My first introduction to Tony Williams was the Miles Davis album 'Miles in Europe.' Inconceivable to me that Tony was keeping time. He was playing his 'parts' (yes, plural) 'within' the time. (And killing it!) Elvin Jones with John Coltrane? More plural 'parts' within the time. (And more killing!) Max Roach played pstterns and melodies. Jimmy Cobb often played straight quarter notes on the cymbal. To me, that was his part in the music. And so on.....
Read more1929- L&L Super-Sensitives--family portrait
Family portrait time here at Curotto Acres. Ludwig & Ludwig Super-Sensitives were around from 1929 to 1935-36. They do not appear in a Ludwig catalog past 1935 but I have heard of a few wood examples from the early 1940s.
Read moreStaccato kit in Bop Sizes ; rare?
I recently bougth a Staccato kit in bop-sizes. I've researched the he** out of this but cant find much. Reach out to the family of Pete T, with no Lucky, and wrote to Micha in Germany as he is supposed to be a wizard. No luck there either.
Read more“Feel Good” Aspects Of Playing Drums
When I was a kid, after hours trying to develop an open double stroke roll, I got a great feeling when suddenly discovering I achieved the ability to play clean, even, and fast double strokes with its resulting machine gun effect. The same holds true for many other aspects of learning to play my instruments.
Read more'Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock' - Album Review
In honoring his former boss, Mike wanted to focus on Herbie Hancock’s Blue Note period rather than the later funky stuff that Mike Clark is best known for.
Read moreLudwig Re-issued Snare Drums
I have 3 re-issued Ludwig snare drums in my collection. The first one is the 6.5 x 14 Black Beauty snare that was re-issued for Ludwig’s 100 year Anniversary in 2009. Although the shell wasn’t modelled after the original Black Beauty snares from the past, it was beautifully and skillfully hand engraved by John Aldridge. I purchased one of the last of the limited 100 that John engraved.
Read moreFamous Drums - It's a Family Affair
This month I want to write about my step son, Evan Thomas, and my son, Paul. Both are drummers and both are very handy and skilled craftsmen.
Read moreWIN a free pair of Crocken Moeller drum sticks
To win a pair of the Moeller Drum Sticks, or your choice of any of John Crocken’s stick models, send an email to…
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
My first drum set was a three piece no-name Japanese stencil kit made by Pearl: 22x14, 9x13, 5.5x14 with one ride cymbal on the bass drum and a hihat. It seems I have come full circle now.
Read moreBass Drum Two-sies
It's always a good time to work on bass drum doubles. I find the first page helps with the timing and execution.
Read more15% off "The World of Gene Krupa" EBook
This book is the most exhaustive and well written documenting of any drummer ever written. It’s the story of the man who conceived the modern drum set as we know it, and led the way for us all to play drum solos and be in the spotlight.
Read moreFinishes on Ludwig Standards
…relying upon what is believed to be the largest database of vintage Ludwig drums in existence, it provides insight into the finishes used by Ludwig which have appeared in the resale market in the last dozen years.
Read moreVintage Star Drums (1965 to 1974)
…among the drum community many questions came up as to whether an old drum kit, that someone had found in the attic or as a bulky waste, was made either by Pearl or the other main Japanese company: Star. Star was founded in 1962 by the Japanese company Tama Seisakusyo (later called Hoshino Gakki) and first started manufacturing drums under the Star brand name in 1965. In 1974 the company changed
it’s name from STAR to TAMA
Sweet Sixteenth
Many drummers feel “uneasy” when having to read a piece in sixteenth time. The uneasy feeling has to do simply with the fact that there’s not much in the way of reading exercises when one is first developing the skill to read rhythm. And the music can look a little frightening if there’s a lot of sixty fourth notes. But you can think of sixty fourth notes in sixteenth time as no more than sixteenth notes quarter time.
Read more1920s Ludwig & Ludwig Wood Shell Separate Tension Snare Drum
This snare drum model is listed in the 1923 Ludwig & Ludwig catalog as No. 21 Wood Shell Separate Tension. Although the Deluxe finish does not appear to have been a standard catalog offering for this particular model, I believe William Ludwig Sr. would have approved such a request from an enquiring and eager customer. Of the many restorations I’ve done over the past thirty years, this one is still my personal favorite, and I hope you enjoy it!
Read moreMy 40th Anniversary with my Gretsch Set
You were all I thought about from the time I started taking drum lessons the year prior. When the time had come to get you, you were not at all what I had pictured in my head as my 12 year old mind was set on finding a nice shiny Ludwig set that would stand out. The choice that fateful day back in June of 1983 was between you and the Ludwig Tivoli lighted set of Vista-lite drums set up in the window of Looney Tunes music that was at the southern end of Main Street in Concord NH
Read more70s Zickos Rare Supersonic drum set
This Supersonic kit is made of fiberglass and according to my research was only produced in prototype form with about ten of them being made.
Read moreWhat I've Been Working On...In 5/4
I thought I’d take some basic rock beats and render them in 5/4. I’m having fun with the result.
Read moreDan Britt: remembering Tony Williams
As Miles Davis said, "A drummer like Tony comes around only once in 30 years."
Read moreIn Memorian: Ralph Humphrey
“Throughout his career — the live performances, studio recordings, method books, videos, drum-solo compositions, teaching — Ralph eschewed the usual trappings of success, and maintained his customary integrity and humility. He was an outstanding leader and soloist, with the sensibility of an ensemble player. He never flashed his superpowers, though he had many: flawless technique, stylistic versatility, laser focus, adaptability, eagerness to learn, calm temperament, dedication to his students, and professionalism at all times. His keen ear and obsession with tuning his drums helped make him one of the best sounding drummers on record.” -Ruth Underwood
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