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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September 8th Assignments
Hi Everyone, Welcome Back!!!! Super excited to be teaching you guys again this fall!
Lucas
How many minutes to practice: 15-30
What to practice: This week Lucas I want you to play the first four beats of Lesson 5 without looking at the music the whole time, I know you can do it!
How to practice effectively: First look at the beat, see if you can figure out how it might sound just by looking at it. Then give it a shot playing it and counting out loud. If its too tricky, then slow it down and try the limbs separately. First start by playing the hi-hat and counting. Then figure out what beats the bass drum plays and then try playing the bass drum with the hi-hat. Then, once those are good together, try adding the snare drum! Once you’ve played it at least 8 times really well, try looking at the beat once before you play and then close the book!
Ella
How many minutes to practice: 30
What to practice: I think Paranoid Android could be really fun to start working on! Here is the transcription and a link to the music
How to practice effectively: What I have so far is through the second chorus. The whole song up until that point is the same beat played on the hi-hat in the intro and verse and on the ride in the chorus. The x’s on the snare line are rim knocks which is when you lay the stick on the drum and lift the stick to let it down and make a sound on the rim, it probably isn’t doable on your electric kit. The beat may take some practice so take it nice and slow! Try the right hand, then with the bass drum, then with the snare drum.
Jonah
How many minutes to practice: 30
What to practice: This week Jonah I want to hear you play up to the pre-chorus in Rock With You, play through Gallop, and this new exercise Accent Tap
How to practice effectively: For Rock with You, just take the time to work out that last fill before the verse, then just go slowly through the rest and play along with the song! For Gallop take a look at this video I made. Here the goal is good, solid doubles without too much tension. For Accent Tap, think about playing the accented notes (the ones with this marking >) loudly, with the stick nice and high, and then the non-accented notes really soft, with the stick only about an inch off the drum. This exercise will help you relax on the beat for Rock With You.
Samson
How many minutes to practice: 15-30
What to practice: Get Rock With You up to the pre-chorus.
How to practice effectively: Remember, after the first measure, you play the beat 8 times, and on the 8th time you play the fill we worked on today before going into the 8th note beat in the verse. For the fill remember to lead to the snare drum with the left hand so you don’t get tangled up.
Sylvie
How many minutes to practice: 30
What to practice: This week Sylvie I want you to practice the first part of So Much to Say up to the bridge.
How to practice effectively: Practice the main beat a bunch and then get used to playing the pre-chorus section with the crash. Go slowly and count out loud as much as possible, it will help you keep the timing straight. Then when you’re ready to play it faster, try it with the song and be sure to count carefully and nail the transition to the pre-chorus!
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.
