what's more impressive than the technique he displays is the fact that he's having a coherent conversation with the audience while doing it! what a badass. R.I.P.
The best thing Jim Chapin did was write his book, Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer. Developing the mind comes first, then your hands will follow.
I got lessons from Jim when he was 83 and his speed and his lessons changed my drumming life forever. R.I.P. Jim. He also had a talented son (Harry Chapin) and his daughter is still a great singer and touring. A true show biz family of talent. Respect.
I remember watching this video, and realising I was already employing this approach without even realising it. It really helped break down exactly what was was going on.
This has to be the best explanation i could find for the molar technique. I never thought of ghosting the left hand i can see how it would really help.
Intent.. that's what you see in him, feel when he's playing. His intent. He cares about music, drumming, and teaching. No ego. Not for shiny rocks, fancy wheels. Paper with pictures of Presidents. His independence is amazing. Perfectly symmetrical. And tone. Good lord....what a drummer. RIP in Jim... the world needs more people like that. The story of him keeping a lesson while in the hospital...
I had the pleasure of meeting Jim a few times, and got a lesson or two with him. This was a long time ago (mid 90's) He picked out my first pro level snare for me. What a cool guy! It was me and 2 other world class drummers, who studied with him when they were kids. Great memories
I've been trying to learn this technique for a long time....then eventually I just quit. After seeing this one video. This has taught me more than all the other videos combined and makes me want to learn it again. Thank you Jim and R.I.P
What a classy guy! As a HS Biology teacher (and closet drummer) I really respect the can-do, all business teaching method he exudes! People DO listen to a person who is professional looking and as skillful as this human! Thanks!!!
How can some of you not know that he grew up in a different time, when they talked with a different style. Some of you make me sad how critical you are, even of a wonderful man like this. STOP THE FUCKING HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The late singer Harry Chapin's ("Cats In The Cradle" "Taxi") father, who was a well-known drummer of his era. He was inspired by drummer Gene Krupa & later they played together. The difference between Jim & other drummers is that he taught, led seminars, educated & wrote a two-volume legendary drum instructional book that was the Bible to drummers. The (Samuel) Moeller Method -- a rudimentary method Chapin studied. It was respected by many percussionists. He did what Buddy Rich said he couldn't do -- teach drums. This book was great. I learned a lot from it when I didn't have one on one lessons. Chapin was posthumously inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2011.
thanks for posting a response to my comment on Jim Chapin. I understand the Moeller technique is a technique, not a style. I am not sure it matters when your body does not respond over years. We change and so should our approach to grip, stick control, strength, and musical sesnibilities to perform drum set. I hope you are well these days. best to you and yours* sincerely, Austin Centolella
I didnt know he had died, how sad. :( He taught me the technique in a drum clinic here in sweden, i have a picture with me and him even. Amazing drummer, i remember he could barely walk (it was like 6 years ago), but when he began drumming it was as if he was 20 years old. Amazing, absolutely amazing.
I picked up the basic moeller really fast because I learned it differently that he's teaching it here. Rather that think of those as three separate strokes, think of it as one stroke, the down stroke. The others just result from the rebound of that initial stroke. You don't really use your wrist and fingers to make the resulting 2 strokes, you really just direct them. What helps is to just do the initial and let the stick bounce by itself. Then begin to control those bounces.
I don't know much about the Moeller system, but I did study with the late great Buster Bailey. His approach was TOSS THE FIRST STROKE AND DROP THE OTHER GUYS IN THERE. Same effect but different approach.
I studied with Joe Morello, who noted that Moeller technique is only useful if you're accenting alternate strokes. "What would you do if you had to execute two accents in a row with the same hand ?" Joe would point out. "Moeller has limited effectiveness," he would say. Anyone who has worked with Master Studies has quickly realized the limitations of this technique. Not knocking it by any means, certainly not minimizing Jim Chapin's talent, but rather commenting that Moeller is but one technique in a drummer's vast arsenal. It is by no means the only one.
+Dave Benning I forget the name of the studio but it was on Northfield Ave. in West Orange. I think it's now called NJ School of Percussion. I remember the waiting room filled with anxious students practicing before their lesson with the maestro. :)
I think Moeller is excellent for speed and endurance (as the video title says), but not for playing in low volumes and slowly. On the other hand, I think "Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer" is an excellent book. That`s really useful.
I've been trying this for a few minutes and I will admit that trying to find that fulcrum is driving me nuts! (My wrists have been getting a bit tired of late so I thought I would give this method a shot.) Problem is, my stick is sliding back towards the meaty part of my hand. Is he using the base knuckle at the bottom of the index finger because it looks like his index finger is sticking straight out?
Yeah,I control the fundamental with my wrist and then use my fingers for the other strokes. Is that right? I think i'll stick to the "Jelly system" lolz. I usually do exercises with my palm facing upwards and play strokes with single fingers working to my pinky. This "Moeller thing" I can't do.
No if you are able to finally grasp the moeller technique you will understand it, it is more than what he is playing which is what a lot of people dont understand, He's teaching the basic, It can be applied to the drumset. I cant do it, but have seen others that have.
@PhantomDrums917. one thing i have learned about moeller man is you have to be persistent every day 1 hour to 2 hours... i have been going out it for about 8 months now and its really coming together nicely but you have to have FREE STROKE tap STROKE down pat and whipping motion you need to have a good concept of what you are trying to achieve... in these three strokes you playing example FREE STROKE.. catch into hand like throwing a ball.and just keep at it.. don't stop know what u are playing
Both, depending on musical context. It is more useful at triplets than doubles. 3 for the price of 1. You can play 4 or 5 or more too, but the rebound gets soaked up and the ending notes can get a bit slurred.
This is so hard to do...I want to master this so bad but don't have the patients! Someone commented below asking how to apply this to your playing; I think it helps with your rolls around the kit and sharpens your technique. I would imagine you can apply this to the toms and hi hat while adding a bass stroke right?
I never had the chance to meet him/Sure he can continue to inspire/instruct anyone who is seriously trying to improve in drumming w/sticks/Can't hurt to explore options w/method/ stick control/I hope to find the words to translate my personal approach 4music/drum-set/I am more involved w/peripheral issues/personal interrelationship w/instrument(memory/personal strengths/limitations/musicality/choices) Inspired to find any discussion re: drumming/Very deep&soulful/ancient art form.
this could be due to where your holding the stick from the start. check out dave weckle's video on griping the stick on back to basics. you can find it on this site. i think this will help a bit on the grip issue you have. it worked for me.
I got yer sack right here. Gotta problem wid dat? Didn't think so. Listen buddy, I heard some things - doesn't matter - I just heard some things. You know, from some bass players. Anyway, we're not gonna have that problem any more are we? No, dat's a good guitar player, didn't think we're gonna have any more discussion on this. Well, listen, thanks for having this little chat. Wanna eat? Let's go eat.
