Did you just get your first drumset this holiday season? What next? If not already taking them, private lessons are the next step in getting a good start. This will help ensure a return on your investment with a lifetime of music making enjoyment. We don’t currently offer lessons here at Chops, but here’s our list of suggestions in finding a lesson instructor that’s right for you or your child.

– Ask your band director and/or school percussion instructor. Most will have a list of instructors in the area that they know will get you started on the right path to success.

– Ask other students in your school. Sometimes great private lesson instructors fly under the radar and might not yet be well known to your band director.

– Call us! We’d be happy to refer you to qualified private instructors we know and trust! These would be on the northeast side, so if that works for you, just give us a call and we’ll refer you to some of the best in the area.

– Online lessons. There are new online lesson opportunities popping up all the time. If you choose this route, be sure to do some background and read all the reviews you can find.

Even if you didn’t get that drum set you wanted yet, get into lessons now so you can be prepared to groove when you finally get the set of your dreams!

Welcome back to the Chops blogs! Today we’re going to finish our series on holiday gifts by discussing some last minute ideas.

#1 – Sticks and mallets

As we’ve already discussed, drummers and percussionists can never have too many sticks or mallets. See our previous entry here. If you are purchasing a gift for a drummer, consider purchasing them several pairs of their favorite stick. If you are purchasing a gift for a percussionist, consider replacing mallets they use regularly, or expanding their collection with a type of mallet they need.

Again, be sure to know which brand and model your drummer or percussionist prefers before making a purchase.

#2 – Metronome

A metronome is a crucial tool for the rhythmic and time development of all drummers and percussionists. We carry many metronomes, ranging from the $31 Seiko DM50 to the $159 Boss Dr. Beat. We prefer the features and price of $69 Boss DB-60.

#3 – Accessories

All drummers and percussionists also need accessories!

For the drummer, consider drum keys, dampening products (MoonGel, etc.), replacement tension rods or cymbal felts, or cleaning products. For the percussionist, consider drum keys, replacement parts, or small instruments such as triangles or tambourines. For the marching drummer, consider stick tape, or stick bags.

If you’ve waited until the last minute to purchase gifts for a drummer or percussionist, don’t worry, they’re easy to purchase gifts for. Please contact us for advice or help finding a product.

Chops Percussion will be open the following hours this week:
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday-Sunday: Closed

The 2015 IPA Clinic Day will be held this Saturday, December 12th, 2015 alongside the Individual & Ensemble event at Franklin Community HS (map). And once again, IPA is very excited to bring you a multitude of outstanding clinic day activities for this annual event. This year’s event will also feature clinicians for instructors, the IPA Individual and Ensemble contest, and the IPA Winter Meeting. All students interested in attending this event will need to register and pay a $15 participation fee in advance (instructors will be admitted free), or walk-ins are welcome for $20 at the door.

Registration begins at 8:30am and the clinics kick-off at 9:00am.

View the full schedule.

2015 Clinicians Include:

• Pablo Rieppi – New York City Ballet Orchestra/NY Philharmonic
• BYOS – Entertainment and Performing Arts duo
• Glenn Kotche – Drumset player for Wilco
• Colin Hill and Brian Blume – BluHill Percussion Duo
• Bonnie Whiting – Percussion director of DePauw
• Plus… the DePauw University Percussion Ensemble and
  the Pendleton Heights High School Percussion Ensemble

Director Clinics:

• Josh Torres – How to Build a Percussion Program
• Christian Good – Electronics Clinic

Go here to register. Online registration ends December 8, 2015!

Clinic Day Flyer (click for full resolution version)