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
Showing posts with label Badassdrumming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Badassdrumming. Show all posts
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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
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.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Art Avila, Promark Sticks endorsed, brings a new drum lesson to Badassdrumming
August 2008
Art Avila, endorsed by Promark Sticks and Badassdrumming.com, has delivered a doozy of a workout to try called X-BOX Template. This is a workout everyone can benefit from. Click the name to see it.
This thing is just sick. Cheeses, flams, flam drags, flam 5's, diddles, pataflaflas, Swiss Army Triplets and more. This is a non-ending workout for any drummer out there.
Become a member of www.badassdrumming.com for free and get more of this from Art and our other endorsed drummers.
Match Grip vs. Conventional Grip - Which is correct?
Match Grip vs. Conventional Grip - Which is correct?
Hello and no, this is not a battle of one grip over the other. This has to do with current practices that are not ergonomically friendly. The rising number of drummers within the past 15 to 20 years that have had drumming related injuries is well beyond the numbers of generations prior. Let's take a look at some of the possible reasons.
The most common injury is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, an injury of the tendons. This comes from several things.
1. Lack of stretching and warming up before playing.
2. Bad grip or grip technique
3. Bad motion of the wrist/arm
Let's start with stretching. It is a necessary instrument prior to performing. The cold tendons and muscles need time to get into playing condition. Getting good blood flow to the limbs is necessary, too. With the blood/oxygen flow the limbs are now prepared to handle the stress they are about to take on. Without stretching you are placing those limbs into an At-risk of injury.
Next is bad grip. With any job your goal is to expel to least amount of energy and get maximum results. I call it the 'play smart, not hard' theory. Think of like a major purchase. If you can get that big flat screen TV at one store for $1400.00 and the same TV is at another store for $890.00 of course you'll go for the $890.00 deal.
Well, drumming should be the same way. Spend less energy and get the same product. This is where alot of energy is wasted, the grip. If you are not working with the stick's fulcrum (balance point) you are already fighting a lost cause. Second, gripping the stick like a club will tire your hand out. You want a loose grip just barely keeping the stick between the fingers. I tell my students to think of using the friction of the skin only to hold the stick in place, fingers lightly wrapped around the stick.
Now, since we are here on grip next would be what is the right grip. This is going to depend on the angle of the drum. If the drum is flat in front of you then match grip would be best for this drum position. Shoulders, elbows, forearms and wrists are all symmetrical and balanced. This would be ergonomically correct or in harmony with the body.
If the drum is tilted with the left side of the rim up and right side down then conventional grip is ergonamically correct. This grip was designed for field military drummers because the drum hung on a sling and tilted in the process. So the conventional grip was designed just for that. Later adoption to using it on flat field drums has led to more injuries and a player that is ergonamically out of balance. One shoulder is higher, one elbow in vs. the other out and the degree of twist in the left arm from the elbow forward. With this in mind, the spine also twists a little to help compensate for this position. This is not good at all on any marching player. The same goes for any sitting player behind a drumset.
So a marcher playing on a flat drum should be using match grip and this goes for sitting drummers with the snare flat in front of you or tilted toward you. On to bad motion of the wrists/arms.
There are times when a player gets tired and the gig isn't over. What happens? They tighten up. They start holding their breath. They start twisting the wrist in an awkward way. They start using more arm and less fingers ... it becomes an increasing stress to the player because they react in the opposite way they should. With the arms and wrists now reacting in the wrong way the player has increased the risk of injury. The player needs to relax, check their stick grip and their breathing. Any other bad motions, like slouching, will correct itself once you start to relax.
We covered some possible causes of injuries that the player can immediately correct. Let's look at just a few other things real quick that may cause injury.
Let's look at all of the things a percussionist has to strike and how. First, there are nearly an endless amounts of surfaces a player strikes from plastic, metal, wood, resins, composites, calfskins, cowhide, sheepskin, etc. And the choices to strike them from the hand to sticks/mallets to shaking. The gammot is wide open. How dense or soft the material is will also play in the effect on how we strike it and the repercussion it creates.
Todays marching snare drum has gone through many changes over the years in materials but still have these things in common; it's a round shell with heads, has hoops and snares mounted across the bottom head. Todays units are are built tighter and lighter than their predeceasors of 20 or 30 years ago. Torquing the top head, now made of Kevlar, is one design I question. The snare now sounding like a piece of masonite and such high tone doesn't carry far. So to compensate drummers have to play harder to get louder and when that's not enough the director needs to add more snares to the section. So, striking a torqued surface made of Kevlar with a Hickory drumstick ... what does that do to the player's arms? The repercussion (shock) of the strike will send back through the stick to the hand/arm a wave that is bound to have some effect to the player.
I mentioned other materials like metal (cymbals, gongs, bells, chimes, vibraphone ...), wood (woodblock, headless tambourine, marimba, bass drum hoops, cajon ...), resins (xylophone, graphite blocks ...) plastics (tambourine ...), different skins (bongos, congas, doumbek, djembe ...) and even vegetables (gourds, guiro ...) and clay pots (gourd variations, platas ...). Each of these have different methods of holding and striking. There is no doubt that the hand drums will have the most impact on your body overall. Care must be taken to insure the least possible amount of injury. Learning the correct techniques in holding and striking all of these instruments is essential.
Kenneth Ray Sword Jr
www.badassdrumming.com
Hello and no, this is not a battle of one grip over the other. This has to do with current practices that are not ergonomically friendly. The rising number of drummers within the past 15 to 20 years that have had drumming related injuries is well beyond the numbers of generations prior. Let's take a look at some of the possible reasons.
The most common injury is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, an injury of the tendons. This comes from several things.
1. Lack of stretching and warming up before playing.
2. Bad grip or grip technique
3. Bad motion of the wrist/arm
Let's start with stretching. It is a necessary instrument prior to performing. The cold tendons and muscles need time to get into playing condition. Getting good blood flow to the limbs is necessary, too. With the blood/oxygen flow the limbs are now prepared to handle the stress they are about to take on. Without stretching you are placing those limbs into an At-risk of injury.
Next is bad grip. With any job your goal is to expel to least amount of energy and get maximum results. I call it the 'play smart, not hard' theory. Think of like a major purchase. If you can get that big flat screen TV at one store for $1400.00 and the same TV is at another store for $890.00 of course you'll go for the $890.00 deal.
Well, drumming should be the same way. Spend less energy and get the same product. This is where alot of energy is wasted, the grip. If you are not working with the stick's fulcrum (balance point) you are already fighting a lost cause. Second, gripping the stick like a club will tire your hand out. You want a loose grip just barely keeping the stick between the fingers. I tell my students to think of using the friction of the skin only to hold the stick in place, fingers lightly wrapped around the stick.
Now, since we are here on grip next would be what is the right grip. This is going to depend on the angle of the drum. If the drum is flat in front of you then match grip would be best for this drum position. Shoulders, elbows, forearms and wrists are all symmetrical and balanced. This would be ergonomically correct or in harmony with the body.
If the drum is tilted with the left side of the rim up and right side down then conventional grip is ergonamically correct. This grip was designed for field military drummers because the drum hung on a sling and tilted in the process. So the conventional grip was designed just for that. Later adoption to using it on flat field drums has led to more injuries and a player that is ergonamically out of balance. One shoulder is higher, one elbow in vs. the other out and the degree of twist in the left arm from the elbow forward. With this in mind, the spine also twists a little to help compensate for this position. This is not good at all on any marching player. The same goes for any sitting player behind a drumset.
So a marcher playing on a flat drum should be using match grip and this goes for sitting drummers with the snare flat in front of you or tilted toward you. On to bad motion of the wrists/arms.
There are times when a player gets tired and the gig isn't over. What happens? They tighten up. They start holding their breath. They start twisting the wrist in an awkward way. They start using more arm and less fingers ... it becomes an increasing stress to the player because they react in the opposite way they should. With the arms and wrists now reacting in the wrong way the player has increased the risk of injury. The player needs to relax, check their stick grip and their breathing. Any other bad motions, like slouching, will correct itself once you start to relax.
We covered some possible causes of injuries that the player can immediately correct. Let's look at just a few other things real quick that may cause injury.
Let's look at all of the things a percussionist has to strike and how. First, there are nearly an endless amounts of surfaces a player strikes from plastic, metal, wood, resins, composites, calfskins, cowhide, sheepskin, etc. And the choices to strike them from the hand to sticks/mallets to shaking. The gammot is wide open. How dense or soft the material is will also play in the effect on how we strike it and the repercussion it creates.
Todays marching snare drum has gone through many changes over the years in materials but still have these things in common; it's a round shell with heads, has hoops and snares mounted across the bottom head. Todays units are are built tighter and lighter than their predeceasors of 20 or 30 years ago. Torquing the top head, now made of Kevlar, is one design I question. The snare now sounding like a piece of masonite and such high tone doesn't carry far. So to compensate drummers have to play harder to get louder and when that's not enough the director needs to add more snares to the section. So, striking a torqued surface made of Kevlar with a Hickory drumstick ... what does that do to the player's arms? The repercussion (shock) of the strike will send back through the stick to the hand/arm a wave that is bound to have some effect to the player.
I mentioned other materials like metal (cymbals, gongs, bells, chimes, vibraphone ...), wood (woodblock, headless tambourine, marimba, bass drum hoops, cajon ...), resins (xylophone, graphite blocks ...) plastics (tambourine ...), different skins (bongos, congas, doumbek, djembe ...) and even vegetables (gourds, guiro ...) and clay pots (gourd variations, platas ...). Each of these have different methods of holding and striking. There is no doubt that the hand drums will have the most impact on your body overall. Care must be taken to insure the least possible amount of injury. Learning the correct techniques in holding and striking all of these instruments is essential.
Kenneth Ray Sword Jr
www.badassdrumming.com
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Drummers are far better in percentages than football players and doctors.
Drummers are far better in percentages than football players and doctors.
Someone will surely say this is obsured but think about it for a moment. Athletes, making millions of dollars, do not obtain 100% efficiency of their sport. It's just not possible. Look at doctors. They get paid to practice their field. WHAT? Musicians have to practice on their own and are expected to perform perfectly, EVERYTIME! I just don't get it.
Ray Sword
Someone will surely say this is obsured but think about it for a moment. Athletes, making millions of dollars, do not obtain 100% efficiency of their sport. It's just not possible. Look at doctors. They get paid to practice their field. WHAT? Musicians have to practice on their own and are expected to perform perfectly, EVERYTIME! I just don't get it.
Ray Sword
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Free MP3's, Discounts on Drums and more
Hello %name%,
Thought I would give you the latest on what's up at Badassdrumming.com.
We finally have deals running with Music123, Musician's Friend, Napster and mTraks so you can get some great deals and save you money.
You need music to practice to, tunes to add to your set list or whether to just enjoy, both, Napster and mTraks are giving our members some really good deals to try them out.
Napster is giving a 7 day free trial to over 6 million songs.
mTraks is giving away 30 Free MP3's for just signing up.
3 Ways to Take Advantage of Back to School Savings at Music123!
We're sending students back to school in style. Our Back to School Savings offers
you three amazing ways to take advantage of the back to school season.
Through this promotion you can take 15% off on hundreds of top brands,
get a free music stand and Music123 80th anniversary t-shirt with any band and
orchestra purchase over $99 and recieve double points for the entire month. Going
back to school has never been better.
And ...
Up to 50% Off and Free Shipping at the Music123 Outlet Store!
Our Outlet Store is slashing prices up to 50% on top name brands such as Gibson,
Yamaha, Fender and many, many more. Along with these rocking deals we're also
offering you free shipping on orders over $99. This rocking duo of deals
will leave you cheering for more.
Just go to www.badassdrumming.com and look for any of the links. They are all around so they are easy to find.
We also have a new page that is in conjunction with Musician's Friend bring you the 'Snare of the Week'. Links have been placed on the left column of each page for easy access. See what's new and in review.
And, finally, we have access to many of the authentic concert memorabilia, T-shirts and collectibles of many artists known today. The Who, Lynard Skynard, Maroon 5, Dream Theatre, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Poison, Def Leppard, Coldplay, Billy Joel, KISS, Gene Simmons and many more.
You can find this at any Fan's Collectibles link within the site and on the main page.
As you see, we're working to make this your site for all of your music and drumming needs.
Keep swingin',
Sword
Thought I would give you the latest on what's up at Badassdrumming.com.
We finally have deals running with Music123, Musician's Friend, Napster and mTraks so you can get some great deals and save you money.
You need music to practice to, tunes to add to your set list or whether to just enjoy, both, Napster and mTraks are giving our members some really good deals to try them out.
Napster is giving a 7 day free trial to over 6 million songs.
mTraks is giving away 30 Free MP3's for just signing up.
3 Ways to Take Advantage of Back to School Savings at Music123!
We're sending students back to school in style. Our Back to School Savings offers
you three amazing ways to take advantage of the back to school season.
Through this promotion you can take 15% off on hundreds of top brands,
get a free music stand and Music123 80th anniversary t-shirt with any band and
orchestra purchase over $99 and recieve double points for the entire month. Going
back to school has never been better.
And ...
Up to 50% Off and Free Shipping at the Music123 Outlet Store!
Our Outlet Store is slashing prices up to 50% on top name brands such as Gibson,
Yamaha, Fender and many, many more. Along with these rocking deals we're also
offering you free shipping on orders over $99. This rocking duo of deals
will leave you cheering for more.
Just go to www.badassdrumming.com and look for any of the links. They are all around so they are easy to find.
We also have a new page that is in conjunction with Musician's Friend bring you the 'Snare of the Week'. Links have been placed on the left column of each page for easy access. See what's new and in review.
And, finally, we have access to many of the authentic concert memorabilia, T-shirts and collectibles of many artists known today. The Who, Lynard Skynard, Maroon 5, Dream Theatre, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Poison, Def Leppard, Coldplay, Billy Joel, KISS, Gene Simmons and many more.
You can find this at any Fan's Collectibles link within the site and on the main page.
As you see, we're working to make this your site for all of your music and drumming needs.
Keep swingin',
Sword
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tour Merchandise, memorabilia, t-shirts and ...
Time to grab your favorite artist's gear. T-shirts, posters, programs, pics, lithos and more.
Go to this link for more info. Fans Collectibles
Brought to you by Badassdrumming.com
Go to this link for more info. Fans Collectibles
Brought to you by Badassdrumming.com
Free mp3 downloads
Badassdrumming.com
now has access to offer 30 mp3s free.
Go to Get 30 Free MP3 Songs Now!
for more details.
now has access to offer 30 mp3s free.
Go to Get 30 Free MP3 Songs Now!
for more details.
Badassdrumming now offers great buys on musical instruments
Drummers and other musicians can now save big on musical instruments at badassdrumming.com.
They have teamed up with some powerhouse dealers to bring you great gear at the best discounted prices.
Some of the brands are:
DW Drums Evans Gretsch Drums Latin Percussion Ludwig Meinl Paiste Pearl Remo Roland Sabian Tama Vic Firth Yamaha and Zildjian.
For more information you can visit the site at this link:
Musical Instruments On Sale
They have teamed up with some powerhouse dealers to bring you great gear at the best discounted prices.
Some of the brands are:
DW Drums Evans Gretsch Drums Latin Percussion Ludwig Meinl Paiste Pearl Remo Roland Sabian Tama Vic Firth Yamaha and Zildjian.
For more information you can visit the site at this link:
Musical Instruments On Sale
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
New Mallet workouts available
Badassdrumming.com has available free lessons on the site. Free mallet lessons, drum lessons, and other info to help you grow.
Brought to you by some of the best performers/educators around.
Badassdrumming.com is free to join.
Looking to go to college? Then look at the resources the site brings to you to help you with choosing a school, financial assistance, scholarships and more.
Brought to you by some of the best performers/educators around.
Badassdrumming.com is free to join.
Looking to go to college? Then look at the resources the site brings to you to help you with choosing a school, financial assistance, scholarships and more.
Monday, July 21, 2008
New Featured Student Andrea Linan at Badassdrumming.com
Andrea Linan, a member of the Crossmen, is now a featured student at badassdrumming.com. Her instructor, Art Avila, made the recommendation for her to be featured and she made the cut.
Go see Andrea's story here.
We will do an interview with Andrea once she returns from the marching season.
Go see Andrea's story here.
We will do an interview with Andrea once she returns from the marching season.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wanna Get Your Kids Into A Summer Drumming Camp?
It's about that time of year and kids will be finding a lot of idle time on their hands. I encourage all parents to look into a music / drumming summer camp for your kids. Any music student would benefit from the reading and rhythm aspect and may find they like drumming. Another is for those kids that have never experienced playing an instrument. This will get them involved in group (teamwork) environments that will help build their social skills and be a part of a team.
No matter what area you are in there is sure to be a program of some kind near you.
I, as an instructor in Frederick, MD , am looking to see if there is an interest of kids wanting to do this. If so, I will look into the logistics to getting a camp lined up. If there is anyone that already has plans for a camp and needs a drum instructor then contact me here.
Kids today are spending way too much time on video games and not enough activity. Drumming camps can really help with the activity, teamwork, social skills, focus and other things that kids have a hard time with.
Again, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Kenneth Ray Sword Jr
No matter what area you are in there is sure to be a program of some kind near you.
I, as an instructor in Frederick, MD , am looking to see if there is an interest of kids wanting to do this. If so, I will look into the logistics to getting a camp lined up. If there is anyone that already has plans for a camp and needs a drum instructor then contact me here.
Kids today are spending way too much time on video games and not enough activity. Drumming camps can really help with the activity, teamwork, social skills, focus and other things that kids have a hard time with.
Again, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Kenneth Ray Sword Jr
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Badassdrumming.com has teamed up with 4tests.com
Badassdrumming.com is all about education and training and has now teamed up with 4tests.com to help you with preparations for college.
Here is some of the ways we can help.
General
We also offer you online practice exams so help you prepare for college and other certifications.
Exams:
Just go to our home page and browse through the many tests offered. Bookmark us and return as often as you wish.
Again, we are all about education and are glad to help you in any way possible.
Keep learning and swingin'
Ray Sword
Here is some of the ways we can help.
General
We also offer you online practice exams so help you prepare for college and other certifications.
Exams:
- Educational Exams
- High School Exams - SAT ACT AP; Biology, Chemistry, US History and more
- College Exams - Many CLEP Exams, TOEFL and TOEIC
- Graduate Exams - GMAT, GRE General, LSAT and MCAT
- Computer Exams - Microsoft, A+, Sun, Cisco, Oracle
- Professional Exams - Postal, Legal, Medical, Educator, FAA and Military (ASVAB)
- Fun Exams - Movie, Religion, TV
Just go to our home page and browse through the many tests offered. Bookmark us and return as often as you wish.
Again, we are all about education and are glad to help you in any way possible.
Keep learning and swingin'
Ray Sword
Mannette Steel Drums is holding the Festival of Steel 2008
Mannette Steel Drums is holding the Festival of Steel 2008
July 6-12, 2008
WVU Creative Arts Center, Morgantown , WV
Dr. Ellie Mannette, famed steel band innovator, hosts the Festival of
Steel each year. The event attracts participants from all across the
United States (and beyond) to spend an intensive week immersed in steel
band’s performance, education and history.
The 16 th Annual Mannette Steel Drum’s Festival of Steel will take
place July 6 - 12, 2008 at WVU's Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, West
Virginia. Dr. Mannette and his staff look forward to seeing you this
summer in Morgantown ! Enrollment is limited and is expected to fill
quickly.
Continuing Education Credits (CEU's)/College Credits are available for
participants through West Virginia University. Click on the
Participant Info link on the right.
For more information contact the Workshop Coordinator at Mannette Steel
Drums at (304) 296-6405, (866) 237- DRUM or by email at
workshops@mannettesteeldrums.com .
Faculty:
Ray Holman
Andy Narell
Jeff Narell
Tom Miller
Jim Munzenrider
Alan Lightner
Chris Tanner
Components
Performance Bands: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Lectures
Seminars
Community Program
Schedule of Events
7/6 Registration & Kickoff Concert (formerly Faculty Showcase)
Daily Schedule TBA
7/10 Jam Session (tentative)
7/12 Final Concert
FESTIVAL of STEEL 2008
Mannette Steel Drums and Dr. Ellie Mannette invite you to Morgantown,
West Virginia and West Virginia University ’s Creative Arts Center for
a week- long celebration of the steel drum art form.
For more than a decade, Dr. Ellie Mannette, widely regarded as the
"Father of the Modern Steel Drum", has been training a team of gifted
apprentices in Morgantown . These apprentices are now master craftsman and
comprise the staff of Mannette Steel Drums, Ltd. under the leadership of
Chanler Bailey, President and CEO. They are devoted to crafting the
finest steel drum instruments in the industry and continuing the legacy
of Ellie Mannette.
Each summer for the past 16 years, Dr. Mannette and these dedicated
colleagues have hosted a summer workshop designed to celebrate the steel
drum art form and to provide a venue for enthusiasts, educators and
professional players to exchange information.
PERFORMANCE
The workshop is a highly performance oriented experience. Whether you
are a professional musician seeking other players of your caliber and a
challenge, an educator looking to collect information to better your
program and expand your repertoire, or a beginner with no musical
background at all, you will find this an incredible experience. World renowned
performers, lecturers and clinicians will be leading Advanced,
Intermediate and Beginner bands in daily rehearsals, culminating in a
performance at the end of the week
HISTORY
Would you pass up a chance to meet Stradivarius? Shake hands with
Einstein? Not many legends are recognized for greatness during their
lifetime. Dr. Ellie Mannette is one of the fortunate few. Lectures will cover
topics on:
• Steel band's early history
• The evolution of the various instruments
• Mannette's personal experiences and observations of steel
band's development in the US and abroad
• Trinidad 's Carnival and Panorama
• Current building and tuning demonstrations with the staff of
Mannette Steel Drums, Ltd.
Did you know that steel drums are the only family of acoustic
instruments invented in the twentieth century? Dr. Mannette is responsible for
much of the innovation of the family of steel drums, and for taking them
to an unparalleled level of tonal sophistication
EDUCATION
Daily seminars will be led by some of the most well respected and
talented steel band directors and performers in the industry. Integral to
the week- long immersion in this art form is the provision of additional
information in a lecture setting for the music educator as well as the
steelband performer.
Topics may include information on:
* Arranging Techniques
* Performance Techniques
* Engine Room fundamentals
* Repertoire
* Fundraising
Every steel drum player is an educator. As performers, we must be aware
that many in our audience are experiencing this instrument for the
first time. With this awareness comes the responsibility for providing
more information about its origins and capabilities than that of musicians
of more familiar instruments.
Community Program
Designed for area residents, the community program includes 3 evening
sessions providing an introduction to the steel band and steel drum
performance in a fun and informative setting.
Keep swingin'
Sword
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Big Book of Scales Being Released Today
Badassdrumming.com's creator, Kenneth Ray Sword Jr, has just finished his new book in .pdf format called "The Big Book of Scales for Mallets. Over 300 pages with diagrams of each scale in each key. Over 650 keys.
"This undertaking has been in the works for over 2 months and I am glad to have it finished and ready." Sword said.
Sword handed out rough drafts to colleagues and professors around the US, mostly in Texas, to get their feedback and to test the book with students.
Quoted from Robert Soto ...
"Ray,
I love the e-book buddy! I think it's a great tool, and a must have. I would love to get a copy of the whole thing, how much? This book is similar to Jazz Patterns by Jerry Coker, but I think you've complied more scales and diagrams for your project. I once envisioned doing something like this when I was in high school, but I'm glad you're the one who did it, major applause my friend! ... I think this is a great idea, and it's something to have especially when teaching young jazz musicians.
Robert
Robert Soto M.M.
Bass Trombonist
basstrebor@????????.com
www.myspace.com/rsotomusic"
Robert really understands theory and the importance of scales. He's an educator and performer with Fuego Latino, playing Salsa and Meringue. He is very active in the Jazz scene and symphony scene, too. He received his Bachelor's at UTEP and his Masters at Yale in Music.
The best part is anyone can get this book and benefit. Based on theory studies and yet anyone in music will gain great practice from it.
It's worth looking at to see if it will help you and/or your student(s).
Frank Gonzalez, 2006 DCI Solo Marimba Champion, has been trying it out with his students with much success.
Art Avila, endorsed by Promark Drumsticks, is using it with his frontline players that he teaches in El Paso, TX.
See more about it here. Big Book of Scale for Mallets
"This undertaking has been in the works for over 2 months and I am glad to have it finished and ready." Sword said.
Sword handed out rough drafts to colleagues and professors around the US, mostly in Texas, to get their feedback and to test the book with students.
Quoted from Robert Soto ...
"Ray,
I love the e-book buddy! I think it's a great tool, and a must have. I would love to get a copy of the whole thing, how much? This book is similar to Jazz Patterns by Jerry Coker, but I think you've complied more scales and diagrams for your project. I once envisioned doing something like this when I was in high school, but I'm glad you're the one who did it, major applause my friend! ... I think this is a great idea, and it's something to have especially when teaching young jazz musicians.
Robert
Robert Soto M.M.
Bass Trombonist
basstrebor@????????.com
www.myspace.com/rsotomusic"
Robert really understands theory and the importance of scales. He's an educator and performer with Fuego Latino, playing Salsa and Meringue. He is very active in the Jazz scene and symphony scene, too. He received his Bachelor's at UTEP and his Masters at Yale in Music.
The best part is anyone can get this book and benefit. Based on theory studies and yet anyone in music will gain great practice from it.
It's worth looking at to see if it will help you and/or your student(s).
Frank Gonzalez, 2006 DCI Solo Marimba Champion, has been trying it out with his students with much success.
Art Avila, endorsed by Promark Drumsticks, is using it with his frontline players that he teaches in El Paso, TX.
See more about it here. Big Book of Scale for Mallets
Welcome to BadAssDrumming Blog
Ray Sword here to greet you to our new blog. For all of you drummers we will be bringing you some of the most sought after and less known things about drumming and percussion. It free to join our site and we continue to grow and expand the site weekly.
Just locked in a new endorsed artist - Frank Gonzalez, educator for Promark Drumsticks. He joins the ranks with Art Avila. We also have Ricky Malichi, Jazz drummer endorsed by SPAUN Drums.
All of these guys will be bringing videos, lessons, articles and more to give to you, our drumming friends.
Be sure to join up for free.
www.badassdrumming.com - Are you a bad ass? Join and prove it.
Ray Sword
Founder of BadAssDrumming. com
Just locked in a new endorsed artist - Frank Gonzalez, educator for Promark Drumsticks. He joins the ranks with Art Avila. We also have Ricky Malichi, Jazz drummer endorsed by SPAUN Drums.
All of these guys will be bringing videos, lessons, articles and more to give to you, our drumming friends.
Be sure to join up for free.
www.badassdrumming.com - Are you a bad ass? Join and prove it.
Ray Sword
Founder of BadAssDrumming. com
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