Tony C.
Drums
Tony Carnevale started taking drum lessons at the age of 12 years old. His instructor was Charles Melhorn. In his studio, there were pictures of him with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. He was the drummer for the Sammy Sphere Orchestra. Tony studied with him for 3 years until he relocated to Miami, FL. He has worked with other instructors throughout the years, but Mr. Melhorn's teaching style seems to have the greatest influence on him. Tony used these techniques to teach his own son how to play drums at a young age.
In 1980, he was hired by Pat Dipitro of ORION. He was not only a great band leader, but a great drummer and songwriter from Boston. Tony trained with Pat for 2 years to prepare for big stage, hi-energy, concert style performances.
Throughout Tony's music career, he has taken on many students giving private lessons. The success he has had with his students has convinced him that he has what it takes to teach children and adults how to play drums.
Tony takes whats his previous instructors have taught him and uses it with his students today, along with many of his own techniques he has aquired along the way. He has created a learning process to transform any beginner to a master percussionist.
Career History
| 1980-1983 | ORION: mainstream rock, original material |
| 1983-1984 | WESTERN ELECTRIC: lounge act, country, soft jazz, swing |
| 1984-1986 | FRENCHY: rock, blues, original material |
| 1986-1989 | RACE: hi-energy rock, original material and Pyrotechnics |
| 1990-2004 | Tampa Bay Area Bands/Artists Willie Lomax Blues Review Triple Bypass Rocky Diamond Band Neutral Ground Johnny Charro Band Ridin Shot Gun Groovey Tuesday OHH LA LA Normally Naked Bird Street Players Otis Day Soho Tribe Smokin Joe and the Camels Shifter Bruce Shay Band Nature's Classroom Infidels |
| 2007-Present | Drum lessons for Showcase Music, Brandon FL |
Recording Studio Sessions
Criteria Studios, Miami, FL
Miami Sound Studios, Miami, FL
Modern Music Studios, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lookout Mountain Studios, Tennessee
Anything Studio, Tampa, FL
Full Sail, Orlando, FL
Various Home Studios
Proficient in Click Track
Opening Acts For:
| Rick Deringer | Felix Cavalier of the Rascals |
| Foghat | Dickie Betts |
| Robin Trower | Leroy Parnell |
| BTO | The Meters | Atlanta Rhythm Section | Joan Jett |
| Blackfoot | Koko Taylor |
| Outlaws | Steve Walsh of Kansas |
Music Education
1971-1974 Drum instruction from Charles Melhorn, drummer for Sammy Sphere Orchestra
1980-1983 Received instruction from Pat DiDitro of ORION
Teaching Format
Rudiments, emphasis on all double stroke rolls, paradiddles/flams and ruffs
Wrist control exercises
Reading snare drum exercises/ adding right and left foot
Reading a set beat/ counting exercises
Materials Used for Instruction
| Beginners | Elementary Drum Method, by Roy Burns Rockin Bass Drum, by John Lombardo |
| Intermediate | Rock Breaks Around the Drums, by Joel Rothman Intermediate Drum Method, by Roy Burns Drummer's Cookbook, by John Pickering |
| Advanced | Mel Bay's Jazz Drumset Independence, by Steve Fidyk Advanced Funk Studies, by Rick Latham Double Bass Drumming, by John Franco 1,001 Drum Grooves, by Steve Mansfield |
For more information about lessons or to sign up now, visit our private music lessons page.