Nick Forte
Master Drum Instructor
Owner/Author
Forte Music Publications
Nick Forte - Biography
At the age of 12, Nick Forte began drum lessons with James Stavris, Sr. After several years with Mr. Stavris, he continued his percussion studies with Alexander Lepak (then Chairman of Percussion, Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford and 1997 inductee to the Percussive Arts Society Hall Of Fame.) Other Studies, with notable area teachers, included Bass, Piano, Guitar and Cello. In 1971 Mr. Forte received a Certificate for the completion of studies in Harmony, Theory, Arranging and Composition, from the Berklee School of Music.
Mr. Forte’s teaching experience spans over 50 years and includes hundreds of private students. In addition, he has taught drumming at several private and public schools, namely: Educational Center for the Arts, Choate Rosemary Hall, Neighborhood Music School, Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, Housatonic College and the University of Bridgeport.
As a performer Mr. Forte has worked (since the age of 13) in a variety of musical genres, including: Studio, Live Concerts, Club Dates and Musical Theater with celebrities such as Rodney Dangerfield, Juliet Prowse, Don Rickles and many more. As “house drummer” for many area jazz venues, he has worked with such legendary notables as: Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Billy Taylor, John Carisi and Gerry Mulligan, to mention just a few.
Mr. Forte has written over a dozen publications, which are listed in the catalog at the end of each book and on the Forte Music Publications website. Other writing includes educational articles for Down Beat and Modem Drummer Magazine (where he wrote over a year’s worth of monthly articles for his Understanding Rhythm series). For a special presentation of these articles, click HERE!
On-Line Catalog
Why Use Nick's Books?
Forte Music Publications strives to produce the very best in Drum Instruction Materials. Whether you are a seasoned professional looking for advanced concepts to challenge your skills or are a beginner needing the expert guidance from the very basics, there is a book or series of books that will allow you to make the most of your study time!
Not Just for Students!
Our Publications are not just for students! Drum Instructors looking for a fresh approach to teaching based on a proven curriculum are using them as well. If you are a Drum Teacher, contact us for pricing and availability on bulk orders!
Drumming Step-by-Step Book 1
Book One of Six in "THE" Stand-Alone Drum-Study Course!!
- Snare Drum Basics
- Holding & Moving Sticks
- Covers Common Note/Rest Value Studies
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Drumming Step-by-STEP Book 2
Book Two of Six in "THE" Stand-Alone Drum Study Course!!
- Drumset Basics
- Applies Basic Studies from Book One to The Set
- Establishes Strong Rock Grooves & Fills for the Beginner!
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Drumming Step-By-Step Book 3
Book Three of Six in "THE" Stand-Alone Drum Study Course!!
- Intermediate Snare Drumming
- Includes Selected Rudimental Patterns
- Drum-rolls, Paradiddles, etc.
- Applies to Drum Line & Symphonic Styles
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Drumming Step-by-Step Book 4
Book Four of Six in "THE" Stand-Alone Drum Study Course!!
- Intermediate Drumset Reading
- Applies the material from book three to the drumset
- Includes Blues & Jazz Style Groove and Fill Studies
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Drumming Step-By-Step Book 5
Book Five of Six in "THE" Stand-Alone Drum Study Course!!
- Advanced Snare Drumming
- Soloing with Rudimental Structures
- Includes Classical examples
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Drumming Step-by-Step Book 6
Book Six of Six in "THE" Stand-Alone Drum Study Course!!
- Advanced Drumset Reading
- Complex rhythmic coordination patterns
- Drumset patterns approach the advanced level
- Includes examples of drumset grooves for various musical styles
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Progressive Snare Drum Solos
This is a collection of close to fifty snare drum solos arranged in order of difficulty from intermediate to advanced.
- Solos for Concert Band
- Solos for Marching Band
- Odd Time Signatures
- Stick Clicks and Rim Taps
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Practice and Performance Pieces
A collection of drum solos which are played with other instruments of the orchestra (as duets and trios) includes notation for each performer.
- The CD includes play-a-long versions with other orchestral instruments
- Encourages public performances & studio recitals
- Each composition progresses from the beginner level to the intermediate level - so there is something for all students to participate in
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Swingin' Snare Solos
Original solos written to utilize melodic rhythms from the "standards" jazz Library.
- This book is for intermediate to advanced students interested in developing their Jazz chops
- Promotes better Jazz phrasing, interpretation and articulation
- Students may wish to continue with these studies by going on to the companion book "Swingin' Drumset Solos" each of these books are closely notated in exactly the same notation
- Get both to learn how single-line rhythms may be applied to the full drumset
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Swingin' DrumSet Solos
Original solos written to utilize melodic rhythms from the "standards" jazz Library.
- This book is a logical continuation of "Swingin' Snare Solos" - each solo is an exact replica notated for the drumset
- Each solo stresses the importance of utilizing the "melodic line" to develop strong and coherent solos
- Students can understand better how to construct meaningful and exciting solos and fills
- Get both to learn how single-line rhythms may be applied to the full drumset
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Extreme Stick/Stroke Control
Advanced Stick Control techniques that teach not only what to practice, but how to practice to achieve peak results!
- Start with Individual Hand/Stick Patterns
- Each pattern is illustrated to show the different "stroke-types" and how to combine them
- Develop better motor skills necessary for the modern drummer
- Advanced combinations of stick control utilizing coordination & independence across multiple surfaces
- Unique & Intuitive graphics are used to show stick motion around the set
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Drumset Applications of Linear Rhythms
Provides the "secrets" to utilizing simple patterns in creative ways that allows the development of more interesting and complex solo ideas.
- This book is based on various Eighth-Note Triplet patterns
- Beginning exercises include coordination of the snare and bass drum
- Learn to combine various measure elements to construct solos and fills
- includes references to Jazz and Latin styles
- Large note fonts are used to facilitate reading from behind the drumset
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Drumming on a Riff
Designed to allow the student to participate in the writing process!
- First, examine twelve different two-bar themes (riffs)
- Each written twelve times illustrating new interpretations of that specific theme
- Along with suggested themes, is space for YOU to write out the remainder of each page
- Next advance these ideas to learn to develop snare solos, as well as rock, swing, and Latin grooves and fills all developed from riffs
- A Play-along CD is included
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Tuplets (and related topics) For Drummers and other Musicans
Provides information on the subject of Tuplets, their construction & Application.
- Includes text and musical examples explaining implementation
- Covers Duplets, Triplets, Quadruplets, Quintuplets, Sextuplets, & Septuplets
- Exploding and Imploding rhythms, ratios and polyrhythms are also covered
- A great handbook for all musicians to become more familiar with "irrational" rhythmic structures
- A MUST HAVE Reference for your Music Library
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Getting A Grip On The Rudiments of Drumming
Provides a step-wise approach for the beginner and/or intermediate student
- In-depth explanation of grips and stroke types
- Detailed description and study plan for sixteen of the most exemplary rudiments
- Includes supplemental Snare solos
- Provides suggestions for drumset applications
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Stick Control & Coordination - For Beginners
Provides important supplementary practice material for the beginning drum student. With a focus on appropriate, level-related, snare and drumset technique often lacking at the beginner level.
- Includes principles of stick-handling and coordination techniques
- Provides the KEY to transition technique from the practice pad to the drumset
- Learn specific hand techniques to develop better coordination which leads to improved economy of movement and a more intuitive and relaxed musical approach
- Includes new ways of thinking about how to gain control of the specific physical movements necessary for drumming
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2,3,4 and 5-way Coordination
A new, but intuitive, guide for the intermediate student to gain greater control of the complete drumset
- Utilizes the student's voice as an additional element to coordination studies
- The voice parts have specific "v" notations to make clear what should be vocally articulated
- The exercises begin with quarter-notes, then eighth-notes, eighth-note triplets and ending with sixteenth-note studies
- There is a "bonus section" which suggests how to transition the voice "v" parts into drumset variations - examples of Rock/Funk and Swing/Bebop musical styles are covered to help the creative process along
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Photo Gallary
Nick Forte Video Clips
Please Enjoy These Selected Re-Mastered Video Clips of Nick Forte
Forte in The News
“Forte fights to keep that pure jazz legacy”
By Veronica Buckman – Leisure Correspondent
They have called him a jazz purist, accused him of not being “eclectic” enough, But still, Nick Forte will not flinch. As a jazz drummer who started playing professionally when he was only 13 years old, Forte understands the deep roots of jazz and has watched the musical form grow, evolve and splinter off. During his formative years he played with some jazz giants, including Gerry Mulligan and Dizzy Gillespie. He credits early instructors James Stavris Sr. and Alexander Lepak with teaching him the basics and jazz trombonist Sonny Costanzo with giving him important breaks.
Now in his early 50s, Forte, an East Haven resident, has come to believe that genuine jazz, the original American art form, deserves to be preserved in its true essence. “I have a real problem with some people’s definition of jazz,” he says, “Sometimes there will be bands performing at a jazz festival, but they are not true jazz groups. Much of it may be great Stuff, but it shouldn’t be confused with jazz!”
The roots of jazz run deep in American history, From New Orleans to Chicago and New York, jazz masters like Fletch Henderson, Count Bassie, Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton all added to the jazz scene. The swing era of the 30s and 40s gave way to the bebop and cool jazz styles of the post-war decades. Modern jazz saw attempts to incorporate jazz with classical, rock, Latin, and other musical forms, sometimes resulting in “fusion jazz.”
The history of jazz is rich and complex, but for Forte, drum expert, the difference between true jazz and other music is often in the rhythm. “In general, when you hear jazz it is broken up into groups of threes. Rock and other music is divided into twos,” he explains. “Louis Armstrong, the Bill Evans trio, Wynton Marsalis and the early Miles Davis groups are what I would call true jazz players.” “Also,” he adds, “jazz musicians live by these two things: the figured bass line, which is a means of creating a progression or route from one measure to another, and improvisation.
These jazz roots go back three hundred years,” Forte says. “Certain elements in jazz can be traced back to J.S. Bach, who was a main proponent of the figured bass line and also a great improviser.
If Forte sounds as if he should teach this stuff, or at least write a book, rest assured he does, and has done, both. He has been passing on the jazz legacy by teaching all kinds of students in many schools. For the past eight years he has taught drum, classical percussion and rhythm courses at The Neighborhood Music School in New Haven. He wrote “Understanding Rhythm” for “Modern Drummer Magazine,” and the installments were brought together and published as a book called “Progressive Steps to Musical Drumming.” He has a private, in-home studio, and he continues to study and write about drums.
Best of all, though, Forte likes to play. “When I’m working with great musicians and we’re having a good night, it’s the ultimate feeling,” he says. “There are moments when you’re so Elevated, you step outside yourself.” “I would love to bring the big bands back,” he continues “It was a great era in music, now it’s basically gone…. Jazz is a treasure that I feel is slowly becoming contaminated, and it’s too bad, because a lot of younger people could get hooked on it. I have to fight to keep the music pure.”
NOTE: While this article is several years old, Nick continues to “Fight to keep the music pure.” This is seen through the extensive book catalog currently available through his Forte Music Publications business and his continued work as a professional musician and educator throughout the Connecticut area.
Forte Music Publications
18 Catherine St.
East Haven, CT 06512
Purchase information for all Forte Music Publications Educational Materials can be obtained through the DrumChops “ContactUs” form, or by emailing Nick Forte directly at:
Forte.Music@ComCast.Net