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DRUMMER, PERCUSSIONIST, PRODUCER, AUTHOR, ​SOFTWARE DESIGNER, AUDIO ENGINEER, CLINICIAN

Drummer, Percussionist, Producer, Author, Software Designer, Audio Engineer, Clinician

NEW Album Release August 12, 2024

Album: Bad Boys

All Song Written by Liz Ficalora and Monica J Wilson

 

In the 80's I was writing songs right after college in Boston, MA. I usually wrote the chorus, the chords, programmed the drum machine, played the keyboard part and did the arrangements. I had a co-writer that I worked with for 10 years and her name was Monica J Wilson. She usually wrote the story lyrics, played the bass and sang all the songs.

Here is a collection of those songs written from 1981-1985. We started recorded the songs on our own Yamaha 4 track cassette player. We then worked with another band called 53rd Ave in Tauton, MA and recorded songs on their 4 track Reel to Reel and then we joined a band call The View and went into a 16 track studio. As we progressed we continued recording and performing these song with a band called The View in Boston, MA.

Here is a collection of those songs

Vocals, Bass, Synth -  Monica J Wilson
Drums, Keys, Bass, Synth, Acoustic Guitar - Liz Ficalora

  ABOUT LIZ FICALORA

Liz Ficalora is a drummer, clinician, author, teacher, audio engineer, producer, songwriter, and music software designer.  She has been playing the drums for 50 years.

Her honors include being a published author with Alfred Publishing, First Place Award Winning Jingle Writer for Maxwell House Coffee, Best American Album Producer and Best Contemporary Song, JP Folks Award Show 2020, and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.
As a performer, she has extensive performance and touring experience with Stella Parton, Charlie Louvin, Billy Prine, Madame Gandhi, Walter Egan, Carnival Cruise Line, Grand Rivers Variety Shows, Sterling, Calliope's Children Steel Band, The Larry Keeton Theatre, Nashville in Harmony Choir, and the Nashville Celebration Choir.
She has played with Pam Tillis and is currently working with The Sissel/Reid Band in Nashville TN.

During all her years of performing experience, Liz created and developed a drum charting method and authored the book, “How to Write A Fast and Easy Drum Chart,” published by Alfred Publishing.

This drum charting method book is endorsed by Remo, Louie Bellson and Gary Chaffee,  This method is becoming the standard that is used by professional drummers worldwide. She has been featured in Tom Tom Magazine, Drum! Magazine, Rhythm Magazine and Berklee Today.
This book is available at lizficalora.com

After the release of her book, she created and designed a new drum charting software program called Drum Chart Builder. This program is an online professional tool for drummers, songwriters, and composers to create simple and easy drum charts and is available online and at Guitar Center.

"This is my dream, to create a program that becomes the standard in drum music software"
Liz Ficalora, CEO of Drum Chart Builder.

As an educator, Liz has taught master classes on drum charting at PAS International Conference, MTSU, TSU, 5 Star Drum Shops, Guitar Center, SAE Nashville, Nashville Musicians Union and on Tom Tom Magazine Chops TV.
She is currently producing Americana and Jazz music at her music production company called Ficalora Music Productions in Nashville TN.

AUTHOR AND TEACHER

How to Write a Fast & Easy Drum Chart teaches an innovative and simple approach to drum chart writing that takes almost no time to learn. Designed for drummers, composers, and students who need drum charts for the various songs they encounter, this method won't require you to turn multiple pages and read bar after bar of music. Instead, you will see the full form of a song on one piece of paper and only need to write a few measures of drum notation to keep yourself in the groove.

READ MORE AND PURCHASE

MASTER CLASSES

How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart.
Learn how to write a simple drum chart for working drummers.


How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart for Songwriters
Learn how to communicate with your drummer.


How to Write a Drum Chart and Understand Song Form for Audio Engineers.
Learn how to chart a song to make your engineering sessions go smoothly.

 

MASTER CLASSS AND BOOKINGS

CEO AND DESIGNER

Drum Chart Builder Software is an all-in one professional online application to build simple, clear and easy one page drum charts for gigs, sessions and shows. This program was designed by the author of the book “How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart.”
Manage and organized charts with the built in setlist maker and take your charts with you on any mobile device.

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Nashville Drum Coaching

96 songs to learn and the band leaves in two weeks.
What do you do?
Contact Me.

CONTACT INFORMATION

How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart

Learn how to write a simple drum chart for gigs, shows, sessions and practice.
Check it out!

READ MORE AND ENROLL

Music Production Studio for Songwriters and Film Producers

Ficalora Music Productions

The Music Production House and Recording Studio run by Award Winning Music Producer Liz Ficalora.

New studio in Charlotte TN now with a tracking room and large mixing room.

READ MORE AND BOOK A SESSION

Drum Shows-Master Classes-Press

PASIC Drum Show – Drum Chart Builder will have a Booth at the Show

September 10, 2024 |

Date: November 14-16, 2024 Time 10-5:00 Central Time Liz Ficalora PASIC Conference Drum Chart Builder will have a booth at the conference.   ABOUT LIZ FICALORA Owner of EasyDrumChart.com and DrumChartBuilder.comm, Liz Ficalora is a drummer, clinician, author, teacher, audio engineer, producer, and songwriter.  Liz has a bachelor’s degree from the Berklee College of Music majoring in Music Education and is…

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The Beatkeepers Master Class in Dallas TX

September 10, 2024 |

Date: October 18th, 2024 Time 6:00 Central Time Liz Ficalora How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart Friday October 18, 2024 Master Class During this one hour workshop, you will learn how to write a drum chart in TEN MINUTES! Play the song perfectly from start to finish, each time. Never miss an…

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The Tennessean

May 16, 2022 |

Nashville Drum Teacher ​Simplifies Craft with Technology Drum some rhythmic frivolity into 2016 with private or group drumming lessons. Liz Ficalora, a professional drummer and teacher based in Nashville, has created several programs to help drummers learn their craft more easily. Ficalora’s style of teaching prepares students for all types of musical performances. An individual…

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DRUM! Magazine

May 16, 2022 |

Drum! Magazine 2016 Charting Cheat Sheets Read full article. How To Write Drum Charts

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Current Projects-Live Shows

Update to Drum Chart Builder Software 2024

December 31, 2023 |

Get ready to use the new Drum Chart Builder App Soon to be updated for 2024 New the app will be available in the App Store and Google Play. New features added and a new slick design for faster response time and stability. Look for new update by the end of 2024  

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Liz Ficalora and The Sissel Reid Band Performance

December 31, 2023 |

Performance The Sissel Reid Band Homegrown Friday September 20, 2024 7:00 Liz Ficalora Music Productions · 2022 Americana Song Productions

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Working on a New Drum Chart Workbook

July 17, 2022 |

In the works is a new drum charting workbook for students. Learn how to write a drum chart fast using the step by step method and practice charting at the same time. Each step will have a worksheet to practice each lesson as you go. Before you know it, you will be writing your own…

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Past Projects

Recording Jazz Artist and Playwright Suzahn Fiering’s Production of Bourbon on Broadway 2023

July 28, 2022 |

In the Studio with Bourbon on Broadway. With Suzahn Fiering, producer, songwriter and playwright, a new musical will soon be opening in Nashville. More details are coming and we produce the music and Suzahn rehearses the actors for the play.   

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Currently Recording and Producing the band Morning Glory – 2023

July 17, 2022 |

Projects Currently In The Studio New band called Morning Glory If you like Rock music check out this new band Morning Glory Band. I am producing a new young rock band that was put together by one of my drum students. Together with 4 other band members, we are recording original songs written by the…

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Produced, Recorded and Released The Sissel Reid Band Album – River Town

July 17, 2022 |

Ficalora Music Productions presents: The Sissel Reid Band New Album – River Town If you like Acoustic Americana and Rock music check out this new band The Sissel Reid Band. I produced artist Jill Sissel and Amy Reid at my recording studio called Ficalora Music Productions. The new band is called The Sissel Reid Band.…

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Liz will be teaching a Master Class at the Jazz Education Network in Orlando Florida- January 7, 2023

July 17, 2022 |

Clinic Presentation – How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart – 50 minute Clinic on January 7th at 9:00 AM January 4 -7 2023 The Jazz Education Network annual conference brings together jazz beginners and experts for a once-in-a lifetime experience. Part music festival, part networking, part education and all inspiration. The annual…

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Beat Keepers Online Clinic

May 15, 2022 |

Date: June 1, 2022 Time 6:00 Central Time Click Here to Register  Liz Ficalora How to Write a Fast and Easy Drum Chart Wednesday, June 1, 7 pm EST  6 Central Time During this one hour workshop, you will learn how to write a drum chart in TEN MINUTES! Play the song perfectly from start…

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Playing the Show Mary Poppins

January 17, 2022 |

Description: Performing at the Keeton Theater Playing Broadway Plays      Sometimes I do read measure after measure of music. Sometimes a simple chart will not cut it. Check out this video. I am playing at the Keaton Theater in Nashville playing the show Mary Poppins. I was reading the music for the song Practically…

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