Fran Merante - Tommy Igoe Groove Essentials 2.0 - Groove 82 Fast.

[jdrum12]

Cool - I need to try this one

[Nootherlove1]

Fran, the first time I ever heard you play was when you were with Cubistic Jack. You guys were on WPLR playing down at the Beach..I think. You guys played a Tower of Power tune. I could have sworn it was David Garibaldi on drums...phenomenal

[funky2714]

@Nootherlove1 WOW! That brings back the greatest of memories! Thanks so much for the compliment! FYI - There is a Cubistic Jack video up on You Tube. Check it out if you haven't already!

Thanks so much again,

Fran

[isaacleedrums]

OMGOSH. This is intense. GREAT playing!

[musicallyganni]

Hey there!The 1st time i saw you was in your nineteen days cover!Your drums sound sooo beautiful and you were so groovy even in a 19/8 song!You are a top class drummer.A master-of-his art!Though you've been playing for 28 years, and though your single pedal work is totally amazing,i have few questions:

Have yu used a DBP in this song during the solo?

How long did it take to play this perfectly?And what is the secret behind your kit sounding sooooo sweet?

Cheers

Ganni

[funky2714]

@musicallyganni

Thanks for all the kinds words! You are TOO kind!

I do not use a DBP in ANY of my vids. I removed my DBP a long time ago because I was using at a crutch and it took away from the development of my right foot. I only have a DBP on my student kit for when I teach DB. I recorded this tune in about an hour. All of the GE tunes have charts. If you notice, I am reading the chart during the tutti section which I believe you are calling the solo section. More to follow......

[funky2714]

@musicallyganni

READINGS SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT!!! It is what allowed me to play this tune completely and accurately in a reasonable amount of time!!! Imagine having to memorize this???? FORGET IT!!

As for the kit...It is a MAPEX M Birch. Great Kit that sounds great when tuned correctly but it is also eq'd and mixed with effects etc. Learn to tune drums. It is an art in itself. Then ad mics and eqing and LOOK OUT!! Should sound GREAT!!

[nvr103]

@funky2714

m soo surprised to see yu, who has been playing for around 28 years, replying ME!!!...Great Drummers in Youtube never reply!...but you are seriously such a down-to-earth person...and can i keep in touch with you and ask doubts? cos you are by far the best teacher i ve seen in youtube..who s so humble and replies to anonymous ppl...my name is ganesh btw

[funky2714]

I really do try to respond as best as I can. I wish I had more time to respond to everyone but I have so many vids and so many comments it is VERY difficult!! Unfortunately, I can only respond to comments when I have some extra time, and I don't have that often. Thanks so much again for the kind words and I am so glad you enjoy the vids. As long as I receive responses that make me feel they are a benefit to to people, I will keep posting them. Thanks SO MUCH again,

Fran

[musicallyganni]

@funky2714

thanks a lot for the response!...i would be happy if you upload more lessons...your lessons are awesome...though many say yu talk a lot....the lessons are really very very wealthy....what is your opinion bout controlling nerves and remaining cool however hard it maybe during a live situation?....

[alejandrum13]

woaohh!!..hey man, congratulations, this is very hard groove and song....amazing...

[dwdrummerdude]

thnx alot man...

[dwdrummerdude]

beast!!!!!!! jejeje dude what are ur cymbals and their sizes?

[funky2714]

Hats are 13" zildjian k/z . 16" a custom crash, 12" a custom splash, 18" a custom crash, 20" k custom ride, 16" wuhan.

[iZXCVBNM0]

your drums sound amazing. your playing was amazing. this video was nothing less than amazing! lol good job

[rlrrlrll21]

Yeah, I just bought this dvd/book package after enjoying the first. Its great.

Fran I have to thank you a whole bunch for posting your vids. You're a great drummer as well as teacher. Thanx

[WookieUlrich]

Genius! Kudos to you big guy, that's awesome. Excellent technique, my major problem is relaxing and being loose, and that there is really inspiring! Keep Groovin'.

[cake2k]

yesssss! it' cool!

[alep90]

que bien che te felicito

[isaacleedrums]

Incredible.

[BirdlandBigBand]

Check you out Fran! Once again fearlessly jumping into the deep end. Loved how you are "leading" the track with your time: Playing on top with a "follow me!" confidence. In a real situation, this is exactly what everyone would need from you. The perfect approach for this beast. Bravo!

[funky2714]

Thank you so much kind sir!! Also tried some of the things you recommended to me earlier. The difference is night and day!! Thank you so much for your guidance!!

[mushroomhead280]

this is not really my style of music but its freakin awesome

[wangliyou]

NICE PLAY~!~!~! : )

[drumz86]

Fast hands much...

[godlydrmr]

This seemed even hard for Mr. Igoe himself to play, great job

[eyessack]

hot damn!

[ChrisBakerDrummer]

Fantastic!  Really, really nice job on the piano section!

[Nuggetmasterman]

Legendary Fran! Nice one!

[jupi90]

that was amazing!

[drumman132]

Hey FRan,

Now I know what "Tutti "means.............it's Italian for "Holy Crap!!!". I love that section!