Drummer's Weekly Groovecast

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Episode 84 - The Mystique Of Feel Featuring Lee Falco Feb 19, 2018

Show notes

This week we welcome one of our favorite guests, Lee Falco, back to the show as third mic. Lee was in Atlanta for a performance with guitarist, Doyle Bramhall II and was gracious enough to sit down with us before he hit the road. Make sure you say hello to Lee if you see him at a show in your city. To learn more about Lee and see where he'll be appearing please visit his web site: https://leefalco.com/ In this episode we take on the ultra subjective topic of feel. What does it mean to you? What do you listen for to determine what feels right? We start the show discussing what makes our favorite drummers playing feel so good. We also discuss that sometimes drummers that play on top of the beat to create energy and recklessness create a certain type of vibe that just as cool as their laid back counterparts. When discussing feel the subject of playing behind, center, or ahead of the beat is good place to start. The relationship of the snare to the bass drum is crucial as well as the response of the other musicians that you're playing with. The topic of ghost notes comes up and how they affect feel as a timing and dynamic device. We then talk about how you can practice manipulating the beat by recording yourself and viewing the transients on your digital audio workstation. Tuning can also affect feel. We talk about how the sound and response from loosely tuned, highly muffled drums have a tendency to feel more laid back than a snare or bass drum with a sharp, highly pitched crack. Touch is also debated. We talk about how great feel is present in all types of drummers. Heavy hitters like John Bonham and Stewart Copeland are contrasted with lighter players such as James Gadson and Bernard Purdie. Finally we finish up with practice tips and recommendations for listening and study. Join us every Monday for a brand new episode. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, and everywhere you access your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today! Also, go by our web site www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com. There you'll find all our episodes, videos, social media, and contact information.

Mini - Episode 4 - Old Tin Can Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

Happy Thursday to all! This time around we are working on a great rudimental solo by the legendary author, George Lawrence Stone. The solo we'll be practicing is once again found in the NARD book and is titled, "Old Tin Can". This is another short, catchy, traditional solo. However there are a few twists and turns in this compact little ditty that will keep your concentration on point! As with many rudimental solos the introductory roll off should be interpreted as a seven stroke ternary roll. However at faster tempos it may make more sense to play it as a five stroke roll. Moving forward there are numerous times where alternating 8th notes flams are switched to flam taps. Likewise he tricks us by writing flamacues subsequently leaving off the flams (while retaining the accent structure) the next time around. Also be aware of dynamic changes and accents throughout the solo. They are paramount to achieving a great feeling, funky solo. After you get this solo under your hands don't forget to post your own video on the social media platform of your choice. Please tag the show in your video's description! Now head over to YouTube to get a look at the sheet music and see a performance of "Old Tin Can". Here's the YouTube link to see "Old Tin Can" sheet music and performance video: https://youtu.be/vd2Jik_c7Iw Here is another video of "Old Tin Can" performed by NARD president, Mark Beecher: https://youtu.be/55-liS-AhZk Don't forget to swing by our web site www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com! You can find all our episodes, videos, social media and contact information in one convenient place. You can also subscribe to the show by clicking the Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, or Stitcher buttons so that you'll never miss an episode! New feature episodes are published every Monday with Accountability Thursday mini-episodes available the first and third Thursdays of every month. Subscribe today!

Episode 83 - The Shuffle Show Feb 12, 2018

Show notes

The shuffle is one of the most elusive grooves for any musician to master. It certainly complicates matters when there are numerous regional and genre interpretations to consider. In this show Phil and Jon spend some time discussing their experiences and listening to some of their favorite recorded shuffles. But first we take a moment to discuss the lean winter months and answer listener questions. We tackle an inquiry regarding the perceived importance and differentiation between the various types of wood used to construct drum shells. If all other tuning and equipment variables are equal are different woods discernable to our audience? What about fellow musicians? We then discuss the recent deaths of drumming greats, Leon Ndugu Chancler and Pat Torpey. We talk about their drumming careers, great recordings they appear on, and Ndugu's educational legacy. Finally the main topic of the day is addressed with each host mentioning how they first learned to play various shuffles. We also remember which shuffle songs made the biggest initial impression on us. We then go through the many different genres and eras of music that popularized the various shuffles that all drummers must be familiar with. Great drummers such as: Art Blakey, Mel Lewis, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Jeff Porcaro, Jabo Starks, Chris Layton, Billy Cobham, and more are discussed. Furthermore we listen to some of our favorite recorded shuffles and talk through what makes them great. If you haven't taken the time visit our new web site now is the time to do so! Navigate over to www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com and check it out! There you can find every episode of our show along with videos, social media, contact information and more. We are available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and everywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today! New shows are published every Monday. Also practice along with us on our "accountability Thursday" mini-episodes (videos available) every first and third Thursday!

Episode 82 - The Business Side - Contracting Gigs Feb 05, 2018

Show notes

The phone rings. Someone is asking you about booking your band. Do you gracefully pass that task to someone else or start conducting business? In this episode we encourage you to put on your business suit and go to work. Unless you have an exclusive booking agent contracting work is something we should all be comfortable with. However, if you've never done it before the contracts, riders, communication, timeliness, and incredible amounts of detail are daunting! In this show we discuss what we've learned over the years of doing good and bad gigs. There are many positive things to booking your own band. Working with your friends, getting the treatment you like, and simply making a bit of extra money are just a few of the benefits. In addition we talk about what to include in your contract, money negotiations, overtime, deposits, balances, insurance, and much more. Then we discuss the ever important rider. If you don't ask. You won't receive! Make sure your rider is detailed so that it can be properly fulfilled. Ask for specific food, drinks, dressing rooms, and other special requirements. Tune in and get hip to the business aspect of booking gigs. Finally, we finish up with another edition of the DWG Garage! Jon talks about the problem of restoring rusty hardware. Put on your work gloves and let's get to it! Also new for 2018 is the unveiling of our web site! Navigate over to www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com to check it out! There you can find every episode of our show along with videos, social media, contact information and more. We are available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and everywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today! New shows are published every Monday. Also practice along with us on our "accountability Thursday" mini-episodes every first and third Thursday!

Mini-Episode 3 - Three Camps Feb 01, 2018

Show notes

We're back with a new edition of "Accountability Thursday". This time around we'll be doing something a tad different. We're going to balance this week's exercise by giving you something easy and fun to play but we want you to memorize it! It may sound difficult but it's really a peach to play. We'll tackle the super traditional solo, "Three Camps" and break it down into bite sized chunks. Threes are wild this week so inside of this solo we're only using three primary rudiments: five stroke roll, ten stroke roll, and eleven stroke roll. On top of that there are only three main phrases that make up the entire solo! So let's get busy by brushing up on your rolls and putting that steel trap memory to work. Aside from the audio description of what we're doing there's a corresponding video where you can see and hear the solo at performance tempo. Here's the YouTube link to see "Three Camps" sheet music and performance video: https://youtu.be/qf-gy3kLZGo Don't forget to swing by our web site www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com You can find all our episodes, videos, social media and contact information in one convenient place. You can also subscribe to the show by clicking the Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, or Stitcher buttons so that you'll never miss an episode!

Episode 81 - Punching Bag Syndrome Jan 29, 2018

Show notes

As drummers we've grown accustomed to taking our share of the blame for everything from count-in's to endings. In this show Phil and Jon talk about their experiences in the hot seat and discuss diplomatic ways to address and get past the 'Punching Bag Syndrome". Don't be the scapegoat if you're not guilty! It's time to realize that everyone in the band is responsible for their own tempo, feel, volume, phrasing, and song form. We finish the show by each host picking a great drum track. Also new for 2018 is the unveiling of our web site! Navigate over to www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com to check it out! There you can find every episode of our show along with videos, social media, contact information and more. We are available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and everywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today! New shows are published every Monday. Also practice along with us on our "Accountability Thursday" mini-episodes every first and third Thursday!

Episode 80 - Natural Talent Vs Hard Work Featuring The DWG Advisory Board Jan 22, 2018

Show notes

This week we conduct our first ever show with the Drummer's Weekly Groovecast Advisory Board. Joining us in studio is prior guest and legendary performer/educator, Jack Bell. Joining us remotely are past guests: Joel Rosenblatt, Tom Brechtlein, and Ryan Brown. The topic we tackle this episode is the teacher's inclination on whether you prefer a student with lots of natural talent (and below average work ethic) versus a student with below average talent and a high work ethic. We also give our self evaluations of how we perceived ourselves as students. If you haven't heard the past episodes that feature Tom, Joel, Ryan and Jack please go back and give them a listen. You can also visit their respective web sites. Jack Bell: www.melodiousmerchant.com Joel Rosenblatt: www.joelrosenblatt.com Tom Brechtlein: www.tombrechtlein.com Ryan Brown: https://ryanbrowndrums.wordpress.com Also new for 2018 is the unveiling of our web site! Navigate over to www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com to check it out! There you can find every episode of our show along with videos, social media, contact information and more. We are available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and everywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today! New shows are published every Monday. Also practice along with us on our "Accountability Thursday" mini-episodes every first and third Thursday!

Mini-Episode 2 - The Texan Jan 18, 2018

Show notes

For episode 2 of "Accountability Thursday" we doff our cap to Austin resident Tom Brechtlein and work on the NARD solo, "The Texan". Tom recently relocated to Austin and has worked out of the NARD book (he talked about it during our chat from episode 65) so we thought it was only logical to make this solo a part of our new show! This solo is a bit longer and has a few more twists and turns than our last solo. The highlights feature eighth note, ternary style, seven stroke rolls along with dotted quarter note fifteen stroke rolls. You can put a little 'breath' in each of these rolls to make them full and funky. By laying those two rolls on the back side of the beat it makes this solo feel great and stay true to the proper interpretation. Here's the YouTube link to see "The Texan" sheet music and performance video: https://youtu.be/HGv-lOXAn4A Don't forget to swing by our web site www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com You can find all our episodes, videos, social media and contact information in one convenient place. You can also subscribe to the show by clicking the Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, or Stitcher buttons so that you'll never miss an episode!

Episode 79 - Interview - Inside Regal Tip with CW Dunbar Jan 15, 2018

Show notes

This week we conduct our first interview of 2018. We welcome artist relations manager of Regal Tip, CW Dunbar. In this episode we cover the history of Regal Tip and discuss the company's upcoming 60th anniversary. After that we go through the product catalog and discuss the manufacturing process of your favorite Regal Tip instruments. He also talks about the daily operations at the company and what it's like to work in the factory. We finish up with education, clinics, endorsement and artist talk. CW encourages customer feedback so feel free to reach out to him at his email address: charles@directmusicsupply.com Also go by the company's web site and check out their latest offerings: www.regaltip.com Also new for 2018 is the unveiling of our web site! Navigate over to www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com to check it out! We are available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and everywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today! New shows are published every Monday. Also practice along with us on our "accountability Thursday" mini-episodes every first and third Thursday!

Episode 78 - Artist Feature - Lewis Nash Jan 08, 2018

Show notes

We are back with fresh, new episodes for 2018! We start off the new year with an artist feature with one of our favorite musicians, Lewis Nash. Originally from Phoenix, Nash relocated to New York City over 30 years ago. He skyrocketed to the top of the jazz world and became first call for luminaries such as: Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, and many more. Recently he moved back to Phoenix where he established "The Nash", a non-profit performance and education venue. He is also a recent faculty addition at Arizona State University where he teaches applied lessons, small group classes, and jazz repertoire. For the rest of the show we pick our favorite tracks that feature Lewis and then listen to short clips of each. Also new for 2018 is the unveiling of our web site! Navigate over to www.drummersweeklygroovecast.com to check it out! We are available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and everywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. Subscribe today! New shows are published every Monday along with mini-episodes every first and third Thursday!

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