Our drum teacher, Gabriele Schira
A drummer and percussionist, Gabriele has been a music teacher for over twenty years. He also works as a stage manager, notably at the Cully Jazz Festival and the Jazz Onze+ Festival. In
addition, he is a cultural mediator and community organizer.
Gabriele records and performs with many musicians from French-speaking Switzerland, as well as other European countries. He collaborates in multiple different styles: from progressive rock
to jazz, theatre, world music or even baroque music.
He trained at the Lausanne School of Jazz and Contemporary Music (EJMA) and was self-
taught.
Would you like to experience a drum lesson or different forms of percussion?
Sign up HERE for a trial lesson with Gabriele!
We offer lessons in various percussion instruments at our school. Feel free to contact us with
your ideas!
To help you get to know Gabriele, our drum teacher agreed to an interview, answering a few
questions about our school and about himself…
Gabriele, tell us about Gimmemusic School…
What do you think are Gimmemusic School’s strengths compared to other schools?
A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with a solid teaching approach focused on
recognition and encouragement. The teaching at Gimmemusic School encompasses various
aspects: learning different instruments, recording techniques, and stage performance through
live concerts.
What do you think is the main strength of Gimmemusic’s 360 method?
Diversifying the approach helps to find different entry points to musical learning. It first values
the student’s skills and attitudes in order to then redirect them towards the aspects to be worked
on.
We would like to know more about your lessons as a drum teacher…How do your first
music lessons go with a beginner student?
For drums, beginner students generally don’t have an instrument at home. The goal is to allow
them to discover different sounds and become familiar with the instrument. Their musical tastes
will influence their choice of songs, and help them begin to feel the pulse, eventually leading
them to work on simple rhythms. Posture and stick grip also play an important role in their first
steps behind the drum kit. I will also play for them and encourage them to watch me.
How do you approach a lesson with a young child, like 4-5 years old?
The approach is quite similar, but the focus will be more on discovering sounds and fostering a
desire to explore. This will be followed by learning coordination and laterality through simple and
fun exercises.
What do you do when a student loses motivation? What solutions do you recommend?
What do you do to motivate the student?
I aim to simplify and return to basics, while valuing the process and emphasizing the joy of
making music. Listening to your favorite music is also very important.
How do you go about passing the technique of playing the instrument to your student?
I have several tools such as specific methods, rhythm sheets, and rudimentary exercises. I also
encourage them to practice with music (or with a metronome for the more motivated),
alternating with accompanying pieces and more instinctive improvisation. Technique will be their
vocabulary for these two aspects.
How do you make your course dynamic, enriching, and entertaining? Tell me a couple of
anecdotes or one of your secrets?
Listening to classic rock and pop music (Beatles, Michael Jackson, Queen, Pink Floyd, Led
Zeppelin, Metallica…) led several students to rummage through their parents’ CD and vinyl
collections and discover a musical world different from the one they were used to. Otherwise, I
have no secrets…and if I share them, they won’t be secrets anymore…come take lessons with
me!
What part of learning, what subject, what technique helped you the most when you were
a student?
Lots of things, but for jazz drumming, ‘Syncopation’ by Ted Reed; and for snare drum technique,
‘Stick Control’ by George Lawrence Stone. Otherwise, listening to and watching other drummers
play, near and far.
What is your next goal? What do you want to learn next?
To deepen the study of the rudiments and integrate more electronics (loops, samples, …) into
my playing.
What does playing music bring to your life?
It’s a way to get close to the most magical aspect of life: the elusive.
In your opinion, why choose to play the instrument you teach?
Rhythm has been present since the beginning. There’s nothing better than delving into one’s
roots, which are also our roots, to better rise towards the sky like the trees.
More personal questions…
What is your best memory from your career as a musician?
Concerts at the Montreux Jazz Off and a CD recording with a progressive-rock band from Ticino:
‘The Chandrasekhar Limit’ from the band Zenit. You can find it here:
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=39791 .
What is your greatest strength as a drum teacher?
Versatility and a passion for music.
What is your favorite topic, the one you like to discuss with your students in your
classes?
The ability to adapt and be able to play pretty much any style.
What are your favorite music groups/composers? Singers/artists/styles?
Miles Davis, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Weather Report, Pat Metheny, and so many others…Frank
Zappa?! Do you know him?
What was the best professional encounter of your career?
Having worked as a backline and stage manager at Cully Jazz, Montreux Jazz, JazzOnze+, and
so many other festivals, I’ve met so many artists, some of whom are sadly no longer with us. I
remember Elvin Jones, John Coltrane’s drummer, with whom I shared tea and conversation in a
hotel suite…like two gentlemen…and a jam session with Kenny Garrett (saxophonist in Miles
Davis’ band) at the end of a soundcheck!