Read Below to find out more about drumming and music, and some advice on playing.
6/11/09
A couple months ago I fractured my right elbow in a motorcycle accident. However, I continued to play as much as I could. I played a couple gigs using my left arm and two feet, changing up my setup to a more left handed approach. As it healed up some, I transitioned to playing with brushes, and reinterpreted all of my bands music with brushes. I played my first gig last week with both arms and sticks, and it felt good. I'm back to practicing, rehearsing, and playing shows again, and things are improving quickly.
Look for more updates this summer!
8/14/08
I had a chance to engineer an album at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for my trombone players 2nd band "North America" today. Recording went well, but when we began to record one of their quiet tunes, it was apparent the drums had some buzzing and rattling. That is common, but mostly unnoticeable until you mic it all up and put the headphones on! It reminded me of something I have done for a long time, and want to encourage every other drummer to do the same: carry tools and parts for your instrument!
Here are some important things to carry on top of what you already have on your kit:
Extras: Drum clutch, bd pedal spring and strap, bd beater, cotton balls, duct tape, a few extra lugs, a strip of felt, snare strap, cymbal felts, super glue, a few bandaids, bailing wire, and zip ties
There are pre-made kits available at bigger drum shops, or online, like this one: Repair Kit
ut you can easily put your own together. You may start by oredering a kit, and then supplementing with a few of the items listed above.
Once you have your repair kit together, take it to every gig and recording session that you go to. I recently had a bass drum strap break (it lasted about 14 years!); I was able to create a new hole in it and continue the gig.
Hope this is useful info.
Good luck, and keep practicing...
7/23/08
I was reminded recently while teaching one of my students that things don't always come instantly! There are always walls you come up against that you just can't seem to get past. Here is some advice I've learned along the way:
When trying to increase speed, develop more independence, or read complex charts, take short breaks while working on it. Drink water and don't forget to breathe while you play. In addition, if you've worked on something for a couple weeks and don't seem to be improving, take a little time off from that. Remember to look at drumming from a larger perspective than just single strokes and drum fills... everything you practice, listen to, read about, and experience will filter back into your unique playing style. Don't sweat the minutia, just keep working towards a larger goal of playing musically. Be consistent over the years, and the technique will follow.
As always, good luck!
4/25/08
This week I've been working on jazz again. It's been quite a few years since I spent much time in that genre, but a private party gig on Saturday calls for some jazz chops. All through college I played jazz exclusively, and it's good to get back to it.
Here are a couple observations and tips for playing and practicing jazz:
Listen, listen, listen. I've had jazz on in the car, on my ipod, and at my studio. Listen for what the drummers are doing, but also listen to what everyone else is doing together. Listen for the chord changes that help outline the form. The hardest part about jazz for me is keeping track of forms during 5 minute solos. A trick that helps me is to follow the form in a real book while noting the changes.
Keep it simple, and keep it swinging. Practice while listening to music with different tempos and different substyles such as afrocuban, samba, or bossa.
When on the gig, always focus on listening to the other players, and react appropriately. I've been complimented more for just laying it down than for amazing solos! Focus on the feel and trying to anticipate what the other cats are doing.
Finally, have fun with it, and remember that jazz is a style hard to completely define, with lots of subtle variations in feel from drummer to drummer.
One of my favorite albums is Wayne Shorter's "Speak No Evil" with Elvin Jones layin it down.