From Technique to Philosophy As often happens in the Drumset Mastery Program, our technical work naturally led into a deeper conversation: Are we playing from our heads, or from our hearts? Are we serving the moment and the audience, or chasing attention? Are we aiming for “wows” or “yesses”? (As guitarist Andy Timmons once said, "I heard a lot of wows, but not a lot of yas.") We explored the importance of connection—of making sure that what we play resonates not just intellectually (wow!) but emotionally (yeah!). Chris Coleman, Keith Carlock, and many of the greats understand this: even with monstrous technical ability, they choose to connect first. Sometimes that means keeping it simple. Sometimes it means stretching into mind-bending complexity. The key is: it’s intentional. As I shared during the session: We think we're just learning to drum better. But underneath it all, we're learning how to impact the world through our presence, our excellence, and our art. Final Takeaways from the Meetup Mastery happens in layers — revisit exercises, change approaches, embrace imperfection. True artistry balances technique and emotion — both are necessary. You can change the world one note at a time — by being a beacon of intentionality, focus, and joy. And sometimes, a casual walk through someone's neighborhood halfway across the world reminds us that music and connection know no borders. Interested in Going Deeper? If this reflection inspired you, imagine what could happen if you spent an entire year practicing intentionally, mastering deep concepts, and transforming your playing inside a committed community. That’s what the Drumset Mastery Program is all about. 👉 Book a free strategy session to learn more! https://drummantra.mykajabi.com/drumset-mastery-1

Coaching Through the Nerves: Helping a Drummer Find Confidence Before a Big Gig Performance anxiety is a deeply human experience. Whether you're stepping on stage for the first time or the hundredth, that swirling blend of anticipation, self-doubt, and adrenaline can shake even the most prepared musician. I recently had a powerful coaching session with one of my students, Michael, that reminded me just how universal these moments are—and how transformative they can be when approached with care and clarity.

The Backstory: A Big Gig on the Horizon Michael is a dedicated drummer who has been putting in the work. He’s thoughtful, meticulous, and fully invested in growing as a musician. As part of his journey through the Drumset Mastery Program, he had been preparing for an upcoming performance with a band that clearly valued his playing and commitment. Despite their support and his own progress, he came into our session feeling unsettled. He described how, during rehearsal, everyone else was excited about the progress the band had made. Yet, internally, Michael felt unsatisfied with his playing. He mentioned lucky recoveries during tricky parts of songs and a sense that his body wasn’t cooperating—particularly with patterns that had previously felt automatic. This is a classic case of what I call “performance preloading”—where the mind begins to spin stories of inadequacy in anticipation of a big event. Even when external validation is there, the internal critic often speaks louder. The Real Challenge: Belief vs. Reality Michael’s fear wasn’t about the music itself—it was about how he felt about himself as a musician. He admitted, "I'm not confident in myself as a drummer," and that self-image was coloring everything he played. He wasn't struggling because of lack of ability. He was stuck in a loop of negative self-talk that was draining his energy and eroding his confidence. We talked about how every performer wrestles with this duality: the external act of performance vs. the internal narrative. I told him something I often share with younger musicians: "Being a performer is like acting like you're at a party when you're not. You’re smiling, raising your hands, engaging fully—but underneath, you’re still tracking the beat, the form, and your body. You’re never just partying. You’re always present." The truth of performance lies somewhere between our best moments and our worst fears. The key is learning how to stay grounded in the middle. The Prescription: Reconnection Through Practice When a musician hits a mental wall, it’s often not about the notes—it’s about the relationship to the instrument. So, I gave Michael several action items to help shift his focus away from fear and back to joy: Free-Form Drum Soloing (10–20 minutes daily): No songs. No charts. Just pure improvisation. The goal was to reconnect to the physical joy of playing. Sing the Hard Parts: We talked about how singing song sections helps internalize their structure and emotion. If you can sing it, you can feel it. Loop the Trouble Spots: Instead of trying to conquer the whole song, we focused on looping just the tricky sections, playing them slowly and consistently until they were ingrained. Play the Full Set Daily: No more last-minute changes—just refinement. Playing the set every day built familiarity and removed surprise from the equation. Daily Declaration of Mastery: I encouraged Michael to fill out a form I created—The Declaration of Mastery—which he could read each day as a mindset primer. It includes statements like: "I am destined to be remembered as someone who is innovative, impactful, and inspiring." "My belief that all people are inherently good drives my success." "My habit of intentionality ensures every action I take is purposeful and aligned with my greater vision." These are not affirmations of ego—they are reminders of purpose. Beyond the Gig: The Transformation At one point, Michael reflected on the transformation this experience was already initiating. He said he was already imagining the day after the gig—how it would feel to look back and know he pushed through. That vision is powerful. It reminded me that the real goal isn’t just to play well—it’s to evolve. When you approach a performance as the vehicle for your next transformation, it loses its power to overwhelm. It becomes the gateway to your next self. As I told him: “You’re about to get over a wall. Every musician hits these. The question is—do you stop and set up camp? Or do you climb over?” Final Thoughts: Let the Gig Launch You Michael’s story is every drummer’s story at some point. We all face moments that test not just our hands, but our hearts and minds. These moments don’t mean we’re failing. They mean we’re growing. So next time you feel that inner critic flare up before a gig, remember: You’ve earned the right to be there. The performance is not a test of worth. It’s a mirror of your growth. Play the gig. Sing the hard parts. Trust your body. And most of all, go deeper. Because on the other side of fear is the next version of you.

Big Band Drumming: The Philosophy, the Function, and the History

Episode 96 of the DrumMantra Podcast

Even if you never end up playing in a big band, understanding its role in the evolution of the drumset is essential to your growth as a drummer.

The drumset was invented in the early 1900s—born out of the ragtime era, evolving through early jazz, and designed to serve the music. It wasn’t originally created to be a solo instrument—it was built to support, to connect, to drive the band. Understanding this lineage gives us a clearer picture of what our instrument is really meant to do.

In this episode, we explore how drummers function in a big band setting:

From early press rolls on the snare in New Orleans…

To the birth of the swing pattern, comping, and articulation

To the modern big band context, where the drummer becomes both the engine and the glue holding 20 musicians together.

Big band drumming isn’t just about playing what’s on the chart. It’s about knowing when to drive and when to support. It’s understanding how ensemble playing shifts into small group improvisation during solos. It’s being aware of the physical distance between you and the horns—and how your dynamics, articulation, and timekeeping must adapt so everyone can lock in.

One of the key takeaways from this episode:
When in doubt, simplify.
Whether you're working with a high school band, a community ensemble, or a pro-level group, your job as the drummer is to make everyone else sound better. Sometimes that means a rimshot on 2 and 4 is the most musical—and functional—choice you can make.

We also touch on insights from Ari Hoenig’s masterclass: no matter how advanced your concepts are, you must serve the band. Test the waters, listen, adjust. Your adaptability is what earns trust—and ultimately, the call back.

Big band drumming is a blend of tradition, awareness, and intention. It’s not about flashy solos. It’s about presence. It’s about responsibility. It’s about music.

Whether you’re gigging regularly or just diving into the world of big band for the first time, this episode will help you see your role from a deeper, more holistic perspective.

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Let's take a look at the 5:4 Polymetric Relationship in its NON-NATIVE expression in a series of 5-measures of 4/4! You can find the Primary Series Book on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/02vdltK8

Shedding and discussing a couple of exercises from my most recent book, as well as a book I am currently writing.

Join me for live practice sessions twice a week: https://www.drummantra.com/ 

Books in this video: Groove Studies with the 20th Note: https://a.co/d/0AqWNqj 

Thanks for your support. Happy Practicing!

This episode comes to you from my drive to a gig. Just random thoughts that hopefully will trigger an idea or an inspiration in you:-)

On this episode of the DrumMantra Podcast, I speak with the amazing drummer, Adam Gust. Adam had a traumatic accident a little over a decade ago that potentially could have ended his very promising career.

In this conversation, we talk about the studies and research he began to do at the Polyvagal Institute in Los Angeles.

Adam has gained expertise in Polyvagal research enough to have been asked to do a TEDx talk on the topic and how he is relating it to drumming.

I hope you enjoy and if you have any further questions for Adam, he can be reached at: https://www.adamgust.com/

https://www.instagram.com/adamgust/

https://www.youtube.com/@somaticdrummer

For more information on DrumMantra, please visit:

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In this episode I catch up with the great Zach Miller from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wow. What a player. What a thinker. What a human. This is a deep and insightful conversation. ENJOY! You can follow Zach on Instagram here @zmillermusic For more information on DrumMantra you can visit https://www.drummantra.com/ All DrumMantra Books are available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/author/richstitzel

I was recently asked to speak at a career day for a high school in St.Louis. The students had great questions and triggered some responses that I think may be helpful for anyone who wants to have, or does have a career in the music industry. The DrumMantra books are available on Amazon & Hudson Digital. If you would like to join the DrumManta Lesson Vault Community, you can visit DrumMantra.com

In this episode:

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Rich is a drumset artist/clinician and endorses Yamaha, Evans, Moravian Percussion, Polynome, Prologix Percussion, Sabian, and Vic Firth.