LAMA

[Yussuf]

Yamahaplayer, or mr troll, go back to the treehouse with the other keebler elves

Please behave.

[YamahaPlayer]

The guys at LAMA had NOTHING to do with founding the school. And only a partial hand in PIT.

It was my understanding PIT was still using (more or less) the original first-year manuscript Joe Porcaro had written. Not true?

Not by any means, and others here could attest to that.
The program is huge, and obviously is very much based on each instructors given area of study. You can look at the faculty from the website and see that. Jeff Bowder's book's are awesome for instance.
If you are studying Latin stuff, it's with guys like Chuck Silverman, who is just an incredible human AND drummer/percussionist.
Guy's like Rob Carson? 7 time world snare drum champ, most of his stuff comes from a marching background. I use a lot of his material for my students today - and most of it comes from the world class snare lines, SCV, Boston, etc
I studied jazz under Chuck Flores, again no offense Porcaro, but he's got nothing on Flores when it comes to jazz playing.The insight, the history, it goes on. The guy's like old as dirt and the funniest, warmest player you can meet. Swing anything like you wouldn't believe.
The insight Kenny Kerner gave to me on the BUSINESS side of music has been, truly valuable, really allowed me to live the lifestyle I have in many senses.
Etc...

Again if people want to throw insults, that's fine. I'll gladly stand by my education and if all people can throw down is insults. Well Ad Hominem to you too!!

[Robert Bluman]

What I love about this is that I can see the amazing impact teachers have had on their students. You guys are ready to throw punches. I believe all schools are great, and it's what you do with your education after you leave. Berklee has the most successful alumni list. Doesn't mean it's the best, just means those students were driven. If you want to be a great player, first you need the talent of listening and knowing what you're listening to, and second you need the drive to nourish and promote that talent. You dont need school for that. It helps though because of the people you meet. Success is measured differently by each drummer. For some it's being the realm of promoted drummers in magazines, for others its just simply playing and making a living. I was just enjoying the heat of this thread because it shows how attached even musicians are to their alma mater. Great!

[Rodge]

Great insight Robert, very positive, I like that.

[deseipel]

Wait, what? You don't own a drum set? Ok dude, give it up, what's the deal? You want to spend 16k+ for the love of the art, but can't spend the money to buy a drum set? You can get a piece of shit on craigslist for probably $200. I've read these are serious schools and if you don't even have a drumset... what gives?

You're not naive to come here looking for help. There's enough archived stuff here that talks about MI and LAMA, I think you want someone to tell you it's ok to go to 'drum school'. What's holding you back from going to school?

IMO, you could spend thousands less by taking some lessons from a few pros first. Get a taste from a master first and decide then if you eat the entire meal. There's less risk involved financially; plus it would give you a good baseline to compare your skills.

I wrote a bunch of stuff and deleted it, but basically it comes down to deciding on the school and planning out how to do it. Save up the money and do it, there' nothing stopping that, right?

[rpc]

Wait, what? You don't own a drum set? Ok dude, give it up, what's the deal? You want to spend 16k+ for the love of the art, but can't spend the money to buy a drum set? You can get a piece of shit on craigslist for probably $200. I've read these are serious schools and if you don't even have a drumset... what gives?

You're not naive to come here looking for help. There's enough archived stuff here that talks about MI and LAMA, I think you want someone to tell you it's ok to go to 'drum school'. What's holding you back from going to school?

IMO, you could spend thousands less by taking some lessons from a few pros first. Get a taste from a master first and decide then if you eat the entire meal. There's less risk involved financially; plus it would give you a good baseline to compare your skills.

I wrote a bunch of stuff and deleted it, but basically it comes down to deciding on the school and planning out how to do it. Save up the money and do it, there' nothing stopping that, right?

I rest my case.

[deseipel]

look dude, my post was genuinely trying to help you. You need a drum set and you have to pay your dues. period. You're not going to skate through MI or LAMA. There's no free lunch. And all your posts seem to be looking for a way into some sort of career or recognition; which is fine. But I hope I'm not alone when I tell you that you have to pay more dues that just showing up at MI or LAMA. Good luck, I hope you have the skills that Jaco had on bass.

os - you're lucky you can blow 16k for "the love of the art".

[Robert Bluman]

yep, my instinct about this forum was spot on. Negative negative negative. God bless him if he has the money to spend and he's not that much of a serious player. LAMA and MI are filled with hobbyist students from what I hear anyway. At least he's helping float a dying art. Live music. Everyone seems to want to judge everyone else on here. Music is about having fun and love, not telling people what YOU think the rules are. Many musicians have become very successful without what others seem to think is the right method or the right tools. The guy had a question, we had some opinions, leave it at that. Don't start telling people the right way to do things and that there are no free lunches. Maybe for him there is a free lunch. Envious much?

[deseipel]

don't mistake negativity for passion. I agree that if the money is there, do it. But, too many people today want someone to nod and give them a pat on the back for nothing. A little tough love is good for the soul. These aren't one-off decisions. We should be lifting people above the expectation of being a hobbyist at LAMA and advising them how to be a pro. And that means work. I can only advise people of what has worked for most professionals: work at it and then work at it more. What kind of artist has no canvas to paint upon?

I don't think there are rules to this crazy business, but I'd be doing more harm if I didn't prepare someone for the harsh reality that is this world vs. sugar coating a fantasy.

And yes, I do wish I had 16k to blow on a dream. Any sane person would wish the same.

Again, sorry to sound negative, but I assure it's simply passion and respect for the craft.

And rpc, you have skills yes; figure out a way to nuture that skill.

[YamahaPlayer]

Pssshh 16k.. I wish. Try 30+, LAMA is at least 20+ (for one year).

I have to agree if someone doesn't even have a kit to shed on, realistically they are many years from that level of study. You have to audition to get in to the schools in the first place.

A local Jr. College prob has a decent music program and JC's are cheap. Or even a State University.