Drummer Connection - Drummer Connection

NAMM 2008: Building a Scene by Winnie Jow

drumhead101541 — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:03:33 -0500

Since getting back from NAMM, we have been asking people to send us articles about their personal experience at the convention. Winnie Jow was the first to send us her representation on what NAMM was like.

NAMM 2008: The Doug Klug Story

drumfreak — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:30:50 -0500

This was my first NAMM. This was my first day and everything had been great. I met a lot of stars, I played a bunch of drums and cymbals. I've met amazing people and I've seen amazing equipment and ideas. It's Friday Night and I'm on my 7th Wind.

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It was 6:15PM and the Sabian Live Party was about to open its doors so we were there early to get a good spot because we anticipated that event to be over packed due to Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers was playing that night with his other band. So, I pit stopped by the restroom and while I was washing my hands, this crazy old guy next to me looks at me (picture almost Orville Redenbacher if you will) and says “Hey! I recognize you from somewhere…”. Now mind you that this is my first fully accomplished day at NAMM where I spoke to probably 500 people that day and everything is a major haze right now due to the amount of things happening around me.

So, I entertained this curious man and divulged him by saying “Where possibly from?” and he says “I don’t know, where are you from?” I couldn’t resist whipping it out and I said, “Hi, I’m Eric and I’m here representing a website called Drummer Connection.com and we are an Online Community built by Drummers for Drummers…” and he says “Woooooow….” with a 5 second stunning look on his face as he pauses. Talking about taking it in! Anyways, that was that, and unfortunately, until I met him again, I did not remember his name.

Doug Klug - Or is it Orville Redenbacher?
You have to Keep Reading!

NAMM 2008 - Video and Pictures Uploaded

drumfreak — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:10:21 -0500

We're back from The NAMM Show 2008!!

Over 1000 NAMM 2008 Show Pictures and Over 100 NAMM Videos exclusively shot by Drummer Connection Cameras and crew have been uploaded and organized onto our site and we have more to go!

NAMM 2008 Drummer Connection Photos

*Note: The following photos are only samples. There are many more photos in the Gallery.

WE ARE GOING TO NAMM!!!

King — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:34:56 -0500

Yes ladies and gentleman,boys and girls,musicians and everyone else reading this.......Drummmer Connection is going to NAMM! The ultimate place to be: gear, artists,clinics, and to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in the buisness. From the pics to the clips, and trying to meet and smooze with the big wigs, Drummer Connection is gonna give it ALL to you! We are taking you with us as we go up to date and behind the scenes of THE musical tradeshow event of the year.....period. Everyone from the little man to THE MAN, all of the who's who in the music industry will be in attendance as a performer, or possibly posing as an undercover fan just trying to sneak a peak at the coolest gear of the year. It's not easy to get in, but we'll be there to represent our members and give you the day by day analysis.

Drum Rehab With John Blackwell

King — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:27:24 -0500

We all have our influences and role models when it comes to our favorite instruments. To see such an artist perform is a memorable experience, to meet them gives you something to remember for life. But to be able to spend time with and talk to, be critiqued by, and play drums with one of your idols in a private lesson........undefinable. That's the experience I took away from Seminole Music and Sound upon recieving a lesson from one of todays living Funk/R&B legends John Blackwell. Store manager and fellow drummer John Spinelli was able to aquire Blackwell due to a break from his rigerous schedule during the holidays.

Topic of The Week- Speed Drumming

drumhead101541 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:55:38 -0500

The Drummer Connection's drum topic of the week is... Speed Drumming

Since the beginning of drumming, speed has been sometimes used as a skill meter for some drummers. They just think that speed is everything, and if you don't have mind-jolting speed chops your not impressive to any degree. This is a much disputed topic among drummers of different style, genre, and background. On the other hand, some drummers prefer the K.I.S.S method(Keep It Simple Stupid). It just depends on the drummer's preference, and how they play.

Being that this is the drum topic of the week, we at Drummer Connection would like you to post your opinion here, to see what you think about speed drumming. If your on the speed side, the simple side, or even if your caught in the middle of the two, speak your mind here, and have fun with it!

My Experience With John Blackwell

drumhead101541 — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:46:38 -0500

Well, let’s start when I got to Seminole Music and Sound. Damian and I arrived right around the time that Eric was going in for his lesson. While wandering around the store, I was feeling a little anxious as to what I would say to him. After all, he is a professional that has played with some of the most premier artists in the music industry. After Eric finished with his lesson, it was my turn. I was very excited to sit down and ask him some questions, and see some of his little tricks that I could incorporate in my playing. I told him a little bit about myself and then he wanted to hear me play a little something for him. I didn't really know what to play, so I gave him one of my better funk grooves, and then we went from there. To be honest, we listened to music on Blackwell's laptop most of the time. He was just running through some tunes from the early Funk era, explaining a bit about each song, and what to look for. I also asked him about his open-hand style of playing because I believe it is a great way to change things up and sprout new ideas. He said learning the open handed playing was "accidental" in a sense. This was interesting to me being that most drummers get their ideas accidentally by just "messing around" on the kit. Another interesting factoid is that John, like myself had to adapt to playing a standard drum kit because he is actually left handed! All in all, the lesson was great, I now have plenty of music to listen to for reference, and I got to ask him a few questions about what it's like touring with Prince. For sure a privilege to have sat down with him.

Ray Luzier Goes to ddrum!

King — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:41:03 -0500

Not only is Ray Luzier the newest member of the band Korn, he is also the latest artist on the roster to be endorsed by the ddrum company. At this time we are unsure why Ray (formerly with OCDP) made the jump to ddrum. Inside sources claim it was due to customer service issues. For more news and updates you can check out the ddrum website or Ray's personal myspace and until then play drums at all times.

Robot Guitars - How about Robot Drums?

drumfreak — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:35:20 -0500

Today, on 12.07.2007, Gibson Guitars released the Robot Guitar. We here at Drummer Connection obtained one of these beauties for our studios and have had a chance to play around with it. I'm thinking it's pretty freakin sweet, but if you're a drummer, don't feel left out, we've got some drum related products that can make your tuning life easier.

Ok, so we got a cool guitar that tunes itself. I'm glad it's a Gibson Les Paul because these things are like the Rolls Royce of guitars. However Drummers, we're not alone here. Over the past year, we've been tracking two revolutionary new products for Drum Tuning. It is fascinating to know that drums can be tuned to pitch rather than just feel. Using these concepts in a purely mechanical, and a purely scientific way, two completely different products have emerged onto our market that can sort of compete with these Robot Guitars.

More....

Drummer Connection DVD Pick: Hal Leonard Trust Your Ears: The Drum Tech Explorations of Jeff Ocheltree

drumfreak — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:02:07 -0500

After racking up a few DVD's for purchase, I snagged the Hal Leonard Trust Your Ears: The Drum Tech Explorations of Jeff Ocheltree DVD and began watching it today. At first, it looked like a dated DVD that was not of the best quality, but this DVD had many things to offer that is worth the $20 purchase.