Career Highlights
Born in Morristown, NJ, Mike Adamo began drumming on pots and pans when he was two years old…
He soon switched over to a practice pad, and then a full drum set. Mike then went on to study with New Jersey educators Andy Delucca and the great Joe Bergamini, and soon after began to play professionally. To date, he’s played in front of thousands of fans, at some of the biggest music festivals in the world, including the Winter X Games, the MTV Ski and Snowboard Festival, the High Sierra Music Festival, and the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival. He has shared the stage and collaborated with legends such as Bernie Worrell (P-Funk, Talking Heads), Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers, blues/rock legend), Adam Deitch (Lettuce, Breakscience, Pretty Lights Band), Johnny Rabb (drum legend), DJ Logic, Adam Theis (Jazz Mafia), and Corey Harris (blues legend), among many others.
As an educator, Mike has maintained an active teaching schedule for the past decade and is listed by Modern Drummer magazine as one of the top drum instructors in the United States as chosen by drumming's global ambassador Dom Famularo. He has helped hundreds of students experience the joy of playing drums. Some of his students have gone on to successful careers as players and teachers.
As an author, Mike published his first book, The Breakbeat Bible, on Hudson Music. The book presents a unique approach to the fundamentals of breakbeat drumming. It provides drummers with insight on keeping the acoustic drumset relevant in the post-modern digital age. The book has been extremely well received in the international drumming community. In addition to receiving a 5-star review in Modern Drummer magazine, it was voted 2nd place in the 2012 Modern Drummer Reader's Poll for Best Educational Book. The book's popularity is increasing exponentially as it continues to educate and inspire thousands of drummers around the world. Check out www.thebreakbeatbible.com for more info. He is also a contributing writer for Modern Drummer magazine.
To inquire about private lessons, online lessons, studio bookings, clinic bookings, or music/beat production, click the link below.
Performance Highlights & Sample Lessons
Mike has been an industry-leading drum educator for the past 11 years…
He’s listed by Modern Drummer magazine as one of the top drum instructors in the United States, as chosen by drumming's global ambassador Dom Famularo.
The main focus of his teaching is to establish a solid foundation of proper technique, basic rudiments, and reading. He then adds skills such as coordination, independence, timing, groove, musicality, and improvisation while covering styles including rock, funk, jazz, latin, drum n' bass, and hip hop.
Mike also focuses on developing listening and transcription skills, as well as using recording techniques to analyze and improve one's playing. The lessons are tailored to each student’s interests and learning style, so Mike leaves plenty of space to allow the students to shape the content, direction, and flow of the lessons.
Mike currently maintains an active teaching schedule in Portland, Oregon. He also teaches students across the world through on-line lessons. The lessons are conducted on a one-on-one basis, and are offered to students of all ages and ability levels. His students have gone on to successful auditions for the Reno Youth Philharmonic, placements in high school orchestras and jazz bands, music majors in colleges including Berklee College of Music and Los Angeles College of Music, and successful careers as teachers and players.
Most importantly, Mike focuses on sharing the joy that comes with learning the art of drumming.
To schedule a lesson with Mike, please scroll down & click the button at the bottom of this page.
Testimonials
You are so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Alex (drum student, age 4)
"Seriously man I wanted to give you heartfelt thanks, you're one of the best out there because you can see what I need and am looking for. I didn't experience this at Musicians Institute."
-David (adult drum student)
Thank you so much for teaching me how to play the drums and being so nice to me.
-Miles (drum student, age 9)
Thank you for being the best drum teacher ever!
-Oliver (drum student, age 9)
Thanks for being such a great teacher! I really appreciate all your time and effort.
-Clay (drum student, age 15)
Mike is a wonderful teacher with a great sense for his student's different styles of learning. He personalizes his classes to your needs to make it an overall very enjoyable experience.
-Sofia (drum student, age 12)
Mike's compelling combination of deep music knowledge, masterful technical ability, and adaptable teaching style has made our drum lessons something I look forward to weekly. He's also a really kind guy. I'd recommend him without hesitation.
-Scott (adult drum student)
Having Mike as a production teacher was an amazing choice from day one. Every time he comes over, my productivity increases and an hour lesson feels like fifteen minutes. He gives a amazing feedback, and he frequently allows me to find new tools for new sounds/styles. I’ve produced an album with him over the past year and he was with me every step of the way.
-Trevor (10th grade music production student)
Mike Adamo's professionalism, dependability, and musical knowledge are top notch. And, in every single lesson, he has exceptional patience with his students. We are grateful to have Mike as my son's drum teacher for over three years now.
-Jill (Mom of drum student)
Thanks so much for all you do. Clay so enjoys his time with you.
-Michelle (Mom of drum student)
Mike is professional, kind and incredibly talented. We are so fortunate to have found him.
-Kim (Mom of drum student)
After 20 years of not playing drums, I recently picked back up some sticks. I find myself more enthusiastic about drumming than ever, thanks in large part to Mike’s influence. He’s a great listener, caters each lesson to my needs, is passionate, and cares. I can’t imagine a better drum teacher.
-Jared (adult drum student)
I really appreciate Mike's patience and positive attitude. It's been very helpful to have him share his wealth of drumming and breakbeat knowledge with me
-Justin (adult drum student)
Mike never ceases to surprise and amaze me. He always comes prepared with a number of new things to learn, and is very professional and organized. I learn so much each time I work with him and he gets me so fired up about music. I always play for another hour after he leaves trying to nail the subject we were working on.
-Will (10th grade drum student)
I just want to thank you for being my drum teacher and helping me become a better drummer. You have really helped me improve my skills and I can't thank you enough!
-Dawn (drum student, age 16)
Thank you for being a great drum teacher. Satchel always looks forward to his lessons with you.
-Antara and Adam (Parents of drum student)
The Breakbeat Bible provides the most in-depth study of breakbeat drumming in print.
The style is divided into thirteen essential elements, with each element discussed in its own chapter.
Hundreds of exercises and beats give the reader ample opportunity to practice the elements, which, when assembled, will give the drummer the ability to integrate a complete language of incredibly funky concepts into his or her playing.
Over 90 transcriptions of beats and breaks provide the reader with a window into hip-hop/breakbeat drumming. Included are some of the most sampled beats in music history including information about the original song and later songs that used the sample. Also included is a historical overview of hip-hop and breakbeat drumming, as well as biographies of many of the "architects" that helped design the culture.
The "Click Track Loops" chapter provides an incredibly challenging system for practicing the breakbeat/hip-hop elements and other grooves against various patterns programmed into a drum machine. These will help the reader attain new levels of tightness, precision, and groove in their drumming.
The audio features examples of select exercises, beats, and eight-bar phrases from the book. It also contains five play-along instrumental tracks (with and without drums). There is also a bonus sample library featuring 30 individual drum/cymbal sounds. Bonus Sections include Beats With Drops, Fills, and Dubstep.
“The Breakbeat Bible is an indispensable resource for all students of hip-hop and contemporary funk drumming."
Michael Dawson (managing editor, Modern Drummer Magazine)
“The Breakbeat Bible helps connect musical 🎵 styles and makes us drummers express our fundamental musical 🎶 purpose with an ear👂 to the past / lineage and an eye 👁️ for the future.”
Swiss Chris (drummer/author/educator,Mos Def/Dead Prez/Lyricist Lounge/Sir Elton John/Miss Lauren Hill/John Legend)
“Bout time somebody treated old break beats with the kind of respect they deserve. A great intro to a world of fresh beats that can be used in almost any context."
Adam Deitch (John Scofield/Lettuce/Break Science)
“Very nicely laid out. A wealth of information from a cat who can really play. All the basics and all the subtleties, as well as a lot of interesting history. Mike traces the development of old school funk from the roots up to today; and he gives credit where credit is due - the funky dudes who laid it down!”
Jim Payne (drummer/author, Maceo Parker/Fred Wesley)
“A well needed title on such a contemporary topic. This will set in stone how a drummer can learn and live with machines in a stimulating environment. My students love it too!"
Sergio Bellotti (drummer/faculty: Berklee College of Music)
“As an educational work, I think The Breakbeat Bible is a thorough, intelligent and superb contribution to the idiom. For me, it's a work that provides a bridge between Stanton Moore's Groove Alchemy & Johnny Rabb's Jungle Drum 'n' Bass-For The Acoustic Drum Set, but also has it's own unique angle and a very valuable one."
David Stanoch (drummer/author ~ Mastering the Tables of Time)
“This is one of the most important books for any drummer at any level. These beats are not only the foundation for Hip-Hop, but the foundation for all modern dance music. Being able to play these recognizable patterns is essential for any drummer that wants to get a crowd on their feet!! Thank you Mike Adamo for doing such a thorough job and showing much respect to the art!!"
Max MacVeety (Lyrics Born/MF Doom/Rick Ross/DJ Shadow)
“The Breakbeat Bible, by Mike Adamo, is a great example of a musical collection of fun, exciting beats! It is historic and practical to learn...and really a 'must have' book. The CD included is a strong guide to learning faster. A complete inspiring book to discover endless beat ideas for many years of creative drumming!"
Dom Famularo (Drumming's Global Ambassador)
“Mike Adamo has really nailed it with his book "The Breakbeat Bible." A clear and concise method for developing grooves in this style with his 13 Elements system, tied with solid historic information and references to the architects who helped spawn the music. It brings together a variety of modern musical genres under one roof and points the way forward through greater drum set control."
Skip Hadden (drummer/author/professor- Berklee College of Music, Percussion Dept.)
5-star review in Modern Drummer magazine
iheartDilla.com (hip hop/production website)
