sgtlethargic, You are a real drummer. When you have a p***ion to play them, you were born to do it. Most professional, not all but most learned and played by ear and can't read music. Always remember that people played drums long before other people decided to write down what and make a system of what the first ones were doing. It's all good but everything started before education about it happened. If everyone played drums like the system, there would be no difference in the music played. It would all sound the same. Individualism is what makes music always new and different. It only adds to the music world. It doesnt take anything away. Keep kicking and whacking out whatever style you you come up with it. You obviously have the p***ion.
Good words and glad to see this Kan. I'm going to try not to write a novel here, but I have some thoughts and experience. First, I used to play with a guitarist with no formal training who talked down his abilities, but his ear was really good and I had a great time playing along with the music he came up with. I learned the piano when I was a kid, wasn't my choice, but it did teach me to read music and I am thankful for what I learned. I went on to learn to play the drums in 7th grade, but I learned the way my band teacher taught me. Rudiments and such. Nothing wrong with those. But it was his way. Now I'm learning the guitar and doing it my way. For the first time, I get to explore what I enjoy about an instrument rather than following someone else's methodology. So sgtlethargic, in my experience, reading music and formal knowledge does not make a musician. Ability to play music makes a musician. And by the way, drummers are musicians too, but I got a chuckle out of your quote.
I played drums since I was 12 years old and by 14 years was playing in a band and doing Rock & Roll shows. Because of not having much money I only took a few lessons but I practiced everyday for years. I never learned how to read music until now. With the internet and U-tube anyone can learn to read music in time. I am 76 years old and still practice and play along to many different forms of music. It may sound crazy but I love to practice my rudiments each day. My first kit which was a Gene Krupa blue sparkle set from the early 60's which I still own. Now I only use my Mapex Kit with Remo coated amb***ador heads. I have no interest in playing gigs any more but putting on head phone and playing for me is a kind of therapy that brings me peace of mind. Jim
A few months ago, this set found me. A local drummer had p***ed away, and his widow was looking for a caretaker of his 1960’s Rogers Top Hat Holiday kit, that he bought new. I needed them like a hole in my head; but could not turn them down. :
Congrats on that kit! Rogers are one of the best drum builders in history! A couple of Rogers snares I just got. The 14x6.5 Big R Dynasonic was built by Pork Pie, I gave them all the parts and it only took a few weeks to pick up, it’s a clone but made with all Rogers parts some NOS…the shell and lugs. Hoops and rods are new and supplied by Pork Pie, they are the builders for the new Rogers drum company so that’s why I had them build it instead of doing myself. The 14x8 is a maple/poplar Powertone with great body and tone.
This popped up on my IG feed. Pretty darn cool, a b*** pedal from the late 1800s. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7kLpvVxFPv/
Played my first public gig in 50 years about a month ago. It was a Halloween party for about 100. For the last 15 years , I am our church’s praise drummer every week , but the rock and roll beats came back pretty easy. Broke out my old blue Slingerlands for 28 songs; over 2 and a half hours… felt good!
Some 30 years back I’d go to a great many gig’s in the Riverside County Ca. area (the IE as we know it) to see Still Water Black play. The band was made up of college freinds that go back years before. The drummer Stumps was left handed but played right. As I recall?, either he just sat down on a right hand kit and didn’t question it or he didn’t like the look of a left handed kit.
For probably 30 years the drummer for the Grease band out of New Jersey was a true lefty. His setup was the exact opposite of normal righty position. Every time I would see them, I would marvel at his style. Always on the money, but he got there by a different path!
Austin City Limits (televised) had me double take. Right hand hi-hat, left hand ride, right hand kick, left hand toms, crash and splash were ever suited him. Drummer did not strike hi-hat cross armed. That was wild to watch.
Don't know how I missed this thread all these years. The black diamond Chicago Slingerlands are the first set I owned, bought new in 1960. Until a couple of years ago they were used with the blues band as seen here. I still use them occasionally for big band gigs in large venues or out doors. Now I only play church and jazz (big band and small group). Use these Shelbyville Slingerlands for the jazz gigs.
In my opinion, b*** drum size is very subjective. A lot of times it boils down to what any certain drummer is used to. Personally I have only ever used a 20”. The hype surrounding 18” use for jazz, is mostly for ease of transport. There has been and still is exceptional jazz played on 20”, 22” and 24” b*** drums. My preference is manly due to tom height placement and what feels good to me.
The Jalopy Journal
