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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November 4th Assignments
Ella
Recommended Practice Time: 30mins
What to practice: This week Ella I want you to play this coordination exercise everyday to this song playlist. In addition I want you to start picking up what you can of the beat to Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs.
How to practice effectively: The goal of this coordination exercise is to get used to playing certain sticking patterns while also keeping the groove in our feet and being able to do this at different tempos. I wrote each sticking pattern to repeat 4 times but you should do it as many times as you want, only moving on when you feel comfortable. The Suburbs isn’t too tricky so see how much of the beat you can get by ear and have fun playing along!
Listening Assignment: Both of these albums are also available on any streaming site.
Rush, Moving Pictures
Muse, Black Holes and Revelations
Jonah
Hey dude great job reading through the rhythms this week, I can that you’re improving and your drum battle was awesome, keep up the good work!
Recommended practice time: 15mins
What to practice: This week Jonah, I want you to keep working through Lesson 5 here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fjP57IAe-Ymn7m0k6gbsVCOTJuC7v8b-/view?usp=sharing
How to practice effectively: Keep challenging yourself to go through the process, count it out loud and then play it as accurately as you can! You’ve got a good grasp of the rhythms, just keep committing yourself to it and it will get easier. Also take a look at the beats!
Samson
So sorry that we couldn’t get the audio working this week, see if you can get some help from your mom and check to make sure everything is working before the lesson to see if its an issue again.
Recommended practice time: 15mins
What to practice: Next week Samson I want to dive into Crab Rave 2.0: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftUXzChBoqx5DEHxrzhVO7its0877-TL/view?usp=sharing
And if we have time we will start going over the rhythms in Lesson 5 here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d1T07FxGGiJY5NP3UgXountyzWcs-YFW/view?usp=sharing
How to practice effectively: Be ready to play along with the track, we’ll go over the changes in the part and then see if we can get you grooving along. Our focus for the next bit is going to be getting a good handle on time and groove.
Sylvie
Lesson 6 sounded awesome this week Sylvie, keep up the good work!
Recommended practice time: 30mins
What to practice: This week lets continue to go over Lesson 7 Reading and the beats on the second half of the second page: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftXqa6lMhwDpCdQk2PAPfBg62cLradir/view?usp=sharing
How to practice effectively: Each time you work on the Reading, see if you can pinpoint the measures and spots that give you trouble and try to iron them out. The more you practice it, the easier it’ll get!
Paulina
Recommended practice time: 30mins
What to practice: This week your assignment is to keep trying to get some more sleep regularly, and work on our 8’s exercise.
How to practice effectively: For the 8’s exercise do 8’s on each limb and then 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1’s. I would go RH-LH-RF-LF. Take it slow and then fast but stay relaxed and consistent with the timing. You could also try playing to music as well!
Listening Assignment:
Rush, Moving Pictures
Stevie Wonder, Number 1’s
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.
