Photographer: Shane Miljevic

Photographer: Shane Miljevic
lessons with bruce (in-person & online)
Balance + Motion = Time
Are you REALLY serious?! "
Bruce is available for Lessons, Clinics and Recording.
To contact Bruce please send a message with your inquiry.
Mission Statement
Inspiration
My teaching is dedicated to inspire and provide tools in opening new avenues towards developing your musical path, and to provide an approach that fulfills your personal needs.
Student Goals
While the goals of each student might differ, the over all goal of achievement, growth and development are the common theme.
The mission statement for each student comprises of the
following elements:
Desire
The fulfillment of following your passion
Dedication
The follow through of developing your talent
Participation
The focus, clarity and discipline to conceptualize, actualize and fulfill practice & study.
Student Cultivation
My mission is to inspire, motivate and educate through:
The Narrative
To speak and transmit the information with depth and clarity.
The Approach
A step by step approach to re-tool and develop more comprehensive technical skills
The Information
Drawing from the traditional aspects of Technique, Approach and Concept.
The Results
Take it as far as you can imagine.
Applying these principles will greatly enhance your chances of success!
THE EDUCATOR
Q:
What do Neil Peart, Steve Smith, Dave Weckl, and Bruce Becker have in common?
A:
All of these drummers have sought the unique insights and perspective on balance and motion from drum “guru” – Freddie Gruber.
Freddie the "Guru"
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Freddie the "Guru"
Bruce & Freddie
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Bruce & Freddie
Bruce's Equation
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Bruce the Educator
Balance + Motion = Emotion
He offers the most comprehensive insight into the teachings of Mr. Gruber, and has been teaching since '82.The Student Becomes a Teacher
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Bruce the Educator
Your breakthrough today starts with one simple step

Conceptual Highlights
Concert highlights from the upcoming festival in May 15-18, 2017
Mission Statement
What’s the difference, if you don’t know the difference?
By applying three universal principals such as balance, motion, and use of gravity, you will certainly know the difference. The understanding of how the anatomy works in the drumming field is most important. Professional athletes, such as Tennis pros, Baseball players, and Olympic athletes all have coaches aware of the proper mechanics that enable them to become efficient in their prospective sport. Understanding timing and proper motion of the body is essential in maintaining fluidity of execution.
There are three primary properties that make up the total musician. First, the listening aspect, the development of how to listen. Next, the practice mode, taking time to learn the rudiments of your instrument. And finally, the ability to go out, and play live and interact with other musicians. The most important of these, though, is the importance of learning the technique of the instrument you have chosen. Drums present themselves as a unique instrument because of the four-limb coordination that is necessary to master. Many drummers have sat down and arrived at an approach that becomes limiting, in a sense they build an embouchure that can atrophy over time. Basically one will pick up the sticks and never give much thought to the placement of anything. Understanding placement in drumming is REALLY serious business.
The mission statement for each student comprises of the following elements:
Balance, Motion and Time
The element of time has been defined by man through rotations, i.e. the earth rotating on its axis, the earth's rotation around the sun. By moving in a circular or an elliptical way we dictate what time is and can influence the 'feel' of the time. As opposed to vertical motion which doesn't offer a clear center to where the time is. Each limb can establish its own orbit to help move fluidly and not disrupt the 'flow'. By understanding weight shifting one can use the natural principle of gravity to affect placement of time and this is essential to the 'Heartbeat' of music. Much like a dancer, the understanding for balance, motion, and rhythm is everything.
Focus
The focus of ones time is important to achieve bona fide results. The concept of understanding motion in a slow continuous form is beneficial to ones playing. It is analogous to the young child who first learns how to tie his/her shoes. The process is slow and tedious at first. Then it becomes second nature and is done with rapid fire precision. Discipline is an acquired 'art'. It needs to be developed slowly and steadily.
Flow
The goal is to achieve a point where the motion of the stick 'does it to you'. Therefore you are following the flow established through momentum and rebound. The same thing applies to bass drum pedal, it has its own balance and tension, if all is set right it doesn't require much energy to propel it. Once it moves you learn to control it, so you can move beyond the body and affect groove and feel.
Maximize Your Potential
To maximize your potential you must engage in the:
Trinity
of
Musical Development
(1) Listening
One must listen to attain proficiency of musical form. It is also important to listen and incorporate different musical styles to increase your musical range.
(2) Practice
The 'art' of discipline takes time to nurture and it is up to every student to make practice a daily affair. This adds to the connectivity to what you are involved with, and makes it easier to access.
(3) Playing
Similar to studying a language, your conversation skills can only be developed and refined through engaging in regular conversation. Playing is the same! Seek musical outlets to allow your musical conversation to develop and expand.