Gavin Harrison here! [Archive] - Page 13 - DRUMMERWORLD OFFICIAL DISCUSSION FORUM

MaidenFanSte

02-22-2009, 05:27 AM

Hi NeuroAxis....thanks for the reply...

I know how to replace and tune my drums....but every drummer has a different technique and I was just curious for Gavin's method....maybe pick up a helpfull tip along the way...

I did use a hairdryer in the past...I think I saw Bob Gatzen do it in his DVD...I also use a Tama Tension Watch sometimes....it helps you get the tension right all over the head...but it doesnt tune it though....

I mainly do it as Dave Weckl does in his instructional DVD, cause I think he has the best drum sound in the world today...The sound of his drumset on Multiplicity is just phenomenal...Watch Your Step (http://www.last.fm/music/Dave+Weckl+Band/_/Watch+Your+Step)

But following his instructions did not make my drums sound as beautifull as his.....hummmm strange...

I guess the biggest problem is expierence...I just dont play enough for me to have my heads replaced that much...

Take care,
Andre

I've always found that drum tuning is a personal thing. You'll never get a drummer's sound with same gear and same hardware, due to the amount that mics and studio gear put towards the sound. Not only that....the weight and material of the sticks count too.
That is as far as I know anyway....I might be seriously wrong...

Rocklord

02-22-2009, 12:34 PM

Hi Gavin,

Over time I've read this entire thread and can only thank you for taking the time to share your advice, insight and inspiration. You are a great inspiration to me here on the cloudy old Isle of Man.

I'm looking forward to finally getting to seeing you live when PT hit the road again.

I have a quick question for you regarding your recent sessions in Italy:

You mentioned you were recording in Milan and I was wondering about the logistics of session recording in other countries. Did you take all of your own gear to the session or was a kit sourced locally, how many of the 'essentials' did you have to transport?

Really looking forward to the new GH/o5Ric release. Thanks again for the huge amounts of inspiration.

/Off topic: Who do you fancy for the F1 title this year? Testing has so far been so close I have no idea. Although the Red Bull is a fantastic looking car I don't think they can keep up with the development pace for the season, I hope Mark Webber can finally get a win with it thought.

Cheers,
Rocklord

loser_user

02-22-2009, 01:46 PM

I might have to try that, cause I try all I can but still have some buzz from playing the toms.

I cut my 18 strand snare down to 8 and received some really bad vibrations from the snare while playing the snare drum. Then I bought a 10 strand Yamaha Snare (5 x 2 wires), bad vibrations again. Recently I changed to a 20 strand puresound snare. The bad vibrations are gone. But since my first cut down, I'm struggling with my snaredrum sound, because I also changed the drumheads. Think twice before messing around with your snaredrum. It could end in a nightmare.

Drizzle

02-23-2009, 02:20 AM

Hey Gavin....

Saw this new device from Wackmaster to lift up the bottom hihat by turning a device installed on the ...

http://www.wackmasterdrums.com/Products.html

Looks like it works...but its kinda hard turning the knob around when you hold a stick...
So probably not ideally to adjust while playing...

Another thing was the Kickport...a device to put in your bassdrum to get more low end....

http://futurepercussionconcepts.com/kickport.html

Tell me what do you think of it....I know you probably havent tried them yourself but just your first opinion...

Do you ever try out new things..just out of curiosity?

Take care,
Dre

Kongo

02-23-2009, 05:08 AM

I plan on taking a trip to London and attempting to meet you and Steven Wilson, I'll sleep on the ground if i have to I'm just a teenager from New York who is in love with your band. I have no idea where to look or where to even go....but I'll find my way.

gibeachhead

02-23-2009, 07:17 AM

Ah man, I thought he did. Anyway, I have a pop quiz....when did you say this?

"You know, some people get scared of going on stage. It's the anticipation of something that's going happen. something bad is going to happen to you, its going to go wrong. When their on there, their okay, its just the build up to it. You know, leading up to what they think is going to be a really bad experience. very strange thing"

He said it here (also found on the DVD-A of deadwing): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i7z8dPhOG8

I cut my 18 strand snare down to 8 and received some really bad vibrations from the snare while playing the snare drum. Then I bought a 10 strand Yamaha Snare (5 x 2 wires), bad vibrations again. Recently I changed to a 20 strand puresound snare. The bad vibrations are gone. But since my first cut down, I'm struggling with my snaredrum sound, because I also changed the drumheads. Think twice before messing around with your snaredrum. It could end in a nightmare.

Thanks for sharing. I might have to try some puresound strands, they seem very good from what people say and are telling me.

Gavin- Any plans to come to the Washington DC/Northern Virginia area in September?

gapwedge

02-23-2009, 01:56 PM

Hi, Gavin.

I just wondered whether you'd heard the album Half Way home by the DeeExpus project?

I particularly wondered as there's a track on there PTtee which is about Andy Ditchfield's epiphany moment after apparently thinking about jacking it all in, before being blown away at one of your shows on the FOABP tour.

I also have wondered a number of times whether you and/or the rest of the band sometimes think that Stevens lyrical themes are, well, a bit dark and every now and again yearn for something a bit brighter?

And where do you stand on Stevens Ipod-a-phobia?

Gavin Harrison

02-23-2009, 02:46 PM

Hi Rocklord

You mentioned you were recording in Milan and I was wondering about the logistics of session recording in other countries. Did you take all of your own gear to the session or was a kit sourced locally, how many of the 'essentials' did you have to transport?

I contact the Sonor artist rep in Italy and he lays on a kit for me with the Remo heads on that I require. He has it delivered to the studio and set up for when I arrive. I take with me a flight case full of cymbals, a flight case with a snare drum in it and my bass drum pedals. Plus I take some sticks/brushes/mallets and my little bell cymbals holder in my suite case. That usually attracts some excess baggage charge.

/Off topic: Who do you fancy for the F1 title this year?

It's got to be Lewis again.

Hi Drizzle

Saw this new device from Wackmaster to lift up the bottom hihat by turning a device installed on the ...http://www.wackmasterdrums.com/Products.html

Yes, it looks interesting although perhaps not as easy to use as the Tama cobra Clutch.

Another thing was the Kickport...a device to put in your bassdrum to get more low end....Do you ever try out new things..just out of curiosity?

Funny you should mention it - I ordered it 2 weeks ago and I'm expecting it any moment now. I'll always be curious about new gear - and I buy quite a few little things like this hoping they will improve the sound or provide an easier way to play.

Hi gibeachhead

I might have to try some puresound strands, they seem very good from what people say and are telling me. Gavin- Any plans to come to the Washington DC/Northern Virginia area in September?

Puresound snare are easily the best I've ever tried. I haven't seen any proposals for a Washington date yet.

Hi gapwedge

I just wondered whether you'd heard the album Half Way home by the DeeExpus project?

No I haven't heard it.

I also have wondered a number of times whether you and/or the rest of the band sometimes think that Stevens lyrical themes are, well, a bit dark and every now and again yearn for something a bit brighter?

I like dark lyrics.

And where do you stand on Stevens Ipod-a-phobia?

The rest of us (band and crew) all have iPods and enjoy them whilst on tour. Steven is on his own with that one.

cheers
Gavin

jez-

02-23-2009, 04:32 PM

Hi mr. Harrison, I have a few quick questions if you don't mind.

Is the DVD for the Modern Drummer Festival 2008 already out and where could it be purchased?

Secondly, my friend wanted to know what you think about the latin jazz drummer Horacio Hernandez, if you have any comments or anything. And have you yourself played similar stuff?

Thanks again for taking the time from your busy schedule to answer our questions!

Paul Nasstrom

02-23-2009, 09:05 PM

Hi Gavin! Hope you are doing good with your current projects (PT, 05ric), I cant wait to hear more of your awesome and inspiring drumming.

As I wrote a couple of months earlier I've been thinking of buying a kit pretty soon (hopefully). Well I've realized that going for a Sonor kit maybe is a bit unrealistic. And my dad has found some toms in a junkroom next to a recording studio. They seem to be quite homemade and I don't know what kind of wood it is. But I thought maybe they would sound okay or even good if I bought some nice remo heads and used them. And the went for a nice snare and bass-drum and good symbals. Well what kind of snare and bass-drum would you recommend for someone who likes your sound. I mean, what type of wood? Is a 14x5 maple snaredrum a wise choise for someone who liked clear, light punchy sound? I personaly think that going for a nice Snare, Bass, Hi-Hat, Ride and Crash combo and then subsequently going for better toms sound like a good starting point for a good kit. Do you agree?

I also wonderd if you have listened to Esbjörn Svenson Trio and if you like the drummer Magnus Öström who plays with them? If you haven't heard them I really would recommend listening to their album God Morning Susie Soho. Great Music.

Sorry for my bad english and wierd sentences. I'm swedish so... Hope you understand it at least a little bit anyway.

NeuroAxis

02-24-2009, 06:43 PM

Just wanted to share a brain teaser of an exercise based on Gavin's Rhythmic Horizons DVD.

I had worked through most of the lessons on this DVD awhile ago and hadn't watched it in some time, but I'm working with a drum teacher who is very insistent on counting out loud while practicing and sight reading. So I decided to revisit this DVD with that in mind, and to count out loud over all the overriding exercises. It's simple enough with the 8th note, quarter note, and open hi-hat accent overrides, but when it comes to the dotted 8th note overrides it gets really tricky. You really have to get inside that 3/16ths feel and understand it. Even just tapping your hi-hat foot in the original 5/8 or 7/8 time signature is really a challenge while playing the dotted 8ths on the ride.

So if you're looking for a challenge try this. I think it really helps maintain a solid feel while playing weird overrides to keep counting in the original time signature.

Tim Waterson

02-25-2009, 06:25 AM

Gavin just saw one of your clips where you are explaing odd time between hands and feet and are only using one hand.AMAZING.This is what I like to see at clinics break downs, demonstrations, and application
IMHO you put a lot of drummers with gargantuon kits to shame with only one hand
Tim

Gavin Harrison

02-25-2009, 12:48 PM

Hi jez-

Is the DVD for the Modern Drummer Festival 2008 already out and where could it be purchased?

No it hasn't been released yet - I'm expecting it to come out sometime in the next 3 months.

Secondly, my friend wanted to know what you think about the latin jazz drummer Horacio Hernandez, if you have any comments or anything. And have you yourself played similar stuff?

Horacio is an amazing drummer - I saw him make a clinic in London many years ago and I was very impressed. I don't get asked much to play Latin - although I can - it's best left to people like Horacio who grew up with it and have it in their blood.

Hi Paul Nasstrom

my dad has found some toms in a junkroom next to a recording studio. They seem to be quite homemade and I don't know what kind of wood it is. But I thought maybe they would sound okay or even good if I bought some nice remo heads and used them. And the went for a nice snare and bass-drum and good symbals. Well what kind of snare and bass-drum would you recommend for someone who likes your sound. I mean, what type of wood? Is a 14x5 maple snaredrum a wise choise for someone who liked clear, light punchy sound? I personaly think that going for a nice Snare, Bass, Hi-Hat, Ride and Crash combo and then subsequently going for better toms sound like a good starting point for a good kit. Do you agree?

Yes maple is always a safe bet when it comes to drum wood. 14x5 is my favorite size of snare drum. I would advise getting good cymbals. If the cymbals are not good - there's nothing that can be done with them - whereas drums can be altered. New Remo heads may help the sound of those toms and you can improve the sound of drums with different head combinations.

I also wonderd if you have listened to Esbjörn Svenson Trio and if you like the drummer Magnus Öström who plays with them? If you haven't heard them I really would recommend listening to their album God Morning Susie Soho. Great Music.

Yes I know E.S.T and really enjoyed the "Live In Stockholm" DVD. I was very saddened to hear that Esbjörn had died recently.

Hi Tim Waterson

Gavin just saw one of your clips where you are explaing odd time between hands and feet and are only using one hand.AMAZING.This is what I like to see at clinics break downs, demonstrations, and application IMHO you put a lot of drummers with gargantuon kits to shame with only one hand

thanks for the kind words - I had a good time at that PASIC clinic.

cheers
Gavin

mstjean

02-26-2009, 12:27 AM

Hi all,

I'm currently working on transcribing the 'breakdown' in Cheating the Polygraph [2:08 - 2:38]. Has anyone else has taken this up?

Been paying a lot of attention to FOABP and Nil Recurring lately; pretty brilliant work.

Happy drumming!

mstjean

02-26-2009, 03:17 AM

Let's see... how long did that take... my brain hurts.

Here are a couple versions of my initial analysis/transcription!

pdf document, 600dpi, 7/4 interpretation
http://www.mikestjean.com/ptree/GavinHarisson-CheatingthePolygraph.pdf

pdf document, 72dpi, 7/4 interpretation
http://www.mikestjean.com/ptree/GavinHarisson-CheatingthePolygraph72dpi.pdf

pdf document, 600dpi, 7/8 interpretation (hard to read man!)
http://www.mikestjean.com/ptree/GavinHarisson-CheatingthePolygraph32s.pdf

pdf document, 72dpi, 7/8 interpretation
http://www.mikestjean.com/ptree/GavinHarisson-CheatingthePolygraph32s72dpi.pdf

I didn't really treat the ghost notes since it's all pretty light playing; rather, I marked the accented snares. The 'dome' cymbals and some of the tom work is a little ambiguous in tonality but the rhythm is there.

Would love to hear anyones thought's/corrections :)

Cheers!

miha

02-27-2009, 08:58 AM

Thanks - for anyone who may be interested - here's a sneak preview of the first half of my new record with 05Ric. I'm really happy with it and will post some stuff here at Drummerworld when it's available.

www.myspace.com/gavinharrison05ric

cheers
Gavin

Great stuff, absolutely great! So energetic and profound. There's a part from the preview which is playing in my head over and over. Can't wait for the final release!

mly

02-27-2009, 06:07 PM

Hi mr. Harrison,

I have few questions

You have great timing and groove... Do you have any advice how to develop that ?

Secondly, is it better to be able to play any style or really focus on one style ?

And the last one.. Do you have any favourite books you would recommend ?

I'm sorry for my bad English:)

Thank you.
Roman

Gavin Harrison

02-27-2009, 08:03 PM

Hi mstjean,
very nice transcriptions !! Well done.

Hi miha

Great stuff, absolutely great! So energetic and profound. There's a part from the preview which is playing in my head over and over. Can't wait for the final release!

Thanks - I'm really happy with it. It should be released very soon.

Hi mly

You have great timing and groove... Do you have any advice how to develop that ?

By listening really carefully - not only to your drumming but other drummers too. I tried to emulate the feel of the drummers that I grew up listening to. I recorded myself all the time and listened back just to check the timing and feel. It's still the biggest priority to me and I'm still critical of my timing and groove. I'm always looking to improve it.
If you want to practice some swing feel - here's a great CD - I'm playing to it almost everyday at the moment. It's called "Meet The Bass Player" and is produced by Allan Cox. It's basically just a great swing bass player called Paul Morgan laying down some great swing time.

http://www.allancox.co.uk/mtbp.htm

Secondly, is it better to be able to play any style or really focus on one style ?

I wouldn't get too hung up on 'styles'. Work on your timing and musicality and you'll be surprised how easy it is to adapt to most styles quite quickly. Every 'style' has timing and groove at the core level - and musicians who play in those styles will appreciate your good sense of time even if you don't know all the things about that style.
I wanted to play the kinds of music I was listening to - and I wasn't just listening to one style of music. Plus a life in the music business can take some pretty unexpected twists and turns - for instance -I never imagined years ago that I'd end up playing in a 'prog' band - as I do now.

And the last one.. Do you have any favourite books you would recommend ?

I really enjoyed working through the systems that can be applied to the Ted Reed book "Syncopation". If you like snare drum exercises there's an excellent (but hard) book by Fred Albright called "Contemporary Studies For Snare Drum".

cheers
Gavin

cantstandyourfunk

02-27-2009, 10:03 PM

Thanks for those insights, as always, Mr Harrison. Your 4-part video interview series with Vic Firth also helped a lot, basically opened a lot of doors into approaching your books and DVDs, again :)

Really appreciate it :)

Fox622003

02-28-2009, 04:15 AM

Hey Gavin, I don't really have any questions at the moment but I just *had* to create this account to congratulate you on the great advice and answers you've been giving on these forums.
I also really liked the interviews in the Vic Firth site, I thought they had a lot of useful tips.
I would like to point out that you have been one of the main influences I've had to try and raise my playing level another notch or two.
So, really, thanks a lot for your dedication to music, drumming and the community in general, keep those great grooves coming, beautiful playing!
Oh and now that I think about it, I do have a question! it's kind of silly, but I've always wanted to know how pro drummers handle rolls at the end of songs. I mean, I usually just fill in with cymbal sound and when/if I go to the drumset, I just try to get the same feel I had on the cymbals. What I was wondering is if this is correct, as opposed to maybe, doing it in time, which I've tried, but it's kind of hard to go to a 32nd/16th (depending on the tempo) feel and keep it tight when you are finishing a song, and it doesn't really sound very good. So, how do you handle these type of things?

All the best, Fox.

supermac

02-28-2009, 11:48 AM

Hi Gavin,

I posted a question on the gerneral drummerworld website just to gauge opinion and was a bit surprised by the reaction.

I asked if a solo I have worked out at around three and a half minutes was too long for a barroom gig (in the UK incidentally). People at these gigs do usually come to see a band, so they're not just sitting there pouring alcohol down their necks.

Most drummers on this site seemed to think four minutes was way too long. I wondered what your opinion as a pro was.

The solo is not massively technical: Two minutes of 4/4 rolling, jungle toms and marching snare figures, followed by a minute or so of 'letting rip' - Bonham triplets, quads, hi-hat chokes, double bass drum stuff. etc.

Maybe I've just been watching too many drum DVDs. Who knows?

NeuroAxis

02-28-2009, 06:26 PM

I really enjoyed working through the systems that can be applied to the Ted Reed book "Syncopation". If you like snare drum exercises there's an excellent (but hard) book by Fred Albright called "Contemporary Studies For Snare Drum".

I'm working through the Ted Reed book myself right now, great stuff.

euphoric_anomaly

02-28-2009, 06:40 PM

Gavin,

Thank you for your suggestion about metronomes and grasping 7/4 time. I recently purchased a Yamaha DD65 electronic kit and found out I can set the metronome to any time signature. I'm still in the "basic" stages of grasping 7/4, only being able to play basic snare and bass patterns with a steady 1/4 or 1/8th note on the ride or hi-hat, but it's coming easier the more I play it. My biggest obstacle is mastering how to play it without sounding so robotic.

Thanks again for the advice

Eric

gibeachhead

02-28-2009, 08:20 PM

Hey Gavin,

I heard the PT DVD won't see release until 2010; is this true?

Many thanks!

Gavin Harrison

02-28-2009, 11:19 PM

Hi cantstandyourfunk

Thanks for those insights, as always, Mr Harrison. Your 4-part video interview series with Vic Firth also helped a lot

I think there's six parts to that interview.

Hi Fox622003

I do have a question! it's kind of silly, but I've always wanted to know how pro drummers handle rolls at the end of songs. I mean, I usually just fill in with cymbal sound and when/if I go to the drumset, I just try to get the same feel I had on the cymbals. What I was wondering is if this is correct, as opposed to maybe, doing it in time, which I've tried, but it's kind of hard to go to a 32nd/16th (depending on the tempo) feel and keep it tight when you are finishing a song, and it doesn't really sound very good. So, how do you handle these type of things?

are you talking about the last held chord of a song where the drummer usually fills in and the others wait for a cut off cue? I don't tend to play in the tempo of the song - I just play whatever comes to mind at the time.

Hi supermac

I asked if a solo I have worked out at around three and a half minutes was too long for a barroom gig (in the UK incidentally). People at these gigs do usually come to see a band, so they're not just sitting there pouring alcohol down their necks.

sounds pretty long to me. I don't really like drum solos to be honest - and try to avoid them if I can.

The solo is not massively technical: Two minutes of 4/4 rolling, jungle toms and marching snare figures, followed by a minute or so of 'letting rip' - Bonham triplets, quads, hi-hat chokes, double bass drum stuff. etc.

could you not just improvise something on the spot - rather than this pre planned thing?

Hi euphoric_anomaly

I'm still in the "basic" stages of grasping 7/4, only being able to play basic snare and bass patterns with a steady 1/4 or 1/8th note on the ride or hi-hat, but it's coming easier the more I play it. My biggest obstacle is mastering how to play it without sounding so robotic.

Don't worry - it gets easier the more comfortable you get with the time signature. I prefer to play over a riff - like a bass line for instance - then I just sing along to it and it feels much easier than counting.

gibeachhead

I heard the PT DVD won't see release until 2010; is this true?

I'm not sure about that - where did you hear it?

cheers
Gavin

Fox622003

03-01-2009, 12:53 AM

Ok, that's exactly what I meant, thanks a lot for the answer Gavin.
Fox.

gibeachhead

03-01-2009, 03:15 AM

gibeachhead

I heard the PT DVD won't see release until 2010; is this true?

I'm not sure about that - where did you hear it?

cheers
Gavin

People read that Steven said it in this interview here (posted just yesterday):
http://www.metal4all.net/index2.htm

Unfortunately there is no English version and I myself cannot read Spanish very well, I mean if Steven said so......but I figured i'd ask. No worries I hope, I am simply curious.

Drizzle

03-01-2009, 06:00 PM

People read that Steven said it in this interview here (posted just yesterday):
http://www.metal4all.net/index2.htm

Unfortunately there is no English version and I myself cannot read Spanish very well, I mean if Steven said so......but I figured i'd ask. No worries I hope, I am simply curious.

Yes he does say so in this interview......

That the DVD doesnt have the highest priority and that they are busy finishing the new album and that the DVD probably wont come out this year......

I guess we have to wait untill next year....

Gus

03-01-2009, 08:58 PM

People read that Steven said it in this interview here (posted just yesterday):
http://www.metal4all.net/index2.htm

Unfortunately there is no English version and I myself cannot read Spanish very well, I mean if Steven said so......but I figured i'd ask. No worries I hope, I am simply curious.

Hi gibeachhead

If i may say, as spanish speaker, you´ve read correctly. That´s exactly what Steven said in this interview. :-(

Gustavo

K.Howden

03-01-2009, 11:34 PM

Hi Gavin, just a quick question.

On wikipedia it lists your recording Equipment and in essence describes it as; Drum Mics > Desk > Mac

I was just wondering if you use any Outboards in your set-up, such as; EQ's, Compressors, Gates, Reverbs etc or do you do all your Mixing and Processing in Logic?

Hope you're well,

Kev

DrumEatDrum

03-02-2009, 03:21 AM

Hi Gavin,

I understand you records tracks for the new OSI album (with Jim Matheos and Kevin Moore).

Has there been any word on when the CD will be released?

Thank you.

ItalianRicky

03-02-2009, 05:03 AM

hi gavin.
usually i see around you a lot of K crashes.
They sound amazing, but they're expensive, for persons like me, that have no endorsement.
I wanna ask you, what do you think about A custom cymbals?have you used them?are they compatible with pop music and studio records?
thanks a lot.=)
ah, there's a sad news...i broke my (and YOUR =P ) oriental trash 12" chinese.
i don't understant how, do you find this cymbal easy to break?

Gavin Harrison

03-02-2009, 01:51 PM

Hi K.Howden

On wikipedia it lists your recording Equipment and in essence describes it as; Drum Mics > Desk > Mac. I was just wondering if you use any Outboards in your set-up, such as; EQ's, Compressors, Gates, Reverbs etc or do you do all your Mixing and Processing in Logic?

I don't use any outboard anymore. It's all inside Logic now - and it's so much easier.

Hi DrumEatDrum

I understand you records tracks for the new OSI album (with Jim Matheos and Kevin Moore). Has there been any word on when the CD will be released?

That is correct - I understand sometime in April - but I don't know for sure.

Hi ItalianRicky

I wanna ask you, what do you think about A custom cymbals?have you used them?are they compatible with pop music and studio records?

Yes they are very good indeed - and certainly compatible with pop records and studio recordings.

i broke my (and YOUR =P ) oriental trash 12" chinese. i don't understant how, do you find this cymbal easy to break?

I have broken them before - but not in the last couple of years since I have developed a new type of cymbal washer. I'll tell everyone more about it when the product is ready to be released.
What I can say is this - I played a 5 week tour with PT around the USA using these new cymbal washers and I didn't break one cymbal the whole tour. Then I came to Europe and played another 5 weeks (same band, same songs and exactly the same cymbals) but I forgot to bring the washers and left them on my US set. I broke 7 cymbals in the first 2 weeks!!!!
Now I have a set of these washers on my Euro set too - and I haven't broken a cymbal since then.

cheers
Gavin

ItalianRicky

03-02-2009, 02:16 PM

NeuroAxis

03-02-2009, 07:00 PM

thanks a lot ;)

i broke 3 cymbals in 6 years...may this be normal?a crash, this mini china and a 6" splash....
but this mini china gave me impression to be very fragile...
the issue is like this:

http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=immagineuol.jpg

it may depend from the cymbal washer or may it be a problem of the cymbal itself?

You can drill little pinpoint holes on either side of the crack to stop it from growing for a little while. It's really just delaying the inevitable, but if you can't afford to replace it right away it's a good way to get a little more life out of it.

ahector

03-02-2009, 08:01 PM

i broke my (and YOUR =P ) oriental trash 12" chinese. i don't understant how, do you find this cymbal easy to break?

I have broken them before - but not in the last couple of years since I have developed a new type of cymbal washer. I'll tell everyone more about it when the product is ready to be released.
What I can say is this - I played a 5 week tour with PT around the USA using these new cymbal washers and I didn't break one cymbal the whole tour. Then I came to Europe and played another 5 weeks (same band, same songs and exactly the same cymbals) but I forgot to bring the washers and left them on my US set. I broke 7 cymbals in the first 2 weeks!!!!
Now I have a set of these washers on my Euro set too - and I haven't broken a cymbal since then.

It sounds like you've given all the info that you can here, but I'm going to beg anyway. Any chance you can give us some sort of idea of what these are all about? I've been looking for new washers that relieve the stress on my cymbals for a LONG time. I have a serious issue with breaking crashes and china cymbals and it's expensive. I'm very very intrigued.

Also, when you break cymbals, where do you break them? I get cracks on the shoulder of the cymbal. I'm wondering if the problem you had with breaking that has been remedied by these new washers is similar to mine or maybe something different (like breaking it at the hole or something).

And by the way, Gavin, thanks for this thread. It's been so valuable to me and I'm sure a lot of other people.

ItalianRicky

03-03-2009, 02:24 PM

You can drill little pinpoint holes on either side of the crack to stop it from growing for a little while. It's really just delaying the inevitable, but if you can't afford to replace it right away it's a good way to get a little more life out of it.

thanks, but the cymbal is under guarantee...maybe zildjian can give me another.

Delaygroover

03-03-2009, 03:08 PM

SantiBanks

03-03-2009, 05:32 PM

Hi Gavin,

very nice Interview on Vic Firth.com!
I think you find the right words for young students, lots of thanks for this!!!

I´ve got a short question:

Which kind of Interface did you use on livegigs, e.g.: on the Musikmesse in Frankfurt?

Can you give me some buy-advice, i use a macbookpro and i need a interface for livegigs and playalong sessions. Important is a seperate headphone volume and a output volume! Midi in and out is also important.
Firwire or USB?

What do you think?

Best wishes from cold germany,

Delaygroover

I would use a firewire one as USB gives some strain on your processor. Firewire will never do that so it's always steady in performance, even if your processor is busy with processing large heavy tasks.

Now down to the interfaces, a lot of interfaces can do what you want though not all have midi.

You can always buy a separate midi/usb cable. I use a Mackie Onyx Satellite and that works great. Other interfaces I can recommend are Presonus (they have the inspire and firebox), Echo (Audiofire 2 and 4), TC Electronic, M-audio (Firewire solo although I don't like the sound of M-audio, ditched my fw1814 in favor of a presonus firestudio 26 and the mackie), Edirol (they have some nice stuff, once had the UA25, very good though usb), Apogee (duet, though pricy but perfect!) and I believe Emu has some nice interfaces too (use a 0404 card in my windhose machine, good quality stuff)

Gavin Harrison

03-03-2009, 06:17 PM

Hi ItalianRicky

i broke 3 cymbals in 6 years...may this be normal?a crash, this mini china and a 6" splash....but this mini china gave me impression to be very fragile...the issue is like this:
it may depend from the cymbal washer or may it be a problem of the cymbal itself?

I used to break a whole load of cymbals. That china break is the typical place for it to fracture. The 12" Oriental is quite thin - which is why it sounds so nice. It's very hard to say why a cymbal breaks - a problem with the cymbal - bad washer setup - bad angle - clamped too tight - hit too hard or a combination of these issues.

Hi ahector

I'll tell you more about the new washer when it's ready to be released. Can it save your cymbals? - I think so because it's working for me and I haven't broken a cymbal since I've used these washers. Could it absolutely guarantee to save a cymbal 100%? - of course not - because of any of the issues above.

Also, when you break cymbals, where do you break them? I get cracks on the shoulder of the cymbal. I'm wondering if the problem you had with breaking that has been remedied by these new washers is similar to mine or maybe something different (like breaking it at the hole or something).

When I've broken cymbals in the past
Crash cymbals - usually on the edge
China cymbals - on the bow (as described by Italian Ricky)
Hi Hats - on the edge
Splash cymbals - usually at the hole.

How tight do you have your cymbals clamped?

Hi Delaygroover

Which kind of Interface did you use on livegigs, e.g.: on the Musikmesse in Frankfurt?
Can you give me some buy-advice, i use a macbookpro and i need a interface for livegigs and playalong sessions. Important is a seperate headphone volume

I use an M-Audio Firewire 410. It hasn't given me any problems at all. We use the same box with PT. It isn't unbelievably hi-fi and you're going to need to use a couple of DI boxes to send the stereo mix out to the PA. It's important that you choose a box that has more than 2 outputs - because obviously you want to send a stereo feed to the front of house and have a separate output (or two) to feed your headphones for the mix with the click in it.

This box can run off the firewire bus and that's important too - because if some clown trips over your power cables in the middle of the show (and it has happened more than once) the laptop will switch to battery mode and still power the M-Audio box without interruption. Another scenario is when you have your box powered by it's own power supply (like the MOTU 828) and if the power gets interrupted (for even a fraction of a second) the laptop will switch to battery power but the MOTU box can't. So it loses communication with the computer and no sound comes out - and then you have to restart the laptop (which can seem like forever if you're in the middle of a show).

Cheers
Gavin

NeuroAxis

03-03-2009, 06:43 PM

Hi ItalianRicky
I'll tell you more about the new washer when it's ready to be released. Can it save your cymbals? - I think so because it's working for me and I haven't broken a cymbal since I've used these washers. Could it absolutely guarantee to save a cymbal 100%? - of course not - because of any of the issues above.

As someone with lots of cracked cymbals who is about to pay through the nose to replace them all, my interest is peaked!

Just got a listen at the new 05 Ric material, very very good stuff. I'm very excited about the release.

Delaygroover

03-03-2009, 07:35 PM

Well, thank you Gavin and Santi!!!
Some good advices to me!!

My favourite is the Onyx, best quality for this price!
I have to buy a seperate midi interface, but thats ok :-)

@Gavin: Are you at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt this year?

Best wishes

delaygroover

ahector

03-03-2009, 07:44 PM

Also, when you break cymbals, where do you break them? I get cracks on the shoulder of the cymbal. I'm wondering if the problem you had with breaking that has been remedied by these new washers is similar to mine or maybe something different (like breaking it at the hole or something).

When I've broken cymbals in the past
Crash cymbals - usually on the edge
China cymbals - on the bow (as described by Italian Ricky)
Hi Hats - on the edge
Splash cymbals - usually at the hole.

How tight do you have your cymbals clamped?

I use those black plastic sleeve things (see attached image) and I have the wing nut tightened down to the top of them (if they are loose, they eventually unscrew and fly off when I am playing). The wing nut doesn't really clamp the cymbal down very much at all, because I try to use felt washers that are thin enough to let the cymbal have as much range of motion as possible.

I'm sure my problem can in part be remedied by technique (I think my cymbal placement is good. They angle towards me. I'm not one of those guys with completely flat cymbals and drums). I know I lay into my crashes at a somewhat steep angle that is closer to 90 degrees than parallel, because the shoulders of my right hand sticks (because I ride on crashes fairly often) get worn down faster and generate a fair amount of saw dust.

Maybe working on that would help. Although I do like the feel of the way I play and the sound I get out of my cymbals.

ItalianRicky

03-03-2009, 09:55 PM

Hi ItalianRicky

I used to break a whole load of cymbals. That china break is the typical place for it to fracture. The 12" Oriental is quite thin - which is why it sounds so nice. It's very hard to say why a cymbal breaks - a problem with the cymbal - bad washer setup - bad angle - clamped too tight - hit too hard or a combination of these issues.

Cheers
Gavin

thanks for the answer, but it gave me a new question:
how much do you clamp your 12 oriental?
you'll keep it so loose or very tight?

Gus

03-04-2009, 01:08 PM

thanks for the answer, but it gave me a new question:
how much do you clamp your 12 oriental?
you'll keep it so loose or very tight?

Hi ItalianRicky

If i may help you, cymbals are made to vibrate freely -also will sound with its full color-
just think that if you´re clamping tight the cymbal, will have more pressure against its natural motion, so this may hurt the cymbal with using. This is more evident with thinner cymbals, as the 12" oriental china -i got one-, which will suffer more being hard clamped. So i would suggest you to let the 12" china to vibrate free.

I suppose the angle of hitting also may be important, but haven´t too much experience really. I only have broken one cymbal in my life!. And my K´s are still alive since 89!.

At Zildjian´s site, there´s information about care of cymbals that may be interesting.

http://www.zildjian.com/EN-US/support/productcare.ad2

Hope that helps.

Gustavo

ItalianRicky

03-04-2009, 02:22 PM

thanks a lot Gus.

now i'm waiting for the new cymbal from the shop...the cymbal's guarantee saved my coin case.

loser_user

03-05-2009, 10:06 AM

Another thing was the Kickport...a device to put in your bassdrum to get more low end....

Funny you should mention it - I ordered it 2 weeks ago and I'm expecting it any moment now.
cheers
Gavin

Hi Gavin,

have you received your Kickport and tried it out yet? I'm interested in your experiences because I ordered one as well (still waiting).

Thanks, Gernot

P. S.: Maybe you can tell Steven that thousands and thousands of fans are waiting for the new PT DVD coming out THIS year. In our opinion it's not the best idea to release a Live DVD filmed in 2008 not until 2010. Especially after the issue of a new Album with new material.

Gavin Harrison

03-05-2009, 12:22 PM

Hi Delaygroover

Are you at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt this year?

No I'm not.

Hi ItalianRicky

how much do you clamp your 12 oriental? you'll keep it so loose or very tight?

I keep it pretty loose.

Hi loser_user

have you received your Kickport and tried it out yet? I'm interested in your experiences because I ordered one as well (still waiting).

Yes it arrived a week ago. I installed it and couldn't hear any difference from my playing position. I'm going to a very big studio next week - so I will try to see if it makes a difference to the microphones out the front of the kit.

cheers
Gavin

Tom Sawyer

03-05-2009, 03:02 PM

I just wanna say: Thank you so much for the recommendation on that Art Farmer & Jim Hall record, Big Blues. That stuff is incredible! It's one of the best records I've discovered lately, very good music.

Fox622003

03-05-2009, 07:10 PM

Hey Gavin, I wanted to ask about metronome use. I read somewhere that you use it for some tracks live (the ones with the clips being displayed) so you stay in sync. But what about most studio work and other live situations (like 19 days, you must have done it with a click, it's really hard to stay in time with the rest of the instruments otherwise, for me anyway)? because as far as I am aware, many Pro Drummers *don't* use a click for many of their tracks, and almost never use one live. I personally like to always use a metronome, regardless of the setting, but are there any disadvantages to doing so?

Fox.

Gavin Harrison

03-05-2009, 08:55 PM

Hi Tom Sawyer

I just wanna say: Thank you so much for the recommendation on that Art Farmer & Jim Hall record, Big Blues. That stuff is incredible! It's one of the best records I've discovered lately, very good music.

check out Art Farmer's "Crawl Space" from the year before Big Blues.

Hi Fox622003

I read somewhere that you use it for some tracks live (the ones with the clips being displayed) so you stay in sync. But what about most studio work and other live situations (like 19 days, you must have done it with a click, it's really hard to stay in time with the rest of the instruments otherwise, for me anyway)?

99% of studio work I do now days is to a click. Yes of course 19 Days was to a click. Obviously the audience can't hear the click as it's only in my ears.

because as far as I am aware, many Pro Drummers *don't* use a click for many of their tracks, and almost never use one live. I personally like to always use a metronome, regardless of the setting, but are there any disadvantages to doing so?

One disadvantage is that you can get dependent on it and then you may find it hard to play without one. Some artists like to pull the time around in certain sections - or even from night to night depending on their mood (or amount of drink they've had) - so obviously a click would be usless in that situation.

cheers
Gavin

loser_user

03-05-2009, 09:13 PM

Hi loser_user

have you received your Kickport and tried it out yet? I'm interested in your experiences because I ordered one as well (still waiting).

Yes it arrived a week ago. I installed it and couldn't hear any difference from my playing position. I'm going to a very big studio next week - so I will try to see if it makes a difference to the microphones out the front of the kit.

cheers
Gavin

Thanks Gavin,

oh dear, I hope I can hear any difference or at least my bandmates can, as our rehearsal room not has a perfect acoustic for my bassdrum. Certainly your environment is ideal for your drumsound. I always play unmiked so I hope for a much deeper sound. Otherwise it is a complete waste of money ($40 + $28,50 (!) shipping).

Fox622003

03-05-2009, 09:45 PM

Thanks a lot for the spot on answer Gavin, very complete too. Really appreciate it.

Fox.

phil_EN

03-05-2009, 11:13 PM

Hey Gavin,

any experiences on the Delite 14"x4¼" snare? Or on 14"x4¼" snares in general? Do you like them? After a 14x5 Designer went too high on ebay this week, I consider buying that Delite. Please tell me.

Thanks a lot

SantiBanks

03-06-2009, 12:14 AM

Well, thank you Gavin and Santi!!!
Some good advices to me!!

My favourite is the Onyx, best quality for this price!
I have to buy a seperate midi interface, but thats ok :-)

I really love my onyx too and had the idea from time to time to sell my presonus and get the onyx 400. Only drawback to that is that it doesn;t have adat which I might want to use in the future.
The sound from the onyx is unbelievable at the price I think and they have some very good preamps. Mackie made some nice ones over the years, including the ones in the 24-8/32-8 mixing desk that Gavin uses (or used? not sure if you still use them as I remember you at least using an apogee rosetta 800 now right?) and the ones in the Onyx series.

Question for Gavin:
Have you ever used triggers on your drums for sample triggering and if so, which one worked well for you?

British Boy

03-06-2009, 07:29 PM

Hi Gavin and anyone else who is interested.

Full transcription of your PASIC '08 performance of Slippin Away by David Paich can be found here:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47813

Have a nice day.

Gavin Harrison

03-06-2009, 07:53 PM

Hi phil_EN

any experiences on the Delite 14"x4¼" snare? Or on 14"x4¼" snares in general? Do you like them? After a 14x5 Designer went too high on ebay this week, I consider buying that Delite. Please tell me.

Sorry but I've no experience of the Sonor 14"x4¼ snare drum. My favorite size is 14x5.

Hi British Boy

Full transcription of your PASIC '08 performance of Slippin Away by David Paich can be found here:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=47813

well done - excellent stuff. I only spotted one real mistake - the fourth beat of bar 69 going through bar 70 should all happen a 16th note earlier than you have it.

Many thanks for doing it - it must have been quite hard work.

cheers
Gavin

NeuroAxis

03-07-2009, 12:41 AM

Fox622003

03-07-2009, 02:09 AM

Gavin contributed a great article on creating click tracks to the Sound on Sound online recording magazine.

It can be found here if you haven't seen it:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug03/articles/clicktracks.htm

Thanks, a lot of useful stuff in there!

Fox.

NeuroAxis

03-07-2009, 07:38 PM

Gavin -

I just read your Sound on Sound article on triggering -- very entertaining. I actually hadn't realized you had ever used live triggering. Being a metal drummer I see triggers being used everywhere, but I have never really enjoyed using them myself.

I'm curious are you ever in situations where you use live triggering today? I know you play to backing tracks with clicks in Porcupine Tree but do you ever sample triggers in live situations still? I'm asking partly just out of curiousity but also because I may be doing live triggering in a band I am in right now and have never really done it before. I noticed the article is a few years old so I wondered if you had had any more updates in your quest for the ultimate live triggering setup.

The article reminded me of a nightmare I once had with triggers. My band Vex was playing a metalfest in south Texas, so there was one house kit that all the bands were using. It was a two kick drum set using DDrum triggers on each kick. We couldn't get a signal out of one of the kicks so the guy who owned the triggers kept cranking the trigger sensitivity further and further up to try and get a signal. Low and behold we found that a cable was loose on the inputs of the DM5, and when he plugged it back in it happened to be at an extremely slow, doomy part of the song with very simple kind of 1 & 3 kick drum playing. But because of the sensitivity being so high the trigger was firing everytime one of my leghairs got too close to the kick head. So this slow, doomy part suddenly was seasoned with a flurry of 32nd note hertas and 16th note triplets all over the place. The other guys thought I had all of a sudden turned it into an improv fusion part.

So that experience kind of swore me off of triggers forever.

Gavin Harrison

03-08-2009, 05:46 PM

Hi NeuroAxis

I'm curious are you ever in situations where you use live triggering today?

No, I hate it - and when I did - it drove me crazy. You can get it pretty good but never perfect at all times.
The best system I found was the DDrum 4 - because it reacted the fastest of the ones I tested - and you can put in your own sounds (VERY important). However - there were occasional mis-triggers and flams. I tried triggering directly off the Axis pedal and that worked pretty good - but it's not an exact science in the way you set it up - so there's room for errors. Anything that involved MIDI was a n nightmare because of the delay - and I was hoping to get triggering down to less than one millisecond (the DDrum was about 4.5 ms) - some MIDI systems were producing over 10 milliseconds and you become very aware of a flam between the real drum and the sample coming out.

I know a lot of metal drummers trigger the bass drum - and you really have to for that speed and articulation. You can also try some drastic eq and gating the bass drum to a few milliseconds - and mixing that in with a standard mic sound.

good luck
Gavin

dahop

03-09-2009, 03:41 PM

Hi Gavin,

Here's the finished drum solo which I called 'Ritual Madness' and dedicated to you. See what you think, remembering it's for a year 12 student of a good playing level but not virtuosic. I'll get it recorded sometime too (as soon as I've practised it a little more.)
I've written other ones dedicated to Tony Williams, Steve Gadd and Ian Paice. Students doing Solo Performance for year 12 have to perform 15 minutes of pieces on 2 areas of percussion (e.g. kit and snare.) Cheers again for the inspiration.

daniele

03-09-2009, 10:48 PM

ChrisGau

03-10-2009, 11:43 AM

Hi Gavin,

I recently came across your work for Porcupine Tree when I became hypnotized by the "Sound of Muzak" groove - it must have been a preview of your Modern Drummer festival performance. It had quite the same impact on me that once Jeff Porcaro's "Rosanna" groove had. Sure, the musical setting is different but both consist of a rather challenging groove (at least for me) matching the musical context as close as possible while being performed totally relaxed and easy - whenever I hear it, it catches me.

I have been following this thread for quite some time now. As far as I can see there are not too many professional drummers patiently answering questions from fans and interested drummers over months and years now - just like you have. This is extremely encouraging and has given me much insight into how you think and approach technical and musical issues.

Although it´s really a tough challenge for me to follow you when it comes to polyrhythms, displacements etc. as layed out in your two books and DVD's, it is very inspiring. I also like very much that you stay true to the point that you want to make instead of blowing everybody away with chops and solo's that would be too fast to figure out for me anyway. Given that I am a hobby drummer who´s family and job doesn´t leave too much time to practise, I am sure it´ll take me years to get to the point where I could comfortably play most of this, but as you rightly say... it increases the comfort level for the "usual" stuff I come across.

The one or ther other time you mentioned, that it might be good idea to create a set of FAQ's to make it easier for new readers of this thread to collect all the knowledge that is spread across nearly 80 pages. Is this already existing? If not, I would volunteer to compile a first draft - it´ll also help me extracting the core of what has been posted here. I assume it makes sense for you to approve it before it can be published here within this forum.

What do you think?

Best regards,
Christian Gau

dahop

03-10-2009, 02:53 PM

Hi,wow,it's very difficult for a 12 year children..he's a good student!

No, actually that means 12th (and final) year of high school in South Australia so the student would be 17 or 18 and been learning for 5 years at least.

Tony Royster could have played it at 12, probably one-handed!

Kongo

03-10-2009, 09:41 PM

Gavin, who played drums on the track "Mesmer Part 1" ?

I'm pretty sure it was Chris. Is that 13/8 timing?

Gavin Harrison

03-10-2009, 11:24 PM

Hi dahop

Here's the finished drum solo which I called 'Ritual Madness' and dedicated to you

Thanks - it's very interesting - and pretty hard!!

Hi ChrisGau

it might be good idea to create a set of FAQ's to make it easier for new readers of this thread to collect all the knowledge that is spread across nearly 80 pages. Is this already existing? If not, I would volunteer to compile a first draft - it´ll also help me extracting the core of what has been posted here. I assume it makes sense for you to approve it before it can be published here within this forum.

Vladimer Sichinava kindly made this one

http://gavinharrison.netsons.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

but I guess it's a pretty time consuming updating it.

Hi Kongo

who played drums on the track "Mesmer Part 1" ? I'm pretty sure it was Chris. Is that 13/8 timing?

I've no idea about that song - I've never heard of it. If it's a PT song it must be Chris on drums.

Cheers
Gavin

Kongo

03-11-2009, 03:51 AM

Hmm, it's the first track on "Metanoia" It's called "Mesmer I"
I'm surprised you never heard of it.

http://www.porcupinetree.com/discography.details.cfm?albumid=97

If you listen to it, tell me what you think. Besides "Stop Swimming" that is my favorite Maitland song.

SantiBanks

03-11-2009, 01:40 PM

Hi Gavin,

Glad I did read your article about using triggers. We are in the stage of adding triggers to the drums because some songs demand some extra drumsounds triggered. Particulary simmons kit drums.

I'm not sure if you are really familiar with the simmons system but I'll ask anyways. The simmons don't use midi as far as I know but direct CV inputs. Does this mean that the delay between the hit and the sound will be much lesser then with midi systems?
I know that Phil Collins used the simmons system a lot with real drums where he played the system from his acoustic kit (I have seen small triggers mounted in his concert toms) and I heard him doing it live a couple of times. I never noticed any flam or delay. Could this be because the system is analog instead of midi?

dahop

03-11-2009, 02:07 PM

Hey Gavin,
Thanks for your generous replies on this forum. I'm going to ask the one I always ask at every drum clinic which is: how do you handle the physical side of drumming?
I've always got a few aches and pains from playing and have had acute back problems in the past. I get to the gym which helps, along with good posture at the kit and a relaxed grip but when the music gets heavy...Any other tips, any physical issues yourself?
Cheers, Dave.

Jit420

03-11-2009, 08:27 PM

Hi Gavin,
I am doing a thesis about how Progressive Rock drumming advanced modern drum kit playing.
can you give me some advise?
thanks!

Jit

Gavin Harrison

03-12-2009, 03:41 PM

Hi SantiBanks

I'm not sure if you are really familiar with the simmons system but I'll ask anyways. The simmons don't use midi as far as I know but direct CV inputs. Does this mean that the delay between the hit and the sound will be much lesser then with midi systems?

I think so. In my experience MIDI and the modules that it's controlling isn't as fast as I would like.

Hi dahop

I'm going to ask the one I always ask at every drum clinic which is: how do you handle the physical side of drumming?

Well, it gets harder as you get older for sure. Now I warm up before the show (I can remember a time when I never warmed up). At the moment I'm cycling everyday trying to work on stamina and general fitness. Of course it depends on the type of gig that you're playing. Some of the PT sets have been pretty tough in the past. I don't like to hold back or cruise when I play - I like to really go for it - but that's when I have to try and conserve energy in the slower songs and release it in the up tempo stuff. I guess it's learning about pacing yourself.

I've always got a few aches and pains from playing and have had acute back problems in the past. I get to the gym which helps, along with good posture at the kit and a relaxed grip but when the music gets heavy...Any other tips, any physical issues yourself?

I get occasional aches and pains - and my hands get pretty beaten up during the tour. It's a battle with myself about wanting to hit hard - but hurting my hands if I go too far. I could of course play half the volume and let the sound engineer turn me up in the PA - but it just wouldn't feel the same to me. Posture, seat height, stick weight, skin tension, drum/cymbal setup and grip will all effect your physical stamina - and you just have to come to a compromise with yourself about it.

Hi Jit420

I am doing a thesis about how Progressive Rock drumming advanced modern drum kit playing. can you give me some advise?

I'm really not the right guy to ask about that. I don't have a lot of knowledge about the history of prog music. Good luck.

cheers
Gavin

Steve Gregson

03-12-2009, 08:40 PM

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for being so generous with your replies. If I may just take advantage of your generousity with a few questions...

I've found it very interesting reading how you used to record yourself and slow down the recordings to gauge your level of accuracy, consistency etc. Could you possibly describe how you used this sort of feed back? For example - lets say on a recording, my left hand cross stick and hi-hat foot appear to, more often than not, unintentionally flam when playing a particular time functioning pattern. How would you go about fixing this? Is it just a matter of shifting your attention to the problem area? It never ceases to amaze how very different I can sound on playback, so how do I change what's seemingly unperceivable whilst playing?

And - Are there/were there any sort of exercises you would do to improve your own sense of time or internal pulse? Like for example displacing the metronome, or recording and practicing to click tracks with gaps. While you play set pieces or improvise, do you imagine a click or sing the subdivisions of the music you're playing, like other drummers/percussionist claim to? I have your Rhythmic Illusions book and it would seem to me that some of the illusions, especially those where there are none or few notes on down beats (like Ex 5a-8a) have to be played in conjunction with an imagined click in order to be performed accurately. Is this what you'd do or would recommend doing? And would you recommend your book as a tool for improving this aspect of playing?

I'm currently working through The new breed book and Gary Chaffee's rhythm and Meter Patterns and find this whole area of improving timing and 'clarity' both fascinating and increasingly frustrating. It's difficult to know what sort of level of consistency to accept before moving on to the next exercise, and what mental steps to make for progress. Like accurately switching between subdivisions whilst keeping the time steady. How's it done? With the exception of maybe Peter Erskine or Andrew C Lewis, I've hardly ever heard a successful drummer talk about what would seem to be such an important aspect of drumming.

I'd be very interested and extremely grateful for hearing your expert opinion in these areas if you get the chance.

Cheers,

Steve.

dr.funkenstien

03-12-2009, 09:12 PM

Hey gavin, I'm trying to become a professional studio and live freelance drummer. I recently got endorsed by a custom drum company called TMD and have done sessions on a cd along with Marco Minnemann, Kenny Aronoff, Chad Wackerman and a few others. I'm trying to make connections and get my name around as a drummer and I almost landed myself behind the kit for bedouin soundclash touring live this summer with no doubt. I was wondering if you have any tips on getting myself out there in the drum world, and landing jobs and gigs. Thanks alot.

Brendan Colameco
www.myspace.com/brendancolamecodrums

Gavin.Is.Better.

03-13-2009, 04:45 AM

Hi Gavin,

This isn't just opinion, this is fact. You are the best goddamn drummer on the planet and most inspiring player I've ever witnessed. You've had an enormous influence on me - if you get a minute you can hear our band @ http://www.chasinjade.com

Anyway, long shot here - would you be up for coming to Yorkshire for a jam? I think it's safe to say that would be the greatest moment in our collective existence!

Peace

Ben

MBruyere

03-13-2009, 06:22 AM

Gavin,
I'm extremely excited about the upcoming album with 05ric! I have really enjoyed the last few albums where you have been able to let all of your skill show. i.e. nil recurring, drop, futile... I was wondering if there are any other groups you've recorded with where you have been able to express more of the illusory skills and just flat out kill it? Also, are there any plans for a Denver/Boulder show on the upcoming PT tour?

Marc

Gavin Harrison

03-13-2009, 01:34 PM

Hi Steve Gregson

I've found it very interesting reading how you used to record yourself and slow down the recordings to gauge your level of accuracy, consistency etc. Could you possibly describe how you used this sort of feed back? For example - lets say on a recording, my left hand cross stick and hi-hat foot appear to, more often than not, unintentionally flam when playing a particular time functioning pattern. How would you go about fixing this? Is it just a matter of shifting your attention to the problem area? It never ceases to amaze how very different I can sound on playback, so how do I change what's seemingly unperceivable whilst playing?

If you want to fix what appears to be small problems (but very important from a groove point of view) you're going to have to get microscopically anal. So if you can hear an unintentional flam happening between the hi hat and cross stick - just practise hitting the two together for a couple of hours and let your ears become accustomed to that kind of detailed listening - remember what it sounds and feels like when they both land perfectly together. Go REALLY slow and make up exercises that will feature it. Play slow 16's on the hi hat and then play all kinds of figures with the cross stick - and just turn your attention on their 'togetherness'. Record yourself playing a really simple rhythm and then analyse it carefully. Slow down the recording and see what it sounds like.

Maybe break it down further and just play 8ths with both hands on a practise pad (or hi hat) and see if you can make them sound perfectly together with no flams. It's actually quite hard.

And - Are there/were there any sort of exercises you would do to improve your own sense of time or internal pulse? Like for example displacing the metronome, or recording and practicing to click tracks with gaps.

There's a great Steve Gadd exercise that I used to do (and still do now). Record yourself playing (without a metronome medium slow about 60-70bpm-ish). Play 1&3 on the Bass drum 2&4 on the snare and just quarter notes on the hi hat (count yourself in by clicking the sticks). After 8 bars change the hi hat to 8th notes (keep the BD & SN the same) then after another 8 bars switch the hi hat up to 16ths - then after 8 bars go back to 8ths and then 8 bars later go back down to quarter notes. Stop the recording and play it back. When you hear your count in on the recording play gentle 16ths on the hi hat throughout the entire exercise. Firstly it will show you that probably you didn't start playing at the same tempo that you counted in at - then you can judge how even your tempo keeping is especially when you are switch through the hi hat subdivisions on the recording. OK go back and repeat the exercise until you feel it's sitting comfortably. In the beginning I used to just practise the count in and first few bars (over and over) to see if I could get it at the same tempo. Be tough on yourself.

Then pick a different tempo and do the whole thing again. Then try playing a lead in fill and a fill at the end of every 8 bars - and go back and listen very carefully to the recording each time (and always play 16ths on the hi hat along to it - all the way through from the count in to the end to check your evenness).

While you play set pieces or improvise, do you imagine a click or sing the subdivisions of the music you're playing, like other drummers/percussionist claim to? I have your Rhythmic Illusions book and it would seem to me that some of the illusions, especially those where there are none or few notes on down beats (like Ex 5a-8a) have to be played in conjunction with an imagined click in order to be performed accurately. Is this what you'd do or would recommend doing? And would you recommend your book as a tool for improving this aspect of playing?

I don't imaging a click when I'm playing. Trying to play 16th note displacements are actually very good for improving your inner clock...and it feels so much better when you start playing back in their original position again.

Hi dr.funkenstien

Hey gavin, I'm trying to become a professional studio and live freelance drummer.

Me too!

I was wondering if you have any tips on getting myself out there in the drum world, and landing jobs and gigs.

Nearly all the jobs I ever got came from other musicians - and in my early days I would play with anyone who was willing to have me (usually for free of course). I don't really know what the scene is out there now - wherever musicians are playing - go along and meet them.

Hi Gavin.Is.Better.

Anyway, long shot here - would you be up for coming to Yorkshire for a jam?

Do you mean like a strawberry or raspberry jam? I know that jams up there are good (my mother is from Yorkshire) but I think I can buy them in London ;-) -- thanks anyway!!!!!

Hi MBruyere

I'm extremely excited about the upcoming album with 05ric! I have really enjoyed the last few albums where you have been able to let all of your skill show. i.e. nil recurring, drop, futile... I was wondering if there are any other groups you've recorded with where you have been able to express more of the illusory skills and just flat out kill it? Also, are there any plans for a Denver/Boulder show on the upcoming PT tour?

There haven't really been any other groups where I get to express my more elaborate 'rhythmic designs' with lately. There have been records where I have played some amounts of them (Mick Karn, Dave Stewart & Babara Gaskin, Jakko, Ed Poole) but none as much as my records with O5Ric. I haven't see any plans to come to Boulder/Denver with PT this year - but I'm optimistic for next year.

Steve Gregson

03-13-2009, 02:43 PM

Brilliant! Thanks for the advice Gavin.

Just a couple more less specific questions. Do you have any sort of conscious process for creativity? I don't just mean your contributions as a working drummer, but musical composition/artistry in general. For example, do you wait for ideas to occur naturally and keep a record of them? Or do you allot time specifically for generating ideas? Perhaps through improvisation? There seems to be a lot of literature available regarding creativity and lateral thinking, but sadly far more in practical/problem solving areas rather than artistic endeavours. You've mentioned playing other instruments......

DTrocks

03-13-2009, 08:37 PM

Hi Gavin!

Will there be any updates regarding the PT's new album some time soon? I'm thrilled to hear more about it....

By the way.. Have you heard about the drummer Benny Greb? If so, what do you think of his playing? I recently bought his new dvd. Very inspiring stuff!

Cheers!

trysthedrummer

03-14-2009, 01:20 PM

Ah yes I still need to pick that one up. I've heard some good reviews about it.

Gavin.Is.Better. - I'm in Yorkshire too, fancy a jam? (by that I mean play along!!) :D

Just about to get some tickets for your Porcupine Tree Leeds show! Long way away though :(

Funnyguy1970

03-14-2009, 02:01 PM

Hi Gavin, nice to have you here..

I am a 38 year old guy from No(r)way who just started to play drums again, one of the reasons is ofcourse the drumming on "Mother and child divided" the song that made me aware of PT.. and you.. :) Saw you guys in Oslo last time (Both actually) and went to the Forum in London Nov 2007. Got ticket to Hammersmith as well.. really looking forward to that show.
Well my question is rather novice.. hehe do you have any tip/trick regarding foot/hand independence??

Graeme

ctdrum1

03-14-2009, 07:41 PM

Gavin,
Just wondering how you are liking your new Black Swamp snare? I heard the clips that you sent over and I must say that it sounds great, as does your playing. Will it be strictly a studio drum, or are you thinking about bringing on the road?
Also,how things were going on the new Porcupine Tree recordings. Last I heard, the band was in the studio. Are you still writing and tracking it, or has it moved into the mixdown stage?
Thanks,
Mike Arpin

Kalma

03-14-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi gavin,

just one question.

you have one set in earth finish, right?
is it painted in highloss?

Thanks
David

Gavin Harrison

03-14-2009, 11:51 PM

Hi Steve Gregson

Do you have any sort of conscious process for creativity? I don't just mean your contributions as a working drummer, but musical composition/artistry in general. For example, do you wait for ideas to occur naturally and keep a record of them? Or do you allot time specifically for generating ideas? Perhaps through improvisation?

Sometimes I have to come up with something on the spot (in a session situation) and anything could spark an idea - maybe the song reminds me of something - maybe the melody or bass line makes me think about a rhythmic pattern. I suppose we all have a subconscious editor in our minds - avoiding things that you think are cliche or un-hip - and sometimes just avoiding those things will bring you to your destination. Some days can be a struggle - if I'm totally uninspired by the music I've been asked to play (I'm trying to avoid being in those situations - but it has happened). Other times I just improvise at home and things just accidentally happen - and then I record them into the 'ideas bank'.

Hi DTrocks

Will there be any updates regarding the PT's new album some time soon? I'm thrilled to hear more about it.

I'm starting to record the drums tomorrow - so I might not be on this thread for the next week or so.

By the way.. Have you heard about the drummer Benny Greb? If so, what do you think of his playing? I recently bought his new dvd. Very inspiring stuff!

Yes I know Benny - he's great and I'm looking forward to seeing his new DVD.

Hi Funnyguy1970

Well my question is rather novice.. hehe do you have any tip/trick regarding foot/hand independence??

Firstly try to play things perfectly together - play both hands in 16ths on a practise pad and make sure there's absolutely no flams. There's no quick tip/trick to independence you just have to work at it for years.

Hi ctdrum1

Just wondering how you are liking your new Black Swamp snare? I heard the clips that you sent over and I must say that it sounds great, as does your playing. Will it be strictly a studio drum, or are you thinking about bringing on the road?

I'm really enjoying it. Eric kindly made me a beautiful 5 lever snare drum. It's a work of art. I think it will be something I play in a recording kind of way.

Hi Kalma

you have one set in earth finish, right? is it painted in highloss?

Yes and it's finished in high gloss.

cheers
Gavin

moncholo

03-15-2009, 04:23 AM

euphoric_anomaly

03-15-2009, 07:11 AM

Gavin,

I saw some of your interviews on YouTube from PASIC 2008. I must say you are the most humble and modest drummer I've ever seen an interview with. No ego, no "holier than thou" attitude, really a pleasure to see.

One quick question for ya:
When studying a piece of music that you will play, let's say "Discipline" by King Crimson, how would you go about playing the song without feeling the need to copy the groove of Bill Bruford? Do you have access to a "no drum track" recording of the song?

There's plenty of TOOL songs I'd love to put my own beats to, but I can't help but play some of the same notes that the drummer (Danny Carey) does... this question has been bugging me for some time, so I thought I'd ask a real professional.

Thanks for all your inspiration to me and all the other drummers here and out there in the world.

loser_user

03-15-2009, 09:11 AM

Hi loser_user

have you received your Kickport and tried it out yet? I'm interested in your experiences because I ordered one as well (still waiting).

Yes it arrived a week ago. I installed it and couldn't hear any difference from my playing position. I'm going to a very big studio next week - so I will try to see if it makes a difference to the microphones out the front of the kit.

cheers
Gavin

Gavin,
how were your experiences with the kickport in the studio? Do you still use it? For my bassdrum sound it is a real improvement. In our rehearsal room (not the best accoustic) I receive a deep, fat, wet sound with a better defintion and punch (also behind the kit) even with the lowest possible pitch. I could remove all the damping material (a woolen blanket). Just the batter head EVANS 22" EMAD2 CLEAR is damped from outside with the foam rubber ring. I can recommend the kickport.

Gus

03-15-2009, 08:24 PM

Hi everyone,

For those interested in the new GHO5 'circles' it may be preordered through the link:

http://www.burningshed.com/store/gavinharrison/

I did it, and now i´m happier!!

Best regards.

trysthedrummer

03-15-2009, 08:51 PM

Already have done! Can't wait to get hold of this in a few weeks after hearing that sampler. I'm still listening to Drop!

daniele

03-16-2009, 04:51 AM

dr.funkenstien

03-17-2009, 07:26 AM

Hey Gavin,

I heard that you're drumming on the new OSI album, any insides on what it's going to be like???

Thanks
Brendan Colameco
www.myspace.com/brendancolamecodrums

chongzilla

03-17-2009, 06:55 PM

Hey Gavin,
I was looking at your drumset. On the left side there's a stand with 5 splashes or cup chimes on it. What kind of stand is that? Is it a crotale stand with splashes on it? I'm just wondering because the Paiste 2002 Cup Chime 5-Piece Cymbal set is the closest I've been able to find to the 5 piece stand you have there, but the heights are different.
Thanks,
Stan

trysthedrummer

03-17-2009, 10:40 PM

It was a custom job done by a friend of his.

Sol Good

03-18-2009, 01:07 AM

Hey Gavin,
I was looking at your drumset. On the left side there's a stand with 5 splashes or cup chimes on it. What kind of stand is that? Is it a crotale stand with splashes on it?

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=126878&postcount=79
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=246160&postcount=507
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=106389&postcount=47
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=198454&postcount=264
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=420039&postcount=2120

hidde

03-18-2009, 01:29 AM

Hello Gavin,

I just watched a video on youtube where you played Futile from your Rhythmic Horizons DVD, and somebody said in a comment that you completely stopped practicing rudiments. This can't be true right?

This is the comment i'm talking about:
"What I really love about this guy is his coordination. He doesn't even practice rudiments or exercise his arms or legs, it just flows out of his mind straight onto the set. Mind over matter"

As a professional drummer you need to keep practicing your rudiments, right? I know you stopped focussing on technique, but stopping completely? I think that guy is someone who does not know where he's talking about.

Hidde.

pork chops

03-18-2009, 01:57 AM

Nige86

03-18-2009, 03:51 AM

Hey Gavin,
Just stopping in to say what everyones been saying, congrats on all the albums you have worked on, your material is truely inspiring. Found out about yourself and PT about 6 months ago and I'm hooked!

Two quick equipment questions for you! About two months ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a 12x5 Designer snare on Ebay and as you are the only other person I know who owns one, what head would you recommend? Currently it has a coated Ambassador on it but I'm thinking Controlled sound or Emporer X? I originally was goin to use it as an aux. snare but I have tried a few gigs with it as the primary one and its serving me well!
Lovely wee drum! Second question is a bit more random and you might not remember but it's cool, but what Ride were you using for 'Strip the Soul'? was just listening to it the other night and was digging the bell sound!

Thanks anyway for reading, take care now!

Nige

P.S come to N. Ireland for a jam!

Gavin Harrison

03-18-2009, 12:25 PM

Hi moncholo

I've been practicing with a metronome for a couple years and i had this thought the other day: Is it possible that by practicing with a metronome, you can develop a metronome-dependence? Like maybe you depend on a metronome to be able to keep steady time?

Yes I believe you can become dependent on a metronome. I think you need to practice playing time on your own. Really listening is the key. Record yourself play 64 bars of straight time and then listen back to it. Try the "Steve Gadd" exercises I outlined a few posts back.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

When studying a piece of music that you will play, let's say "Discipline" by King Crimson, how would you go about playing the song without feeling the need to copy the groove of Bill Bruford? Do you have access to a "no drum track" recording of the song?

I never played Discipline and I didn't have any access to 'drum less' versions either. On some of the KC songs that I learnt - I did copy Bill's part to begin with - but I tried to develop them more into my style.

Hi loser_user

how were your experiences with the kickport in the studio? Do you still use it?

It's in my bass drum right now - but I must say I can't really hear a difference at the moment. Maybe you need a bass drum that has no internal dampening.

Hi daniele,

Hi! Really make a "black swamp snare"? Where do i can heard it?

the recording samples I made were for Eric Sooy of Black Swamp. http://www.blackswamp.com/

Hi dr.funkenstien

I heard that you're drumming on the new OSI album, any insides on what it's going to be like???

I think it's a really good record - I'm very pleased with it. It's released at the end April.

Hi hidde

I just watched a video on youtube where you played Futile from your Rhythmic Horizons DVD, and somebody said in a comment that you completely stopped practicing rudiments. This can't be true right?

This is the comment i'm talking about:
"What I really love about this guy is his coordination. He doesn't even practice rudiments or exercise his arms or legs, it just flows out of his mind straight onto the set. Mind over matter"

Never take too much notice of comments that people put on YouTube videos. The comment is probably in reference to an interview where I said that I started concentrating more on my ideas than my muscles. I don't practise a lot of rudiments these days - maybe just single and double stroke rolls and paradiddles.

Hi Nige86

Two quick equipment questions for you! About two months ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a 12x5 Designer snare on Ebay and as you are the only other person I know who owns one, what head would you recommend?

Ambassador is good as is the CS head. I would imagine the Emperor X would kill it.

what Ride were you using for 'Strip the Soul'? was just listening to it the other night and was digging the bell sound!

I'm pretty sure it was a Zildjian K 20" Ride.

cheers
Gavin

Fragile

03-19-2009, 12:50 AM

Hi Gavin!

I'm a young drummer and having been playing for a while now, I've grown tired of playing along to my CDs, and was wondering on what advice you give about finding your first gig? Not a band situation, but more a one-off type thing?

Thanks.

Guz2

03-19-2009, 12:51 AM

Vylor

03-19-2009, 10:47 PM

Hi Gavin,
I've listened to The Sound of Muzak about 10.000 times and still the drum sound is the most incredible, clear, powerful drum sound I've ever heard, especially the bassdrum and the snare.
That brings me to my question: HOW did you get that awesome sound on the recording?

I just found out that you use the audix i5 snare mic, so now I'm not sure wether to buy this one or the Sennheiser E 905 which I tried out for a while and think it's a really good snare mic. I just can't get the sound as good as it is on In Absentia!!

How did you (or Steven or whoever) mix and master it and what special treatment did you give to the sound of the bassdrum?!? It has everything a bassdrum needs, hearing it is so satisfyingand I just don't know how to let my bassdrum sound that way when recording and mixing it. A hint for a desperate drummer, please?!

To sum it up: 1) Which snare mic do you think would be better? 2) How in the world can I achieve such an incredible bassdrum sound as on In Absentia?!

Thanks in advance

Nishmaster

03-20-2009, 01:44 AM

How did you (or Steven or whoever) mix and master it and what special treatment did you give to the sound of the bassdrum?!? It has everything a bassdrum needs, hearing it is so satisfyingand I just don't know how to let my bassdrum sound that way when recording and mixing it. A hint for a desperate drummer, please?!

Sounds like an AKG D112 inside the kick and perhaps a large diaphragm condenser outside (U47?), about a foot back. Fairly easy to achieve. Boost a little 3k-5k on the D112, cut out a lot of mids, leave the lows. Take the outside mic and rolloff a lot of the highs. Compress to taste. That should get you right in the ballpark.

Make sure your kick is pretty dead, a la Mr. Harrison! In Absentia is one of my favorite drum sounds.

trysthedrummer

03-20-2009, 10:02 PM

If I may say so Pork chop, I'd say that's just a little OTT!!

Tobal90

03-21-2009, 09:42 AM

Hello, Gavin.
First of all, I would like to say that you're a great inspiration. I started to play drums about 3 months ago and drummers like you make me want to practice more and more =D.

Well, My question is this: In an interview you said that you didn't know much about King Crimson and stuff, but me and a friend have this great doubt "What's the meaning of 'Book Of Saturday' from the great album 'Lark's Tounges In Aspic'?'

If you could answer that, I would really apreciate xD
Oh, by the way, are you planning to come to Chile with Porcupine Tree in the tour for your next album? We are a lot of pepole waiting for you to come.

Well, my best wishes and keep your great Drumming.
Cristóbal.

supermac

03-21-2009, 01:44 PM

Hi Gavin,

Great performance on MD Festival 2008 DVD, which has just come out in UK.

The kit sounds fantastic.

I wanted to ask: with so many stellar drummers on the bill, is there any competitiveness between the musicians, and which of the other performances did you particularly enjoy?

Cheers

alinux

03-21-2009, 03:25 PM

Vladimer Sichinava kindly made this one

http://gavinharrison.netsons.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

but I guess it's a pretty time consuming updating it.

Hello Gavin, yes you need some time consuming, like everything in this world.
But it's really simple to update, people could register and put questions and answers in the
right place. Everyone is welcome :)

P.S You too Gav :)

Gavin Harrison

03-21-2009, 06:07 PM

Hi Fragile

I'm a young drummer and having been playing for a while now, I've grown tired of playing along to my CDs, and was wondering on what advice you give about finding your first gig? Not a band situation, but more a one-off type thing?

Your best bet is to find some local musicians and try to get a play with them. I don't really understand what you mean by a 'one-off type of thing'? What are you expecting?

Hi Vylor

I've listened to The Sound of Muzak about 10.000 times and still the drum sound is the most incredible, clear, powerful drum sound I've ever heard, especially the bassdrum and the snare. That brings me to my question: HOW did you get that awesome sound on the recording?

There are so many things that would make a difference - it would hard to describe. There's the drums themselves, the way that I hit them, the skins, the tuning, the dampening, the microphones, the room, the mic amps, the eq, the very experienced engineer, eq/compression, the mixing, the mastering and so it goes on.

I just found out that you use the audix i5 snare mic, so now I'm not sure wether to buy this one or the Sennheiser E 905 which I tried out for a while and think it's a really good snare mic.

The Audix i5 is VERY close to a Shure SM57 and that's really the industry standard for snare drum. I use the Audix because I thought it could take a few more stray hits than the Shure.

How did you (or Steven or whoever) mix and master it and what special treatment did you give to the sound of the bassdrum?!? It has everything a bassdrum needs, hearing it is so satisfying and I just don't know how to let my bassdrum sound that way when recording and mixing it. A hint for a desperate drummer, please?!

see the answer above about variables - but Nishmaster had some good suggestions. I think I remember using my Beyer M88 on that session in combination with the U47.

Hi Tobal90

Well, My question is this: In an interview you said that you didn't know much about King Crimson and stuff, but me and a friend have this great doubt "What's the meaning of 'Book Of Saturday' from the great album 'Lark's Tounges In Aspic'?'

I don't even know that song. As I said - I don't know much about King Crimson.

Oh, by the way, are you planning to come to Chile with Porcupine Tree in the tour for your next album?

We have no plans to come at the moment.

Hi supermac

Great performance on MD Festival 2008 DVD, which has just come out in UK.
The kit sounds fantastic.

Thanks

I wanted to ask: with so many stellar drummers on the bill, is there any competitiveness between the musicians, and which of the other performances did you particularly enjoy?

No - everyone was very supportive of each other - I didn't feel any competitiveness. Loved Simon Phillips set - and so many of the others too. The standard was very high indeed.

cheers
Gavin

Fragile

03-22-2009, 06:18 PM

MaidenFanSte

03-22-2009, 07:53 PM

Vdrummer09

03-24-2009, 01:33 AM

Hello Gavin

A big fan of your for many years, I wanted to ask a few questions if I may?

With material such as the stunning album you did with 05ric, how much of your playing is improv or is it rehearsed with exact rhythms and fills? For example, if you played it live, how much would be as per the album or would it always vary, or would you naturally vary things anyway?

Is there a chance of any live shows with 05ric?

My next question is, as someone returning to the drums after 20 something years, I have always played by ear, I never had lessons and don't read music. I did ok before I quit, but given your background in theory, do you feel it is possible to be a good drummer without the theory?

Finally, have you ever played or owned any of the Roland V Drums range and if so what are your thoughts on them?

Thank you once again, I consider you the greatest drummer performing.

Gavin Harrison

03-24-2009, 01:43 PM

Hi Fragile

I was thinking something that isn't full commitment to a particular band, but more a session job (but live), I tried playing in a band a couple of times, but I much prefer having the experience of playing many types of music, rather than confining to one genre, at least for now.

Then maybe as MaidenFanSte suggests - a jam session is the way to go.

Hi MaidenFanSte,

I've recently bought the Axis A Longboard. I was just wondering how long you had them before you experimented with the settings on it?

It's certainly a pedal that has a lot of adjustment possibilities. I messed around with it straight away and tried to match the feel of my previous pedal - and although it didn't feel the same - I quickly got used to the Axis.

Hi Vdrummer09

With material such as the stunning album you did with 05ric, how much of your playing is improv or is it rehearsed with exact rhythms and fills? For example, if you played it live, how much would be as per the album or would it always vary, or would you naturally vary things anyway?

There's a video on YouTube of me playing "Unsettled" so I guess you can see for yourself how much (or little) I changed. Also there's three GH05 songs on the Modern Drummer Weekend 08 DVD. I think I pretty much play the parts of the songs with some variation in the fills.

Is there a chance of any live shows with 05ric?

Not at the moment.

My next question is, as someone returning to the drums after 20 something years, I have always played by ear, I never had lessons and don't read music. I did ok before I quit, but given your background in theory, do you feel it is possible to be a good drummer without the theory?

Yes you can get a long way without any 'theory' (as you call it) - but you could go a lot further and get there faster if you did have more theory. It depends if you want to be the best you can be - or just ok.

Finally, have you ever played or owned any of the Roland V Drums range and if so what are your thoughts on them?

I have played many electronic drums in my time (including Vdrums) and I have to say it's really not my thing. I don't really enjoy it - and therefore try to avoid it. I can see the great advantages to practising with them - if you're in a situation where playing the real drums are just too loud for everyone around.

cheers
Gavin

Fragile

03-24-2009, 07:40 PM

Sorry to butt in, but are 'Jam Nights' a possibility for you?

Good idea, I think I saw a sign for one in a local pub, but I think it might be 18+ =[

miha

03-24-2009, 09:55 PM

Will there be any updates regarding the PT's new album some time soon? I'm thrilled to hear more about it.

I'm starting to record the drums tomorrow - so I might not be on this thread for the next week or so.

Hey Gavin, how's the drum recording going? ;)

xopethx

03-25-2009, 08:36 AM

Hey Gavin!
I recently joined a group here in Boston (after moving here in December), and we're getting ready to play some exciting gigs...exciting, especially for me, as i've never played a live show before. As it were, our first performance will be a live studio performance at a radio station....i suppose i've done things a bit backwards since i started drumming anyway, so no matter. My question is this - over your career, as you performed with different groups and your time began to become more precious, how did that affect your personal practice time? Did you find that playing, in general, was good enough? The music i'm playing is based on improvisation and dynamics (a blend of rock, funk, and a hint of jazz), so at this point i feel like ANY time behind the kit is time well spent. However, now that i'm rehearsing these songs or working on new ones with these guys, the time i've previously spent wandering around in my own head has really diminished. Did you ever experience this, and notice a difference in your playing or your progress? It's difficult for me to evaluate myself in the first place, only having played for 2 years, so perhaps you could better judge how one's personal practice time compares to gaining general experience on the kit?

Thanks so much, Gavin.
If you're ever in the Boston area, and have some time, I'd love to have a lesson with you.
-Chris Anderson

hauk

03-26-2009, 07:12 AM

Hi Gavin,

I've been practicing with a metronome for a couple years and i had this thought the other day: Is it possible that by practicing with a metronome, you can develop a metronome-dependence? Like maybe you depend on a metronome to be able to keep steady time?

I have no doubt that playing with a metronome makes you better at, well, playing with a metronome. But does just playing with a metronome make you better at keeping steady time when playing without a metronome? Are there any specific excercises for that?

I ask this because since i started playing/practicing with a metronome, i started to notice that when playing without one, my time isn't that steady anymore. I'm thinking that maybe that happens because i may be developing "metronome-dependence", but then again, maybe it's the fact that by playing with a metronome, i've started to develop a better ear for time, and i start to see flaws in my playing that i didn't see before.

I realize that this whole "metronome-dependence" idea may be ridiculous, but i'd love to hear (read) your take on this.

Cheers!

Sorry to interrupt, but I have a practice method that might help you out (and anyone else on this thread). When you're playing along with your met, it's usually set on quarters or eighths. Start setting it on half notes - it probably will still feel pretty normal depending on the tempo. Then move it to whole notes. Keep decreasing the frequency like that until you can play four measures and land right back with the click on beat one (you might need to use a drum program or advanced metronome on the computer if your met can't click once every 4 bars). It's frustrating and quite difficult, but it will really clean up your time.

MaidenFanSte

03-26-2009, 01:23 PM

Cheers for that Gavin.
:)

Good idea, I think I saw a sign for one in a local pub, but I think it might be 18+ =[

They usually are 18+. But depending on your age, you can usually either go in and not drink alcohol, or see if you can get an adult to take you. I'd say it's definitely worth a try.

asmodeus

03-27-2009, 03:29 PM

Hi Gavin!

I hope you're doing well! I have a few questions for you:

1.- I'm playing in a band and obviously drums are loud enough, so there's no need to put them through the PA-system, BUT they sound dry overall, especially the snare drum. In a recording situation one always puts some sort of hall on it. So the question would be if you (or anybody else reading this thread) have any experience/recommendation regarding drum effects (hall) in a rehearsal situation.
(By the way: I'm the bass player in the band, but I wanted to ask you before I suggest anything to my drummer :P)

2.- I bought your Rhythmic Horizons DVD, it's great :D. I have one question regarding overriding: In this chapter you suggest different subdivisions for overriding with the hi-hat e.g. quarter notes 8ths and every 3 16ths. The relation between quarter notes and 8ths is obvious, but is there any logical relation to overriding with every 3 16ths? Or is it arbitrary and could just as well have been overriding with every 5 16ths for instance?

Take care and thanks!

Stefan

Fox622003

03-27-2009, 05:53 PM

Hey Gavin, short question here.
What do you use on your bass drum head hole? I saw a cool chromed ring-thing on the Arriving Somewhere DVD and not sure where to get one of those or what brand it is. Because I recently holed the resonant head of my bass drum and not sure what to put on it.
Thanks!

Fox.

NeuroAxis

03-27-2009, 07:06 PM

2.- I bought your Rhythmic Horizons DVD, it's great :D. I have one question regarding overriding: In this chapter you suggest different subdivisions for overriding with the hi-hat e.g. quarter notes 8ths and every 3 16ths. The relation between quarter notes and 8ths is obvious, but is there any logical relation to overriding with every 3 16ths? Or is it arbitrary and could just as well have been overriding with every 5 16ths for instance?

I'm not Gavin but I have been studying this DVD for years. If I understand what you're asking, I don't really see what could be considered arbitrary about using 3/16ths rather than eights or quarters; it certainly sounds less common in the context of Western popular music, because 85% of pop music is in quarters or eights. But I don't think the fact that we hear that pattern less frequently in music makes it more or less arbitrary than patterns we do hear more frequently.

It was only when I really started to focus on counting out loud that the 3/16ths patterns really started to make sense to me. Most of the patterns on Rhythmic Horizons are too fast to count full 16ths ("1 e and a"), but I count the 3/16ths overrides like triplets "1 and a, 2 and a, 3 and a..." and in that framework the 8th notes would fall on the "1" and "a" of the first group of 3/16ths and the "and" of the second group of 3/16ths, and it just repeats like that over and over. So if you play the 3/16ths on a ride or hi-hat cymbal counting them like triplets and tap your hi-hat foot in the original 8th note pattern, it really starts to make more sense as a regular--if a bit uncommon--rhythmic structure.

asmodeus

03-27-2009, 09:34 PM

Hi again! I forgot one thing I wanted to ask:

can you explain how playing "laid back" works? Does it actually mean some element of the drum is somewhat late measured by the click (bass-drum and snare maybe?)? In this setting is there something that is strictly on time (hi-hat?)?

Cheers

steste50

03-27-2009, 09:52 PM

Hello Gavin,

I finally got the latest MD Festival dvd and got to see you on that stage. I was wondering if you (as well as the other drummers) took part at the mixing process of the drum sound because every drummer sounds very similar to what you find on their other recordings, you too.

Thank You,

Gavin Harrison

03-28-2009, 12:52 AM

Hi miha

Hey Gavin, how's the drum recording going?

It's finished and came out great. I was very happy with the studio and engineer.

Hi xopethx

My question is this - over your career, as you performed with different groups and your time began to become more precious, how did that affect your personal practice time? Did you find that playing, in general, was good enough?

When I'm playing a lot (live or in sessions) I don't really have the time to practise too much. I still have ideas that I want to explore and I write them down at a sound check or between takes on a session - then when I do get more time - I can work on them. I miss having the chance to practise whenever I feel like it - as I can do at home. Usually I start off a tour full of ideas and my technique is up and running at full steam - by the end of the tour I'm struggling to get through the show - physically and mentally.

Hi asmodeus

1.- I'm playing in a band and obviously drums are loud enough, so there's no need to put them through the PA-system, BUT they sound dry overall, especially the snare drum. In a recording situation one always puts some sort of hall on it. So the question would be if you (or anybody else reading this thread) have any experience/recommendation regarding drum effects (hall) in a rehearsal situation.
(By the way: I'm the bass player in the band, but I wanted to ask you before I suggest anything to my drummer :P)

I (and most of the band) play with 'in-ear-monitors' so it's easy for me to put some reverb on the drums. Usually just the snare and toms. This reverb is built in to our Yamaha 02R96 monitor desk. It's not the greatest reverb I've ever heard but it's a big improvement over having none. In your situation - try a mic on the snare drum - send it too a reverb unit (set to 100% wet - so there's none of the dry signal coming through) and then just put the output of the unit into the PA. That way you won't have the actual snare in the PA but you'll hear just the reverb ringing after the drummer hits the snare.

2.- I bought your Rhythmic Horizons DVD, it's great :D. I have one question regarding overriding: In this chapter you suggest different subdivisions for overriding with the hi-hat e.g. quarter notes 8ths and every 3 16ths. The relation between quarter notes and 8ths is obvious, but is there any logical relation to overriding with every 3 16ths? Or is it arbitrary and could just as well have been overriding with every 5 16ths for instance?

You could in theory make any regular spaced subdivision an override - how useful or musical it would sound is another story. I picked those quarter notes 8ths and 3/16 ths becuase the distance between each note isn't too big - so there's more chance of people latching on to them. That's the whole point of overriding - to set up a way for people to feel a secondary pulse - and one that is less complicated than the one it's sitting on top of.

Hi Fox622003

What do you use on your bass drum head hole? I saw a cool chromed ring-thing on the Arriving Somewhere DVD and not sure where to get one of those or what brand it is.

I think it's from a company called "holz".

Hi asmodeus

can you explain how playing "laid back" works? Does it actually mean some element of the drum is somewhat late measured by the click (bass-drum and snare maybe?)? In this setting is there something that is strictly on time (hi-hat?)?

It's more of a feeling - you play the way you normally play in terms of the relationship between your hi hat/snare/bass drum but just play it all a bit later. I try to play my bass drum in time with my hi hat - same with my snare drum - because I don't want to hear a flam between anything. The whole 'laying back' thing is something you have to know how it sounds (listen to some Jeff Porcaro.) - plus how it feels when you're doing it. It gives an impression of being very comfortable/confident/big/luxurious. It took me many years to be able to do it.

Hi steste50

I finally got the latest MD Festival dvd and got to see you on that stage. I was wondering if you (as well as the other drummers) took part at the mixing process of the drum sound because every drummer sounds very similar to what you find on their other recordings, you too.

Yes I mixed my section of that DVD. I don't know about the other guys - maybe they mixed theirs too?

cheers
Gavin

frankwolfman

03-28-2009, 01:29 AM

Hey Gavin,
I showed some of my band mates your videos and we all have the same favorite drummer now. Some of them said that you were almost "too tasteful" haha.

I dont know if this has been asked and there are too many pages to look through to find it, but the part right after the first chorus in "Sleep Together" has a really weird beat that ive never been able to figure out. What are you playing in this part? Do you have any transcriptions of that?

-Frank

ChrisGau

03-28-2009, 01:39 AM

Keep decreasing the frequency like that until you can play four measures and land right back with the click on beat one (you might need to use a drum program or advanced metronome on the computer if your met can't click once every 4 bars).

This is actually a very good timing excercise. I once put together an exercise track:

2 bar count-in
16 x (1bar quarter-note click, 1 bar silence)
8 x (2 bars quarter-note click, 2 bars silence)
8 x (1 bar quarter-note click, 3 bars silence)

I put together mp3's with 60-160bpm in steps of 10 to stored this on my mp3-player to take it with me to my drum-room. It worked really nice. I refreshed the files with Gavin's click sounds and put an electronic percussion sound at the begin of every sub section.

You can find the files here:

http://www.familie-gau.de/audio/TimingExercise-60bpm.mp3

The other links work similar... just change the bpm value to 70...160.

Maybe this is of help for somebody just as it was (and sometimes still is) for me.

Kongo

03-29-2009, 06:07 AM

I always wondered, why did Chris Maitland leave porcupine tree?

JeffV71

03-29-2009, 03:36 PM

Hi Gavin,

I just received my DVD of the Modern Drummer Festival 2008. Loved your performance! I'm not sure what I enjoy most, watching you play, or hearing the sound coming out of your kit! But congrats on that performance and your mixing skills! A quick question about that heavy pillow inside your kick: Is it installed like a 'U' shape from head to head? Are you using any velcro strips to keep it steady? Or does it sit still on its own? I'm curious because I use a folded up furniture blanket in my kick and I find that the SM91 mic sits nice and still on that flat surface.

Thanks,
Jeff

solunaris23

03-30-2009, 12:20 PM

Hey Gavin,
Love your drumming... I was wondering, in Rhythmic Perspectives, in the chapter 5 tool boxes when you explain counting 3's, 5's, and 7's over paradiddles, is there any secret to learning this easy? I'm having a hard time with it... The only thing I can think of to try is have someone pull on my foot in 3 while i play them. I just can't feel it... Thanks

trysthedrummer

03-30-2009, 08:36 PM

God this new 05ric album is good. It's need more listens but I reckon it might top the first one you did. It's the next level of drumming, some very nice ideas you've included in it. Well done!

Gavin Harrison

03-31-2009, 12:26 PM

Hi frankwolfman

I showed some of my band mates your videos and we all have the same favorite drummer now. Some of them said that you were almost "too tasteful" haha.

Now there's a funny thing to be accused of.

I dont know if this has been asked and there are too many pages to look through to find it, but the part right after the first chorus in "Sleep Together" has a really weird beat that ive never been able to figure out. What are you playing in this part? Do you have any transcriptions of that?

I hope you're not getting confused by that extra electronic hi hat that's going on in a kind of double time. I'm certainly not playing that...or do you mean the bass drum pattern perhaps? In any case I don't have a transcription of that - but there are some great transcribers amongst these forums. Maybe ask one of them if they'll do it.

Hi ChrisGau,

This is actually a very good timing excercise. I once put together an exercise track:

2 bar count-in
16 x (1bar quarter-note click, 1 bar silence)
8 x (2 bars quarter-note click, 2 bars silence)
8 x (1 bar quarter-note click, 3 bars silence)

thanks for posting those - they're great. A good thing to have on your iPod for sure....I'm going to put them on mine.

Hi Kongo

I always wondered, why did Chris Maitland leave porcupine tree?

best thing is to ask Chris himself.

Hi JeffV71

I just received my DVD of the Modern Drummer Festival 2008. A quick question about that heavy pillow inside your kick: Is it installed like a 'U' shape from head to head? Are you using any velcro strips to keep it steady? Or does it sit still on its own?

It goes the opposite way to U shaped. It rests against the front head - but rides up half of the batter head - so I guess it's more of an L shape. Does that make sense? Therefore I don't need any velcro to keep it in place - however I do adjust it at every sound check just in case it's moved during transit.

Hi solunaris23

in Rhythmic Perspectives, in the chapter 5 tool boxes when you explain counting 3's, 5's, and 7's over paradiddles, is there any secret to learning this easy? I'm having a hard time with it... The only thing I can think of to try is have someone pull on my foot in 3 while i play them. I just can't feel it..

Why would you need someone to pull your foot in 3? I'm only asking you to sing 3's (not play them with your foot). Can you sing the 3's - 5's - 7's over a 4/4 record? That maybe that's the place to start so you can get that sound in your mind. If you can sing those patterns - and you can play the paradiddles then it's just a case of putting the two together.

Hi trysthedrummer

God this new 05ric album is good. It's need more listens but I reckon it might top the first one you did. It's the next level of drumming, some very nice ideas you've included in it. Well done

wow you got that quick!!

Chris D

03-31-2009, 09:23 PM

Gavin,

Loved the Crimson show last summer, any plans for the future with Robert Fripp and or King Crimson? I would never miss another show like that.....incredibly inspiring to any drummer....that's for sure... I went out and purchased Rhythmic Illusions and it's great.

Also any recomendations on headphones/monitor or practice?

Love the Forum I don't know how you keep up with it.

All the Best and Thanks
ChrisD

euphoric_anomaly

03-31-2009, 11:07 PM

Real easy question here, how long did it take you to compose/film/and master this amazing piece of work? I'm guessing you probably recorded it in stages, hence the change of shirt colors and pants, lol. There are people on YouTube who really believe that you might be able to play this live....are you an octopus by chance? Hiding any other extra limbs we may not know about? Anyway, excellent as always. Thanks :)

Kalma

03-31-2009, 11:17 PM

Hi Gavin,

listened to the Live DVD a lot!!!
I love it!

I've been listening to the fill of "So called friend" nearly the end at 4:10

Maybe you or maybe Terry could transcribe it for me as i just can get it..

Would be great :)

Thanks a lot!

David

Kongo

04-01-2009, 07:46 AM

Your DVD rules along with you and your bands and your band mates.

Now, I can't seem to figure out the timing in the song "Sentimental" I can play it I just can't count it.

Basswood

04-01-2009, 12:30 PM

:o this Vic Firth Slippin' Away video is nothing than outstanding! Great drumming Gavin.

Love this thunderous bassdrum and the hihat playing style.

hidde

04-02-2009, 01:12 AM

Hey Kalma,

I think this (see attachment) is the fill Gavin plays around 4:10. I know the groove isn't correct but i think the fill is.

Hidde.

Gavin Harrison

04-02-2009, 02:19 AM

Hi Chris D

Loved the Crimson show last summer, any plans for the future with Robert Fripp and or King Crimson?

Not at the moment.

Also any recomendations on headphones/monitor or practice?

At home I use the Beyer DT 150 headphones. I really like them and they're comfortable over long periods.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

Real easy question here, how long did it take you to compose/film/and master this amazing piece of work?

"The Cymbal Song" took me about a week to write and another few days to film it. There's a lot of work in there. The drum film actually took longer because I had a cunning plan to record it at exactly 2/3 of the tempo to the Cymbal Song so I could merge the two of them together and make an interesting Rhythmic Illusion. Have you seen the two combined?

Hi Kongo

Now, I can't seem to figure out the timing in the song "Sentimental" I can play it I just can't count it.

I think it's all in 4/4 apart from a couple of 3/8 links into the verses.

Hi hidde

I think this (see attachment) is the fill Gavin plays around 4:10. I know the groove isn't correct but i think the fill is.

Actually the fill goes like this (S= snare) (T = Tom) (B= Bass drum) all 16th note triplets apart from the last snare of course - plus there's two 16th note triplets on the Bass drum before the fill starts.

S-T-T-T-T-T , T-B-B-S-T-T , T-T-T-T-B-B , S

cheers
Gavin

cheers
Gavin

euphoric_anomaly

04-02-2009, 08:03 AM

Gavin,

I've been listening to your explanations about overriding, displacement etc though the video's I've seen posted across the web. I was wondering if you could possibly point out what sort of techniques of yours the drummer (Danny Carey) is using for this short audio clip. It sounds to me like he's doing a simple triplet starting on the hi-hat then on the ride, but somehow displacing the double bass pattern around it. What's your opinion on this? Also, I cannot figure out the time signature for this one.

Song - TRIAD
Band - TOOL

My audio trimming skills are nothing short of disastrous, the first 2 seconds of this clip is very loud, might want to turn the volume down for a bit.

Thanks for your time
Cheers
Eric

I have not seen the combined Cymbal / Drum song video, I'm sure that's a mind blowing track.

Alex P.

04-02-2009, 10:37 AM

Hi frankwolfman,

Maybe I can try to transcribe the "Sleep Together" part, but which one is it exactly?

Hi Gavin,

I'm really looking forward to get your new album with 05Ric, and to see you at the "Olympia" in october !!

By the way, I'm currently transcribing the whole "Deadwing" album.... so I will post them as soon as possible...

Cheers

Alex P.

Swiss Matthias

04-02-2009, 04:32 PM

Hey Kalma,

I think this (see attachment) is the fill Gavin plays around 4:10. I know the groove isn't correct but i think the fill is.

Hidde.

You must have some mistake here, the first snare hit can't be inbetween two hihat eighth notes considering the bassdrum note values before.

For a reading-friendlier version, I'd also just write the first two bassdrums together, and then the snaredrum plus the next bassdrum. So you notate quarter-wise,
which is easier to read and to overview for the eye. By the way, The first measure also has only 6 eights, instead of the 7 (according to the time signature).

Gus

04-02-2009, 05:12 PM

Hi Gavin,

Just got my copy of 'circles' yesterday, and only heard it a couple of times, but i'm enjoying it a lot. By the moment, i´m hanged through 'circles' and 'crisis'. I´m sure there'll be a lot of questions here about the songs... ;-))

Now i understand when you say you're trying to 'not repeating yourself'. Of course there´s your style, but the cd is plenty of original fills here and there, and well worked patterns. Also i found a great hi-hat work. And as always the musicality and accuracy typically yours. Well done!.
You´ve found a great partner and incredible musician with O5.
So congratulations once again, the inspiration don´t stop!

Thanks for your time

Gus

DTrocks

04-02-2009, 05:23 PM

Hi!

Downloaded circles from burning shed the other day! I must say.. you surprise me with every new album. Incredibley tight drumming on this one! You just get better and better! As gus said, some really nice hihat work in there!

Keep up the good work!

Cheers!

trysthedrummer

04-02-2009, 07:12 PM

DT rocks you disappoint me! Theres nothing as good as holding the genuine cd with the case! Burning Shed are always quick with posting!

DTrocks

04-03-2009, 04:30 PM

DT rocks you disappoint me! Theres nothing as good as holding the genuine cd with the case! Burning Shed are always quick with posting!

I know... But I couldn't wait to hear it, so it was way too tempting to get it right away, instead of waiting a week or so to get the actuall cd.

I appologise to you! Haha..

frankwolfman

04-03-2009, 07:02 PM

Hi frankwolfman

I dont know if this has been asked and there are too many pages to look through to find it, but the part right after the first chorus in "Sleep Together" has a really weird beat that ive never been able to figure out. What are you playing in this part? Do you have any transcriptions of that?

I hope you're not getting confused by that extra electronic hi hat that's going on in a kind of double time. I'm certainly not playing that...or do you mean the bass drum pattern perhaps? In any case I don't have a transcription of that - but there are some great transcribers amongst these forums. Maybe ask one of them if they'll do it.!

Hey Gavin,
Yeah, our bassist had to stop watchin your 19 Days video because he thought it was just too tasteful.

About "Sleep Together"- I think it was the combo of the bass drum pattern and the electric hi hat that threw me off. Thanks for calrifying that- its been bothering me for a loong time.

-Frank

jez-

04-04-2009, 02:13 AM

Good day, Gavin! My friend had 2 questions the other day, if you have a moment.

How much do you pay attention to kit/drum placement? What do you think are the best positions or angles? And also the sitting position. Basically the question is that how would you describe or give reasons for the best positions and angles to all other drummers? Things like "the seat height should be measured from your knees height" or something like that. (That example was just made up.)

Secondly, seeing as you have listened to Jeff Porcaro and Simon Phillips, have you ever learned the Toto song Dave's Gone Skiing? If you have or have not, how did or would you approach the drum parts? Any tips?

Thanks a lot for your time! It's really appreciated.

SantiBanks

04-04-2009, 12:46 PM

Hi Gavin,

I received my copies of Steven Wilsons Insurgentes and your new album with 05ric and I must say that its really good music! I really like the work you do with 05ric.
All the guitars I hear, is that all you? I noticed you are getting credit for it in the liner notes but it seems like it's become your secondary instrument as I hear a lot of guitar on the album.

The stuff with Steven Wilson is also great! Really like the album a lot.

You mentioned that you where already thinking about the next album with 05Ric, a question about that; would it be a possibility if the album would be made available as a dvd-audio? I really like the dvd-audio's from porcupine tree and the insurgentes one I have.

Cheers,
Santi

btw, got my ticket for Amsterdam! See you there :)

steste50

04-04-2009, 07:32 PM

Hi Gavin,

why don't u and Simon Phillips do something together? It seems there's some chemistry between u 2 guys from what i could see from the MD dvd.

Cheers,
Stefano

Heitor

04-05-2009, 04:53 AM

Hi Gavin!

2 questions:

1 - We've talked about your recording techniques over and over again. BUT, I think it was never covered here your use of compression on RECORDING, not on mixing. How much compression do you use when you're recording? If so, where? Because I have been compressing my snare drum as hell just to get that certain punch, since I can't pull too much HiFreq (I'm using a Universal Audio pre-amp). Should I change the pre-amp to one that I could eq a bit more to get the punch I'm looking for? Btw, your drum sound is my absolute reference in the studio.

2 - Talking about your drum sound, is there anyway you could post a sample of your drum sound before mixing? Just so we, who want to achieve a similar result, could listen a bit better?

Please, consider Brasil or at least some latin american country on your next tour! I went to the last London show last year and it was a night I'll never forget! It was awesome!

Thanks for your music, take care!

Heitor.

miha

04-05-2009, 10:47 AM

2 - Talking about your drum sound, is there anyway you could post a sample of your drum sound before mixing? Just so we, who want to achieve a similar result, could listen a bit better?

I would love to hear it too! :)

Gavin, a question regarding ambience microphones. I tried to use one my small diaphragm condenser mics (SE1A) as a room mic, but the audio from that track would just get lost in the mix. Well I didn't hear any difference (or I wasn't listening properly). How do you work with ambience microphones, what do you expect from them? Any suggestion for a good (budget) ambience microphone?

Cheers, Miha

Vdrummer09

04-05-2009, 01:36 PM

Hi Vdrummer09

My next question is, as someone returning to the drums after 20 something years, I have always played by ear, I never had lessons and don't read music. I did ok before I quit, but given your background in theory, do you feel it is possible to be a good drummer without the theory?

Yes you can get a long way without any 'theory' (as you call it) - but you could go a lot further and get there faster if you did have more theory. It depends if you want to be the best you can be - or just ok.

cheers
Gavin

Hi Gavin

Thank you for taking time to reply to my questions.
I certainly am grateful for you honest reply about electronic drums.

I am loving the new 'Circles' CD, was this recorded at the same time as 'Drop?

I have been watching your multi camera angle drum videos with great interest and wonder if there are any plans to do something similar with your drum parts for the forthcoming Porcupine Tree CD? I'd certainly buy a DVD of that!

Could you also explain what you are playing at the start of 'Sentimental'? I read that live this is 'looped' and not played live, what was the reason for that?

Finally on a personal note. As you mentioned, I do want to be the "best I can be", but I know that time, age, family life etc all conspires against me, so I need to find away that will allow me to be the best I can within those limitations. My two main problems I see as these. I don't read music and I have no schooling in rudiments. When I played previously, I picked up everything by ear and was able to get to session level, but now I want to work on the areas that let me down.

Do you feel I can progress without reading music, certainly there are many top drummers who don't read? This would also perhaps leave me free to concentrate on rudiments in the time I can dedicate.

I was also wondering if there was anyone that you knew of who could analyse my playing who could then suggest which areas to work on and how to improve? I have looked at working with a drum tutor and have looked at a few, but I must confess, it concerns me that many of them are even able to pass themselves off as teachers while others will only want to start at 'day one' of their own programs.

I know ultimately only I can assist myself to a degree, but I feel I don't have the insight to know what I should do and what is right or wrong etc to help me personally.

Any thoughts and personal suggestions would be so very greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance.

Gavin Harrison

04-05-2009, 11:23 PM

Hi euphoric_anomaly

I was wondering if you could possibly point out what sort of techniques of yours the drummer (Danny Carey) is using for this short audio clip. It sounds to me like he's doing a simple triplet starting on the hi-hat then on the ride, but somehow displacing the double bass pattern around it. What's your opinion on this?

It quite a simple implied modulation that can be applied to triplet based time signatures like 6/8 - where you can imply 3/4 (or going over bar lines imply 4/4). Both time signatures have 12/16 and he's just playing a pattern of 16ths like this XRXX XRXX XRXX (R= rest). and then playing the bass drum and snare drum based off that.

Hi jez-

How much do you pay attention to kit/drum placement? What do you think are the best positions or angles? And also the sitting position.

I suppose the answer to that is - whatever feels comfortable to you. I've had an almost identical setup for a very long time now - so I know what's comfortable for me. I have my thighs parallel to the ground. I sit about 18" off the ground and my bass drum skin is 3 feet from the centre of my stool....but I'm 6'2" tall so maybe that makes some sense.

Secondly, seeing as you have listened to Jeff Porcaro and Simon Phillips, have you ever learned the Toto song Dave's Gone Skiing?

I don't know that song.

Hi SantiBanks

I really like the work you do with 05ric.
All the guitars I hear, is that all you? I noticed you are getting credit for it in the liner notes but it seems like it's become your secondary instrument as I hear a lot of guitar on the album.

No most of the parts are Ric. I play some of the guitar riffs and bass lines. These were part of the writing process and we just thought we'd keep them in there.

Hi steste50

why don't u and Simon Phillips do something together? It seems there's some chemistry between u 2 guys from what i could see from the MD dvd.

Hey I'd love to!! Simon lives in LA and is very busy - I don't know how we could do it - or if he'd even want to.

Hi Heitor

1 - We've talked about your recording techniques over and over again. BUT, I think it was never covered here your use of compression on RECORDING, not on mixing. How much compression do you use when you're recording? If so, where?

I never record any compression - or even have any compression going on when I'm playing. It's only applied at the mixing stage.

2 - Talking about your drum sound, is there anyway you could post a sample of your drum sound before mixing? Just so we, who want to achieve a similar result, could listen a bit better?

When I have some time in my studio I'll have a look and see what I've got.

Hi miha,

a question regarding ambience microphones. I tried to use one my small diaphragm condenser mics (SE1A) as a room mic, but the audio from that track would just get lost in the mix. Well I didn't hear any difference (or I wasn't listening properly). How do you work with ambience microphones, what do you expect from them? Any suggestion for a good (budget) ambience microphone?

To have a good ambiance sound you need a good ambient space to capture. How big is the room you had the mic in and how far away from the drums was it? Ideally you need a stereo pair of mics.

Hi Vdrummer09,

I am loving the new 'Circles' CD, was this recorded at the same time as 'Drop?

no it was recorded a couple of years later.

I have been watching your multi camera angle drum videos with great interest and wonder if there are any plans to do something similar with your drum parts for the forthcoming Porcupine Tree CD? I'd certainly buy a DVD of that!

I have no plans to do that right now.

Could you also explain what you are playing at the start of 'Sentimental'? I read that live this is 'looped' and not played live, what was the reason for that?

It's just a few bars that I played (all in 4/4) and Steve crunched them up in the mix to make them sound lo-fi. I think we repeated them a few times before the 'normal sounding' drums come in. Steve is playing a 4 over 3 piano rhythm just before that - it seems to confuse some listeners when the drums come in. I can assure you that it's all in 4/4 right from the start.

Do you feel I can progress without reading music, certainly there are many top drummers who don't read? This would also perhaps leave me free to concentrate on rudiments in the time I can dedicate.

I'm talking about reading for understanding purposes - not particularly getting your level up to sight reading a Buddy Rich chart. There's a whole wealth of great info out there in drum books that you're going to miss out on from not reading.

I was also wondering if there was anyone that you knew of who could analyse my playing who could then suggest which areas to work on and how to improve?

Where about's do you live? I only really know of a couple of guys in the UK.

Cheers
Gavin

Toza

04-06-2009, 03:58 PM

hi gavin. i got question about your DVD when you are subdividing rhythm on hi hat on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12. How do you count fives, sixes, sevens, eights, nines,,,,,,(its quite fast)?????????

Gavin Harrison

04-06-2009, 05:42 PM

Hi Toza,
it's similar to an Indian method. For a group of five I pick out the accents of 1 & 3 of every five. D t D t t and when it gets fast I just think of the D D parts.
For 6 it's just two triplets
For 7 it becomes the accents of 1,3 & 5 sounds something like this: D t D t D t t
For 9 it becomes the accents of 1,3, 5 & 7 sounds something like this: D t D t D t D t t or three groups of three.

I kind of explain it here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOJOACCcEgE

cheers
Gavin

ilikedrums

04-06-2009, 09:49 PM

Hi Gavin,

by looking at the European-October-Tour-Dates of Porcupine Tree i was surprised, that no gig is planned in Germany this year. Maybe more to come in early 2010? Last gig i saw PT was on 30th June, 2007 in "Capitol" Offenbach. Can´t wait to hear the new cd and see you live again!

I was at the german MUSIKMESSE Frankfurt and thought you would be there again this year - unfortunatly not ;-).

Zildjian sadly didn't announce your invented Crash-Bells. Some guys - like me - wrote to Zildjian, to bring them up soon - maybe at Winter NAMM in USA...

You can find your Picture now in the official Product-Catalogue of Zildjian (Page 35) - congratulations!

Cheers Jens

Gavin Harrison

04-06-2009, 11:11 PM

Hi ilikedrums,

don't worry - there will be multiple German dates this year - we're still working on the details and will announce them when they're confirmed.

cheers
Gavin

Toza

04-07-2009, 02:15 PM

gongbass

04-07-2009, 02:47 PM

Alex P.

04-07-2009, 06:58 PM

Hello Gavin,

In "Glass Arm Shattering", how do you think of the tempo?
I mean, it's : 8th = 98 bpm or 8th = 49 bpm (approximately...) ?

Thanks !

Alex P.

ilikedrums

04-07-2009, 09:13 PM

Hi ilikedrums,

don't worry - there will be multiple German dates this year - we're still working on the details and will announce them when they're confirmed.

cheers
Gavin

Great News, Gavin! Thanks for your fast response.

Alex P.

04-07-2009, 09:38 PM

Hello (again...) everyone,
Hello Gavin,

I finished the transcription of "The Start of Something Beautiful". Great Song !!
I'm not sure of the bars 20, 36, and 156. Can you confirm it's good... or not !

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5831/thestartofsomethingbeau.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7551/thestartofsomethingbeauc.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4691/thestartofsomethingbeaum.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/451/thestartofsomethingbeauclg.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7671/thestartofsomethingbeauh.jpg

I will post the transcriptions of "Open Car", and "Glass Arm Shattering" maybe next week.

Bye!

Alex P.

miha

04-07-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi miha,

a question regarding ambience microphones. I tried to use one my small diaphragm condenser mics (SE1A) as a room mic, but the audio from that track would just get lost in the mix. Well I didn't hear any difference (or I wasn't listening properly). How do you work with ambience microphones, what do you expect from them? Any suggestion for a good (budget) ambience microphone?

To have a good ambiance sound you need a good ambient space to capture. How big is the room you had the mic in and how far away from the drums was it? Ideally you need a stereo pair of mics.

Hey Gavin. My room is pretty small (5m x 3m). The thing is, when I use my cheap camera to record the video as well, the snare sounds pretty interesting on the recorded video, full and with natural reverb. When I record the drums with overhead and close mics (audix i5 on the snare), the snare is pretty flat compared to my camera mic (lol), although I'm reversing phases etc. So then I tried setting SE1A mic at the same location as my camera (around 3 feet behind my back to the left), to get the same effect, but no luck hehe. The track simply got lost in the mix.

Here are my two samples (same recording). One from overhead and close mics (no EQ, no effects) and one from my camera mic. Camera mic is producing some interesting reverby snare sound. I have no idea how to acomplish that with my drum mics (without excessive use of effects). Any advise would be appreciated. Cheers, Miha

25757

25758

Luis

04-07-2009, 10:17 PM

:o this Vic Firth Slippin' Away video is nothing than outstanding! Great drumming Gavin.

Love this thunderous bassdrum and the hihat playing style.

Agreed...
Amazing to watch this video !

Lots of things happening (drumming wise) but with great taste.
Very inspiring, as always.

Cheers Gavin !

LG

AronMapex

04-07-2009, 10:18 PM

Kongo

04-07-2009, 10:52 PM

Any USA shows this year? Hopefully in the New York area

Gavin Harrison

04-08-2009, 11:32 AM

Hi Toza,

how do you count 10, 11 and12?:)

10 I would count as two groups of five D t D t t D t D t t
11 would be D t D t D t D t D t t
12 could be three groups of four or two groups of six

Hi Alex P.

In "Glass Arm Shattering", how do you think of the tempo?
I mean, it's : 8th = 98 bpm or 8th = 49 bpm (approximately...) ?

8th = 98bpm

I finished the transcription of "The Start of Something Beautiful". Great Song !!
I'm not sure of the bars 20, 36, and 156. Can you confirm it's good... or not !

Thanks for th transcription - it looks great. I would say that in bars 20 and 36 there's not a double hit on the bass drum. The low volume one should not be there. The last four 16ths of bar 156 I would say is a flam on the tom then a bass drum, and then another tom flam and another bass drum.

Hi miha,

Here are my two samples (same recording). One from overhead and close mics (no EQ, no effects) and one from my camera mic. Camera mic is producing some interesting reverby snare sound. I have no idea how to acomplish that with my drum mics (without excessive use of effects). Any advise would be appreciated.

What you are hearing from the camera mic is a lot of compression. Some camera mics have "automatic record level" built in - and that means that it will record very quite things quite well - but when a loud thing appears (like a drumset) it will use a compressor to not distort the recording.

Hi Kongo

Any USA shows this year? Hopefully in the New York area

Yes there will be - but we don't announce them until they're confirmed.

cheers

Gavin

Sardaukar

04-08-2009, 01:00 PM

Hello!

I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but I thought I would post a video tribute to Gavin just to show how much of an influence he has been for me. Made this cover of Blackest eyes, because I love the drumming in it. I'm 18 and been drumming for 3 and a half years. Don't mind about the c-part (or whatever you call it) where I lose the count and mess up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlKuA9zDG4M

Pity youtube didn't provide me with the hq-option for this video.

Cheers,

Ilkka, Finland

Gus

04-08-2009, 07:10 PM

Hi Sardaukar

Search for thread 2635

Regards.

Alex P.

04-09-2009, 10:35 AM

That's really good, I looked over it and it looks great. What program do you use to make these transcripts? I'm really interested in making some.

And of course Gavin, you are the man :)

Thanks! I did it with "Finale" software.

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for the correction!

hairydrummer

04-09-2009, 07:10 PM

I'm hoping to get an audition with a prog rock band called Coralspin, obviuosly apart from learning the auditon pieces, is there any other research, listening you would suggest I do? I have a fair amount of prog stuff at home, mainly Genesis, Spocks Beard, Also Eden and Porcupine Tree (of course).

Thanks,

Kev Cook

Trains'

04-09-2009, 10:41 PM

Hey Gavin,

finally i got your DVD's really enjoying them! Great stuff!
also i'd like to ask what the snare on the AS DVD is ?

thanks for your time!
B.

Fox622003

04-10-2009, 04:42 AM

Hey Gavin,
I was wondering, well, I'm 90% sure you *can* sing in tune since you're a very musical drummer. While I'm very technical, I never got past rhythm when it comes to music theory, and while I can notice when things aren't sounding well tune-wise, I can't sing in tune or identify musical notes at all. It has been suggested by some of my bandmates that it would be really helpful to develop that aspect of music (apparently not so necessary for drumming, but that's what I'm asking!) It would be great to hear your take on the matter!
Another thing, I've spotted you switching to traditional grip in different footage, but you only seem to do it for a few seconds, do you play traditional, or do you just switch some times to get certain sounds for a particular fill or part?

All the best, Fox.

Ogg

04-10-2009, 02:42 PM

Damn you Gavin Harrison why does everything you can touch have to be so inspiring...and out of reach for this mortal drummer! Thoroughly enjoying the awesome live PT Ilosaarirock show at moment although If I had to list every jaw dropping moment I'd be here for ever (the start of Halo for example), great sounding gig and typically great playing from you.
Having had the luxury of hearing some of your forthcoming material I'll have to wait for my physical copy to arrive before asking a question or two. Thank you for the continuing inspiration.

Gavin Harrison

04-11-2009, 07:15 PM

Hi hairydrummer

I'm hoping to get an audition with a prog rock band called Coralspin, obviuosly apart from learning the auditon pieces, is there any other research, listening you would suggest I do? I have a fair amount of prog stuff at home, mainly Genesis, Spocks Beard, Also Eden and Porcupine Tree (of course).

Just do the homework and be yourself.

Hi Trains'

finally i got your DVD's really enjoying them! Great stuff! also i'd like to ask what the snare on the AS DVD is ?

The snare drum on that DVD is a Sonor 14x5 Black Steel with an EmperorX on the top and 8 strands of Puresound snare wires on the bottom.

Hi Fox622003

I was wondering, well, I'm 90% sure you *can* sing in tune since you're a very musical drummer. While I'm very technical, I never got past rhythm when it comes to music theory, and while I can notice when things aren't sounding well tune-wise, I can't sing in tune or identify musical notes at all. It has been suggested by some of my bandmates that it would be really helpful to develop that aspect of music (apparently not so necessary for drumming, but that's what I'm asking!) It would be great to hear your take on the matter!

I've always had an ear for picking out notes - I can sing a melody close enough that I can go and find it on a guitar or piano - but I don't really know how good my tuning and intonation as a singer really is. About 20 years ago I bought the Relative Pitch and Perfect Pitch courses of David L Burge. Whilst I found the Perfect Pitch stuff interesting - I didn't find it that useful. The relative Pitch was really worth it and I only wish I have done it as a kid. It does open your ears and make you listen in a different way - does it help with drumming? Kind of - because it made me realise that I could focus my ears in ways I hadn't imagined before.

Another thing, I've spotted you switching to traditional grip in different footage, but you only seem to do it for a few seconds, do you play traditional, or do you just switch some times to get certain sounds for a particular fill or part?

Yes because there are certain touch/bounce subtleties that I can only really get from trad grip...but 98% of the time I play matched.
cheers
Gavin

Ray - HAKEN

04-11-2009, 07:25 PM

Hi Mr. Harrison!

Hope you are well.

I was just wondering what double pedals you use?
My second hand iron cobras are in terrible shape and I'm fed up with having to manage with them falling apart during gigs.

Also, one of my bands is soon to start recording its debut album - www.myspace.com/hakenmusic
I love your sound and was wondering whether you record drums for people other than yourself?

Cheers,

Ray

Fox622003

04-11-2009, 09:37 PM

Man, if a pair of Iron Cobras are falling apart you'll have some serious trouble finding a double bass pedal that can stand more punishment than those. Maybe they weren't in very good shape when you got them in the first place?

Fox.

ZDrums24

04-12-2009, 08:15 AM

I second fox. There are few things in the world capable of sustaining more damage than an iron cobra. maybe military grade hummer....

kotras

04-12-2009, 03:08 PM

Hi Gavin,

I have a few questions. Do you use Zildjian 20" K Ride cymbal when you
play "19 days" ? I thought that you use K Ride only at concerts. I am
just interested.
Do you ever use Constantinople cymbal, if so, what type is it? Would
you be so kind to write me what Ride cymbal do you actually use?
I would like to buy type Ride Zildjian as you have but not K Ride 20".
Thanks for your reply.

Cheers Matěj

Mastershake16

04-12-2009, 03:28 PM

Oh GAVIN!!! i was going to be able to see you in concert this september but i can't because ill have a band competition, oh woe is me.

but i really would like to see your drumming amazingness in person!

have a good day sir!

DTrocks

04-12-2009, 05:02 PM

To ray

Gavin uses axis longboard pedals. I hope that helped

Cheers!

Alex P.

04-12-2009, 07:16 PM

Hi everyone,
Hi Gavin,

Here is the transcription of "Glass Arm Shattering". It's a very subtle part, very tasteful !
It's pretty hard to hear everything. So, I probably forgot some ghost-notes, accents.....

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/3271/glassarmshattering1.jpg
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6971/glassarmshattering2.jpg
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/7782/glassarmshattering3.jpg

Next transcriptions to come: Open Car and Shallow.

Bye!

Alex P.

Ray - HAKEN

04-12-2009, 08:06 PM

yeah you guys are probably right
I got 'em off a friend for £100 over two years ago now and the guy can't have treated them too well. I was happy with the bargain but they're really starting to frustrate me now. Example - One day (usually the day of a gig) the treads just come loose on the connecting bar, and then the next day they're fine!

Ray - HAKEN

04-12-2009, 08:13 PM

oh really, axis pedals?
i tried to glimpse them on a couple of videos and the pedals themselves looked very axis-like but the beaters didn't
do you know whether thay're X or A pedals?
and am i right in thinking the A pedals are essentially a more powerful pedal?
thanks
Ray
HAKEN
www.myspace.com/hakenmusic

Gavin Harrison

04-12-2009, 10:15 PM

Hi Ray - HAKEN

I was just wondering what double pedals you use?

Axis A Longboards

am i right in thinking the A pedals are essentially a more powerful pedal?

No I think they're just more adjustable.

I love your sound and was wondering whether you record drums for people other than yourself?

Thanks but no I don't.

Hi kotras

I have a few questions. Do you use Zildjian 20" K Ride cymbal when you
play "19 days" ? I thought that you use K Ride only at concerts. I am
just interested.

It depends which version of 19 Days you're referring to. On my DVD it's a 1980's K Canadian ride. On the Frankfurt version it's a 20" K Ride.

Do you ever use Constantinople cymbal, if so, what type is it? Would
you be so kind to write me what Ride cymbal do you actually use?
I would like to buy type Ride Zildjian as you have but not K Ride 20".

I have done in the past - but I don't have it any more. Sometimes I use a 1940's Avedis 20" ride.

Hi Alex P.

Here is the transcription of "Glass Arm Shattering". It's a very subtle part, very tasteful !
It's pretty hard to hear everything.

very nice work - everything looked good to me. Thanks for posting it.

cheers
Gavin

ItalianRicky

04-13-2009, 10:47 PM

i hope for you an happy easter.
cheers from Italy.

Kongo

04-14-2009, 08:51 AM

I just bought tickets to the NY show in September, I really want to meet the band....how would I go about doing that? No joke master Gavin, I'd pay a lot of money of a picture with you and Steven Wilson. If it means sleeping on the smelly city streets of NY, I'm so doing it.

ChrisGau

04-14-2009, 08:13 PM

Hi Gavin,

sometimes when I am really feeling great at the set, I typically tend to overplay... that´s at least what my band colleagues tell me. The number of fills and what type of fills I select often changes depending on my mood but especially when I am in a good mood, it seems that I am pushing the drums too much into the foreground. This is really frustrating and it sometimes brings me down to receive such feedback in a moment when I feel great.

Did you ever come across similar feedback? If so, what did you do? How to control the emotions and still live the moment and letting out new ideas?

By the way... when listening to PT's recent live record ("Ilosaarirock"), I noticed that you are using double bassdrum based fill patterns more often than for example on the "Arriving Somewhere" DVD. Is that something you have been focussing on or does this get in subconsciously?

Swiss Matthias

04-15-2009, 12:13 PM

Hey Gavin, got the MD Fest 2008 DVD package - your performance is awesome, as always! Thanks for the stuff, great to hear you talk with Simon Phillips too!

What heads do you use? I can't read it:(! Are those Ambassadors? And do you use the same head type on the bassdrum as on the toms?

Thanks and greetings from Switzerland

Gavin Harrison

04-15-2009, 09:18 PM

Hi Kongo

I just bought tickets to the NY show in September, I really want to meet the band....how would I go about doing that?

I don't really know. We certainly don't guarantee that we'll meet anyone after the show - but sometimes it happens on the way to the bus.

Hi ChrisGau

sometimes when I am really feeling great at the set, I typically tend to overplay... that´s at least what my band colleagues tell me. The number of fills and what type of fills I select often changes depending on my mood but especially when I am in a good mood, it seems that I am pushing the drums too much into the foreground. This is really frustrating and it sometimes brings me down to receive such feedback in a moment when I feel great. Did you ever come across similar feedback? If so, what did you do? How to control the emotions and still live the moment and letting out new ideas?

Like you, my mood has a lot to do with my performance. I guess listening to a recording of the show is always a good way of judging how you really played.

By the way... when listening to PT's recent live record ("Ilosaarirock"), I noticed that you are using double bassdrum based fill patterns more often than for example on the "Arriving Somewhere" DVD. Is that something you have been focussing on or does this get in subconsciously?

I can't remember consciously trying to play more double pedal fills - again it might have been the mood I was in that night. The main problem we were having that night was that the audience were very excited and clapped along to everything - but they always got faster and faster - so you found yourself fighting them a lot.

Hi Swiss Matthias

Hey Gavin, got the MD Fest 2008 DVD package - your performance is awesome, as always! Thanks for the stuff, great to hear you talk with Simon Phillips too!

Yeah that was great fun - I could have gone on all night!!

What heads do you use? I can't read it:(! Are those Ambassadors? And do you use the same head type on the bassdrum as on the toms?

They are coated Emperors on the tops of the toms. The bass drum skin is a Powerstroke 3.

cheers
Gavin

RollMyCoaster13

04-16-2009, 03:23 AM

Hey Gavin!

As a drummer, I'm starting my eduaction at Berklee College of Music this fall, and I'm also seeing PT at the House of Blues on September 27, 2009. Do you think there's any possibility that you could do a clinic at Berklee earlier in the day? I've considered emailing them first, but thought that I would ask to see if you're even up for it. It would be amazing.

Thanks,

Alex

Nige86

04-16-2009, 02:56 PM

Hey Gavin, congrats on the 'Ilosaarirock' cd, the FOABP stuff sounds class! Just two quick questions for you; firstly is that your SQ2 kit we are hearing on Ilosaarirock? Secondly have you guys played 'What happens now?' live yet? It's probably my favourite track out of Nil Recurring and FOABP!

Thanks again!

Nige

Gavin Harrison

04-16-2009, 03:16 PM

Hi RollMyCoaster13

As a drummer, I'm starting my eduaction at Berklee College of Music this fall, and I'm also seeing PT at the House of Blues on September 27, 2009. Do you think there's any possibility that you could do a clinic at Berklee earlier in the day? I've considered emailing them first, but thought that I would ask to see if you're even up for it. It would be amazing.

I'd love to do a clinic at Berklee but I don't do those kind of things whilst I'm on tour with a band - it's too complicated from a timing/schedule point of view and an equipment nightmare. Thanks for the thought though.

Hi Nige86

Hey Gavin, congrats on the 'Ilosaarirock' cd, the FOABP stuff sounds class! Just two quick questions for you; firstly is that your SQ2 kit we are hearing on Ilosaarirock? Secondly have you guys played 'What happens now?' live yet? It's probably my favourite track out of Nil Recurring and FOABP!

Yes that's my SQ2 set and we've played "What Happens Now" many times live - and that ending is quite hard to play!!

cheers
Gavin

JeffV71

04-16-2009, 09:52 PM

Hi Gavin,

Out of all the things you're involved in, what do you enjoy the most out of these areas: touring, recording, writing & collaborating, mixing, and recording (saving for later) new drum ideas?

Also, speaking about equipment - not drums, but your computer. I noticed you use your laptop often for clinics and performances, such as the Modern Drummer Festival 2008. What on Earth would you do if that thing crashed?

Circles is amazing! How many times did you rehearse these songs before pressing record? They sound so effortless. Great job - you should be proud!

Cheers,
Jeff

Marcos

04-17-2009, 06:53 AM

Hi Gavin,

I discovered your sound few months ago. Just amazing. Congratulations.

I want buy a Sonor snare drum. I read on this forum that you used a "sonor designer" maple snare drum 12x5, and a "cottonwood" 14x6.
I like the sound of yours old 12"x5" snare drum, that you used in "Plasson" video.

Which Sonor Artist snare drum is more similiar to your snares drum? Do you know the Sonor Artist Amboina 13"x7"? Is it good?

If I create a new snare on SQ2 Sonor configurator, would I be able to create a snare like your 12"x5" snare drum? Which shell type I would have to choose? Vintage, thin, medium or heavy? The sound will be similar?

A last question: What hi hat did you use on "modern drummer festival weekend 2008" video. It‘s a K zildjian, but the size is 13" or 14"? It‘s a special series?

Thanks a lot,

Marcos

fromyesterday

04-17-2009, 07:34 AM

Guys,

A few years back I asked Gavin if he would like me to archive the posts here into a Q&A section - and he said yes. Long story short I got incredibly busy with the day job and didn't do it.

Ever since then it's been in the back of my mind, nagging, so two days ago I started.

Data is my #1 priority, so the design is simple and functional - but lacking. Being that I have to swim through 3000+ pages of posts - I want to get that stuff in ASAP.

The driving goal is to keep the discussion here - but help Gavin out by having frequently answered questions head off before their asked - keeping the discussion new and fresh and easier on Gavin.

http://askgavinharrison.com (http://www.askgavinharrison.com) is the site, right now I have 64 questions from pages 80->68 and plan to do 50-100 per day until I'm done.

I hope to have an area where the guys here that have done GREAT jobs transcribing can upload transcriptions, etc.

This is a labor of love, completely free, and not designed to detract from this discussion thread in any way - DW is where the talk happens.

-Richard

Swiss Matthias

04-17-2009, 09:51 AM

wow, awesome work! maybe you could make different sections, Porcupine Tree, audio recording, his trademark cut cymbals, etc!

fromyesterday

04-17-2009, 10:29 AM

There will be a "tag cloud" specifically for that - categories if you will.

I'm open to suggestions, and will implement anything useful, but please PM them to me. Last thing I want to do is derail this read or irritate Bernard and Gavin. Where else can you ask, for lack of a better word, "drum gods" all of these questions? drummerworld.com is where it's at!

Last time I spoke with Gavin about this (2 years ago or so!) we had several great ideas, and both agreed the focus is this thread - general idea is to give Gavin a little relief answering the more often asks questions.

ccutler69

04-17-2009, 03:18 PM

Hey Gavin,

I read you don't use a click live.

Is that true and if it is, why?

Gavin Harrison

04-17-2009, 08:27 PM

Hi JeffV71

Out of all the things you're involved in, what do you enjoy the most out of these areas: touring, recording, writing & collaborating, mixing, and recording (saving for later) new drum ideas?

I would probably say that I enjoy recording the most - but you can have too much of a good thing - so the best thing - really is having a nice balance of all of the above.

Also, speaking about equipment - not drums, but your computer. I noticed you use your laptop often for clinics and performances, such as the Modern Drummer Festival 2008. What on Earth would you do if that thing crashed?

Yes I have nightmares about that kind of thing - and luckily it behaved very well at the MD Fest. In fact it's never crashed mid drum clinic before (fingers crossed) but one time in Italy I had to set up in a real rush and I got the computer going for a quick soundcheck and then left the stage for a couple of hours. When I went on for the performance (during the first song) suddenly there's a very loud "Choing" alert sound coming through my headphones and the PA - so I looked at the computer and it said "You are now running on reserve power - only 5% left". I had forgotten to plug in the power supply for the laptop and it was going to die any minute. Luckily it made through to the end of the song.

Circles is amazing! How many times did you rehearse these songs before pressing record? They sound so effortless. Great job - you should be proud!

Thanks - I'm very pleased with it. Some of the songs I rehearsed for about three days before I felt I was in good enough shape to record them.

Hi Marcos

I want buy a Sonor snare drum. I read on this forum that you used a "sonor designer" maple snare drum 12x5, and a "cottonwood" 14x6. I like the sound of yours old 12"x5" snare drum, that you used in "Plasson" video. Which Sonor Artist snare drum is more similiar to your snares drum? Do you know the Sonor Artist Amboina 13"x7"? Is it good?

I don't think it's like any of the Artist snares. I have the 13x7 Ambonia and it's really good.

If I create a new snare on SQ2 Sonor configurator, would I be able to create a snare like your 12"x5" snare drum? Which shell type I would have to choose? Vintage, thin, medium or heavy? The sound will be similar?

All I can tell you is that it's 12x5 6 ply maple - so that would be considered Sonor's "Thin" shell. I have played other Sonor 12x5 but they didn't sound exactly the same. My one is quite old - and of course wood is a natural material that you can get lucky with (or not).

A last question: What hi hat did you use on "modern drummer festival weekend 2008" video. It‘s a K zildjian, but the size is 13" or 14"? It‘s a special series?

They're just a standard pair of 13" K hi hats.

Hi fromyesterday

http://askgavinharrison.com is the site, right now I have 64 questions from pages 80->68 and plan to do 50-100 per day until I'm done.

looks great - well done!!

Hi ccutler69

I read you don't use a click live. Is that true and if it is, why?

You can't have read that on this forum! Have a search around and you'll find quite a bit of discussion about it.

Cheers
Gavin

Fox622003

04-18-2009, 04:53 AM

Hey Gavin, I was wondering if you *always* recorded a track in one take, or sometimes recorded the parts separately, because I find it too frustrating, time consuming and can never get *everything* perfect when recording in one take, so I usually try to record as much as I can in every take, but end up having to link several parts that were recorded separately, I usually cross-fade the parts so they sound as if they came after eachother, but I believe some of the feeling might be lost when recording this way, so, what's your take on it?
Thanks a lot for all the questions you've been answering, all the best.

Fox.

Marcos

04-18-2009, 06:07 AM

Thanks for the answers Gavin.
I saw the website askgavinharrison. I‘ve found many interesting answers.
Come to visit us in Brazil.
God bless,

Marcos

euphoric_anomaly

04-18-2009, 10:53 AM

Gavin,

Just purchased Circles and it is nothing short of brilliant genius craftsmanship. Very inspiring.

ewanlaing

04-18-2009, 05:11 PM

Hi Gavin!

I've been watching the musikmesse clips on the site here, and I was wondering those tracks will ever be released as playalong tracks. I understand that 19 days is on one of your DVDs.

The reason I ask is that I am studying music at university and the third track in particular would be great to include in my fourth year recital (if I could get the hang of it!).

Cheers.
Ewan.

fromyesterday

04-19-2009, 07:08 AM

Fox, based on a previous question

http://www.askgavinharrison.com/articles/138-Do-you-copy-paste-repeated-drum-parts-when-recording-to-save-time

"I do several takes of the same song and pick the best performance."

Hey Gavin, I was wondering if you *always* recorded a track in one take, or sometimes recorded the parts separately, because I find it too frustrating, time consuming and can never get *everything* perfect when recording in one take, so I usually try to record as much as I can in every take, but end up having to link several parts that were recorded separately, I usually cross-fade the parts so they sound as if they came after eachother, but I believe some of the feeling might be lost when recording this way, so, what's your take on it?
Thanks a lot for all the questions you've been answering, all the best.

Fox.

fromyesterday

04-19-2009, 07:12 AM

Gavin,

Any interesting studio stories you can share?

I remember recording once about 10 years ago and when I pulled my china cymbal out the engineer said "real drummers don't use chinas, get rid of that"

kotras

04-19-2009, 10:01 AM

Hi Gavin,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I am really glad that you can spare some of your time for your fans.
I wrote you about Ride cymbal that you use. You told me that you use 1980's K Canadian ride in "19 days" at the concert on your DVD. Can you give my a piece of advice where to buy such a cymbal? Any link would help me.

I´ve got another question: Do you use 20" K ride when recording Porcupine Tree albums at the studio? If so, is it this one?
http://zildjian.com/EN-US/products/productDetail.ad2?catalogID=1009&typeID=9&productID=1415

My very last question: On 31 October 2009 you´re playing with Porcupine tree in Vienna, Austria.It is true? Are you planning anything special for the concert?

Thank you very much for your reply. C u at the concert!

Matěj

Gavin Harrison

04-19-2009, 09:15 PM

Hi Fox622003

Hey Gavin, I was wondering if you *always* recorded a track in one take, or sometimes recorded the parts separately, because I find it too frustrating, time consuming and can never get *everything* perfect when recording in one take, so I usually try to record as much as I can in every take, but end up having to link several parts that were recorded separately, I usually cross-fade the parts so they sound as if they came after eachother, but I believe some of the feeling might be lost when recording this way, so, what's your take on it?

One never gets everything perfect anyway - but I keep rehearsing it until I can get a satisfactory performance of the whole song down. Then I move on and do alternative takes - but it's not easy editing from one take to another because the intention can be slightly different - and therefore noticeable.

Hi ewanlaing

I've been watching the musikmesse clips on the site here, and I was wondering those tracks will ever be released as playalong tracks. I understand that 19 days is on one of your DVDs.

Sorry but I won't be releasing 'playalong' tracks.

Hi fromyesterday

Any interesting studio stories you can share? I remember recording once about 10 years ago and when I pulled my china cymbal out the engineer said "real drummers don't use chinas, get rid of that"

I can remember Vivian Stanshall (from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band) asking me if I could hit my side drum (floor tom) with a wooley club.

Hi kotras

I wrote you about Ride cymbal that you use. You told me that you use 1980's K Canadian ride in "19 days" at the concert on your DVD. Can you give my a piece of advice where to buy such a cymbal? Any link would help me.

Ebay - but they're very rare.

I´ve got another question: Do you use 20" K ride when recording Porcupine Tree albums at the studio? If so, is it this one? http://zildjian.com/EN-US/products/p...productID=1415

Yes on some of the tracks I do - and yes that's the one.

My very last question: On 31 October 2009 you´re playing with Porcupine tree in Vienna, Austria.It is true? Are you planning anything special for the concert?

I believe we are playing there on that date.

cheers
Gavin

euphoric_anomaly

04-21-2009, 04:11 PM

Gavin,

Your new album 'circles" is amazing. Amazing in the fact that I can barely count time signatures for the songs. I had a question about your drumming on "Break". When the drums do come in I can hear a lot of what sounds like double stroke linear notes between the hi-hats/snare/bass drum. I love the way you make the bass drum sound kinda choppy and off beat, I don't know how to explain what your playing but it all happens before Ric comes in with the vocals. Any explanations would be appreciated, unless of course I've confused you trying to explain my confusion. haha

Cheers

Eric

Alex P.

04-21-2009, 07:20 PM

Hi Gavin,

In "Shallow", how do you think of the "middle" part: 3/4 or 6/8 ?

Thanks in advance!

Alex P.

Brodel

04-21-2009, 11:24 PM

Hi Gavin,
I was wondering if PT is planning to release any of the live material from the Atlanta October 2007 show . I was at the show and Stephen mentioned it would be on a live album PT was going to release....I didn't know if this most recent release that is exclusive to Residents of a Blank Planet is to be the sole live release from that tour or if the Atlanta show (or some of the songs from it) will be released as well?

Thanks

SantiBanks

04-22-2009, 12:30 AM

Hi RollMyCoaster13
Yes that's my SQ2 set and we've played "What Happens Now" many times live - and that ending is quite hard to play!!

cheers
Gavin

Well I am lucky to experience the live rendition of this song for a couple of times and it's just simply amazing.
I remember during the shoot in 013 that John Wesley started tapping as you played a really awesome displaced part which really confused people (I really dig that kind of stuff. On the circles album, the second song has that in the chorus. It's just so creative and wonderful)

Btw, speaking of the dvd, I understand that it will be released next year. Is the songlist already decided? Really love to see the Nil Recurring material on it!

As the laptop system is concerned. We just switched to a laptop with the band too (for backingtracks and some synth plugins, we use digital performer on a macbook). Works pretty good and I'm very pleased with it.
I use a pretty big and technical setup which can give lots of errors when setup improperly. What I always do is make lists of tasks and procedures and follow those when building the rig on stage (and dismantling it). It gets the stress away as everything is lined out so you don't have to think about it anymore.
I labeled everything, keep a big folder with all the details (patches, connections, soundsettings etc.) and have everything documented and written out in procedures. It's really ideal for festivals and other gigs where stress is high and time is very short and tight.

What I always wondered was if you have a dedicated roady for Porcupine Tree that knows your drumset inside out and sets it up for you?

fromyesterday

04-22-2009, 12:45 AM

Santi:

http://www.askgavinharrison.com/articles/139-Do-you-have-a-drum-tech

Gentleman named Jason Birnie, works with the PT crew

-Richard

Gavin Harrison

04-22-2009, 12:16 PM

Hi euphoric_anomaly

Your new album 'circles" is amazing. Amazing in the fact that I can barely count time signatures for the songs. I had a question about your drumming on "Break". When the drums do come in I can hear a lot of what sounds like double stroke linear notes between the hi-hats/snare/bass drum. I love the way you make the bass drum sound kinda choppy and off beat, I don't know how to explain what your playing but it all happens before Ric comes in with the vocals. Any explanations would be appreciated, unless of course I've confused you trying to explain my confusion. haha

Some of what your hearing is 32nds played R (on the HH) LL (on the snare) and one note with the left foot. It's maybe a bit more obvious which note I'm pedaling with the left foot later on when my right hand is on the ride.

Hi Alex P.

In "Shallow", how do you think of the "middle" part: 3/4 or 6/8 ?

that's a good question because I guess it could be either. I think I was feeling it as 6/8

Hi Brodel

I was wondering if PT is planning to release any of the live material from the Atlanta October 2007 show . I was at the show and Stephen mentioned it would be on a live album PT was going to release....I didn't know if this most recent release that is exclusive to Residents of a Blank Planet is to be the sole live release from that tour or if the Atlanta show (or some of the songs from it) will be released as well?

actually we don't know at the moment. For the past few months we've been working on the new album and it's taking up all our energies. It's definitely a good recording of a good performance - so I hope it will come out one day - but it won't be any day soon.

Hi SantiBanks,

Btw, speaking of the dvd, I understand that it will be released next year. Is the songlist already decided? Really love to see the Nil Recurring material on it!

As to my previous answer - it's another thing that is on hold at the moment whilst we are concentrating trying to get the new album finished. So nothing has been decided with it as yet.

As the laptop system is concerned. We just switched to a laptop with the band too (for backingtracks and some synth plugins, we use digital performer on a macbook). Works pretty good and I'm very pleased with it.

We found that having all the stuff on the internal drive of the Macbook was far better than using external disc drives. There was just more things to go wrong.

cheers
Gavin

miha

04-22-2009, 09:16 PM

Hey Gavin, over the years did you develop any tinnitus & hearing loss? Is there anything you can do to protect the ears 100%? Currently I'm using double protection when playing drums, ear plugs (around 30db reducement) + isolation headphones (22db reducement), but I'm still not sure it's enough. At younger age I was pretty ignorant and didn't use any protection for awhile. Then I started to use the isolation headphones, but the tinnitus still progressed over the years. Man, my worst nightmare is to lose hearing on account of my favourite instrument...

fromyesterday

04-22-2009, 10:29 PM

Solid State Laptop drives are being used with great success on Macbooks internally. Booting cold to OS-X in 20 seconds or so. Logic 7 Pro loads nearly the instant you click the icon.

No moving parts, bumping the macbook hard (on accident of course) doesn't cause the seeker arm to go nuts, etc. Longer mean time between failure. Reliability seems really really high.

It just may be worth the price tag.

SantiBanks

04-22-2009, 11:12 PM

Hi euphoric_anomaly

As to my previous answer - it's another thing that is on hold at the moment whilst we are concentrating trying to get the new album finished. So nothing has been decided with it as yet.

As the laptop system is concerned. We just switched to a laptop with the band too (for backingtracks and some synth plugins, we use digital performer on a macbook). Works pretty good and I'm very pleased with it.

We found that having all the stuff on the internal drive of the Macbook was far better than using external disc drives. There was just more things to go wrong.

cheers
Gavin

Sorry, I must have been reading over your previous answer. My apologies.

I hear my harddisks rotating and spinning over my speakers so that alone is a reason to use the internal harddisk. I'm very happy with the laptop setup now. Going to take it to the next level and add some softsynths that I can play from my rig and see if it will still work.

But as connecting to the FOH is concerned, I was wondering what you send out to them? Just a stereo mix output of the backingtrack (with or without effects?) or do you send a multitrack output?

@Fromyesterday:
If I get a new macbook, I really concider replacing the internal disk with a solid state.

As other people here are concerned that want to perform with a laptop, I have some small tips and tweaks that might be useful for some here. These help a lot if you also use the laptop for other stuff (like internet).

Make a new user account that will only use the stuff that is really needed. Don't give it administration rights (no need for it). Just make sure it can access the music programs, plugins and music files. Disable anything else including wifi and bluetooth cards, network connections (you can disable the virusscanner too for the windows users), startup programs (no need to run stuff in the background. You won't use it so why make the programs use your processor?) and especially turn of the energy saving stuff.
You might want to set a very natural background (in case the screen is visible in the audience and the background can offense someone or can be a little embarrasing). When needed, tweaking the colors of the interface can be setup for the user account too (not sure how that works on mac though).

Also, never update, upgrade or renew drivers or other software before a gig. Always testdrive updates and upgrades in rehearsalroom to make sure nothing weird will happen during performance :)

And be sure to talk to the engineers at FOH to let them know what you feed the desk with.

kamelisko

04-23-2009, 11:51 AM

Mr. Brownstone

04-23-2009, 02:35 PM

Hello Gavin. I just heard that PT is coming to Finland next october. That's Great! Saw you last time over an year ago at Tampere.
Have you got any possibilities to do clinic in Helsinki during that visit? I can convince you that it would be popular!

I'd love to do a clinic at Berklee but I don't do those kind of things whilst I'm on tour with a band - it's too complicated from a timing/schedule point of view and an equipment nightmare..

From the previous page.

ItalianRicky

04-23-2009, 03:06 PM

Hi Gavin!!!
Everything is OK?
I've just readed that you're in Italy in november, especially in Padova (my city!!!! °_°) 7\11!!!
there's just the possibility of meet you?thanks a lot, however, i'm very happy to see (and hear) you behind the drums again!!!
PT are the best band ever...and they have the best drummer worldwide!

i'll edit this post to show you my last bricolage opera...a tingle cups holder!It isn't wonderful and super professional like yours...but it seems to work!
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/230/24042009258.jpg

what do you think?

Cheers from Italy!

fromyesterday

04-25-2009, 08:32 AM

Who's ready for the new OSI album 'Blood' to hit the stores?

Preview clips on the website sound nice to my ears already!

Fox622003

04-25-2009, 08:29 PM

Hey Gavin, hope everything's going good.
I wanted to ask about the playing behind the beat thing you've mentioned a couple of times. In my band, while after a minute or so the rest of the band stops following me and we start playing together, they'd still try to keep up with me if I raised the tempo or lowered it, so I don't see how it would work in this setting (unless I didn't get the concept right!). I mean, does the drummer need to play independantly from the others tempo wise? as in not having them follow him for this to work?
And why do you still use the DW drop clutch, don't you use a Cobra Clutch now?
About the BeatNik, how does it work for you, is it worth it getting it?
Oh and by the way, I read about your influences and was surprised to not see Peter Erskine in there! I mean, while both of you are very different players all in all, you share that great touch with the instrument so that's why I expected to see him there.
All the best and hope they aren't too many questions!

Fox.

Swiss Matthias

04-26-2009, 12:38 AM

Fox, while I don't know exactly what you are talking about, I suppose it must be about metric modulations or some rhythmic illusions like that, as Gavin calls them.
You don't play independent tempos from each other, but you group existing subdivisions differently to get the impression of another tempo, another pulse.
If your band doesn't keep up with that, that would surely be the definite clue for you to stop doing it with them;)!
It should be about the music, about tension and release, not about some kind of technical artistry like "who can follow me with this", IMO.

Fox622003

04-26-2009, 01:38 AM

ItalianRicky

04-26-2009, 02:35 AM

Hey Gavin, hope everything's going good.
I wanted to ask about the playing behind the beat thing you've mentioned a couple of times. In my band, while after a minute or so the rest of the band stops following me and we start playing together, they'd still try to keep up with me if I raised the tempo or lowered it, so I don't see how it would work in this setting (unless I didn't get the concept right!). I mean, does the drummer need to play independantly from the others tempo wise? as in not having them follow him for this to work?
And why do you still use the DW drop clutch, don't you use a Cobra Clutch now?
Oh and by the way, I read about your influences and was surprised to not see Peter Erskine in there! I mean, while both of you are very different players all in all, you share that great touch with the instrument so that's why I expected to see him there.

All the best, Fox.

the dw drop clutch make your top hihat cymbal to fall on the bottom.but you have a opened hihat sound when you play it.The cobra clutch is useful because it work directly on your hihat pedal, and you can keep it closed without a feet on it.The cobra clutch keep the foot pression on the pedal.

Swiss Matthias

04-26-2009, 10:54 AM

Ah I see. Sorry...
You mean to get a laid back feeling of the band then? If you do that and the rest of your band follows you that must mean you're getting a bit slower, which is not good:)!

stikzNskinz

04-27-2009, 10:44 AM

Hey Gavin! Glad to know that you're busy with the new music, September can't come soon enough for me. I'll be grabbing the new PT release then motorcycling from Atlanta to Chicago to catch PT at the Vic on Sept. 22nd. The adventure doesn't end there though; in October, I'm flying over to catch your show at Colston Hall in Bristol. It'll be my first trip to England and I couldn't think of a better reason to finally come. Despite all of that, I had really hoped PT would make it to Atlanta, or nearby, this tour so I could see the band without having to be on the road myself. I'm sure you're not actively involved in bookings, but I'm wondering if you have any information about possible plans to book shows in the southeastern U.S.

It's not just for myself that I ask. You see, my thirteen year old daughter, an aspiring and inspired musician herself, is completely hooked on PT and finds you all to be amazing musicians and composers. Her enthusiasm for PT is infectious, as she has gotten a few of her friends interested in your work, as well. I can only imagine that the thought of thirteen year old fans "getting it" has to be somewhat encouraging for you, given the underlying theme to FOABP. She was really disappointed when no local area show was scheduled because I'd promised to bring her to see you when you came around this tour. Although she's seen many shows with me already; Rush, U2, Sisters of Mercy, Aerosmith, Lucinda Williams, plus many more, PT is THE show for her! So we're keeping hope alive that some more dates will be scheduled and they'll be in our neck of the woods.

Alright, I'm going to have to stop here and get back downstairs to my kit and Rhythmic Visions. Great DVD btw, Horizons is next. Keep up the good work.

trysthedrummer

04-27-2009, 08:53 PM

Who's ready for the new OSI album 'Blood' to hit the stores?

Preview clips on the website sound nice to my ears already!

I got it through the letterbox from Burning Shed today!! Of course, excellent production and the drumming, well, bloody brilliant really as always. Lots of similar sounds used from the previous two albums, and some more power-rock type riffs on the guitars.

I won't say no more, -enjoy!

euphoric_anomaly

04-28-2009, 02:58 AM

Gavin,,

I was impressed with your guitar skills on Circles. How long have you been playing guitar? Also, did you find that recording/producing/mixing Circles to be easier with your and Ric in complete control of the entire process? Still working on figuring out those tricky time signatures for Scar, Break, Last Call and Beyond the A.

Cheers

Eric

Gavin Harrison

04-28-2009, 12:37 PM

Hi miha

Hey Gavin, over the years did you develop any tinnitus & hearing loss? Is there anything you can do to protect the ears 100%?

I've probably lost some of my high frequencies (that goes with age anyway) but I don't have tinnitus. I can feel my ears starting to ring quite quickly these days - so I almost never play the drums without headphones. At home I have the studio and I'm listening to all the mics (plus a bit of reverb) so it's very comfortable - but I try not to crank up the volume too much. On stage I use IEM (in ear monitors) and I noticed from the first night I started with them that my ears weren't not badly ringing after a show. Unfortunately I did do at least 20 years of loud shows before I got them - so there may be some long term damage in there already. I know how strange and unenjoyably it can be to wear normal ear plugs on stage - I was lucky that when I started with IEM I was already in a band that were 'mic'd up' and had a monitor desk - my early experiences of playing live were usually without mics and certainly no monitors for the drummer.

Hi SantBanks,

But as connecting to the FOH is concerned, I was wondering what you send out to them? Just a stereo mix output of the backingtrack (with or without effects?) or do you send a multitrack output?

I just send them a stereo mix (with effects).

Hi ItalianRicky

i'll edit this post to show you my last bricolage opera...a tingle cups holder!It isn't wonderful and super professional like yours...but it seems to work!
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/230/24042009258.jpg

Looks really good - you might want to try hi hat size felts on those cymbals because they are so small. I've been doing this recently and it does really help.

Hi Fox622003

I wanted to ask about the playing behind the beat thing you've mentioned a couple of times. In my band, while after a minute or so the rest of the band stops following me and we start playing together, they'd still try to keep up with me if I raised the tempo or lowered it, so I don't see how it would work in this setting (unless I didn't get the concept right!). I mean, does the drummer need to play independantly from the others tempo wise? as in not having them follow him for this to work?

It's more of an attitude really - and you don't need to slow down to get it. You can try it when you play to a click to see if you can play slightly (and I mean a few milliseconds) behind it. Of course that sounds like a strange concept - because it's really just a subtle feeling. In terms of playing to a click - most people have a default place that they feel comfortable to play. I just try to play on the back edge of it. It's the difference when you listen to Jeff Porcaro - or Stewart Copeland. Both are correct - but JP tends to sound 'laid back' and relaxed with the time - and SC sounds excited and edgy. I think if you spend a long time listening to laid back players you'll start to 'hear it' - and then when you analyze your own playing you may hear that it doesn't feel the same as the drummers you've been listening to. That's what happened in my case anyway.

And why do you still use the DW drop clutch, don't you use a Cobra Clutch now?

Because they are two different sounds. The Drop Clutch gives you a semi open 'slosh' sound that sometimes I want when playing double bass pedal. The Cobra Clutch can give you a totally tight closed sound (that the drop clutch cannot) and sometimes I need that sound when playing the double pedal.

About the BeatNik, how does it work for you, is it worth it getting it?

Yes I really like it.

Hi stikzNskinz

I'm sure you're not actively involved in bookings, but I'm wondering if you have any information about possible plans to book shows in the southeastern U.S.

We plan to make a much bigger more extensive tour of the US next year - so there's a very good chance we'll be down your way.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

I was impressed with your guitar skills on Circles. How long have you been playing guitar?

A very long time - but always badly. Most of my guitar playing on the album is just picked or tapped rhythmic parts.

Also, did you find that recording/producing/mixing Circles to be easier with your and Ric in complete control of the entire process?

Yes it's great - it's as close to our pure idea as possible.We're both very pleased with how it turned out.

Still working on figuring out those tricky time signatures for Scar, Break, Last Call and Beyond the A.

The good news is that Terry Branam is transcribing the whole of the this new record AND the previous one too - we have a book/DVD project planned for release. All I can tell you for now about "Beyond The 'A" is that it's all in 4/4 but subdivided in unusual ways.

cheers
Gavin

ItalianRicky

04-28-2009, 02:06 PM

thanks for the advice.I'll try that solution.
Have a nice day master ! =)

DTrocks

04-28-2009, 11:24 PM

Hey!

Do you use your 13" k-hats on the new osi record? I'm conscidering to buy one of those! i love the sound, and the stick defenition.

Great work with osi! Shows that you can be a really hardcore metal drummer aswell! great as always!

cheers!

miha

04-29-2009, 11:29 AM

Yep, great drumming & drum sound on the OSI album, congrats. Bass drum notes on the album's last track (Blood)... man, those were very nice and innovative.

ItalianRicky

04-29-2009, 11:55 PM

soon i'll post the specs and the list of the material that i used for the building of my cup chimes stand.
I hope that it may be helpful for who want to create his personal cymbal stand.

stay tuned.

SantiBanks

05-02-2009, 06:01 PM

Hi SantBanks,

I just send them a stereo mix (with effects).

Thanks for that information :) I noticed your myspace blogposting with the video from the Modern Drummer fest. That rack where your macbook sits on, is it just some rack/flightcase (for your drums) or do you have it filled with other equipment (and if so, what's in the box)?

AronMapex

05-03-2009, 08:31 PM

Hi Gavin,

I've been listening to GH05 and you guys are really awesome. Are you guys by any chance influenced by Allan Holdsworth? Something about your music just reminds me of some of Allan Holdsworths stuff.

cantstandyourfunk

05-04-2009, 11:38 AM

www.askgavinharrison.com

Now THAT'S sweet! Thanks so much, yet again. :) Love and light :)

Ogg

05-04-2009, 09:23 PM

Hi Gavin, just want to say how much I'm enjoying your playing on the OSI album. I'm figuring out how to play around with the 'Radiologue' groove so much use of headphones, what a great track. I discovered the sweetest bass drum moment between 05:26 and 05:30...wow! Am I correct in thinking that you're continuing with the hi-hat pattern, omitting the snare and simply playing doubles? A true jaw dropping moment. Do you have a favourite from the album?
Loving the 'Christian Brothers' cover, never heard you play so straight but faultless as always. Thank you for the continuing inspiration.

Gavin Harrison

05-05-2009, 12:31 PM

Hi DTrocks

Do you use your 13" k-hats on the new osi record? I'm conscidering to buy one of those! i love the sound, and the stick defenition.

Yes - and they're great hi hat cymbals

Hi SantiBanks

I noticed your myspace blogposting with the video from the Modern Drummer fest. That rack where your macbook sits on, is it just some rack/flightcase (for your drums) or do you have it filled with other equipment (and if so, what's in the box)?

Ah yes Ric posted that video - it's just a spare flight case that I found backstage - I needed something to put the powerbook on.

Hi AronMapex

I've been listening to GH05 and you guys are really awesome. Are you guys by any chance influenced by Allan Holdsworth?

Thanks - yes we both love Allan Holdsworth.

Hi Ogg

I'm figuring out how to play around with the 'Radiologue' groove so much use of headphones, what a great track. I discovered the sweetest bass drum moment between 05:26 and 05:30...wow! Am I correct in thinking that you're continuing with the hi-hat pattern, omitting the snare and simply playing doubles? A true jaw dropping moment.

Thanks - that moment is three notes on the bass in between the hi hat.

Do you have a favourite from the album?

I like all of the album I guess "The Escape Artist" and "False Start" were great fun to play.

Cheers
Gavin

MaidenFanSte

05-05-2009, 02:51 PM

I like all of the album I guess "The Escape Artist" and "False Start" were great fun to play.

2:09 - 2:26 of "False Start" is pure genius!

Abhishek

05-05-2009, 05:28 PM

NeuroAxis

05-05-2009, 08:01 PM

Hi Gavin!

Been a long time admirer of PT, and I've only just started on your book, Rhythmic Illusions.

Wanted to ask, the part before the main chorus, in 'Open Car', is that a very basic Illusion, or just displacing the back one note ahead?

Gavin could probably explain this a lot better than I could, but I spent years obsessing over every note in Deadwing.

Are you talking about the main riff, where the vocal pattern matches the rhythm of the guitar pattern?

If so, the way I hear that part is as in 17/8, or one grouop of 9/8 followed by one group of 8/8. Because it is an odd number of beats to the bar, when he plays the basic 4/4 rock pattern--with the kick on 1 and the snare on 3--after the group of 9 the pattern would displace and the kick would land on 2 and the snare on 4. To avoid this, he displaces the rhythm at the start of the group of 8 to keep the kick and snare notes in the same position that they are in during the group of 9.

Hope this helps...

Dont Taze Me Bro

05-05-2009, 08:52 PM

Hey Gavin!!

This is so cool, I found out about you and Porcupine Tree in January and now I(hopefully) get to talk to the man himself! First of all I have to ask, are you guys planning on adding on Arizona or Las Vegas dates over in the U.S. to your 2009 bill? I would love nothing more than to see PT live but can't afford the drive to California, which is the next closest show to us.

I would like to say that I have the utmost respect for you and the guys in PT, your music has been nothing but pure inspiration for my drumming. You have tasteful chops that you never wear out, I love the variation you use, a strong groove, and a flawless knowledge of time signatures . In Arriving Somewhere Live you guys were absolutely amazing, I especially love Hatesong, you guys are all in complete control of that song, it blows me away how awesome it sounds live!

I see you as a drumming pioneer and innovator, and I hope to see you play near me soon! Me and my friends have spread the word about PT so I'm hoping you'll eventually have a bigger following down here.

Edit: Your work with 05ric blows me away too, I considered my mind blown after listening to Unsettled and the mid section of Okay.. I love it!

Another thing, I know you've probably been asked this plenty of times, whats the word on the new PT album? Can you give us a hint of what it may sound like and if you would, a potential release date?

Thanks for your time man!

Steven