Current News and Monthly Lesson
April 2008 - In the pocket
Welcome to my drum ideas and tips page. This is the place for me discuss my own current drum concepts.
Hands:
Recently I switched to an HQ "RealFeel" rudiments pad with a brush practice surface on the bottom side. The purchase has gotten me back to practicing Clayton Cameron's brush rudiments and my usual rudimental stick workout.
stick favorites:
Double Paradiddle roll
French Triplet roll
5 stroke single Ruff - unilateral
Feet:
I am sitting high on the drum stool these days and playing heel down more than ever. Years ago I was always playing feel up. Now, I play very lightly resting the heel- a fluttering pulsation to play the pedal, sitting higher helps this.
New Gear Highlight:
Sabian HH Sound Control 20" Ride
WOW, the nicest Sabian offering I have ever played. Dark, with a medium heavy feel- dark ticking stick sound with a dark sweet crash- has wash but is "controlled" by the flattened edges. Feels, sounds, plays like a medium/heavy EAK. Heaven
LIQUIDITY
As is usual, I am continually working on reflexive and repetitive movements. My goal in my personal practice is develop my natural repitoir of movements into as liquid a state as possible. As I get towards this goal I can accomplish the movements (chops) playing live in a completely responsive way- while looking elsewhere, and focusing on other musicians and their sounds while being able to play what I need to play without having to mentally focus on it. In developing a completely fluid and sub-concious method of movement I use all the standard rudiments, double and triple stroke rolls and alot of single-handed focus practice (alot of Moeller technique too). As always, I am trying to say relaxed, focused and liquid are my goals and to accomplish the task I work on natural, repetitious and reflexive movements based on the standard rudiments. It may not sound like much but the repetition and relxation is the key. Thanks!
