Ask A Pro: Mike Portnoy’s Learning Process

Q: You are a great inspiration to me. Being an aspiring drummer, I plan to continue my learning process by attending Berklee. How many years of drumming experience did you have before you went there? What were your practice habits? And what was your experience at Berklee like?

Dan

via Internet

A: Thanks for writing, Dan. When I started playing drums in elementary and junior high school, I spent much of my practice time playing along with records (those 12” black plastic things that we used to use before CDs). I’d spend hours playing along with Beatles, Led Zeppelin, KISS, and Who records. A few years later it was Rush, Yes, and Zappa.

In addition to learning the physical coordination necessary to play the songs, I’d spend time analyzing the arrangement of the drum parts and how the drummers were developing their parts stylistically within the context of the music.

In high school I joined the marching and stage bands, which helped me learn a bit about reading and writing drum parts. I then became very interested in music theory and harmony, so I took those courses that my high school offered. I was eager to learn as much as I could about music beyond the drums: key signatures, scales, modes, and so forth. I then began applying this information to learning my way around the guitar and piano.

By the time I got to Berklee in 1985, my focus extended way beyond the drums. I was taking music theory, harmony, arranging, sight singing, and ear training courses. These helped develop me as an all-around musician. They also contributed to my ability to write and communicate with other musicians.

Berklee provided me with the ultimate environment in which to surround myself with information and inspiration. The teachers and the classes gave me the tools necessary to learn so much about music. The students provided me with the inspiration to keep sharpening those tools. The talent surrounding me was always a source of motivation to be the best I could be.

My drumming skills were further honed by the constant practicing I was doing with the band I had formed at Berklee with John Petrucci and John Myung (Dream Theater circa 1985). I truly believe that the best practice a drummer can have is playing with other musicians as often as possible. It’s one thing to practice by yourself. But your development is taken to an entirely different level when you apply your skills in the context of music with other players. This kind of experience is invaluable to the learning process.