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Mat Marucci
Additionally, Mat has been an Adjunct Professor for American River College (Sacramento, CA), a faculty member of The Jazzschool (Berkeley, CA) and is an endorser for Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks and Remo drumheads. He has written numerous articles on drumming for Modern Drummer and Downbeat magazines along with those for the Percussive Arts Society's Percussive Notes and Percussion News.
Awards
Artscapes 2003 Grant Recipient - Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Recording Grant - Samuel C. Allen Foundation (2003) Nomination For Intruction Book Of The Year - Drum! Magazine (2007)
Gear
Zildjian cymbals Remo drumheads Vic Firth drumsticks Mapex Drums
Tags
Going Forward... Or Is It Backward?
by Mat Marucci
This title came from a saying I heard long ago, and many times since, but can't think of where I originally heard it. The saying is To go forward, you have to go back" and the meaning of this saying will be very obvious by the end of this article. To begin, I will relate a short story: Years ago a young guitarist who I was working with in a rock band was sitting in the living room ...
read moreThe Groove
by Mat Marucci
The groove, feel, pulse, beat, pocket--whatever it is called--is the essence of the feeling of the music being played. Musical genre has its own concept and texture--almost a personality. (In classical music the composer is the main force in the music's texture and interpretation. Very specific instructions for the feeling of a piece and dynamic markings are included by the composer to guide the performer's interpretation of the music. Percussion is used mainly as a coloring for the ...
read moreGetting The Hi-Hat Sound
by Mat Marucci
The hi-hat sound is possibly the most used and abused part of the drum set. While other parts of the instrument are generally played with the hands or the feet, the hi-hat is played with both--the hands for a ride" effect, the feet for the chick" sound and with both for barks." The focus of this article is achieving the chick" sound. Many drummers play the hi-hat with a heel-down rocking motion, using the foot much in the ...
read moreThe Jazz Instrument
by Mat Marucci
As the old saying goes, You have to go back before you can go forward." And that means you should learn the tradition of the instrument to gain greater knowledge and bring more depth to your playing. Let's start at the beginning. Bear in mind that the drum set is the only instrument that was specifically created to play jazz. Originally, the various components of the jazz drum set were used in various ways in marching, concert, and symphonic bands. ...
read moreLess Is More? Really?
by Mat Marucci
There have been popular views by certain so-called experts that seem to have been accepted as dogma, the term less is more" being one of them. However, as in any subject from sports to politics to science to religion, every pundit has an equal who has a contrary opinion. I, for one, am bothered by some of these views and not only have a contrary view of them but feel many are either misleading, questionable, or downright wrong.
read more"....a vital and driving force, a compelling and empathetic accompanist." - Frankie Nemko / Downbeat Magazine
".....technically fearsome......" - Owen Cordle / Jazz Times
".....veteran percussionist deserving of wider recognition." - Ken Dryden / All Music Guide
"Mat's playin' his a** off." - jazz organist Jimmy Smith
"Yes, he can play! His time feel is smooth and floating." - T. Bruce Wittet / Drums, Etc.
"...popular and prolific sideman"........"well earned rep on the California coast." - Derek Taylor / Cadence Magazine
Primary Instrument
Drums
Location
Sacramento
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
Has been a faculty member - The JazzSchool, Berkeley, CA Adjunct faculty member - Los Rios Community College District Applied Music Instructor - American River College, Sacramento, CA.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Published Books: Drumming Facts, Tips and WarmUps (Mel Bay Publications) Drumstick Finger Systems and Techniques (Mel Bay Publications) Drum Rudiments: A Simple Approach (Mel Bay Publications) Jazz Drumming Essentials....and More (Mel Bay Publications) Essential Snare Drum Exercises (Mel Bay Publications) Mastering the Snare Drum (Mel Bay Publications....upcoming release date September 2018)