You didn't ask, but...

August, 2005

You didn’t ask, but…

We’re writing a snare drum method book!

Many of you know that I work for a company called The Paul Effman Music Service (www.pauleffmanmusic.com). We teach instrumental music, general music and recorder classes at private & parochial schools mostly in New York , but also in Boston & South Florida. This past June I took many of the ideas I’ve developed over the last six years with the company and created a basic prototype of a drum method book. Lou Varuzzo is one of the top guys in our company and a man whom I truly admire as an educator. (He is also a passionate New York Giants football fan so you know he must be a bright guy as well!!!!!!!!!!) I brought my book to a meeting with Lou and he thought it was great. He immediately sent a copy to the man, Mr. Paul Effman himself. Paul threw 100% support behind the project and we have spent the summer creating the LJ HUTCHEN DRUM METHOD.

One of the driving forces behind this book is Jay Friedman. He has been with PE Music for many years and is an amazing arranger and teacher. The way we progressed with THE DRUM METHOD was I’d create the book and send it along to Paul, Lou & Jay on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Then they would send me corrections and suggestions. This system has worked extremely smooth and the book is being printed as we speak.

Jay is one of those people who can take anything you do and make the perfect suggestions to make it better. I would send him what I thought was the perfect final copy of the book and when he proofread it, would make the simplest comments that would improve the product more than I could have ever imagined. Thanks to Jay Friedman for all of his time and energy insuring that THE DRUM METHOD would be a success!!!!!

Most of you who visit www.dreadeddrummer.com know that I am a rudimental drumming enthusiast, so to be honest I have to warn you that this is NOT a rudimental book. Having said that, I believe many rudimental drummers DO NOT get the appropriate training they need in reading music and this book could be a great help with that part of their musical journey.

If you are a band director or drum instructor for young students I believe THE LJ HUTCHEN DRUM METHOD can be a book that you begin turning to for all of your beginners. Email me (Dominick@dreadeddrummer.com ) for more information.

Also, check out www.LJHutchen.com for information on the LJ Hutchen line of band instruments created by Paul Effman. They are affordable instruments for young students and definitely worth checking out.

That’s all for now, but when the book is out and we start creating the entire line of LJ HUTCHEN METHOD BOOKS for all band instruments I’ll be sure to let you know!

In the spirit,

Dominick Cuccia