Michael Tooles Bio

I'm Michael Tooles and I started exploring the world of percussion in 7th grade.
That would have been 1979 at Craigmont Jr. High School in Memphis Tennessee.
There I feel in love with music in general and specifically percussion.
During my high school years I had the privilege of performing in the All West
Tennessee honor bands as well as the Memphis Youth Symphony.
From high school I went on to the University of Memphis and studied percussion
under Dr. Frank Schaffer and drum set with Brian Fullen.

While at the University of Memphis I had the great chop building experience of
marching with the Mighty Sound of the South, the University of Memphis marching
band.

From there I started playing and recording around Memphis. Some of my early
projects were with Tom Spolen, Paul Taylor, Steve Selvidge and Holly Jean Cosner.
Somewhere around 1994 I stated playing with Seven Four Slide.
Seven Four Slide is what brought me to Chicago in 1998, but not before recording our
first full-length cd and performing with Jeff Buckley before his untimely death.

In 1998 Seven Four Slide moved to Chicago and around 2001 disbanded. Since
then I've had the pleasure of performing in some fun projects with great Chicago
musicians Jellyeye Drum Theater, Tom Sharpe, Yves Francois et Rocambu Jazz,
Spyder Monkey and most recently Bad Nurse,

One of the things I enjoy most is bringing music from different cultures around the
world to kids in Chicago and the surrounding area. I am very fortunately to get to do
this through Urban Gateways along with Ashley Munstermann and John Knecht in a
show titled the Birthplace of Rhythm. Urban Gateways places the Birthplace of Rhythm
in schools throughout the Chicagoland area and we bring drums, rhythms and songs
from places such as West Africa, Turkey, Northern Europe, Brazil, Cuba, Japan,
Australia, Tahiti and the U.S..

Sharing music with people of all ages is one of my great passions.
I am available for private instruction in rudimental drumming and drum set for players
of all ages and skill sets.

I am available
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Rico Music
4821 W Irving Park Rd,
Irving Park, Cicero and Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60641

Thursday and Saturday
Total Music
1466 Waukegan Rd
Glenview, IL 60025

What is Rudimental Drumming and Why Study It?

Rudiments are the basic tools/skills that drummers use to express themselves.
Rudiments are to both a tool for developing strength and dexterity as well as
rhythmic skills that add to our musical vocabulary. Rudiments are used to prepare
drummers as best as possible for any musical situation that may arise. A good
rudimental vocabulary will help you freely express yourself no matter what style of
music you play. Marching snare, jazz, heavy metal or punk drum set are all
enhanced by a good understanding of rudiments and their benefits.

The term rudimental drumming usually refers to marching band or military style
drumming. Rudimental drumming has its roots in northern Europe going back as
far as the 1300s. Modern day drummers use these same ancient tools to master
the drum set and other percussion instruments.

The History of Rudiments