Milford teen taps into DVD market

Local teen drumming phenom Caitlin Kalafus has been busy with show dates behind the kit with her band COD, guesting with other acts, and doing solo shows as a singer/guitarist.

The 14-year-old Milford musician is also promoting her first instructional DVD: "How I Got Started — A Beginner Drum Lesson Lesson #1.''

The DVD, which clocks in at just over 24 minutes, features Kalafus demonstrating basic fundamentals to enable aspiring drummers to sit at a kit and play basic rock beats.

It starts with the first drum beat Kalafus learned to play when she was just 8 years old and progresses through variations on the beat, as well as drum fills. It also has a bonus live performance of a drum solo and a special section on how to twirl a drum stick. The engaging Kalafus breaks the beats down to their simplest form and then builds them back up to show how they can be used in a song, or put together for a solo.

Kalafus' Web site includes testimonials about the DVD, such as:

"I had a student who wasn't grasping the independence of the basic drum beat . . . I showed her Caitlin's video and now she's playing. It's a great way to start!'' Adrian T. (Drum Instructor)

"Being able to play along with Caitlin on the DVD made all the difference . . . my daughter is now playing the drums!!'' Pat R. (Proud Dad)

The DVD is perfect for youngsters — or oldsters, for that matter — interested in learning to play the drums. The disc, at $7.95, is available at Kalafus'

Web site, www.caitlindrums.com

— PATRICK F. QUINN