Murray Spivack Archives

October 10, 2023October 15, 2023

How Murray Spivack taught me drums

How Murray Spivack Taught Me drums through ‘Stick Control’ Many drum enthusiasts have delved into the timeless classic ‘Stick Control.’ However, Murray, a personal acquaintance of the book’s author, had a unique perspective on its teachings. He believed that most people approached it incorrectly. Regardless of whether his interpretation was deemed right or wrong, Murray’s approach to ‘Stick Control’ had a profound impact on my drumming journey and significantly improved my skills.

Stick Control Spivack Method Exercise 1

How Murray Spivack taught me drums

Stick Control Exercise 2-4

Things you will need to study Murray Spivack’s Drum Method (paid links)

October 7, 2023October 7, 2023

Selecting an ideal pair of drumsticks

Selecting an ideal pair of drumsticks for your drum lessons. This process is rooted in the Murray Spivack Method I went through. And Murray’s is not just about balance and size; it’s also about density. Murray’s deep teaching approach, emphasizes subtleties in pressure control and grip. I recommend choosing drumsticks with closely matched densities. This ensures that you can work on the nuanced variations in pressure. Which means the ability to hold or squeeze the drumstick with precision. The right density will allow you to explore these subtleties, enhancing your control over the instrument and refining your techniques. These drumsticks, carefully chosen for their consistent density, will serve as invaluable tools in your journey toward mastering hand control. Let’s embark on this rhythmic adventure together, armed with the perfect pair of sticks.”

If you are considering a drum lesson please understand a few things. The lessons I teach are not for the casual drummer. And the drummer that wants these lessons is one in a million. So unless you are all in, don’t contact me about lessons.

You can’t learn the drums if your drumsticks are not matched.

Selecting an ideal pair of drumsticks something you need to do

November 26, 2016December 18, 2016

Thoughts of Murray Spivack

When I studied with Murray he was in his late 80’s. I was his last student of the day on fridays so it was my job to drive him to Farmers Market get some corned beef and cabbage then go to his apartment and dine with him. During our meals together we would talk about all the famous drummers he had taught, he talked about their skill levels temperament etc. Since I had a personal interest in sound engineering I would pick his brain about his audio career. Murray would talk about which mic Julie Andrews or Barbra Streisand preferred. How he balanced all the rounds in the parade scene of Hello Dolly. I even have some recoardings he made for me from his personal reel to reel of the board mixes from West Side Story. His apartment even had some Hollywood history. It contain his academy award from the original King Kong. And was party central for the likes of actors such as Fred Aster as well as the heads of the major studios.

November 26, 2016December 18, 2016

Chuck Flores 11-24-2016

When I play the drums my teachers influence “sound” out of my hands and feet. Greg Perry, Kenny Peters, Roy Burns, Roy Mcurdy, Rick Latham, Chad Wackerman, Murray Spivack, and Chuck Flores. Im so sad to hear that drummer Chuck Flores passed away yesterday. I studied drumset coordination with Chuck Flores back in the 1990’s at his house. His studies made a huge difference in my overall coordination on the drum set. And he was a really decent and generous person.