This phrase, “less is more,” not only really irks me but I believe it can and has caused the lack of development in young musicians…..especially drummers.
Read moreDrum History Podcast - Episode 2 with Joey "Boom" Mekler - Exploring WW2 Metal-Ration Drums
For a moment in time, it was ILLEGAL to use more than 10% of metal per drum for drum making in America! The result is a fascinating collection of beautiful drums that feature wooden lugs, hoops, pedals, and hardware...most famously Slingerlands "Rolling Bomber."
Find out the reasoning behind this quirk in our nation's Drum History, as we discuss this and much more with war-era drums expert, Joe Mekler, a.k.a. "Joey Boom" of the Delaware Drum Show!
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs' Early Drum Set Video Series, Episode 2: "Chinese Cymbals"
A series on the transition of drum sets with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs. The history-rich videos discuss the components commonly found on the early drum set used ...
A series on the transition of drum sets with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs. The history-rich videos discuss the components commonly found on the early drum set
Read moreLate 60s Made In Japan Pearl Seamless Phenolic Kit
In the 1969 catalogue the "President” kit was the only one to show a rectangle badge with the words president on them. They also said Pearl and Japan. These President kits were built till 1973. They still offered great looking pearl wraps such as this Tiger Eye white pearl, marine pearl and gold grain pearl. I love the oyster pearl wrap. Based on this information (warp/badge/lugs/metal bass drum hoops) I put my kit somewhere in the late 60s/early 70s.
Read more1929- SLINGERLAND 5 x 14 *OPAL PEARL PROFESSIONAL MODEL
*Slingerland used the term Opal Pearl but this finish looks exactly like L & L’s Peacock Pearl or Leedy’s Rainbow Pearl finishes.
Read moreI'm of two minds on this...
Or maybe three. But definitely not one. It's an exercise I find myself doing a lot as I work on things that challenge me: trying to get my mind -- not just my limbs -- to focus on two things at once.
Read moreThe Rare Slingerland Ben Pollack Radio King Model Snare Drum
According to Slingerland’s catalogs, the “Ben Pollack “Radio King” model was only produced for two years, between 1936-1938. This is a significant reason why this model is extremely rare and desirable. Also, the drum consumers of the day were placing overwhelming orders to Slingerland for the Krupa model. All of this was certainly because of Gene Krupa’s major popularity and drumming success.
Read moreCure For Idle Hands - Stick Control Unleashed Part I
The exercises in Stick Control are great for getting your hands moving, so why not use them to get the other limbs involved as well? The following interpretations move the stickings around the entire drum set. While the idea is to get all four limbs working, it’s best to go easy at first, i.e. start with two limbs, then add the third (and then the fourth) when ready.
Read moreUnsung Heroes - Angus Burchall
This month’s drumming unsung hero is from the land down under…Australia. His name is Angus Burchall and, for more than 30 years, he has been the drummer for Australian singing legend John Farnham.
Read more2019 Chicago Drum Show Pics - 187 of them!
187 pics from the 2019 Chicago Drum Show!
Read moreTodd Sucherman - Remembering Tony Williams - Chapter 1
But, Tony… Hearing him in that room. He would always start out with a solo piece and it felt like it was fight or flight— the hair would rise up on your arms. Primal. Scary. Loud. Resonant. Uniquely him, so much of his authentic self in every note… The coolest and the deepest 24” inch bass drum with three floor toms in THAT room. The softest whisper to the loudest roar… Grooving, swinging with explosive punctuations. The sound is seared into my memory for the rest of my life.
Read moreThe Drum Engravers, Part 3: Mike Morgan
I’d like to share some of our conversations in order for you to get to know Mike as I did, describe a few examples of his work, and also explain how his approach differs from that of other gifted hand engravers, like John Aldridge and Adrian Kirchler.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
Hi, from my bunker in Memphis TN. during this time of “Corona virus bullets flying and no one is bullet proof”.
Read moreGuide to Vintage Drum Indentification - Slingerland Lugs
The Slingerland “Streamlined” lugs were used on snare drums, bass drums (a larger version) and tom toms. While Leedy is credited with the first modern non-tubular lug casings, Slingerland was the first to use them on tom toms and bass drums.
Read moreWin a Set of Istanbul Mehmet Black Bell Cymbals!
Enter To Win A Set Of Istanbul Cymbals And Other Prizes! Here’s your chance to win some bronze from Istanbul Mehmet, the original handmade cymbals from Turkey.
Read moreUnsung Heroes - Ash Soan
Our unsung hero this month is a U.K. born drummer whose rhythmic stylings can be heard on over one hundred recordings, including 56 top ten albums…
Read moreAll In A Day's Work
OK, full day of studio work, jazz lounge gig in the evening, sit-in at the after-hours club ... and it's still not enough! Well, some of us really are that obsessed with playing, but 8 or 10 or 12 hours a day? Sure…
Read moreMarcel FAIVRE full dress drumset
Probably a special order... a "custom" drumset as we say today. This drumset was manufactured by METJAZZ brand (Jean Metzger drum maker), whose specialty was those very decorated drumsets, very fashionable in France from the 30s to the early 50s…
Read moreGuest Editorial - Words of Encouragement
Early teardown
One by one every tour was canceling. One by one all the buses were coming back to Nashville. One by one we were hugging it out, bummed that we couldn’t finish the tour. One by one we all got in our cars and left. It only took a few days for Lower Broadway to follow suit. No industry was safe from the effects of COVID-19.
Read more1920s C. G. CONN 5 x 14 8 LUG ENGRAVED/GOLD PLATED “DOUBLE DRAGON” ALL-METAL DRUM
“This drum has been nicknamed “The Dragon Drum” and was probably an un-catalogued one-off special order…
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