Rush and Star Trek!

Rush and Star Trek have at least one thing in common. In both scenarios, one scripted and the other quite real, there is a relationship and respect between three friends which enable them to do their jobs very effectively. Each compliments the other and they all work in synchronicity in a way which three parts make a whole. Without ALL the parts, it's simply not the same, nor could it ever be. There is nothing like the original Star Trek and Rush would simply not be RUSH without all three members.

Of Course Fame Has Consequences!

Recently I was pondering the phenomenon of not only how fame changes the behavior of those who become famous but how these cope with the endless manifestations expressed by those who idolize them. Any individual's privacy should be respected regardless of who they are and what they've done. This includes celebrity and criminal alike. There's another rabbit trail, right there. Neil Peart, the drummer of the rock group Rush, now going on 36 years strong, is known for his abhorrence of fame in general. As much as I respect Neil, if I am to be completely unbiased on the subject, I have to wonder if Neil is more culpable than other drummers about bringing this on himself. He is notably famous for his stick twirls and tosses, intricate drum fills, and enormous circular drum set. All of these by nature going to draw huge interest to any audience. Rush fans are all to familiar with that surge of adrenalin and excitement experienced when Neil performs these feats of wonder. Naturally as a result of this, people are going to want to talk about it, relate to it and admire it. If Neil was akin to a Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, perhaps he wouldn't have this problem. No disrespect intended but Charlie is more or less a wall flower in the band, nothing flashy there. Additionally, Neil is without question the most well read drummer there will ever be in addition to a current published author himself. Certainly the perks and pitfalls if fame should not be a surprise to him nor should the psychology of dealing with it. I am left wondering....what did he expect?

Neil is a one of a kind, exceptional artist. But unfortunately he is in a very public profession and with it comes certain "expectations" as do many other professions like a doctor, lawyer or teacher. I am suggesting that although this by nature is unfortunate, being famous along with the consequences of living in the limelight (the universal dream) will always be forever married. Those who become famous should go in knowing this. It appears John Rusty, Rush's original drummer, wasn't up for it, departing the group shortly after recording their first album. Many people are polite and leave the few "lucky" famous alone, but some do not. These are the ones Neil needs to be prepared for. How he deals with it is entirely his decision and one the rest of us need to respect, of course. Human nature dictates that this behavior will never change. I don't believe Neil should change at all who he is, that's what makes him Neil. My hope is that he never becomes discouraged about the impossibility of changing how his audience and fans react towards him.

James

Phil Collins Quits Music!

• On kids these days: "I look at the MTV Music Awards and I think, "I can't be in the same business as this. I don't really belong to that world."
• On bowing out: "It feels like a good time to stop for a while. David Letterman wanted me to go on his show on a Monday night recently but I said, "No. Can't do it. I have the kids on a Monday." And my label said, "But this is Letterman!" And I was like, "Guess what? I. Don't. Give. A. F***!"

In honor of Phil here is "Take Me Home" by Collins and crew in his First Final Farewell Tour in Paris:

Teddy Campbell - American Idol Drummer in Clinic at Memphis Drum Shop!

American Idol drummer Teddy Campbell Speaks about his television routine and performs at Guitar Center Session in Hollywood CA. "I have to learn 1,000 songs in two weeks. I'm a walking iPod!," he said. "The best thing is I know songs. I can go play for any artist." This guy is good!

Teddy Campbell Clinic at the Memphis Drum Shop on 1-27-2009.

Dave Weckl exclusive interview.....in Germany!

This interview is courtesy of www.drumdepartment.com, a web portal originating in Stuttgart, Germany. They interviewed Dave Weckl before a local concert with Mike Stern. During his conversation with Fabian Hüsgen he very openly shares his life as one of the most successful drummers of all times. Dave looks thinner and a bit more tired than we're used to seeing him (as in the second video), but his playing is as amazing as ever.

Steve Gadd - Aja Drum Fills!

Steve Gadd demonstrated the fills from Aja - excerpted from his Master Series DVD

Jim Richardson

Bandmix works!

Need to find a gig or group to play with? Need to find musicians for your group? If you haven't tried Bandmix.com yet, you may find who your're looking for there. I am not a sponser of Bandmix, however it worked so well and quickly for me that I thought I'd share it with my loyal readers. A word to the wise: Do everyone a favor and be as thorough and "honest" as possible when filling out your profile.
Jim Richardson

Bill Bruford & Simmons SDX!

Bill Bruford, playing with "Yes" sometime in the late 80's on his Simmons SDX. Look at how many pads he has:

I had a Simmons kit for a few months (in the 80's) and was smart enough to sell it while it was still worth something. Fortunately, we've come a long, long way since then. Check out the sound of this Roland kit:

Presently, electronic drums are sounding light years better and costing less comparatively speaking!
Jim Richardson

Young talent!

Dylan Elise is a 16 year old drummer playing at the Tauranga National Jazz Festival in New Zealand.

Remember: Drum solos are one thing.....playing with other musicians is another! I've known drummers who stink at solos (like me) but who are awesome with a group of musicians. The reverse is also true.
Jim Richardson

Hitting the crash!

Here's an alternate technique for cymbal strikes that "works":

Cymbal Care tip: Don't forget the plastic "thingy" between the cymbal and metal mount! It's purpose is to absorb the strike and protect from cracking!
Jim Richardson

Tricks with sticks!

Spinning your drumsticks 'round your fingers displays a theatrical side to your performance. It's actually easier than you think....if you practice the following technique described very briefly and quite well:

Personally, I've never incorporated stick "showmanship" into my performances. Perhaps maybe I'll practice this and give it a shot!

Jim Richardson

To djembe or not to djembe!

A djembe is an extremely versatile little drum which, as you will see in the video below, can produce a wide variety of sounds from just one percussive source. Granted it does take practice to do this effectively, yet a djembe can be a valuable addition to your performing arsenal. You may also choose to only play the a djembe since it is after all, a "take it with you" instrument. One can certainly employ a "one surface learning" approach to learning drumset rudements in leau of using an actual drum set, that is for those that are looking for minimal investment'

A djembe (pronounced /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ JEM-bay) also known as djimbe, jenbe, jymbe, jembe, yembe, or jimbay, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin covered hand drum, shaped like a large goblet, and meant to be played with bare hands. According to the Bamana people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes directly from the saying "Anke dje, anke be" which literally translates to "everyone gather together", and defines the drum's purpose. "Dje" is the verb for "gather" in Bamanakan, and "be" translates as "everyone" in Bamanakan. It is a member of the membranophone family of musical instruments: a frame or shell (in the djembe's case it is a shell) covered by a membrane or drumhead made of one of many products, usually rawhide. Djembes are commonly about 12" (30 cm) in diameter and 24" (60 cm) in height, varying a few inches. Source for last parapraph: http://www.freebase.com/view/en/djembe

WORLDS FASTEST DRUMMER!

How fast of a drum roll can the human hand and wrist be pushed to perform? 16 year old Tom Grosset executes 1186 single strokes in 1 minute and wins the 2007Summer NAMM world speed drumming finals in Austin, Texas with 1,156 single strokes (that score is currently the highest score that's ever been recorded during a final championship round):

Way to go Tom! Here's an extended solo with his signature "roll" near the end:

Tom clearly demonstrates that the human body can be pushed beyond previously assumed limits.

James Richardson

Keith Moon's reputed last interview!

This was broadcast on Good Morning America in '78.



Keith was the drummer for The Who up until his passing.

Added new Omar Hakim playlist to my Youtube blog!

Let me know what you think!
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummingintuition&view=playlists
Jim Richardson

A Van Halen!

The entirety of Alex Van Helen’s drumming career, which began in 1972, has been exclusively with the rock group Van Helen. Interestingly, both Alex and Eddie Van Helen were trained as classical pianists during their childhood in Pasadena, California. This propelled Alex's structured and diverse creativity on the drum set which is evident throughout his musical discography. His drum set arrangement is creatively unique as he incorporates the use of Octobers unlike I've never seen before. Along with his signature bass drum "assemblage", this makes for a visually fascinating kit. He doubles up no less than eight bass drums giving plenty of low frequency torque to drive the Van Helen engine. He also influenced my playing as a young drummer. I’ve attached a little solo of him for your viewing pleasure:

Octoban Heavan!

One must admit that Octobans look pretty cool when tastefully integrated into the drum kit proper. My first exposure to them was brother Stewart Copeland of “The Police” pictured over yonder. You can hear them within the background tune playing as we speak. Octoban drums, also known as tube toms and quarter toms, are tom-toms grouped in melodically-tuned sets of eight, hence the reference to octave, from octo meaning "eight". Octobans have 6 inch diameter drum shells, and range in length from 11 inches to 23-1/2 inches. Their higher pitched yet “throaty” sound will require ample amplification in a live situation and they do not bode well for every musical style. As long as you have really good aim, you should have much success playing these tubular oddities.

Click on the Octobans below if you are interested in purchasing a set:



Additional drummers who use Octobans:
Buddy Rich
Roy Mayorga
The Blue Man Group
Billy Cobham
Tim Alexander
Mike Portnoy
Simon Phillips
Bill Bruford

Muffling your snare drum....

For those drummers who have not yet learned this trick, a simple ring comprised of mylar is the most effiecient way to eliminate those nasty overtones that annoy some drummers (and all sound engineers). This approach does not affect the natural pitch or feel of the head at all, it simply stops the "post strike ringing". You can buy these at any drum shop but it would be a lot cheaper if you cut them out of a thin mylar sheet yourself. Cut tight to the inside of the rim and no more than an 1" thick. This can also be applied to your larger tom toms as well. Happy playing!

Jim Richardson

Gary Husband- A different approach to tom toms.

When I first saw Gary Huband's drumset via performances of his work with level 42, his tom arrangement intriqued me. At that time it was an idea I was also experimenting with but did not have a voluminous supply of toms nor the money to buy them. Practically this arrangment is redundant and unnecessary. Visually however, it's cool! Here is a video of him on Youtube (Turn down the Imeem music player in the sidebar first):

Gary Husband is an English jazz and rock drummer and composer who performs with artists such as Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Level 42 and Jack Bruce among many others. He initially trained as a classical pianist and is accomplished as a jazz instrumentalist.

James Richardson

Virtual Drumming!

Here is a VERY useful website which uses a computer animated drumset to demonstrate a host of basic drum beats, rudiments & fundamentals. It even features a few drum licks from several veteran drummers. Check it out over at: http://www.virtualdrumming.com/drums

Thanks for visiting!

Jim Richardson