Classic teacher tease: “I want you to play four strokes with the right hand.” Student waits to be sure there’s no further instructions, then begins to play. “Wait! I’ll tell you when! What’s your hurry?” 😆
I studied with Henry from when I was 11 to 16. It was the best experience and I was lucky to spend so much time with him and learning all his techniques. He was truly a wonderful man and teacher. I was one of his youngest students and felt proud that he chose to work with me. Miss those Saturday’s at 12 in NYC with him. Gave me the tools to become a seasoned musician and also the confidence to become a better person. Rest In Peace Henry. We miss you.
I studied with Henry from 1981-83, still miss him. I think people are misunderstanding Henry’s approach; he’s not being rough or tough on Gary, you just have to understand old-school New York communication style. Sometimes our communication style is blunt- Which I actually prefer, over a fake passive “soft” teaching style. Henry really taught with love and believed in why he did-and it’s his passion and intensity shining through here; he’s not pushy or mean-spirited at all.
@@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4 same here. Maybe if someone is learning drums for therapy or hobby on weekends etc., the soft approach is great--but for aspiring professionals or serious young students, occasionally you need to get your ass kicked--not abusively (Adler was NEVER abusive or harsh), but constructive direct criticism can really help. I have't really experienced too much "tough love" from teachers because I always prepared my lessons and worked really hard, so they seemed to be OK with my progress (I'm sure there were moments...)
so true its just our way i live in ct were actually much worse in some ways downright snooty (which i hate) and cutting(which isnt very nice) it SEEMS ny folks took t out the worst of the ct way and got rid of the snotty snooty "my shit dont stink crap and are just a bit tough sounding..im in ny all of the time believe i know what your talking about
@@rhythmfield i never so called "needed lessons" i was a true natural i had a few bad habits that a pro drummer i knew told me about i listened to him and was fine on my own ive hit some high plateaus in my day in the spirit of buddy but of course not any kind of copy cat im not that dumb but i have to say i did get my ass kicked on gigs thats how i really learned how to play music solos? i was born to do those but theres obviously so so much more i was bashed in ny a few times until i "got it" and i suppose most are afraid of going thru that but i begged for it cocky as i was back then i still knew i wasnt cutting it musically soo i hit every smalls or blue note jazz jam until i felt i made the other cats feel right..but i gigged from within 5 months of starting (i started late at 17) looked 14 so it was hard finding a band to take me bc i looked underage like crazy..but i landed one and never stopped learning..we never do stop learning if you ever catch yourself saying I know about all there is? then quit bc thats when youve shut yourself down to learning and i learn from little kids just learning to obvious cats on EVERY level above or below where i think i stand this way you never stop growing..this wasnt pointed at anyone..just my mantra really (as if anyone cared eh'
Yes, Gary hung in there. You can tell he was getting fatigued some. But he was a good sport. Excellent teacher. Just gotta put your ego down and listen. That's hard to do alot of the time.
After playing drums for 52 years, 11 years old to 63 years old, after watching this tape by Henry Adler, many times, I realized I was holding my right drum stick wrong and would not be able to obtain the required speed for drum solos in the future. I was holding my right drum stick between my thumb and forefinger (point finger), I also realized this had caused me serious problems in the high school band. Thus, as directed by Henry, I started all over again leaning how to play the drums with my right hand. I let the drum stick rest in the first crook of my right hand pointer finger and my thumb on top. I am left-handed by the way. I just turned 74 years old and can play better than ever, but I am still not up to speed. Thank God I have plenty of time left, to get up to speed. When I was in the 8th or 9th grade, the other drummers in the band were all upper class boys, they held me down while the Senior drummer in the 12 grade, drove his knuckle through my temple, OH! That hurt I can still fell the pain. Luckily one of the drummers, who looks like Sandy Nelson, made them stop as he stated, “I’ll bet those hurts.” If that Senior Drummer, had corrected my playing back then, instead of try to hurt me and think I would be afraid of him and quit the band, Lord only knows where I would be today. NOTE: The makes me think of Romans 8:28-33 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
@@rhythmfield Just saying everything has a reason to happen (i.e., If I would have learn to play correctly in the beginning, I would not have completed my destiny.
well, yeh but look at buddys way of holding the right hand i cannot say he followed this to the letter either ive seen br hold his right hand ring and pinky pressed into his palm..its on many vids i almost couldnt believe what i was seeing i catch him doing it a lot this is confusing to me since didnt adler collaborate and use buddys technique in some way? well ok but what about this ring and pinky digging into the palm of the right hand no matter how soft loud or fast no it wasnt ALL OF THE TIME but ive seen him do it A LOT!
I was taught in the technique of Henry Adler. By his student Walter. This gave me the tools I needed to progress. Thanks to Henry Adler's practicing technique. The best
I learned this method from Irv Kluger, who studied with Adler, when I was 16, in 1955. I'd been playing since I was 13 and never had a teacher. It opened a whole world to me. Later I studied other techniques and have always been grateful to Irv, because after a year of studying with him he was sending me out to sub for him and I had the confidence to play the gigs.
Great video, a piece of history. İt is good to see how actually Adler was teaching his students. The approach is authoritative but warm and respectful. You can see he cares about the student, put an arm over his shoulder etc. but at the same time he is very strict and demands full attention and concentration
this brought me right back to when i was taking lessons at age 9, my teacher was just like mr. adler, he would be grabbing my hands, and i was thinking that it was so Unnatural, but what he was doing was setting up the basic's. the only difference was i was in a small room, and my teacher chain smoked!!! i remember crying at practice's because i couldn't see, but he was great.
Mr. Adler was the consummate snare technician. He corrected faulty techniques of good drummers and enabled average drummers to play well. Studied with Henry 1978. He gave me confidence that I was a legitimate drum student and I was 30, learning from page 1...loved it. I’d say he was the best concert snare drummer playing soft passages as well as forte. I relearned from all the books from my teen years...finally got it right. He enabled me to play relaxed which others commented when they saw me play after only a few lessons with him. Oh, btw you do have to practice! Henry told me he had interest in being a physical education teacher and advised me to eat right when I came to Houston on my own. I remember him in my prayers....
In your lessons with Mr. Adler, how did you learn to move the right hand, French way, rotating for the outside of the body, where the thumb gets over the stick when it hit the drum, or turn more like German way, for the inside of the body, that is the same rotation direction of the traditional grip with the left hand? Also, any wrist motion like Moeller? Thanks in advance for the tips!
Rodolfo Ferreira ; hello Rodolfo, The French position is unique on its own....as you see in the video there is no discussion of French Grip-many use the French grip with thumb on top and articulate the Ride Cymbal beat. Simply turn your palm facing Inward, Thumb on top and squeeze or slide the stick with the thumb and index finger. Open and Close your fingers with the bounce from the front fulcrum....Repeat the bounce.....good luck Ea
Spent a little time with him -mid sixties- Buddy inspired him for technique . Consummate gentleman . If one follows his instructions ,I guarentee you will get results .Discovered basic way hands should move for maximum technique . UNDERRATED &DISPARAGED BY MANY! METHOD WILL NOT CAUSE TENSENESS IF EXECUTED PROPERLY. MISUNDERSTOOD BY MANY.
Tony Messina exactly. I had carpal tunnel in my left wrist (metal drummer). Couldn’t play for months. I then got treated and started relearning the drums with Mr. Ted Mackenzie. Changed the way I play entirely. I still take lessons from him.learning jazz now.
Came across some Henry Adler CZcams videos completely by accident. So I did some research and found your video. Just a quick comment...with all due respect to you. I went to HS of Performing Arts '68-71 it was located at 120 W.46th Street practically next door to Adler's shop. He was one of the nastiest SOBs I ever met. I ended up graduating Juilliard and studied with some of the greatest teachers in the world. If I took his advise I would have ended up "shining shoes" in Times Square! Just saying.
I studied with Henry for a little over a year in the early 1970’s. Watching this video brings it all back to me. I still have all the books, materials and Quiet tone drum mute pad. Later in the 80’s I studied with Joe Morello which was another great and different experience.
Are you sure Henry studied directly with Moeller? I studied with Henry and he never mentioned Moeller or his methodology - but maybe he did - very interesting!
@@waltergarces4119 I wasn't aware that he studied with the great Billy Gladstone! As for Krupa, I've heard Henry be critical of the great Gene Krupa's technique, which I still find stiff and a little bit awkward/clumsy. He doesn't turn the wrists correctly or have a natural rebound, but that sure hasn't hurt his swing and powerful GREAT sound on the drums.
Hi Greg, Henry told me he ran into Gene after a gig on 52nd street. Gene lived in his block and invited him over. He loved Gene and said he was really musical but his technique held him back. He took lessons from Billy at Radio City. Billy went with him when he sold the patent to Leedy for the Timbales. Do you know the piano story?
i must say im more than a bit confused didnt hank adler teach or "learn from buddy? one of the two statements are def true but im very confuseed by this bc not one thing looks like the way buddy played i mean am i blind? or just stupid and wrong? no disrespect intended im just i dunno but when i hear henry adler i think "the drum book w his pic WITH br on a snare drum w adler looking on..right? this technique although valid not AT all what i see br doing..buddys right hand (he was almost entirely right hand lead btw) but his right hand always looked almost disabled..the fingers were nearly never on the stick but cureled under or against his palm while he played almost entirely w the first finger sometimes middle but that pinky and ring finger were almost always curled under never on the stick watch his vids youll catch this) now how does (lets start here)this lesson come close to what ive seen buddy do many many times not entirely exclusivly but he DID do it a lot particularly in the early to mid 70's check some of those out then TRY to play like that ....i never could play that way very cleanly and had a tendancy to drop sticks all over the floor..so i gave up trying that rather odd never spoken about technique..i cant say it sucked bc it worked for buddy..just not kenny..fellow human possibly part alien according to my dr) but thats another thread can anyone explain this vast difference to what henry is teaching HERE to the way buddy played..ive got to be missing somethin
Timing at the beginning? Maybe he tought more than drumming, out of training. Sounds stiff to me. But tried to teach seriously at least. That's a good quality.
Classic teacher tease:
“I want you to play four strokes with the right hand.”
Student waits to be sure there’s no further instructions, then begins to play.
“Wait! I’ll tell you when! What’s your hurry?”
😆
I studied with Henry from when I was 11 to 16. It was the best experience and I was lucky to spend so much time with him and learning all his techniques. He was truly a wonderful man and teacher. I was one of his youngest students and felt proud that he chose to work with me. Miss those Saturday’s at 12 in NYC with him. Gave me the tools to become a seasoned musician and also the confidence to become a better person. Rest In Peace Henry. We miss you.
this was posted approx. 3 years ago when did henry pass? and also im extremely sorry to learn of this..
I studied with Henry from 1981-83, still miss him.
I think people are misunderstanding Henry’s approach; he’s not being rough or tough on Gary, you just have to understand old-school New York communication style. Sometimes our communication style is blunt- Which I actually prefer, over a fake passive “soft” teaching style. Henry really taught with love and believed in why he did-and it’s his passion and intensity shining through here; he’s not pushy or mean-spirited at all.
I prefer this over a fake soft passive teaching style too..
@@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4 same here. Maybe if someone is learning drums for therapy or hobby on weekends etc., the soft approach is great--but for aspiring professionals or serious young students, occasionally you need to get your ass kicked--not abusively (Adler was NEVER abusive or harsh), but constructive direct criticism can really help. I have't really experienced too much "tough love" from teachers because I always prepared my lessons and worked really hard, so they seemed to be OK with my progress (I'm sure there were moments...)
You would be correct regarding our communication style.
I miss it.
so true its just our way i live in ct were actually much worse in some ways downright snooty (which i hate) and cutting(which isnt very nice) it SEEMS ny folks took t out the worst of the ct way and got rid of the snotty snooty "my shit dont stink crap and are just a bit tough sounding..im in ny all of the time believe i know what your talking about
@@rhythmfield i never so called "needed lessons" i was a true natural i had a few bad habits that a pro drummer i knew told me about i listened to him and was fine on my own ive hit some high plateaus in my day in the spirit of buddy but of course not any kind of copy cat im not that dumb but i have to say i did get my ass kicked on gigs thats how i really learned how to play music solos? i was born to do those but theres obviously so so much more i was bashed in ny a few times until i "got it" and i suppose most are afraid of going thru that but i begged for it cocky as i was back then i still knew i wasnt cutting it musically soo i hit every smalls or blue note jazz jam until i felt i made the other cats feel right..but i gigged from within 5 months of starting (i started late at 17) looked 14 so it was hard finding a band to take me bc i looked underage like crazy..but i landed one and never stopped learning..we never do stop learning if you ever catch yourself saying I know about all there is? then quit bc thats when youve shut yourself down to learning and i learn from little kids just learning to obvious cats on EVERY level above or below where i think i stand this way you never stop growing..this wasnt pointed at anyone..just my mantra really (as if anyone cared eh'
Gotta hand it to Gary. Dude can take a ball-breaking lol. Excellent video!
Yes, Gary hung in there. You can tell he was getting fatigued some. But he was a good sport. Excellent teacher. Just gotta put your ego down and listen. That's hard to do alot of the time.
After playing drums for 52 years, 11 years old to 63 years old, after watching this tape by Henry Adler, many times, I realized I was holding my right drum stick wrong and would not be able to obtain the required speed for drum solos in the future. I was holding my right drum stick between my thumb and forefinger (point finger), I also realized this had caused me serious problems in the high school band. Thus, as directed by Henry, I started all over again leaning how to play the drums with my right hand. I let the drum stick rest in the first crook of my right hand pointer finger and my thumb on top. I am left-handed by the way. I just turned 74 years old and can play better than ever, but I am still not up to speed. Thank God I have plenty of time left, to get up to speed. When I was in the 8th or 9th grade, the other drummers in the band were all upper class boys, they held me down while the Senior drummer in the 12 grade, drove his knuckle through my temple, OH! That hurt I can still fell the pain. Luckily one of the drummers, who looks like Sandy Nelson, made them stop as he stated, “I’ll bet those hurts.” If that Senior Drummer, had corrected my playing back then, instead of try to hurt me and think I would be afraid of him and quit the band, Lord only knows where I would be today. NOTE: The makes me think of Romans 8:28-33
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
@@rhythmfield Just saying everything has a reason to happen (i.e., If I would have learn to play correctly in the beginning, I would not have completed my destiny.
@@paultacy3807 sounds like a very meaningful journey!
@@rhythmfield Yes Sir!
well, yeh but look at buddys way of holding the right hand i cannot say he followed this to the letter either ive seen br hold his right hand ring and pinky pressed into his palm..its on many vids i almost couldnt believe what i was seeing i catch him doing it a lot this is confusing to me since didnt adler collaborate and use buddys technique in some way? well ok but what about this ring and pinky digging into the palm of the right hand no matter how soft loud or fast no it wasnt ALL OF THE TIME but ive seen him do it A LOT!
I was taught in the technique of Henry Adler. By his student Walter. This gave me the tools I needed to progress. Thanks to Henry Adler's practicing technique. The best
I learned this method from Irv Kluger, who studied with Adler, when I was 16, in 1955. I'd been playing since I was 13 and never had a teacher. It opened a whole world to me. Later I studied other techniques and have always been grateful to Irv, because after a year of studying with him he was sending me out to sub for him and I had the confidence to play the gigs.
Great video, a piece of history. İt is good to see how actually Adler was teaching his students. The approach is authoritative but warm and respectful. You can see he cares about the student, put an arm over his shoulder etc. but at the same time he is very strict and demands full attention and concentration
this is the real deal.No wonder my hands are weak.This detail to wrist development is amazing
this brought me right back to when i was taking lessons at age 9, my teacher was just like mr. adler, he would be grabbing my hands, and i was thinking that it was so Unnatural, but what he was doing was setting up the basic's. the only difference was i was in a small room, and my teacher chain smoked!!! i remember crying at practice's because i couldn't see, but he was great.
I LOVE THAT spoken like a real drummer endure the pain!!!
His voice sounds like a WB cartoon character.
Mr. Adler was the consummate snare technician. He corrected faulty techniques of good drummers and enabled average drummers to play well. Studied with Henry 1978. He gave me confidence that I was a legitimate drum student and I was 30, learning from page 1...loved it. I’d say he was the best concert snare drummer playing soft passages as well as forte. I relearned from all the books from my teen years...finally got it right. He enabled me to play relaxed which others commented when they saw me play after only a few lessons with him. Oh, btw you do have to practice! Henry told me he had interest in being a physical education teacher and advised me to eat right when I came to Houston on my own. I remember him in my prayers....
In your lessons with Mr. Adler, how did you learn to move the right hand, French way, rotating for the outside of the body, where the thumb gets over the stick when it hit the drum, or turn more like German way, for the inside of the body, that is the same rotation direction of the traditional grip with the left hand? Also, any wrist motion like Moeller? Thanks in advance for the tips!
Rodolfo Ferreira ; hello Rodolfo, The French position is unique on its own....as you see in the video there is no discussion of French Grip-many use the French grip with thumb on top and articulate the Ride Cymbal beat. Simply turn your palm facing Inward, Thumb on top and squeeze or slide the stick with the thumb and index finger. Open and Close your fingers with the bounce from the front fulcrum....Repeat the bounce.....good luck
Ea
Anybody teaching this method today >?Im really interested as Ive done damage on my own .Dequervains Disease on my right hand along the thumb line
100% Hand & Brain Made ! The Great Henry Adler ! ⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing to see! I’ve been trying to find out more about his method for years, and to get it from the source is amazing!
Henry Adler Was A Brilliant Teacher
Wow what a incredible teacher. My instructor studied with him for years and even wrote book with him. Very inspiring seeing the legend himself.
Spent a little time with him -mid sixties- Buddy inspired him for technique . Consummate gentleman . If one follows his instructions ,I guarentee you will get results .Discovered basic way hands should move for maximum technique . UNDERRATED &DISPARAGED BY MANY! METHOD WILL NOT CAUSE TENSENESS IF EXECUTED PROPERLY. MISUNDERSTOOD BY MANY.
Tony Messina exactly. I had carpal tunnel in my left wrist (metal drummer). Couldn’t play for months. I then got treated and started relearning the drums with Mr. Ted Mackenzie. Changed the way I play entirely. I still take lessons from him.learning jazz now.
Came across some Henry Adler CZcams videos completely by accident. So I did some research and found your video. Just a quick comment...with all due respect to you. I went to HS of Performing Arts '68-71 it was located at 120 W.46th Street practically next door to Adler's shop. He was one of the nastiest SOBs I ever met. I ended up graduating Juilliard and studied with some of the greatest teachers in the world. If I took his advise I would have ended up "shining shoes" in Times Square! Just saying.
I had a very famous teacher that was nasty. Totally broke my confidence. I had been on a tear until then.
Whoever put this up……thanks a million
You can hear the old Brooklyn 🙂
This is great! My teacher Jim Hall, at North Texas taught me some of this. Highly recommended. Bring your patience!
Thank you for posting this. Appreciate it.
Thanks J this is a beautiful gift…..
Wow! I’ve been looking for this VHS for years!!! My teacher and Buddy worked with Henry for some time I believe.
Great stuff!
I studied with Henry for a little over a year in the early 1970’s. Watching this video brings it all back to me. I still have all the books, materials and Quiet tone drum mute pad. Later in the 80’s I studied with Joe Morello which was another great and different experience.
Henry Adler was a student of Sanford Gus Moeller.
Great Teacher who taught my teacher the Great Al Miller from New York.
Are you sure Henry studied directly with Moeller? I studied with Henry and he never mentioned Moeller or his methodology - but maybe he did - very interesting!
@@rhythmfield Henry studied with Billy Gladstone, and took a couple of lessons from Gene Krupa when they lived on the same street.
@@waltergarces4119 I wasn't aware that he studied with the great Billy Gladstone! As for Krupa, I've heard Henry be critical of the great Gene Krupa's technique, which I still find stiff and a little bit awkward/clumsy. He doesn't turn the wrists correctly or have a natural rebound, but that sure hasn't hurt his swing and powerful GREAT sound on the drums.
Hi Greg, Henry told me he ran into Gene after a gig on 52nd street. Gene lived in his block and invited him over. He loved Gene and said he was really musical but his technique held him back.
He took lessons from Billy at Radio City. Billy went with him when he sold the patent to Leedy for the Timbales. Do you know the piano story?
Seems like a completely different approach than Murray Spivack, which was the technique I learned
beautiful
interesante buen video
Old school Teacher !!!
Gravity, a drummers’ greatest friend.
...One of Henry’s previous lives he was Euclid and Da Vinci....
wow TY
I have heard that Henry Adler taught the great Buddy Rich when he was just learning to play.
oddly this differs a bit in some ways to what ive always been told.."do your snap ups" whats anyones take on those excercises?
DISCIPLINE THEY WORK. GIVE IT ONE YEAR. JUST ONE
And Gary never played the drums ever again.
That's hilarious. He was afraid to even look at them.
Toms sound like K-mart drums. But great instruction.
The snares are so loose I'm about to stub my own toe if they don't get at least alittle tighter. Damnit. Stubbed toe it is
"youve heard of that" bwahahahahah i prob would have said no lol
Shortly after making this video Gary sadly took his own life
He is so impatient with this kid, lol
i must say im more than a bit confused didnt hank adler teach or "learn from buddy? one of the two statements are def true but im very confuseed by this bc not one thing looks like the way buddy played i mean am i blind? or just stupid and wrong? no disrespect intended im just i dunno but when i hear henry adler i think "the drum book w his pic WITH br on a snare drum w adler looking on..right? this technique although valid not AT all what i see br doing..buddys right hand (he was almost entirely right hand lead btw) but his right hand always looked almost disabled..the fingers were nearly never on the stick but cureled under or against his palm while he played almost entirely w the first finger sometimes middle but that pinky and ring finger were almost always curled under never on the stick watch his vids youll catch this) now how does (lets start here)this lesson come close to what ive seen buddy do many many times not entirely exclusivly but he DID do it a lot particularly in the early to mid 70's check some of those out then TRY to play like that ....i never could play that way very cleanly and had a tendancy to drop sticks all over the floor..so i gave up trying that rather odd never spoken about technique..i cant say it sucked bc it worked for buddy..just not kenny..fellow human possibly part alien according to my dr) but thats another thread can anyone explain this vast difference to what henry is teaching HERE to the way buddy played..ive got to be missing somethin
Timing at the beginning? Maybe he tought more than drumming, out of training. Sounds stiff to me. But tried to teach seriously at least. That's a good quality.
LEGEND! I've never seen this and it's Amazing!
What kind of drum muted does he have?
It appears it's along the same principle as todays RTom black hole.
That drum mute was Henry's invention. Sold I believe to a major company. But he had the design patent...
……I think Gary is Henry’s grandson?
Oy! So frustrating.... I had no problem until trying to follow him.
The thing about a ‘girl throwing a ball’ wouldn’t really fly today, thankfully … he was a product of his era (1920s-30s)
YIPES ,,,, such crappy sounding Tom toms,,,, what’s up with that????
i'm sorry, this style of teaching would drive me away.
You have to learn the basics before you can play well
ya know greyson necrologer is almost as good as hank adler!! just ask him!
Great technique, worst sounding toms ever!