BIOGRAPHY
Tiger Bill Meligari is a professional drummer, teacher-clinician, author-publisher, freelance writer, Webmaster, and producer with more than 30 years experience in the drumming field.
An internationally recognized specialist in drumset technique, Bill has spent the last three decades perfecting a system he calls Tension Free Drumming that allows drummers to play with extraordinary speed, power, endurance, and precision but without the muscle tension that can cause carpal tunnel syndrome and similar physical problems.
At winter NAMM 2004, Bill proved the effectiveness of his system by winning the "World's Faster Drummer" competition for fastest hands and setting a record as the 2nd person ever to play over 1,000 beats per minute with his feet, as officially registered on the Drumometer. This placed him in the rare category of being one of the world’s fastest drummers with both hands and feet!
Over the years Bill has written a ground breaking double bass drum text (30 years ahead of its time) that has received high praise from master percussionists, including Louie Bellson and Roy Haynes. The recent release of his "Concepts of Tension Free Drumming: Hand Technique" in book and DVD form represents the most detailed guide to drumming technique ever produced.
Bill began his Web presence over 10 years ago at TigerBill.com and today his site, which features free lessons and expert advice, continues to be among the most popular and imitated drum sites on the Web. In addition to his work as Webmaster and original content provider for his sites at TigerBill.com, TigerMix.com, TensionFreeDrumming.com, and his online drum shop at DrummersWishList.com, Bill is resident Drum Expert at Musicians.About.com.
He regularly contributes articles to the major drum publications and produces a unique television show for drummers of all ages, styles, and experience levels. The show, Fun With Drums, currently airs on Cable TV stations across the United States including Comcast.
In addition to his drumming expertise, Tiger Bill is a Black Belt Martial Artist registered under the Kukkiwon in Seoul, Korea, with additional training in more than two dozen Martial Arts (under Dan Inosanto, Richard Bustillo, Larry Hartsell, Grandmaster Ik-Hwan Kim, Paul Vunak, and the Gracie Family). He has also obtained certification as a Police Defensive Tactics Instructor under both the Smith & Wesson Academy and PPCT Management Systems. According to Bill, "Some guys take up dancing to improve their timing and drumming skills, I feel that Martial Arts is the perfect complement to my drumming." In fact, most people think Bill's nickname Tiger comes from the Martial Arts but it was actually given to him by former instructor Joe Morello, due to his ability as a quick study. Not only did he quickly learn all that Morello had to offer but was the first student to read and play Joe's transcribed drum solos (from the book "Off The Record") up to speed from start to finish.
Experience: Bill got his first steady paying job playing drums for the North Jersey School of Ballet at the age of 13. He received both the "Outstanding Musician" and the "John Philip Sousa" Awards for exceptional musicianship while in high school. In college, he played in the William Paterson Jazz Band under the direction of Thad Jones but the lure of the road was too strong and Bill left school to pursue a drumming career. He traveled on the road for more than 10 years, which gave him experience playing a wide variety of musical styles from jazz to rock to symphonies to show tunes.
Bill performed his first clinic at the Third Annual Percussion Symposium in Miami, Florida in 1971, where he was featured on an extended drum solo in Al Ipris' composition 32 Heads Are Better Than One, presented by the Ludwig Drum Company. (The piece utilized three drumsets, one of which was played by Danny Gottlieb.) This was when he first conceived the idea of adapting the for-drummers-only clinic format to be suitable for presentation to the general student body. His aim was to generate interest in music in students from elementary school through college level. It's a concept that he still uses today at school clinics across the country.
Bill has worked with a variety of artists from Jazz specialists like Thad Jones to Rock & Rollers like Vince Martell (original lead guitarist of the Vanilla Fudge). Recordings include albums with keyboard artist Rocco Ferrante and Dickie Goodman's hit album Jaws. He also enjoyed a stint working as drummer-percussionist with the Joe Morello Quintet.
Today, Bill brings his drumset technical expertise to clinics in schools, music stores, festivals, and major drum events around the world including various PAS Chapters, NAMM’s Music and Sound Expo, Cape Breton International Drum Festival, and KoSA. Drummers continue to travel from around the world to study with Bill at his East Coast drum studio.
Tiger Bill’s major goal is to generate interest in music and drumming while sharing his Concepts of Tension Free Drumming around the world.
EDUCATION
Over 30 years experience teaching students of all ages, all musical styles and all physical capabilities.
Bill began playing drums in the 4th grade. At age 13 he began private instruction. Bill attributes his sharp reading skills, exceptional coordination, and ability to perform any musical style to the solid foundation provided by his first private instructors, Al Germansky and Glenn Weber. In his final year of high school, he began to study with famed percussionist Joe Morello and soon became one of his top students.
In addition to his expertise as a drummer, Tiger Bill is a Black Belt Martial Artist registered under the Kukkiwon in Seoul, Korea. According to Bill, "Some guys take up dancing to improve their timing and drumming skills, I feel that Martial Arts is the perfect complement to my drumming." In fact, most people think Bill's nickname "Tiger" comes from his Martial Arts but it was actually given to him by former instructor Joe Morello, due to his ability as a quick study. Not only did he quickly learn all that Morello had to offer but Bill was the first student to read and play Joe's transcribed drum solos (from the book "Off The Record") from start to finish.
Having studied Martial Arts for nearly as long as music, Bill has found Martial Art technique and drum technique to be based on similar mechanical principles. He says, "Speed requires keeping the muscles loose and relaxed. The faster you strike, the more power you generate. That's true whether you are striking a drum or throwing a punch."
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