Practice – Working on foot patterns/Double Bass Drumming

One thing I started working on again is foot patterns. Mostly for double bass drumming.

The amount of time I can put into practicing is, unfortunately, not really a whole lot. With some work and being a single dad of 1 my time ends up being filled up. And my kit is sometimes not setup in my practice space in between gigs…. just because there is practically no time.

But a couple of days ago I got to spend some time with my kit. One thing I usually do in practice is play some kind of pattern between my feet. Something simple, like maybe 2 bass drum beats (right foot) and 1 hi-hat (left foot) played as a triplet. Once I’m warmed up a bit I usually variate my left foot so that ever second hi-hat beat is open… so it really gives the effect of open/close hi-hat in the pattern.

And over that pattern I’ll play some pattern with one hand while I improvise with the other.

What I thought I’d do a couple of days ago was try and play a few patterns with my bass drums and play over. Since I’m not used to doing this too much it gets challenging fast.

One of the simplest things I’m hoping to accomplish in these practice session is to really get comfortable in playing a double stroke double bass beat at varying tempos.

After watching this video of Dave Mackintosh of DragonForce, I noticed that he plays double strokes with his feet alot and I started thinking about it. Playing at very fast tempos would just be so much easier with this approach.  So playing various beats and improvisation over the double stroke bass drum beats is in my practice regiment. (Video at end of post)

Another thing I’ve been trying to practice is kind of a shuffle feel double bass pattern, adding a double stroke with either the right foot or the left foot. I was always inspired by Vinnie Paul or Pantera and an example of what I mean is their song “Psycho Holiday” from their Cowboys from Hell album.

I’ve just started trying to build some muscle memory with a couple of these patterns, mirroring my right and left hand with my right and left foot…. and then playing a simple “4″ on ride/hi-hat and 2-4 with the snare.

Progress after a short time!

Here’s the Dave Mackintosh video. Peace all!

New jazz/funk project – Kavorka

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure to team up with a couple of friends, Marcel Arsenault on guitar and Stéphane Bouchard on bass, to form a new jazz/funk band. We’ve called ourselves Kavorka.

After jamming once we played a 1 hour gig playing about 6-7 tunes… lot’s of improv that night. I also made a serious error in wearing a certain long sleeve shirt that night… and my sticks kept getting caught in my sleeves. It was pretty annoying, but kept me on my toes.

So our 3rd jam (2nd rehearsal) was video taped. We basically just jammed out on some tunes and trying to get an idea on arrangements.

Here’s a video from that day, it’s a John Scofield cover. I love this kind of stuff but it’s not often I get a chance to play these playful funky feel type songs. So at times it sounds a bit stiff and because I get in my own way mentally thinking a little bit… I fall off tempo a little.

Here it is… love playing with these guys.

Yves’s Drum Cam – Cecilia

Here’s a video from my drum cam. Filmed on May 29th 2010.

This has become my regular gig. Band’s name is Rock Bottom. All the guys are super easy to get along with and are also equally as easy to play with. Makes for a fun gig. Always look forward to playing with these guys.

I grew up a “Metal guy”…. always loved heavy stuff. Still do. But I now equally like Jazz, blues..etc.

I saw that because I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to this song when I listen to music… but I love playing it. It’s a fun tune with a tight straight groove… at least the way we play it.

If we can keep people on the dance floor, then our mission has been accomplished.

Enjoy!

Using new comment plugin and lost all comments

It appears that all the comments that were previously submitted on this blog have been lost “in the void”….

I installed the DISQUS wordpress plugin and when I attempted to sync the comments with the DISQUS system all comments disappeared.

Maybe there’s a bit of a delay. If not… well, all comments are lost.

Am gonna try to write about a performance/technique challenge I’ve noticed recently.

- EDIT -

All the comments are here!!! I guess the export process was just delayed.

Carry on!

Yves’s Drum Cam – Glory Days with blooper!

Here’s a video clip from a gig I played last weekend (April 24th 2010). This is from the start of the night. There’s some entertainment in there…. a drum stick flies out of my hand… and so does the one I grab!!

A little blooper!

Great article about a drummer’s experience in the music industry

I found this article and thought it was a great example of what can happen in the music industry. Often times bands start out as a bunch of people getting together…. friends. At least it’s been my experience several times that I’m playing in a band with great friends.

But once you get into the business side of things it becomes much more then a friendship. It’s like any other business. Recording contracts, managers, agents….etc.

I thought this was a great article about a drummer who had joined a band with a contract and a great future ahead of them, but things didn’t turn out as he’d hoped.

Here’s “A short-lived fairytale with the band Cinderella” by Ryan Cormier

Simple jam gig = fun

Snare, Regal Tip Blast Sticks, Drum Stool, 1 Maraca and 1 Cowbell on Foot Pedal

Not sure how it has sounded to everyone who’s been present, but I’ve had a blast. Last week I just had my drum stool, Regal Tip blast sticks and my snare drum. This week, I had the drum stool, snare drum, blast sticks, 1 maraca, brushes and 1 cowbell on foot pedal.

I played my snare drum while it was “off” with my left hand… bare hand, playing from middle to edge to try and simulate a conga while playing the maraca. I hadn’t tried that in about 5 years…. so it was quite difficult for me to be totally smooth. It was fun though. Lot’s of fun actually.
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A Drummer’s Dream – new film

There’s a new film that I really want to see. It’s about drummers and drumming of course.

The movie features some great talents, like : Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Dennis Chambers, Kenwood Dennard, Horacio El-Negro Hernadez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Mike Mangini and Raul Rekow.

A brief description from one of the trailers on Youtube:

A rare and unique assembly of some of the greatest drummers in the world. Explosive talent, passion, humour and irresistible personality come together in a magical setting when seven diverse drummers create a profound and unforgettable experience. Youve never seen drummers like this before!

Featuring Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Dennis Chambers, Kenwood Dennard, Horacio El-Negro Hernadez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Mike Mangini and Raul Rekow, the film engages us with the rich music styles and influences that are as dynamic as the performers themselves. We are lifted to another dimension as we connect to the powerful forces of nature embodied in the music of these master musicians. The creative and spiritual freedom of expression these artists display is overwhelming – from Latin rhythms to the wildly original compositions of Kenwood Dennard. Rock, jazz, Latin fusion, soul these master drummers have backed up the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Carlos Santana and now – each other.

At the center of the film is the warm-hearted Nasyr, and his musician friends who share their knowledge with forty students for this incredible, unforgettable week of music and camaraderie. The overriding philosophy of these musicians is driven by love, compassion and joy of life. At the end of the film you will be tapping the rhythms that live within us all and the positive energy these masters display will continue to pulse through you for days to come.

This is gonna be amazing. And here’s the trailer!

Bad Girlfriend – from the Drum Cam

Pretty much the entire set from my last gig with Rock Bottom is on youtube with the exception of 2 songs with a special guest on drums. I’ll ask permission to post those public.

Here’s a tune called Bad Girlfriend. I’ve never really learned this song and I’ve never rehearsed with the band. I’ve just come to know if a bit from playing a few gigs with them. (filmed on March 13th 2010)

It’s live, sounds raw. It’s fun.

Enjoying the gigs and drumming again

I’ve always loved playing live. When I was quite younger it was a big part of my life. Music has always held a special place for me.

Over the last 8 years I had pretty much all but stopped playing live. Not completely. I was involved in a few things but for short periods mostly. Seventh Stone (original funk/rock group) was a really fun gig I had for about a year and a half. And a couple of short Shovelhead reunions in that 8 year span too…

I had stopped teaching about 7 years ago and just last fall started to teach again which has been both a joy and a challenge. Being a teacher or educator is something totally different than learning some tunes to play with a bunch of other musicians.

The wheels were quite rusty.
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