Jim saved my hands with his technique.
I used to get nasty blisters that would bleed. Especially on my left hand. I play traditional grip. Jim taught me at NAMM yearly out in Anaheim. He helped me to find the sweet spot for my drumstick in my left hand. I gained power and control with his technique. His exercises helped me to use the correct muscles and to change my grip.
My drumming style was changed by Jim Chapin in 1991. I am a much better drummer thanks to Jim. He also helped my son Drew. Drew said he learned more in one hour with Jim than years of lessons.
Jim is the man!! He has left a mark on drummers that will endure forever.
Thanks Jim.
Your friend and student,
Mike Reininger
Reiningermusic.com
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Julie Grocki shares her love for Jim
I have known Mr. James Chapin for nearly 30 years. I took drum lessons from him for 3 years between the ages of 14 to 17. His teaching prepared me to perform professionally by the age of 15 in a variety of musical settings, ranging from NYC Women’s Jazz Festivals to a rock and roll tour with a side band for Aerosmith, all by the age of 21. What does this say about Jim and what he taught?
The techniques that Jim imparted and the Moeller method enabled me to quickly develop deftness, flexibility, independence and lightening speed with minimal effort. He showed me how to work with the laws of gravity to achieve optimal performance. I recall people looking astounded when I performed a one hand drum roll and when the volume had to be turned down on my drum mikes during the Aerosmith tour, because of the incredible strength that emanated from my hands: All because of Jim’s influence in teaching me how to maintain control and power over the drumstick.
More than techniques, however, Jim influenced me by his love of drumming. I discovered from observing him that the love an individual has for their craft manifests itself in the end product. Today, Jim’s “end product” in drumming is still miraculously astounding. The mutual love of drums we held and his continued paternal encouragement inspired me to practice assiduously to perfect the art of drumming as much as possible. Being a woman drummer trying to break into the music business 30 years ago was no small task and unheard of at that time. I experienced an inordinate amount of discrimination leading often to a sense of defeat. Jim would cringe when I would mention quitting and he and my dad continually encouraged me to battle the numerous gender barriers I encountered. The day came when I did quit drumming for about 15 years. Jim actually did cringe then and attempted to persuade me to not give up playing. I tried to sell my drums for quite some time to no avail and took that as some strange sign. The ministerial vocation as a Roman Catholic sister that I left the music business for turned out to lead to a sad and disappointing end. I went back to drumming occasionally and subsequently maintained increased, albeit intermittent contact with Jim. He was extremely happy that I chose to pick up the sticks again. You would think he fathered me. Metaphorically, as a drummer, he did.
The past several years I invited him to stay at our home many times in Tennessee when he traveled to Nashville to provide drum clinics. He never had the opportunity. About a year ago, I began contacting Jim on a more frequent basis as I was concerned about him. The first words out of his mouth after a 2 year lapse since we had spoken to each other were: “Are you playing?” He kept asking me this as if he needed some type of reassurance that one of his children of drumming was still carrying the torch he set aflame. Yes, Jim, I am still carrying that torch.
Jim is a consummate example of how loving the work one does in life is a blessing in body, mind and spirit. Jim’s life manifests this truth. Most importantly, Jim as a human being has influenced me personally for nearly 30 years. The teacher/student bond we have has maintained its strength as if it were newly born. I know that the world of drumming is extremely fortunate to have Jim Chapin as one of its greatest influences and I am as well. I know that the world at large is all the more blessed because of Jim who is a shining light that radiates grace particularly when he has a pair of drumsticks in his hands. In my opinion, drumming is the seat of Jim’s soul.
Jim will always be my teacher, mentor, friend and the father of my life in drumming. Thank you, Jim.
-Julie Grocki
Practicing techniques on drum pad when I was 16 under Mr. Jim Chapin's tutelage.
The techniques that Jim imparted and the Moeller method enabled me to quickly develop deftness, flexibility, independence and lightening speed with minimal effort. He showed me how to work with the laws of gravity to achieve optimal performance. I recall people looking astounded when I performed a one hand drum roll and when the volume had to be turned down on my drum mikes during the Aerosmith tour, because of the incredible strength that emanated from my hands: All because of Jim’s influence in teaching me how to maintain control and power over the drumstick.
More than techniques, however, Jim influenced me by his love of drumming. I discovered from observing him that the love an individual has for their craft manifests itself in the end product. Today, Jim’s “end product” in drumming is still miraculously astounding. The mutual love of drums we held and his continued paternal encouragement inspired me to practice assiduously to perfect the art of drumming as much as possible. Being a woman drummer trying to break into the music business 30 years ago was no small task and unheard of at that time. I experienced an inordinate amount of discrimination leading often to a sense of defeat. Jim would cringe when I would mention quitting and he and my dad continually encouraged me to battle the numerous gender barriers I encountered. The day came when I did quit drumming for about 15 years. Jim actually did cringe then and attempted to persuade me to not give up playing. I tried to sell my drums for quite some time to no avail and took that as some strange sign. The ministerial vocation as a Roman Catholic sister that I left the music business for turned out to lead to a sad and disappointing end. I went back to drumming occasionally and subsequently maintained increased, albeit intermittent contact with Jim. He was extremely happy that I chose to pick up the sticks again. You would think he fathered me. Metaphorically, as a drummer, he did.
The past several years I invited him to stay at our home many times in Tennessee when he traveled to Nashville to provide drum clinics. He never had the opportunity. About a year ago, I began contacting Jim on a more frequent basis as I was concerned about him. The first words out of his mouth after a 2 year lapse since we had spoken to each other were: “Are you playing?” He kept asking me this as if he needed some type of reassurance that one of his children of drumming was still carrying the torch he set aflame. Yes, Jim, I am still carrying that torch.
Jim is a consummate example of how loving the work one does in life is a blessing in body, mind and spirit. Jim’s life manifests this truth. Most importantly, Jim as a human being has influenced me personally for nearly 30 years. The teacher/student bond we have has maintained its strength as if it were newly born. I know that the world of drumming is extremely fortunate to have Jim Chapin as one of its greatest influences and I am as well. I know that the world at large is all the more blessed because of Jim who is a shining light that radiates grace particularly when he has a pair of drumsticks in his hands. In my opinion, drumming is the seat of Jim’s soul.
Jim will always be my teacher, mentor, friend and the father of my life in drumming. Thank you, Jim.
-Julie Grocki
Practicing techniques on drum pad when I was 16 under Mr. Jim Chapin's tutelage.
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