Question: Whats up Tony , you really made me practice more to see a young boy like you play with so much grace. Well, I hope you contiune this profession and maybe we'll may meet someday. Drums 4 life. -Jermaine
Answer: What up Jermaine. Thanks for writing and for the compliments. Set your goals high and accomplish what you set out to do. I am glad that I could inspire you. Maybe we might run into each other one day. Anything can happen. Keep in touch.


Question: My name is Chris Brown and I live in Greenville, TX. I have been playing drums since I was about your age but now i'm 20 yrs old. All I want to know is did you have help from professionals? Also I got the video Common Ground and you said something about tha mole technique or something, that it helps you with your speed and wrist control. Dude please help me, I wanna get better and play faster and do more diffucult things. Thanks, Chris B.
Answer: What's up Chris. Thanks for writing. First off, you have to make out a time management schedule for yourself. This is going to help you mold a practice schedule. In order to get better (faster), you have to practice even harder. The Moeller technique is a series of triplets in each hand, in one smooth motion. Practice with each hand separately for long periods of time. The next step is to be able to put them together in one sequence. Jim Chapin has a video out called Speed, Power, and Endurance. All questions you may have concerning the Moeller technique is all in the video. Don't get discouraged. Keep practicing hard and your goals will be surely matched. Keep in touch. - Tony Royster Jr.

Question: Hello Mr. Tony Royster Jr. I am a sixteen year old drummer who has been banging out rhythm for about three years. My question is in the future how would I get endorsed by a drum or cymbal company such as yourself? I feel experience. What I mean by that is I haven't been in a band or played in front of a crowd. In a few years when I have had some experience and maybe in a successful band I would like to get endorsed by a company. I am not a great drummer such as you but I feel that I have better skills than drummers I have seen and heard, then that might be all in my head but I would like to find out for sure. Anyhow thats my question, I thank you for your time and I admire your drumming skills. Thank you again.
Answer: What's up. Thank you for writing and for the compliments. In order to get an endorsement from companies nowadays, you have to send them a promo packet of yourself to the particular company. After that, your endorsement is in their hands. They are the ones who make the decisions. If they get back to you, then you have a chance. If not, try again later on down the line. Don't let that discourage you. Continue to practice and set your goals high. Keep in touch.


Question: Hey my name is Steve..... its so humbling to have a younger kid play better than I do..... but your very very talented kid, i wish you the best of luck
in your future endeavours.
Answer: Thank you Steve, for writing and for the compliments. I really do appreciate them. Keep in touch. - Tony Royster Jr.


Question: Whats up tony? I saw your video with Dennis about a year ago and I think you are just as good as Dennis at least I think so...I only hope to be as good as you some day. I bet it's kind of cool getting compliments from some of the greatest drummers of all time at the age of 16.Well... please write back soon and can you give me some drum tips?
Answer: Hey, how are you doing. Thank you for writing and for the compliments. If I had any drum tips for you, it would be to keep practicing, strive hard for anything that you want to achieve, and continue to gather knowledge about this craft.


Question: Hi there Tony, I just wanted to drop you a line and say congrats on all of your success. I recently purchased your video with you and Dennis, and all I
can say is WOW!!!! I'm 22 yrs old and have been playing percussion since I was 9 yrs old. I was in a serious slump for the last couple of months and in need some inspiration. Thanks to your video I have picked back up the sticks and have been drumming hard. Thanks for the help, and keep on rocking. Have a great holiday. - Michael C. Forbes, Atlanta GA
Answer: Hey Mike, how's everything going. Thank you for writing. I would like to say thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate them. I'm glad that I could
be an inspiration towards you. Keep in touch, and keep practicing.


Question: Hey my name is Nathan and I'm from Irmo SC. I'm16 and have been playing drums since the fourth grade. I have been involved in marching band as well as the all state jazz ensemble for South Carolina. It is my passion to make drumming my career. I was wondering how you were able to play along side Dennis Chambers, and how you received your sponsorships. Your playing is truly inspiring. - Nathan Bocock
Answer: Hey Nathan, thanks for writing. Playing next to Dennis was very cool. I've known Dennis since 1993. With a lot of practicing and dedication, and a few phone calls from my dad (my manager), that's how that came about. Keep practicing and set your goals high. -Peace.


Question: Tony, This will be short. I am from Eastern Kentucky. I was wondering what your schedule is for December-February. Also, do you send out e-mails to people of your touring schedule? Thanks, Brett Hall
Answer: Hey Brett, thanks for writing. I really can't give you that info right now. My schedule is changing day to day. I'm in North Carolina and LA next month. So stay in touch and we will talk soon. -Tony Royster Jr.


Question: Dear Tony, My name is Marqui Childs and I enjoy the way you play. Me and my homeboy's,''E'' and Busta talk study your moves on the double and we almost getting there. Hope to see you soon. O yea do you still play for your church Temple of Praise?
Answer: What's up Marqui. Thanks for writing. Hey, tell Busta I am going to give him a call. Every time I call, it's busy, so I'm going to try again. Ya boys stay up and keep practicing, and yes, I do still play for the temple. - Peace out.


Question: (Your drum cage) What kind is it and where can I get one, and do you like the different angle of your drum kit know? You should do more solo work, I'm 15 yrs. to and own a Yamaha recording custom set so I want a really good rack. - Anthony
Answer: What's up Anthony, thanks for writing. Why don't you go to the Drum Frame website. That's the name of the drum rack. I think the new angle of the drums is awesome. You can really tell the difference when you play. If you can't find the info. there, just write me back and I'll see what I can do.-Tony Royster Jr.


Question: Hi Tony, you may remember me from Thoroughbred Music drum dept. We did big drum day w/ Dom F. Chester Thompson, & Glen Carauba.Just a note to say how excited I am to see your excellent progress in the music biz! Happy belated birthday, I am the day after you. Awesome video w/ you and dennis from the Modern Drummer fest to the world wow. I am at Sam Ash Orlando now. Regards to your family. Thanx and good luck! -Chris Waldron
Answer: Hey Chris, how are you doing. Thanks for writing. I think I do remember you. That's cool that you are at Sam Ash Orlando now. Keep in touch. Hope to see you in the future. -Tony Royster Jr.


Question: Tony, I am a 16 year old drummer from Maine. You are incredible. I have been playing for 3 years. Have you listened to the Tony Williams tribute track (#5, entitled "Tony") on John McLaughlin's Live In Paris album. Dennis Chambers lights it up with an awesome solo. Just thought that you might like to hear it. Keep up the awesome work. You are truly an inspiration. Sincerely, Nick Smith
Answer: What's up Nick. Thanks for writing. I am glad that I could be an inspirational tool towards you. No, I have not listened to that yet. It must be pretty cool. Well again, thanks for writing and keep in touch. Tony Royster Jr.


Question: Tony, what's going on man? I was looking in your stats page and noticed that you were in your high school marching band. I'm in the Blue Devils and all my life people have told me that rudimental drumming ruins your set chops. Obviously, it hasn't taken much of a toll on you. I was just wondering what your thoughts on this were on this was also wondering if you were planning on marching outside of your H.S. band, in a drum winter line, etc.
You're a great inspiration, -Marco Nicola, Blue Devils 97-2000, Freelancers 2000
Answer: Hey Marco, what's up. Thanks for writing. That's very cool that you are in the Blue Devils. I was taking into consideration of joining the Blue Devils when I get to the college level. Just a thought. I am also glad that I could be an inspiration towards you. Take care Marco and keep in touch. - Tony Royster Jr.


Question: I just had to go and get a copy of "Common Ground". That video is simply awe inspiring. You are truly someone special. Congratulations on your MD "up&coming" award. They could save alot of time and just go ahead and put you in the "hall of fame". Believe me, you are already there. I have a question for you. As far as your hand and foot technique, what are some of the exercises you work on to warm up with? Also, am I mistaken or are you from Macon,Ga. I am from Aiken, SC. It's about 90 minutes from Macon. I would love to meet you sometime if I ever get the chance to. Hope to hear from you soon!!
Thank you for your time, - Mark Lucas
Answer: Hey mark, what's up. Thanks for writing and for the compliments. Basically, for warm-up exercises, I play singles and doubles around the drumset as well as with the feet. Those are the effective rudiments to enhance your speed and control with your limbs. Also, vary the tempo and volume while performing these exercises.

So you live 90 minutes from Macon. Well I'm located in Hinesville. It's about 30 miles south of Savannah. Again, thanks for writing and maybe we will get to meet in the near future. - Tony Royster Jr.


Question: Hello Tony! I am a drummer from Austria and I am 15 years old , just like you! Just wanna say thank you for the great inspiration you give to me. I heard a drum-solo of you yesterday (just called Tony's solo). WOW awesome man! That double bass kicks! Hey and what are your influences? How was it playin' with Dennis and Billy? How are they as persons? I saw Dennis 3 month ago and he was incredible and I saw Billy 3 times live and I'll see him again in just a week. Do you know Alphonse Mouzon? He's my all time favorite! You check out to his 70s LP "Mind Transplant". Incredible..
How much do/did you practice a day? Do you still go to school? What are your plans for the future? Playing jazz or funk ??
I think it's quiet hard to tour and to play night after night, but it's the best thing on earth too. Hey man be happy how you are , that god gave you the gift of being a "wonder-child". You are great and I hope I'll hear from you soon!!! Peace, -Niki Dolp
Answer: Hey Niki, what's happenin! First off I just wanna say thanks for writing, I really appreciate it. So you are a drummer. You know, we drummers have to stick together. Thank you very much for the compliments. Which drumsolo did you hear, the one from the Common Ground video or the Modern Drummer show? Well anyways, my influences: Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, Jim Chapin, just to name a few. Playing with Dennis and Billy was a great experience. I've played with Dennis before but being able to play with both of them at the same time will be something I never forget. They are both very nice people to know. Good, good friends of mine. Yes, I do know Alphonse Mouzon. Great player.

I try to practice about an hour a day. I do alot of other things such as sports, after-school activities, etc. Yes, I do go to school and I'm involved in the marching band. My plans for the future are to become a physician of some kind and be able to be a professional drummer on the side (playing all styles). I just recently finished a three month tour in Japan. After you get used to it, it becomes a breeze.

Alright Niki, thanks again for writing. Hope to talk to you in the near future. -Tony Royster Jr.


Question: How are u Tony? First I would like to thank you for sharing your talent with people around the world......I really appreciate that. My name is Luis
Toledo, I've been playing for almost 3 years now, I'm a drummer dedicated for God, meaning that I just give back to Him what He has given me...the talent
of playing drums. Anyway, I bought the "common ground" video And ever since you have become one of my favorite drummers, Maybe someday I will get to
know you and thank you personally, God bless you bro.!!!!  -Luis Toledo. Lancaster, CA.
Answer: Hey Luis, how are you doing? First of all, I just want to thank you for writing. That's great that your playing is dedicated to God. I'm also very thankful for the gift that he has given me. "Anyway", I'm glad that I could be an inspiration to you and you're right, maybe one day we can meet and get to know each other better. God bless you and I hope to see you in the near future. Your friend, Tony Jr.


Question: Hi Tony, My name is Andrew and I play tenors on the Columbine drum line. I would just like to say that you give me a lot of my inspiration as a drummer. It must be awesome playing with people like Dennis Chambers. If you have time e-mail me back. Thanks.   - Andrew
Answer: Hey Andrew, what's up? Just wanted to thank you for writing. I'm glad that I could be an inspiration to you. Just to let you know, keep practicing and maybe we can do a tenor solo together on one of my clinics, "you never know".
Peace out, and keep in touch! Your friend, Tony Jr.


Question: Hey Tony, what's up? My name is Dede, I'm 18 and I've been playing drums for almost 11 years. The first time I saw a performance of you was at the
Grammy's. You really impressed me, and right when I found out about your "Common Ground" video with Dennis Chambers, I immediately bought it. I love
your style of playing, you've got a great feel and groove for a tune. Being a funk drummer myself I can really appreciate what you do on a kit. I'm a
drummer who uses a single bass drum pedal, and I've got a pretty fast foot, but I've always wanted to open myself up to double bass. What kinds of
exercises should I do in building up my speed on a double bass? I love doing 16ths and triplets on a single, but would really like to get into
double, but the only problem is I get impatient rather quickly. Any advice you have would be great. Thanks for taking the time in reading this, and I
hope that one day I can see you play in person. Keep in touch!  -Dede Booth, Arlington,MA
Answer: Hey Dede, what's going on. First off, try not to get frustrated because things don't come quickly all the time. About the bass drum exercises, what you can do is start with the basics.. singles, doubles, paradiddles, for starters. This is how I developed my double bass playing. Whatever you do on the top half of the drumset, apply it to the bass drums. Keep practicing. Thanks, Tony Royster Jr.


Question: Tony, What's goin on my friend? My name is Zack Dumas, a couple years back at the Modern Drummer Festival, I had the pleasure of hanging out with you pretty much all week end. We met in the Weight room, and at the pool.You and your dad were gracious enough to invite us to your room, show us pictures, meet the family, and even go back stage and help set up your kit for the show!!! I just wanted to say that was amazing and I thank you. I've
been playing for 12 years now, I've been trying to fulfill a dream of mine, that dream is to become a clinician like yourself. Any advice that you could
possibly give, names of contests, or names of people would be greatly appreciated. Tony in closing keep up the phenomenal work, and you never know
hopefully one day we'll be headling a show together. Take care Tony, keep in touch.- Zack
Answer: Hey Zack, how's everything going? Good I hope. I just want to say thanks for writing, and I do remember who you are. I'm glad to hear you are still playing and continuing trying to reach your goal. My advice to you is to try and get the Modern Drummer magazine. If you don't have it already, sometimes they offer drum contests in it. Also, try to visit music stores and inquire about any drumoff contests. Keep in touch,... Tony

Have a drum question? Ask drummer, Tony Royster Jr.