Sean Hutchinson

SEAN HUTCHINSON is a drummer / producer living in Brooklyn, NY. Sean is a native Seattleite and a hell of a nice guy. He began banging on pots and pans as soon as he could hold them and naturally gravitated to the drums. He plays jazz, rock, electronic music, a mean train beat, and whatever else he can get himself into. He leads the instrumental trio, Sean Hutchinson's Still Life.

As a drummer, Sean has performed and recorded with:

2 AM Club (Sony/RCA), Francis and the Lights (Cantora Records), Kaki King (Rounder Records), Greg Ginn (Black Flag/SST Records), Aaron Neville (Neville Brothers), Michael Shrieve (Santana), Paul Kimble (Grant Lee Buffalo), Jerry Harison (Talking Heads), Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band), New Monsoon, Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas, Christian McBride, Paquito D’Rivera, Shelly Berg / Tierney Sutton

Sean has produced tracks and albums for:

People's Champs, Sonia's Party, Shenandoah and the Night, The Darklights, Blam, Blam

Also played with Jeremy Udden, Chris Tarry, Dani Elliot, Hawks & Doves, Jody Shelton, Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk), George Porter (the Meters), Karl Denson, Steve Kimock, Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck), Vince Herman, the Everyone Orchestra, Al Schneir (m.o.e.) Papa Mali, Alan Pasqua, John Clayton, Michael Cain, Eddie Daniels, Tom Scott, and MANY OTHERS.

TEACHING

I have over 8 years of experience as a private instructor. I am also graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music with degrees in Performance and Music Education and have studied with some of the great drummers of our time: my mentor Peter Erskine, as well as Jack DeJohnette, Teri Lynne Carrington, Bob Moses and many others.

I believe that everyone deserves a quality music instructor who will tailor each lesson to the students' goals, level and expectations. My goal is to always provide the most enjoyable, informative experience possible.

In all lessons I focus on nurturing the students interest and involvement in music, and providing the student with the musicianship skills needed for a lifetime of positive musical experience, appreciation and understanding.

My home studio is equipped with 2 Drumsets, myriad percussion instruments and a full recording studio setup -- all lessons recorded in pro audio quality.

DRUMS

TECHNIQUE

When it comes to technique, I like to focus on fluid, effortless playing--minimizing wasted energy to maximize focus and creative expression.

Moeller Technique, Full Strokes, Double Strokes/Rebounds, Single Strokes / Endurance, Traditional Grip, Match Grip, Coordination / Independence

STYLISTIC PROFICIENCY

Mastery of individual styles, and knowing when to use them. Like my mentor, Peter Erskine, told me, “Always remember which hat you’re wearing.”

Rock, Pop, Singer / Songwriter, Funk, Americana, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban

IMPROVISATION

Jazz, Free Improvisation, Soloing vs. Accompaniment

SOUNDS & CONTROL

Brushes, Mallets, Instrument Tone

ODD & COMPOUND METER

Rhythmic Claves, Polyrhythms / Over the Bar Phrasing, How to Practice

MUSIC PRODUCTION / ENGINEERING

PRODUCTION SOFTWARE - PROTOOLS, LOGIC, ABLETON

Techniques, tools and tips for the most powerful music software programs available.

Editing, Mixing, Comping, EQ

ADVANCED PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

Plug-Ins, Mixing Live/Samples, Tough Production Choices, Mastering

ABLETON IN LIVE PERFORMANCE

Musicians these days are expected to do more than just play their instruments. Cueing backing tracks, looping, and creating and applying effects are all necessary skills for any musician - especially drummers and keyboardists.

Backing Tracks, Live Looping, Midi Triggers, Effects, One Shot Samples

HOME RECORDING

Hardware: Microphones, Interfaces, Pre Amps, Outboard Gear
Concepts: Audio Acoustics, Mic Placement, Sound Treatment

BEAT MAKING

Sequencing, Quantizing, Building the Track, Drum Machine Samples, Live Drum Sample, Hybrid Sampled/Live

Get Started with BML to set up a lesson with Sean.