1920s Ludwig & Ludwig Wood Shell Separate Tension Snare Drum

May 29, 2023 Joe Czulinski

This snare drum model is listed in the 1923 Ludwig & Ludwig catalog as No. 21 Wood Shell Separate Tension. Although the Deluxe finish does not appear to have been a standard catalog offering for this particular model, I believe William Ludwig Sr. would have approved such a request from an enquiring and eager customer. Of the many restorations I’ve done over the past thirty years, this one is still my personal favorite, and I hope you enjoy it!

My 40th Anniversary with my Gretsch Set

May 29, 2023 Kurt Ekstrom

You were all I thought about from the time I started taking drum lessons the year prior. When the time had come to get you, you were not at all what I had pictured in my head as my 12 year old mind was set on finding a nice shiny Ludwig set that would stand out. The choice that fateful day back in June of 1983 was between you and the Ludwig Tivoli lighted set of Vista-lite drums set up in the window of Looney Tunes music that was at the southern end of Main Street in Concord NH

70s Zickos Rare Supersonic drum set

May 29, 2023 John Floyd

This Supersonic kit is made of fiberglass and according to my research was only produced in prototype form with about ten of them being made.

What I've Been Working On...In 5/4

April 30, 2023 Richard Best

I thought I’d take some basic rock beats and render them in 5/4. I’m having fun with the result.

Dan Britt: remembering Tony Williams

April 30, 2023 David Barsalou

As Miles Davis said, "A drummer like Tony comes around only once in 30 years."

In Memorian: Ralph Humphrey

April 30, 2023 George Lawrence

“Throughout his career — the live performances, studio recordings, method books, videos, drum-solo compositions, teaching — Ralph eschewed the usual trappings of success, and maintained his customary integrity and humility. He was an outstanding leader and soloist, with the sensibility of an ensemble player. He never flashed his superpowers, though he had many: flawless technique, stylistic versatility, laser focus, adaptability, eagerness to learn, calm temperament, dedication to his students, and professionalism at all times. His keen ear and obsession with tuning his drums helped make him one of the best sounding drummers on record.” -Ruth Underwood

Sponsor: John Crocken Drum Sticks - hand crafted historic designs

April 29, 2023 George Lawrence

i endorse Crocken Drum Sticks. No one else hand crafts sticks like these and nothing else feels like them. As Mr. Crocken says, they are fun to use. -George Lawrence

From The Editor

April 29, 2023 George Lawrence

I was overwhelmed with the generosity of you subscribers who donated to NSMD during the first annual fund drive this past month.

Growing Up In The Shadow Of Joe Morello: Part Three -- Remembering Joe Sefcik

April 29, 2023 David Barsalou

As for Joe Sefcik, he was a bit intimidating if you hadn't practiced when you showed up for your lesson! You could feel his disappointment, but then he would show lots of patience, as any good teacher would, and get you back on track! -Rick Schlosser

In Search Of (not with Leonard Nimoy) Vintage Drum Parts

April 28, 2023 George Lawrence

My cousin, Dean Stewart who lives in Alabama, is a drummer and vintage drum collector (yes, the disease runs in the family). He’s looking for a number of parts.

Ludwig Finishes of the Blue/Olive Badge Era

April 28, 2023 Rick Gier

This study reviews data gathered from a representative sample of Ludwig Blue/Olive badge drums produced from very late 1969 (earliest date stamps are Thanksgiving week 1969) through about 1984.

Three Lang/NSMD Gladstone engraved gold Triumphal prototypes (#s 1, 2, 3) from 2004-2005.

April 24, 2023 Mike Curotto

Here are three Lang/NSMD Gladstone engraved gold Triumphal prototypes (#s 1, 2, 3) from 2004-2005. I purchased these from John Aldridge who was the engraver of these snare drums. John’s company at the time, NSMD Co., also supplied the shells for these drums.

Buddy Rich the Singer

April 24, 2023 Reader Submissions

…album titled Sing and Swing with Buddy Rich, recorded in 1955. This album is unique because Buddy is not the drummer (except for one out of the 5 songs,) rather, he sings on the full album. Buddy had not been featured as the lead vocalist in this caliber in the past. The reason he drums on one song is because there are no vocals.

A Significant Problem In Reading Rhythm

April 24, 2023 Joel Rothman

Having to read combinations of rhythm that are divided by two to a beat then three to a beat within the same bar can sometimes represent a significant problem for beginning students.

Update: my MIJ Lido Supreme 4 pc. jazz kit in "Fantasia Pearl" project

April 11, 2023 George Lawrence

I disassembled, cleaned and refurbished this four piece drum kit made by Pearl in Japan. 12/14/20/14 .It’s one of the rarer MIJ sixties stencils - LIDO SUPREME - and one of the rarest and zowiest colors - fantasia pearl.

Brian Dunne: Live At Daryl's House

March 31, 2023 David Barsalou

Brian Dunne has played on thousands of gigs since his high school days - yet, Brian’s greatest notoriety comes from his longtime affiliation with the hit television series, ‘Live At Daryl’s House’ which is presently recording a brand new season – Brian is once again playing with some of finest musicians on the planet. He credits his success to networking and lots of luck with each new gig leading to something else.

RIP Dino Danelli July 23, 1944 – December 15, 2022

March 31, 2023 George Lawrence

Mr. Danelli, a protégé of the great jazz drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, merged percussive virtuosity with a rock sensibility. Like Ringo Starr of the Beatles, he set the template for the rock drummer archetype: disciplined and precise, but with a flair that drew the crowd’s eye. He would twirl his sticks — a trick he learned from his sister, a cheerleader — and throw them in the air, before catching them without dropping the beat.

All Tied up

March 31, 2023 Joel Rothman

I’ve found that many drummers have difficulty when a drum arrangement is full of tied notes. No doubt one of the reasons has to do with the lack of practice reading material with tied notes in drum books.The rhythm in the following etude is simple, but it’s replete with ties. Reading it perfectly at sight may prove challenging even for drummers experienced in reading charts

NAIVE OR JUST PLAIN STUPID?

March 31, 2023 Joel Rothman

I was actually unaware that there were tiny bottles of liquor for sale--I simply assumed they were free samples given to hotels for their guests as advertisements. Before going home I took all the small bottles from the fridge thinking I would give them to friends, and packed them into my drum case with the snare.

3+3+3+3+2+2 = Four Three Stroke Rolls + A Single Stroke Four

March 30, 2023 Richard Best

Editor’s Note: Richard Best sent me this thing he’s been working on for his students. He’s calling it variations on the classic 3+3+3+3+2+2 rhythm. There are two rudiments within these patterns.

Database of Articles 11/13 to current