Mike Mangini sat down with Don Lombardi on Drum Channel’s Lombardi Live for a wide-ranging conversation that drifted through his years behind the kit, his time at Berklee, and his evolving approach to music education. It wasn’t a flashy interview, but it was packed with insight, much of it from a drummer who’s spent his life thinking about how to play better and teach others to do the same.
Mike Mangini, known to many from his years with Dream Theater and his earlier work with Steve Vai, kept things grounded. He didn’t just talk about big gigs or awards. Instead, the focus was on structure, the kind that helps drummers grow, not just play fast.
One of the key parts of the conversation was his role as an educator. He’s spent over a decade teaching at Berklee College of Music, where he’s not only been a full-time faculty member but also helped shape the percussion program itself. What came through most clearly is how much he believes in one-on-one instruction. According to Mangini, private lessons still matter, maybe more than ever, because they let instructors tailor feedback in ways no book or video can.
And if you need a reminder of how far this approach took him, take a look at this insane video from several years back, of Mike shredding on his giant kit.
He also got into the weeds on technique, particularly how he teaches speed and accuracy. Rather than just running through exercises over and over, Mangini breaks technique into layers. He’s methodical, sometimes almost scientific, about how the hands and feet work. That thinking shows up in his Rhythm Knowledge books, which many drummers now treat as foundational material. But even in the interview, it was obvious that for him, theory only matters if it leads to results.
The conversation also touched on his online teaching. Mangini has an electronic drum course on Drum Channel where he takes students through various drills and breakdowns, all focused on making technical playing more musical. It’s not just about getting faster. He’s more interested in precision and feel, and how both are connected.
Still, it wasn’t all about education. Mangini talked a bit about his own learning curve, too. He mentioned how even now, after decades in the industry, he still approaches drumming like a student. That willingness to keep learning, to not settle, seems to be what keeps him going, whether he’s writing curriculum, tracking in the studio, or playing to thousands on tour.His time on Lombardi Live wasn’t just another artist feature. It was a snapshot of what it looks like when someone lives inside their craft, and still wants to figure out more.