RhythmArt Blog

• Just stumbled on my Periculum CD on Target.com - best part? “Item can be gift wrapped”. Sweet. #

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Christina’s book release party is this Sunday, June 7 from 4-8 at Pullen Park in Raleigh. We’ll be having drum circles, creative games, hot dogs (and veggie dogs, of course), and more. Come on out and join in the fun!!!

For more info about the book, check out www.womenembracingcreativity.com!

Just testing a newblog platform, should have everything up and running within a few days.

As you were.

from http://www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/?p=1507

“Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday…”

-Ray Kroc

With that, I should probably quit browsing the net and get back to work - I’m supposed to be composing right now!!

The debate over Finale vs Sibeleus is about the same as PC/Mac, or (for us drummers) matched/traditional - it really comes down to where you started, and you’re unlikely to feel the need to switch. That being said, I do tend to spend more time reading the Finale manual than actually using the program, usually for the same things that I just can’t remember how to do. And for some things I’ve been trying to figure out since I got the thing, I still can’t get!

So, if you’re in the same boat be sure to check out http://www.finaleforum.com/forums/

I finally, finally, FINALLY found out how to write section figures over slash notation (makes sense if you’ve ever played drums in a big-band)!!! I’ve only been working on that one for 6 years. Now to go back and start re-writing charts!

Here’s a pic of one of my latest projects - mounting a calfskin on a snare drum!

Though it used to be the standard, I’ve never actually had the opportunity to play on calf. I do like the Remo Fiberskyn, which is supposed to emulate calf, though, and I use them on everything! So, when someone asked me to mount a calfskin on an antique drum (more on that later), I figured I’d do a test-run on an old “Export” snare I had sitting in the closet!

First reaction - I love it! It has a totally different sound and feel than plastic. I now see what they’re going for with the fiberskin, but of course, it’s quite a bit removed from the real thing! This may become my new go-to drum (I’ve done a couple other mods to this drum too, so it’s sounding better and better!). I haven’t really been able to put it through the paces in an ensemble context yet, but I’m liking what I hear so far!

The real test, though will be this summer adn seeing just how unplayable it becomes when the NC humidity sets in! I’ll give an update when the air starts to thicken!

I recently bought a Pearl add-on tom for a multi-percussion setup. Here’s some highlights from the safety sheet that came with it…

my comments in italics

(remember, behind every warning, there’s a lawsuit!)

• Hardware, drums, cymbals, and percussion devices prodruding from drum sets may cause people walking by or children playing nearby to trip and stumble into the drum set resulting in severe bodily injury and/or damage to equipment. (The drum is the cause, not your lack of attention to your surroundings!)
• Use two hands when adjusting the height and angle of drums, cymbals, practice pads, etc. Use one hand to support the object being adjusted to keep it from falling while making adjustments with your other hand. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen students clock themselves in the head adjusting a snare basket, seriously!)
• A strong vibration such as an earthquake can cause your drums and hardware to shift and tip over. Stay well clear of falling objects to avoid injury. (Flaming drums may also cause severe burns during a house fire)
• When handling tubular hardware do not put your fingers into the tubes to prevent injury to your fingers. (uhh…yeah…fingers…sure…)
• Be careful when adjusting throne settings. (I don’t really need to go into detail here, do I? And yes, I’ve seen it all!)
• The drum throne is not a step stool. (OK, guilty.)
• Sticks and wire brushes are intended for playing the drums and should not be used to hit or to be thrown at people. Doing so can be extremely dangerous. (Also, extremely entertaining!)
• Fragments and splinters from broken drumsticks can fly into the air and cause injury to the player and/or to those nearby. (Especially singers with bad attitudes.)

There’s more, but that gets the best ones out of the way!

Be careful out there, kids!

Dream Theater’s master guitarist offers advice:

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/john-petrucci-my-top-3-practice-tips-1…

In no profession, outside the performing arts, are professionals expected, or even asked, on a regular basis to perform their professional duties free of charge. Personally, I do a lot to provide community service, but I do not subscribe to the notion that musicians should perform for nothing. Unfortunately, there are still too many professional musicians willing to work for nothing. So the public continues to subscribe to this notion.

The Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel Switzerland at the Edinburgh Military Tatoo:

http://www.biertijd.com/oudbruin/content.php?article.668

Some tricks I’ve never seen before from a drum corps!

thanks to Larry and Andrew from the PAS board for the pointer!