Welcome
Drummers & Percussionists

I help drummers everywhere! I’ve been a professional drummer, percussionist, and drum educator for over 40 years. Following Juilliard, I’ve taught some of the best drummers on the scene today as well as beginners and professionals of all ages.

Whether you’re a beginner or a longtime player who just needs some brushing up, I can help. And I love doing it! Making drummers better at what they do is my life’s work.

I am the creator and patent holder of the HINGESTIX Practice Drumsticks, a learning tool that helps drummers feel the rebound, develop finger technique, hold the drumsticks properly, feel the whipping motion of the Moeller technique, and understand proper fulcrum (that important balance point of the drumstick).

So once again, welcome, and let’s get started!

Sam Ruttenberg has been named one of the world’s best teachers in Modern Drummer magazine.

Biography

With a background in both drum set and percussion performance, Sam Ruttenberg has

performed with artists Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, and Lena Horne, among many other stars and recording artists. He has performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Orchestra 2001, Salute to Vienna Orchestra, and the Philly Pops. He is also an active drum set clinician, presenting clinics in the United States, Europe, Ukraine, and South America. Sam has toured and recorded with the Houston Symphony, Ballet, and Pops Orchestras, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the Kennedy Center.

Sam’s students include Justin Faulkner (Branford Marsalis) and Shakoor Sanders (Tim

Warfield, Wallace Roney). He has given lessons to John Roberts (Janet Jackson), Shirazette

Tinnin (Tia Fuller), and taught a drummer in Paris who made the move to Philadelphia to

study with Sam at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Sam has also taught students via

Skype in Finland, France, Portugal, Ukraine, and Singapore.

Many of Sam’s students perform in the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra of Philadelphia, the

Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, the Kimmel Center Jazz Program, as well as the All South

Jersey and NJ All State, and All National Jazz and Concert Bands. One of Sam’s students

recently won top high school timpanist in the United States in the NAFME All American

Orchestra as well as winning first place in all 3 categories (snare drum, keyboard percussion,

and timpani) in the All South Jersey Band and Orchestra.

Sam teaches (since 1994) at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia and has taught at

Camden County College, and Rutgers University Camden. Sam is also on the board of the

Professional Drum Teachers Guild, and was named one of the top drum teachers worldwide

from Modern Drummer Magazine in “Dom Famularo’s Teachers List” (Modern Drummer

November 2015).

Sam has written articles for PAS Percussive Notes and Modern Drummer Magazine. Sam was

a longtime student of Joe Morello, and transcribed and worked closely on the creative aspect

of his Master Studies II book. Sam also wrote his own book entitled “Drum

Tips” (HoneyRock 2009).

Sam also created the HingeStix® practice drumsticks, a learning tool that teaches drummers

the free stroke rebound, finger technique, proper grip , and double and buzz stroke roll. The

HingeStix won BEST in SHOW at NAMM 2011.

Sam received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Miami, a Master’s Degree from the

Juilliard School, and has endorsements with Sabian, Vic Firth, Remo, and Ludwig.

Testimonials

Lessons

Lessons are conducted in my drum studio.You will learn from the best instructional books including:

Joe Morello Hand Techniques using Joe Morello’s "MASTER STUDIES" book.

"STICK CONTROL" and "ACCENTS AND REBOUNDS" by George Stone.

Reading skills for snare drum using PODEMSKI “STANDARD SNARE DRUM METHOD".

The WILCOXON “RUDIMENTAL SWING SOLOS” book.

“PORTRAITS IN RHYTHM” by Anthony Cirone.

“CONTEMPORARY STUDIES FOR SNARE DRUM” by Fred Albright.

Drum set skills for coordination and independence using "SYNCOPATION FOR THE MODERN DRUMMER" by Ted Reed.

"ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR THE MODERN DRUMMER" by Jim Chapin.
"DRUMMERS’ COOKBOOK" by John Pickering.

"JAZZ DRUMMERS’ READING WORKBOOK" by Tom Morgan.

I also teach “LATIN” drum set patterns including Cha-Cha, Bossa Nova, Samba, Mozambique, Mambo, Guaguanco, Songo, Merengue, Rumba, and 6/8 Afro-Cuban.