The Drumming System - Mike Michalkow Options

[Mike Michalkow]

Hi everybody,

I would like to thank and congratulate Mike for this incredible pack.

I have watched every single DVD since three weeks and all I can say is : PERFECT !

I am a new (french) drummer and i have learned a lot from "freedrumlessons" but the DS is like the holy grail in my drumming quest.

Mike is really good at teaching, he is very positive and motivating. Mike, you made me roar to laugh with the bad bass pedal slide technique exemples !

I love drums since my childhood but never really thought I could one day be able to practice and enjoy this instrument. I was wrong and I really regret all this lost time, until now. Thanks to freedrumlessons and RRM, i can almost make up lost time.

Mike give us all the advices and techniques he have learnt from a twenty years career ! This is a real gift to me. I don't think I would have known all this material and tips if I had took lessons with some local instructors for that period of time.

Really, this package (with the DRS as an extra) is the ultimate ressource to become a good drummer and although I like to practice, looking to all the beats, fills, techniques and play-alongs make me want to practice more and more !

The beats are cool, the beautiful workbooks are top quality, the metronome and BPM shown on videos are what was lacking in the other RRM packages, practice routine generator is very ingenious, play-alongs cover many different styles and are fun to play, the package itself is so nice with all the slipcases and DVDs set by color, the structure of the lessons, the menus, the list goes on and on,... Not to mention the tuning section and gigs tips that are incredible advices to someone who doesn't know any drummer around !

This package will be my companion for a very long time and as you guess, i don't regret my order, it worth every penny. I have even bought a portable DVD player only for this, to be able to stay behind my kit and control my drumming. I know I could not have Mike's personal lessons in my country but now I can have his teaching at anytime in my own house !

Thank you Mike for your great attitude and for sharing your knowledge with us and thank to RRM for all the good work (especially Dave for the discount offers) : all of you guys make a fantastic job !

Now, back to drums, i need to practice my left finger control technique !

Keep practicing and always have fun!!!

Mike Michalkow

[Mike Michalkow]

Did the same yesterday. After this weekend, some personal matters are going to keep me away from my bandmates for about a month. I'll see how much I can improve during that time.

You Guys Rock!!!

Happy Drumming!

Mike Michalkow

[Vasheir]

Alright, you sold me with your last email. I'm in.

This post has been edited by Vasheir: Oct 29 2009, 09:31 PM

[Blmfighter]

Other then the play along tracks and the workbooks what is the difference between the freedrumlessons.com information and the drumming system? I'm trying to figure out if I can wait to buy this or if I need it now.

Thanks for the help.

[Vasheir]

Other then the play along tracks and the workbooks what is the difference between the freedrumlessons.com information and the drumming system? I'm trying to figure out if I can wait to buy this or if I need it now.

Thanks for the help.

30 hours of video lessons compared to 4 - 5 hours of clips would be one thing. I can give a full review after mine comes in the mail, but I'm sure the FDL team can adequately answer that without my help.

This post has been edited by Vasheir: Nov 4 2009, 09:49 AM

[paradiddler]

Other then the play along tracks and the workbooks what is the difference between the freedrumlessons.com information and the drumming system? I'm trying to figure out if I can wait to buy this or if I need it now.

Thanks for the help.

Hi Blmfighter.

If you haven't already, give a read to the review of the Drumming System at TheParadiddler.com:

DVD Review - Mike Michalkow's "Drumming System"

It gives some more detailed information about the System. I hope it can help you determine if it's right for you.

All the best!

[Poco Askew]

more info/lessons
higher quality video
printed workbooks
tempos for all exercises
"follow the bouncing ball" for following the notation

[ustaknow]

Hello Jared,

I had some feedback someplace else here, but this site is so extensive, figured I'll try to settle in this one for Mike's Drumming System specifically.

Jared, Mike, I like it, it's a very good overall drumming system. You've had some really great feedback on some other independent sites, e.g. www.theparadiddler.com (great effort from a "regular" guy it seems).

As most serious reviews of this product agree it seems, nothings going to serve every opinion on what "it" should be, however this is a tremendous effort, and right on target.

Yes, even I had a the sticker shock reaction, however once reviewed --I had no buyers remorse since complete as a system, even when compared to other offerings on the market for the self taught type like myself. In some ways, I felt like I was at the Drum Collective, NYC in it's tone and approach --you can't beat that really.

Mike has a great sense of humor that made it enjoyable to go through, "first pass" as a reveiw of all the material. I didn't realize how Canadian "I" am in my humor... so there is nothing wrong with me then :), I'm just a little Canadian is all. Anyway, I felt like I was at a lesson.

The only thing I feel "strongly enough" about to comment is, I would prefer a suggested way to --count throughout. Yes, that is covered, however I think it makes sense to offer a suggested count for the rhythms in video as well as printed material. --I understand one can go either way, many ways with that. And, I does force me to think that part out, and pencil it into the workbook. However, I think I would have come up to speed in other prior material (prior to this purchase) if they as well had emphasized that. I'll leave that there. I believe you know what I am referring to. And, it is something others are emphasizing more, (like Igoe, Appice...) especially in the practice routines. Once one gets into odd, syncopated rhythms, 16th + notes, a Pros opinion then --helps/counts a lot, for me anyway.



On another note, since you did in the other input suggest your Rock Drumming System as a supplement I'd like to quickly comment.

I'm not entirely through it, end-to-end. And, yes it can in someways (as I can see to date) without argument provide a difference in supplementing, expanding technique since from a different person, and somewhat different material. However, I do think, considering that price of that product and the purpose of the recommendation, consider repacking it as a specific supplement, re-editing it --meaning the Beginner section (and other redundancy) is completely not needed within this context of discussion. Additionally, the Drumming System, is HD format it seems, and has a better Menu Function I found. And therefore the more advanced specific differences could be located in a more relevant paradigm. As well, that cost could be lowered and more encouraging for someone to purchase since carefully considered by you folks in what it should accomplish, buying both as you encouraged.

OK?

Take care,
-CD

PS: Of course a "PS" :)... I just want to comment I do like the way you handle your customers.

[Vasheir]

Just got the package in last night. I'm barely on the Theory section. Appreciate the email Jared sent out to compare the package to other deals; it convinced me to buy this and I'm not regretting it.

[Jared Falk]

I created a video outlining exactly what you get when you purchase the Drumming System - Check it out.

YouTube Video -> Original Video

You can now purchase this package at the Drummer Store for a huge discount...Check it out.

[vicfirth1985]

After seeing the video, I gave in and bought it. I figured couldn't get any better than 80% off.

[pearl0863]

Hi Blmfighter.

If you haven't already, give a read to the review of the Drumming System at TheParadiddler.com:

DVD Review - Mike Michalkow's "Drumming System"

It gives some more detailed information about the System. I hope it can help you determine if it's right for you.

All the best!

Thanks for the good review Paradiddler. I've been drumming for many years and don't need the basics but there is a lot of areas that this set can help me with. I have Mikes Moller Method DVD but that style of drumming seems like it's damn near impossible for me to do. Pretty frustrating stuff but I'll keep trying.

[Blmfighter]

I just ordered it this morning and I can’t wait for it to come in the mail. I will spend lots of time on this trying to improve as much as I can.

[code1]

Im interested in getting a little into jazz drumming as a complement to the pop/rock that I usually play and I think that a RRM-DVD is a good starting point. BUT, which DVD is best to choose, The Drumming system (which also will give me some training in blues that I also would like) or the Jazz drumming system (which probably(?) will give me a much more comprehensive training in jazz drumming, which is my primary aim).
Hmmmm.... tough decision really. But I guess that the drumming system is the right choise in the end.

[Jared Falk]

Im interested in getting a little into jazz drumming as a complement to the pop/rock that I usually play and I think that a RRM-DVD is a good starting point. BUT, which DVD is best to choose, The Drumming system (which also will give me some training in blues that I also would like) or the Jazz drumming system (which probably(?) will give me a much more comprehensive training in jazz drumming, which is my primary aim).
Hmmmm.... tough decision really. But I guess that the drumming system is the right choise in the end.

The Drumming System is the most well rounded package. But if you want to just play a lot of jazz then go for the Jazz Drumming System. Or....You could just get both

[luis]

REVIEW OF MIKE MICHALKOW'S DRUMMING SYSTEM

I've now used this package for several hours and feel ready to post some sort of feedback. I wanted to wait until I had completed the system in it's entirety, however I did not fully appreciate just how much is included and to do a complete review once finished will mean leaving it for some months - so, although I have not watched every single lesson, I do feel in a good position to review the overall product. So here goes...

The Content:
As indicated in the statements above, the package is absolutely huge - I know that is what Jared and Mike have been pushing in the advertising of this product - but frankly - until you actually start using it you don't fully appreciate how much information is there. I have played parts of a number of the discs (more dipping in and out that using it from start to finish) and have been blown away by the sheer enormity of what I have purchased. No other drumming product I have ever bought has even come close. For example: The disc with drum fills has over 150 fills covering beginner, intermediate and advanced (and some are bloody hard!) in a multitude of different speeds and styles.
The package is backed up with an excellent 5 book library which perfectly compliments what you learn on the DVDs. These are ring bound for ease of placing on a music stand.

My personal favourite parts: Fills, Bonus section (which covers a number of cool stick tricks and the like), hand techniques (which has an excellent lesson on finger control) and the play along with metronome feature which allows you to play along with Mikes band using a metronome to help keep you in time.

The Drumming:
For those people who haven't seen Mike play - have a look on youtube or sign up to the FDL secret lessons. You may try and compare him to some of the greats (Neil Peart, Dom Famularo) but I wouldn't bother doing that. (There are plenty of threads on this forum that try and compare pro drummers and i'm not sure that it is really possible (different styles etc) or worth it!) Mike has excellent technique - far better than any teacher I have ever paid good money to try and learn from. His application to the set is very good and he plays with his band as good as any of the top drummers I have seen - certainly a good role model if you are trying to get better at playing with other musicians. His pedigree certainly has some top quality too - Dom Famularo, Mike Magadini and Jim Chapin among his teachers... ...who can argue with that!

The Teaching:
Mike has a teaching style which I find very easy to understand and learn from. The trouble with assessing a teacher is that everyone learns in different ways and not everyone may enjoy the style of every teacher. Mike's teaching has a very personal and 'chatty' style - despite the fact that he has recorded this package for mass distribution when you watch the lessons you actually feel like he is talking and explaining concepts to you - one to one. He does use anecdotes from his drumming to help explain certain things and often talks around a particular subject (I am assuming to try and ensure that a maximum number of people can get value from his lessons). This can often make some fairly simple lessons a little drawn out - however this is necessary - and you can always hit the fast forward button...

The Recording Quality:
If you look around the internet and various forums you will see a number of threads about some of the packages on offer from Rail Road Media (RRM). All I can say is ignore all the negatives you read. Some of the earlier packages (of which I have a few) are a little budget (although the content is always excellent) and sometimes the recording and finish of the product has been a little poor. With this product however, RRM have hit a new level. The recording quality is excellent - absolutely outstanding and as good, if not better than a number of other products I have (Benny Greb's excellent 'Language of the Modern Drummer and JoJo Mayer's 'Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer' to name two).

As with most RRM products this features the split screen, multiple camera filming so that the student can see exactly what Mike is doing in every lesson. It also features the time-check, notation score so that you can follow where in the music Mike is playing and also indicates where in the book package you can find the notation.

The product Overall:
This is the most complete, highest quality package I have managed to find on drumming.

If you are a beginner it's a must. To use this package from start to finish as a beginner would you give you the best start in drumming. If you were thorough and took your time to learn each lesson properly and not skip certain bits you would be very very good by the time you reach the end.

If you are and intermediate or advanced drummer - again it's a very worthwhile investment. It provides an excellent drumming encyclopaedia covering all aspects.

I've been playing for 13 years (on and off) and have found that this package is exactly what I need to both teach me lessons i've never learned (or ignored because I wanted to play something else) and enhance the skills I already have.

I hope this review is of some use...

Phil

Amazing review, great dude.

[DoMortas]

I just got mine today (about an hour ago) and so far i have to say i am very impressed!

Everything is very professionally done, right down to the packaging, and the quick start guide was a great touch!

I have to say, anyone thats still undecided on getting this.. its worth every penny!

[Poco Askew]

My criticism of TDS is, the DVDs are hard to get out of the box. The box needs a notch or something on each end to help get your finger on the discs so you can get ahold of them. But don't let that stop you. Its awesome!

[crazymarx]

My criticism of TDS is, the DVDs are hard to get out of the box. The box needs a notch or something on each end to help get your finger on the discs so you can get ahold of them. But don't let that stop you. Its awesome!

Same here my only criticism of TDS

But will get individuel case for the c.d.s and probleme solved lol

This post has been edited by crazymarx: Dec 15 2009, 04:25 PM

[Jared Falk]

My criticism of TDS is, the DVDs are hard to get out of the box. The box needs a notch or something on each end to help get your finger on the discs so you can get ahold of them. But don't let that stop you. Its awesome!

These cases are called Stack Packs and used because we ship the products all over the world and don't have control over how the mail people handle the package.

We used to use cases that had flip trays in them, but there were so many packages that were arriving to the customers damaged..We didn't mind sending out new DVDs to replace them, but it is an annoyance to the customer.

Which would you prefer..Damaged DVDs or a little difficult to remove the DVDs from the case?