Let’s start by looking at how you are sitting at the drum set.
Even
though I had played drums for many years, I wasn’t sure what to expect
from my new teachers evaluation at my first lesson. However, I was
confident that if nothing else, I could claim expertise at the
entry-level task of sitting on the drum throne. Now, hearing the
diagnosis of a world-class drummer and teacher, I discovered that
mastery of even this most basic skill had eluded me. What happened
next was more like the frame-off restoration of a badly neglected old
car than any drum instruction I had ever received.
The
mechanic in this case was Steve Davis, a drummers drummer, music
arranger, clinician, producer, and recording engineer; a renaissance
musician. Steve trains his students with the same holistic approach he
applies to his own playing. In his view, the elements of balance,
movement, technique, and musical sensitivity are completely
interdependent. When combined in a percussionist, they create an
organism capable of drawing ideas from, rather than imposing them on
the music, and transforming those ideas into amazing sound,
unrestricted by patterns, licks or other creative crutches.
Like
his playing, Steve’s teaching is based upon a comprehensive system that
embraces and promotes possibility rather than recitation. Simply put,
this man is no ordinary teacher. A student seeking the short path to
mediocrity should look elsewhere. But if a drummers goal is true
musicianship unfettered by either creative or technical limitations,
his first step should be toward this remarkable master, Steve Davis.
Lawrence Abrams Drummer/Musician Louisville,KY. Taking lessons with you was incredible. It was very structured, yet it
was flexible enough that we could talk about anything.
Everything you said just made sense, and I had a lot of "lightbulb"
moments where things just clicked in my head. The stuff you were
teaching me was ALL relevant to real world situations (unlike reading
exercises out of a book....) and the coordination learned from your
exercises can be applied to any style of music. Within the lessons, you
always made sure I understood stuff, and encouraged me if to ask
questions if I had any doubts at all. One thing I liked best about your
whole style (teaching/playing)...is that not only are you an incredible
drummer, but you are an even more incredible musician!
I
have now started to refer to you (back in Calgary to all my
drummer/musician friends) as the Guru teacher of music/drums. All your
exercises are amazing and there is nothing that couldn't be applied to
real life situations. Thank you!
Spencer Cheyne Drummer/Musician Calgary Canada In
my time of listening and watching you play, I have come to think of you
as the most musically inspiring drummer that I know of currently
playing today. Because I have witnessed it myself, I am aware of your
technical prowess on the drumset. Yet, while you have this facility,
you rarely, if never, display your technical abilities for no musical
purposes. You have made the conscious choice to play with
transparency, something that I aspire to do. Whether it be from
experience or sheer giftedness, you always seem to play the ideas that
are perfectly in place with everything else thats going on around
you. You play with such grace, fortitude, unselfishness, and most
importantly, love. You teach with these same qualities as well. It is
amazing to me that someone who is as cerebral and as deeply thoughtful
as you are can make a connection to virtually anyone on some level.
Many people cannot do this. You make the student feel valid and
encourage them to believe that the world needs and deserves to hear
their musical voices. You don't just teach exercises, stickings, and
songs. While these "technical" aspects of music are interesting to me,
you always stressed the importance of feeling connected with the music
around you. I think about your concepts daily, and they have not only
affected my musical playing, but they have also improved my personal
life as well. I was always eager for or next lesson because I knew that
not only would I learn something new about drumming, but I would learn
something new and exciting about myself. No drum instructor, teacher,
or father has given me more valuable information than you have. These
are the reasons why you are always working so much and why you are held
in such high regard with everyone that come in contact with you. These
are the reasons why I aspire to be like you in every musical way.
Steve Lewis Jazz Drummer Student/USF Steve Davis is one of the best teachers I've ever studied with. Every time I have a question Steve is able to give me a number of different angles to approach what I am after. He is extremely thorough and has checked out so much music and ways of playing. It's not just technique for techniques sake, Steve has a really honest and effective approach to help a musician get closer to how and what we want to express. I feel like my playing has grown more in the short time that I've studied with Steve than it has in years. Because of Steve's guidance I feel much more present and able to execute my ideas as the music unfolds around me. Not only is Steve an Amazing teacher but a monster of a player. No matter how challenging the material he gives me he can play it all to the nth degree and at the same time his playing sounds so fluid open and organic. This guy is the real deal if you get the chance to hang or study with him don't pass it up. I am so fortunate I have the opportunity to do so.
David Ashkenazy Drummer Brooklyn NY If I played drums I'd want to play just like you. You're one of baddest cats on the planet.
All the best, till next time Jean Toussant Hello Steve,
Just
a short thank you for all your advice and wisdom during the week at
jazzwise.I am extremely grateful for the opportunity of having
experienced your performances and classes.
- Bill Brown Hey Steve,
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the whole of last week and
especially the master-classes, which not only gave me so many ideas for
practicing, technique and playing, but also revitalised my enthusiasm
and committment to the drums and jazz in general. I also
really enjoyed your playing at the Bull's Head with Jean Toussaint and
was wondering if you're going to be playing in London again any time
soon?
All the best Anton Spice Thanks a lot, the masterclasses were by far the most interesting and useful part of the week for me.
thanks again jonathan The
stuff you gave us in the master class was inspirational and immediately
practical - it was hitting all the goals set out at the start and went
well beyond them so plenty to keep working on there.
Julian Hi Steve,
Just a quick note to thank you for a fantastic week last week. I
don’t think I’ve ever done or seen anything that has made such a huge
difference. As I said, I only really learned four things, but they are
all biggies – they change everything. I’ve come away with a
very clear idea of what to work on, and already it’s made a difference,
but I know the real progress will happen over the next few weeks and
months as I acquire the facility to play what I’m now thinking of. The
key thing is, I’m now thinking of music (and that’s the biggest thing
you taught me) whereas previously there was really just an empty space
waiting for some sort of divine inspiration that never came!
