Drum Lessons

Russ Gold

 An Accomplished drummer with over 50 years of private teaching experience, Russ believes that coaching benefits musicians at all levels. A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Russ has personally studied with several world-class instructor/performers including David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), Alan Dawson (Jazz Master who played with Dexter Gordon among others), Bob Moses (Pat Metheny), John Riley, and Gary Chaffee. He has taught at the Drew School, Urban School, San Francisco Day School, Berklee School of Music, California Jazz Collective and given thousands of private lessons.

Russ uses a completely customized approach that focuses on the students interests and goals. He believes that it's important to keep studies true to real world drumming so that exercises are relevant to what is in the students ear and heart. Russ continues,  "Really, all drum exercises should have rhythm in mind, some phrase that puts the exercise into musical context. That way the work the student is doing can be immediately applied to the drums and turned into music!"

His unique approach is featured in the book "Phrasing": Advanced Rudiments for Creative Drumming" published by Hal Leonard and is available on Amazon.

“Inventive”, and “an uncanny combination of power, drive, and delicate touch”, is how David Berkowitz of CBS records describes the talent of drummer/percussionist Russ Gold. He has toured extensively throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, performing with jazz, rock, fusion. And theater groups. “His musicianship and timing were extraordinary”, wrote Joe Watts of the Montrose Voice in Houston, acclaiming Russ’ performance as solo multiperccusionist with the American Repertory Theater. Russ’ performing experience includes work with musicians as diverse as Gary Lyons (Producer of Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead) Johnny Colla of Huey Lewis and The New, Seth Justman of the J. Giles Band, CBS Fusion artists Full,Circle and jazz greats Tom Scott, Sam Rivers, George Coleman, Dave Douhlas, and Howard Johnson.During his tenure with Full circle, the band won “Best Jazz Group” at the San Sebastion Jazz Festival, and garnered Boston Music Awards “Best Jazz Record on a Major Label”.His talent has also been recognized by endorsements of Sabian Cymbals, Pro-Mark sticks, Fishman transducers, and Kurzweil synthesizers.