Professional hand percussionist Taku Kirano, reaches with his right hand to grab a drum stick while continuing to play the Conga with his left hand during an impromptu jam session with professional drummer Gordon Campbell at a percussion clinic Saturday at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples. The two artist then participated in the Percussion Summit, a concert featuring percussionists from the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra and the Jacksonville Symphony. Hirano has performed with Fleetwood Mac, Bette Midler and Sean "Diddy" Combs and Campbell has performed with Earth, Wind and Fire, Jessica Simpson and Beyonce Knowles.

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Percussion enthusiasts of all ages gathered together for a few hours of listening and learning Saturday during the Percussion Clinic at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.

Crowded into the Daniels Pavilion, more than 175 people enjoyed the music of hand-drummer Taku Hirano and drummer Gorden Campbell.

In between songs, the percussionists answered questions from the crowd and passed along some of the knowledge they’ve gathered during their careers.

When asked what mistakes he sees other percussionists make, Campbell’s response was that they play too busy and they don’t play in context.

“I listen to every type of music I can hear … so I develop a vocabulary,” said Campbell, who currently plays drums for Jessica Simpson.

The extent of this vocabulary became clear the more he played for the audience.

As members of the audience tapped their feet and bobbed their heads along with the music, Campbell switched from country to a free-style that flowed between various forms of music including hip-hop, jazz-fusion, and gospel.

Other questions Campbell addressed ranged from what he thinks of Ringo Starr to how he warms up and practices.

“It (the clinic) helps young people learn … I still remember things from the first clinic I went to,” Campbell said.

For Kyra Warren, a 10-year-old who just started playing percussion in the Gulfview Middle School band, the clinic was a fun introduction to music.

“I learned how he does the paradiddle,” said Kyra, referring to the practice exercises he showed the crowd.

The learning wasn’t isolated to beginner percussionists at the clinic.

“There’s always something to learn, something I can pick up and add to what I teach my students,” said Curt Farrell, who plays the drum set and teaches private lessons in Fort Myers.

“I teach a lot of young kids and they need to see stuff like this, see how articulate they (Campbell and Hirano) are, and see past what they’re learning what they can do in the future,” Farrell said.

Whether it was a new technique, lessons on approaching gigs as a working drummer, or just a greater appreciation for percussion, organizers hope audience members left with a positive experience.

“This is probably one of the best clinics we’ve had and we want them to leave excited about music and learn something they didn’t know about percussion,” said John Evans, principal timpanist with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.

Contact Catherine Howden at catherine.howden@gmail.com