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.