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Drum Blog

Some Ideas For Developing Your Afrobeat Drumming

It’s been a while since I got into my Afrobeat thing. I discovered the style largely through listening to Antibalas and Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra. From that followed much listening to Fela Kuti and Tony Allen. I’ve written up a page of groove exercises based on what I found to be the most notable features of Afrobeat drumming. These include playing the 8th plus two 16ths pattern on the hihat or ride and playing the 1 and 1e (and the 3… Read More »Some Ideas For Developing Your Afrobeat Drumming

Footes Music Store – Helpful & Knowledgeable About Drums

Like many people, I don’t go in to music shops much any more. Buying drum stuff online is easy, cheap and doesn’t involve having to deal with surly or smug music shop staff and lack of stock and annoying upselling and misinformation. A couple of weeks ago I went into the legendary Foote’s which recently moved to the appropriately named Store Street, a few minutes walk from Goodge Street Tube station. I needed to pick up some sticks and a… Read More »Footes Music Store – Helpful & Knowledgeable About Drums

John Bonham Triplets Lesson – I’ll Have Some Of What He’s Having…

I need to get back to writing some more stuff about my recent experiences with drumming luminaries. Meanwhile, here is another lesson from the brilliant Terry Keating AKA Bonzoleum. This is a brilliant way of explaining the triplets-around-the-kit idea and his method for breaking it down is wonderfully simple and logical and why didn’t I think of that? I’ll be working with this method tomorrow myself as I always thought my Bonzo triplets were a bit crap.

At Home With Hal Blaine

The Knack’s drummer, Bruce Gary famously said that he was never so disappointed as when he discovered that a dozen of his favourite drummers were Hal Blaine. The session legend and, I guess, the world’s most prolific studio drummer was a member of the “Wrecking Crew” who, among other stuff, were responsible for the sound of many Elvis records, Phil Spector’s hits, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Mamas & Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Nancy Sinatra, The Everlys and so… Read More »At Home With Hal Blaine

Ultimate Drum Experience 2013

I had the privilege of attending this year’s Ultimate Drum Experience, a week-long course for advanced drummers put on by the very shiny Mike Dolbear. The resident teachers this year were manic beat preacher, Billy Ward, lightning limbed Morpheus, Thomas Lang and slave to the halftime shuffle, Ash Soan. Guest sessions were given by session great, Ralph Salmins, 80’s funkmeister, Phil Gould, groovy session bassist, Winston Blissett and drum tuning guru, Jeff Davenport. There was also a business related discussion… Read More »Ultimate Drum Experience 2013

Ultimate Drummers’ Experience

Hey ho, I am off to Barnet tomorrow to participate in the Ultimate Drum Experience, an intensive course put on by Mike Dolbear. There will be lessons with Billy Ward, Ash Soan and Thomas Lang as well as guest sessions with Ralph Salmins, Jeff Davenport and Phil Gould. There are events open to the public too, Monday is drum jam night, Tuesday is a clinic with Thomas Lang and Thursday is a clinic with Billy Ward and Ash Soan. I’m… Read More »Ultimate Drummers’ Experience

Introduction To Afrobeat Drumming – African Kings

“I am not a bushman!” says a bloke at the beginning of the track African Kings by Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra. What does he mean? I don’t know. I don’t know a lot about Afrobeat either but since I started listening to Antibalas a while back I have been getting into this style of music and, of course, the attendant drumming style. Getting to grips with Afrobeat means listening to Fela Kuti and the legendary Tony Allen who is considered the… Read More »Introduction To Afrobeat Drumming – African Kings

Manu Chao – As Eclectic As It Gets

I have been listening to Manu Chao for a few years. His music, played with his band Radio Bemba Sound System, is a mixture of many styles including punk, reggae, ska and latin with a splash of gypsy music. The lyrics are equally eclectic being sung in several languages even in the same song. Manu Chao started his musical career as a street performer and the live show reflects this with a relentless energy and a set that doesn’t stop… Read More »Manu Chao – As Eclectic As It Gets

Unique Drum Solos Lesson From Joe Crabtree

Joe Crabtree is the drummer with Wishbone Ash and seems to be a jolly nice chap. He offers a great selection of lessons on YouTube covering subjects from the rudimental exercises to musicianship and advanced drum kit technique. I like his blog too. I recently discovered this series of videos he made showing a series of solos he played on tour which he filmed and annotated so you can see what he’s thinking about as he plays the solo. The… Read More »Unique Drum Solos Lesson From Joe Crabtree

Collision! Youth Know Something About Music

Check out this brilliant show on Reprezent 107.3 FM, The Voice Of Young London. I’m slightly biased because one of the presenters is a student of mine but these guys are playing a brilliant selection of music from rock classics to funk masterpieces. It’s a perfect playlist for a fuddyduddy like me and inspires some hope that all is not lost for the youth, some of whom seem aware of the pre-Autotune generation of proper music. No untz-untz stuff here.… Read More »Collision! Youth Know Something About Music

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