A short note from the kit — basements, Amati drums, influences and the teachers who mattered.
A note from the kit
I am a drummer — and I have been since the basement.
When I was about sixteen, a few friends and I used to meet in the basement at my house. Everyone had a guitar and we were trying to play some Rolling Stones, Beatles, Dylan, and that kind of music. Naturally, the question came up: something is missing here. Drums. Who is going to buy drums?
A few days later, I was sitting behind an old Amati drum set, with no real idea how this craft was meant to be done.
I started spending a lot of time banging those bulky pots and the lids strung up around them. A drum set — wow. Something that can whisper softly and something that can thunder. It can ruin a piece of music, and it can lift it into the highs.
I worshipped Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham and, later, I discovered the colourful world of drummers like Tony Williams. These days I enjoy e.g. JD Beck, broken beats and all kinds of swings.
One piece of advice I would give to anyone who wants to learn the drums: get a good teacher, and do not waste time with the self-deception that you can figure it out on your own. It is not worth it.
I found one — Steve Pruitt. We managed a full year of study together. Big thanks.
When you experience that freedom of expression while playing — that is the real reward for all the time spent alone with the instrument. I love improvisation. Still learning, still on the way…
Improvisation with Marian Lauko, March 2026.
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