161 episodes

DRUM with Mike & Eddy aims to bring drummers together and give them weekly updates and banter about the wonderful world of drumming. Each week professional drummers Mike Johnston and Eddy Thrower will discus how topics such as motivation, practice habits, routine, health & fitness, and many more have an effect on your drumming. Obviously this podcast is for drummers, but in all honesty it's for anyone that wants to improve at their craft!

DRUM with Mike & Eddy Mike Johnston & Eddy Thrower

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 246 Ratings

DRUM with Mike & Eddy aims to bring drummers together and give them weekly updates and banter about the wonderful world of drumming. Each week professional drummers Mike Johnston and Eddy Thrower will discus how topics such as motivation, practice habits, routine, health & fitness, and many more have an effect on your drumming. Obviously this podcast is for drummers, but in all honesty it's for anyone that wants to improve at their craft!

    Finding The Line

    Finding The Line

    Join The Practice Project
    https://www.patreon.com/drumwithmikeandeddy

    We dive straight into this one! First off we chat about our current feelings towards social media and the impact it has on their creativity and motivation. We talk about experiencing boredom and numbness with platforms like Instagram and Twitter, and the pressure to create content that stands out. We discuss their recent experiences performing and the challenges of finding the line between inspiration and overwhelming information. Then we touch on the need for teachers to check in with students and tailor their approach to each individual. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the why behind practicing and the musical payoff of exercises.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Excitement
    06:01 Break from Social Media and Enjoying Books
    12:02 The Simplicity and Timelessness of the Basic Rock Beat
    16:00 The Excitement of Trendy and Unique Items
    28:34 Finding the Line: Balancing Inspiration and Overwhelming Information
    36:29 Understanding Individual Goals: Tailoring Teaching Approaches
    39:53 Social Media and the What vs. the Why


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    • 44 min
    Muffling Your Drums

    Muffling Your Drums

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    https://www.patreon.com/drumwithmikeandeddy

    Get Tickets to see Simon Says at The Whisky

    We hope you enjoy this fun chat about our favorite YouTube videos, crazy tour stories, and all the insane ways we have muffled our drums over the years!

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction 
    03:06 Reflecting on Past Band Experiences
    06:21 The Challenges of Touring
    09:22 The Bond of Shared Experiences
    13:06 The Roller Coaster of Being in a Band
    16:07 Favorite YouTube Videos
    23:17 The Importance of Skills over Gear
    24:20 The Evolution of Drum Muffling
    25:58 Introduction to Muffling
    27:02 Early Experiences with Muffling
    28:13 Different Types of Muffling
    30:23 Muffling in Live Settings
    32:19 Muffling in the Studio
    33:25 The Impact of Room Acoustics
    35:42 The Aesthetics of Muffling
    38:53 The Kicker Pillow for Kick Drums
    42:09 Muffling the Snare Drum
    44:23 Muffling for Different Playing Styles
    46:45 Consistency in Muffling
    48:34 See ya Next Time


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    • 48 min
    M.D. at Wembley & First Show in 20 Years

    M.D. at Wembley & First Show in 20 Years

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    https://www.patreon.com/drumwithmikeandeddy

    I think the title says it all for this one. What a WEEK! We hope you enjoy the episode :)
    - Mike & Eddy

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Stretching
    01:46 Catching Up and Reflection
    03:00 The Practice Project
    04:35 The Process of Musical Directing
    08:17 Home Renovations and Contractor Woes
    09:53 Mike's New Drum Clinic Material
    11:46 The Practice Project as a Learning Tool
    13:36 Finding Your Musical Identity
    18:16 Building Backing Tracks
    20:59 The Role of Cues in Backing Tracks
    23:26 The Pride and Anxiety of Musical Directing
    24:48 Behind the Scenes at the Super Bowl
    25:10 Responsibility for Playback
    25:39 Creating Intros and Moments
    26:14 The Emotional Impact of Performances
    27:24 Synchronicity in Productivity
    28:28 Reuniting with a Band After Years Apart
    29:21 The Challenges of the Music Industry
    30:17 Improving as a Band Over Time
    31:15 The Influence of Eddy's Voice Notes
    32:11 Preparing for the Show at Goldfield
    33:40 The Excitement of a Sold-Out Show
    34:37 Technical Challenges and Drumming Maturity
    35:17 The Intensity of Performing Live
    36:46 The Importance of a Professional Tech
    37:13 Playing for Themselves, Not the Audience
    37:43 Injuries and Adrenaline
    38:22 The Impact on the Audience
    39:07 Capturing Footage and Enjoying the Moment
    40:18 Appreciating the Past and Looking to the Future
    43:05 Eddy's Role as an MD and Session Player
    44:21 The Work Ethic of Being in a Band
    45:02 Appreciating the Journey and the Ups and Downs
    46:29 Enjoying Moments as an Older Musician
    47:12 The Importance of Experience in Education
    48:43 Wrapping Up and Thanking Listeners


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    • 50 min
    3 Tips For Private Lessons

    3 Tips For Private Lessons

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    https://www.patreon.com/drumwithmikeandeddy

      In this episode, we discuss the importance of time management and the effective structuring of drum lessons. We emphasize the need to understand and teach according to the student's learning style. We also highlight the value of practicing as a teacher to understand your student's experience better. We encourage all drum teachers to take lessons themselves to improve their teaching skills. Asking questions, being flexible in lesson planning, and creating a fun learning environment are other key takeaways from the conversation.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Gym Accountability
    03:01 Practicing and Enjoyable Drumming
    06:10 Changing Approach in Social Media
    09:04 Benefits of Practicing
    11:04 Finding Personality in Drumming
    15:03 Preparing for UK Drum Show
    21:02 Teaching Private Lessons: Structuring
    23:04 Teaching Private Lessons: Building Relationships
    24:57 Teaching Private Lessons: Effective Communication
    25:21 Time Management
    27:00 Structuring a 30-Minute Lesson
    30:18 Teaching According to Learning Style
    32:01 Practicing as a Teacher
    36:26 Taking Lessons as a Student
    41:42 Asking Questions
    44:07 Flexibility in Lesson Planning
    46:05 Value of Practicing
    48:37 Being a Bad Student


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    • 48 min
    3 Tips for Recording

    3 Tips for Recording

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    https://www.patreon.com/drumwithmikeandeddy

    In this week's episode, we chat about various tips and strategies for recording drums in the studio. If you know us, then you know we had no shot of sticking to just three tips, so here are the tips we actually did discuss...
    Overcoming distractionsAdjusting click track and drum levelsCommunicating preferences to the producerKnowing the song structure and arrangementSimplifying drum fillsPlaying for the songBeing prepared to play the song without music, Prioritizing good cymbals over good drums, The importance of tuning drumsThe impact of drum and cymbal choicesChapters

    00:00 Introduction 
    00:33 Feeling Unprepared
    07:04 Taking Time Off to Clear Your Head
    12:17 Working with Other Drummers
    14:07 Preparing for Studio Recording
    21:15 Being Flexible and Adaptable in the Studio
    24:26 Overcoming Distractions and Challenges
    25:02 Adjusting Click Track and Drum Levels
    26:26 Communicating Preferences to the Producer
    27:42 Having Confidence in Your Preferences
    28:51 Knowing the Song Structure and Arrangement
    29:22 Simplifying Drum Fills
    30:27 Playing for the Song
    31:11 Being Prepared to Play the Song Without Music
    32:20 Prioritizing Good Cymbals Over Good Drums
    35:33 The Importance of Tuning Drums
    39:15 The Impact of Drum and Cymbal Choices
    40:09 Joining the Practice Project





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    • 43 min
    Online Vs. In-Person Lessons

    Online Vs. In-Person Lessons

    Virtual Camp 3 - Rudiments
    (click here for more info)

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    https://www.patreon.com/drumwithmikeandeddy

    Summary

    In this conversation, Mike and Eddy discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching in-person and through video. They share their experiences of finding their feet as teachers and the importance of continually refining their teaching methods. They also discuss the struggle of being themselves on camera and the ongoing process of improving their video content. They emphasize the importance of enjoying teaching and finding a format that works for them. They also highlight the benefits of the Practice Project and the value of accountability in practicing.

    Takeaways


    Teaching in person allows for a more immediate and interactive experience while teaching online requires careful planning and consideration of different learning styles.The pressure of filming lessons can lead to self-doubt and overthinking, but it's important to focus on delivering valuable content and not get caught up in technical details.Online teaching requires a deeper understanding of the online learning experience and the ability to provide different options for students to learn and engage with the material.Being aware of the challenges and pressures of teaching online can help educators create a more supportive and effective learning environment for their students. Finding your feet as a teacher takes time and experience, whether it's in-person or through video.Being yourself on camera takes time and practice.Enjoying teaching is crucial for success.Having a format and naming it can help with consistency and branding.
    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Behind the Scenes
    02:55 Teaching in Person vs Teaching Online
    05:54 Challenges of Teaching Online
    11:04 Preparing for One-on-One Lessons
    14:56 Nerves and Imposter Syndrome
    20:00 Understanding the Online Learning Experience
    22:07 Finding Your Feet in In-Person Teaching
    23:10 The Challenge of Overdelivering in the Beginning
    24:11 Continual Refinement as a Teacher
    25:14 The Struggle of Being Yourself on Camera
    26:20 The Ongoing Process of Filming Videos
    27:31 Becoming Comfortable with In-Person Teaching
    29:33 The Impact of Teaching in Different Settings
    30:02 Being Socially Comfortable in One-on-One Teaching
    31:25 The Importance of Enjoying Teaching
    32:43 Consistency in Making Videos
    33:10 The Process of Making Videos
    34:56 The Value of Having a Format
    36:37 The Importance of Naming the Format
    40:26 The Benefits of Having a Format
    42:08 The Practice Project and Accountability
    46:45 The Value of the Practice Project







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    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
246 Ratings

246 Ratings

Bill Michel ,

Top of the Charts

I’ve been a fan of Mike Johnston since the early days of the MD Podcast with Mike

Mjo701& ,

Not just about gear

It’s so great to have access to a couple of real guys who’ve reached a high level with the instrument I love. Hearing the thought processes and common concerns is beyond valuable for anyone looking to progress their own skills.

Scoobyrube87 ,

Love it!

I love this podcast! I’m a new listener and y’all are very entertaining and I truly appreciate all the information y’all provide. I’ve been drumming for 23 years and I’m glad to know I can still continue to learn. If y’all read this you should check out Oceans Ate Alaska Chris Turner is a fantastic Drummer, also check out Capstan, their drummer is amazing and I was surprised to learn that he plays traditional grip with the style of music they play. Anyway keep it up! Y’all are awesome!

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