Best Clinics you've seen

I've seen Bozzio in clinic within the past year and might go see Tony Verderosa soon - though I'm not sure I'm into electronics quite that much.

Bozzio was truly amazing, but I still enjoyed the Joe Morello and Jim Chapin clinics I used to go to more than anything - they used to teach at a small store in Staten Island called Percussion Paradise that I don't believe is around anymore and did clinics set up by the store. At those clinics, there was much more teaching going on than just playing - though they are both ridiculous players. Morello was just so much fun to watch and listen to (speaking and playing) and Chapin is just great at imparting useful wisdom and at teaching technique - he always likes to talk about the Moeller technique. I'll add that I saw him at the store numerous times and he was just a truly terrific guy - always recognized me and said "Hi" and would small talk even though he couldn't remember my name,

I've also seen Danny Gottlieb (he was with Morello at a clinic) and Roy Burns. I like Roy Burns (from other run-ins with him), but his whole thing at the time was promoting his book and the new (at the time) "cymbal springs" manufactured by a new (at the time) company called Aquarian that didn't manufacture heads (at the time).

What were some of your favorite clinics?

I've seen Bozzio as well, and that was one of my favorites, although I know it dragged on longer than many people there wanted it to...and it was more of a concert than a clinic.

I think it'd be a tie between Steve Smith, Simon Phillips, and Dennis Chambers for me. I'd probably lean towards Dennis, although that may be simply because it was the most recent of the three. That was the first clinic I saw where I just couldn't comprehend what was going on, the guy was so fast...Phillips was great with his monster setup and did a great job of explaining everything, and Smith's playing was so melodic and musical.

Oh, wait, I forgot about Tim Alexander...he just played parts from a bunch of Primus songs and took some questions and requests, but it was a great clinic as well.

-Duardo

I have not seen many, but Akira Jimbo was just amazing., not to mention he seems to be a really likable guy as well.

Probably the worst was Tommy Aldrich, didnt say a word and just played along with some sequences.