On drummers and drumming
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Alan W
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I'm intrigued by trap sets, but other than a few very short measures, haven't tried it. I do love percussion though, and have several hand drums and other beat makers. My DIY cajon works great, but ends up being the second place to sit (or sit random stuff on) in my little music alcove. I occasionally eye the electronic pads, but also think a nice smaller snare would be a hoot, and would give me a chance to see if I can hold sticks or not. Much like with my preferences for guitar and bass stuff, I'm most attracted to the wood rimmed sets.
comradehoser
Well-known member
100% drummer here since I was 12, with now excursions into bass and guitar because--why let the bassists and guitarists have all the fun?
Drums is much more physical and "ritualistic" (for lack of a better word) than guitar, I'd say. You feel changes in the music in your body because you are moving your body.
However, some of the most interesting drummers I know in a band setting are guitarists, because they are less hung up on technicality and are more attentive to the textures and qualities of drum sounds.
Currently playing an old "Bonham" 70's Ludwig set with the huge bass drum and two floor toms. It is super boss, especially for doom.
Drums is much more physical and "ritualistic" (for lack of a better word) than guitar, I'd say. You feel changes in the music in your body because you are moving your body.
However, some of the most interesting drummers I know in a band setting are guitarists, because they are less hung up on technicality and are more attentive to the textures and qualities of drum sounds.
Currently playing an old "Bonham" 70's Ludwig set with the huge bass drum and two floor toms. It is super boss, especially for doom.
Nostradoomus
Well-known member
I’d always leaned towards drums as well, I have always had a reasonably good sense of rhythm etc. Grew up pretty poor so drums were a no go, in so far as even having a place to practice wasn’t feasible let alone the initial cost haha. First real practice and lessons came with joining the cadets for the sole purpose of playing the marching snare. Gained some valuable lessons and insight I still tap out to this day.
Once I joined bands and we had a lock out space we could leave our gear I definitely went in after hours to finally pound them skins! It’s fun as heck but now I’m back to square one with no space to practice haha. And I can’t do electronic drums…it’s gotta hit you in the chest.
Once I joined bands and we had a lock out space we could leave our gear I definitely went in after hours to finally pound them skins! It’s fun as heck but now I’m back to square one with no space to practice haha. And I can’t do electronic drums…it’s gotta hit you in the chest.
Nostradoomus
Well-known member
This is why I love playing loud doom on guitar too, it’s the same kinda ritualistic feeling when you’re cooking your amps and they’re shaking your teeth as you plod along at 50bpm hahah. That style was the extent of what I jammed on drums, but I dig minimalist but thundering drums. See: Whited Sepulchre by Asunder.
It’s frustrating to try and communicate the drum parts I hear in my head to double kick happy fellas but such is life
joeyd
Well-known member
Has anyone done drum lessons as an adult? I like playing drums but my technique is terrible - all arms, no wrist action. I'm probably going to start my kid in music lessons at some point in the near future. I was thinking of taking some at the same time as they might be beneficial (I've never done any kind of music lesson though). I've played on and off for a decade or so and I've accumulated a ton of bad habits. For whatever reason whenever I'm playing an acoustic kit I do my best to destroy everything (I was in a sludge metal band for a bit so it fit the aesthetic). I've had sticks cleanly break in half (vs the splintering that gradually kills them), cracked cymbals, put a beater through a bass drum head, etc. I bought an electric kit a couple years ago and I'm doing my best to not harm it.
comradehoser
Well-known member
hahaha--definitely a time and place for that, but generally I've found my taste has gone towards economy and creative placement in drumming. Bonhamesque, if you will. Britt Walford on Slint's Spiderland being a prime case in point. Just the essential beats, perfectly placed.This is why I love playing loud doom on guitar too, it’s the same kinda ritualistic feeling when you’re cooking your amps and they’re shaking your teeth as you plod along at 50bpm hahah. That style was the extent of what I jammed on drums, but I dig minimalist but thundering drums. See: Whited Sepulchre by Asunder.
It’s frustrating to try and communicate the drum parts I hear in my head to double kick happy fellas but such is life
Cannot stand the Neil Peart school of drumming, and as much as I admire blast beat stuff purely from a technical and mechanical tightness point of view--like dudes must be on meth to be that consistent that long--it gets kind of similar. I find a lot of the drumming in doom kinda meh (like Monolord) but really like the drumming in Windhand.
comradehoser
Well-known member
I'm sure drum teachers would be happy to take your money!
On sticks and whatnot--I think it depends on the wood and the grain. I've had lots of both breaks--snap in two, or whittle down to a concave baguette. Drums is definitely an exercise in use-value and destructive creation--more so than guitar, anyway. Having said that, I'm trying to find the balance between not too much muscle and not enough snap. It's just hard with doom and sludge because that's the emotions, and the slow tempo lets you get a big windup.