Early Access - Arch Echo's Richie Martinez on Questioning The Conventional Wisdom

If you haven’t heard of Arch Echo’s Richie Martinez, get ready for a rabbit hole.

(Richie’s Instagram)

Richie is one of the most electrifying young drummers around.

While he calls the genre of his band “progressive metal”, his playing encompasses a type of "cross-genre” fluency not many drummers have, but it’s exiting when you see it.

Equally comfortable in funk, fusion, or prog settings, Martinez brings energy, enthusiasm, and blistering chops to anything he plays.

Martinez’ background is an unconventional one - growing up in Houston, he was mostly self-taught until high school. That gave Richie a unique perspective on teaching and learning drums. What’s more, he’s made playing “hard” a science, and coaches many-a-touring-drummer on how to play forcefully without injuring themselves or burning out.

And while Richie responded to the question “is there a reason to play forcefully when you can just let the mics do the work” with “yea - do you want to be a LOSER?” He equally obsessed with the mechanics of the low end of the dynamic range, and frequently asks students to play softly on table tops. And while he’s a jokester, he shows an unironic love for the instrument and his students.

If you’ve ever wondered about the mechanics of playing drums hard without injury, why some of the “conventional advice” doesn’t always work, or just what a super disciplined player is like to spend time with, I know you’ll love this conversation with Riche.

*Early Access - YouTube Video of The Week - The Ultimate Guide to One-Handed 16ths On Drums

Download the free study guide here.

Welp - week 4 of “Nate sends the video early”, and “early” has become “semi-early”. I told you - I won’t be able to do this 100% of the time. For now, 8020 is small-and-scrappy, and that’s how I like it.

With that throat clearing out of the way, today I’ve got a video I know some of you will love, because it’s one that people have been asking for for months. Ever since I published the latest video on “Funky Drummer” beats, people have been asking “can you go deeper on the exact mechanics of the so-called “push pull”/”drop catch” technique.

As I’ve been doing this with students lately and seeing what worked and what didn’t, I thought it was high time I make that video. So today, instead of just giving you generalities, I’ve got a step-by-step process that will hopefully bootstrap you into playing basic “drop catch” in a few weeks on the pad, or snare drum.

It’s simple - that doesn’t mean it’s easy! At the core is a slightly awkward-feeling hand movement that I wish weren’t necessary. And we’re going right at the hard part first.

The good news is that once you master that “awkward part”, it only gets easier.

Know you’ll enjoy this one!

Early Access - YouTube Video of The Week PLUS Podcast - Brandon Green of Drum Mechanics

Download the free study guide here.

It’s week 3 of “list gets the youtube video early!” Today I have not just the weekly youtube video, but also the podcast that’s coming out next Tuesday.

Want to play drums injury-free into your 70s and beyond?

I sure do.

Today’s video guest, Brandon Green, was coaching elite athletes when a high school friend’s struggle with injury inspired him to utilize his skills to help drummers. Since then, Brandon founded the Drum Mechanics YouTube and Instagram channels, where he breaks down the setup and movement of some of your favorite drummers, and gives tons of free advice to help all drummers improve our setup and movement.

I wasn’t an uninterested party. Since becoming a “tall guy” I’ve always struggled with “Ichabod Crane Posture”, and over the past couple of years I’ve been experimenting with setup mental cues, and exercises to help me move better.

Brandon weighs in on the posture conundrum from both philosophical and practical angles.

Then I ask him to help resolve something I’ve always had confusion about: rack tom angle. And the answer surprised me. (But I’m making a change.)

The bite-sized YouTube video of the week is above, and if you want to see the complete, hour-long podcast episode with Brandon Green, that’s below.

Want to study with me one-on-one, in a “virtual college semester” experience, that includes 6 months of one-on-one calls, a custom curriculum we design together, unlimited feedback on your playing, and an awesome community of other drummers all working toward their goals?

For a limited time I’m accepting applications for new coaching students. It’s not cheap, but for the right drummer we can change the trajectory of your playing.

If you’re seeing this message, enrollment is still open.

Click here to learn more and, if this sounds like a fit, start your application. It won’t be open for much longer.

Early Access - YouTube Video of The Week - Don't Forget This Crucial Part of Your Drum Beats

Download the free transcription here.

It’s week 2 of “Nate sends you the YouTube video early just for being an awesome subscriber”, and so-far-so-good.

This week I have a video about the most neglected part of the body: the lonely hi hat foot. Hanging out down there all alone, with nobody to appreciate it…

(Sad violin)

In all seriousness, the left foot can be a source of confusion and consternation, especially for drummers who haven’t played much jazz or fusion, but my message to you is twofold:

• First, you should absolutely incorporate the left foot, as many great players of non-jazz genres used it to great effect

• Second, it’s easier than you think, and I’ll give you some basic exercises to get you started

Get ready for a fun tour of drummer you didn’t know were using the hats creatively, plus some you did, plus a catalog of basic and more advanced exercises to sink your teeth into your left foot.

Wait. That didn’t sound very…

You know what I meant.

We’ll even give you a brief crash course on the biggest mistake beginners make with the hats. And if you expected all caps in that clickbait, find another youtuber.

Know you’ll enjoy this one!