Published Thursday, September 5, 2002
Herald Staff Writer
A stack of Modern Drummer magazines, music books, various family photos and a multitude of drum parts decorate the space where Joe Commisso teaches others how to keep the beat.
Thanks to "word of mouth," Commisso of New Wilmington, has been able to make a living providing private drum and percussion lessons locally since he relocated from Los Angeles in 1997.
He has also drummed up interest in percussion by hosting several "drum fun" demonstration clinics in local schools.
Commisso now has students from 18 different elementary, middle and high schools in the Penn-Ohio area. One of his students, Paul Longo, 17, a senior at Hubbard High School, said he hopes his drumming will help him be accepted to the University of California, Berkeley, which has a prominent music program. After studying drums "all of his life," Paul said he recently began learning from Commisso and wants to get over a few humps before he can attain his Berkeley goal.
"You really have to spend time practicing," he said.
Commisso said he believes Paul has the talent to succeed.
"His ability is exceptional and he's a good person to work with because he wants to learn," he said. "I can't put everybody on the same program or they'll self-destruct."
This past spring Commisso did four one-hour drum fun clinics at several local schools drumming up interest in drumming.
His students -- both adult and children -- are skilled on different levels, but they start out learning the basics. Commisso said he teaches beginning snare and drum, and works on improving music reading, hand technique and coordination skills. He also teaches several ways to grip drumsticks and how to move them just right.
Commisso said it usually takes between nine months to a year for children to learn how to hold and move the sticks. It's always helpful if the students are actually interested in learning about drums, he said. Occasionally he'll tell parents to give it a month to see if their children really want to play. After about four lessons he said he can usually tell if a child is serious.
He said students should also be comfortable with doing what comes natural for them. Some people walk in wanting to sound like the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
"I want them to learn to be themselves. After they learn it, they can put some other twist on it and make it their own," he said.
"I'm constantly pulling the rug out (on my students) and that's how they land on their feet. Then the sky is the limit," he said.
Commisso said he started drumming at a young age banging on cardboard boxes and anything else he could get his hands on. He's doesn't hold a music degree and never went to college to study drumming. However, he does a lot of reading, attends clinics and studied for more than 25 years under reputable drummists.
From 1985 to 1987 he studied with the late Gary Chester and later with Chester's protege Chrissy Adams, who he continues to study with. Both Chester and Ms. Adams are the authors of two drum tutors -- "The New Breed" and "The New Breed II" -- which Commisso uses to teach his drummers.
"I studied with tons of drummers in L.A. that are good. They gave me a thorough background. I also read a lot, pretty much anything that has to do with drums. God gave me this ability and I'm trying to take it as far as it can go," he said.
He said incorporating Christian values in with his lessons is also important to him.
"I enjoy promoting the values of Christ through music," he said. "I've had offers from record companies, but I won't do it. My mission is to spread the gospel," he added.
On his down time Commisso plays in a nine piece R&B and funk horn band in Pittsburgh, sometimes playing Steelers, Pirates and other functions.
Commisso plans to eventually open his own drumming school and is always glad for new students.
"I have a lot of patience to teach and I do a lot of it," he said.
Commisso will perform a short percussion segment at 3 p.m. Sunday in Wallace Memorial Chapel at Westminster College, during a music recital for students of Michael Dean and Carnie Verrelli.
For more information on "It's About Time" drum lessons or to schedule Drum Fun Clinics call Joe Commisso at (724) 946-0004.
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharonherald.com
A stack of Modern Drummer magazines, music books, various family photos and a multitude of drum parts decorate the space where Joe Commisso teaches others how to keep the beat.
Thanks to "word of mouth," Commisso of New Wilmington, has been able to make a living providing private drum and percussion lessons locally since he relocated from Los Angeles in 1997.
He has also drummed up interest in percussion by hosting several "drum fun" demonstration clinics in local schools.
Commisso now has students from 18 different elementary, middle and high schools in the Penn-Ohio area. One of his students, Paul Longo, 17, a senior at Hubbard High School, said he hopes his drumming will help him be accepted to the University of California, Berkeley, which has a prominent music program. After studying drums "all of his life," Paul said he recently began learning from Commisso and wants to get over a few humps before he can attain his Berkeley goal.
"You really have to spend time practicing," he said.
Commisso said he believes Paul has the talent to succeed.
"His ability is exceptional and he's a good person to work with because he wants to learn," he said. "I can't put everybody on the same program or they'll self-destruct."
This past spring Commisso did four one-hour drum fun clinics at several local schools drumming up interest in drumming.
His students -- both adult and children -- are skilled on different levels, but they start out learning the basics. Commisso said he teaches beginning snare and drum, and works on improving music reading, hand technique and coordination skills. He also teaches several ways to grip drumsticks and how to move them just right.
Commisso said it usually takes between nine months to a year for children to learn how to hold and move the sticks. It's always helpful if the students are actually interested in learning about drums, he said. Occasionally he'll tell parents to give it a month to see if their children really want to play. After about four lessons he said he can usually tell if a child is serious.
He said students should also be comfortable with doing what comes natural for them. Some people walk in wanting to sound like the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
"I want them to learn to be themselves. After they learn it, they can put some other twist on it and make it their own," he said.
"I'm constantly pulling the rug out (on my students) and that's how they land on their feet. Then the sky is the limit," he said.
Commisso said he started drumming at a young age banging on cardboard boxes and anything else he could get his hands on. He's doesn't hold a music degree and never went to college to study drumming. However, he does a lot of reading, attends clinics and studied for more than 25 years under reputable drummists.
From 1985 to 1987 he studied with the late Gary Chester and later with Chester's protege Chrissy Adams, who he continues to study with. Both Chester and Ms. Adams are the authors of two drum tutors -- "The New Breed" and "The New Breed II" -- which Commisso uses to teach his drummers.
"I studied with tons of drummers in L.A. that are good. They gave me a thorough background. I also read a lot, pretty much anything that has to do with drums. God gave me this ability and I'm trying to take it as far as it can go," he said.
He said incorporating Christian values in with his lessons is also important to him.
"I enjoy promoting the values of Christ through music," he said. "I've had offers from record companies, but I won't do it. My mission is to spread the gospel," he added.
On his down time Commisso plays in a nine piece R&B and funk horn band in Pittsburgh, sometimes playing Steelers, Pirates and other functions.
Commisso plans to eventually open his own drumming school and is always glad for new students.
"I have a lot of patience to teach and I do a lot of it," he said.
Commisso will perform a short percussion segment at 3 p.m. Sunday in Wallace Memorial Chapel at Westminster College, during a music recital for students of Michael Dean and Carnie Verrelli.
For more information on "It's About Time" drum lessons or to schedule Drum Fun Clinics call Joe Commisso at (724) 946-0004.
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharonherald.com