I was headed into a lesson with Alan. One in which he knew I was going to be late because of a prior commitment I had. I was young, maybe 17 at the time. I did not prepare ALL of my lesson because I knew there wasn't going to be enough time to get to all of my assignments. So, of course Alan changed the order of the lesson and asked me to play one of the assignments that I DID NOT prepare. I told him, "Oh, I don't have that ready because I thought we probably wouldn't get to it." With his hand on his chin, gazing at me over the practice pad, he gave me that look, a puzzled grin and said; "Ya know, it's always better to be over prepared than under prepared." Words that have stuck with me ever since. And that was almost 40 years ago now. I miss him dearly.
This home is a like a museum, a Mecca for drummers all around the world. It's lovely to see that Alan Dawson had such a nice place in Boston, his home feels like it's in the suburbs and very peaceful, undisturbed by Boston's chaos and cacophony. Seems like there's even a peach tree in the front yard. Alan Dawson wasn't just an amazing drummer he designed and created a pedagogy for drummers that was spread around the world for other teachers to teach from. Alan Dawson was a massive contributor to world culture, directly and indirectly. I am so grateful that Alan Dawson existed for so many reasons and I never met him.❤ Like Mr. Farnsworth said, If you want to know Alan Dawson's pedagogy, check out John Ramsay's book which outlines his whole system in great detail. Grateful to Alan, John Ramsay and Joe Farnsworth for all they contribute to culture in the music and drumming community.🥰🌹🌞
Hi Joe... I was in Alan's basement in 1993. I am from the Netherlands and stayed with a piano player in Boston Brookline back then. I called Alan out of nowhere and asked if I could get a drum lesson from him. He said that he could schedule a lesson in 2 month's time because he was fully booked. I told him I only stayed on Boston for one week and really loved it if he could give me a lesson. He asked me to call him back in one hours time. When I called him he said that he turned his lesson schedule around and the next day 14.00hrs I was in his basement. I remember him as a gentleman. Extremely polite and friendly. After that I always compared his character with the way how he played. Like a gentleman but with so much feel, soul and technique. Obviously you studied for a long period of time with him but for me it was a great experience as I was/am a huge fan of him. I still have a picture from him from that afternoon. When I find it I will send it to you! Thanks for this great video! Peter...
Thank you for the remembrance of Alan Dawson. It's so nice to see his studio continuing in his legacy. I was his student at Berklee in the 70's. He was such a fine gentleman
When I was 16 years old, I attended a Ludwig drum symposium featuring brilliant Drummers and educators such as the late great Butch Miles, Dan Gottlieb, and the brilliant Alan Dawson. He demonstrated his rudiment ritual in front of a packed room, with Joe Morello looking on. He played the entire Ritual with standard swing foot pattern, Bossanova foot pattern… And another time with brushes at a pretty good clip, I might add. I made it my goal to learn the ritual backwards and forwards and by the time I was in my early 20s I could play the whole thing with clean articulation with brushes on the snare drum. I wish I could’ve thanked him for this brilliant and inspiring and motivating educational gift from the drum symposium in Knoxville, TN so long ago: the genius rudiment RITUAL!! Available in the great book by John Ramsey mentioned here. THANKS for this, Joe!!! -GREG BURROWS
It was such a PRIVILEGE for me to have studied with him - 10 years I worked with him & had practically exhausted what he could teach me. In the end, I was one of a handful of students who knew the 'rudimental ritual' from start to finish. He was one of the kindest & most humble people I've ever known. In fact, the Premier drum kit he used to teach on (for those who remember that)? I own it! I affectionately refer to it as "AD's kit" & always think of him whenever I use it! Thank you, Alan! You will always be a dear mentor & friend - One of a very few! I will never forget the impact you had on me - even to this day!
My late grandfather played double bass and tuned pianos at Berklee, he was good friends with Alan Dawson who gave me a pair of Hot Rods. I should have saved them and framed them had I known who Alan Dawson was when I was 13.
Thanks Joe for the video and to re-kindle my memories of taking lessons from Alan during 80-81. He did have a presence and I remember the look he gave you when it wasn't happening. A look we all tried to avoid seeing. I remember usually the first thing in the lesson (after getting through all the individual rudiments) was to play the rudimental ritual together. I also remember working it up with brushes over a Bossa foot pattern. Then the single stroke roll for 60 beats. Not 59. Not 61. Then on the the Ted Reed. I remember picking a standard and having to sing the head playing time, then continue singing while playing a solo the playing time again. Alan used to tell me "thank goodness you aren't here to be singer". Alan also had a set of vibes against the wall opposite the bar that he would play while I played drums on occasion. Like I said, thanks Joe for bringing back great memories.
Thank you for another wonderful video on one of the greats of this music! And particularly for the Papa Jo/Alan Dawson anecdote regarding the ego! Thanks Mr. Farnsworth for your true humility, true swing, and true Spirit!
Hello Joe, I appreciate your insight into Alan's home and rehearsal space, and it's great to see John too. My understanding of the stories from back then comes only from reading book introductions, so it was enlightening to hear about these experiences directly from those who lived them.
Thx for sharing! To get insight into the approach and mindset of Alan Dawson from two greats who studied with him is mind blowing. Onwards and upwards Gentlemen!
Appreciate the video from you and John! Mr. Dawson has been very influential in my playing over the years. Love being able to see you guys talk about him!
Joe I really enjoyed this!! I was there at Newport Jazz Festival when Alan played with Dave Brubeck and a riot broke out with thugs heading towards the stage as they played!! I was terrified, all our cars were towed, tear gas (the thugs were from outside, the rest of us were paying customers wearing suits). Alan later came on my radio program to tell what it was like from his angle and they jumped off the back of the stage just in that nick we hear about. He was always at Sandy's and Lennie's...and we all are blessed because we knew him. RIP!!
Wow I remember Alan at Berklee I was going in as he was leaving but I did walk in on his jazz theory seminar He looked up from his Glasses and asked if I was Loss And I was. Nervous a stutter yeah I guess so I looking for Mr Chaffee. That's ok Sit down if you have time and learn I noticed he had a TED REED Book in his hands I was lucky I had one in my carry case . And I sat bewildered learned absolutely nothing because my first day and I was a Mess
I attended Berklee back in mid 70s when Alan had just moved on. Chaffee was percussion head. I was so out of my league, freaked at all the talent. As you know they segregated by level of competence, so everyone had a place to hide….or learn.
I was headed into a lesson with Alan. One in which he knew I was going to be late because of a prior commitment I had. I was young, maybe 17 at the time. I did not prepare ALL of my lesson because I knew there wasn't going to be enough time to get to all of my assignments. So, of course Alan changed the order of the lesson and asked me to play one of the assignments that I DID NOT prepare. I told him, "Oh, I don't have that ready because I thought we probably wouldn't get to it." With his hand on his chin, gazing at me over the practice pad, he gave me that look, a puzzled grin and said; "Ya know, it's always better to be over prepared than under prepared." Words that have stuck with me ever since. And that was almost 40 years ago now. I miss him dearly.
This home is a like a museum, a Mecca for drummers all around the world. It's lovely to see that Alan Dawson had such a nice place in Boston, his home feels like it's in the suburbs and very peaceful, undisturbed by Boston's chaos and cacophony. Seems like there's even a peach tree in the front yard. Alan Dawson wasn't just an amazing drummer he designed and created a pedagogy for drummers that was spread around the world for other teachers to teach from. Alan Dawson was a massive contributor to world culture, directly and indirectly. I am so grateful that Alan Dawson existed for so many reasons and I never met him.❤ Like Mr. Farnsworth said, If you want to know Alan Dawson's pedagogy, check out John Ramsay's book which outlines his whole system in great detail. Grateful to Alan, John Ramsay and Joe Farnsworth for all they contribute to culture in the music and drumming community.🥰🌹🌞
Hi Joe... I was in Alan's basement in 1993. I am from the Netherlands and stayed with a piano player in Boston Brookline back then. I called Alan out of nowhere and asked if I could get a drum lesson from him. He said that he could schedule a lesson in 2 month's time because he was fully booked. I told him I only stayed on Boston for one week and really loved it if he could give me a lesson. He asked me to call him back in one hours time. When I called him he said that he turned his lesson schedule around and the next day 14.00hrs I was in his basement. I remember him as a gentleman. Extremely polite and friendly. After that I always compared his character with the way how he played. Like a gentleman but with so much feel, soul and technique. Obviously you studied for a long period of time with him but for me it was a great experience as I was/am a huge fan of him. I still have a picture from him from that afternoon. When I find it I will send it to you! Thanks for this great video! Peter...
My Daughter Alanas Great Grandfather 🙌
Thank you for the remembrance of Alan Dawson. It's so nice to see his studio continuing in his legacy. I was his student at Berklee in the 70's. He was such a fine gentleman
When I was 16 years old, I attended a Ludwig drum symposium featuring brilliant Drummers and educators such as the late great Butch Miles, Dan Gottlieb, and the brilliant Alan Dawson. He demonstrated his rudiment ritual in front of a packed room, with Joe Morello looking on. He played the entire Ritual with standard swing foot pattern, Bossanova foot pattern… And another time with brushes at a pretty good clip, I might add. I made it my goal to learn the ritual backwards and forwards and by the time I was in my early 20s I could play the whole thing with clean articulation with brushes on the snare drum. I wish I could’ve thanked him for this brilliant and inspiring and motivating educational gift from the drum symposium in Knoxville, TN so long ago: the genius rudiment RITUAL!! Available in the great book by John Ramsey mentioned here. THANKS for this, Joe!!! -GREG BURROWS
It was such a PRIVILEGE for me to have studied with him - 10 years I worked with him & had practically exhausted what he could teach me. In the end, I was one of a handful of students who knew the 'rudimental ritual' from start to finish. He was one of the kindest & most humble people I've ever known. In fact, the Premier drum kit he used to teach on (for those who remember that)? I own it! I affectionately refer to it as "AD's kit" & always think of him whenever I use it! Thank you, Alan! You will always be a dear mentor & friend - One of a very few! I will never forget the impact you had on me - even to this day!
Attended Berklee back in mid 70s & Alan’s legacy of teaching was standard policy
My late grandfather played double bass and tuned pianos at Berklee, he was good friends with Alan Dawson who gave me a pair of Hot Rods. I should have saved them and framed them had I known who Alan Dawson was when I was 13.
Studied with John Ramsay for a year at Berklee. GREAT TEACHER!! He tried to correct my open soundijg ruffs. 😂😂
still love his drumming!!
Nothing like "Ol' School" lessons! Thanks and Blessings fellas...
Thanks Joe for the video and to re-kindle my memories of taking lessons from Alan during 80-81. He did have a presence and I remember the look he gave you when it wasn't happening. A look we all tried to avoid seeing. I remember usually the first thing in the lesson (after getting through all the individual rudiments) was to play the rudimental ritual together. I also remember working it up with brushes over a Bossa foot pattern. Then the single stroke roll for 60 beats. Not 59. Not 61. Then on the the Ted Reed. I remember picking a standard and having to sing the head playing time, then continue singing while playing a solo the playing time again. Alan used to tell me "thank goodness you aren't here to be singer". Alan also had a set of vibes against the wall opposite the bar that he would play while I played drums on occasion. Like I said, thanks Joe for bringing back great memories.
He was such an amazing person, drummer and teacher...thank you.
Thank you for another wonderful video on one of the greats of this music! And particularly for the Papa Jo/Alan Dawson anecdote regarding the ego! Thanks Mr. Farnsworth for your true humility, true swing, and true Spirit!
I remember a pair of steel drum sticks he had me try -Thanks
This is great thank you guys from UK, makes the exercises jump off the page ! J
Hello Joe, I appreciate your insight into Alan's home and rehearsal space, and it's great to see John too. My understanding of the stories from back then comes only from reading book introductions, so it was enlightening to hear about these experiences directly from those who lived them.
"I was just telling my parents that last week!" LOL!!! Ain't that the truth. Thanks for sharing this Joe. Brilliant.
Wow, this really brought back such great memories! Thank you for doing this gentlemen, and happy birthday to the great Alan Dawson!
So cool that John saved his home intact!
Thx for sharing! To get insight into the approach and mindset of Alan Dawson from two greats who studied with him is mind blowing. Onwards and upwards Gentlemen!
Appreciate the video from you and John! Mr. Dawson has been very influential in my playing over the years. Love being able to see you guys talk about him!
Paused the video to purchase John's book
You have a beautiful spirit Joe. Thanks for your video series and for the joy listening to your playing brings a fellow drummer.
Joe I really enjoyed this!! I was there at Newport Jazz Festival when Alan played with Dave Brubeck and a riot broke out with thugs heading towards the stage as they played!! I was terrified, all our cars were towed, tear gas (the thugs were from outside, the rest of us were paying customers wearing suits). Alan later came on my radio program to tell what it was like from his angle and they jumped off the back of the stage just in that nick we hear about. He was always at Sandy's and Lennie's...and we all are blessed because we knew him. RIP!!
Awesome Joie and John - thank you! This should have one million likes!
Incredible
This is a Gem, Thank you for posting this. Mr. Dawnson's teachings are eternal, as he could be brutally honest and inspirational at the same time.
If I only had this kind of lessons I would have been a better drummer, oh well life still’s going on,thanks for the vid,you never stop learning.👍
Life changing thank you
Wow I remember Alan at Berklee I was going in as he was leaving but I did walk in on his jazz theory seminar He looked up from his Glasses and asked if I was Loss And I was. Nervous a stutter yeah I guess so I looking for Mr Chaffee. That's ok Sit down if you have time and learn I noticed he had a TED REED Book in his hands I was lucky I had one in my carry case . And I sat bewildered learned absolutely nothing because my first day and I was a Mess
I attended Berklee back in mid 70s when Alan had just moved on. Chaffee was percussion head. I was so out of my league, freaked at all the talent. As you know they segregated by level of competence, so everyone had a place to hide….or learn.
2:36 - Ego: Easing God Out
So great ! Thanks for sharing Joe
It was great thanks!
Thank you for doing this Joe!!!!!🙌❤
Nice work
Jazz işin sonu👍👍🇹🇷
I obviously have that book which is my bible
I obviously have that book which is my bible