Whether or not you think the Mikes are "impossible," you're going to want to tune into this episode! The Mikes break down how to learn pieces that are just too dang hard. 

What's better than one Mike on a soapbox? Well, you probably know the answer? (Don't say none...)     The Mikes' first episode ever was about summer break, but what about this pesky winter break? (Sorry to people with non-academic, i.e. real, jobs!) It's a different animal, and the 'duo attempts to tame this unwieldy beast.    

Want the weirdest, yet best, recommendations for percussion-adjacent gifts? The Mikes sure know how to target the fringe...yet they still agree. Plus a strange digression in the middle...

Mike C. is on fire in this episode. He's back from PASIC 2025 and ready to debrief. We're planning a live episode -- will you be one of our callers?

Arrangements, transcriptions and adaptations...oh my!  MikeDrop Editions coming soon!

While hiding from the police, New York City Ballet timpanist Ian Sullivan joins the Mikes for a fascinating discussion of the finer points of timpani playing. 

Could listening to this podcast possibly be a good use of your time?  Only one way to find out!

Mike T. just released a great video with George Nickson (guest on episode 30), featuring the work of FourTen Media (guest on Episode 18) and Ryan Streber (guest on Episode 8).  Mike C. plays the role of Barbara Walters and interviews Mike T. about the genesis of the project, the recording process and making arrangements.     Feel free to check out the video at https://youtu.be/po-qXEgDYOk?si=DvtCyCuCxNKcfOnX

Have you ever been excited about working with a composer? The Mikes talk to a real one...and she wasn't that scary! Fabulous insights and thoughts from one of the truly great minds in composition today. This is not an episode to be missed!

Festivals, Conferences, Sessions, oh my!   What are the benefits of a summer festival? How do you maximize your time there? It seems overwhelming, but the Mikes are here to help!

Have you ever felt like the Mikes don't say enough puns? Thenn this is the episode for you!   The Mikes discuss kinds of practicing, offer some person tips to maximize your time in that claustrophobic joy box, and maybe make some friends along the way.  

Everyone loves Keith Aleo!  Here he is diving into his life story (since birth...) along with wonderful charm, helpful advice and a solid train of thought (pun).  

The Mikes held captive a wonderful person/percussionist/musician George Nickson. George has his fingers in many pies (yum!), so the Mikes try to get to the bottom of the pan on how George maintains his sanity, skills, and joie de vivre!

The Mikes reflect on concertizing, teaching, planning, and productivity, and make a plan for the future.   Episode recorded January 2025.

Mike T. thought we were talking about Timpani mutes, but together we talk about timpani concepts and basics also, which is a better topic.  What's the difference between "dampening" and "muting"?  We don't know and confuse these words the whole episode.  Overall, we don't solve anything and get to the bottom of nothing, but at least it uses an hour of your precious time!  Happy listening!    

The Mikes attempt to remember each others' names and it proves difficult.  Mike T. gets quite animated and goes on a lengthy monologue.  He should have been sedated but wasn't.  Overall, a great discussion of the reasons and techniques of memory and music, in our humble opinions.

The Mikes enter into a battle royale over the best etudes in this iconic text. Blood is shed, but feelings are not hurt.  How to prepare these? Which ones should I play for an audition? Are they etudes or solos? Do they still matter?   Also, we originally recorded this with a video in mind but scrapped it. You'll understand once you listen.  We hope you enjoy!

The Mikes discuss one of the warhorses of 20th-century music: Iannis Xenakis. Fun debate, pieces we never knew, and of course, loud sounds!

http://www.mikedropduo.com   The Mikes discuss our summer reads, postulate about future reads, and fill in the cracks with the usual banter. Maybe one of these books will interest you!

http://www.mikedropduo.com   As Mike C.  once wonderfully mentioned, “you gotta show up for training camp in shape!” But how do you get in shape? The Mikes talk it out and offer some specific pieces, thoughts and tips!     00:00 - Three cool updates!   8:35 - It’s okay to have taken a break   12:00 - Breaks - do we need them? How to use them?   16:08 - Why do I have to be in shape?    21:34 - What does it take to get in shape?   30:08 - Mike T. benchmark pieces    34:04 - Mike C. benchmark pieces   39:24 - Building strength like weight lifting   45:45 - Be better than you were at the end of last year     49:31 - How do you not get bored?    58:43 - The Mikes share their exercises   1:04:40 - Getting organization and systems in place    1:15:11 - Mike C’s non-performance skills to be in shape   1:17:50 - Saving $   1:20:14 - Mike T. revisits organization priorities