Podcast 055 - Michael Carvin: Meeting Your True, Inner-self
August 11, 2014

055 – Michael Carvin: Meeting Your True, Inner-Self

In this podcast I talked to the legendary Michael Carvin who has performed with a slew of A-list artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, and Freddie Hubbard and has played on over 250 albums. Not only has Michael played with A-listers, he also developes them as  teacher. Michael has taught some heavy hitters such as Billy Martin, Michael Shrieve, Ralph Peterson and others.  Michael’s teaching style different than others in the way that he helps drummers friend their true inner voice.  Rather than teaching students how to imitate others, Carvin teaches students to develop their own signature sound, depending on their mood, feelings and overall disposition.  Carvin also has a great take on rudiments, explaining that their are 26 letters in the alphabet to create words, sentences, paragraphs, and stories and there are 26 rudiments to help you do the same. 

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” – Herman Melville (Tweet this)

In this episode you’ll hear Michael Carvin talk about:

  • How he got started playing drums
  • His approach to practice
  • How to develop your own sound
  • The importance of falling in love with the instrument
  • A refreshing way to look at rudiments
  • How to achieve ALL of your goals
  • Why people are successful / unsuccessful
  • Much much more

Resource and Links Mentioned:

Michael Carvin’s Website
26 Essential Rudiments  (Downloadable PDF)
Michael’s Modern Drummer Article (2011)

Michael Carvin’s Gear:

Pro Mark (Signature Stick)
Pearl Drums 
Istanbul Cymbals