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CHRIS DAGLEY |
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The students at Drumtech were privileged to be in the audience for Chris Dagley’s master class the other week where we were dazzled by his ridiculously fast chops and above all his control. Dagley is house drummer at Ronnie Scott’s as well as a very busy session musician and has taken part in many exciting projects. He gave us a glimpse into his way around the kit and in doing so inspired us to practice into the early hours of the morning. It began with a warm up solo and immediately Dagley was firing out very fast chops from all the instruments around him. |
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Even from the slack skins of the floor toms he was able to define his strokes with the utmost
control. This was followed by a “back to basics talk” which is always interesting to hear from
different musicians as they explain their original views on the mechanics of playing your
instrument. Dagley explained how important your grip is and how you must check how you
are holding and using the sticks whilst playing. It can provide answers to any tension you may
be feeling and also any problems you may be having with the rebound of the sticks. He then went on to show us what you might encounter should you get through the competitive business and finally make it as a wanted session player. Dagley did this by playing to a few backing tracks which he had recorded for several different things. They included a fast rock track for a computer game and even backing music for the TV show X Factor. A view of the reality in which we are all aiming for. He did also explain that there are the more exciting aspects of the job like his work for Ronnie Scott’s and being asked to perform or record with brilliant musicians. All of this, he added, comes from quality practice not excessive practice. The class was topped off with a fantastic performance by Dagley along with Head of Guitar, John Wheatcroft, Head of Bass, Andrew McKinney and Master Performance tutor Simon Carter on Keys. A true session performance as they hadn’t rehearsed or even decided what to play but nobody would ever have known. |
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