The Drums of Gus Moeller

Just a brief roll on the snare for Sanford Augustus “Gus” Moeller (1878-1960).

When I was a kid I was in a regional drum and bugle corps with my brother (a trumpet player) and learned what is called the Moeller Method of drumming. I was reminded of Moeller recently when doing my post on Gene Krupa, for Krupa had learned with him. Moeller himself had studied with August Helmicke, who’d been a member of John Philip Sousa’s band. Moeller’s method mixed elements of traditional military field drumming (he’d served in the Spanish-American War) and Eurhythmics. While it is said that he played in pit bands for George M. Cohan, he seemed to have waged a war against the style of drumming that had become commonplace in vaudeville and jazz, which he found lax and weak. He stressed what is called the rudimentary style, very much based in disciplined drills, which gave a great deal of thought to ergonomics and stamina. He originally published his ideas in an influential 1925 book, which was reprinted in 1950. Moeller also designed and built drums, which are collected and prized today.

I still remember the funny names of the rudiments (paradiddle, flam, etc) if not the actual moves. My other brother (not the one I was in a marching band with) is very much NOT a Moeller style drummer. He doesn’t hold his sticks in the military style (as many don’t) and was much more influenced by the rock, jazz and R & B approaches of his own time. But today is a good occasion on which to remember that jazz came out of marches; you’ll feel that strong connection any time you go to New Orleans.

For more on show biz history, please check out No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous.