"Heaven for me is when people fully understand what I am doing as a teacher."

Videos The Mike Johnston interview (duration: 13 minutes)

1. The birth of the Meinl Transition Ride
   Mike gives you the full background story on how the idea for the Meinl Transition Ride came to live, and talks about the production process. Meinl's first response was: "If you know what you want, we can make it."
   
2. Mike's cymbal history
   Mike Johnston talks about his cymbal history and how he became a Meinl endorser; all the way back to when he was a kid, the influence of Benny Greb in all this and about the Meinl family he belongs to now.
   
3. Mike's favorite features of the Transition Ride
   Mike talks about the depth and meaning of the cymbal. Learn how a cymbal gets its sound when he explains his favorite features of the Transition Ride.
   

   "It is so raw and nasty, and just gorgeous on the bottom. Elegant but slightly crazy."

   
   
4. "I want about 20..."
   The first production of the Meinl Transition Ride was sold out in about a day. Asking Mike how many he owns himself gives a great response.
   
5. The usability of the Transition Ride
   About the usability of the Meinl Transition Ride. Mike explains what people should know about the usage of the cymbal and, more important:
   

   "I want my students to know what it doesn't do."

   
   
6. Mike reflects on his teaching.
   In this video, Mike reflects on the success of his website mikeslessons.com and his teaching in general.
   

   "I didn't know the world needed positivity as much as it does."

   
   
7. "I want to be the world's big brother."
   Mike talks about the reason why he probably is the great teacher that he is. It cannot get any more open and honest then this when reflecting on your person and your work.
   

   "I am really bad naturally at the drums. Everything is one note at the time, even still."

   
   
8. About making music and his new band
   In 2014, Mike is setting up his own band, also inspired by the work of Benny Greb with his Moving Parts.
   
9. A lesson to remember...
   When asked for a personal note to everyone watching and reading this, Mike gives one of the best lessons you can think of. And not only for learning how to play drums.
   
10. Mike's personal goals
    Mikes gives more insights in his personal motivations on all that he does, and the goals he sets for himself.

    "The art is breaking the drums down, without any language barrier. That means a lot of personal work for me."