Interview – Mike Michalkow

“For the hobbyist, I always keep an open mind.  Although I’m a ‘technique geek’, I find it pointless to keep a new drummer on a practice pad for a full year, then move to the kit – yawn!  Drums are meant to be fun!”  Well I want a teacher like that!

Those words were uttered by drum instructor Mike Michalkow in an interview with Drums Etc. magazine back in the Fall of 2007.  Although he takes his drumming very seriously, he’s just as serious in teaching his students to ‘always have fun’.  That is a very refreshing view to take to the drums, and is part of what makes Mike’s approach to the drums and his drumming style so appealing.

I became familiar with Mike back in 2009 with the release of his flagship DVD instruction course, the “Drumming System”.  At the time, I was looking for a drumming course where I could learn at my own pace, just focusing on what I wanted to focus on, when I wanted to.  The “Drumming System” fit the bill nicely.  But even more impressive than the course itself, was its instructor.  Mike’s a very friendly guy, who never talks down to you and is always encouraging.  This endearing quality prompted me to want to talk to the man himself, and he was kind enough to grant The Paradiddler some of his time.

In speaking with Mike I saw why he has so many raving fans:  his enthusiasm for drumming is infectious.  You can’t help but get inspired by his story, and he definitely has a story to tell.  He truly is a drumming success story, and he holds nothing back.  Some of the things Mike talks about include:

• How his persistence in increasing his drumming skills led to some very interesting jobs
• Why you should regularly check and refine your playing technique
• Why he saw the need to create the various instructional DVD’s that he’s produced, and why you want them in your library
• Tips for teachers on how to address the needs of the student
• How to land that gig, and how to get better ones (this is key)
• How and why (and when!) you should address your drumming weaknesses
• The proper attitude to have to continue pursuing your passion of drumming
• And so much more!

The interview is over an hour, and it is chock full of gems that drummers of all levels can grab from.  For convenience, the interview is divided into two parts, so the listener can easily set aside time for each.  Plus, this format makes it easier on the ears.^*

Will learning from Mike Michalkow make you the best drummer in the world?  Well, that’s a tall order for any teacher.  Can he help you be the best drummer you can be?  Now we’re talking!  Enjoy listening to a drum teaching great, check out his drum instruction courses, and prepare to up your drumming game.

______
^*A note on the sound quality:  ‘The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry’ – such is technology.  I had a hard time ensuring the sound quality on both sides of the conversation was as high as possible, so you may notice some feedback at times, and the interviewee sounded like he was speaking from a cell phone.  For that, TheParadiddler.com apologizes profusely! But not to worry – it is listenable.  The content does not suffer. Something similar happened to Dream Theater’s “The Spirit Carries On – Part 2” video when they auditioned Derek Roddy, the second of seven drummers seeking to replace Mike Portnoy.  Due to technical difficulties, only the camera mics picked up his drumming, but it was killer drumming nonetheless.  So enjoy the interview, don’t forget to leave your comments, and let others know!