Today we kick off Season 4 of Drummer Talk with a show about kit maintenance.  Dave Weckl is the drummer of the week, the pataflafla is the rudiment of the week, and Carter reviews Zildjian’s new Pitch Black cymbals.  Show Notes

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Presonus, a company that manufactures audio gear, has posted a 6-part video series on recording drums featuring Invisible Records’ Martin Atkins.

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I wrote this drumming related paper at 10:53 PM on April 3rd for an English class I have at 8:00 AM April 4th. Procrastination, thy name is JABB.

If you’re like me, you will be strolling along one day, minding your own business when all of a sudden you will be hit with an earth-shattering realization. “I don’t know the best way to hold a pair of drumsticks!” You will scream to the sky, most likely in a public place where loud noises are frowned upon - could be a library, possibly a funeral, maybe in a crowded restroom. To avoid the above scenario the only possible defense is a good offense. You need to learn how to hold a pair of drumsticks before the socially ostracizing event occurs. I have produced this piece of literature to help combat the effects of not knowing how to hold a pair of drumsticks. However! it is not a substitute for proper instruction with a professional drumstick holder (a.k.a. drummer.) If your drumstick holding worries persist, please contact your local Guitar Center and explain your situation to the guy in the room with the big wooden circles (a.k.a. drums) he will be able to help. (more…)

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We talk all about grips on today’s show - French, German, American, and traditional grip. Also, we talk Gretsch’s 125th Anniversary Contest, Sabian’s Dream Spot Contest, Paiste’s new site, Protection Racket’s new double pedal bag, Pearl’s Redline Reference kit, Taylor Hawkins rocking with Rush, and the best Korean drummer video ever! Tony Coleman is the drummer (we roll an recent interview with him,) and the 9-stroke roll is the rudiment of the week. Show Notes

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One last Bob Gatzen video. Here, he offers his tips on tuning up toms.

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Have an afternoon free and are itching to build your own, homemade electronic drums? Thanks to instructables.com, you can scratch that itch with a tutorial on building your own electronic drums from scratch!

We’ve not actually done this tute yet, but if someone out there does it, please let us know!

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Bob Gatzen teaches how to tune up the kick.

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Tuning guru and über drum tech nerd, Bob Gatzen teaches about tuning snare drums. I don’t necessarily agree with 100% of his techniques, but this guy knows his stuff. He even has an exhaustive tuning DVD.

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Excellent article from Wired.com on soundproofing an apartment.

NEW YORK — Last year, when my wife and I had to beg permission from our co-op board in Jackson Heights, Queens, to swap our one-bedroom apartment for a two-bedroom unit, only one thing stood between us and our dream of getting our one-year-old son into his own room.

Noise.

My wife is a professional percussionist. After three years of hearing her play marimba, djembe and conga in our living room — and hearing me fumble around on our upright piano — our neighbors wanted assurances that we would keep things quiet in our new home.

Read the full story.

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Here’s a little food for thought next time you sit down to practice.

Drummers are often guilty of growing their kit instead of growing themselves, and I’m as guilty as anyone else. We often try and open new doors (musically) by adding something to the kit. New ride, new hats, cowbells, shakers, special effects crashes, and octobans. in the hopes that one of these new additions will spark a new creative streak, I think we actually are doing ourselves harm. We’re trying to medicate an internal problem with stuff, and it doesn’t work. You’ll feel better for a little while but after that you’ll be in the same place but with a shiny new toy that might have cost a small fortune. I challenge you to do the unthinkable. I challenge you to shrink your kit. (more…)

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In the last episode (February 29th, 2008) of Drummer Talk, the guys discussed how to get out of a musical rut. Many good ideas were discussed, but I wanted to challenge you to consider this: how, or in what, do you find inspiration? (more…)

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I made this tutorial quite a while back, but I thought I’d dig it up and front page it yet again. Enjoy!

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Here’s my guide to making your very own multi-rods.

It’s very easy and will only set you back about $5/pair (instead of $15-$20 from the big boys.) Your cost may vary depending on the quality of your materials (like wood glue).

Plan on the project taking about an hour from start to finish. These materials will make a total of two pairs of multi-rods (a pair for you and a pair for your buddy that helped!) (more…)

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Are you a drummer with a Nintendo DS and wish could drum while waiting in the popcorn line while going to catch High School Musical IX: This time We’re Gonna Sing about the Debate Team at the $2 movie. Gots da 1337 h4ck3r skillzz?? Well, thanks to the guys over at Pocketgamer.co.uk, you can hack your pocket gaming system into a virtual drumkit - complete with your own virtual Yamaha electronic drums! Sure, it voids your warranty and can potentially be leaked back to big N that you’ve distributed “Warez,” but why, oh why, didn’t they put an actual drum kit on the screen?! Who wants to tap around a virtual synthetic kit when you could have a huge monster rock kit alá Mike Portnoy? Ah well … enjoy, and let us know how it is!

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Warming Up is the topic for today. Cindy Blackman is the drummer of the week, we cover the Swiss Army Triplet in the rudiment of the week, we talk about mesh heads, and The English Muffin brings the news. Show Notes

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We’re back from our long Winter’s nap and have a show chock-full of drumming tips (and random rabbit trailing)! We’re so happy to back! Matt Cameron is the drummer of the week, and the dragadiddle is the rudiment of the week. Show Notes

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