Drumming stuff

1. Reinstall the double bass pedals
2. Bass drum foot needs some attention
3. Setup with the big drum set for recording
4. Experiment with the mics for a better sound
5. Rudiments with metronome is the thing
6. Playing tunes I’ve transcribed is effective learning
7. To paraphrase Buddy Rich, “you gotta play with others if you want to get better”
8. Drummers have a culture of brotherhood, pianists not so much
9. It takes a lot of confidence to be yourself on the drumkit
10. The path to drumming self-actualizing is focused practice, regular lessons, jamming with as many folks as will play with you, self recording, working on time feel, hand and foot fundamentals, personal reflection and patience.

Best, 

David

I've been enjoying "Breakfast with Vinnie!" a podcast with the incomparable Vinnie Colaiuta. I'm now all fired up to hit the practice room. Listen here: https://breakfastwithvinnie.com/

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My coach and I have planned a project. Finalise my list of memorised jazz standards at the piano. I've got 10 days to memorise and present 5 standards he has chosen. This has been an ongoing project I've been working on myself. Time to supercharge the effort. 

Here are the steps I'm taking. 

1. I downloaded recordings of the tunes on my phone.
2. I printed some lead sheets.
   
3. I'm comparing the harmony of the various sources.
   
4. I'm practicing.
   
5. I'm analysing the harmony and forms of the tunes.
   

Next up?

Create a list of jazz drumming tunes, a "greatest hits list" and get busy there as well. 

My daily practice of classical piano repertoire is going well. I'm feeling much more confident in that department. 

Cheers, 

David

Sometimes you just got to step back and regroup. It's time to spend some time in the woodshed and rethink business, drumming, and piano practice. I need a new strategy that fires up my enthusiasm going forward into the new decade. 

It may be time to pivot. 

Stay tuned...

David

My mentor drummer Terry Clarke says it all about time and keeping it simple. Amen to that. This past week I filled in for an ailing drummer in a local big band. Two plus hours of full speed sight reading. Swing, second line, funk, ballads, and blues. It was a reminder of the importance of the basics and fundamentals of drumming and playing music in general. 

Fundamentals

1. Time and keeping the beat clear. A big band has as many ideas of "time" as there are musicians. The drummer must prevail.
   
2. Sight reading skills.
3. Knowledge of repertoire.
   
4. Not letting them see you sweat.
   
5. Confidence that comes from deep and sustained preparation. 
   
6. Being physically prepared. It's a marathon of sustained exertion. 

What I learned. 

1. Continue to prioritize physical fitness, stretching and good sleep.
2. Revisit my goals in practice to avoid wasted effort. Practice time is very precious because it's so short. No time for screwing around. 
   
3. Big band drumming is a gas. 
   
4. I can do this next year on a regular basis. 
   

best, 

David

Are you stuck in a creative rut? This is a common problem with musicians everywhere. Many of us were attracted to music in our youth. Most musicians are still stuck where every they jumped in But, the world has moved on. Over the last 100 years we have gone through:

1. Trad jazz
2. Swing era
   
3. Bebop
   
4. Western
   
5. Do-wop
   
6. Rock and Roll
   
7. Motown
   
8. Rock
   
9. Punk
10. New Wave
    
11. Disco
    
12. Grunge
    
13. Rap
    
14. Hip Hop
    
15. Country
    
16. EDM
    
17. Pop

A small sample of possibilities...

That being said, the other night I played piano in a trio jam. We played jazzy pop tunes from the late 1950s-60s. What a blast! But we did it in private. I believe it was successful because we were all in the same cohort, we are friends, we don't play this music often. And, it reminds us of our pre-music days as young children listening to music our mothers played on the radio. A private pleasure. 

Best, 

David

 Take a shower... just kidding.

1. learn some new skills
2. learn them from younger people, preferably half your age
3. be humble around them
4. no need to overshare info on your glorious past 
5. get more sleep
6. go to the gym

I divide my time in music making with my peers and a much younger cohort. Hanging with my peers is fun. But the stories are old, the set lists hoary. There are about times and people long gone. The youngsters on the other hand are either college age or in their early careers. They are in the process of creating stories not retelling them. They have fresh perspectives and up to date skills. A third group I hang with are the artists. This is new territory for me, a working musician. These folks have given their lives to their vision. I'm in awe of their intensity, skill, vision, and commitment to the muse.  

best, 

David