Introduction: “A TASTY, WELL EXECUTED, GROOVE ORIENTED DRUMMER!”
DRUM MAGAZINE
“Expressing much more than mere sound.”
“Sensitive, subtle and confident.”
“Capable of both power and nuance.”
Elementary school music class, junior high school rock groups, high school marching band, college jazz groups, Tracy’s early life history is virtually defined by his passionate commitment to drumming excellence.
Today, it’s that same commitment that drives his performances and dictates his instructional approach.
Tracy has recorded for PBS, NBC, Discovery Channel, and numerous music CDs. A Ludwig Drum Competition winner, his live performances include legendary Richard Kermode (Santana, Malo), Steve Wynn, Ashwan Batish, Pete Escovedo, Blues guitarist Steve Freund (Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs), Crystal, Stratus, Coronados, Soul Patrol, and the Medflys. He's opened shows for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Toto, Pointer Sisters, Jefferson Starship, Susan Tedeschi, Yellowjackets, Jaco Pastorius, Robben Ford, Dixie Dregs, Gil Scott Heron, Jeff Lorber Fusion, Tubes, Joan Jett, Rippingtons, and many other well-known groups.
Beginners will learn to build a solid foundation on proper technique. Learn basic drum beats and fills, read music, develop time keeping skills.
Intermediate
Learn rudiments and a variety of musical styles. Record with music minus drum tracks to understand how to play in a live band.
Advanced
Play challenging musical styles, Jazz, Fusion, Latin, etc. Learn more advanced finger control exercises. Receive guidance on building your career as a professional drummer.
Teaching young drummers to play drums and watching them perform at their schools, from Junior High, and College performances gives me great satisfaction. I also teach many working professional drummers, helping to refine their skills further. I am blessed to do what I love for my livelihood... play drums, and share what I've learned along the way.
Here are some of the comments from my students.
“I’ve been playing for 20 years. I just started working with Tracy, but immediately I’m seeing benefits. After my first lesson, the next day I sat down to practice and immediately could do this bass drum foot thing I’ve been trying to do for so long…. very slowly of course, but I could see at least how I was going to get it to happen. Awesome! Tracy is professional, kind, a good listener, and a great drummer with the ability to assess what he needs to teach in order for me to reach the goals I set out. I don’t mind the drive up from SF at all…
he’s going to help me immensely.
Clem M. Drummer for Zepparella
“Tracy has great patience as a teacher. He has always been willing to take the time to work on the details of technique’s and at the same time foster my own personal style and approach to playing the drums. I credit him for breaking down those walls I as drummer get stuck behind and setting new challenges for me all the while having the answers and the know how. Tracy is a versatile drummer who walks the walk. He’s got great passion for his craft and teaching and that is an infallible quality. Tracy has put a lot of thought into his teaching studio, creating a professional environment equipped with two drum kits and stellar recording equipment that makes you want stay and play. Since studying with Tracy over the last year, I have received many compliments on how I have improved in my fluidity around the kit as well as my technique being more controlled and better executed. More importantly, I can sense and feel the improvement as well.
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Chris O. Petaluma
“I have been taking drum lessons from Tracy for about a year and a half and I have to say that he is a true professional in every sense of the word; an excellent drummer and a talented teacher who is passionate about what he does. He has given me a strong foundation and helped me to explore the kind of drumming that I want to do, Tracy gives 100% to his students.
Did I mention that the lessons are fun too???”
Mark N. Petaluma
“Tracy is passionate about helping his students grow to be solid drummers. He has the ability to break down the proper stick form and fundamentals that will make you a better drummer. Tracy is a very talented musician and drummer. But that’s not what makes him a great teacher. It’s his positive attitude and patience with all his students at all stages of their growth. He takes the time to make sure his students are grasping the concepts. In return, he asks his students to practice. I started as a beginner, and have been taking lessons with Tracy for three years. I practice almost everyday for at least an hour or more. I can now play solid time, read drum charts, play double stroke rolls, etc. .. I’m now in a band, and playing gigs!”
Randy Benefield, Petaluma
“i have been taking lessons with tracy for 2 years now and my drumming has improved tremendously. from simple things like reading music and keeping time to difficult beats and fills tracy has improved my drumming drastically. ”
Josh B. Petaluma
“Tracy has a passion for drumming and a positive attitude that is infectious. The foundation of his teaching to me was proper stick control technique; which translated into more speed, power, and dynamic control with much less effort. My strokes became more even and the sound I got out of the drums improved phenomenally. Once I got the technique down, all of the wrist and forearm pain that I had been experiencing prior to coming to him completely disappeared. He also taught me how to gain independence and read music which enabled me to achieve things I never thought I could do on the drums. His lessons are not all technique and chops though. He also gives excellent advice regarding the mental aspect of drumming; for example how to face the difficult challenge of getting out of a “slump” or in other words overcoming personal frustration on the drums. For me that was half the battle.
Chris Brown, Novato
“I was originally a pro bass player working in hard rock and blues bands. I picked up the drums after a lengthy hiatus from gigging. My progress as a drummer, developing technique and new skills, have convinced me how effective Tracy’s methods are. Tracy is really inspiring to work with. He’s got a positive energy that moves into your whole experience of working with him. He’s a wealth of knowledge, understands lots of drumming styles, and has a cool studio as well.”
Chuck Scarpelli, San Rafael
“From the moment I met Tracy, I knew he was a passionate teacher, with an amazing interest in not only my growth in development of the drums, but all of his students. I love going to his studio because it always inspires me to keep getting better and better! New drummers and veteran drummers will not only benefit from his lessons, but on his enthusiasm and passion for Drums!”
Jim Gibbs, Sonoma Ca.
“Tracy is an Amazing Drum Teacher!
I’ve been playing drums for about thirty years and my only regret is that I didn’t find Tracy sooner. He is an amazing drum teacher. He will guide you to play melodically and dynamically and groove on your drums better than you can imagine. I can finally relax and feel confident playing at gigs behind my drums with technique I have learned through Tracy. He is inspiring as a teacher, patient and an excellent drummer himself. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Tracy to drummers of all ages and levels.”
Denis Murphy, San Rafael, Ca.
“Tracy’s drumming is like a Swiss Watch-accurate! His every stroke of the stick has meaning and fits into any groove from standards to latin, funk or fusion. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced drummer, Tracy can take you to that next level. I’ve been playing drums/percussion for over 40 years and still have many things to learn. I recently went on a tour to Germany with the Milagro Band. Thanks to Tracy, my latin grooves are more solid and efficient. I am currently working with my own R&B band “The After Midnite Band”, jazz/standards “SwingSet”, backup drummer for Latin Jazz artist, “Carmen Milagro Band
Roland Tolosa, Novato.
“I played the drums and gigged earlier in life and then left the scene for a long time. Since my return, Tracy has been instrumental in developing my technique and guiding me in the right direction to re-enter the music scene. I currently play in two bands, and with help from Tracy’s vast experience, I am having a blast. Great teacher and technician!
Jose Calderon, Santa Rosa
