Great podcast episode with Joel Rothman who, at 84, is still kickin’ and sharing his experiences as a life long drummer.
Read moreThe Forgotten Head
…double-headed drums have regained their spot at the top of the food chain. But with more membranes comes more responsibly. Tuning a two-headed drum means tuning two heads and getting them to play nicely together.
Read moreDrumming is in the ear of the beholder
Dynamics is the key to a musical performance.
Read more1937 LEEDY 6.5 x 14 ORIENTAL PEARL BROADWAY PARALLEL MODEL
Collectors know this finish by two names; Ludwig & Ludwig and Slingerland named it Abalone Pearl and Leedy chose to name it Oriental Pearl. Per Rob Cook’s DRUM COLORS BOOK this finish was around from 1934-37.
Read moreJerry Allison, drummer for Buddy Holly and the Crickets, passes
Jerry “JI” Allison, drummer for Buddy Holly and the Crickets and co-writer on some of their biggest hits, has died. He was 82.
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
George Lawrence with FreeWorld band at Memphis Italian Festival
At DrumSellers.com: Please look at the very desirable vintage cymbals on consignment from Steve Johnson and John Dittrich click here. To see Tom Boyle’s snare collection on consignment click here, and to see John Dittrich’s snares on consignment click here.
Read more1960s Ludwig Red Glass Glitter Player Set
The set I am featuring in this issue is a completely restored 1960s Ludwig Set in beautiful red glass glitter. The bass drum is 20X14, the mounted tom is a 12X8, the floor tom is a converted marching drum 15X12. The snare is a Jazz Festival. The rail consolette works great and all the chrome is in great shape. It is a very pretty set with the glass glitter wrap. Red sparkle looks great, but red glass glitter just pops. I have a humorous story about this set I would like to tell you.
Read moreDrums From the Eastern Bloc
Those who lived in the Eastern Block in the communist era have different recollections of those days. Some miss them, some curse them. I am too young to remember it well, but what I do know is that it wasn’t very pretty. Communism was very efficient at sucking creative juices out of those less persistent, as well as the will to do things that weren’t widely accepted in the society.
Read moreVintage Gretsch Round Badge Finishes
Just how common are the various wraps and finishes that Gretsch used on its vintage drums? This study reviews data gathered from a representative sample of Round Badge Gretsch drums produced from about 1962 through about 1969.
Read moreOne Sweet Ride
On view at The Memphis Drum Shop -- Joe Morello's legendary 'Take 5' ride cymbal displayed in all of its historical significance. The provenance is without question.
Read moreThe Search is Over!
I have spent countless hours looking at Mod Orange sets and saving pictures of them. I have been to countless drum shows as well as music stores and in the last 30 years of looking, have probably seen no more than 10 sets in Downbeat sizes.
Read more1926 Ludwig & Ludwig StipelGold Standard Professional Model Snare
I recently purchased a fully reconditioned Ludwig & Ludwig Stipelgold Standard Professional model snare drum. I purchased it from Bill Wanser at Olympic Drums in Portland Oregon who did an amazing job refinishing it. It is a beautiful example of the rare Stipelgold finish offered by Ludwig & Ludwig in their 1926 catalogue. You could also purchase the snare along with the bass drum as an outfit. Stipelgold is a coarse, textured finish with a yellow hue. The unique badge indicates Genuine Stipelgold above Ludwig & Ludwig.
Read moreAdventures in Arthritis
I went to a sports medicine specialist, got X-Rayed and he pulls up
the picture, circles a spot in the middle of my hand and says “yep,
here’s your problem, you’ve got Osteoarthritis. See how the cartilage
is disappearing? And oh yeah, you’ve got a bone spur right here (adds
another circle). Happy day, Mr. Ray!”
The Jazz Cymbal Beat
Joel Rothman goes deep into time signatures and note values when explaining the jazz cymbal pattern.
Read moreA Conversation Between a Drummer And An Unwanted Visitor
A storm was brewing for hours. It finally broke with an ear splitting bolt of lightning that flashed across the sky, followed by a thunderous roar. All of a sudden there was a loud single paradiddle knock at the door. I called to my wife, “Honey, please see who it is."
Read moreThe Myth of Independence
When I was at music school, we had a coven of enthusiastic drummers, and almost every week one of our members would see some note-worthy drummer at a club and dutifully report the next day that the player had '4-way independence. But there's a problem with that assessment.
Read moreWhat Color Is Your Metronome?
* I heard a better one at a big band practice. The leader called out one of the trumpet players and said, “You're time's sort of all shot to hell”.
Read moreVideo & Review: John Crocken Drum Sticks - Premium Persimmon, Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba and Purple Heart
Percussionist John Crocken has been manufacturing high end drum sticks by hand in Baltimore Maryland for forty years. Not your typical hickory, maple or oak sticks, but more rigid and dense, yet lighter woods that are preferred by symphonic percussionists and rope drum drummers. John sent four models for us to check out:
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
Drum Shows: The Music City Drum Show is coming up next weekend. July 9 in Nashville TN. The St. Louis Drum Show has moved into a much nicer venue In conjunction with the UMSL Music Dept. This year will be at the beautiful Touhill theater. The date is October 8. AND.. There is quite a drum show going on lately at DrumSellers.com. Check out all the latest gear for sale that has been consigned to us by collectors.
Read moreThe Rare 1930s Gretsch Heavy Brass Shell Snare Drum
In the 1930s, Gretsch was in the early stages of developing their metal brass shell snare. These models started off with a center beaded shell that was one piece, seamless in design and plated nickel over brass. The very first models came equipped with six tubular lugs, single flanged hoops and an outsourced strainers from a major drum competitor. It is important to note that catalogs referencing these early 30s model snare drums are very rare and hard to come by. Most
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