The Drumming Mastermind

Nick Andreo

Discovering the mental, physical and spiritual approach of my favourite drummers to gain inspiration, motivation and education.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 8 - Jay Postones (Tesseract)

    This episode was a real one.Massive thanks to Jay for taking the time to sit down and go deep on everything from practice philosophy and plateaus, to gear, technique, and building a life around drumming. There’s a lot of value in here—whether you’re feeling stuck, refining your setup, or just trying to stay consistent with a busy schedule.What stood out most to me is the reminder that progress doesn’t come from doing everything… it comes from doing the right things consistently. Even 15–20 minutes, done with intent, adds up.If you’re a drummer trying to level up, there are some serious takeaways in this one.Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and if you got value from this, make sure to like and subscribe—it helps a lot more than you think.Connect and learn with Jay:Website: https://jaypostones.comYoutube: ‪@JayTesseracT‬ Instagram: Jay Postones (@jaytesseract)If you enjoyed this episode:👍 Like the video💬 Comment your thoughts🔔 Subscribe for more drummer-focused conversationsStay consistent. Stay sharp. 🥁0:00:00 – Intro daily habits, caffeine, managing energy. Subtle insight into discipline and routine.0:04:48 – How it all started (drumming origin)0:07:00 – Post-school reality’s and things not going to plan and how to manage.0:08:40 – Discovering Tesseract0:11:20 – Big opportunity moment0:12:30 – Taking chances resulting in career turning points0:14:00 – Escaping the day job for passion0:17:30 – How to Know If a Band Isn’t Right 0:19:00 – Time is everything0:20:00 – Early days learning, Lessons vs self-taught, Struggles with reading music Self-awareness as a drummer.25:00 – Failing drum school and tHe turning point26:30 – Unique style comes from freedom27:50 – how to become valuable28:10 – Tech replacing / helping drummers0:28:40 – how to learn fast29:50 – Practise habits and Consistency beats intensity31:30 – E-kit setup32:40 – Influences0:33:50 – Power of Listening & Practising without the kit0:40:00 – Smarter Practice0:42:30 – Importance of sleep and good routine0:45:00 – Tour Realities and adapting0:50:17 – structured practice system56:54 – Tesseract Learning Process1:10:15 – Timekeeping body coordination Left foot timekeeping system1:13:49 – Jay’s online course content 1:17:46 – How to contact Jay1:18:00 – My own struggles and Jay’s Practise structure tips 1:25:29 – Question from Anup Sastry1:30:18 – Question from Nic Pettersen1:35:51 – Question from Derrick McKenzie 1:44:20 – Developing the Jay Postones signature sticks1:51:00 – Second question from Derrick McKenzie1:54:11 – Ways to get in touch.

  2. 11/17/2025

    Episode 6 - Derrick McKenzie Pt 1

    Still in disbelief that I was able to have a lengthy discussion with Derrick McKenzie about his life and musical endeavours including being an entrepreneur, DJ'ing, close calls on the road and ofcourse drumming and Jamiroquai.0:01:20 Coping with drummer ailments through the setup/ergonomics of drums. 0:04:12 How Derrick sets up his kit to play his best. 0:13:16 Derrick’s drumming heroes and inspirations0:23:20 A regular week in Derrick’s life/Exercise/Intermittent fasting/Life Admin/Work/Practise0:28:17 Daily activities and the importance of uninterrupted practice 0:30:40 What drumming books Derrick uses0:33:29 How Derrick chills out00:37:30 How to Force relax time and its benefits00:40:50 Having boundaries and being disciplined with days off00:45:16 The joys of playing on a cruise ship 00:51:43 Juggling Family life and music as a career00:55:00 Being proud of his son being a self-taught drummer. 00:56:48 Derrick’s first professional band CandyLand and learning more through other projects01:01:00 Fusing sounds and technology for a fresh live sound with Urban Species01:03:10 Rolling a tour bus and overcoming the mental trauma and reflecting on being lucky to be alive. 01:08:13 Narrowly missing being on the plane which flew into the twin towers. 01:12:45 Jonathan Ulman’s question “What unique techniques do you bring from drumming to your dj sets or vice versa, how do you incorporate elements from both worlds into your performances? 1:23:00 How times have changed and how social media allows us to be exposed to so many new drummers1:23:50 What attracted Derrick to drumming and his drumming journey.1:33:00 Derrick’s first kit 1:34:30 Suddenly quitting meaningless jobs to pursue our passions. 1:39:42 What life looks like when you’re juggling a job and music career1:43:20 Jamiroquai’s stylistic evolution

  3. 08/24/2024

    Episode 5 with Jonathan Ulman

    Meet Jonathan Ulman. A self-taught drummer who has earned himself the title of Session musician of the year 7 TIMES in addition to being nominated for “Best New Drummer 2016” by Rhythm Magazine. Jonathan is a busy bee playing live and performing recording sessions nonstop while working at @Berkleecollege where he does some amazing supportive work for students. He also played as a guest drummer on the @latenightseth show during the Summer of 2022. Follow him on Instagram here @jmudrums He is such an amazing, genuine and supportive human who I’m so grateful for giving up his time to chat. If you’re not already, please follow and support him on @jmudrums. Jonathan is endorsed by @zildjiancompany @westoneaudio @vicfirth @ludwigdrumshq @evansdrumheads @drumtacs and @protectionracket 0:00 – Managing a career while going through tough emotional periods. The therapeutic effects of drumming. 12:00 - Lesser known drummers achieving huge achievements. Boston investing into it's music scene 17:00 - Jonathan's definition of success and how it has changed over time. The importance of writing our your goals. 37:43 - The power of loving and enjoying the drums without attaching an outcome/goal to it. 44:20 - Balancing career and hobbies/passions. 50:57 - The impact of networking and being diverse in your interests. Power of diversifying your audience. 1:08:30 - The Whisper Breaks, Jonathan’s loop and sample library and the magic of improvisation and creativity. 1:22:43 - Being nominated for Best New Drummer in the world at the age of 36. 1:25:05 Being prepared for any opportunity. PHARRELL (1:26) EVERY GIG IS THE BIGGEST GIG IN THE WORLD. YOU NEVER KNOW IF THAT’S THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL KICK START YOUR CAREER. 1:29:00 - Playing on Seth Meyers/Playing on tv experience. 1:38:35 - Jonathan’s drum journey and how he developed his playing. The power of hip hop songs/beats for kids learning drums to make success easier. 1:46:48 - Steve Jordan story and the power of simplicity. 1:51:13 - You’re not grooving, unless you’re moving. How moving enhances groove. If you’re not feeling your own pocket, no one else will be. 1:54:30 – The difference in headspace between live and studio performances. Looking for that vibe in recording takes. 2:02:55 - What are the most important elements of a session drummer. 2:09:07 - Tips on landing endorsements. 2:28:25 - Wrap up. Reach out to Jonathan. Shout out to Pharrell Williams.

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Discovering the mental, physical and spiritual approach of my favourite drummers to gain inspiration, motivation and education.