Musicianship

The Itch & Musical Claustrophobia

⋅ Musicianship, Opinion ⋅ , , ⋅ 1 comment

The drummer’s number one enemy when grooving isn’t an inability to keep time (though that’s a big one too)… it’s the itch. It’s the feeling you get to break out (musically) when you are locked in the pocket. It’s like the musical equivalent of claustrophobia. Staying in a groove can make your musical universe seem very small. So you leave the pocket to come up for air… deep breath… and then you’re back in again. You did it even if the music would have been better served if you had just stayed in the pocket. Just like with an itch, scratching isn’t good for you but it satiates the itch for that instant that you give in… then it’s back again. Continue..

  1. ThomasC: Well put man

Dave Kropf

Drummer Talk 04/11/2008 – Where No Drums Have Gone Before

⋅ Education, Podcast ⋅ , , ⋅ No comments

Today we cover playing along with pieces that don’t necessarily call for drum parts (like in classical music!) ?uestlove is the drummer of the week, the ten-stroke roll is the rudiment of the week, and Dave rants on MikeDolbear.com’s reader poll results! Show Notes

Drummer Talk 04/11/2008 - Where No Drums Have Gone Before [ 1:14:14 ] Play in Popup | Download

Independence and Interdependence

⋅ Musicianship, Opinion ⋅ , , ⋅ No comments

On the Creative Coordination DVD, Thomas Lang states that Independence and Interdependence are both different states of mind. And after considering and pondering what he said for a couple of minutes, I came to agree. If you think about it, the only difference between interdependence and independence is how you view what you’re playing. If you view what each limb is doing as a separate rhythm, that’s independence. if you view each limb as playing a part of a larger rhythm, that’s interdependence. Continue..

Small Kit Mentality/Drying Your Wings

⋅ Musicianship, Opinion, Tips/Hints/DIY ⋅ , ⋅ 3 comments

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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. Continue..

  1. KillaWatt: Ive always thought like that so thats why im very minimal with my setup ALWAYS...I HATE HATE HATE big sets.…

  2. bryan: nice post, well said.

  3. dave: Totally agree on 'small set is better'. It makes you think more intuitively. You dont' make sounds convenient for you.…

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