My attempt at Tom Sawyer

[mikei]

After watching some of the others out here with their tributes to Neil (trust me, this is no Shogun Warrior! He is THE MAN), I must admit I am a bit ashamed to put this out.

This was the first time recording myself. I was so nervous. I recorded it on my wife's digital camera. So, the sound is harsh.

I made a couple of mistakes I usually don't due to me being nervous.

Also, because of my trial software, it only converted 70 percent of the song, so to right after the solo.

It is accapella (spelling?) so beware.

I have been playing about 2 years now, so please don't expect the world. I just hope for 2 years, I am progressing at at least the average rate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZE9yMNwqvA

Thanks for any responses. Constructive criticism is welcome!

Thanks

[Audball]

Mike, not bad at all! Like yourself, I've only been playing for two years (coming up mid Feb.), and with the amount of practive I've had (only 5 hours a week, as a point of comparison for you), I think you have more consistent timing than I do.

One cool thing I've found on the various forums I frequent is a guy going by the handle 'Joe_K' on the VDrum.com boards who likes to create drumless tracks (he's a guitarist first and foremost)... and he's made one for Tom Sawyer (both with and without click track). They are very fun to play along to. Check it out:

http://www.vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21864&highlight=tom+sawyer

If you do a search for "drumless track" on that forum, you'll find many more he's done.

Have fun!

[mikei]

Thanks Audball.

I practice about 5 hours a week as well.

I was playing along with my iPod.

I will definately check out the vdrum for Tom Sawyer.

I see you started a bit later in life like me!

Best of luck to you and thanks for the feedback!!!!

[larlev]

Nice job.....to be honest it took me a LONG time to be able to nail that song

I think it was 4 years before I could really say (with confidence)...I could play it...LOL

21 years of playing...and that is one of my all time favorites to warmup to....

The only thing I would recommend is learning to play to a click track......you will really know just how good or bad you are playing along....If you can master the click...IMO you will be a FAR greater drummer...not everyone can grasp it.

[mikei]

I play with my metronome when I jam with my brother, who is a guitarist.

It is just hard to hear because his amp is LOUD and I hit pretty HARD.

I cannot wait to say "I warm up to that song!" LOL

I warmed up for about an hour before attempting that!

Thanks for the encouragement!!

[timebandit]

Nice job Mikei,

I would suggest the same as Larlev, as for the song itself, try closing your hats a bit more on the chorus " the world is, the world is love and life are deep, maybe as his skies are wide" for the right effect for that part. Also I've been playin' rush tunes since the "80's" and i've found the best way to play Neil's fills, is to first let the song play through without playing and then just play the fill,and practice the trasition until your comfortable with the fill, so your not stiff and it flows, and once you got that, play the song all the way trough.Tom sawyer does not have real difficult fills, it's the transition thats difficult. Which goes for most of his stuff, like for instance Le villa strangiato the fills in the middle of the song, not to hard, but the transitions tough. same goes for the end of subdivisions. well, you get the point.

[mikei]

Thank you for your feedback.

This is what I was looking for.

I appreciate it and will keep working.

Thanks again!

Mike

[morbius25]

I have to give you credit. For only playing for two years and to attempt this song says to me that you practice a lot. I have been playing for two years and I can't even fathom this song. I have tried to do the opening to it a few times and I just screw it up, could be that I don't practice enough. But good job man.

[mikei]

I have to give you credit. For only playing for two years and to attempt this song says to me that you practice a lot. I have been playing for two years and I can't even fathom this song. I have tried to do the opening to it a few times and I just screw it up, could be that I don't practice enough. But good job man.

6 months ago, I screwed up so much. I thought I would never get it. And, I only practice between 4 and 6 hours a week. So, I have to practice smart.

I couldn't even come close to playing it at the normal tempo, which is I believe about 88 BPM. The 16th notes were brutal ( I couldn't make it through even make it through the first minute due to the burning) and the coordination between my feet and hands was tough.

So I learned the song play at 60 BPM and just increased the tempo a couple points a week.

After about 2 weeks I could play the whole song at a slower tempo.

This exercise helped me out tremendously. I am so glad I toughed it out when initially I thought that there was no way I could do it.

I then started playing Fool in the Rain from Zep. Again, too advanced for me, but during the last couple of months, it has started to click. This has helped me too.

Thank you so much for your feedback. It is appreciated.

[drummguy731]

Nice playing! Just suggestion though, if those are Aheads, get rid of them because they will tear your cymbals apart.

[mikei]

They are Ahead sticks.

However, they are softer and more forgiving than wood sticks IF you change the sleeves regularly which I do.

As a matter of fact, it is about that time again!! So, I will be changing them within the next couple of days.

The metal lies beneath plastic sleaves. As long as the plastic sleeves aren't destroyed, the cymbals are safe!!!

Thanks for the feedback.

[Fat Elvis]

wow way to go, mike. I have never attempted this song -- i think partly out of sheer intimidation. You did a great job. I thought your 16th notes sounded great and consistent.... which is the part of the wong that scares me.

i downloaded those vdrums versions -- maybe i will work on this one as well. Great job -- your starclassic looks HOT also!!!

[mikei]

wow way to go, mike. I have never attempted this song -- i think partly out of sheer intimidation. You did a great job. I thought your 16th notes sounded great and consistent.... which is the part of the wong that scares me.

i downloaded those vdrums versions -- maybe i will work on this one as well. Great job -- your starclassic looks HOT also!!!

Thank you Elvis! It is a great exercise in 16ths, that is for sure.

I downloaded the vdrum versions as well, but I have not tried it yet.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Mike