Gary Chester

When I started my studies with Gary, I new it was going to be very special.... Not only did I learn to sharpen my independence, reading skills, sensitivity to my surroundings and over all focus and creativity, but, I learned about life and how it applied to and for the music. How to be honest with the music and to let it happen..... I related to Gary on so many levels. Thanks Man for ALL of it !!

I studied with Gary from '86-'87. Gary had a big impact on my life.

Here we are...another holiday season approaching. I'm booking gigs..teaching, gigging...I always, always think of Gary, especially when I teach. I love you Gary!

Studied with Gary from '73 to '78. WOW! He immediately becomes your friend and confidant, LOVED listening to him play! I could sing pretty good but was just a regular "hacker" when it came to the drums before a club date musician friend of mine turned me on to Gary. What a gas! I only wanted to play gigs and sing and be able to be accomplished on the "skins". I did a lot of woodshedding on my vocals and also on the drums and had a pretty good "career" thanks to Gary. Lasted a little over 20years. I remember when he started teaching the independence style with the floor tom on your left and the additional high hat! He sits me down and puts up a chart and then tells me what goes where! I said "hey Gary, give me one of those non-filtered Raleigh's that you're smoking!!!" LOL God bless you Gary you meant an awful lot to me! I still talk about you to friends & fellow musicians till this day. You may be gone but NEVER forgotten.

Still miss ya Gary! Just now, Feb. 2009, I'm starting seasonal parties for my students. Just like we used to do. It was a great idea then, and now, thanks to you. I love you Gary!

I recently "Googled" Gary Chester and learned that he had this incredible website. I was a student of Gary's from 1979 to 1983, while I attended Ramapo Senior High School in Rockland County along with his pretty and talented daughter Mandy. I remember Gary encouraging me to arrive early and stay late so that I could watch, listen, learn and be inspired from his other pupils. Besides learning how to diligently play all of his drum systems, I learned how to read and write drum charts, which enabled me to listen to a song a few times and then write out exactly what the drummer was playing. To this day that skill has stayed with me and has made me a better musician and listener. Though I don't play professionally, I continue to play in my basement's drum room in Plainview, NY (on Long Island) for personal enjoyment and with other musicians from time to time. Gary provided me with inspiration and courage to achieve greatness in everthing that I wanted to do in life. I will always remember Gary as my best drum teacher, mentor and close friend. He was one of a kind! Thanks for the memories Gary Chester Family and thank you Gary for being You. Best Regards, Scott Warshaw.

Hello to all! I studied with Gary back in 1972-74 if my memory serves me right . What I remember about Gary was the fact that he seem to genuinely believe in me and my potential to become a working drummer. He ensured me that I was good enough enjoy a career in music if I put in the time to practice and learn. I was just a kid playing to records in my basement daydreaming about the stage / studio. Gary inspired me and the dream came true. Thank you Gary. I will do my best to pass on what you so freely gave to me. Paul Garisto

Twenty years after his passing, I still remember those words from his business card (along with the byline, "Teaching the philosophy of the drums, with a modern approach")! Gary was one of the four teachers who really "made me who I am", so to speak. As I've often said, Jeff Fountain taught me technique, Benny Gramm taught me how to refine that technique and apply it to jazz and Latin grooves, and Lenny White taught me some more great grooves and the basics of _how_ to groove, but it was Gary's insights, soul and methods that brought me from being just another guy with lightning-fast, flashy chops to one everyone wanted to play with. I studied with Gary from the tail end of 1985 until his untimely passing, a couple of years later; not weekly, but every second or third week. Our first lesson still sticks in my mind as one of the most nerve-wracking moments of my life: feeling like I was being visually dissected from twenty-odd feet away, by the guy whose set I was playing (or trying to). I later came to realize that that was just one of Gary's mindfulness lessons in full operation, with his focusing in on the task (and student) at hand with all of his energies. Boy, was he ever focused! But, man oh man, the results he was able to help me generate!! To give an idea of how valuable his teachings were, I went from playing endless auditions, never understanding why I'd only get one or two follow-up calls, to one who's been offered the drum chair for better than half the situations I've auditioned for, since then. I know how upset you were about the plumbing and other construction issues in the new house, Gary, but I hope that in the midst of all of that, you still had some idea of the difference you'd made in this world, before you left to join the next one. You were a rare mentor, Gary; one who cared enough to make a difference, through thick and thin, and whose lessons I've shared with each and every one of the many, many students I've taught, since then. Thank you for everything.

I did not know that Gary had a website. I was a student of Gary's from 1972 -1982. he was an unbelievable teacher. I was one of the first students to begin the systems with Gary that led to the "New Breed " book. I am still playing and using all of what I have learned from him. I met a drummer on the plane from Florence that heard of Gary's teaching technique and stated," You were the first guys to use a second HiHat and a Floor Tom on the left" I said, "That's Right!" I am still playing that way and boy does it rock. Hello Gena, Katrina, Mandy, Boffa, Gail and Mrs. Chester. This is Rob Colavito from Southampton. Originally from Rockland. Thanks for the memories Robert

I had one of the greatest opportunity's to not only study with Gary for two years, but too hang out with him during our vacation in Cape May NJ. Gary was an exceptional human being. He would always take the time to explain the question's you might have in mind. He is truly missed by all those that knew him. Gary's direction gave me the inspiration to become the drummer I want to hear. Thanks Gary! 1984-1986

I was fortunate enough to study with Gary in my mid teens, from 15-17. He died a week before my 17th birthday. Gary totally changed my life and inspired my outlook on everything. Once, after playing at a lesson for five minutes he stopped me and asked what was wrong. I said nothing. He then pushed, "well you can't play for shit so you might as well tell me what's goin' on cause your paying me for this hour...so?" Right to the point, knew something was up. He could see inside my head through my playing. He was amazing. I will always think of him when I play.

Gary really was a guru to drummers. He changed my life for the better in many ways - as a drummer, turning me on to Zen Buddhism, getting me to laugh at my mistakes, and most importantly showing me a path to self-respect. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to have Gary tell me I had actually completed my studies with him. These days I realize that, in addition to drumming, I am using the systems concepts in my arranging and mixing ideas all the time (especially mixing!). Thanks, Gary!! You're one of a kind.

in the 80s. he best lesson I ever had from Gary was just listening to him play time. Ya gotta love the quarter note.

I did not study with Gary but I i completed his book with a student of his Van Romaine when I was 17 years old. It was a great experience going through gary's systems Nick

From July of 1985 to Aug. of 1987 though the mail.I loved getting that cassette tape & hearing his voice pushing me on & at the end saying ok baby God Bless. I still miss that.

80's

I studied with Gary from 1977 till 1982..mostly on Mondays at 6PM.. Not a day goes by without me remembering what Gary instilled in me..not just drumming..about Life.

november 1986 until his passing in 1987. never learned so much about the instrument in such a short time!

I think it was 1985 or 86 -1987

83-85 great teacher! learned alot about being a musician.