Dave Merritt

Dave Merritt is an accomplished drummer of many talents and interests who has been playing drums for over 30 years. Among the various groups he has performed with are Catfish, and the Road Runners Blues Band, who he has played drum set with for over 15 years, and in 2007 joined the Paul Plumeri Blues Band; the traditional Celtic bands Kintail, Cwn Annwn and Browne Jenkyn, in which he plays Bodhrán, Hammered Dulcimer and other percussion. Mr. Merritt is also a Snare Drummer with the Revolutionary War re-enactment group First New Jersey Volunteers and was a Snare Drummer with the First Highland Watch of Pennsylvania Bagpipe Band for over seven years. In 2004 he, along with Kim Leary, formed Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble, which led them to open the Drum & Dance Learning Center in May 2005.

Since 1980 he has taught drum technique in a variety of styles including Drum Set (Snare Drum technique, Rock, Blues, Pop and Progressive), Rope Tension Snare Drum, Scottish Snare Drum, Bodhrán and Hammered Dulcimer. As a drum teacher, his casual approach allows students the relaxation and freedom necessary to learn at their own pace, and his enthusiasm and appreciation of the instrument is both contagious and motivational.

Mr. Merritt has taken master classes and clinics with various drum set artists including Billy Cobham, Tommy Campbell, Rod Morgenstein, Ed Shaughnessy, Terry Bozio, Greg Bissonette and Pat Patrillo, as well as Scottish Snare Drum workshops with Sam Hall, J. Reid Maxwell, Jon Quigg and Gordon Bell. Dave learned to play the Bodhrán from Phil Smiley of the Tannahill Weavers and has taken classes / workshops with Francisco "Fuyo" Gomez to learn Conga, Victor Marshall and M'Bemba Bangoura for Djembe technique and learned Dumbek from Kim Leary, Souren Baronian, Issam Houshan, Amir Naoum and Bill Koutsouros. He continues to refine and expand his own technique on these instruments, finding inspiration and new ideas everywhere he goes.

The history of the instruments that he plays is also important to Mr. Merritt. He continues to study their origins, cultural and social signifigance, historical impact and evolution. One of his hobbies is the restoration of vintage drums and drum sets. He has even designed and built a few snare drums and various folk instruments. Dave combines his love of drums, history and education in his school and library presentation of "A Day in the Life of an 18th Century Soldier", the Revolutionary War as seen through the eyes of a Drummer.

Dave Merritt
(609)324-7383, PO Box 264 Bordentown, NJ 08505
drum.dm@gmail.com or ddlcnj@gmail.com

What is the definition of a Bodhrán? Taut goatskin played by an untaught goat!

DDLC Home Drum Instruction Bands

Instruments played:
Drum Set, Concert Snare Drum, Rope Tension Snare Drum,
Bodhrán, Bones, Hammered Dulcimer, West African percussion,
Dumbek, Bendir, Tar, Muzhar, Afro-Cuban percussion
Music projects past and present:

Electric Bands:
Catfish-- Delta, New Orleans, Chicago and Original blues
Paul Plumeri Blues Band-- Classic and Original blues
The Road Runners-- Chicago blues
Mister Downchild-- Delta, Chicago and Original blues
The Terraplanes-- blues band turned classic rock band
Nine-- original pop
Boogie Bug Club-- original progressive
Triptych-- heavy rock
Old Dogs, New Licks-- blues rock
Jim Coane-- original folk
Parade/ Marching Bands:
High School Marching Band
The First Highland Watch of Pennsylvania-- bagpipe band
1st Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers-- Revolutionary War re-enactment group
The Piper's Clan-- bagpipe band
White Hill Fife & Drum--Fife & Drum corp based in Bordentown, NJ
Traditional Celtic Bands:
The Celtic Fringe
Kintail
Cwn Annwn
Browne Jenkyn
Orchestral:
High School Concert Band
High School Pit Orchestra
Drum Ensemble:
Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble-- drum and dance from around the World

DDLC Home Dave's Bio Drum Instruction Bands Contact Info
Drum Instruction
Three types of instructional programs are available: Private Lessons are designed for an individual. Workshops are intended for group participation and generally held in public areas such as schools. Educational Programs are also intended for groups and held in public areas such as schools or libraries, but are more of a demonstration and lecture.
PRIVATE LESSONS

Beginner, intermediate, advanced and specialized lessons on
Drum Set, Snare Drum, Field Drum and Bodhrán.
Beginner and intermediate lessons on
Hammered Dulcimer, Bones, Middle Eastern percussion, Afro-Cuban percussion and West African percussion.

WORKSHOPS

Progressive Drum Set Concepts
In this workshop we will work on spicing up beats and fills to make your playing musical and more interesting. Using drum set and other hands–on exercises, develop your creative skills to set yourself apart from other drummers.
We will explore song forms, intros, how to make songs groove, four way coordination and hand/feet exercises. We’ll focus on rock and progressive rock styles but these concepts can be applied to any style. Some concepts are rudimentally based, but don’t worry, even if you have never heard of a paradiddle, you’ll be able to do this. Although this workshop is geared for percussionists, all musicians can benefit from these exercises and concepts.

West African Percussion
Music performance workshop that focuses on how the instruments of the traditional West African Djembe Orchestra combine several simple rhythms to create the complex, polyrhythmic whole. Drums are available for students to use.

"Ain't Nothin' But The Blues"
Music performance workshop using the Blues song form as a basis for improvisation and creativity. Focus is placed on the role of various instrument groups in the ensemble (i.e., solo, accompaniment/support) and the utilization of Blues scales, pentatonic scales and seventh chords. Learn how the conversation between bass and drums lays the foundation for a song to groove and develop. Students should bring instruments. Instructors: Dave Merritt (drums) & Tommie McKenzie (bass) or Lou Watson (piano)

Celtic Percussion: Bodhrán & Bones
Learn traditional and contemporary techniques and styles of the Irish Bodhrán, a drum played throughout the British Isles as a vital part of Celtic Music. This hands on workshop will get you on your way to playing this exciting and ancient instrument. Great for musicians (any level) as well as non-musicians. Also available, technique for playing Bones, a simple instrument found not only in Celtic music, but in North America and Africa.

Traditional Styles of Celtic Music
An in depth workshop focusing on traditional styles of Celtic Music including jigs, reels, waltzes and marches as well as history of the music and culture. This workshop also makes for a nice series when coupled with the Celtic Percussion workshop.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Traditional Celtic Music Informance
Have you ever heard a musical collaboration from beyond the grave?
Do you know the origins of the “mysterious mondegreen”?
When was the last time you heard two ravens discuss “101 uses for a dead knight”?
BROWNE JENKYN performs traditional music of the British Isles, as well as more recent and original pieces written in the traditional style. Part performance, part demonstration, students will be introduced to the history surrounding traditional Celtic music as well as the instruments being played. The band will perform music from the Renaissance through the Colonial era, interspersed with historical information and stories about the songs, instruments and clothing and the roles they played in civilian and military life. Their repertoire consists of songs of adventure, love and betrayal, death and the other world; along with a vast array of instrumental numbers including jigs, reels, waltzes and marches. An entertaining and informative program not to be missed!!
Available as a 40 minute assembly program or classroom demonstration/lecture. This program is also available with the band wearing authentic 18th century clothes.

So catch BROWNE JENKYN and find out what to do with a dead knight’s bonnie blue een.

"A Day in the Life of an 18th Century Soldier"
Two programs available, both designed to help schools meet the NJ State Core Curriculum Standards.
Demonstration/Lecture
Students will be introduced to the history of the skills required to succeed and survive as an 18th century soldier. Description of the uniform and the gear worn by the soldier, as well as camp life and drum calls will be discussed.
Available as a 40 minute assembly program or a classroom demonstration/lecture.
Encampment Residency
Students will experience 18th century military life by reenacting a soldier's daily camp life and duties. The uniform and gear, and its signifigance to the soldier will be discussed. Students will also learn how military drum calls were a means of communication, used in every aspect of Colonial era army life.

DDLC Home

Dave's Bio

Drum Instruction

Bands

Contact Info