Thursday 13th May was eagerly awaited by many Drumtech students. We had a true
master arriving in Mark Mondesir. Mark has played with some outstanding musicians
including Jeff Beck, John Schofield and Courtney Pine to name just a few. He can
relate relate to drummers from all types of influences, for his incredible and unique
chops and his amazing musicality.

Mark started the clinic with a 30 minute improvisation with sections played to a sequenced
bass loop. He displayed the limitless ideas that he has available to him, playing around with time and groove with great taste.

He then began to take questions from the Drumtech audience. Focus immediately went to
his technical ability that he displayed in his opening foray, especially his obvious
ambidexterity. Mark explained that he is naturally a left handed player, but learnt on a right
handed kit. This gave him the option to played open as well as crossed.

Someone in the audience asked “What was the most important lesson that you have
learned”, Marks response was “To always be humble and be a sponge”. With this he went
on to explain that being humble does not get in the way of your learning even when your
working with people you think can’t teach you anything. He then said that by listening to
non-drummers comments on your playing it keeps your perspective open as a listener as
well as a musician.

Another student asked about how he deals with odd-times and feels. Mark began to explain
how he listens and picks up the main phrase i.e. Bass lines, keys or melody. From this he
determines where the one is. With regards to time he told the audience that he sees time as the object and the pulse the space between that object giving its shape and definition. The Pulse is a lucid thing that can be pushed and pulled, but time is rigid and can’t change within itself.

He finished by played a Tony Williams bass line, looped in 11/8, leaving everyone in ore of
this sensational drummer. Mark wrapped up by quoting Art Blakey “From the creator, to the
musician, to the listener”. Which summed up his playing and approach perfectly.

Sam Muscat (Drumtech student)