A Free but Valuable Experience: Drum Lessons at George’s Music

About 13 future and present drum players of various ages filled the back room at George’s Music Saturday afternoon for a free “Introduction to Drums” lesson.

They watched for a half hour as instructor Dave Indivero rocked out on a black, five-piece acoustic Pearl drum set, showing them the basics.

He compared playing the drums to learning how to drive: “You’re not going to learn overnight,” Indivero said. He pounded out some simple and complicated sounds, showing some “hands apart” methods and single versus double strokes.

The golen nugget of the day: listening is the number one key to playing drums alongside other musicians.

“Listen to what’s going on around you so what you play compliments them.”

A few kids got to show off their skills. One of them, Jordan Hudson, was very talented and could play almost any pattern that Indivero suggested. Hudson attended the lessons “just to see what they were like.” He’s been playing drums “just for fun” for about eight years and believes drums are a very important instrument because they help drive the beat in songs.

George’s Music hosts free lessons and events like this about four to six times a month.

“We want to give back and provide more than just selling something to customers,” said manager Doug Rice.

He believes free lessons are especially beneficial for people who tend to buy instruments and never play them, or just “put them under the bed” as Rice put it. (George’s sells electronic and acoustic drums, acoustic the more popular item for customers.)

Rice said, compared to other instruments, the theory of drums is very basic, but there is a lot more of a physical aspect to playing, and the coordination can be tricky. Playing itself is best suited for those with a good amount of free time and beginning at age 10 or 13 is ideal.

“But there have been people who come and begin playing in their 40’s and 50’s too,” Rice said.

With his extensive experience, Indivero seems like the perfect person to host the drum lessons at George’s. He’s been a drum instructor for over 27 years and has been playing for the last 35 years. He began drumming at age 7 and has been a member of several bands including “Ointment,” and “Alligators Zydeco,” in addition to playing for blues/rock musician Mark Baker. Indivero received lessons from the head of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Carl Matolla, a player for some of the greats like Tony Bennett and Smokey Robinson. 

Indivero said he loves playing the drums because it’s a physical means of expression for him. One of his most inspiring moments was seeing the Beatles play when he was young.

“I saw Ringo Starr get up on a riser, and I thought it was the coolest thing.”

Some free lessons featured in the past at George’s include Ukulele 101, Guitar Restringing, History of Guitar and an extensive lesson on Computer Recording. U Can Uke! Ukulele 101 is being offered again on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m.

More upcoming events can be found on the George’s Music site and on Patch.