M.Mus (UofT) in-progress
B.Mus (Eastman)
Gordon is a percussionist and educator interested in performing, creating, and engaging within a multitude of musical styles, invested in how music might be embodied in a variety of forms through joyful exploration.
From Tampa, Florida, Gordon became acquainted with music through piano lessons, eventually moving on to drum set and marching percussion in high school. In 2019, Gordon completed his undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Michael Burritt. At Eastman Gordon performed and premiered works with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Eastman Percussion Ensemble, and Musica Nova in addition to serving for two years on the board of the student-led new music ensemble, Ossia.
He is also interested in the intersection between music and technology and has contributed to creative projects with the Eastman Audio Research Studio and the University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble.
Gordon is currently working towards completing his Master’s degree at the University of Toronto under the instruction of Aiyun Huang.
Get to know Gordon…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, watching movies, reading, spending time outside, tossing a frisbee and playing Spikeball
Musical influences: Rush, Mutemath, Max Roach, My Brightest Diamond, Son Lux, Rachel Podger, Michael Burritt, Steve Schick, Paul Rennick, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Jess Ray, Mark Andre…
Favourite food: Kanafeh (Middle-Eastern dessert)
Least favourite food: Brussel sprouts
Favourite music: Rock, Jazz, Contemporary Classical, Indie-folk, Electronic
Favourite song: One favorite is Humble Heart by Jess Ray
Favourite movie: Another favorite is Tree of Life by Terrence Malick
Favourite movie music: Bernard Herman in Vertigo, Ennio Morricone in Once Upon a Time in the West
Favourite musical theatre/opera: Hamilton, Invisible Cities by Christopher Cerrone
Best quote from your teacher: “Listen…”
Favourite quote: Romans 8:37-39
Favourite book: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Best thing about teaching at ABC: Sharing music with the students.
Latest Homework from Gordon
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January 12th Assignments
Lucas
How many minutes to practice: 15-30
What to practice: This week Lucas I want you to work on the Lesson 6 beats again doing them at least two times through and writing the counts the bass drum notes fall on underneath the notes.
How to practice effectively: Good work so far with this Lucas, it just needs a little bit more practice! I want to see you write out the counts for all the bass drum notes since those are the ones that are changing each beat. I would also build each beat up like we’ve done in the past, start with the hi-hat since its constant, then add the bass drum while counting out loud, it will help you line it up with the hi-hat accurately. Then once thats solid you can add the snare drum. Repeat this process for each beat and it will become easier and easier!
Keep up the good work Lucas! Hope the hi-hat height makes it easier to play!
Jonah
How many minutes to practice: 30
What to practice: This week Jonah I want you to work on the beats and hand exercises for Lesson 11 and play them all for me next week.
How to practice effectively: For the hand exercises Jonah I want you to write the rhythm above the notes in your book and I can check it next week. Remember the difference between notes that are counted 1+2+ and 1e+a 2e+a. Once you can count and play the rhythm and stickings accurately, I would try playing each exercise faster and then for an extra challenge try playing them all in a row with no pauses in between! For the beats be sure to write out the counts and count out loud as you need to.
Great job this week Jonah, see if you can push yourself to accomplish the whole assignment!
Samson
How many minutes to practice: 15-30
What to practice: Next week Samson I want to hear you play from the beginning to the second verse in Todd Rundgren’s It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference. Here is the UPDATED TRANSCRIPTION.
How to practice effectively: Good job absorbing the material so far! This week work on getting the fill into the chorus and the chorus beat. Listening and practicing along with the song is whats going to help you the most so listen to the song at least once every practice session to get it into your ear!
Great work and focus this past week Samson, keep it up!
Preferred Books for Gordon’s Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
STICK CONTROL
George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control is the bible of drumming. In 1993, Modern Drummer magazine named the book one of the top 25 books of all-time. In the words of the author, it is the ideal book for improving: control, speed, flexibility, touch, rhythm, lightness, delicacy, power, endurance, preciseness of execution and muscular coordination, with extra attention given to the development of the weak hand.
Reading, Rudiments, and Rock Drumming
This beginner book contains the basic 3 R’s of drumming-Reading, Rudiments, and Rock, in an easy to learn format.
Intermediate Snare Drum Studies
The Art of Bop Drumming
The definitive book on bop drumming—a style that is both the turning point and the cornerstone of contemporary music’s development. This comprehensive book and audio presentation covers time playing, comping, soloing, brushes, more jazz essentials, and charts in an entertaining mix of text, music, and pertinent quotes.
