| History of Professional Drum Teachers Guild |
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| Guild Founder-Marty Fullard |
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| Guild Founder Rob Ferrell |
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| As featured at Moderndrummer.com |
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There was certainly a huge demand for Professional Drum Teachers Guild. How often do we hear of damage done to students by "cowboy" drum teachers? The definition of a "cowboy" is very complex. Perhaps I should use the term "amateur" and not cowboy to describe a bad drum teacher. Typical amateur drum teachers will arrive on the scene name dropping one or two bands that they've just been playing with (this is designed to capture the attention of the student) then poorly educate the "poor and unsuspecting student." This normally occurs for couple months before the student gets dropped for a better paying offer (like more tour dates/studio work/relocation).
There are good drum teachers who do tour with bands. Yes, this is true. These drum teachers have a special arrangement with their students.
Things can turn nasty for the student when the educator disappears with little, or no notice. This sadly leaves the student at a desperately bad place. The so-called drum teacher isn't normally too bothered because he/she has now found something that pays better. I should add at this point, not necessarily drumming related. The poor student, on the other hand is devastated. A cycle is now formed. Before too long, the so called drum teacher (who is really just a amateur) will advertise again for new students when his previous "better paying gig" ended. And so on. This type of "cowboy" amounts to a "user", and the students' (and their family) have been taken. The Guild wants to help educate CONSUMERS and warn them of these fly-by-nites. It would be good if we could break the cycle.
Other amateurs include drummers (who are often pretty good), but have no understanding or clue of how to educate children or adults. They use session times as a way to "show off". A good drum educator will not show off, but will seek to put the needs of the student first. Some drummers are very good, but are bad educators. Just because somebody can play drums, does it make them a drum educator? If you work at McDonald's, does it make you a burger? Of course not. The bottom line is, there are great drummers out there who have no clue on how to teach (and sadly do more damage than they do good). Generally, they're motivated by the need for a quick $. The need for a quick buck is a very sad but true characteristic behind a lot of amateur drum teachers.
It is possible to be a bad drummer and an even worse educator.
These are the amateur drum teachers who have no credentials, no references, no experience, and no ethics.
Signs of these include:
1): Bad over all drumming technique. For example, poor stick technique.
2): None,or very little rudimentary understanding.
3): Little or no music skills.
4): Only emphasis on one music style with no obvious respect for other genres like jazz, funk, reggae, odd time (unusual time signatures), Latin, fusion, marching etc.
5): Bad educators usually have no understanding of time signatures and stay in the normal and comfortable 4/4 time. This way, they're is less work involved for the educator.
6): No understanding of coordination, poly-rhythms,ostinato,independence etc.
7): No understanding of correct wrist movement, thumb, finger grips, calf, heel and foot pedal work.
8): No understanding of drum set tuning. No understanding of lugs, tension rods, vented drum heads, drum head collars. No understanding of stamina and drum set up to reduce stamina problems and stick dropping.
9): No understanding of 'finding the 1' (that is, going into and coming out of transitions smoothly). No understanding of the 'pocket' or 'grooves'.
10): No understanding of all kinds of drumming questions like: "What drum set is right for my 12 year old daughter?" or, "I'm done with the stock cymbals that came with my sons' first set, what should we buy him now?" or "What drum heads would you recommend for an entry level set as the shells are so thin?"
A GOOD DRUM EDUCATOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO RELATE TO PEOPLES FROM EVERY DRUM STYLE, EDUCATIONAL BACK GROUND AND CULTURE.
A lot of cowboys will talk to you about 'famous bands' and their famous drummer's but have no real clue of overall music history: Worse still, I have heard of drum teaching being under the influence of alcohol while teaching. I'm sorry, but getting buzzed and illegal drugs are not acceptable under any circumstances. This is just totally unprofessional.
WELCOME THE GUILD
In 2008 Orange County Drum Educators Marin Fullard and Robert Ferrell saw the desperate news for a Guild. The third person to come on board with the Guild was actually North Orange County drum educator, Larry Salzman. It is amazing how good educators share a similar vision. A web site was created-www.professional drum teachers guild.com, drum educators from all over America were contacting the Guild, even from all around the world. It just shows that there are excellent drum educators out there who do share the Guilds principals and ethics.
PDTG is not based upon the 'Boys and Girls Club of America' or a self righteous group which sits in judgment of other drummers or drum teachers. The Guild is happy to work with all professional educators who really do have a professional work ethic, but are striving to improve, and by the way, the Boys and Girls' Club is an awesome organization. The Guild understands that drummers are a great, but unique people who sometimes have to operate out of very unique circumstance. The Guild is dedicated to the art of professionally educating ALL students in the correct way of drumming. At the same time, both the teacher and educator maintain their individuality. Please note, Creativity, energy and passion remain on the front burner. The Guild does understand that the bar has to be raised and standards increased. The Guild is determined to do that. We need your help.
The Guild, while still in its early stages is raising the bar for all drum educators and is asking all who class themselves as a "drum teacher" to examine him/herself and their professionalism. Conduct and teaching methods have to be addressed. The growth and individual progress of the student is of paramount importance. It is also important that the student enjoys and falls in love with drums and the art of drumming for a life time.
The Guild is about the student and the consumer. The drum educator must have a good and professional relationship with the student and his/her family. That relationship must always be worked on and mentored. The Guild is seeking to establish an umbrella that will cover drum educators and help to establish less experienced drum teachers. There is accountability, encouragement and support within the Guild.
The Guild wants the consumer to get a fair and accurate account of good drum educators in Orange County, nationally and even internationally. The Guild is not a business, in other words, the drum teacher's haven't formed a Company or Corporation. There is no merger. There is a code and a practice of higher standards and quality that the Guild members feel is important. The Guild members, while separate entities in their own right, advertise as drum teachers but conform to the bar and it's standards.
The Guild desires to work along side all true drum educators. We wish to applaud good, inspired and correct coaching. The Guild also wants to extend the hand of friendship and encouragement to all drum teachers who are pursuing excellence.
Out there, many drummers do teach and inspire. The Guild wants to encourage the real and genuine ones who do an excellent job, but at the same time protect the consumer from amateurs. The "cowboys" are in this for the short term vs.good drum teachers who are in this for the long haul.
Let's do all that we can to be part of a better and brighter future for drummers and drumming in Orange County and beyond.
The drum teachers who belong to PDTG bring to the drum set years and years of experience along with technique, personality and individuality. Each drum educator is dedicated to professionalism, integrity and honesty.
-Martin Fullard, 2008.
PROFESSIONAL DRUM TEACHERS GUILD. (C) & (P) 2008.
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| Larry Salzman |
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