Sunday, September 7, 2008

Acoustic or Electronic Drums? You input is needed.

In a time where everything is going digital should drums and percussion follow suit? The more I listen and look at electronic drum kits, drum pads and drum triggers the more I am compelled to look at this option for my drumming needs. The idea of lighter weight, less bulk is drawing me closer to this idea.

Recently, I have looked at a few electronic Marimbas/Vibraphones and a few electronic drum kits. Since everything is MIDI based this means that real drum samples can be used for the voicings. I can have two mallet instruments for far less price by going electronic than the conventional instruments, saving thousands of dollars.

A decent 5+ octave Marimba alone goes for over $10,000.00. A good set of vibes over $3,000. Their electronic counterpart - under $3000.00.

As for a drum kit ... acoustic 5 piece drum kit for about $1000.00 plus stands and cymbals. It's electronic counterpart for under $1000.00 easily.

Even looking at the Yamaha DD-65 Drum Pad kit with 50 preset drum kit sounds and 5 programmable kit slots, 8 pads & 2 footswitches that can be upgraded to a kickpad and hi-hat tower. This setup, upgraded, would run about $400.00+.

As for aesthetics, the look is not what I'm after it's the sound and durability. With gas and all expenses going up it's not worth doing gigs anymore with so much equipment. Wanting to limit setup and teardown time to maximize my earnings.

So what do you think. Good idea? Or bad idea?

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Get a FREE $25.00 Music & Arts Gift Card From Ray Sword

FREE $25.00 Music & Arts Gift Card. Sign up for 2 months of drum or percussion lessons from Ray Sword at Music & Arts Center in Frederick, MD and receive a $25.00 Music & Arts Gift Card. Restrictions apply.

TO receive your Music & Arts Gift Card you need to pay for and attend the contracted lessons for the 2 months. Lesson days available are Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday ONLY. After completion of the 2nd month, within 21 days, you will receive your Music & Arts Gift Card from Ray Sword directly. No cards will be mailed or shipped. They will be dispersed in person only.

Offer not valid thru the store or any other teacher at any Music & Arts Center. This offer is made exclusively by Ray Sword for students under Ray Sword ONLY at the Frederick, MD store ONLY. Music & Arts Gift Card is for $25.00

ONLY and is good at any Music & Arts Center for any purchase you wish to make. Gift Cards are rechargeable.

Promotion starts September 1st, 2008 and will continue to February 28th, 2009.

Buddy Rich Memorial Concert Rolls out After 10 Years of Marking Time

Las Vegas, -- The much awaited return of the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert is now over. In late August, Cathy Rich, daughter of the late, legendary drummer Buddy Rich, confirmed plans for the Buddy Rich Memorial and that it would take place at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on October 18. Her company, Scabeba Entertainment, Drucker Labs and drumming icon Neil Peart will produce this historic event, which promises to be the most intense and compelling ever in terms of the performers and sponsors.

“The concerts themselves are an expression of Buddy's generous musical spirit. It's our goal to give back as much as possible and have all parties involved leave with a good feeling." Rich noted. “We should also point out that all our sponsors will make this event truly amazing. Without the love and support from all sponsors, these events would not happen."

Some Superb Sponsors Title sponsors areDrucker Labs, Scabeba Entertainment, Manhattan Center Productions, Drum Channel, and Enter Music Publishing's Drum! and Traps magazines.

Other sponsors include Remo, JazzImprov magazine, Buddy Rich Drum Company, DW Drums, Pro-Mark, Dunnett Drums, Mark Bass, Vic Firth, SJC Custom Drums, Guitar Center, Sabian, Caroldean El Paseo, Joshua Clothing,and Roland.

In addition to the sponsors listed, Drumchannel.com will unveil a presentation on Buddy Rich and will LIVE STREAM the event over the web. In addition, the entire affair is being taped in high-definition for a Christmas DVD release.

A Legendary Lineup This years lineup, one of the most diverse to be scheduled for The Memorial, features some of the most well-respected drummers in the world, who will be performing original rock and jazz arrangements with the big band.

Terry Bozzio formerly of Frank Zappa's band and his own platinum selling band, Missing Persons. Terry went on to revolutionize drumming with his one-man shows and clinics featuring his sea of drums and percussion.He’s performing a Zappa tune, among others.

John Blackwell who was with Prince's band and most recently toured the world with Justin Timberlake.

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith will perform four tunes including some Rolling Stones material scored for big band.

New York drumming icon Tommy Igoe, leader of the Birdland Big Band and in demand session and Broadway drummer.His recent educational DVD's are currently the number one sellers in the marketplace.

This is also the debut of Buddy's 23 year old grandson Nick Rich playing for the first time in his grandfather's big band. Nick is an in demand drummer on the west coast,having recentlyrecorded with platinum selling artist Ray J.

Neil Peart will also perform.

Joining Buddy's Big Band will be Late Show with David Lettermanbass player Will Lee. Bassist Jeff Berlin will appear as a special guest.There will be a special appearance by Guitar Center 2007 Drum Off winner Donnie Marple.More surprises will be added.

What makes this year’s show hip is the artists having big band arrangements made of some of their most popular hits, as well as playingtheir favorite Buddy Rich charts. And, it will take on a life of its own since the show will be streamed live globally by the Drum Channel, and recorded in Hi Def for worldwide release.

“After a ten-year hold on this world wide drum event, we are coming back with a vengeance", said Rich. “We started doing these concerts in 1989 and they were the first of their kind. I originallyhad the idea of havingall the greatest drummers in the world sitting in with my father’s big band, playing his charts with their own unique spin.

A giant Buddy Rich Memorial Concert Product Promotion began in late August next with a chance to win dozens of prizes including Roland V- drums, snares from Dunnett, George Way, Buddy Rich Drum Company, and DW, and much more. Be sure to reserve your tickets now.

For ticket info call Ticket Master 212.307-7171 or visit www.ticketmaster.com To enter the Buddy Rich Concert Giveaway visit www.drummgazine.com/buddyrich.



Visit website

Buddy Rich at All About Jazz.

SOURCE: AllAboutJazz.com Publicity

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Drumming is so diverse and specialized

It was recently reported that drummers are physically in better shape than football players. The report from the UK comes to no surprise to me. I have been drumming for 40 years now and with all the differents styles, techniques and facets that are involved with drums and percussion I understand this finding easily.

Muscle tone and endurance are a constant. The different ways to approach each percussion instrument adds to flexability.

Most everyday people think of a rock drummer behind a drumset when they hear you are a drummer. Well, I do sit behind a kit and have played tons of rock tunes (never again will I play Free Bird. Way over played and requested), Blues, R&B, Funk, Country, Jazz, etc ... But, I have marched in football halftime shows during my college days, parade routes and the likes. I have played in String Orchestras and in Symphonies, Brass Bands, Mardi-Gras street jams, drum circles. Every situation is fun and yet different.

From drumset to tympani to marimba to sleigh bells to a cajon to bongos and congas ... whatever the setup each has to be approached in a different manner than the others. So learning the right technique on the various hand drums vs. the techniques used on concert snare vs. marching snare vs. marching tenors vs. tympani vs. drumset vs. ... you get the picture.

Each instrument has it's own fundamentals, it's basics to being played properly. The right choice of sticks or mallets or even just hand positions can make a big difference in learning the right way or the wrong way. German grip, French Grip, Conventional Grip, Reverse Conventional Grip, Match Grip, Moeller Method; what works well in each style and why? Who named all of this stuff and why? Is it important?

"I'm just gonna play death metal. I don't need all of that technobabble terms and all. I just need to play hard and fast." Sounds like a marathon for a first time runner. Won't make it through a show. Will quickly burn out and/or injure their self.

Look at the mallet player for a moment. Either vibes or marimba. It's like a piano but played with mallets, most times with four of them. The grip it critical for this type of percussion. How about a tambourine? Could do the shake and bop the hip. Good for bubblegum pop acts on stage for this visual. But bad for symphonic pieces.

Drumming is an artform in itself and really is a specialty field for many music majors. Band directors of other instruments will bring in a drummer as specialty staff just to cover the drums and percussion just for that band.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Drumming on Rock Band does more harm than good.

Drumming on Rock Band does more harm than good.

Here, you just bought your new gaming system, Rock Band. You pull open the box, start setting up those electronic drumpads, get all the cables in place, pop in the gaming disc and you ar now ready to put the sticks in the hands and start wailing away. In a feverish race to hit the right drumpad when the screen shows you the corresponding pad to hit and you do and the next and the next ...

You have artfully finished the first song and get your score. You see a few mistakes by the score. You heard the awful rejecting sound when you made a mistake and by the simulated audience response.

Now let's look at why this is a terrible way to learn to drum. Yes, this is terrible and for many reasons.

Did anyone show you the proper grip to holding the sticks? NO.

How to balance the sticks in your grip for maximum effectiveness? NO.

Did anyone show you or tell you not to try playing with so much arm so not to make you tired after one minute? NO.

Did anyone show you whether heel up or heel down will produce longer, less tiresome results? NO.

Did you know (or did they tell you) that 'swinging' the sticks the wrong way can cause Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Rapid Movement Stress Disorder, pulled tendons, blisters and other problems? NO.

Hey! Where is the hi-hat pedal in this game???

Once again, the gaming industry has come up with another way to milk out dollars from the many that are willing to spend money on games and even market it in a way to make you think that you can LEARN to drum from it. Really, they haven't taught you anything. Grip, strengthening the weak hand to be equal to the strong hand, stick patterns to easily get around multiple surfaces, proper balance of the body and breathing ... all of this is important and unless there is someone there to correct these common problems you will cause yourself more harm than good.

If you want to really learn to play you will need a good instructor that can set you up for long term, injury free, drumming.

Another reason to consider drum lessons BEFORE trying to learn from these games; the instructor will not need to undo bad habits you have already developed from this. Lessons spent on undoing bad habits are a waste of your time and money. If you were to take the lessons to learn the right techniques first you would be further along and learn more in less time, actually saving you money.

Drumming is a sport of endurance and to last the long haul will take the knowledge of a good trainer showing you how to drum smart, not hard.

Ok, WoW anyone?

RockBand and Guitar Hero are creating Wannabe's

In a world where people look for shortcuts to everything there is one thing for sure. Games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero are creating a lot of Wannabe's. Since there is really no musical skills to these games there isn't a real chance to be that great lead guitar player they try to immulate in the game or that great rock drummer they pretend to be.

I say this because I have heard many kids come into the music store and say they are taking lessons from these games. HUH?

Simply put, they are playing on nothing more than a glammed up version of Simon. They paid alot more money for these musical games since they are doing the cover tune thing. Artists songs are being used and the bands are getting a cut from their songs being used. Sure, that's fair. They wrote and produced the songs.

Anyway, the idea that you are learning valuable skills in the music realm has yet to be proven. You are playing along, mind you, not on an actual instrument, but, a cheap replica so that it works with the game. You surely couldn't use such toys in a real gig (unless you are Milli Vanilli).

And parents shouldn't be so naive to agree with their kids that this is a great lesson teacher. How are they being critiqued and corrected for wrong technique? Only a live teacher can do this.

If people would only focus their energy in the right direction in the first place they could save their selves time and money and get it right the first time.

Anyway, when you are ready for the real thing teachers will be standing by to help you.