It's that time of year when high school drummers start preparing for the workout of their lives. It's time to get into shape and your skills honed. Wanna be the best you can be? Enroll with a private instructor in your area.
Diddles, flams, cheeses and rolls are some of the skills you'll need to compete in this arena of drumming. Repetitive warmups to build equal responses in both upper limbs all the while keeping time with the feet.
I'll add one more important step to being the best you can be ... mental attitude. You need to crave, desire, lust, want to be a champion. This is the only way to drive yourself to greatness and commit to practicing.
So, with your goals and a coach/instructor, you can be the best you can be.
Good luck with your goals.
Kenneth Ray Sword Jr
Drum and Percussion writer and instructor for Catoctin High School Band and Walkersville High School Band in Frederick County, Md. Private Instructor at Music & Arts Center in Frederick, Md.
Call the store for available lesson times.
301.694.0007
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Watch here for assignments Walkersville and Catoctin High Schools
Hello students,
Students with Walkersville High School Marching Band drumline and Catoctin High School Marching Band drumline can catch schedules, practice material and other what-nots I will be dishing out for training.
Be sure to get your copy of Row-Loff Production's "The Drummers Daily Drill" for fundamentals training.
Stick/Mallet needs will be Innovative Percussion's FS-1 Field Snare sticks and Innovative Percussion's FP-2 Fundamental Education Package. These are required for full training to become a quality competing drumline for your school and for your own drumming education.
Watch here daily for upcoming news.
Ray Sword
Students with Walkersville High School Marching Band drumline and Catoctin High School Marching Band drumline can catch schedules, practice material and other what-nots I will be dishing out for training.
Be sure to get your copy of Row-Loff Production's "The Drummers Daily Drill" for fundamentals training.
Stick/Mallet needs will be Innovative Percussion's FS-1 Field Snare sticks and Innovative Percussion's FP-2 Fundamental Education Package. These are required for full training to become a quality competing drumline for your school and for your own drumming education.
Watch here daily for upcoming news.
Ray Sword
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Art Avila and Eastwood High School
Well we got off to a busy start with the eve of percussion ensemble season rehearsals and of course jazz band 1, and newly acquired jazz 2, under the direction of John Oman. This year I had three competitive perc. ens's.: ENS III performed a piece by Nathan Daugherty called "Shock Factor", ENS II performed "Stratus" by Chris Crockarell, and my top ENS I performed "Stained Glass" by David R. Gillingham. Stained was a first for me to conduct and put together, WOW what a hard score! The kids did well: Both ENS I, and II received !st divisions at UIL and advanced to state level upon which ENS I brought home the !st Division at State! The groups went on to compete at the UTEP Percussion Festival judged by J.B. Smith, Fred Bugbee, and Mark Grimm. Ens I & II received !st divisions and ENS III a 2nd Division. Overall a GREAT percussion ensemble season, and I'm very proud of the kids.
JAZZ season was a blast, with the addition of JAZZ II, a first at EHS. I conduct the top group, and we pulled off a sweet program this year, one of my best programs in a while. We chose Azulito a Ray Santos, a HOT salsa chart made famous by Mario Bauza, we threw in elements of Son Montuno and Bomba for an intense rhythm section fueled by choreographed salsa dancing from the entire wind section, ending with the most powerfull fermatta ending you can imagine sealed by a dancing clave player tossing a clave up in the air and catching signaling the release of the note! ; a Gordon Goodwin chart called The Phat Pack, ooh what a greasy, phat blues, enough said!; and finally a trumpet suite entitled "Spanish Steps" by Steve Spiegl, featuring our 1st Chair All-State Jazz Trumpet, Steven Beatrice. The Jazz bands competed at the Hanks Jazz Festival on March 13th and 14th, bringing home 4th place out of 42 entries! Steven was awarded outstanding trumpet soloist.
As for myself, I was invited to play auxiliary percussion for El Paso's Eklectic Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Willie Hill, from UMAS. We were fortunate enough to share the stage with Alto Saxophonist, Dave Pietro, and Al Herman, "world's fastest trombone player", who has played with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennet! A M A Z I N G experience! I am currently in the planning stages for the Second Annual, EHS/YISD Sun City Throwdown, tentatively to be held the first Saturday in November of 2009. I already have two judges confirmed, Mr. and Mrs. Matt and Amy Savage are coming down to our Sun City for a second round of the drum line battles.
On the immediate forefront, EHS Concert Bands and Jazz Band I will be traveling to San Antonio, Texas for Music Festivals in the Parks, tearing up parks like Six Flags over Texas, and Sea World from April 15-18; we are near UIL Band Contest to be held May 5 & 6, and beyond that to help close out the academic school year, we are heading towards our big percussion grand finale of the year, the 6th Annual Percussion Extravaganza, to be held on May 30th. Somewhere in the midst of all this activity, I have also begun the "7CAMPS" audition process for next year's drum line, including our upcoming freshman. Whew!
Uh...should have played flute!....uh...NOT!
Long live Maynard!
Art Avila, Jr.
JAZZ season was a blast, with the addition of JAZZ II, a first at EHS. I conduct the top group, and we pulled off a sweet program this year, one of my best programs in a while. We chose Azulito a Ray Santos, a HOT salsa chart made famous by Mario Bauza, we threw in elements of Son Montuno and Bomba for an intense rhythm section fueled by choreographed salsa dancing from the entire wind section, ending with the most powerfull fermatta ending you can imagine sealed by a dancing clave player tossing a clave up in the air and catching signaling the release of the note! ; a Gordon Goodwin chart called The Phat Pack, ooh what a greasy, phat blues, enough said!; and finally a trumpet suite entitled "Spanish Steps" by Steve Spiegl, featuring our 1st Chair All-State Jazz Trumpet, Steven Beatrice. The Jazz bands competed at the Hanks Jazz Festival on March 13th and 14th, bringing home 4th place out of 42 entries! Steven was awarded outstanding trumpet soloist.
As for myself, I was invited to play auxiliary percussion for El Paso's Eklectic Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Willie Hill, from UMAS. We were fortunate enough to share the stage with Alto Saxophonist, Dave Pietro, and Al Herman, "world's fastest trombone player", who has played with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennet! A M A Z I N G experience! I am currently in the planning stages for the Second Annual, EHS/YISD Sun City Throwdown, tentatively to be held the first Saturday in November of 2009. I already have two judges confirmed, Mr. and Mrs. Matt and Amy Savage are coming down to our Sun City for a second round of the drum line battles.
On the immediate forefront, EHS Concert Bands and Jazz Band I will be traveling to San Antonio, Texas for Music Festivals in the Parks, tearing up parks like Six Flags over Texas, and Sea World from April 15-18; we are near UIL Band Contest to be held May 5 & 6, and beyond that to help close out the academic school year, we are heading towards our big percussion grand finale of the year, the 6th Annual Percussion Extravaganza, to be held on May 30th. Somewhere in the midst of all this activity, I have also begun the "7CAMPS" audition process for next year's drum line, including our upcoming freshman. Whew!
Uh...should have played flute!....uh...NOT!
Long live Maynard!
Art Avila, Jr.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Donate your musical instruments
Donate your old musical instruments for the musical kids of today and tomorrow. We are looking to help young minds grow and music does the trick. Our goal is to give as many children the option to study music and you can help us help those young ones and programs that need help getting what they need, too.
It doesn't matter what condition the instrument is in we will take it, even if it's just for parts. We'll be glad to give you a reciept of value for your donation so you can claim it on your taxes.
We won't turn down any donation, even if it's in pieces. Mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds, drumsticks, music stands, cases, full and partial brass and wind instruments, drum shells, hoops, lugs, mallet frames, resonators, harnesses, marching equipment and supplies, old tympani, xylophones, bells, hand bells, keyboards, recorders, whatever. Help music education to help the youth that don't otherwise have a chance to learn music.
Don't have an instrument to donate? Give us a cash donation of $1, $5, $10 or whatever you can afford to give and remember to write off your donation(s) on your taxes.
Address and donate links will soon be available.
It doesn't matter what condition the instrument is in we will take it, even if it's just for parts. We'll be glad to give you a reciept of value for your donation so you can claim it on your taxes.
We won't turn down any donation, even if it's in pieces. Mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds, drumsticks, music stands, cases, full and partial brass and wind instruments, drum shells, hoops, lugs, mallet frames, resonators, harnesses, marching equipment and supplies, old tympani, xylophones, bells, hand bells, keyboards, recorders, whatever. Help music education to help the youth that don't otherwise have a chance to learn music.
Don't have an instrument to donate? Give us a cash donation of $1, $5, $10 or whatever you can afford to give and remember to write off your donation(s) on your taxes.
Address and donate links will soon be available.
Discounted drumheads
Discounted drumheads.
We have acquired a load of drum heads from a major retailer and we are passing on the deals to you. Remo, Evans, Ludwig, and others are listed.
You will see sizes from 8" to 28", smooth white to clear to pinstripe to coated. Batter and resonant heads. Bass heads. Tympani heads, too.
Many are only $5.00 plus S&H. Some are $7.00 plus S&H and others $10.00 to $30.00 plus S&H.
These are all new heads, never mounted. The packaging was not A-1 so the major name store felt they couldn't sell for a profit. In turn they allowed us to obtain them to raise money for percussion equipment needed for education and community percussion ensemble group.
Buying these heads will go to help kids get involved in percussion programs.
Thank you for your interest in helping us help young drummers of the future.
Click here to see our current list and how to order.
We have acquired a load of drum heads from a major retailer and we are passing on the deals to you. Remo, Evans, Ludwig, and others are listed.
You will see sizes from 8" to 28", smooth white to clear to pinstripe to coated. Batter and resonant heads. Bass heads. Tympani heads, too.
Many are only $5.00 plus S&H. Some are $7.00 plus S&H and others $10.00 to $30.00 plus S&H.
These are all new heads, never mounted. The packaging was not A-1 so the major name store felt they couldn't sell for a profit. In turn they allowed us to obtain them to raise money for percussion equipment needed for education and community percussion ensemble group.
Buying these heads will go to help kids get involved in percussion programs.
Thank you for your interest in helping us help young drummers of the future.
Click here to see our current list and how to order.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Percussion Night At Frederick Community College
It doesn't get any better than this! 3 clinics. 3 artists. ALL FREE!!!
Greg Herron, Ray Sword and Frank Gonzalez will present many different topics on percussion and they will team up to perform a three movement chart by Armand Russell titled Percussion Suite. You will also get to see and perform with the FCC Percussion Ensemble.
This clinic is supported by Promark drumsticks, Music & Arts Center and Frederick Community College.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Percussion Ensemble Clinic to be held at Frederick Community College
Frederick Community College's Percussion Ensemble will be having a Percussion clinic open to all on March 20th, 2009 rom 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Greg Herron, Percussion professor, and Ray Sword, private percussion instructor at Music & Arts, has teamed together to present a percussion ensemble clinic for all of those interested. The clinic will include a discussion, a demonstration by the college's percussion students and then an all out hands on for everyone.
There is no fee for this event. Just bring an open mind, pencil and paper.
From Baltimore: Follow I-70 from Baltimore to Frederick. Exit onto Route 15 north. Follow 15 north to Motter Avenue exit. Turn right onto Motter/Opossumtown Pike. Travel one mile and turn left at entrance to FCC.
From Washington: Follow I-270 northwest from Washington to the junction with I-70 and Route 15. Follow Route 15 north to the Motter Avenue exit. Turn right onto Motter/Opossumtown Pike. Travel one mile and turn left at the entrance to FCC.
From the west: Follow I-70 east from Hagerstown. Take the first Frederick exit to Route 40. Follow Route 40 east to Route 15 junction. Follow Route 15 north to Motter Avenue. Turn right onto Motter/Opossumtown Pike. Travel one mile and turn left at entrance to FCC.
From Anchorage: This obviously would be a really long drive so we suggest you fly instead. We encourage you to take classes online.
From San Francisco: Head east, otherwise you'll run directly into the Pacific Ocean. Depending on your route and sightseeing habits, allow 3 to 5 travel days. Credit classes are out of the question, so consider our one-time continuing education courses, art exhibits or concerts. An online class in Cultural Geography (GG 102) or History of the United States (HI 201), will broaden your travel experience.
See you there.
Ray Sword
Drum Instructor @ Music & Arts
Greg Herron, Percussion professor, and Ray Sword, private percussion instructor at Music & Arts, has teamed together to present a percussion ensemble clinic for all of those interested. The clinic will include a discussion, a demonstration by the college's percussion students and then an all out hands on for everyone.
There is no fee for this event. Just bring an open mind, pencil and paper.
Directions, Maps & Parking
Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, Maryland, 21702, is centrally located in the state and about an hour outside Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The modern campus is just minutes off several well-traveled thoroughfares.From Baltimore: Follow I-70 from Baltimore to Frederick. Exit onto Route 15 north. Follow 15 north to Motter Avenue exit. Turn right onto Motter/Opossumtown Pike. Travel one mile and turn left at entrance to FCC.
From Washington: Follow I-270 northwest from Washington to the junction with I-70 and Route 15. Follow Route 15 north to the Motter Avenue exit. Turn right onto Motter/Opossumtown Pike. Travel one mile and turn left at the entrance to FCC.
From the west: Follow I-70 east from Hagerstown. Take the first Frederick exit to Route 40. Follow Route 40 east to Route 15 junction. Follow Route 15 north to Motter Avenue. Turn right onto Motter/Opossumtown Pike. Travel one mile and turn left at entrance to FCC.
From Anchorage: This obviously would be a really long drive so we suggest you fly instead. We encourage you to take classes online.
From San Francisco: Head east, otherwise you'll run directly into the Pacific Ocean. Depending on your route and sightseeing habits, allow 3 to 5 travel days. Credit classes are out of the question, so consider our one-time continuing education courses, art exhibits or concerts. An online class in Cultural Geography (GG 102) or History of the United States (HI 201), will broaden your travel experience.
See you there.
Ray Sword
Drum Instructor @ Music & Arts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
New Official Alternate Mode Kat Percussion Online Dealer
Badassdrumming.com is now an official dealer online for Alternate Mode KAT Percussion products. We continue, at Badassdrumming to bring you the best available products and keep you up to date in your craft. Drumming is always changing and music is always changing. So be prepared. Check out the new line of KAT Percussion now. Click the banner to see this incredible line of products.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Students are EXCITED with their drum lessons.
This past Friday's and Saturday's drum students had their lessons on the new Simmons SD5K Drum Kit for the first time. You should have seen the their reactions!!!
None of them wanted to leave!!! Even the two 6 yr. olds wanted to stay and practice more. Every student got lost in time because they were having so much fun learning. Each one thanked me for bringing in a drum set that is so much fun to play on.
We, as teachers, need to look at what keeps a student interested in learning. If you don't keep it exciting they leave quickly. I say to each teacher out there to evaluate what and how you teach. I say this as help to you if you are losing students or not getting more students. I have parents that drive 40 miles one way just to bring their child to lessons. WHY? Because that child begs to be at lessons.
I here some say that they won't start a student any younger than 9 or 10 years old. Why? Teaching styles may be a little different to each age group but I see better progress while they are younger. I don't worry about them learning to read yet at 6, 7 or 8. I can put that in once they start understanding spoken language and can spell decently.
If you want help to teaching younger students contact me and I'll be glad to help you with methods that work.
Kenneth "Ray" Sword Jr
None of them wanted to leave!!! Even the two 6 yr. olds wanted to stay and practice more. Every student got lost in time because they were having so much fun learning. Each one thanked me for bringing in a drum set that is so much fun to play on.
We, as teachers, need to look at what keeps a student interested in learning. If you don't keep it exciting they leave quickly. I say to each teacher out there to evaluate what and how you teach. I say this as help to you if you are losing students or not getting more students. I have parents that drive 40 miles one way just to bring their child to lessons. WHY? Because that child begs to be at lessons.
I here some say that they won't start a student any younger than 9 or 10 years old. Why? Teaching styles may be a little different to each age group but I see better progress while they are younger. I don't worry about them learning to read yet at 6, 7 or 8. I can put that in once they start understanding spoken language and can spell decently.
If you want help to teaching younger students contact me and I'll be glad to help you with methods that work.
Kenneth "Ray" Sword Jr
Monday, January 5, 2009
Drum Lesson Studio coming to Frederick, MD
High Tech Drum Lesson Studio coming to Frederick, MD
Just imagine ... you show up for your drum lesson, enter the practice room and sit down to an electronic kit that can be tailored to the sounds needed for the lesson. From 80's pop sounding toms to a coctail jazz kit to a kit tuned for the Dave Matthews Band style songs or for Contemporary Christian Rock. Whatever sound you need we most likely have it.
Need to practice a tympani part for your school program? Got it covered here. Plus, with the Aux. Input for mp3's and other tunes playback devices AND the built in songs bank, you have many songs and styles ready to practice to.
Just pop it in hit play and you play along with it. If you are using the song bank that is included with this kit you can silence the drumtrack and you play along and hear yourself with the band.
Once we have this track thing established your next step will be to be recorded. I will be growing your chances of fast advancement with all the high tech tools available. In the coming months audio and video recordings of the students lessons will be incorporated into the lesson plan. This gives the student the opportunity to have on record what the lesson plan was, what things we worked on to fix technique and so on. They will be able to see, without a doubt, what was covered in the lesson and what is expected to be ready for the next lesson.
Come and check it out. I'm located at Music & Arts Center on W. Patrick St right across McDonald's and Giant Eagle on Rt. 40 in Frederick, MD. I have available time slots for students on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the moment. Contact the store for specific times available @ 301.694.0007. Lessons are contracted on a monthly basis.
Ray Sword
Just imagine ... you show up for your drum lesson, enter the practice room and sit down to an electronic kit that can be tailored to the sounds needed for the lesson. From 80's pop sounding toms to a coctail jazz kit to a kit tuned for the Dave Matthews Band style songs or for Contemporary Christian Rock. Whatever sound you need we most likely have it.
Need to practice a tympani part for your school program? Got it covered here. Plus, with the Aux. Input for mp3's and other tunes playback devices AND the built in songs bank, you have many songs and styles ready to practice to.
Just pop it in hit play and you play along with it. If you are using the song bank that is included with this kit you can silence the drumtrack and you play along and hear yourself with the band.
Once we have this track thing established your next step will be to be recorded. I will be growing your chances of fast advancement with all the high tech tools available. In the coming months audio and video recordings of the students lessons will be incorporated into the lesson plan. This gives the student the opportunity to have on record what the lesson plan was, what things we worked on to fix technique and so on. They will be able to see, without a doubt, what was covered in the lesson and what is expected to be ready for the next lesson.
Come and check it out. I'm located at Music & Arts Center on W. Patrick St right across McDonald's and Giant Eagle on Rt. 40 in Frederick, MD. I have available time slots for students on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the moment. Contact the store for specific times available @ 301.694.0007. Lessons are contracted on a monthly basis.
Ray Sword
Friday, January 2, 2009
Badassdrumming site is up on the new server
Hello all,
We are in the process of getting the site up on the new server and hope to have register and login functions working within the next 48 to 72 hours. There are drummer profiles that are accessible right now and a few other pages.
If you find something not working feel free to report it so we can get right on it.
Hoping that 2009 will be your best year yet.
Kenneth Ray Sword Jr
www.badassdrumming.com
We are in the process of getting the site up on the new server and hope to have register and login functions working within the next 48 to 72 hours. There are drummer profiles that are accessible right now and a few other pages.
If you find something not working feel free to report it so we can get right on it.
Hoping that 2009 will be your best year yet.
Kenneth Ray Sword Jr
www.badassdrumming.com
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Attention Drummers ...
Attention Drummers. Ray Sword is upgrading the drum lesson studio starting January 16th. Drum set lessons will be taught on the new Simmons SD5K Electronic Drum Kit.
Now you can pop on the headphones, slip in your favorite tunes via, CD, MP3 or other formats and be able to play along and hear yourself playing with the songs of your choice. Due to Simmons CD Input feature now you can enjoy learning while playing along and hear yourself in with the mix. Plus, the 30+ yrs. experience Ray Sword has in playing and teaching learning just got alot easier.
Ray Sword teaches at Music & Arts Center on W. Patrick St. in Frederick, Md on Friday, Saturday and Sunday currently. Lessons are contracted monthly. All drums and percussion are taught. Ages of students from 6 yrs to 60+.
Also, for those that bought a drumset from Music & Arts AND received a 2 Free Lessons Certificate may come in and have those lessons on the Simmons Electronic Drum kit with Ray Sword on Friday, Saturday or Sunday only.
Future plans are to offer recording of student lessons (for a nominal fee) and to expand to videos of the lessons thereafter. Watch for news updates of things to come.
Frederick Community College is looking to expand it's percussion ensemble. If you are a pro or amateur it's all good. See Mr. Herron in the Music Dept. of FCC for more details.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Musician's Friend is offering these shipping cut-off dates
Yes, Musician's Friend is offering product shipment as stated below.
So, whatever the musical gift you can get it in time for Christmas.
Use our banner above to place your order quickly and conveniently.
Orders Placed before 2 pm EST on the below dates should deliver by 12/24
- Standard Shipping: 12/18/2008
- 2-Day Shipping: 12/22/2008
- Next-Day Shipping: 12/23/2008
So, whatever the musical gift you can get it in time for Christmas.
Use our banner above to place your order quickly and conveniently.
Wear Badassdrumming T-Shirts and more for Christmas
Badassdrumming is all about helping drummers with their craft. From school students to the pro we offer many ways to learn, ways to find drumsets and drum sticks, cymbals, music and more. We also have the garb to look the part. We have t-shirts featuring the website and endorsed artists, like Art Avila, Ricky Malichi, Frank Gonzales and Ray Sword.
Be sure to grab something for Christmas and make 2009 the year you show pride as a badassdrummer.
Be sure to grab something for Christmas and make 2009 the year you show pride as a badassdrummer.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Badassdrumming website is down
Hello all,
We are in the process of moving to a new server and upgrading some of our features. So, hang in there and we'll be back very soon.
admin
We are in the process of moving to a new server and upgrading some of our features. So, hang in there and we'll be back very soon.
admin
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Rudiments – An Alternative Approach
An article written by Dr. Laura L. Franklin titled "Rudiments – An Alternative Approach" was recently published by The JOURNAL of PERCUSSION PEDAGOGY Volume 1, No. 1 - October 2008. The topic, in summary, is "It should be understood, however, that rudiments are not necessary for the development of any percussionist, even one primarily interested in playing the marching snare drum. Further, undue focus on the practice and perfection of such a limited number of sticking patterns to the detriment of other areas will result in a player with limited musical abilities."
So that you can read the entire article please refer to http://percussionpedagogy.com/jpp/01-1-rudiments.html .
Dr. Franklin makes some valid points. But do we actually remove rudiments from the beginning studies when mental and muscle development are at their best?
Read the article and let's hear what you have to say.
Ray Sword
So that you can read the entire article please refer to http://percussionpedagogy.com/jpp/01-1-rudiments.html .
Dr. Franklin makes some valid points. But do we actually remove rudiments from the beginning studies when mental and muscle development are at their best?
Read the article and let's hear what you have to say.
Ray Sword
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Heidi Klum and Guitar Hero
Heidi Klum's Guitar Hero commercial has got to be the latest lows of low for the gaming industry and for herself.
For starts, the gaming industry has raped the consumers worldwide on sales of the games Guitar Hero and Rock Band and all of the accessories nearly the same way oil companies raped consumers on gas prices. The consumer gets addicted and they'll spend whatever to get it. And when the next Gene Simmons Limited Edition Axe comes out for the games you can bet many will go out and buy it.
What amazes me more is the number of consumers that would never take a music class for the worry of being a band geek in their younger days are now wanting to be glorified, certified, GH Superstars; the best button pushing, flipper-flipping guitar emulating band geeks anywhere. And will waste thousands of dollars doing it. Yes, thousands. Add up all of the replaced, broken 'controllers', upgrades, another version, newer model, different color, etc. and it adds up. That's why every toy maker is jumping on to this rapidly growing money waster. They see consumers buying it all.
Want real proof to what I say? Let's look at Gene Simmons of KISS. He now has his AXE ready for the market. Gene is a marketing genius and proved it over the years starting back in the seventies. From the Costumes to lunch boxes to Action Figures, KISS was marketed in many ways more than most music groups ever were and GENE made MILLIONS on the KISS Empire. There is not one product on the market that resembles KISS unless it's through Gene Simmons. So, if Gene sees a way to make $$$$$$$ he'll do it.
Ok, I guess I should say something about Heidi Klum here or should I comment on how unoriginal the Brett Ratner commercial is. So, here goes. I guess she needed the popularity of GH to bring her some attention. Brett is cashing in on the the unoriginal commercial making of Risky Business that featured Tom Cruise. It seems the only thing original anymore are the songs being featured in the games.
Anyone want to emulate the motion?
For starts, the gaming industry has raped the consumers worldwide on sales of the games Guitar Hero and Rock Band and all of the accessories nearly the same way oil companies raped consumers on gas prices. The consumer gets addicted and they'll spend whatever to get it. And when the next Gene Simmons Limited Edition Axe comes out for the games you can bet many will go out and buy it.
What amazes me more is the number of consumers that would never take a music class for the worry of being a band geek in their younger days are now wanting to be glorified, certified, GH Superstars; the best button pushing, flipper-flipping guitar emulating band geeks anywhere. And will waste thousands of dollars doing it. Yes, thousands. Add up all of the replaced, broken 'controllers', upgrades, another version, newer model, different color, etc. and it adds up. That's why every toy maker is jumping on to this rapidly growing money waster. They see consumers buying it all.
Want real proof to what I say? Let's look at Gene Simmons of KISS. He now has his AXE ready for the market. Gene is a marketing genius and proved it over the years starting back in the seventies. From the Costumes to lunch boxes to Action Figures, KISS was marketed in many ways more than most music groups ever were and GENE made MILLIONS on the KISS Empire. There is not one product on the market that resembles KISS unless it's through Gene Simmons. So, if Gene sees a way to make $$$$$$$ he'll do it.
Ok, I guess I should say something about Heidi Klum here or should I comment on how unoriginal the Brett Ratner commercial is. So, here goes. I guess she needed the popularity of GH to bring her some attention. Brett is cashing in on the the unoriginal commercial making of Risky Business that featured Tom Cruise. It seems the only thing original anymore are the songs being featured in the games.
Anyone want to emulate the motion?
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Simmons SD5K Electronic Drum Kit - A Review
I recently saw a Simmons Drum kit SD5K at Music & Arts and decided to see if it was worth looking into as at least as a practice kit.
Comes with 4 drum pads, kick tower, 3 cymbal pads and a hi-hat footswitch, rack and module, sticks and power pack. Ok, not a bad start. No bass drum pedal. No problem. All cables for pads to module included. Nice.
The first hits on the kit while in default settings prove not bad at all. The ride cymbal was the first not to trigger on all strikes. Switched cymbal pads and still the same. Missed triggers.
Ok, on to the hi-hat. Here's the real test. Do you get a good sound when opening and closing the hats pedal. I was getting ... A GREAT RESPONSE from the hi-hats!!!!! I always heard many other drummers say the HH bites. This one is so close to real. So I tried partial opens and all. I'm shocked. It worked!!!!
Now, the rest. All pads worked and responded well to dynamic playing. Even the kick tower.
The frame is very lightweight.
Even for a practice kit this would be ok. I may just get one for the studio to teach on. For apartment living this will help you get that practice in quietly.
Oh. There is a headphone jack and an AUX in to pipe in mp3's and all.
Music & Arts price ... $499.00 + taxes (In-Stock).
Music 123.com .... $399.00 + taxes and shipping.
Musician's Friend ... $399.00 = taxes and shipping.
Shipping will have an additiional charge because of the box size.
Shop for the better deal for you.
Comes with 4 drum pads, kick tower, 3 cymbal pads and a hi-hat footswitch, rack and module, sticks and power pack. Ok, not a bad start. No bass drum pedal. No problem. All cables for pads to module included. Nice.
The first hits on the kit while in default settings prove not bad at all. The ride cymbal was the first not to trigger on all strikes. Switched cymbal pads and still the same. Missed triggers.
Ok, on to the hi-hat. Here's the real test. Do you get a good sound when opening and closing the hats pedal. I was getting ... A GREAT RESPONSE from the hi-hats!!!!! I always heard many other drummers say the HH bites. This one is so close to real. So I tried partial opens and all. I'm shocked. It worked!!!!
Now, the rest. All pads worked and responded well to dynamic playing. Even the kick tower.
The frame is very lightweight.
Even for a practice kit this would be ok. I may just get one for the studio to teach on. For apartment living this will help you get that practice in quietly.
Oh. There is a headphone jack and an AUX in to pipe in mp3's and all.
Music & Arts price ... $499.00 + taxes (In-Stock).
Music 123.com .... $399.00 + taxes and shipping.
Musician's Friend ... $399.00 = taxes and shipping.
Shipping will have an additiional charge because of the box size.
Shop for the better deal for you.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Did you attend the 1st Annual Sun City Throw Down at the El Paso Coliseum?
Did you attend the 1st Annual Sun City Throw Down at the El Paso Coliseum in El Paso, TX? We want to hear your experience.
Tell us what you saw, what you liked and disliked. What were you hoping to see but didn't. Did you win one of the door prizes? What did you win?
Tell all of your friends that attended to come here and share their experience.
Kenneth R sword Jr
Tell us what you saw, what you liked and disliked. What were you hoping to see but didn't. Did you win one of the door prizes? What did you win?
Tell all of your friends that attended to come here and share their experience.
Kenneth R sword Jr
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Badassdrumming is giving away T-shirts, shoulder bags and CDs
Biggest Drumming Event to hit El Paso, TX and Badassdrumming is part of it. We will be giving away t-shirts, shoulder bags and CDs with the ebook Big Book of Scales and bonus material.
The 1st Annual Sun City Throw Down is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the El Paso County Coliseum located at 4100 East Paisano Street. This event is presented by the Ysleta IDS Fine Arts Department & Eastwood High School and sponsoring companies Promark Drumsticks, Mapex Drums and Badassdrumming.com.
This all day event starts at 9 AM and will feature schools in competition facing 3 top aujudicators in the drumming arena and master clinics by endorsed artists from Promark and other companies.
Be sure to hold to your tickets because there will be giveaways and prizes from several companies. Even if you don't win you can save money when you buy items from these companies at this event.
Tickets are $3.00 for Students and $5.00 for Adults for this all day event. For more information call (915) 434-4033.
This information is being brought to you courtesy of Badassdrumming.com.
The 1st Annual Sun City Throw Down is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the El Paso County Coliseum located at 4100 East Paisano Street. This event is presented by the Ysleta IDS Fine Arts Department & Eastwood High School and sponsoring companies Promark Drumsticks, Mapex Drums and Badassdrumming.com.
This all day event starts at 9 AM and will feature schools in competition facing 3 top aujudicators in the drumming arena and master clinics by endorsed artists from Promark and other companies.
Be sure to hold to your tickets because there will be giveaways and prizes from several companies. Even if you don't win you can save money when you buy items from these companies at this event.
Tickets are $3.00 for Students and $5.00 for Adults for this all day event. For more information call (915) 434-4033.
This information is being brought to you courtesy of Badassdrumming.com.
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