Gary Chester

Hi. I'm excited to have found this website. I studied with Gary in the early 80's for about six months. I have nothing but very fond memories of those lessons because Gary changed me. He believed in me at a time when I needed someone to believe in me. He was tough. Man, I couldn't believe it, but I had to practice three to four hours a day just so I wouldn;t make a fool outta myself at the next lesson. What an experience. He made me work!!He helped make me a much better drummer and musician and I wouldn't have done it without him. I was very sad when I heard the news of Gary's death. Gary's memory and spirit will never be gone. God bless Gary Chester.

Hello everyone! Just a note to say that I know for a fact that Gary's spirit and professionalism live on in his incredibly talented daughter Katrina. Her singing is the kind that comes from some other dimension and really makes you believe in a higher power! I hired her for a jingle session and she showed up on time and ready to roll, even though just hours before, that very day, her home had been partially destroyed by a fire! (don't worry folks, everyone is OK) She had dealt with the fire, the firemen running around in her home, and the fact that she had out-of-town guests that she was supposed to get to the airport before the session. In the face of all this, she refused to cancel, and showed up on time, in good spirits, with a great attitude. We did not even know about any of this until she came in the door. She did a fabulous job on the jingle, singing the principle parts and nailing all the harmonies, often writing her own. Her ability, attitude and talent were amazing, and no-one minded that she smelled like a campfire! Katrina, my hat is off to you and I wish you all the best in your new solo career!

Wow, how cool is this!!! You have to hand it to the Chester's, they really know how important family is and they take very good care of each other. I've known and loved the Chesters for over 20 years and they've always made me feel like a part of the family. I still remember hanging with the Chester girls partying all night and crashing at the house only to be woken up(with a major hangover)by one of Gary's students banging away. Anyone who know's the Chesters know what the definition of love and true friendship is and although I don't stay in touch as much as I used to I hope you know that I still love you all. Congrats on the amazing tribute to an incredible man. Also check out Katrina whenever you can, she'll change your life man!

Pienso que gary es el mejor profesor del mundo,lo aprecio muchisimo.

Hi everyone, Just wanted to say hi and let everyone know how amazing it is to come on here and see you all. Corey...wow...congrds on your baby and your life! We watched a video the other day with you and daddy in it, was really nice to see you again and how much my father loved you! Thanks for checking in on him, he is doing just fine! Our love to you from everyone here! Thanks again everyone, its you who are keeping my father, his playing, his system and most of all his soul, alive! Now go practice!!!! Much love, Katrina Chester

I studied w/ Gary around 1983; Dave Weckl sent me over to him when he got too famous/busy to give private lessons! I hit it off w/ Gary and gobbled up those intense Systems. I still apply rhythmic vocalization today as a Taketina rhythm teacher (and I'm still very active as a drummer/percussionist, please visit www.lasrubiasdelnorte.com/ for example). I broke from Gary a bit when in 1984, went to music conservatory to study the whole percussion family; Gary Strongly advised me against it but I saw the writing on the wall and knew that the Great Age of the "studio player" was drawing to a close w/ the advent of the Linn Drum, etc. ... But I still love and miss him, and had the pleasure to join a working band w/ Gary's sexy daughter Katrina 7 or 8 years ago. She's very talented and a joy to work with.

Gary's ideas - and especially his way of expressing them - have always been an inspiration to me. One of my few regrets is that I never got to take a lesson or two from him. Thank you for keeping his memory and his inspiration alive!

I am cso excited to find your website. I hired Gary many times and marvelled at his amazing ideas & skills. I dont want people to forget him or not know what a genius he was, I am sending this URL to people who should know. Thanks for everything!!!!! al kooper

to gary,wherever you are, thanks for grooving me thru the 60's!I still hear your drumming on "do you know the way to san jose" in my head.peace....

Saludos nuevamente, hace algunos dias adquiri el texto The new Breed, tengo tiempo estudiando el segundo texto, pero entender el sistema completo, los conceptos que en este libro se expresan son ralmente motivadores. Nuevamente gracias Gary, aun no completo todo el material,pero los mantendre informados... desde Venezuela un saludo fraterno a toda la comunidad de bateristas y estudiosos de los sistemas del gran Gary... Saludos and Happy new year?????

Every so often I take a moment and type Gary's name into the web to see what will come up. You see for me that exercise is (now was) a vain attempt to reach out to him and connect with him as if he would somehow magically appear for me. I miss him so much (and his family) and I think about him almost every day of my life. I was a student of Gary's for several years up until his death and we were very close. He was my teacher and he was my friend. We spent a lot time together fishing and talking. He was and still is the single most significant and vital person (other than my wife) to enter my life. My actions, personality, approach to everything I do was very much shaped by Gary. His photo hangs on my wall over my desk in my office and I imagine his take on business decisions I make. I am hopeful (and sometimes conviced) that he looks in on me from time to time. The night my son was born last year I wished Gary could see him. Today I typed in his name once again and this fantastic site came to me and it was almost as if he was able to say hello. Thank you very much Katrina for this gift to everyone and please forgive me for disappearing. All my love always, Corey Roberts

Hi from Finland! I've been playing drums as a hobby for ten years now. Until lately I've been able to use my imagination to develop my skills by making my own exercises and by playing with various bands. Month ago I decided to buy some books on drumming including Garys books to continue my development. I havent really sat down behind my set practising Garys systems yet but it's obvious that there's totally new world opening for me. I realize it'll take years for me to go through these books but that's what i was looking for: new ambitious goals to work for. Altough you're not reading this Gary, thank you for your work which has and will help many modern drummers to gain skill they never knew existed!

Hello, I love Gary's work and teaching. I was wondering who I could talk to for questions about his books. Maybe Adams? Would it be possible to get his or whoever's number? Thank you very much, Brad Lloyd-Drummer,Teacher bradlloyd2003@yahoo.com

happy birthday daddy... AGAIN ANOTHER YEAR GOES BY AND I FIND MYSELF NOT BEING ABLE TO BELIEVE THAT YOUR REALLY GONE.. BUT SOMEHOW I THINK YOU ARE EVERYWHERE I GO AND GAVE PART OF YOUR SOUL TO KAT.. SHE IS AMAZING AND YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD... I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.. JENA-MIA

Happy Birthday Gary. This Past Year Has Shown Me Just How Powerful One Man Can Be. I Hope I Can One Day Touch As Many Lives As You Have.

Man, what great books Gary and Chris have written. I've been working out of them for the past 3 years. For me, the secret to Gary's New Breed books is to play a system, sing all the parts until it becomes comfortable, then increase the tempo to where it becomes uncomfortable, and repeat the process. I do this until I can play the system at at a moderateley fast tempo. After I get the tempo thing happening, I'll slow it back down to almost the original tempo (~80bpm) and play the whole system again, over and over, without singing, and focus on the groove. Trying to listen and focus on all limbs and what they are playing all at once. After that, I'll put on some music and play the system along with it. I try to capture the feel of the music and apply it to the system I'm playing. Finding the appriopriate music is the hard part... Finally, I'll play the system but improvise variations of it, switching the patterns around from the different limbs, while making up my own meoldies. This takes me a long long time. One system usually takes me around 2-3 weeks. I really feel that with the right approach, anyone can do it. It's just a matter of systematic progression... Not rushing anything, and especially not finishing a system just to get to the next one. I don't think any of the systems can ever really be completed. Why? You can always go back and work on one and make it groove just a little bit better... Thanks, Gary and Chris!

Hi i was just wondering if you could give me some insight or other info on the new breeds 2 book e.g what year it was written and where????? if you could help me that would be good thanks brad patterson (aust drummer)

Wow, these posts are amazing, France, Romania....everywhere! Thank you for taking the time to write on here, I swear my dad see's these! Better keep singing that Bass line, that Wac-A-Chuck.... Amazing posts and wanted you all to know we are reading them and are so happy you found the site! anything else just post there... Love, Katrina Chester

I am a young, totally blind percussionist. I hope to join a professional symphony orchestra someday. I love your site!

HI! i am a 17 years old boy from Romania and right now i am studing 5B exercice from your drum exercices and is realy cool.That is all i can right you right now, my mom is calling me, but after i go i whant to ask you if you can write me some exercices or some drum advices.My Email is www.battobatare.yahoo.com. I will be very happy if you do that.