Drum Soul-los

[GeneZ]

Started off with Beatles and surf, at the end I was playing heavy blues. Yes, that was quite some time ago.

No drums for over 30 years......

Then, my family threw me a surprise 50th Birthday party with a set of drums included...

Just an entry level set. But...

One thing led to another. I kept trading up and finally ended up getting a real nice maple set (Cadeson Studio 3 ply maple).http://www.cadesonmusic.com/Product-20063516223.html


After practicing for about a year and getting the rust out of my bones, I decided to take a shot at something I had always wanted to do. Making a studio recording. Today its easy to do. Back then, it was very hard to do. Found someone working at a Guitar Center with a nice home studio and did the following tract.

I asked the engineer to keep the sound straight, with minimal effects. I wanted to hear more how the set really sounds.

This attachment contains two different short solos. For, that is how this one track was cut on the CD.

I really do not feel that old today. I actually felt much older when I quite the business... I guess I needed a long rest.

Hope you enjoy. I had no concept in mind when he began to record...



GeneZ

[darkcherryfade]

Very nice, maintained a good feel and a nice flavor throughout. Sounded cool.

[Edward]

All i can say...Awsome!

[drumzalicious]

that was strait old school. i liked it.

[jamndrummer]

Nice solo,
I could hear John Bohnam and Buddy Rich influences in your solo.................it was musical....not many drummers play a musical solo...good job

[GeneZ]

that was strait old school. i liked it.

I guess you could say that its straight old school. That is what I have found myself feeling when I play. Now that I am older it just comes naturally.


I was recently very surprised when jamming in a Guitar Center to find out that there are young musicians who like the swing feel. At first I thought they were just joking. Humoring me...

Today we do not get that with most modern drumming. I miss that feel in most of today's music. That was one important reason I did not get back into playing. Music to me was no longer about feeling happy with a swing. That surprise birthday gift opened a door for me that I did not know was in me. I thank God for it being there.

Well, glad to see that the "straight and old school" did not turn you off. Very glad at that!

Playing just for the joy of it, GeneZ

[stagecustom]

wow! awesome solo,very nice!

[GeneZ]

wow! awesome solo,very nice!

"praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals." Psalm 150:5

I like thinking of it like that..... It keeps one without need of a click track. ;-)

[GeneZ]

Very nice, maintained a good feel and a nice flavor throughout. Sounded cool.

Thanks! Even us old farrets like to hear nice things once in a while!


Old farret, GeneZ

[fourstringdrums]

Very nice! I especially love the melodic tom work. I am one of the younger guys who appreciates swing and I was in heaven listening to this.

Great job once again! :)

[GeneZ]

Very nice! I especially love the melodic tom work. I am one of the younger guys who appreciates swing and I was in heaven listening to this.

Great job once again! :)


Thank you! I looked over your web page. Interesting. One of the strongest influences on my style was a drummer from the late 50's/early 60's, by the name of Sandy Nelson.
He lost a leg in a motorcycle accident. Yet, he never gave up. He reinvented the hi-hat with a special extender, and played it with his artificial right leg. He then switched over to playing the bass with his left foot. He never quit. He put out some very excellent drum recordings. His style infuenced me when I began playing, and when I got older I found it to be a kindred spirit to my own.

Thanks again! GeneZ

[fourstringdrums]

Thank you! I looked over your web page. Interesting. One of the strongest influences on my style was a drummer from the late 50's/early 60's, by the name of Sandy Nelson.
He lost a leg in a motorcycle accident. Yet, he never gave up. He reinvented the hi-hat with a special extender, and played it with his artificial right leg. He then switched over to playing the bass with his left foot. He never quit. He put out some very excellent drum recordings. His style infuenced me when I began playing, and when I got older I found it to be a kindred spirit to my own.

Thanks again! GeneZ

Thank you too. Yup, I'm familiar with Sandy Nelson, but not so much his playing more than his accident. I have a link to DW's Sandy Nelson page on my links page, and I think I even have a few SN avatars on my forum.

[on_the_one]

i really liked your swing!

[GeneZ]

Thank you too. Yup, I'm familiar with Sandy Nelson, but not so much his playing more than his accident. I have a link to DW's Sandy Nelson page on my links page, and I think I even have a few SN avatars on my forum.




You can see in his picture in the Drummer page. He kept his snare to the left of his left leg, rather than in between the two. It looks like his 14" floor tom was between the two?

BTW? ... ever read Vintage Drummer magazine? Now, named "Classic Drummer"?

There is interview with Sandy Nelson which came out April/ 2006.

http://www.classicdrummer.com/



GeneZ

[fourstringdrums]

Funny thing! It was, I, who asked Bernhard to include Sandy Nelson in the Forum! :-)

You can see in his picture that he kept his snare to the left of his left leg, rather than in between the two. It looks like his 14" floor tom was between the two?

BTW? ... ever read Vintage Drummer magazine? Now, named "Classic Drummer"?

Soon there will be an interview with Sandy Nelson published.

http://www.classicdrummer.com/

I think it will be coming out early next year.

GeneZ

I'm looking at the pic again. Yea he kind of is sitting at an angle so the floor tom is more in front of his legs than in between. I actually tried out this sort of setup but I'm going back to playing completely right handed right now (I change my mind on a daily basis) :)

Hmm, never seen that mag. I'll have to check it out. So is he still playing? I'd love to get in touch with him and have his involvement in the site. I emailed Ricky McKinnie who was just in Modern Drummer. He's blind and plays with The Blind Boys of Alabama. I thought it would be nice to have a celebrity written article on their experiences.

[GeneZ]

I'm looking at the pic again. Yea he kind of is sitting at an angle so the floor tom is more in front of his legs than in between. I actually tried out this sort of setup but I'm going back to playing completely right handed right now (I change my mind on a daily basis) :)

Hmm, never seen that mag. I'll have to check it out. So is he still playing? I'd love to get in touch with him and have his involvement in the site. I emailed Ricky McKinnie who was just in Modern Drummer. He's blind and plays with The Blind Boys of Alabama. I thought it would be nice to have a celebrity written article on their experiences.

Sandy Nelson no longer plays drums as of late. I think his leg hurts him too much. He now likes to play piano.

He does not own a computer. I have contact to him through a mutual friend. But, never direct contact. I can try to find out for you if you like.

Gene

[fourstringdrums]

Sandy Nelson no longer plays drums as of late. I think his leg hurts him too much. He now likes to play piano.

He does not own a computer. I have contact to him through a mutual friend. But, never direct contact. I can try to find out for you if you like.

Gene

Mickey doesn't own a computer either so I had to email his management company. Any contact I could get with him would be great, thanks. Just doing what I can to get the word out there and get as much content as I can :)

[GeneZ]

Mickey doesn't own a computer either so I had to email his management company. Any contact I could get with him would be great, thanks. Just doing what I can to get the word out there and get as much content as I can :)

I made contact through a mutual friend. He should be seeing Sandy about a month from now. He said he'd ask for you.

Gene

[fourstringdrums]

I made contact through a mutual friend. He should be seeing Sandy about a month from now. He said he'd ask for you.

Gene

Great, thanks! :)

.................................................. ................20 characters :)

[Geoff Tipps]

I haven't heard a solo like that in a long time. It reminds me of the solo in The Shadows song "Little b", Do you know it? It also has Buckets of swing and is quite melodic. Nice job man!
In fact I'm going to see if Brian Bennett is on the drummerworld list right now!

[swingline]

wow, impressive!

That whole groove with toms made it sound like you were accompanied by a stand-up bass. It had really cool effect.The swing feel was awesome. You should check out Swing Set by Jurassic 5.

[GeneZ]

wow, impressive!

That whole groove with toms made it sound like you were accompanied by a stand-up bass. It had really cool effect.The swing feel was awesome. You should check out Swing Set by Jurassic 5.

I did a little tweaking on those toms to get that kind of sound in the studio. It was a small room, so I needed to lower the tone to give more of a big room sound.

I ran a strip of electrical tape on the top heads of the toms almost to the hoops - beginning right over the bearing edge. Then I put Zero rings on top of that. Those were coated single plys (Aquarian) top and bottom. No clear on bottoms, coated, too. Then, a lot of careful tuning. It works great with clear heads, too, but its a different sound. To get that effect I find it requires very precise tuning to get it to sound like notes like that. Yet, you can always work with variations for effect.

Thanks! GeneZ

[Drummer Karl]

Cool solo!!! real bonham and buddy rich influence!!
very cool

[GeneZ]

Cool solo!!! real bonham and buddy rich influence!!
very cool

Really? There must be another Buddy Rich that I do not know about? Well... if you say so.

Bonham influence? Funny... I quit playing before Bonham became known in the states.

Just the same.... Thanks, GeneZ

[Stu_Strib]

Chalk another one up for us old guys! That was sweet man. Total old school like someone else said.

A little too much reverb in the kick and toms for my taste, but still....why they heck did you ever quit in the first place.

Your recording shows just how much more important form, structure, melody and ideas are than chops chops chops. Your solo actually spoke to me, whereas those chops filled ones you see a lot on here do nothing for me but say "wow, that looked hard".

How do you keep the "song" structure of your solo going? Do you hum a tune or something? I usually sing bass lines to keep track of where I should be.

Good job. Awesome stuff. Go Old Dudes!

[GeneZ]

Chalk another one up for us old guys! That was sweet man. Total old school like someone else said.

A little too much reverb in the kick and toms for my taste, but still....why they heck did you ever quit in the first place.

Your recording shows just how much more important form, structure, melody and ideas are than chops chops chops. Your solo actually spoke to me, whereas those chops filled ones you see a lot on here do nothing for me but say "wow, that looked hard".

How do you keep the "song" structure of your solo going? Do you hum a tune or something? I usually sing bass lines to keep track of where I should be.

Good job. Awesome stuff. Go Old Dudes!

I do not hum anything (consciously, anyway). :-) I like to treat my drums as a musical instrument. An extension of what I feel inside. What I play is like the humming itself.

I must admit. In the last few years of playing (going on 57 years old) I find sitting behind drums to be a happy experience. One of pleasure and relaxation. That's why I practice... No band. Its therapeutic for me.

I am not sure about all that reverb you hear. I do not hear it on my system. I purposely asked the engineer to keep it straight. He may have added a little because it was such a small room. But, what you may be hearing are the three ply Studio Cadesons that resonate very well when tuned like I had them. I tweak for tone, not to stiffle the sustain. I was going for an old studio sound in my head. I ended up with something totally unexpected.

Thanks.... Old dude signing out.... GeneZ

[Slayer_metal_head]

Awesome playing also your kit sounds nice.Definately a great solo, something not found in great quantity these days. your toms had a thunderous sound to them.

[GeneZ]

Awesome playing also your kit sounds nice.Definately a great solo, something not found in great quantity these days. your toms had a thunderous sound to them.

The toms I tweaked special for recording. I explain how I did that a few posts back.

Another thing that is playing into the effect is something that I learned from a Sandy Nelson interview I once read. He loved the Pro-Mark Japanese Oak sticks. I used to l love his sound (still do). So, I tried a set and then discovered how he achieved that certain solidness to his sound. What you hear is not me hitting the drums very hard. Its how the stick has a certain mass (higher density) that just connects better for that effect. With toms tuned well, the Cadeson Studios sustain very well. I believe all those things just added up.

Thanks... GeneZ

[GeneZ]

I haven't heard a solo like that in a long time. It reminds me of the solo in The Shadows song "Little b", Do you know it? It also has Buckets of swing and is quite melodic. Nice job man!
In fact I'm going to see if Brian Bennett is on the drummerworld list right now!

You want to hear something sweet? Just recently I ordered from Amazon.com ... a video of the Shadows in concert.... "The Final Tour." Brian Bennett does Little B, live! Its a great video!

Gene

[The Alien]

Great solos! Took me back memory lane when I was about 10 and playing along with Sandy Nelson on the stereo and me on my toy drumkit. The year was 1975.

I'd say you haven't lost it, and it's fun to hear that kind of groove again! Well done!

[samthebeat]

that was so cool, it put music in my mind straight away, it was like there was a whole big band playing with you.

[GeneZ]

Great solos! Took me back memory lane when I was about 10 and playing along with Sandy Nelson on the stereo and me on my toy drumkit. The year was 1975.

I'd say you haven't lost it, and it's fun to hear that kind of groove again! Well done!

Sandy Nelson was a strong influence on me when I was young. I now have several CD's of re-issues of his albums. I love some of his stuff more now, then I did then. Amazing how I hear so many had been influenced by him.

Thanks, Gene

[GeneZ]

Bump....

I let this thread sit in the back of the forum since April 2004.

So? I hope you do not mind me giving it a bump up for a run at golden oldies.


Thanks, GeneZ

[tomgrosset]

That was well worth digging up, GeneZ.

You have a good intellectual capacity of knowing how to construct a solo that sounds melodious. It was well proportioned with the dynamics and each sound was well featured. Your style is very tasteful and has a really cool flavour to it.

I don't have any suggestions to modify your playing, it's pretty damn good to me.

[GeneZ]

Tom,

What can I say? Thank you!

Gene

[khanedeliac]

Very nice Soul-los, you clearly have a strong sense of both rhythm and melody.
I think what makes them particularly enjoyable to listen to is there is a clear development of ideas, not just random chops splattered everywhere. You build things up with a strong structure and keep it very musical.
This is how I would like to play my solos, with groove written all over them and nice development of themes.

My problem is that I sometimes have difficulty translating what I have in my head to the drums, as in, I might hear a melodic tom figure in my mind that I would like to use, but don't know how to get it down.
To do this, do you figure out what strokes are played with which hand and work through it slowly, or do you just have that innate sense?

Im a bit dumbstruck as to why you quit, but I do understand sometimes things can get to a point where you just have to stand back from it all and go do something else to get your peace of mind.

Awesome stuff, nicely dug up from the vaults! :)

[GeneZ]

My problem is that I sometimes have difficulty translating what I have in my head to the drums, as in, I might hear a melodic tom figure in my mind that I would like to use, but don't know how to get it down.
To do this, do you figure out what strokes are played with which hand and work through it slowly, or do you just have that innate sense?

Can a bird tell another bird how it knows to fly south for the winter? Its really a gift. Its innate.

Yet, its a gift that must be mixed with a desire to have a disciplined life. All artists that have lasting power to please the listeners develop a disciplined life. Those who do not, dissipate and will die out. Most do. Few last. Discipline means a willingness and the will to avoid those things which one knows will hurt your inner happiness. Yet, it can be very painful at the same time while its needed to be avoided. That's the paradox. Accept pain, to avoid pain.

I used to feel like you now do. Its just a phase everyone must go through. It did not always seem innate.

Remember. I stayed away from drums for almost thirty years. My motivation now to play is not from what used to drive me to play. It was what used to drive me that destroyed the joy I once had when I first started out. A developed musician will not compete with other musicians. He will harmonize.

Im a bit dumbstruck as to why you quit, but I do understand sometimes things can get to a point where you just have to stand back from it all and go do something else to get your peace of mind.

I came out of the hippy culture of the 60's. It was the fasted known way to burn oneself out. Drugs are poison to the artist. And, weird philosphies only serve to alienate one from the simple and true joys of life. Yet, when its done. Its done in the name of finding joy. I had to get away from all the damaging effects of the 60's which were being glorified in music and the arts. So, I quit. I could have made it my career. But, I would have walked onto a conveyer belt leading to a sure death, though alive.

It took me quite a few years for me to gain the inner strength that was needed not to be peer pressured by todays fad music world, which demands conformity to what it demands, in order to be called creative. I see much of what is called music today as mechanical and somewhat lifeless.... yet with a powerful energy seeking a way out from frustration. So they work hard at what they do.

I now find that the very best musicians are relaxed and confident, and what they play simply flows from them. It can not be taught. Yet, one must first discipline their life. And, I am not speaking about being rigid. Just learning to say "no" to what needs to be.

Now? Did that help your drumming? ;-)

I'm 57, not far off from sixty. I really have little to prove at this point. I just greatly enjoy playing drums. My younger years were where everyone demanded a certain beat. I would comply. It killed my joy many a time. It locked me away from being creative. Many took drugs in order to break down those barriers. What they really needed was to first mature as a person, not enable artificially with drugs. But, I can only speak for myself.

Awesome stuff, nicely dug up from the vaults! :)

That's what matters in the music. Thank you.

Music when done right is being enabled to share one's happiness with others. It should not be done in misery and frustration (which became the norm of the music industry for too many years). Music should not be that way. But, it can be. Its like a vehicle. It can transport someone to a better place. Or, it can be used to run people over with. It can kill. Or, it can share one's hope.

I am glad to see I am able to write what I just did... Just like I am glad to be able to play like I have been gifted to do. Yet, I know it will not please some here to read it. That's what allows and frees one to be creative and happy. Overcoming the squelching of the negative. Not letting them control you. Creativity is freedom found.

Well, that was not exactly a "keep on practicing and never quit" answer. Was it? ;-)

Thanks again, Gene

[Red Hawk]

wow...

listening to this solo and reading that last post you just made at the same time make me want to go practice, or quit, one of the two.

I LOVE that your solos have DYNAMICS! Everyone that's commenting on the "musicality" of the toms, whether they know it or not, is probably only thinking of that because you're using dynamics. It seems like so many drummers right now are so concerned with perfect time and 240bpm singles that they forget that drums are a musical instrument, not a computer.

Very good stuff, especially off the top of your head!

Thanks for digging it up for us "noobs" who weren't around the first time. VERY inspirational playing, for me anyway.

Russ

[GeneZ]

listening to this solo and reading that last post you just made at the same time make me want to go practice, or quit, one of the two.

Sorry.... LOL!

Your kit is beautiful to look at. And that room the picture was taken in brings me to tears. Must have been a great sounding room.

I LOVE that your solos have DYNAMICS! Everyone that's commenting on the "musicality" of the toms, whether they know it or not, is probably only thinking of that because you're using dynamics.

I was not really playing very loud, except when need be. You're right. Again, the sticks (oak) are a part of the sound you hear.

It seems like so many drummers right now are so concerned with perfect time and 240bpm singles that they forget that drums are a musical instrument, not a computer.

It seems to be a strong trend of this era... Drums are to be like a heartbeat. For some, its a pacemaker. ;-)

Very good stuff, especially off the top of your head!

That's only dandruff.

Thanks for digging it up for us "noobs" who weren't around the first time. VERY inspirational playing, for me anyway.

Thank you, Russ.

[FunkyDrummin]

For some reason I kept hearing Gene Krupa. Was he of any influence on you?

Regardless, I love the way you play. Very soulful, indeed.

[GeneZ]

For some reason I kept hearing Gene Krupa. Was he of any influence on you?

Regardless, I love the way you play. Very soulful, indeed.


Sandy Nelson influenced me when I first started out. He was influenced by Krupa.

Yet, Sandy Nelson has influenced many drummers of the 60's and 70's. They do not sound like Krupa. I have been also infuenced by many other drummers. Ringo. Mel Taylor. Bernard Purdy. A lot of em. I think this is just the way I play. Its a feel. I was surpised to hear it the first time. I had no idea it sounded that way until I heard the playback. Its what I felt inside...
Thanks, Gene

[straks]

This can really show that you never lose you fundamentales on the drum set. Thirty years go by without touching a kit and you go and record a solo this musical at 50. Amazing!

[GeneZ]

This can really show that you never lose you fundamentales on the drum set. Thirty years go by without touching a kit and you go and record a solo this musical at 50. Amazing!

Interesting point. My Dad who had been a trumpet player during the swing era, made me take about six months lessons using only the practice pad. He had a friend who taught me the classic grip, how to read basic drum sheets, and kept driving home to me what is now known as the Moeller technique.

After those months? Then I finally got to see some drums. So, the fundamentals were ingrained. And, its just like riding a bike. You just will never forget if you are taught right.

My situation now is that I had to move into an apartment last year. They're just sitting there in the living room. I keep them dusted. Still very nice to look at.

..... Gene

[OneDrummer]

I loved your stuff. I am only 19 years old and haven't even heard of half the names here. Yet, if I really sit down and feel the music and not think about what I WANT to do, I can play some very melodic beats on the toms and what not. I was influenced by heavy metal/rock and although I love this music still, I don't know if it is who I am as a drummer. I actually recorded myself just playing for 5 minutes the other day doing nothing but this kind of stuff. I never really gave a thought to what you did when you were younger. That's actually how my brother learned to play and he at times does this type of playing. He had just a practice pad for a few years before having an actual drumset. Now he is 23 and is a very good drummer. Although at times he can be a somewhat "technical" drummer. He just recently joined an acoustic band so hopefully it loosens him up a bit. I myself am working on some acoustic stuff with my father and a good female friend of mine. Oh...and I do have a few old drum pads lying around. :)

I will definetly have to check out Sandy Nelson's drumming. Great stuff though, and I'm glad you did pick up playing drums again!

[GeneZ]

I loved your stuff. I am only 19 years old and haven't even heard of half the names here. Yet, if I really sit down and feel the music and not think about what I WANT to do, I can play some very melodic beats on the toms and what not. I was influenced by heavy metal/rock and although I love this music still, I don't know if it is who I am as a drummer. I actually recorded myself just playing for 5 minutes the other day doing nothing but this kind of stuff. I never really gave a thought to what you did when you were younger. That's actually how my brother learned to play and he at times does this type of playing. He had just a practice pad for a few years before having an actual drumset. Now he is 23 and is a very good drummer. Although at times he can be a somewhat "technical" drummer. He just recently joined an acoustic band so hopefully it loosens him up a bit. I myself am working on some acoustic stuff with my father and a good female friend of mine. Oh...and I do have a few old drum pads lying around. :)

I will definetly have to check out Sandy Nelson's drumming. Great stuff though, and I'm glad you did pick up playing drums again!

You can sample one of Sandy Nelson's hits here in the forum. Just look under the general Drummers section.

Gene

[Bernhard]

The Database in this thread seems corrupted....so i close this thread

Berhard