Bits about Brushes

[k3ng]

Ok some little question bits to do with brushes, not all of them about technique but I thought it would go best here

1.
What would be the best way to get those quick single strokes with brushes (like how Buddy loves to do)? I mean, they have virtually no bounce.. unless you consider the flickering of the wires... so I find it very unnatural when I try to do quick single strokes with me brushes... so...Practice methods? Hand movement? Wrist fingers etc etc?

2.
When doing all those tap sweep kind of rudiments lets say RLRLRL and a tap tap sweep tap tap sweep kind of thing, when going to the sweep, do you leave the brush down on the previous tap or do you lift it up and put it back down and sweep?
eg.

Tap Tap Sweep Tap Tap Sweep
R L R L R L

On that second right note, with the sweep thing, do you leave the first right note down on the head or do you take it off the head?

3.(Non technique related - didn't want to make another thread)
How do your snare for a great brush sound? (Again I'm using Buddy's as an example) especially on a metal snare. Mine doesn't get a very responsive sound.. especially from the strainers... when I do some harder strokes then the strainers sound a little, but with softer strokes, they sound like i'm just hitting a piece of plastic, without the strainers. I've tried adjusting strainer tension, doesn't work.. so I think it's down to tuning.. So what do you do for a great brush sound?

4. (again non technique related)
How do you go about doing brush maintainence for all those bent wires etc? When a wire goes terribly bent, is it wise to cut it off instead of trying to bend it back? (mine are retractable brushes btw... some cheapo brand... if that has anything to do with it)




Sorry for the rather long post and multiple questions... but I was experimenting with my brushwork today and the snare just sounded terrible... bleh...

[Muckster]

1. Practice. You should be able to do everything with brushes that you do with sticks.
All rudiments including multiple bounce strokes. I have always practiced with the
brushes themselves.

2. I bring the brush up then back down for the sweep.

3. Nothing special, same tuning for regular stick playing. Tight head, and medium
strainer tension. I play with snare on and off depending on the sound i want.

4. Don't worry, you are going to bend the wires now and then. I just cut them off.

[mind_drummer]

!- I do exactly the same as I do with sticks and I use my finger for my right hand (match grip) and the wrist whip motion on my left (trad. grip). Practice is the key to feel comfortable. Also I took the Jeff halmilton advise seriously when he said no to slam the brushes verticaly on the head but use more like a sweeping motion (hitting the head with angles to get "that brushes sound").

2 - It depends the sound you want to achieve. If you want to get resonance from your tapping then obviously you dont that the choice to bring the brushes up then down for the sweeping motion. If you want that heavy tap feeling then tap and press against the head and star the sweeping motion. Two different technique two different sound.

3- I prefer 5 to 5.5 inches wood snare when working with brushes (better sensitivity) and also I fitted a 40 strands snare wire to obtain the best sound out of it. Just any gentle sweeting produce and great snare response.

4- Up to this date, I never had to cut any wires from my brushes but I unbent some with good result. My best bet is for you to get better brushes and these will be more durable.
You can look at the Steve gadd brushes developped by Vic Firth. The brushes wires wont wedge between the head and rims.

Steve Gadd (SGWB)
Steve and Vic have solved the age-old problem of wire brushes snagging on new coated drumheads by slightly angling the wires in the top 3/4” of the playing end. The wires glide across the head, allowing a smoother sweep and a velvet swish sound.

http://www.vicfirth.com/products/images/SGWB.jpg

[fat in the middle]

Another thing that helps, is to apply a fine light sanding on a new coated head. it brings down the bumps,,but not too much!!

[wy yung]

I've thought about this thread and can't honestly say I can help unless I was there in person to show you. The guys above have got it right with their advice so far. I'd recomend the Ed Thigpen book and DVD if you do not have access to a teacher. I just think you really need to see it done. Brushes are so versatile and can create so many sounds it leaves this area wide open. I am sorry I can't be more helpful here.

[mosher]

Ed Thigpen has a great video out on brushes

[Drad-dog]

As for the single strokes, what works for me is Stick Control. Do it exactly like G. Stone recommends but with your brushes. One word of caution though: because they don't bounce much you're going to have to do most of the work yourself (moving the brushes deliberately in both directions) so watch out for excess tension. Regarding your snare drum sound, there could be so many things wrong with your drum- who knows? I've noticed that a super tight batter head can have the effect you're describing. If you've already adjusted the tension on the strainer, try the head. Of course, maybe you just have a crappy drum? Cheers for getting into brushes.

[k3ng]

Of course, maybe you just have a crappy drum?

Well, it's a swingstar.. so somewhere in the middle? =P

Thank you for the input. I shall go into my brush singles...