Gary's Students

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Gary's teaching system is the most challenging I've ever seen. It focuses on reading coordination, time, feel, and concentration level all at the same time.

~ Dave Weckl

Gary's systems have helped me to make tremendous improvement in my time feel, coordination, studio playing, and overall approach to the drumset. I recommend this book to all serious drum students.

~ Danny Gottlieb

"Gary Chester was my teacher. While I studied with him he taught me some unique exercises that helped me improve as a drummer very quickly. I still use those exercises today. Those exercises became part of his drum book"The New Breed". Amazing book, amazing teacher, and an amazing person.

He was one of the most recorded drummers ever, working out of NYC, recording music of all styles, hit after hit after it. He learned what drummers needed to work on to improve their abilities on the drum set from his experiences in the studio, and that's how he came up with the exercises and systems that became The New Breed."

~ Kenny Aronoff

'Twenty something' years later, I still have very profound visions of my time spent with Gary Chester. I remember my thoughts when I decided to study with him. I went in the lesson with the thought of; "well, if this guy can't show me anything, since he was a big studio guy, I will ask him point blank to help get me in, get me some work in the NY studios"..... Within the first ten minutes my ass was kicked so hard I felt like a beginner. Needless to say, I left the first lesson with my tail between my legs, a bit down, but excited at the same time that someone was really going to teach me something new... new energy, new abilities, new INSPIRATION.....

At that time I was living in an old apartment building, above a vacant pizzeria. I had my practice drums set up in the living room. The wall across from the window became a dart board of sorts, where I would heave sticks left and right out of frustration trying to do Gary's exercises! I had NEVER been challenged so much! I spent about a year and half with Gary. Still to this day, the things I learned and skills I developed through Gary's studies are applied all the time. For me it wasn't that I would USE his exact systems, but the abilities I gained by doing the systems, served as the foundation for solid time, even subdivisions, and the ability to be complex if desired, from a coordination standpoint. His teachings, and of course my countless hours of practice and playing (need that part too!), set the real groundwork for the beginning of my career as a successful drummer in a very difficult business.

Thank you Gary. All those holes in the wall above the pizzeria paid off....

~ Dave Weckl

With Gary gone now 20 years, his life's work and legacy lives on through his numerousrecordings, and his teaching methods. His book, "the "New Breed", has spauned, as he invisioned, a new group of drummers who have amazing dexterity, musicality, and control, and the book itself has become one of the most widely used drum texts in history. There are so few recordings and doccuments from his lessonsthat exist, and I am so thrilled that we havethis recording, with Gary going through his concepts, inspiring us all, in his own words.

~ Danny Gottlieb

"With 'The New Breed', Gary formed my style of playing drums tremendously and opened doors for the drummer community to taking the instrument on a whole new level! It´s a timeless Masterpiece.Thank you Gary for inspiring ´Extreme Independence´!"

~ Marco Minnemann
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"What a golden find to rediscover Gary's inspiration for creating the New Breed books. Hearing him discuss his own studio experience and map out steps for the next generation is a great gift to us all. Danny Gottlieb's thorough inquisition prompts Gary to talk about the importance of time, feel, knowledge of numerous styles, reading, listening, drumset independence, and the value of relating to each and every part being played. With his unique, personable way, Gary has come back to inspires us once again!"

~ Chris Adams

Hearing Gary's voice on this CD brings back warm memories of the times I spent with him while editing The New Breed. The information he imparts is valuable and helps put the exercises into perspective. But more than that, it's the absolute conviction and passion in Gary's voice that lets you know this guy knew what he was talking about and is giving it to you straight.

~ Rick Mattingly

"Studying Gary's Method helped me tremendously in the areas of playing solid time, alignment of limbs, and producing a consistent sound on the drums. The Systems gave me the confidence to succeed at learning challenging concepts, made my drumming more "recordable" in the studio environment, and taught me to have the patience and trust in my own learning abilities."

~ Al Miele

Through Gary Chester's approach to the drumset, I discovered two different personalities in my playing. By leading with either my right hand or left hand, I can create two completely different sounds. This concept has worked very successfully in my recording and performing with the John Cougar Mellencamp band.

~ Kenny Aronoff

Gary’s systems can aid improvement in areas that reach far beyond drumming. As much as these exercises can aid one’s drumming technically, they are unparalleled in improving one’s concentration, the key to most everything we do.

~ Peter Wilson

"I have been a full-fledged, card carrying "New Breed" student since 1985. My first lesson with Gary radically changed my drumming life forever!! The New Breed 'musical systems' free drummers up from the chains that bind. These systems will help you to become a very musical drummer. Gary often said that his systems were not for everyone...this only inspired me to work harder! So if you are ready to work harder than ever before, go out and grab a copy of The New Breed. With a lot of hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded like never before!!

I love and miss you Gary. Your soldier in The New Breed forever."

~ Joey Commisso

Gary’s Method is the most sophisticated way to learn to play the drums. It helps you develop your own personality and creativity. But more than that, it’s a whole philosophy that becomes part of your life.

To get the possibility to study with a genius like Gary was one of my greatest experiences in life. It changed not only my playing, but also my way of thinking and my attitude in terms of life, business, and relations to people.

You should study this Method with a teacher, because most of the time the exercises are so difficult that only the faith in your teacher gives you the patience and perseverance that you need to reach your goal.

To study with Chris Adams through cassette correspondence is a wonderful way to learn this Method. It’s much more than sending a check and getting some independence exercises; it’s like having a drumming love affair.

~ Robert Strobel

Studying Gary’s Systems taught me not only the coordination independence I was looking for, but my Time, reading, and awareness improved dramatically, while showing me a method of learning that has positively affected all aspects of my life.

~ Mike Ricciardi

The advanced coordination that I developed through studying Gary’s Systems is second only to the balance that I obtained in my heart and soul. It was a very spiritual journey that I took with Gary, and I miss him a lot.

~ Bobby Kent

The secret to mastering these systems is in your lifestyle. The same amount of desire, concentration, relaxation, and confidence needed to play them must be applied to everything in your life. Gary always said, “You can play absolutely anything you want to.” By leading me through his lessons, he showed me he was right.

~ Robert Bond

Gary’s Method is the most important thing I’ve learned since I started playing drums. It opened up my ears so I could hear the whole band at once. It has helped my Time immensely and forced me to really practice and discipline myself. I am thrilled Chris Adams has continued teaching what my best friend and teacher has given me.

~ Jonathan Lichtig

"Gary's lessons included guidence in handling yourself as a musician and help in directing you towards your future. Here are some of his suggestions that I recall:

"Go out and listen to music, see what's happening out there and how you fit in it. Introduce yourself to other musicians; they can be helpful to you. At a club, ask if you can sit in. Find out where jam sessions are and go to them; let people hear you, and listen to others, learn from them."

"Hang out with other drummers; you can be an inspiration to one another. Get into a situation where you're with good players, preferably musicians better than yourself; that'll make you work harder. If you're too good for a band, get into a better one. Be professional: when you're ready to leave the group, try to find a replacement."

"Learn something from every good or bad situation you're in; use it to your advantage. Get paid for what you do. Don't allow anyone who's cominng from their own insecurities to put you down."

"You want that gig? Well, go get it! Can't play that? You got two arms, two legs and a brain, so what's the problem!"

He was the best audience to play for. He never lied to you about whether you sounded good or bad. That honest reaction is what taught me to trust myself and enabled ideas to flow.

The last thing I learned from Gary was that you can't wait in life; there were so many things I wanted to ask him but I put them off.

That's just a little bit of Gary and what I learned from him. Boy was I lucky!"

~ Doreen Holmes

"Through my years of study with Gary, I learned that importance of Time. The first step to playing good Time is understanding it. Practicing with a click track while studying with Gary gave me a greater awareness of Time. I learned to respect it. I knew exactly where the quarter note was and how all the other notes related to it. By singing the quarter notes, I developed a stong internal pulse.

Gary's Methos is the ultimate in coordination, control, focus, awareness, and sensitivity. Singing the various parts of each System made me aware of every note I played. My dynamics improved tremenously. Gary also taught me how to express myself on my instrument. He believed that the instrument was merely an extension of yourself.

I'll always be grateful for the years I spent with that unique individual known as Gary Chester"

~ Paul Paitchell

Gary would always say that he wasn't teaching how to play drums. He was teaching exercises that would enable drummers to maximize their abilities and creativity. The Systems that Gary developed offer endless posibilities to do both, and are much more than a series of difficult coordination exercises. They require an open mind, the ability to listen, patience, determination, and sensitivity.

Through Gary I learned that to grow as a drummer, you had to grow as a person. They are a reflection of one another. I learned that success isn't necessarily fame, it's developing the attributes mentioned above, having faith in yourself, and trusting your ability.

~ David Bell

Through working with Gary Chester's Systems in conjunction with a click track, my time has improved dramatically. I have become much more aware of each note I play, my listening spectrum has opened way up, and my ambidexterity has improved tremendously. Most importnat, my means of expression has been greatly enhanced.

~ Gary Seligson

Gary Chester's Systems strengthen time concept, coordination, and mental awareness.

~ Rob Greenfield

Gary's Systems are the ultimate in coordination and concentration. If you can imagine one drummer sounding like three or four drummers, you're on the right track.

~ Tony Cruz

Gary's method of teaching has shown me the true meaning of coordination, and how to accomplish the same things with my left hand that I can do with my right.

~ Chris Harfenist

From studying Gary Chester's Systems, my reading has improved to the point where I can read three to four lines simultaneously at sight. Also, my ability to execute difficult parts has improved to where anything I play or read in a working situation seems incredibly easy.

~ Roger Post

Through Gary's approach, I can express myself as never before. He has given me a complete concept of my instrument.

~ Jimmy Vallis

Gary's systems are excellent for developing the skills and concepts necessary for good drumming as well as good musicianship.

~ Howard Joines

Gary's systems have helped me develop a much stronger sense of time and awareness in conjunction with flow and sensativity. Most importantly, the systems have given me the strongest sense of balance and center I have ever experienced behind the drums.

~ Chris Adams