Many Blessings and the best of drumming to you! Rick Elliott drumsforu.com |