| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| WendyB |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 19:23:10
Wow, what a brilliant time I had at Freddie Gee this week! I have so many new ideas to try, skills to practice and a fresh approach to learning and playing music. Thanks very much to George Frederick, Craig Blundell, Steve White and their right (and left) hand men for making such a great week, all the guest artists, and the friends old and new who made my week very special and memorable.
Craig's lessons take drumming to a new dimension, his approach is unique but really straightforward and makes sense of even the oddest time signature, whilst being completely practical and accessible. Steve took us straight down the middle and emphasised the importance of practicing, even things you think you already know can be improved, and for all the new rhythmic ideas. We had a special guest every day, Damon Wilson and his band The Temperance Movement, Richard Jupp from Elbow, Damon Minchella, and Ralph Salmins, all great guys, entertaining and informative. Even our own Mr Hester made a guest appearance on Tuesday.
I was impressed by the number of kits available for the students, both accoustic and electronic, both for practice and lessons, and being able to play through the lessons with 10 other drummers in the same room all at once was quite something, even though all we could hear when not wearing earphones was each other's tapping on the pads. The enthusiasm of the tutors, despite our continual questions, was infectious and their patience seemingly endless. The lessons accommodated our varying styles, musical taste and experience, the jamming virgins got to play with real live musicians, we laughed, gurned, grimaced and laughed some more. I always come away from events like this totally fired up, inspired and eager to start practicing, and I hope that I will be back again next year, improved and eager for more. I can highly recommend the week for anyone, regardless of ability or experience.
As for the evening entertainment - the bar was well stocked, and the impromptu party last night in the kitchen was a brilliant end to the week. There were a few sore heads this morning |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kato |
Posted - 17/08/2012 : 19:58:16
quote:
Originally posted by mully
quote:
Originally posted by martydrums
Would really like to get to this course next year.
So would I, it sounds like a great event.
Stephen
Mully, you'd love it.
Don't need to say anymore than that do I ? |
| mully |
Posted - 16/08/2012 : 08:38:41
quote:
Originally posted by martydrums
Would really like to get to this course next year.
So would I, it sounds like a great event.
Stephen |
| steve white |
Posted - 16/08/2012 : 08:33:47
you could drop George Frederick an email at drumclobber@me.com and I'm sure he will be able to provide all info
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| wibblylad |
Posted - 15/08/2012 : 21:11:33
Where does one get the information from chaps/chappettes?
And approximately how much was it? |
| Kato |
Posted - 12/08/2012 : 12:30:58
quote:
Originally posted by averagewaistdude
Going to do the Freddie Gee thing next year. This year was a bad'un on a personal level so 2013 can only get better!
Come on over Jeff, you'll have a blast mate. We did, and next year will be the 20th anniversary of the event so it's bound to be a good one! See you there if not before fella! Hope the rest of the year picks up for you too.
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| Kato |
Posted - 12/08/2012 : 12:29:13
quote:
Originally posted by martydrums
quote:
Originally posted by steve white
Hi Marty , we generally speak to the college after the school holiday to check availabilitiy , we try to fix the dates to a monday to friday around the first week of August , once we have had the conversation we will post the dates , you could drop George Frederick an email at on drumclobber@me.com and I'm sure he will add you to the data base , hope to see you there - steve
Thanks Steve, think I am on the list already with Freddie but I had a different email for him. Will fire one over to his .me address too. I did the Rhythm course about seven times and really would like to get to get back to a summer school kind of thing again. At least this course is Monday to Friday, so a slightly better chance of fitting it in around gigs.
You'll love it Marty. Guaranteed.
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| martydrums |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 09:44:06
quote:
Originally posted by steve white
Hi Marty , we generally speak to the college after the school holiday to check availabilitiy , we try to fix the dates to a monday to friday around the first week of August , once we have had the conversation we will post the dates , you could drop George Frederick an email at on drumclobber@me.com and I'm sure he will add you to the data base , hope to see you there - steve
Thanks Steve, think I am on the list already with Freddie but I had a different email for him. Will fire one over to his .me address too. I did the Rhythm course about seven times and really would like to get to get back to a summer school kind of thing again. At least this course is Monday to Friday, so a slightly better chance of fitting it in around gigs. |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 08:55:35
It's something I have wanted to do for quite a while, but Summer is always my busiest time. |
| steve white |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 08:06:20
Hi Marty , we generally speak to the college after the school holiday to check availabilitiy , we try to fix the dates to a monday to friday around the first week of August , once we have had the conversation we will post the dates , you could drop George Frederick an email at on drumclobber@me.com and I'm sure he will add you to the data base , hope to see you there - steve |
| martydrums |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 09:24:16
Would really like to get to this course next year. Does anyone know at what stage they normal set the dates or does it run same days every year? Looks like a cheapo flight from Edinburgh to Southampton would probably be the best way for me to get there. |
| averagewaistdude |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 08:37:40
Going to do the Freddie Gee thing next year. This year was a bad'un on a personal level so 2013 can only get better! |
| WendyB |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 23:05:09
Didn't even see you in the bar, or did I? |
| Christy Dunne |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 21:38:09
I was in group 3 Wendy |
| WendyB |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 18:11:07
My thoughts exactly. So pleased you got the reading thing Tony.
Christy - which group were you in? |
| Kato |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 18:04:21
lots of reads.. no comments ??
Surprising.. oh well... |
| Christy Dunne |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 17:10:37
Yes, I can only endorse what has already been said about the Freddie Gee Drum Academy after having yet another great week, this being my 3rd year at the course. It was great to meet and hang out with some of the new faces and make many new friends.
Kato, on speaking with George on the course he told me that next year will make it 20 years since he did his first Drum Academy (he worked at Pearl drums in those days)in Bordour-France with Gregg Bissonette, Steve White & Neal Wilkinson and this was what inspired him to start a Drum Academy course in the UK as nobody else was doing this. I believe the Freddie Gee Academy has been going for 13 years now and is absolutely brilliant....
Long may it continue and I'm saving up for next years already  |
| Kato |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 21:36:50
I absolutely agree Wendy. It was a fantastic week.
I've come away with so many ideas and notes (yes.. I took notes!!) for future practice from both Steve and Craig and also Paul Dinnage too.
This may sound a bit trite to those of you who are already able to read music but until this course and the lessons we've been lucky enough to have, I'm now able to read which I never thought I could.
I was hugely impressed that there were 3 kits that had been set up left handed. Two in the class rooms and one for practice. Never had that before!
I even got to play Damon Wilson's kit while playing with his band!
The entire week was great and I'd recommend it to anyone without reservation.
Met some great old friends and made some new ones too.
The tutors and guest tutors were great, very giving with their time and knowledge and playing skills.
The course was expertly prepared and guided by the ever unflappable George who dealt quickly and quietly with all and any problems.
As for the final night? very good up to a point.. Sore heads? Sore back!!!
Anyway, if any of you are considering attending for next year - which will be the 20th anniversary of Freddie Gee Drum Academy - it promises to be another great week.!
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