Become the best drummer you can be.
Transform the way you think and play as you work through unique and insightful lessons with a community of like-minded drummers from around the world.
Rich Stitzel
Hi! I'm Rich Stitzel - Professional drummer, author, composer, and creator of The DrumMantra. I have spent the past decade creating a system of drum exercises that are helping people all over the world go deeper with their practice so they can become awesome at what they do. A deeper understanding of groove, coordination, rhythm, time signatures, reading and more are the secret weapons to being a great drummer. I look forward to working with you.
It's Time to Get Serious...
Go beyond the surface of your playing to discover the true essence of who you are as a drummer.
- Develop the "internal" aspects of drumming to become the player you truly want to be.
- Discover your own creative voice so you can express yourself clearly and at a high level.
- Work on exercises that develop the skills that help you play with authority and confidence.
- Deepen your level of rhythmic understanding with exercises that cross-train you with timing, reading, coordination, phrasing, and groove.
The DrumMantra is a system of exercises that will transform the way you play and also the way you think about drumming.
PUT YOURSELF FIRST.
Before I presented the concepts of DrumMantra to the world, I was trying to create exercises that would help me understand the deeper levels of coordination, polymeters, time, and groove. I spent years writing and practicing these exercises for myself first.
Not until I started to know for a fact that my playing was improving, my comfort level behind the kit was increasing, and I was playing with more authority did I release these exercises to the public.
I didn't want there to be any "loopholes" in the exercises that could be torn down or disproved by the most discerning players.
It has always been so important for me to know that each exercise I create is meaningful and sincere. I want there to be an element of creativity, as well as a philosophical angle to each exercise.
>>Now it's time to put yourself first and start a practice routine that will truly make a difference in your playing.<<
THE SIX ELEMENTS OF DRUMMANTRA
Time -Improve your time is working with a tool I call "the moving click." The moving click frees your mind & body to play in time without relying on downbeats.
Reading -Being able to read makes recording sessions, being hired to back artists, and really any gig so much easier. Especially in situations where there's no rehearsal...
Coordination -The first beat you learned required more coordination than the average human possesses. Master coordination to become more relaxed, balanced, and comfortable.
Polymetric Awareness - Understanding polymeters is an excellent way to enter a new level of your playing. These rhythmic phenomena can imply secondary pulses, shift time, and create phrase shapes that always remain in the groove because they share a common subdivision.
Phrasing - When you understand the building blocks of phrasing, your expressions will be interesting, creative, and will make a lasting musical impression as your true creative voice.
Groove - The groove is already in you. It's part of you. Getting it out and getting it to feel good and be solid requires dedication and practice, but it is there.
The DrumMantra "cross-trains" these aspects into every exercise.
ALWAYS UNIQUE, CREATIVE, AND INSIGHTFUL
These are not stock lessons you would find on most other drum sites. Every DrumMantra Exercise Series is created specifically to give insight into a deeper understanding of coordination, time, and creativity.
THE PILLARS OF A SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE
Intention
A huge part of developing a skill is mental. Having an intention in your practice will keep you focused, on task, and aware. Setting goals in one version of intention. Taking notes and working on specific areas of improvement require intention and attention. All of the DrumMantra exercises are built on an intention to systematically develop certain skills.
Dedication
One of the most challenging parts of practice is actually practicing. Practice means working on something you can't already do. If you're making mistakes and you notice your patience being challenged, you're probably practicing. If you sound great in the practice room, you're jamming, not practicing. Being dedicated to your practice means understanding the process takes time.
Repetition
Responding musically in the moment requires a wiring of your mind & body. The most efficient way to develop this skill is to build muscle memory through repetition in your practice. All of the DrumMantra exercises are designed to keep you focused on an exercise for a specific durations of time in order to build muscle memory as well as mental focus.
YOU'RE SECONDS AWAY...
When you login to the Lesson Vault, you’ll be able to access the entire library and begin practicing immediately.
You can take the course on any device you like: computer, tablet of phone. As long as you have internet access, you have access!
When you join you get lifetime access to this material - even if I update and add to it in the future for as long as you remain a member:-)
BEGIN YOUR DRUMMING JOURNEY TODAY!
The Lesson Vault & Community
$27/month
- Over 50 hours (and growing) of Lesson, Courses, and Exercises!
- Lesson of the Month
- 24/7 Access to all Lessons & Courses
- Downloadable PDF's of Everything
- Streaming Audio Play-Alongs
- Comment Section for Questions
- Lesson Vault Community (share your reflections, challenges, and triumphs with your fellow community members!)
- A Monthly Member's Zoom call & hang!
- Discounts on all Master Classes, Workshops, and Dry Goods!
- 100-Day Practice Journal (19.95 value)
- Custom Low Boy Felt Daddy Beater ($60 value)
The Lesson Vault & Community
$270/annual
(two months free!)
- Over 50 hours (and growing) of Lesson, Courses, and Exercises!
- Lesson of the Month
- 24/7 Access to all Lessons & Courses
- Downloadable PDF's of Everything
- Streaming Audio Play-Alongs
- Comment Section for Questions
- Lesson Vault Community (share your reflections, challenges, and triumphs with your fellow community members!)
- A Monthly Member's Zoom call & hang!
- Discounts on all Master Classes, Workshops, and Dry Goods!
- 100-Day Practice Journal $19.95 value
- Custom Low Boy Felt Daddy Beater $60 value
