Well.....i'm off!

yup....i leave for USA and Berklee tomorrow morning!!

Just to say this has been a great place to hang, talk drums and catch up on all the latest drum news! Thanks to steve and all the moderators for being cool!

I'll hopefully be back online when i get my laptop from berklee, and i'll let you know how its all going.

I'll also be writing an article for "Drummer" magazine (www.drummer-mag.co.uk) so check that out if u can.

i'm pretty nervous now, so i gotta go change my pants. [img]eek.gif[/img]

see ya guys!

You're going to do well, Louie.
You're gonna be a contender...for yourself, your fam, & the rest of your "extended fam" here at HOD... [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]
Best wishes, & Godspeed.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 17, 2004 01:58 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

Congrats and have a great time!

Good luck, Louie.

Most importantly have fun and enjoy the experience! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

hey louie, i'll be in boston on the weekend of sept. 4th for a couple gigs. maybe we can meet up. i can answer whatever questions you might have about school and you can teach me how to play tiempo de festival [img]wink.gif[/img] . anyway, good luck! just remember one thing... DAVE DICENSO.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 17, 2004 02:16 PM: Message edited by: shedder ]</font>

Good Luck Louie!

Keep your focus and you'll do great!

Andy

cool man, Have fun..

I'm jealous.

[img]biggrin.gif[/img]

I'm sure it'll be great. Boston is a fantastic town and you're already a very good player. Time to go to the next level is all.

I'll watch for your article. Check in here when you can.

All the best, Louie!

That's exciting! The best of luck and check in when you get settled.

Awesome. Good luck

[img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] Have a fun and safe trip... You've got so much potential. Keep focusing on what YOU want to achieve and GIVE IT ALL YOU'VE GOT. Let us know how it goes... [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Way to go! Best of luck to you! And yeah... DAVE DICENSO!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

I hope you like it.

Make it happen. Don't rest on
anyone there or anywhere, for
that matter.

I'm sure you'll do real fine.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

Best of luck Louie!!!! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] You'll do great. When I need a boost of inspiration I take a look at a video you posted some time ago and think about how much work I have to do. You'll love Boston and the surrounding area. My wife and I took our honeymoon there about 3 1/2 years ago. Fantastic!!! Note: If you're a Zildjian guy, they won't give factory tours.(Norwell, Mass.) Since you're a student though, they might. Let us know how things go.

Clint

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 17, 2004 11:06 PM: Message edited by: Clintuplet ]</font>

Take care and have fun Louie... do it for England!!!

[img]wink.gif[/img]

Good luck louie...I'm sure it'll go well for you [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Louie! I was @ Berklee for a year and a half a few years ago. I've heard you play...you will succeed automatically but I want lend some suggestions.
You will have to audition for "ratings" when you first get there. If you get good ratings you get the good ensembles and you get noticed very quickly. Be prepared to sight read some basic drum charts. If you do well they will upgrade you to a more difficult sight reading piece. I was given a sheet that said play time in 3/4, switch to 5/4 and back and forth. Don't skimp on the dynamic markings and repeat bars...they are paying attention. The stuff essentially is easy but just be careful. Make sure you have some basic latin groove knowledge because they will probably ask you to play a Mambo, songo, bembe and such. Bring a stick bag with brushes, light and heavy sticks and maybe mallets. They will want you to demonstrate slow swing, fast swing and probably funk as well. Versatility is they key! If you appear to them as a virtuoso they will praise you forever. Convey as much authenticity as possible. By all means let your musical personality come through...they are lookong at time, feel and touch as well as technical stuff. I got lucky and ended up with 6666 for my freshman ratings. I know amazing drummers that got 2's and 3's.

One more things...please don't be shy and get out of your dorm and play. There are so many Berklee kids holed up in their dorms and never play music. Its retarded. Make some flyers and post 'em around...or else you will miss the boat. knock on as many doors as possible and introduce yourself and you will meet some really cool people and some amazing musicians. If you hear a guy on guitar tearing it up go knock on the door and get him to jam with you. Everyone is looking for good drummers. If you are looking to study try not to get too comfortable and get in that practice room no matter how smelly and nasty it is. Get prepared to sing in there as well. Ear Training classes can be nasty for drummers so make sure you are singing that stuff out loud as much as possible.

For teachers with with Mangini. Mangini! Mangini Mangini! I could explain for hours how important studying with him was to me. It changed my mind about everything technical with the drums. Either chose him or Dave DiCenso. For somebody at your playing level I wouldn't reccomend anyone else. Good ratings means you get to pick your teacher before the other guys.


Good luck Louie.

-Will

Just to further what omnidrums said about Mangini, I would also recommend studying with him...I have never taken a private lesson from him, but I have devoured both of his Rhythm Knowledge books, and I must say that they did wonders for my playing...after going through his books, my playing just exploded from out of nowhere...if just books can do this, imagine what private lessons with mike will accomplish...again, good luck!!!

Oh, that brings back some nice memories.

Good luck, and pace yourself. It's quite a ride.


In auditions, yes reading is paramount. Next is musicality. Don't play everything in the kitchen sink. And make sure you have sheet music for the tunes you want to play for the audition team. I made that mistake and ended up just singing the tune while I played and soloed over the top of it. I didn't have a clue my first semester. They thought it was good that I could sing the head and solo over it though so I got pretty good ratings [img]smile.gif[/img] luckily.


Also, keep good grades for a better chance of getting scholarships later.


And, beware of DUNKIN DONUTS and Starbucks. Everyone became half human/half coffeeeeeeee !!!!!

Also, the real world is more complex than school, so keep that in mind as well. It's one thing to do well in school because the school takes care of you. When you get out it's all on you.

Good luck Louie! We are all rooting for you and know you will do great.

Good luck mate...what an opportunity...jammy bugger

Good luck Louie, kick some arse!!

[img]biggrin.gif[/img]

We'll be looking out for you Louie....luck on ya!

Good luck Louie - wish it was me going to Berklee!

A couple of fellow Brits I know will be starting at Berklee soon too. If you come across Andrew Chadwick or Mike Spearman tell them Dave says hello - that should freak them out!

Also a very good North East drummer John Hirst is currently studying at Berklee too check him out if you get the chance.

Best of luck - I will be eagerly awaiting your Drummer articles.

BEST WISHES!!

I wish you to live a great experience there!

And KILL 'EM ALL!! (musically [img]wink.gif[/img] )