Posted by Phil on March 21, 2002, at 6:44:46
In reply to favorite drummers, drum questions, phil, posted by trouble on March 20, 2002, at 19:00:38
Hi Trouble, Some standing drummers use a 'cocktail' kit. Letterman's first drummer, Steve Jordan, has a set out. Remember Stray Cats?
I usually play a 6 piece kit. Bass drum, snare, 2 suspended toms, two floor toms. I also use a double bass pedal by Drum Workshop which are great.
I don't count much when I play unless the song has some tricky breaks in it. Fills fill space.
Usually you are keeping time using either hi-hat or ride cymbal, snare, bass drum. At the appropriate time in the song, you can throw in some tricky stuff. The simple fill might jusy be rolling through all your drums, hitting a crash cymbal, then back to the groove. Young players make two mistakes. They try to play too many fills(remember, they're playing for the opposite sex and trying to be cool) and they rush the tempo because they should play simply and concentrate on locking in with the bass player and stop trying to twirl their sticks.
A metronome is a timekeeping device that you can set at different beats per minute. They have fancy electronics which are more fun and, like some studio guys, or live, they sometimes play along with a click which is never offbeat.
Ludwig's, my first kit, are trying to make a comback in a very competitive market. When the Beatles came out, Ludwig made $$$$$$. They were good drums and much sought after as far as their old SuperSensitive snares and late 60's early 70's kits were good. Just about any drum maker these days makes some decent kits: Pearl, Tama, Yamaha(recording custom kit is most recorded kit there is)Fibes(Austin made...Tommy at Tommy's Drums bought the name and old Fibes tooling)
and of course DW, Drum Workshop, is and has been extremely popular and can be big bucks. There are lot's of other good drum makers; it's a crowded field for a limited market.
I've bought decent kits from pawn shops and out of the paper for around 750.00 complete. Mfg's are making lower end kits with better quality all the time but find a deal on a used kit. Those old Ludwig or Pearl's you had at home could be treasures.
I can't tell right away unless someone sat down and had perfect time or something. You sound like you have the desire. Get a kit, a woodshed, and go beat the hell out of them everyday...you'll know. There are a few basic rock beats I teach people and show them how to expand on those. Beats reading music.
poster:Phil
thread:20143
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020320/msgs/20506.html