Gary Chester

Seems like just yesterday I bought the book NB and found this site. When I wrote a message here for the first time and incredibly co-author of the NBII (Chris Adams) contacted me. It seems like yesterday but years have passed since then. Here in Brazil, every day more and more people, especially young people, are discovering Gary Chester NB like a launch, they are astonished by the intelligence of its creator. I as a musician I must disclose that this book certainly makes a huge difference to those who know him. Thanks Chris Adams for the inspiration and thank the Chester family by continuing the work of Gary meter.

Happy Fathers day dad! I think you have been trying to send me messages these past few months. If so, I am getting them. Today was Old Spice and as mandy reminded me - english leather, as well as socks and PJ bottoms we always stole to wear from you. You are so missed and never forgotten. Where ever you are- we love and miss you so much. xx All of your daughters Gayle, Jena, Mandy and Katrina

Hey Gary: Long time man. Raised the family to a beatiful 24 year old son, Dave and 20 year old daughter Danielle. Still bringing home the bacon with very hard work each and everyday. But you'd be proud. It's a very tough world, but a beautiful life. I miss you. All the love of a friend.

Happy Birthday Gary! was raking leaves yesterday and thought of you. I remember walks up at your old house this time of year. I remember you telling me of your fond memories seeing your girls play in the piles of leaves you would rake up. My lessons with you began this time of year. Fall is here once again....85 years since the day you were born. the years go by so fast. miss you. love, Chris

This came from a man in Australia and he gave me permission to share it!!! Thank you! xxKatrina Hello Katrina, How are you? my name is Joseph and I'm emailing you from Sydney, Australia. Dan Britt gave me your email if that is o.k with you, and he also says that you are great and I believe him :). I was telling him how great your fathers book is and he said don't tell me, tell Katrina so here I am emailing you and expressing how much I love this book. I've been drumming for around 8-9 years now and I take it very seriously. Last year in my music performance and diploma studies my drum tutor introduced me to your fathers book "The new breed" and I started studying the systems with him and by myself at home. Ever since I have started studying from this book I have never looked back at the drummer I used to be, I only look to the future and work on the drummer than I can and will be. That book has shaped me not just as a drummer, but shaped my approach to playing,loving and caring for music and fellow musicians, I'm just a better person really. Before I purchased the book I used to just play, but listening to the interview with Gary (which came with the book) I realised I can be so much more on this instrument, and my favorite quote from Gary in this interview was " to play with energy doesn't necessarily mean to play hard." My feel, my time, my co-ordination, my listening, my reading and my love for the craft of drumming and music just grew, grew and grew and it wont stop growing for the rest of my life. Your fathers goal was to help drummers out there learn and develop their own style/techniques from his systems, with me your dad has achieved this, I can now play in ways where 1 and a half years ago I'd just say no I'm not capable of doing this part here. I'll have to simplify it but not today there's no more of that . Every fellow drummer I talk to I ask them " have you looked at Gary Chester's book The new breed?" and if they say no I'll tell them to go and buy it because it is better than anything that is out there. I have studied from several books and other resources and none have matched the genius of "The new breed" I now nail every audition I go to, it no longer takes me 15 takes to record a song my average now is around 4 and usually the first take we keep :), I no longer fatigue on stage or in practice, my playing has become smoother, my listening has broadened, not to just musicians around me but to other styles and other drummers too. There is so much more that I want to say but I don't want to have you sitting at your computer for hours reading my email. Thank you Gary Chester for this beautiful gift and thank you Katrina. It is an amazing educational source, It has helped me grow and I'm just very appreciative for your father sharing his wisdom. Again thank you so much. Cheers.

You will always have a special place in my heart. You made me fell like I was one of your own. I know from speaking to other "fellow" student drummers ( circa 1973-1978) you made us all feel that way. Yes I remember Jan and the kids who were running around the house in Rockland Cty. You and I shared the same birthday, Oct. 27th and we use to wish each other happy birthdays and have a good laugh. I sit here and look at your pictures and read the posts from everyone ,especially Katrina, and it makes me very happy but sad to not be able to see and hear your voice. Yes Jan someday we will see Gary again. Love you man!

Follow this link and then go to top and click on "feature", go to page 82 "what do you know....." and you'll see a picture of Gary in a little box with a beautiful paragraph about him! http://www.moderndrummerdigital.com/moderndrummer/200910/?sub_id=v1miAODoaCnA Or better yet, go BUY the Oct issue and support MD!! Much love and thanks, Katrina Chester xxx

I came acrss New Breed about 12 or so years ago (I've been playing for 40 years and teaching for 25), and to this day I still use it for personal as well as teaching purposes. I have a few of his quotes posted on my studio walls to remind me and my students why we do this. I never met Gary, but I feel as though he left something behind for us all to remember him by...and not many can say that! He is still teaching, which it seems is exactly what he wished.

woke early today and thought of you. 22 years....still think of you, miss you, and still feel so blessed to have spent some years learning from you, laughing with you, and enjoying your grand friendship and guidance. love always, Chrissy

I just lost a good friend and teacher,Jim Chapin.What I learned from Jim,and Gary Chester,gave me insight to the way drums should be played.Ultimate independence and relaxation. Thanx for the lessons. Ralph Onofrio

Just wanted to stop and say Happy Fathers day....There will never be another you, another Father, another so influential to me. Wherever you are, know how loved you are and what a "father" you were to so many people. and no more old spice or socks!! lol. Just a kiss to the sky today. I love you. HAPPY FATHERS DAY- xxKatrina

I came to read some posts again and saw some I must have missed before! I loved reading them and just wanted to say thank you to everyone for remembering him and for all the great stories. Steve...thank you for what you said and Im sure your 6 kids will remember you just as fondly! And as far as the post about the rock and roll hall of fame...I agree and I remember at some point someone was trying to sign a petition but Im not sure what happened with that. I absolutely think we should all ban together and do something about it for sure!! any ideas?? So happy to hear of all the people teaching the NB all over the world!! I really am.... Thanks for stopping by and posting. means the world! xxKatrina Chester

I was first made aware of Gary in about 1986 by a much respected drum teacher in the UK called Bob Armstrong who was at that time teaching Garys methods and probably still is? Although I consider myself a good jobbing drummer I never was really good enough to acompish many of Garys amazing methods. Whilst having a look around Garys site today I came across this section and was greatly touched by the way Garys wife and children talk about him in fact it brought a few tears to my eyes. 20 years on thire love for him is obvious and that is a beautiful thing. I have 6 children of my own and hope that they will be able to look back with as fond memories of me when the time comes as Garys family do of him. Its great to be able to achive high things in life but the kind of love shown hear beats all, we are nothing without it. Thanks for maintaining this site as an insperation to us all. Steve Sage

write from South-Tyrol (North-Italy)...I ordered today the New Breed 1 (with CD)...I must have this edition...I think both books are books for the entire life...it is not possible coming to an end with these books...they are just great!!! Thank you Gary!!! And: Katrina: was on your website: you have a great voice!!! :-) Many greetings!!!

Please enter your message here.Happy birthday,Gary.We never met but I learned to play by listening to all the records you played on.I pass these gold nuggets on to my students now.From the Chiffons"He's So Fine" to all the FANTASTIC beats on the Dionne Warwick records to Van Morrisson's 'Brown eyed Girl"Which I still play in 4 different bands,you are THE innovator for a future generation of drummers to learn from.I've ended MANY arguments about difficult things to play by putting "The New Breed" up on my music stand.Thannks for teaching us ALL!!Ralph Onofrio Branford Ct.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DADDY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"! TODAY YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN 84 YEARS OLD, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! YOU'D BE PROUD OF ME, I'M STARTING A MUSIC CLASS FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. GONNA TEACH THEM RHYTHUM, BEATS, MELODIES AND TEMPO TO FAMILIAR SONGS. THEY'RE ALL UNDER 5 YEARS OLD, GREAT IDEA, HUH!! THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK OF YOU, CALL OUT YOUR NAME OR FEEL LIKE I SAW YOU PASS ME BY....BY THE WAY, DID YOU TURN ON THE FAUCET THE OTHER DAY, I COULD SWEAR IT WAS YOU? I KNOW YOU'RE LOOKING DOWN ON US LAUGHING AT ALL THE MISTAKES WE'RE MAKING IN LIFE, YOU CAN TELL ME "I TOLD YOU SO" WHEN I GET THERE, LOL. I MISS THE TALKS WE USED TO HAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE LONG WALKS IN THE WOODS, THE LEAVES WE USED TO RAKE (AND I JUMPED IN THE PILE), BREAKFAST AT JIMMIES RESTAURANT, GARDENING TOGETHER, COMING WITH YOU TO RADIO REGISTRY AND WATCHING YOUR GIGS ("DON'T TALK WHEN YOU SEE THE RED LIGHT"), VISITING FRIENDS AT THE HOT DOG PLACE IN THE CITY AND AT MANNY'S MUSIC, GOING ON THE ROAD AND ALL THE TIMES I HAD TO BRING YOU COFFEE AND CIGG'S IN TO YOUR OFFICE WHILE YOU WERE TEACHING!! REMEMBER EVERYBODY?? NOW MORE THAN EVER I WISH YOU WERE HERE FOR ME AS A DAD AND A MENTOR , A FRIEND AND A TEACHER. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MY TEETH ITCH!!! AND THINK OF YOU ALL THE TIME. SEE YOU SOMEDAY........... PRINCESS

Happy Birthday honey. Still think about you after all these years-yes, everyday.Who would have thought we'd be married for 30 years and if you had lived, we'd be celebrating our 50th now. It's such a "typical story"....the stripper hooks up with the new drummer, they fall in love, live together, get married, buy a house in the country and have 4 kids. When you recorded "Little Egypt" with the Coasters, it was our story-who wrote that anyway? Now we have 4 grandchildren and none of them know you, but we sure talk about you all the time! If there is a heaven (you were sure, I wasn't), then be happy there and maybe our spirits will meet again.

I wish I could have met you Gary. I appreciate your contributions to music, drumming and philosphy. And thank you for your youngest...Katrina. Your spirit touches me through her.

Happy Birthday Dear Gar', happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Gary, we all still love you!!! ...thinking of you, missing you, will always celebrate you and your incredible life! Have a grand day in heaven! love, Chrissy

Just wanted you to know Im thinking of you on this day, as everyday and remembering all the years and all the presents of socks and old spice that you stocked away with a smile from all your daughters. I miss your face and your words and as I get older, somehow, I need them even more. Im kissing the sky today.... I love you The Bean ps. I dyed my hair to my natural color, you'd be proud, I look like the ginnie's we are now!