Percussionist Richie Barshay, most noted as a member of the Herbie Hancock Quartet
(since 2003), took a quick break from his 21 day European tour to deliver a highly
informative master class to Drumtech students on Monday 8th October.

Incorporating various percussion instruments into his set up, along with Michael Janisch on a double bass, and Jim Hart on vibraphone, the band started off by delivering a performance of a few songs, which also briefly had Richie playing on the drum kit with just his hands.

The band then went on to talk about their current tour, which is an Indian influenced tour. They
also explained how they like to incorporate world music rhythms into western music.

Demonstrating various ‘5 beat’ patterns, reciting Indian rhythms, as well as getting the crowd
to clap these rhythms, the band continued to wow the us with their highly impressive
improvisational jamming skills, most of which were in various time signatures.

After giving an in-depth explanation of polyrhythm, which included demonstrating, and even
writing polyrhythm charts on the whiteboard for students to make note of, the band talked about their use of more world rhythms, including Latin rhythms such as the Clave. The band then ran through one last improvised jam which resulted in a highly deserved deafening applause.

Like the majority of master classes here at Drumtech, students were left with a lot to think about on the way home, as well as the urge to get to a practice room as soon as they made it there. A truly unique, and inspirational master class from a highly innovative drummer.