Gavin Harrison here!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Diane,
thanks for the kind words - hope you enjoy the Rhythmic Visions DVD.

Hi Toteman2,
I've always listened to a lot of varied stuff. In fact when I was really young I just listened to my Dad's record collection - a lot of jazz. I could see that if I wanted to make a profession out of playing the drums I would have to be able to play a lot of different styles - or at least make myself very adaptable. I don't really categorise music so much - I can hear beauty and rhythmic design in all kinds of music - and that interests me enough to want to play it.

I didn't have any special practise routines - I just played along to what I thought was interesting and drummers like Jeff Porcaro and Steve Gadd made just 'playing time' interesting to me with the way they placed their timing and made it feel great. ...and I think that's something you can bring to any style of music.

Cheers
Gavin

[diane]

So Gavin, now that the tour's wound down, what are you up to over the next few months?

(And just out of curiousity), what motivates you to write books and produce DVDs?

Is there any chance we'll ever see you do something with Pat Metheny - or must I wait until Heaven itself?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Diane,
first I have a few sessions to do that I had delayed because of the touring. At the end of January I hope to do a 12 date Italian drum clinic tour - still working on the details for that. Probably around April Porcupine Tree will begin rehearsals for our new tour - supporting the new album.

I don't know what motivates me to make books and DVD's - I think it's a good way of me recording all my 'drum ideas' at a given point in time - so that I haven't got to worry about them anymore.

I'd LOVE to play with Pat Metheny - just waiting for him to call me up.

cheers
Gavin

[Mr. Hat]

Hey Gavin.
My question is regarding the splashes to your left that everyone talks about. Do you remember what types of cymbals were cut down and what was the technique used to do it? I'd also be curious to know what your most embarrassing moment on stage or studio was.
In case you didn't know, we love you in the US! Next tour, make sure to stop by Atlanta again and get some Crispy Creme donuts.

[Heitor]

Gavin, I'm floored to see you mention Porcaro's name for the second time here on the forum! It just made me a bigger fan of YOU!

I remember the day Jeff passed away, as it was 2 days before my 3-year birthday and by that time I was already into playing drums 'cause my dad is a professional drummer here in Brazil and his biggest influence was Jeff Porcaro. Seeing the Toto videos and listening to the Toto records gave me a great sense of groove and time-keeping. It also helped me a lot about studio drumming, and being able to play different styles. He was called by musicians in Los Angeles "The Groove Man". I think to this day that pop music had an irrepairable loss with Jeff's death.

What's your view on Jeff's influence on drumming world and how exactly did you come to know his work? Oh, my dad says "you're a smart man 'cause you drank from the right fountain"! :)

God bless ya!

[Sonor]

Hi Gavin,

when you implement an illusion into a song is it something you've already planned out or do you just choose one of the many stored in your brain whenever you feel a certain part of the song could use it? Is it the same in a live situation? I get the impression it 'just happens' for you but I guess it becomes that way when you've been working/studying illusions for as long as you have.

I'm having great fun with the first book but I can't ever imagine being able to think on the fly with regards to everything I'm learning. Baby steps I suppose.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Mr. Hat,
I've had a lot of questions about those cymbals and how they were made. Now comes the big secrets. First off they were (if I can remember clearly) 16", 17", 14" Zildjian crashes from the '80's. They all have the same 'medium' cup size that is standard on those types of Zildjian cymbals. I had split them on the edge so I thought it doesn't really matter if they come out good or not - I had nothing to lose.

First I marked the size I wanted to cut down to with a felt marker. About 6" or less. Then I cut round the mark with "tin snips"

8863

Then I modified a cymbal top holder to act as a clamp

8866

Then I attached that to a drill

8865

And once the cymbal was reasonably close to the required size from the hand cutting procedure - I clamped it REALLY tight into the cymbal holder and began to file it out smooth onto some heavy duty emory cloth (metal work sand paper) that was on the floor. (Cymbal pictured is a 13" hi hat just for demonstration - the real cymbal would have been about 6" in diameter).

8864

Let me say straight away - DON'T TRY THIS YOURSELF WITHOUT PROPER PROTECTION AND PRECAUTIONS. PIECES OF CYMBAL METAL WILL FLY UP INTO YOUR FACE - BELIEVE ME. YOU REALLY DON’T WANT TO INJURE YOURSELF DOING THIS BECAUSE YOU WILL NEED ALL YOUR LIMBS/FACE/EYES ETC. TO BE ABLE TO PLAY THEM PROPERLY AFTER YOU'VE MADE THEM.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Heitor,
I was listening to a lot of drummers in my teenage years - but I guess I heard more Jeff Porcaro and Steve Gadd than any others. I noticed how good they made the music feel and how musically they played. Two things that you can never get enough of - and two things you could apply to any situation. Sure I learnt their licks/beats/fills and it was all part of the drumming fashion of the late '70's early '80's - I tried to copy their sound and I played along to their recordings. All these years later - the licks/fills and drum sounds might sound a bit old fashioned and have faded away into the back of my memory - but the influence of the musicality and groove is still as strong (and relevant) today as it was way back then. It's their real legacy. They chose their moments to play a fill and at other times they played such great supporting roles in the background.
And it inspires me to this day - even if I'm playing some heavy metal or acoustic pop - I'm still trying to play my time & taste with the influence of those guys.

I have a tape in my car of Randy Crawford's "Secret Combination" and "Windsong" and I can't stop admiring Jeff's time & taste on those records.

Cheers
Gavin

Gavin, I'm floored to see you mention Porcaro's name for the second time here on the forum! It just made me a bigger fan of YOU!

I remember the day Jeff passed away, as it was 2 days before my 3-year birthday and by that time I was already into playing drums 'cause my dad is a professional drummer here in Brazil and his biggest influence was Jeff Porcaro. Seeing the Toto videos and listening to the Toto records gave me a great sense of groove and time-keeping. It also helped me a lot about studio drumming, and being able to play different styles. He was called by musicians in Los Angeles "The Groove Man". I think to this day that pop music had an irrepairable loss with Jeff's death.

What's your view on Jeff's influence on drumming world and how exactly did you come to know his work? Oh, my dad says "you're a smart man 'cause you drank from the right fountain"! :)

God bless ya!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sonor,
I try not to plan these things - but rather just take a chance. I have of course got loads of things stored in my brain - but if I possibly can - I try not to regurgitate them night after night.
It's something that really disappoints me if I do - and it would make the difference between having a good night or a bad night. There are certain parts or fills that I consider to be part of the composition - and therefore would plan them out - but I try to play slightly different every night - even if it's only in a subtle way that perhaps only I notice.

There's moments in every concert where I take chances and don't really know what I'm going to play. Having all that "rhythmic illusion" stuff under my belt helps me get into some interesting situations - and also helps me get out of some situations that might be falling apart mid stream.

Cheers
Gavin

Hi Gavin,

when you implement an illusion into a song is it something you've already planned out or do you just choose one of the many stored in your brain whenever you feel a certain part of the song could use it? Is it the same in a live situation? I get the impression it 'just happens' for you but I guess it becomes that way when you've been working/studying illusions for as long as you have.

I'm having great fun with the first book but I can't ever imagine being able to think on the fly with regards to everything I'm learning. Baby steps I suppose.

[prla]

Hi Gavin,

I just learned about this thread yesterday - shame on me! - through Mike Portnoy's forum. Whereas Mike is someone that inspires me quite a lot, lately I can say no less about yourself. The way you've been so kind around here answer every single question with a heart the size of the world can only add to my highest consideration towards you. Thanks for doing this and thanks for all the music.

I'm an aspiring drummer from Portugal, having just started drumming - or trying to! - six months ago. I'm completely self-taught, for the little I know, as life's circumstances simply haven't allowed me to seek lessons yet. Needless to say, you and your playing are a huge source of inspiration. Kinda what I call the "I wish I played like this guy" positive feedback loop.

So, my drivel aside, my question to you is what would you recommend as a "roadmap for beginners" in this craft that's making music with the drums. Being self-taught and having to follow my own path all by myself sometimes leaves me a bit restless and lacking a sense of direction. Having someone like you lending a few tips would be a huge help.

In general, in your hardened by experience point of view, what should we beginners *really* focus on? Again, thanks so much for everything!

Cheers,

Paulo

[Mr. Hat]

Hey Gavin.
Thanks for responding to my post asking about your custom "Gavin Harrison " splashes. The photos are extremely helpful. I can't wait to drop a cymbal so I can give it a go.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Paulo,
that's a pretty big question. I guess the best thing is to find a good teacher. You need one on one feedback about your progress. It also depends how serious you are about playing. If it's just for fun at the weekend - go ahead and play the drums and have a good time. Or you want to become a really good professional player you're going to need to eat, drink, sleep and breathe drums for the rest of your professional life....(you can still have fun as well though). Some serious commitment to practise will be required.

Good luck

Gavin

[junglelord]

Hi Gavin, I don't really have a question but I just wanted to say that I had the priviledge of seeing you at the Montreal Drum Festivale.
What can I say except your really amazing, very confusing...and well down right magical.

I believe your Neil Pearts favorite drummer....I know your ability to modulate complex time signatures has got to be the new horizion of drumming.

I think your Sonor Kit sounded amazing and it was cool to compare the different kits from the audience. That kit you played was the best kit of the day.

It must be cool to hang out with you, thomas lang, benny greb and jojo mayer all in one room with steve smith.....yeah the sonor boys have chops to beat the band...too bad todd sucherman went over to pearl.

Sonor seems to have the most incredible endorsers by far even though their rouster is realtivly small compared to brands like DW or Pearl.

I only play Sonor and I have recently gotten a Signature Bubinga Heavy kit from some members on the Sonor Museum forum. We have a Sonor representivie tomorrow night, december 7 by the name of tommy clufetos....I am looking forward to some interesting things.

You mentioned that you don't do many clinics....I MUST GET THE DVD AND BOOKS.
I hope one day you do more clinics and give us all a chance to bask in your glow for two hours.
Cheers and God Bless, I am totaly inspired to take the kit and my playing to the next level...thanks so much.

[shazam]

I was surfing looking for videos and more information on Gavin and low and behold here you are! I just wanted to say "thank you" for your commitment to music and to helping out others. Hearing the opening chops to Blackest Eyes and the rest of IA several years ago is one of the reasons I've picked up playing again after 12 years off. You have been one of the musicians I've discovered that has made music really enjoyable to me again.

I've had the pleasure of seeing you with PPT three times over the last 16 months and I'm more impressed with you as an individual drummer and a musician playing with musicians each time. I was especially wowed by your last U.S. show in San Francisco in October where you previewed the new PPT material (woooooow, some really amazing and potentially groundbreaking stuff there). Your connection with Steve Wilson and the rest of the band grows deeper and the music becomes more powerful and interesting at every turn. I’m really impressed that you can take songs you never played on originally and own it while not violating the original intent (tunes like Hate Song and Even Less come to mind) – something I always struggled with. I dig that you know when to step back and focus on holding a song together (.3, bridge to Arriving Somewhere…) because so many “great” musicians miss this point. And I love that you all were willing to try new arrangements (Open Car) and pull out B-sides (Futile, Mother and Child Divided, So Called Friend) to make the live experience unique and show off the band’s chops.

I see a lot of live music and right now there is nobody playing progressive rock who compares to what PPT are doing (live or studio for that matter). All I can say is keep going, keep pushing the boundaries, and stay true to your creative muses - you are really making a difference for many of us. I'm really looking forward to hearing the new album this spring and seeing you on tour again. I’m going to keep an eye on your website for clinic and drum show appearances as well – it would be great to catch one if you do any while on tour next year.

Thanks again for helping me find the joy of music again. I just hope you are having as much fun playing as we are listening, watching and learning!

Chin Chin

Tim

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Junglelord and Shazam,
many thanks for the kind words and encouragement !!!!!

Cheers
Gavin

[diane]

Okay, here's a question only an idiot would dare ask...

Why do some drummers, like say Antonio Sanchez, use fifteen million cymbals in their set-up, and you keep it down to around a dozen?

Is is not tempting to put more in...just because?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Diane,
I think some drummers (me included) like to use more than the average amount of cymbals because we are looking for certain 'colours' that only certain cymbals can provide.

I'm not really tempted to use a whole load more than the dozen or so that I have - because I think they cover all the sounds I'm looking to make (at the moment). I do however, quite often change cymbals for different styles when I'm recording.

Cheers
Gavin

[Rhythmic Disciple]

Talking about cymbals...

Gavin, I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I absolutely loved the set-up (drums & cymbals) you used with the Artful Dodger. In many ways, watching and listening to you with them was more interesting because of the sounds and textures your 'quirky' set-up produced. It had me checking my local store for pearl sorprano snares!!!

Can you remember the stuff you'd bring out for that gig and why you did it?

Cheers,

Chris

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Rhythmic Disciple,
I think I did that Artful Dodger gig in 2000 and that would have been in my Pearl Drum days. From what I can remember I just used a 22" bass drum the 10x6 Popcorn snare - maybe a 10" tom (for decoration) and 12" ReMix hi hats, 2 small crashes (15" maybe one of them was a 12" splash)...and that was it.

It was just a groove gig - with no fills and frills to speak of. Fun while it lasted - I've got a VHS of us on "BBC 2 Later" somewhere - I'll check the set-up sometime.

Cheers
Gavin

[Rhythmic Disciple]

Thanks Gavin,

Your groove was exemplary from what I remember, and looking at your technique on Swerve I can see why! I think I saw you on TV twice; once was on Top of Pops (God rest its soul!), and the other was the performance on 'Later' you mentioned. At the time I didn't know who you were, but your live grooves were far superior to the recorded versions. I remember thinking "...this guy is worth checking out...".

In terms of playing, it seemed like a very restricted gig, but you still did just enough to make it believable (if you know what I mean). I bet the two guys from Artful Dodger were very complimentary about your playing...

Chris

[TitanSound]

I thought I had seen you before Gavin!

When I saw you on this site though I did not imagine that you would be drumming for the Artful Dodger. Nothing wrong with it, its just that I did not imagine that your mind bending playing would fit in so I thought it must have been somebody else. My mistake for being ignorant though :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Rhythmic Disciple - many thanks.


Hi Titan,
a big lesson that I learnt from Gadd/Porcaro - it's interesting enough to just try to make a simple groove feel right. It's amazing how much you can express with just that. Your personality will come through in your groove. It's good discipline to do a gig like that - it really focuses your mind. I wasn't bored at all, and wasn't even thinking about making clever fills and rhythmic illusions etc. There's nothing nicer than finding that divine synchronicity where everything comes together and a groove is formed. Most of the songs were the same tempo (about 166bpm) as Artful Dodger were the kings of the "UK garage 2 step" which was high dance fashion in 2000.

Cheers
Gavin




When I saw you on this site though I did not imagine that you would be drumming for the Artful Dodger. Nothing wrong with it, its just that I did not imagine that your mind bending playing would fit in

[Fabian Meinders]

Hi Gavin,

I believe it's not what you use but how you use it.
a great example of this would be your custom cymbals.
i am always looking for a sound i believe in.
it's not a shame to copy so i copied the heads you use on my kit and i am really glad i did.
still playing around with the tension though.

i always keep my promises so i will translate your interview with slagwerkkrant
and send it to you

greetings
Fabian

[Rhythmic Disciple]

Hey Gavin,

I bet you didn't expect to be talking about the Artful Dodger on a technical Drumming forum!? I agree entirely with what you mentioned previously about the art of making a simple groove FEEL right. In many ways, that ability is probably what separates the good and the great. IMO all the great players provide an extra level of service, if you like, which is groove based as opposed to technical facility.

Thanks again!

[tmccartney]

Hi, Gavin - I'm glad you haven't been scared away from here yet. :)

One of my favorite PT songs is "Chloroform," one of the In Absentia outtakes. I always pay really close attention to your drum part during the verses, so I thought I'd ask you more about it.

Were you using Hot Rods or something softer than regular sticks on that song? The sticks sound a little softer but sort of "slappy" against the tom heads, which is perfect for the song. Also, I think I'm hearing a 16th-note ticking throughout - were you playing a ride part on a rim or shell?

Also, do you know whether "Chloroform" was ever intended to be two separate songs? I love how it kicks into that hard 3/4 section after the second verse, but it sounds like a totally different song.

I think "Chloroform" is one of SW's most beautiful songs, but I can certainly see why it wasn't on the original IA release - it's VERY different than anything else on the album. You guys should play it live sometime. :)

Regards,

Tracey

[deadwing_007]

First of all, I just want to thank you for responding to everyone's questions here, its awesome that you're willing to do that. You're a huge inspiration for a lot of drummers that I know. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind.

I'm purchasing a small jazz kit from Gretsch and I my only experience with pedals in my 9 years of drumming was a terrible yamaha pedal that came with my stage custom set and an Iron Cobra double bass pedal. I know that you use Sonor pedals, and I assume they are probably top of the line, but do you have experience with any inexpensive single pedals to reccomend? I don't want to seem cheap but afterall I am a college student. By inexpensive I don't mean dirt cheap, but the kit i'm getting only costs 550, and I do not want to spend half the cost or more of a drumset just on a pedal!

Also, I am a percussion music ed major at a college in New Jersey, and after showing the percussion studio the clips of cymbal song and drum song, the percussion professor asked me if I would like to organize a performance of one or both of the songs. Did you write music for cymbal song and drum song, or was it more of a groove that you just felt and built on? I will be purchasing the dvd soon, and I could probably transcribe anything I need to from it, but I was curious as to if any written music for those songs existed.

On one last note, another member had also mentioned car parts as being great for percussion. In the last percussion ensemble concert at my university, we played all music composed by an amazing writer for percussion named David Hollinden. His setups in many peices are always very detailed and massive. Several people were playing on auto springs in a piece, and they sounded incredible! One spring was a dud, it barely rang at all. But two springs had an incredible amount of overtones and rang longer than large triangles. For anyone thats interested, there are clips of many of Hollinden's pieces on his site. http://www.speakeasy.org/~daveh/
The clips are on the "compositions" page. "Release" is a particularly incredible song of his.

Anyway, sorry for rambling a bit. It'd be great if you could do a drum clinic somewhere in the South Jersey area of the states eventually! Maybe somewhere in Philly?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Tracey,
yes I really like "Chloroform" too. I don't know why we haven't played it live. I did use "Hot Rods" on that track - and I think the continuous ticking in 16ths that you're hearing are just the notes (and ghost notes) from the "Hot Rods".
I don't know if it was originally two separate songs as you suggest - you'd have to ask Steve.

Hi deadwing_007,
thanks for the comments. Getting the right pedal is a difficult thing (especially on a budget). I would look around for a Sonor Giant Step (maybe on ebay ?). I don't think that they're so expensive. Axis pedals are very expensive. For about 15 years I played a Tama Flexi-flyer and my foot got so use to it - it was very hard to switch to another pedal.

I haven't got transcriptions to the Cymbal Song - or Drum Song - I just wrote it as I recorded it. I'm not sure how you could notate some of the muting patterns anyway, (maybe there''s a conga notation that includes all that?). I'd love to see/hear a live performance of it - could you film it for me?
I'll go and check out David Hollinden - thanks

cheers
Gavin

[TitanSound]

a big lesson that I learnt from Gadd/Porcaro - it's interesting enough to just try to make a simple groove feel right. It's amazing how much you can express with just that. Your personality will come through in your groove


You are totally right there Gavin. People often say "that looks easy" when I play them a simple beat but you then have to try and make them understand exactly what you have just said. You can groove but if notes are not consistent and you do not "lock in" it "disrupts" the groove as it were.

I was never a big fan of Garage/2 Step though....Living in London there were too many rude boys to deal with ;)

[junglelord]

Hi folks,
thanks for the kind words about my drumming. It's very encouraging to know people are enjoying it.

best wishes
Gavin

Hi Gavin, I got the pleasue of watching you at the Montreal Drumfest last month.
I was so pleased to watch you and admire your Sonor kit and the way you play.
I was also glad that I had the pleasure thanks to drummerworld to be familiar with the tune Futile so that when you played it I was right there all along...I am listening to it as I write this and I still get chills and it makes the hair stand up on my arms and neck...chilling.

I believe you are Neil Peart's favorite drummer...I don't doubt it.
I am sure loving your work and the progession of the drumkit and percussion studies as it pertains to your direction that is a masterful blend of pure genius.
I salute you sir...I am forever inspired to take the rhythmic horizons approach.
Cheers

PS do you have any older Sonor kits at home? I was chatting with Todd Sucherman at the montreal show about his old Sonor gear.
I have a Signature kit that is incredible. I was wondering how long have you played Sonor?

[Gavin Harrison]

Thanks Junglelord,
I've had a lot of good comments about the Montreal show - and especially the sound of that DeLight kit. As I said before I haven't played a bad sounding Sonor kit so far.

I don't have a collection of old Sonor kits at home. I tend not to collect whole drumsets - I've got three others apart from my current Sonor. Cymbals and snare drums are a different matter!!!! In fact I'm hoping to get a new Sonor kit soon. I'll post some pics if and when I get it.

cheers
Gavin

[junglelord]

Well thanks for such a fast reply. I am getting the two DVD's and the books and I look forward to years of inspiration and a new musical journey both personally and as teacher.

I got my Signature kit only several months ago and I love it. I got it from the road drummer for the Monkees, you mention you collect snares and cymbals, boy would you love his Sonor Snare collection.
here is the link to his collection...its sweet.
http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showthread.php?t=159810&page=1

What snares have you collected if I may ask please?

Have you played old Signatures? What are your favorite Sonor drums? I ask because of their many fine lines over the years and was curious if you had a personal favorite Sonor Line past or present?

I have three Sonor kits, Signature Bubinga Beech Heavy, 3003 (Maple/Basswood), and a S Class Maple...like you I have never heard a Sonor kit I did not like.

Myself I am totally in love with the Beechwood sound lately but its new to me personally.
I know Steve Smith has a Signature Sonor Anniversary kit coming out thats gonna be Beech.

I assume your getting an SQ2 kit is that correct?
May I ask what shells you are choosing and what drum sizes if you don't mind me asking.


Todd Sucherman could not bear too part with his large Sonor vintage drums and it was nice to talk to him about that, since he is a Pearl rep now he was very generous. Everyone at the festivale was very kind and generous and it was a day I will never forget. Row G 32..a drummers dream come true. Following all those great drummers is a tough spot to be in but you were the iceing on the cake... to follow todd sucherman is never easy!

Congradulations on a fantastic performance at a fantastic show.

I thank you for you reply and God Bless Gavin.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Junglelord,
that's one hell of an impressive collection of Sonor snares. When I hinted that I have a snare collection - I'm not in that league - or Todd Sucherman's either.

Here's my list

Sonor 14 x 5 maple Designer blue
Sonor 14 x 5 maple Designer Earth
Sonor 14 x 5 maple DeLight
Sonor 12 x 6 maple Designer Earth
Sonor 10 x 5 maple Designer Earth
Sonor 8 x 4 maple Designer Earth
Sonor Artist series 14 x 5 Black Steel
Sonor Artist series 14 x 6 Cottonwood
Sonor Artist series 13 x 5 (27 ply beech)
Sonor 12 x 5 maple Designer white
Noble & Cooley 14 x 5 one piece maple
Noble & Cooley 14 x 5 black alloy
Yamaha 14 x 4.75 RC Black
Yamaha 14 x 6.5 RC Black
Yamaha 14 x 7 RC Black
Yamaha 14 x 5 RC Cherry
Rogers 14 x5 1961
Pearl 14 x 5.5 Custom Classic one piece maple
Pearl 10 x 5 MLX red
Pearl 14 x 5 MLX red
Pearl 10 x 6 Popcorn
Pearl 14 x 4 JR Robinson
Pearl 13 x 3 maple piccolo
Drumcraft 15 x 5.5 composite shell
Ludwig 400

I came pretty late to Sonor in 2001 so I'm not very familiar with their older lines of drums - but I believe there's some fantastic stuff out there.
Yes my next kit will be SQ2 - the sizes are top secret at the moment !!!

I was pretty nervous having to go on last at the drum fest after all those amazing players - and Todd is certainly one of those!!! I got to hang out a bit with him on the second day and we talked drums for hours and hours. Great fun.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-
I think the mystery has been solved. I can finally post on the forum.

Before you joined PT, how was your popularity different then and now and how are you dealing with it?

Snare question: Does using an Ambassador head for the resonant head deaden the sound to much? I tried it on a Slingerland radio king and it sounded horrible.

Thanks for being such a gentlemen drummer and talking to all us drumming brothers. it means a lot as you would know.

-Rob L.

[junglelord]

Yes thanks so much for the reply Gavin. I see your a maple guy at heart. I think your snare collection is nothing to sneeze at and wish you well in your collection.

I put coated ambassadors on my Signature kit on the reso side and batter side for the toms (never tried that before, I always used two different heads) and it works great for that kit. But I am told and I have heard that kit with Pinstripes and it kills with those heads too, one of the few drums that sounds fantastic with the old pinstripes, not like a cardboard box but real resonance and tone but it is a 12 MM beech shell and special hardware, but thats the quality of the Sonor Signature line. I feel blessed to have a kit to call my own as part of my Sonor collection.

I was still wondering about the new kit your getting, are you going SQ2? Are you getting Vintage Maple, Maple Thins? Sorry for being curious, if your keeping it a secret, thats cool. I was floored by the comparions of the different kits at Montreal...each and every company sounded very special. The Delite kit you played was still slightly more appealing to my ears then the rest if only by a smiddgen. I know on the Pearl web site it was voted nicest sounding kit of the show on Saturday, I thought that was interesting. Todd's Pearl kit came a close second in a free round vote and thats the way I heard them.

Hanging with Todd must have been cool for both of you, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at that get together.

You have been so very kind and I want to thank you for allowing us to ask questions...
so thanks so much and unless I get stuck with the books, I will just continue to read along as others take their turn.

God Bless Gavin and I hope santa brings you something nice...like that new kit.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (three weeks to go, can you believe it?)
Dean Ward

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
glad you made it at last.

I had a bit of profile before I joined PT - but I moved in different circles - more to do with 'groove' R&B gigs such as Lisa Stansfield, Incognito, Lewis Taylor, Paul Young, Level 42, Go West and Artful Dodger. I suppose the rise in popularity with PT has changed the way people see my drumming. They might only know me from PT records - which are substantially different in music style to the above.

Do you mean an Ambassador reso snare head - or a regular Ambassador put on the snare side? I presume you mean the former of the two. I've had no feeling that it was deadening my snare sound - but I don't like a really ringy snare anyway. I've tried a Diplomat snare reso but they used to blow out during gigs - so then on I moved up to Ambassadors.

Hi Junglelord,
yes as you can see I favour the 5" depth (usually in maple) - I really can't find my voice in a 7" or 8" depth of snare. I'm still thinking about the shell thickness for the SQ2. Probably I'll just go with thin shells - the same as my set here at home.

cheers
Gavin

[junglelord]

thanks Gavin your a scholar and a gentleman. You had already answered my question in your last post but my mind was kinda wandering as I was reading your snare list, and I must have gone brain dead by the end of the list....LOL!

quote
"I came pretty late to Sonor in 2001 so I'm not very familiar with their older lines of drums - but I believe there's some fantastic stuff out there.
Yes my next kit will be SQ2 - the sizes are top secret at the moment !!!"
end of quote

...sorry for asking it twice.
I have post concussion syndrome, so my mistake.
I hope it gave you a chuckle....I am honoured to have spoken to you.
Cheers.
Dean Ward

[crookedrook]

In your DVD instructional video-Rhythmic Visions, that's when I was introduced to your jazz playing-I love the jazz songs you added in there.

I love your face expressions when your playing both styles (Jazz and PT's) and notice your enjoyment in being able to play both styles-am I correct on this? and when we spoke before- you had mentioned studying under an ex-Berkley student. Is he a known or unknown drummer?

How effective is the Moeller Method and do you use it?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook


I love your face expressions when your playing both styles (Jazz and PT's) and notice your enjoyment in being able to play both styles-am I correct on this?


I hate those ridiculous facial contortions that I make when I'm playing sometimes. Photographers always manage to capture it on live gig shoots. I tried to edit out as many as I could from my DVD's - but a few still crept in. I do enjoy playing different styles though.

When I was 17 years old I studied with ex-Berklee student Dave Cutler - who was there for 3 years in the 70's and I believe had lessons with Gary Chaffee amongst others. Dave showed me some mind blowing stuff.

I'm not aware of me consciously using the Moeller technique. I've never studied it. I do have a particular way of holding the sticks (right at the very back end) which Brad Schlueter managed to photograph for an article in a recent issue of DRUM! magazine.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

If we did not make facial expressions when we played, we all would be "bump on the log"

Hey! one last question for the day (for me anyway) these S-hoops that you are using, how come the drum manufactures never came up with this design to protect the bearing edges and to enhance the sound of the drum and from what I can tell-they are expensive.


Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
I don't know why drum companies haven't thought of these before.
I like to use cut down dampening rings on my snare and they can tuck under the rim of the S-Hoops so they don't fly out accidentally. I like the feel and sound difference they make.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Gavin-

I was at a local Guitar Center the other day and was talking to one of the sales associates about the new pedal (BOA) that PDP/DW has now. I was told that it was in comparison with the Axis, but better. The new PDP BOA pedal does not have any springs or moving parts at all, just a couple adjustments to make at the end of the footboard. Have you heard about this new pedal or can anyone comment on it?

How long did it take you to get use to your Axis pedal?

Rob L

[Gibbersticks]

Hello Gavin

I am a complete PT junkie! I was a pretty huge fan after I heard the Stupid Dream album and had collected a few albums. When I heard they had replaced their drummer (Chris Maitland) I was kind of bummed out because I really enjoyed his playing. When I finally heard In Absentia I completely freaked out. I had never heard of you before but you instantly became my new favorite drummer and being somewhat obsessive compulsive I had to find everything I could get my hands on that you have done. I have all your educational stuff (books & DVDs) and they are hard as hell but I have learned so many cool things that I always wondered "how in the hell do you play that". So totally worth the frustration :)

What I really want to know is, the 5 (I think?) bell cymbals on the left of your kit. Are they something that is available or were they custom made? I hear them throughout a lot of your stuff and they just sound soooooo friggin cool. And is there anyway you could transcribe what you are playing on Mother and Child Divided? What a crazy groove!!!

If you read this thank you so much for your time. Listening to your playing has pushed me to a whole new level of obsession towards my drums and I'm just loving it!!! Thank you thank you thank you.
Cheers
Daniel

[Sonor]

What I really want to know is, the 5 (I think?) bell cymbals on the left of your kit. Are they something that is available or were they custom made? I hear them throughout a lot of your stuff and they just sound soooooo friggin cool.
Dude! Check out page 15; there's some good stuff there.
I hate to jump in here, but Gavin has answered this question numerous times throughout the thread. :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
As Sonor points out - there's quite a few Q&A about the mini cymbals in the previous pages.
Here's a copy of my answer from an earlier page about "Mother & Child divided"....

I actually did a CD lesson on this track for a UK magazine called Rhythm.
The basic pattern is in 10/16

k - - k - k - s - - (this is Kick and Snare)

then the whole pattern is played over 2 bars of 4/4 - so it's 3 times through the 10/16 pattern then 2/16 on the end to make it fit into a two bar slot.

k - - k - k - s - - k - - k - k : - s - - k - - k - k - s - - k - : (This last kick I sometimes playas a bass drum triplet roll). Of course you need to accent quarter notes on the hi hat above this pattern.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Rob,
I haven't tried the BOA pedal but I am curious.

Gavin-

I was at a local Guitar Center the other day and was talking to one of the sales associates about the new pedal (BOA) that PDP/DW has now. I was told that it was in comparison with the Axis, but better. The new PDP BOA pedal does not have any springs or moving parts at all, just a couple adjustments to make at the end of the footboard. Have you heard about this new pedal or can anyone comment on it?

How long did it take you to get use to your Axis pedal?

Rob L

Probably a few weeks - they have a very particular feel. As I said before I spent many years playing the Tama Flexi-flyer and it was hard to get off that....but ultimately very worthwhile because I could play things on the Axis I hadn't been able to on previous pedals.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sonor]

Hi Gavin,

what series of Sonor were you using in those pictures on your Drummerworld page (the trumpet and your drum room...I assume they're the same set)? Was that your first kit with Sonor?

Thanks.

[crookedrook]

Gavin-
I know what I've been meaning to ask you: When you listen to Neil Peart's work with Rush you notice a lot of paradiddles and many of the famous drum rudiments that Neil used. Do you try and incorporate a lot of paradiddles in your songs with PT and do you use the "Heal-Toe" method when playing the kick drum? (I think you might have all ready answered that question before)

here's a link to our band's website www.crookedrook.com if anyone is interested. If you notice in the: Main Influence part PT is listed-Oh Yea!

-Rob

[Gibbersticks]

I have to appologize cause I am gonna totally geek out!!! Gavin Harrison just responded to me!!!! Sorry again about that.

You have got to be kidding me about the mini splashes.....I have been throwing out cymbals for years and I could have had at least half a dozen of those.......I could cry!

Gavin, are there any books that you have personally used that you feel really helped your playing? I saw that you used "New Breed" and was already thinking about picking it up. Any other recomendations? I just joined the forum today and don't have the time to read through every page, so sorry if you have answered this question already.

I can't wait for the new album....the suspence is gonna kill me!!!
Have you guys ever considered touring western Canada? (More specifically Calgary, Alberta!!)

Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sonor,
The picture with the trumpet was my first Sonor kit - a Delight in blue and I use those in my first DVD Rhythmic Visions. After that I got the Designer in Earth finish.

Cheers
Gavin


what series of Sonor were you using in those pictures on your Drummerworld page (the trumpet and your drum room...I assume they're the same set)? Was that your first kit with Sonor?

Thanks.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Rob,
I'm going to disappoint you now.
I don't try and incorporate paradiddles into any song and I don't use "heel toe" either.

cheers
Gavin

Gavin-
I know what I've been meaning to ask you: When you listen to Neil Peart's work with Rush you notice a lot of paradiddles and many of the famous drum rudiments that Neil used. Do you try and incorporate a lot of paradiddles in your songs with PT and do you use the "Heal-Toe" method when playing the kick drum?
-Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Daniel,
I used the systems that you can apply to Ted Reed's Syncopation book. I believe Alan Dawson taught many of these systems. I got them from Dave Cutler the ex-Berklee graduate who taught me in my late teen years.

We have never been offered gigs in Calgary to my knowledge. Who knows what will happen in the future.

cheers
Gavin


Gavin, are there any books that you have personally used that you feel really helped your playing? I saw that you used "New Breed" and was already thinking about picking it up. Any other recomendations?
Have you guys ever considered touring western Canada? (More specifically Calgary, Alberta!!)

Daniel

[Gibbersticks]

Gavin

Thank you so much for your time. It was awsome to get to talk to you, even if indirectly.

Cheers
Daniel

[crookedrook]

Well, I guess I'm done with this forum then. I'm disappointed-JUST KIDDING!!!!


I really appreciate you taking time to answer our "simple minded" questions. I'm like a sponge when it comes to drums; if you have something to teach, I will soak it up.

I had another question about the resonant amabassador heads you use. Are they the medium clear and not the regular Ambassador heads?

Thanks a bunch for your time.

-Rob

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I was working on the over-riding section of Horizons and I found myself not working on the exercises but trying to figure out your pick ups and fills. If you had any though of doing another DVD That is exactly what you should cover!!! So creative and cool. If possible could you break down the pick up fill you play at the begining of exercise # 8 in overriding part 1. You are playing between your second tom, snare and hi-hat.

And I love that you have "Sound of Muzak" in there. I just love that song, groove, and well everything about it really.

Thanks
Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
I just checked the DVD and the fill you're referring to is just triplets grouped into 5's (RLRRL) . I explain this sticking in chapters 18/19 of the "Resolving" chapter - later in the disc.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

Well there it is.....sweet!!! I obviously just started this DVD and haven't looked through all of it.
There's a lot of stuff in here thats for sure. Worth every penny. I still think you could easily fill a DVD with fill ideas and concepts. So get to work :) LOL. Thanks so much for answering my questions, very cool of you!!!

Chow
Daniel

[Iamperjay]

Hello Gavin, I've recently become a huge fan of PT and your drumming after watching the "Arriving.."DVD. I've been playing for close to 20 years now, pro for the last 10, and have been through a few major label deals, done a bit of touring and some extensive theatre work. I joined a full time cover band last year and although playing 4-5 nights a week, have felt my drumming has really suffered for it. I just wanted to thank you for reinvigorating and inspiring new creativity in my drumming. Your drumming and PT's music have given me the spark I've needed. One question?? After recording new material and then touring behind those songs, do you get frustrated that some of the licks or grooves that you''ve developed on tour are more creative or more musical than the ones you did on the record? Because some of the ideas you use live on songs like a Halo, Blackest, Muzak, Start of.., I really miss on the studio versions..do you??

thanks again

[The Beat of Gypsy Messiah]

Gavin,

You are one of the most under-rated drummers around today. Your style meshes perfectly with PT. Needless to say, I am a big fan of the band and your playing. Always creative with many challenging moments. Your sound and mix with the music, again, a perfect blend, at least to me. I hope to one day find a drum tablature book, at the local music, store of your playing. Do you offer any on-line tab of your playing? I am particularly interested in the beginning of "Blackest Eyes".

Thanks and I can't wait to hear your work on the new CD.

:)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Iamperjay,
thanks for the nice comments.
I suppose it's just the nature of progression. I've been playing songs like Blackest Eyes and Sound Of Muzak for 4 years now - and I can't bear to keep playing exactly the same thing night after night. When we first played them I probably played close to what I had recorded but as the tours progressed I started to try different ideas (some of which I hadn't even thought of when I recorded them) and some of them seemed to work - so I would progress along those lines.

Sometimes huge amounts of time slip by from recording the songs to them even being released. When Deadwing was released - I'd recorded the drums about a year before that.
Listening to the songs over that year - I already had some new ideas about some of the songs. At the end of the day - all that is important is that you do the best you can possibly do at the time.
There's always a certain amount of loosening up and relaxing once you've got a few dates into a tour - and from night to night things happen - so it's no wonder to me that my playing mutates over time. Put it this way - it's better this way round than the other.

Cheers
Gavin


One question?? After recording new material and then touring behind those songs, do you get frustrated that some of the licks or grooves that you''ve developed on tour are more creative or more musical than the ones you did on the record? Because some of the ideas you use live on songs like a Halo, Blackest, Muzak, Start of.., I really miss on the studio versions..do you??

thanks again

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi there The Beat of Gypsy Messiah,
Thanks for the kind words. I know that track was written out in an issue of Modern drummer about a year ago. I couldn't tell you which issue it is right now - but if you know someone with a Modern Drummer collection - you'll find it. There are no books that I know of with drum tabs of PT tunes.

Cheers
Gavin



I hope to one day find a drum tablature book, at the local music, store of your playing. Do you offer any on-line tab of your playing? I am particularly interested in the beginning of "Blackest Eyes".

Thanks and I can't wait to hear your work on the new CD.

:)

[Midnite Mike]

Originally Posted by The Beat of Gypsy Messiah
I hope to one day find a drum tablature book, at the local music, store of your playing. Do you offer any on-line tab of your playing? I am particularly interested in the beginning of "Blackest Eyes".

Hey Beat of Gypsy Messiah,
I have a an excellent tab of "Blackest Eyes" and "The Sound of Muzak." If you email me at mdnght@nycap.rr.com i can send you the files. Take care.

Hey Gavin,
I hope you dont mind me helping out, but i see a fellow drummer in need and i cant help myself. Hope everything is well, and the creative and recording process is progressing nicely. Take care and God bless.

P.S. The Montreal Drum festival was such a blast, you really stole the show!!!

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

Speaking of which...have you recorded any of your drums tracks for the new album yet? PT's albums have somewhat gotten progressively heavier, is that trend continuing or are you guys going in a different direction this time around?

Do you still go through periods where you feel like, even though your learning new things, like your just not "improving". I personally feel like I'm at a stand still as far as applying new skills. I guess my problem is more creativity than anything, kinda like just going round in circles and not really getting anywhere. What kind of things do you do, or have done to get through periods such as this?

Thanks
Daniel

[Mendelson the Drummer]

Hey Gavin,

I've really been getting into your playing lately and I've started to explore the concepts of polyrhythms and time signatures beside 4/4, 6/8, and 12/8. My question to you is simply this: How do I start?? It seems like all I had to do to learn 4/4 was a simply boom tap boom tap and then I could grow from there so what do you think would be the equivelant of that form say 5/4 or 9/8?

Also I figure listening always helps so what artists would you reccomend for training my ears to figure these rhythms out?

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

I'm listening to In Absentia track 9: The Creator has a Master Tape. Half way through there's a fill you do during what sounds like a synth/guitar distortion part, the fill kind of sounds like double stroke rolls and some triplets on the bass drum. If you need the actual time in that track I can do so. Can you tell me how you are doing that fill?

Thanks,
Rob

[cygnify]

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for your response to my prior question and all the replies you've posted here. I have an additional question for you:

I noticed a technique that you employ in many drum fills is to have two successive cymbal crashes at the conclusion (either to quick sixteenths or eighths.) You seem to use a variety of cymbals in this function - two chinas, one china and a crash, or two different crashes. I have the technical ability to play this, but for some reason it just doesn't come across in my playing - at least not like it does in yours! Your successive crashes are so defined and accurate - my double crashes end up sounding kinda mushy. I suppose part of it has to do with cymbal sounds - I don't have a china on my left and thus am always dealing with two crashes - and some may have to do with your tight kick sound. Perhaps there is some bearing on the cymbals used first and second? But I was wondering if there is any practice technique or other comments you may suggest for achieving this sound? Any help would be appreciated!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
yes I have finished recording the drums to the new PT record. Does it sound heavier? I don't think so - it's very dynamic (but that's typical of PT) yes there's really heavy sections and really light sections too. We performed a very large amount of the new material on the last tour - and I don't remember people saying it was any heavier/progressive than the previous albums.

I always feel like I'm improving - it's just that sometimes it takes a few months to recognise it.

Hi Mendelson the Drummer,

"How do I start?? It seems like all I had to do to learn 4/4 was a simply boom tap boom tap and then I could grow from there so what do you think would be the equivalent of that form say 5/4 or 9/8?"

I think it was easy for you to play in 4/4 because you've grown up listening to 4/4 As most of us Westerners have. Try listening to a lot more odd times - play along and get comfortable. Get a sequencer and write a riff/bass line in an odd time and then just play over it for as long as it takes to feel like it's second nature to you.


Hi crookedrook,
I think I know the fill you mean. Haven't I already answered that one in a previous page? Maybe it was on the "House Of Drumming" forum.

Hi cygnify,
I've been doing that for so long - I don't even notice it anymore. I suppose the order to hit them in is small (fast crash/splash/china) first and then land on the bigger one of the two last (usually the downbeat). Being accurate with the bass drum at the same time will of course help. It's not something that I really practised - just something that I heard in my head that I wanted to play.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

I went through most of the threads and did not see anything posted about that fill. I listened to that part again most of the day yesterday and when I got home I tried to reproduce that same part, but was unsuccessful. The double stroke rolls sound right, but when adding the bass drum in I wasn't sure if you were using double or single bass drum. Can you elaborate? My kids looked at me kind of funny because I was trying to pull that fill off and came up with some funny fills. If you don't mind me asking I know your not Dr. Phil, but have you found personal relationships kind of a conflict when playing music?

Thanks,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
it was on page 6....



It's a really hard fill to play at that speed - but the nuts and bolts of it goes like this...

L r r l l (on the snare) kick kick (on the double BD pedal) and then a tom with the right hand... so it's 8 notes grouped in the space of a dotted quarter note. The tempo is something like 166bpm - so that's going by quite quickly. At the start of the fill there's a bit of a snare roll/double kick and tom note leading up to the first snare accent (and that's where the pattern above begins). I think the "L" accent on the snare moves across to a tom every other time.

good luck
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Thanks Gavin-much appreciated.


-Rob

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

Hope things are going well for you. I have a few questions about your studio. Did you build it yourself or did you get a contractor to build it or was it a pre-existing room? What resources did you use for the design as far as books, etc? What are the dimensions. Do you have and materials on the walls, etc to absorb sound waves? I read that you said your room was "quite dead" sounding, did you have to do much in the way of modifications to your room to get that sound?

I'm going to be starting my drum room next month and any insight or tips would be great.

Thanks
Daniel

[rosmakloma]

http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001534

[Gibbersticks]

I see that you room is 40' x 50' and has a pretty high ceiling with hardwood flooring. How and with what did you "treat" the acoustics of the room. My room will be 20' x 15' with a 9' ceiling. Not anywhere near as big as yours obviously. Just looking for advice of things to do and to avoid.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
I had a company called "Studio Wizard" come round and measure the acoustics reflections of the big room with a computer and microphone - the computer program was called "MLSSA"
The company then designed a baffle system for the ceiling and walls. When I mentioned my room was pretty 'dead' sounding I was referring to the control room - not the big room.

I didn't build the rooms - they were already part of the house.
I play in the control room with some very large doors open to the big room where there are two sets of stereo mics set up (at varying distances) to capture the ambience of the big room.
I then counter balance the delay (caused by the ambient mics being so far away from the drums) by pulling them back in line on my computer recording system.

cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Gavin-

I'm not sure if someone has all ready asked this question. In PT's writing process do all of you get together and just jam and see what you come up with? or does Steve all ready have ideas and sends them to you to work on and how long does it take PT to write songs.
When my band writes we just jam on stuff we had ideas about, come up with a structure and go from there. It's kind of hard to write drum parts in the "spur of the moment."

Thanks,
Rob

[GavManB]

Hi Gavin,

I've never been a fan of "sport drumming" although it is interesting to see the speed some of these "sport drummers" get to. But since i've been listening to PT and a few other bands i've noticed a really nice musical approach to double kick patterns. I was just wondering how you developed your technique. I recently purchased a Tama Iron Cobra double kick pedal and have started doing things like eights and sixteens over basic 4, 8 and 16 note rhythms but progress is fairly slow. I started off using heel down technique many moons ago but started playing heel up to get more power on the kick and have played like this for a long time and am happy with my right foot technique but I cannot get my left foot to emulate my right!

On another note I have enjoyed playing along to PT ever since my friend sent me a copy of "Halo" to challenge me and I must say he picked a cracker of a song for me to try and learn! I have really enjoyed and continue to enjoy listening, seeing and learning a lot of the stuff you guys play and learning your "secrets" on your Rhythmic Horizons dvd.

I've seen you twice at Cambridge Junction and fully intend to come and see you there again, I may even get to the London show this time as well!

All the best and Merry Xmas

Gav

P.s. I've even now started getting my old cymbals cut down, I now have a 7" Sabian ride cymbal! Awesome!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
actually people have asked me about that. You need to look back a few pages.
Thanks for the question anyway.

Hi GavManB,

"I've never been a fan of "sport drumming" although it is interesting to see the speed some of these "sport drummers" get to."

In all my years as a professional drummer - no producer/band leader/singer has ever asked me how fast can I go.
I've been trying to play double bass since 1982 - and although I could play a lot of things quite early on - they were a total mess and completely out of time. So I tried to work on accuracy - I wasn't interested in playing booga booga type patterns - but I like 2,3,4, and 5 note runs - as triplets or 16/32nds and fit them into a groove or fill.
Sometimes I put on some music and play along just using my left foot on the (left) bass drum pedal. It's more of a stamina thing sometimes (or lack of technique) - I try to play a samba type bass drum line quite quickly with just my left foot - and 16ths on the snare drum - and really try to get the thing in time.

cheers
Gavin

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I myself just got my first double pedal as an early christmas present and quite frankly I'm not or ever will be a metal drummer. I have however "trying" to figure out how to use it to add a little spice here and there. What are some of your (if you don't mind) favorate fill patterns in which you use a double pedal. I for one would love to know how you play that fill at the begining of Futile about 30 seconds into the song. Are you playing 2 snare and toms in unison followed a bass drum triplet? Is it really that simple?

Thanks
Daniel

[diane]

Hi Gavin,

I think we're all hankering for a "B" roll of you only from the DVD performance.

(I know...I know...In my dreams.)

Thanks again for all the thrills. You blow me away.

Wishing you and your family a blessed and peaceful holiday,
Diane

[GavManB]

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for responding so quickly to my post as many others have said it is great being able to pick your brain as you have such a great and wide musical knowledge. It is nice to know that a drummer we all consider great to have been playing around with double bass drum playing since 1982 and still doesn't think he's good at it! You are believe me especially after watching your last gig at the Cambridge Junction!

I think the main problem i'm having is straightening out the accuracy of my 16th notes of anything above 130bpm. I have tried 3, 4 and 5 note runs as well. The main reason being is when you go fast you tend not to use your whole leg but still play heel up. I think I had better start jamming using my left foot and let it develop naturally like I have my right over the years!

Thanks once again and I look forward to PT's next album.

Cheers and Merry Xmas

Gav

[junglelord]

Hello Gavin and Merry Christmas.
I have been a good drummer boy and for Christmas I want to get your two DVD's.
Do I need to get them from your web site or can I get them at the local music store in Ontario Canada?
I ordered them last week at the local mucis store, but I thought I saw somewhere that they were only available on your web page since then. The store told me no new orders would be placed before christmas so they would not have even ordered yet. So being excited I was wondering what is the fastest way to get them in my hands.

thanks so much Gavin.
Dean

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

Do you have calluses from playing or did you at one time ? Cant wait to hear the new PT album and I have to say that after hearing some of the PT in 5.1 its really hard to go back to stereo. Just FYI, there are many many 5.1 releases these days some official and some not. For instance I have the Original Alan Parsons Quad mix of Dark Side Of The Moon which you cannot buy and it blows away the SACD. If you own Dark SIde ( as most people do) I believe its legal to download and I would be happy to tell you where. I would HIGHLY recommend checking it out as I have NEVER heard a more warm and huge sounding recording in my life. One last question if you dont mind concerning recording.

I am trying to record an EP for my band and the drum sound I am capturing isnt cutting it. I am using two Octavia MC-12 overheads in X/Y configuration, sm57 on snare and a very nice AKG on the kick with a Neuman u47 out in the room all running in to a Presonus eight channel firewire mic pre in to Sonar Producers edition.. My issue is getting the snare to not sound like a cap gun ! I have tuned it high and low and cant seem to get a good snare sound. Any suggestions ? Do you think I should be able to achive a good drum sound with this setup ? Hope this wasnt too much for ya.

Thanks again,
Liquid Drummer

[fearofflying]

Hello................Gavin,
Tryed the cotton balls and found an interesting change in my tomtom sound.
I have had a few complements on them at our last gig.
My sister gave me Rhythmic Horizons for Christmass. i just finished
watching it. I now have some new things to woodshed over the winter.
Thanks for being clear with the explanations of polyrythms, overriding and
resolving.
I have become a dedicated fan.
Happy Holidays
Tom Occhiogrosso

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
the fill that you're talking about in "Futile" is 4 groups of 5/16th (the bar in question is 5/4).
Each group is basically the same and the five 16ths of each group is like this

1 - tom/snare together
2 - bass drum
3 - tom/snare together
4- two 32nd bass drum notes
5 - bass drum

Hi GavManB,
I'm really not the person to give you good advice about playing faster 16ths notes on the bass drum. It's not something I tend to do - and there's a lot of guys out there who can do it really well. It took me ages to really get anywhere with double bass drumming - but keep up the practise - you will get there.

Hi Junglelord

"Do I need to get them from your web site or can I get them at the local music store in Ontario Canada?"

You may find my first DVD "Rhythmic Visions" at Amazon or other internet stores. The new DVD "Rhythmic Horizons" is only available from me via my website at the moment.

Hi Liquid_Drummer
"Do you have calluses from playing or did you at one time ?"
Yes I get a lot of calluses - and I'm pleased when they return - usually after about 4 gigs. Although we rehearse - I never seem to play quite as hard and for such an uninterrupted amount of time as I do when we start playing real concerts. So the first few nights of any tour my hands are pretty sore. Once the calluses come back (about 25 of them in total) - everything is much better.

"My issue is getting the snare to not sound like a cap gun ! I have tuned it high and low and cant seem to get a good snare sound. Any suggestions ? Do you think I should be able to achieve a good drum sound with this setup ?"

Does the snare sound really good to your ears when you play it in the room? I'm very fussy about snare sounds - there's a lot of variables in the drum/skin/tension/snare wires and the way that you hit it - before it reaches the mic - and that's not taking into consideration the room itself - which has a huge effect on the snare sound. Keep experimenting. EQ/compression/reverb can help a bit - but if the sound is not happening to start with - these things won't save it.

Hi fearofflying,
yes I tried the cotton wool balls in one of my toms that I thought sustained a little bit too much - and it seems to have done the trick. I really struggled to push them through the air hole on the Sonor drums - so in the end I took the head off and just dropped them in.

Happy Holidays to everyone who reads this thread !!!!

All the best
Gavin

[Shane G]

yes I tried the cotton wool balls in one of my toms that I thought sustained a little bit too much - and it seems to have done the trick. I really struggled to push them through the air hole on the Sonor drums - so in the end I took the head off and just dropped them in.
Im glad you brought this up again, Gavin.

After reading about the cotton balls, I tried it on my 14" floor tom.
and......nothing. No difference in sustain whatsoever.
And I also struggled with getting them through the air hole.

To be fair, I only put maybe 6 to 8 of them in there.
Cause I was thinking, if I gotta fill part of my tom w/cotton balls, then I havent done my job tuning the drum.


But hey....I'll have a nice surprise for me next time I change heads. Maybe they will keep the inside bottom head free of dust.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

The snare sounds great in the room. Reminds me a lot of Bonhams snare sound on Fool in the Rain which was not intentional. The room is a finished basement with low celings and wood panel walls so the kit is boxey sounding unless I deaden the room. Im using a fiberskin head on the snare because I love the way it eliminates certain overtones without killing all the sustain.

Do you think it is better just to deaden a crappy room and go with artificial reverb if the artificial reverbs are good ?

If you do clinics again do you think it would be practicle to include an engineering/recording segment. I would pay extra for that in a heartbeat.

Thanks again for answering all of our questions. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say this.

Hope the holidays and the new year are happy and fruitfull for you and yours.

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

I ordered your DVD Rhythmic Horizons yesterday from your website. I usually do not get intimidated by other drummers because my thinking is: "there is always someone else better than you and you just have to go out there and play your best", but I have to say that I am QUITE intimidated at this point and I don't even have your DVD yet. I watched your Rhythmic Visions and I have to say, WOW! I am not even worthy to carry your drum sticks let alone look at them. Do you ever get intimidated by other drummers or do you just not care and go out and do your best?

Happy New Year!

-Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer,
The sound of a snare on it's own via an SM57 is a pretty "bonky" sound. It has to be used in conjunction with the overheads and room mics. Do you use a mic under the snare as well? The part of the low ceiling directly above the snare drum maybe causing you a problem - if it has nothing on it. You might want to try a few tiles stuck to the ceiling directly above the snare drum.

Hi crookedrook,
I'm not particularly intimidated by other drummers - because nobody is better at doing "Gavin Harrison" than me (and there's nobody better at being you than yourself). That is to say - if I'm trying to be Steve Gadd - then the real Steve Gadd will always be better. In the late 70's early 80's I probably played more like Steve Gadd than I had any of my own style, but even then there were drummers who could emulate SG better than me - so it was a futile path. I tried to learn from the influence - but not make it an obsession.
The only important part to me is that I do the best I can do. I know there are drummers who are better technically than me - there's certainly faster drummers and better double bass drum players (and I'm sometimes in awe of their facility on the instrument) - but I know how good I can be....and I'm always trying to push myself to better that. When I fall short of my best - I'm disappointed. It's a battle against myself - not against any other drummer.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Your answer was very well said and point noted. We all try and be someone (like Gavin Harrison) that we are not. Instead, we should try and hone our own abilities and short comings and learn from others, not emulate them because most of us do not have the skill or natural ability to play like someone else. Take what you know and make it "your own."

Thanks Gavin,

and Happy New Year! looking forward to the new PT Cd this coming year.

-Rob

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

It is so great to hear guys that you look up to talk about their own playing and "de-mystify" themselves a little bit. It reminds us all that the unabtainable is abtainable. As for you my own playing I am always improving, sometimes it seems that the things I improve on aren't the things I want at that time like speed for example. I can't for the life of me play 16ths with my right hand on the hihat, but I can on the ride on my left and only at lower tempos. But I seem to be somewhat of a natural at playing doulbe bass, and I just got my first double pedal a month ago! Any advice on how to develop one hand 16ths would be great! I can play 16ths on their own but they just don't line up with anything as I speed up.

What draws a lot of people to your playing Gavin is the sum of everything. No you're not the fastest, best double bass player (your pretty damn fast!), maybe not the most technical but a monster none the less! In my eyes your playing is a perfect balance of everything I love about playing the drums. I hate to blow wind up anyones arse but Damn, your good!!!

Thanks for inspiring!
Daniel

[Liquid_Drummer]

Happy New Year everyone ! Any new years resolutions drumming related or otherwise ?

Mine

1. To quit smoking with a new drug called Chantix. (If you smoke you need to read about this pill. NO withdraw or very little !)

2 To get my stubborn left hand to work as well as my right. The fast rebounds just are not as smooth or powerful so really loud double strokes are hard at fast speeds. I have to use improper technique by squeezing hard to get them even at loud volume.

3. To impove my heel/toe speed on the high hat. I have found that I can get the classic 3 note jazz swing pattern with every third note being a splash on that hats and play just about anything over top of it in or out of time. I love when the polyrthym auto pilot kicks in !

4. To get all of Gavin's Dvd's. I do not like puchasing things online and not one of the local music stores has it in stock. I need to be able to touch it first. I am weird like that.

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin !

First of all, happy new year of course ! Hope to see you next year again with PT (saw you guys in Amsterdam last September and I liked the show !)
You are one of the few drummers I do like a lot. But I have some questions.

PT is a bit in the Prog Rock scene like marillion and for example dreamtheatre are. What do you think about Phil Collins as a drummer? I think his drumsound is pretty unique, his drumstyle very creative and sponteanous and he did marvellous jobs on stage on the lamb, duke and we cant dance tours.
As you might know, Collins always did doubledrums with his drumming partner for the tours Chester Thompson. Did you ever do doubledrums with other drummers?

I want to pick up drumming again next year if Im finally on my own. Just want to start with a DIY electronical drumkit (as its cheap and doesnt produce much sound on its own which is very good for the neighbours as I will have a small apartment). But the only problem I have is the hihat. Do you know any good electronical hihats as I never found one that emulated a hihat perfectly?
Is this the reason that most drummers have a real hihat with electronical kits? Just because there isnt any good digital hihat?

Thanks for your time here to answer all the questions ! A lot of pro's should do this more and be as nice as you are (instead of the usual ego trippery lots of pro's have)

[meandhimcallitus]

Hey Gavin,
I was just wondering what drum stuff you been working on lately?
Chris

[max77]

Hi Mr. Harrison,

I'm 17 years old and I play drums since I'm 15. When I discover In Absentia(And after Deadwing .. And the next soon!) I was amazed by the music and especially the drums work. Your sound , your playing and your littles subtilities are really musical and awesome. You are my biggest inspiration ever. My parents have not a lot of money and we have a really tight budget .. So I play on a really cheap drumset for 2 years ... But the passion grow in me. Recently I buy a Sonor Force 1005 (I work hard for it) and I put some Evans G2 Coated over G1 Coated(Because my music shop didn't have Remo heads grr). Thanks for your unique sense of drumming you are my idol. I'm going to buy all your Rythmics DVD and the new DVD of Porcupine Tree and work all days to be able to play like you. You brings a lot of new ideas in my head and you change my way of drumming. Porcupine Tree is so emotionnal and deep , when I listen to PT I'm in a another world seriously. Thanks for all.


Goodbye
Maxime

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks

Any advice on how to develop one hand 16ths would be great! I can play 16ths on their own but they just don't line up with anything as I speed up

That's a strange problem. If you're struggling to play fast with your right hand - how's your left hand. Are you left handed? Sounds like you need to practise 16ths at quite slow tempos like around the 70bpm mark to make sure that you gain full control first - before attempting higher speeds. The first exercise in Gary Chester's book "A New Breed" really helped me a lot. You basically play 16ths with both hands together on two hi hats (without any flams) and then play through some simple (at first) bass drum lines - making sure you play them at a tempo that you can accurately line up the bass drum hits with the hands.

Hi Liquid_Drummer

4. To get all of Gavin's Dvd's. I do not like puchasing things online and not one of the local music stores has it in stock. I need to be able to touch it first. I am weird like that.

My latest DVD "Rhythmic Horizons" isn't available in any stores - it's only available via my web site for now.

Hi SantiBanks

What do you think about Phil Collins as a drummer? I think his drumsound is pretty unique, his drumstyle very creative and sponteanous and he did marvellous jobs on stage on the lamb, duke and we cant dance tours.
As you might know, Collins always did doubledrums with his drumming partner for the tours Chester Thompson. Did you ever do doubledrums with other drummers?

I like Phil's drumming sound and style but I can't honesty say that I've followed any of his career. I don't have or know those Genesis albums. I did do a 'double drum' thing with a great Italian drummer called Elio Rivagli - on a tour in 2000. Also I don't know much about electronic kits - I don't have one - but Elio used to play a DDrum kit that I thought was pretty cool.

Hi meandhimcallitus

I was just wondering what drum stuff you been working on lately?

Not much really as I have been busy working. Co-ordination exercises and timing would probably best describe what I do practice in the past few days.

Hi max77,
thanks for the kind words - keep up the good practise.

Cheers
Gavin

[jasonmwnf]

Hi Gavin, I've become a huge fan of yours due to your book rhythmic illusions! I can't wait to finish that book and move on to your other book/dvds.
ok, my question is this, I've become counting-obbsessed as of late and wondered how you count when you're playing? take a bar of 4/4 for example. do you just count 1-2-3-4? or 1e&a-2e&a-3e&a-4e&a? or do you count the exact rhythm you are playing over it? or are you comfortable with most stuff that you dont even count anymore?
I play drums in a Tool tribute band and due to the fact that i am a guitar player aswell i got away with just following the guitar riff for most stuff and anything that was a bit tough i just slowed down and counted while i learned it. then, when back in a band situation just played without counting. Too make a long story short, thats what got me thinking about how other drummers go about counting while PERFORMING, not neccessarly how you count while PRACTICING. Thanks for any help and can't wait for the new PT album!

p.s. Happy New Year!!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi jasonmwnf,
I don't count over anything. I do sing the rhythms sometimes in an odd time signature.
The new PT album is coming soon. We're just mixing it at the moment.

Happy New Year to everyone!!!

Cheers
Gavin

[Drum-Head]

Happy new year Gavin!

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I guess I was kinda vague on my question. no I'm not left handed, I just have problems with playing one-handed 16ths with my right hand at tempos over 90bpm. Any faster than that and I fall apart. I keep working on it and just not making any progress. As a result I tend to play broken 16th patterns. I have a blues guitarists tell me "you have a really bad habit of not hitting your hihat with your snare". I never thought of it as bad, I just considered it part of my style. I only tend to do it when I should be playing straight 16ths at faster tempos and I pull of my hihat when I hit my snare. So now I'm kinda self concious about it. I keep working on it but...........frustrating!!!!

Daniel

[holger2101]

Hello Gavin,

this is Holger from Germany. I'm just looking an old video tape, it's Claudio Baglioni live in concert with you on the drums (Olympic Stadium, Rome). This is awesome music, I love listening to his songs and your drumming. We have been so crazy to see a show of him in 99 or 2000 in Switzerland, my seat was right in front of your drumset - VERY nice ;) I loved the fact you guys use rear view mirrors on your sets to finish the songs together!

What I'd like to know: How did the work with Claudio start, and why did you spent so much time in Italy (looking at your discography is quite "italian")?

See ya soon on tour with PT (live show in Essen, 2006 - KILLER!)...

Holger

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi holger2101,

I started working in Italy in 1989 for an Artist called "Alice" - and one thing lead to another quite quickly. I did a lot of sessions and one of the sessions had Claudio's musical director playing guitar.
He invited me to go on tour with Claudio in 1992 and I've worked with him (on and off) ever since. I've had a long association with Italy and in Fact I'm going back there at the end of this month to make 12 clinics.

27/1/07 - Capomulini--Acireale (Sicily)

28/1/07 - Rieti

29/1/07 - Rome

31/1/07 - Empoli

1/2/07 - Carpi --Modena

3/2/07 - Vigliano Biellese

4/2/07 - Tradate--Varese

6/2/07 - Milan

7/2/07 - Mirano--Venezia

8/2/07 - Dragoni--Caserta

10/2/07 - Treviglio--Bergamo

11/2/07 - Cagliari (Sardinia)

There's more details about the venues/contacts for anyone who's interested at my news page

http://www.drumset.demon.co.uk/news.htm

Cheers
Gavin

[dwpaddy]

hi all,

i'm a new chap around here and this is my first post....and a Gavin Harrison thread seems about the most appropriate one to make my introduction.

please add my name to the long list of Gavin admirers. absolutely stunning playing.

i've also penciled my diary the forthcoming PT UK tour....i'll be the the one at the Nottingham show in the front with my mouth wide open.

i would just like to say that i recently sent an email to Gavin, never thinking in a million years that i'd get a reply....but i did and within a few hours.

so we can add 'a true gentleman' to his other accolades.

i look forward to more chat on this site....

DWP

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I just got my copy of the Feb. Modern Drummer. I loved the article on you. I have a question regarding metronomes. I looked through some other threads but couldn't find what I was looking for. Since a lot of your exercises in Horizons are in 5/8, 7/8, how do you set your metronome for those? I have a tama rhythm watch and can't seem to my head around how to get those settings. Or can you even set those? Why can't metonomes come with instructions on how to use it rather than how to change the batteries? If you could help me with this I would be "extremely grateful"!!!!

Thanks
Daniel

[Gibbersticks]

Gavin

Nevermind about the metronome thing, I figured it out. I think.........

Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi drumher,
thanks for the compliments.

In 1999 I was fortunate enough to make a few gigs with the "Yoruba Jazz People" and one of the tunes they played was this arrangement of "Footprints".
The arrangement is by Sola Akingbola (the percussionist of Jamiroquai).

I knew the original as a kind of 6/8 jazz waltz. So when I first heard this new arrangement I was completely lost. The other thing that caught me out was that the bass drum plays on beats 2 and 3 - so there's no '1' on the bass drum and that the fills spill over the bar line and land on beat 2 of the following bar.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drumher,
I can play the same in terms of articulation on both the Sonor Giantstep and the Axis Longboards - I just found that I could play much louder with the Axis - so I tend to use those when I play live and sometimes in the studio too.

The Axis have a very particular feel that's strange at first - and once you're used to them - it's hard to go back to another pedal afterwards. My feet are pretty stubborn.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Gavin-

Contimuing talk about the Axis....I do not know much about the foot pedal. Would you say, the pedal has more action (speed) than any other traditional pedal since there are no springs or moving parts? Would this help an "average joe" build speed once use to the smoothness of the pedal.

Thanks,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
I think you might be getting the Axis pedal confused with something else. There are springs and plenty of moving parts on it. I wouldn't say the pedal has any more speed in it than any other pedal - it just has a different kind of feel - that may or may not be helpful to you. I took to it very well - but that's not to say I could play as fast as drummers who use other brands.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

I'm using a DW5002 double foot pedal right now. It has a few adjustments on the cam plus the springs. I have it adjusted loosely so it will have better action and return, but it just still feels like it is slow in action-I'll keep pluggin away at it. I'm still waiting on your DVD Rhythmic Horizons to arrive so I can watch it and sell my drums after that because I know I'll be taken to school and then some.

Thanks for your answers.

-Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
I've got a DW 5002 double pedal too - I've got the accelerator cam on it with nylon straps - and it feels great. Since I played the Tama Flexi-flyer for so many years (also with an accelerator cam) I couldn't use a regular circular shaped cam again - it always felt kind of sluggish to me. I loved the DW pedal except the board was so short it was hurting the bridge of my foot. Then I moved over to Pearl pedals - but I managed to put the Tama cam on them and they were nice - then I got the Premier pedals (the ones with the rubber bands) they felt really good - had a nice longboard too - but the rubbers kept breaking. Then the Sonor’s and the Axis.

Maybe you should try an accelerator shaped cam and then keep the springs a little tighter for a faster return.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drumher,
I think the Pearl pedals I played were called "Eliminator" - but as I said I put the Tama Flexi-flyer accelerator cam on them. Yes my heels are up when I'm playing the bass drum pedals. My left foot is down when it's is on the hi hat...except when I'm playing something intricate or fast and then my left foot would be up on the hi hat too.

It's probably not the most comfortable thing to have your right heel up at all times - but I'm used to it - I don't even think about it - and I sit pretty low so my leg is kind of floating anyway.

Cheers
Gavin

[Tyr]

Just dropping in to say you're an amazing player in every sense of the word. Its awesome that you come here and take the time to talk to fans! We all greatly appreciate it!

Thanks for all the terrific music!

[crazydrummer]

Hi Gavin !

Just to say that you are one of my favourite drummer. Your drumming is so clean, intelligent, technic and so musical ! That's very inspiring. Your playing in PT's albums is really awesome and I surely will buy in a few days the new Porcupine Tree's DVD.

Thank you to come here to speek with us !

Respectfully,
Denis

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

Have you ever had issues with your nerves that you felt held your playing back ? I feel that I never play as good in front of people as I do in rehearsals. I dont think I get sloppy, It's just that I seem to hold back on more complex fills and take the easy way out. We are preparing to open for SevenDust in the begining of March and I am butterflies just thinking about it. I want to get over this but have had little luck even after 20 years of playing. Any suggestions ?

P.S I just bought Arriving Somewhere on dvd. Wow ! Its nice to have you over to play my drums. What I am trying to say is, that is how damn good the 5.1 mix is on that disc ! Wow ! It is one of the best live 5.1 mixes out of the 20 or so live concerts in my collection. Way to go !

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Tyr, Drumher & Crazydrummer - thanks for the comments.


Liquid_Drummer,
yes I know what you mean about nerves - the first thing to fall apart (if I'm feeling a bit nervous) is my ghost notes - but I usually get over it after the first couple of tunes. Of course it's all a state of mind - and I say to myself - that apart from sleeping, I've probably spent more time behind the drums with a pair of sticks in my hands than anything else I've done in my life.

I have to have enough confidence in myself that no matter what happens I'm going to pull through...and even if I didn’t pull through and made a mistake it’s better than being crippled with nerves every night expecting that mistake to happen. The anticipation is always the worst part - you run through a few worst case scenarios in your head and imagine that's what'll happen tonight...and there's the problem - you go on stage already determined to have a bad time - and that just reinforces itself for next time.
I'm usually a bit tense the first couple of gigs of a new tour - but soon settle down after that. For quite a few years now I haven't felt nerves before a show - I try to mentally get in the right zone before the concert.
You might want to read "Effortless Mastery" by Kenny Werner - that helped my mental state - not really about nervousness - but more just getting my mind in a good positive state before performing.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Gavin-

Has anyone asked "what model of Axis pedal you use?" There so many out there; to many choices.

Thanks,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook
The ones I have are Axis A Longboard.
As far as I can see there's only two types of pedal (Regular and Longboard) and two types of drive lever. "A" with the variable drive cam adjuster - and the "X" series which has a fixed point - non adjustable drive cam.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info...
Have you heard of the Trick Pro 1-v pedal?

[Charterman50]

Awesome chops Gavin - After hearing the Absetia CD, I couldn't believe PT had gone unnoticed for so long, so I added Deadwing to my collection and the Arriving somewhere DVD.

I had finished a book when I was younger called "New Directions in Rhythm" by Joe Morello - Independence studies in 3, 5 and 7/4 - awesome book. Favorites until I heard PT were Hakim and Manu Katche.

Love the sound on your Sonors - I am currently tuning to minor 3rds on a nice set of Slingerland maples - do you have a preference?

Best, Charterman

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,
yes I tried the Trick pedal for 10 minutes in a shop and I thought it was nice - but not so unbelievably nice that I want to change from the Axis to it. I'd have to buy 2 double sets (one for at home and one for the road) and then spend a load of time getting used to them.

Hi Charterman50,
I just checked my 5 toms and they appear to be tuned like this.

tom 5 lowest
tom 4 augmented 5th above tom 5
tom 3 augmented 5th above tom 4
tom 2 perfect 4th above tom 3
tom 1 perfect 5th above tom 2

So tom 5 seems to be G
tom 4 Eb
tom 3 A
tom 2 D
tom 1 A

Cheers
Gavin

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

In your feature in Modern Drummer you said that Steve and yourself have a gameplan as to what is possible in rock songs as far as rhythms and time signatures. Could you elaborate on that a bit? Are there any plans for another concert DVD with the new album?

Cheers
Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
I haven't seen that article yet...but I think what I was referring to is that we try to write rhythms that will have some musical sense to them. Not just being clever for the sake of it. If there's a way that we can design a rhythm that may be in an odd time signature, then it has to feel natural to the audience. I quite often see people kind of dancing/nodding along to the songs even though they might be unaware of the time signature. It's not my intention to confuse or lose the audience because of some really smart ass rhythm - and that said - I don't dumb it down for them either, but try to find a happy medium where they might 'feel' it without knowing exactly what 'it' is.

cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

I received Rhythmic Horizons last night that I purchased last week off of buringshed.com and started watching it. I'm at the PolyRhythmic Theory part towards the end and I find it VERY helpful when you sing it. I had been playing PolyRhythms, but had "no idea" what it was or where I was suppose to go with it until now. I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do an instructional DVD of this nature. Everything I was doing is coming to fruition now that it is being explained and demonstrated I can follow it and use it. After I'm done I may inundate you with a few questions that I have, but won't do that until I finish the entire DVD A&B side.

Thanks,
Rob

[Ogg]

Good Evening Mr Harrison,
Being a music fan and drummer for well over twenty five years I obviously have numerous drumming 'heroes' that continue to inspire me. I discovered Porcupine Tree's music only last year (I know it's sad) and in particular your playing captivated my attention. No doubt I could wax lyrically for hours heaping praise but know that I am one of many that appreciate your art.

I'm approaching the big four-oh and love my playing as much as ever. I regularly play in an on-going studio project when I have time away from work, the missus and kids. I thought it was time I invested in a new kit and have just bought a six piece Mapex M Pro with Sabians and for the first time a double pedal. In all honesty your playing has inspired my double pedal choice (something even the great Mr Peart couldn't achieve) no higher accolade imho.

I've just spent an enjoyable hour reading through your previous posts and have several (hopefully brief) questions of my own.

What rudiment(s) would you recommend to a staunch 'single pedal'er' that would ease the baptism of fire that is the double pedal.

Reading through some old 90's editions of 'Rhythm recently and I came across an article written by 'Gavin Harrison'. Am I correct in presuming this is your good self?

Looking forward to the release of the 'Blackfield II' album and I read that you have played on several tracks. Would you happen to know the titles of said songs?

Thanks for your time, Darren aka Ogg.

[LinearDrummer]

Gavin -

Congrats on getting a feature in the new MD magazine...
Nice to see you get your shine...

Hopefully we'll see you on one of the Drum Festival DVDs soon...
Keep up the good work....

[Toni Serrat]

Hi everybody!

I'm new in drummerworld world! I com from Barcelona spain. I don't have a good english, but I
try to explain my ideas.
I can not say more about master Gavin Harrison! I Iove his mixture with jazz-funky-pop-metal- fusion- progressive drumming.He is a perfect all-around drummer, and another important thing, he knows all aspects about drums in diferent situations like, live performances, studio, production...and is an illusionist!!

Now I want to explain some "illusions" from India:

We start with 16th notes and make diferent groups like 2, 3 with them, creating new "1's" with 2 bars:
1 2 3 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2
1 2 3 4 2 2 3 4 3 2 3 4 4 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 2 2 3 4 3 2 3 4 4 2 3 4

You can play this like a snare drum study with accents in each 1,
You can play this with a funky groove style with 16ht between hi hat and snare(ghost notes) and then without pause play the groups, with accents in each 1 with bass drum and hi-hat at the same time.

Very Important: Use a click ! slow first, and them move to 125-130bpm and more.
Use your imagination and musicality!!
Take your time.

Good luck! good drumming!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Ogg,
thanks for the message. I don't really know the best way to start on double pedals. I try to play short groups of notes like 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (always starting with the right foot). I don't really play 16ths ostinatos - but they are good to practice. Single strokes starting with the right and then starting with the left. Everything I play on the pedals are single strokes.

Yes I did write a column for Rhythm Magazine from 1989 to 1992.

I don't play on Blackfield 2 at all. I played on 2 or 3 tracks of their first album.

Cheers
Gavin



What rudiment(s) would you recommend to a staunch 'single pedal'er' that would ease the baptism of fire that is the double pedal.

Reading through some old 90's editions of 'Rhythm recently and I came across an article written by 'Gavin Harrison'. Am I correct in presuming this is your good self?

Looking forward to the release of the 'Blackfield II' album and I read that you have played on several tracks.

[Gavin Harrison]

Thanks LinearDrummer!

Hi Toni Serrat,
thanks for the message and the 'Indian illusion'. I actually found it quite hard to read in that format but am I right in thinking it's a series of groupings like this..

3 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2

personally it would be easier for me to think of it like this..

3 - 5 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 7 - 2

(usually when I come across a grouping of 5 I accent 1 & 3 of every five and in a group of 7 I accent every 1 , 3 & 5).

Cheers
Gavin

[NUTHA JASON]

hi gavin

i'm asking all the pros this question. i think the answers could be very instructive to many of us.
let's say there was a totally new drum rudiment that was suddenly discovered and was so totally applicable that any drummer worth their salt would quickly try to learn it, master it and use it in recordings and gigs. this hypothetical new rudiment is quite hard to play and totally unrelated to any other rudiment. it is so good that you know that the next time you sit in on a session the writer is probably going to ask you to use it somewhere in their song.
my question is: starting from scratch what would be your way of learning it?

thanks

j

[Sturla]

Dear Gavin,
Love your forum here and the things I have heard you play. Wonderful feel and groove too. That is actually what I think first of you and actually not the difficult rhythmic illusions stuff, but I adore that stuff too. You bring something new and fresh to the table of drumming.

I read your feature in MD this month and you mentioned briefly about having read Kenny Werner's book "Effortless Mastery". Can you please elaborate more about what this book meant and means for you? It apparently seems that it really struck a chord with you...?

Funnily enough, I have just started on the book myself, and I find it really interesting and I very much look forward to diving more into it....It all seems so natural and right the way he explains things about really letting go of fears, thinking and the like while playing. Fantastic the first few chapters I have read so far....

All best
Sturla

www.myspace.com/sturlanostvik

[Ogg]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply Gavin...you've made my day mate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"QUOTE=Gavin Harrison:

"I'm glad you like the sound of my kitchen.

It can depend on the style of music but here's the set up I used on that track:

Dualit Toaster
Dualit Kettle
Leisure Sink
unknown juicer

I'd really like to get a Dualit endorsement - they have easily the best sound..."

You should check out the sound of my wife's vegetable steamer mate :). I'm pleased I'm not the only 'kitchen' drummer out there :).

[crookedrook]

Gavin-
Our lead guitarist is the Street Team Captain for Cincinnati, Ohio/United States. For some reason he wanted me to mention that :)

Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi NUTHA JASON
I think first I'd have to hear it - and then be able to sing to myself.
Then it would be a question of going incredibly slowly with it - until it was comfortable - then I would start looking at ways to manipulate it with voicing, displacements and modulations.

Cheers
Gavin

hi gavin

i'm asking all the pros this question. i think the answers could be very instructive to many of us.
let's say there was a totally new drum rudiment that was suddenly discovered and was so totally applicable that any drummer worth their salt would quickly try to learn it, master it and use it in recordings and gigs. this hypothetical new rudiment is quite hard to play and totally unrelated to any other rudiment. it is so good that you know that the next time you sit in on a session the writer is probably going to ask you to use it somewhere in their song.
my question is: starting from scratch what would be your way of learning it?

thanks

j

[Charterman50]

Hey Gavin-

Thank you for the quick reply on tuning. It is always interesting to hear new ideas on what works well for others. I seem to be in love with bflat on my 13" top head and tune the bottom head a minor third below that then the 14" top is the same as the bottom of the 13 and the 14 bottom is down a minor third and so on. I just picked up a 12" Gretsch Maple free floating snare and love it for the high pop.

I noted that Steve will be in the San Francisco area in May and want to know if you will be doing any clinics in this area sometime this next year. - Ah if I only lived in Italy, but I am out here on the west coast and would love to attend one of your clinics. I hope PT will be playing here in the next year so you will have the opportunity to present one. Please let us all know.

Best, Charterman

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sturla
I read about the book and thought it might be of interest to me. I took it away on a tour of Italy in 2004 - and during the 3 weeks of rehearsal I read it - and was surprised that it made a difference to my mental state whilst playing. The key parts were really "the fear of sounding bad" and getting past that - plus REALLY listening in a new way open way - and laughing off mistakes. When I changed my attitude I found that I would try more spontaneous things without worrying if they were going to fall apart. The more I tried - the more that things didn't fall apart - the more I felt confident about pushing myself further.

I found of a lot of truth in the book about hang ups. I lent it to the bass player - and he felt the same. I'll probably read it again - and go through it with a marker pen - because some of the paragraphs really hit the nail on the head for me.

Cheers
Gavin

Dear Gavin,
I read your feature in MD this month and you mentioned briefly about having read Kenny Werner's book "Effortless Mastery". Can you please elaborate more about what this book meant and means for you? It apparently seems that it really struck a chord with you...?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Charterman,
Sorry I misunderstood your previous question - I thought you were talking about the pitch distance between my toms - rather than the pitch difference between the top and bottom skin of each drum.

The interval on my toms seems to that the bottom head is about a semitone lower than the top.

I won't be out in San Francisco any time soon for clinics. I'd love to do a series of clinics in the US but have no plans right now.

Cheers
Gavin


Thank you for the quick reply on tuning. It is always interesting to hear new ideas on what works well for others. I seem to be in love with bflat on my 13" top head and tune the bottom head a minor third below that then the 14" top is the same as the bottom of the 13 and the 14 bottom is down a minor third and so on.

I noted that Steve will be in the San Francisco area in May and want to know if you will be doing any clinics in this area sometime this next year?

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

All this talk of PT touring is getting me excited. I hope you guys can put together some more Canadian dates rather than just the east coast. The major centres like Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnepeg, get all the big bands playing the hockey arenas (10,000 - 15,000 seats). The are tons of other smaller venues that tons of other big name bands play and the shows are more intimate and crazy!!! If you guys got on as an opener for someone doing an area tour, that would be huge exposure for you guys here as no one is promoting or pushing your music in Canada and your music would literaly sell itself here. People just need to hear it. Anyway I really am dreaming of seeing you guys live and I hope this new album does great this for you guys.

Cheers
Daniel
P.s. Any chance of getting an advance copy? LOL!!!

[NUTHA JASON]

hey gavin, thanks for your last reply.

sorry to load you up with questions but here's another one...

in the August 1992 issue of modern drummer there was a great and useful article titled: THE 25 GREATEST DRUM RECORDS. because of it i bought steely dan's AJA in a time when i was almost exclusively addicted to AC/DC.
they wrote this article by researching across the industry but in particular they asked some of the top guys for their top ten selections. i'm hoping to do a similar thing here on DW and post the reults in a separate thread eventually.
So if you would be so kind please give us a list of your own top ten (perhaps your current top 10) records/albums. it would be helpful if you identified your favourite out of those and dropped in a line why it is so...but this is not totally necessary. think of it like if you were going to be locked in a remote log cabin for a whole winter, which 10 albums would you take, if 10 were all you could take?

thanks
j

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Jason, posting that on several different threads... doesn't that count as spamming?

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

I finish watching the Rhythmic Horizon's that I purchased off of Burningshed.com last night. I find it harder to sing the phrasing than it is to play it, but like you said, "it will be in-bedded in your brain and come naturally to play.

I have a question:

On the last section of the DVD video "Resolving" I' m not sure what frame it is.....You do a drum fill in it that is the same fill you do in the middle of "Futile" it is snare/bass/snare/2nd tom/4th tom/snare. I hope you can translate that.

Thanks,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Nutha Jason,
so you wanna play "Desert Island Discs" huh?

OK here goes..in no particular order

Art Farmer/Jim Hall "Big Blues" drummer:Steve Gadd
(Probably my biggest lesson in taste and sensitivity - not only from Steve Gadd but also the other great musicians on the record).

Japan "Tin Drum" drummer: Steve Jansen
(Some of the best designed drum and bass parts I've ever heard)

Meshuggah "Destroy Erase Improve" drummer Tomas Haake
(Beautiful rhythmic design from this team - extreme and exciting).

Fredrik Thordendal Special Defects drummer : Morgan Agren
(Again extraordinary rhythmic design and unbelievably exciting drumming).

Randy Crawford "Secret Combination" drummer: Jeff Porcaro
(What can you say about a man with the BEST feel IMHO - and real classy musical taste)

The Blue Nile "Hats" no drummer at all.
(Deep meaningful songs performed with heartbreaking emotion).

Art Farmer "Crawl Space" drummer:Steve Gadd
(The epitome of modern drumming recorded in 1977).

Le Mystere Des Voix Bulagares "Volume 2" no drummer
(Very powerful emotive tunes sung by the female Bulgarian choir - completely blows my mind).

Nine Inch Nails "The Fragile" drummer ?

Lewis Taylor "Lewis Taylor" no drummer
(A true unfound genius - songs that haunt me even when I'm asleep).

thanks Gavin



So if you would be so kind please give us a list of your own top ten (perhaps your current top 10) records/albums. it would be helpful if you identified your favourite out of those and dropped in a line why it is so...but this is not totally necessary. think of it like if you were going to be locked in a remote log cabin for a whole winter, which 10 albums would you take, if 10 were all you could take?
j

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

Nine Inch Nails "The Fragile" drummer ?


both jerome dillon and bill rieflin played on the album.

[NUTHA JASON]

perfect answer. i'm going to get some of those. thanks gavin.

[Gavin Harrison]

Thanks radiofriendlyunitshifter,
I read some time ago that Tony Thompson had played on it - but there's no credit for him

Cheers
Gavin


both jerome dillon and bill rieflin played on the album.

[Roger Biwandu]

I need to check Fredrik and Morgan, on the clip that i saw it looks very exciting !!!

And Lewis, OH YES, I hear you, a TRUE genius !!!


Fredrik Thordendal Special Defects drummer : Morgan Agren
(Again extraordinary rhythmic design and unbelievably exciting drumming).

Lewis Taylor "Lewis Taylor" no drummer
(A true unfound genius - songs that haunt me even when I'm asleep).

thanks Gavin

[Womble]

Randy Crawford "Secret Combination" drummer: Jeff Porcaro
(What can you say about a man with the BEST feel IMHO - and real classy musical taste)

Lewis Taylor "Lewis Taylor" no drummer
(A true unfound genius - songs that haunt me even when I'm asleep).

Secret Combination is a great album, featuring THE 80's LA rhythm section: Jeff Porcaro and Abraham Laboriel. I've just put on You Might Need Somebody now...man what a groove. I've never forgiven Shola Ama for releasing that pathetic, weedy, synthesised cover back in the 90's. Shame on her.

There's also a very comforting moment for us mere mortals in "That's How Heartaches Are Made" at 2:04, when Jeff accidentally hits his sticks together!

Mike Shapiro used to play Lewis Taylor to us at least once a week at LAMA. He absolutely loved him. I never quite heard what all the fuss was about, but it's clear I need to check him out some more. Btw, isn't it Lewis who plays the drums on all his stuff? Or programs them? And of course he got a big up from Elton John...but then Elton did a duet with Blue. Hehe.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Womble,
yes Lewis programmed the drums on his first album - and most of the drums on his following albums. I was lucky enough to work with him on the 2nd album and do some live dates with him too. Great stuff.

Cheers
Gavin

[wy yung]

Hi Gavin.
I just read your interview in the recent MD. I really enjoyed it. I loved what you had to say. As yet I've not heard you play. I have just ordered the PT DVD, so I will soon.

All the best and good luck with the rest of your career. Wy.

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

Hows life on the other side of the planet? In your Modern drummer interview you said that one of the most important things as a drummer was learning to read music. Well I can't read very well if at all. I can look at stuff and figure it out but to look at it and read it like I'm reading a book......no. I have no aspirations of being a studio drummer or anything like that so its not really important to me. What would you say would be the second most important thing for a drummer to know?

Thanks
Daniel

[Gibbersticks]

I just read your interview in the recent MD. I really enjoyed it. I loved what you had to say. As yet I've not heard you play. I have just ordered the PT DVD, so I will soon.

Oh you have no idea what you have been missing. But your about to find out!! Enjoy.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
I did say that from my perspective of wanting to succeed as a freelance session musician - and I did add to that the ability to play REALLY well with a click these days is very important.
If you have no aspirations of being a studio drummer - I guess the thing to remember is have fun.
If hypothetically you never practise with a click and don't read - then you can still enjoy yourself and have a good time - but you (and perhaps others playing with you) may get frustrated with your time keeping abilities - and you may stunt your growth as a drummer by not being able to tackle harder material - odd time signatures etc - by the fact that you can't really comprehend it due to lack of reading and therefore understanding. I've learned a hell of a lot from seeing articles written in magazines and drum books that would have evaded me if I couldn't read. So reading has been important to me over the years.
I know there's drummers such as Buddy Rich and Dennis Chambers who apparently don't read - but these are exceptional people - and I'm talking from my experience of not fully grasping some things without having seen it written down - or explained to me in a notational way.

Cheers
Gavin


In your Modern drummer interview you said that one of the most important things as a drummer was learning to read music. Well I can't read very well if at all. I can look at stuff and figure it out but to look at it and read it like I'm reading a book......no. I have no aspirations of being a studio drummer or anything like that so its not really important to me. What would you say would be the second most important thing for a drummer to know?

[mind_drummer]

Hi Gavin

I, too, really appreciate reading your featured article in Modern Drummer, you seem a nice down to earth guy. I want to tell you that you are one of the most melodic drummer of our decade. I enjoy every minutes of your playing.

keep goin' I love your work !

I hope you liked the charm of Montréal and will be back soon :-)

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

How spontaneous would you say your drumming is in a live setting ? The guys in my art metal band comment that I don't ever play a song the same way twice (its the jazz demon in me). I know that the basic feel is always the same but for fills I experimenta lot (in rehearsals) because I feel that I am always looking for a better way to make something groove, fit, compliment other parts etc. Basically I seem to throw everything at a new song and eliminate what doesn't work as the arrangement matures. Do you think this is a wise way to construct parts or would you recommend a more controlled methodical approach. I dont think the guys are complaining as they seem to be very happy to have me however the comment really got me second guessing myself about that. Im just a sensitive guy man !! :)

[emmerson]

Gavin,

I am currently in a band that is with a group of extremely talented people and just recently they have been forcing on me to play a way i do not enjoy and do not want to play and the band has complete gone 180 and isnt even in a genre i enjoy playing in anymore. But heres where im confused i was wondering if i should stay with them i dont want to a loose a handful of talented musicians to play with over not wanting to play a specfic genre and if it gets me to be able to play drums for a living than im all for it but im just confused if i should stay on just that slight chance that this might do something for me and my drumming.

i was wondering if this has ever happened to you or if you have any advice if you were in my shoes?

thank you,

Ethan

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

Thanks for the insight Gavin. As most of us here, I'm constantly trying to evaluate my playing and what I need to work on. There is sooooooo much to learn and it seems like I just keep finding more and more everyday and I keep thinking should I be doing this or that and what is more important now rather than later. But ya sight reading is just one more thing but as you said
I've learned a hell of a lot from seeing articles written in magazines and drum books that would have evaded me if I couldn't read.

Thanks for letting me pick your brain!!!
Daniel

[cygnify]

Gavin,

Thanks for all your words of wisdom and especially for revealing the real reason your playing is better than mine:

Yes I get a lot of calluses - and I'm pleased when they return ... (about 25 of them in total) - everything is much better.
All the best
Gavin

After a month of heavy gigging, at best I can count 18 distinct calluses on my hands. The way I see it, until I figure out a way to rub out 7 more calluses, I will never play at your level! (There's an odd-time joke somewhere here that even your calluses aren't even! LOL!)

Seriously can't wait for your new CD - between the new Porcupine Tree and Rush CDs I will be in musical heaven later this spring!

Cheers!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid Drummer
I would take that comment as a compliment. Like you I'm a bit of a jazzer at heart and a certain amount of improvising is a must. There are some fills that become an important part of the song or arrangement and I keep those the same - but I try things out from night to night to see if I can find new ways to play the same old songs.
Cheers
Gavin

Gavin,

How spontaneous would you say your drumming is in a live setting ? The guys in my art metal band comment that I don't ever play a song the same way twice (its the jazz demon in me).:)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Emmerson,
why are these talented musicians now wanting to play something so different?
Is there nothing about this new style that you can find interesting or view as a challenge - even though you don't like it at the moment? When I auditioned for Iggy Pop in the '80's it REALLY wasn't my kind of music at all - but I needed a job - and I saw it as a challenge to try to play that style of music. I ended up really getting into to and enjoying 90% of the gig - and became a fan of Iggys'. I found an opportunity to try something SO different for me - and I believe it had a positive impact on my playing as a whole.

If you REALLY hate the stuff - then leave the band and don't torture yourself.

Cheers
Gavin




I am currently in a band that is with a group of extremely talented people and just recently they have been forcing on me to play a way i do not enjoy and do not want to play and the band has complete gone 180 and isnt even in a genre i enjoy playing in anymore. But heres where im confused i was wondering if i should stay with them i dont want to a loose a handful of talented musicians to play with over not wanting to play a specfic genre and if it gets me to be able to play drums for a living than im all for it but im just confused if i should stay on just that slight chance that this might do something for me and my drumming.

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,

Long time no speak. I've been hard at work and i see you have too. There's no rest for those of us on the "Entertainment Committee."

I have a question about the production of your latest DVD. I was wondering about the camera situation. Did you have all 4 or 5 cameras recording simultaniously while synced to the audio with time code, and then edit the video later in post production. Or was it done some otherway. Any help would be greatly appreciated for my next endeavor.

Take care and God bless.

MM

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Midnight Mike,
Yes I had 4 cameras rolling - but there were not in sync with anything - just each one free wheeling. I then loaded the films into the computer from each camera and then manually synced them in Final Cut Pro. To my surprise they don't seem to drift against the music track.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sol Good]

Hi Gavin,

Couple of questions:

- Morgan Rose is acknowledged in the liner notes to Deadwing. Do you know if this is the same Morgan Rose that plays drums for Sevendust?

- I understand you play most of the PT set to a click in order to sync with sequences and video, and you certainly do a great job of it. By the end of a long tour, do you get sick of playing to a click for 2 hrs every night? Being a 'jazzer at heart', I'd guess that you can't wait to to play some smaller gigs with less rigidly-structured sets and arrangements (and tempos).

Thanks for your time,

Alex

[Ogg]

'Morning Gavin,
I have a few non-drumming questions for ya mate.
*geek mode* Like many others I'm a lifelong Rush fan and a recent PT convert. I've just read in a Rush forum that the possibility of touring together is um, possible due to both bands having albums out around the same time. Personally that would be a dream line up so I'm hoping you could shed some light on this? One last thing, apparently Alex Lifeson guests on the new album so how about a little bit of info for us Gavin Harrison disciples? Thanks for your time.*end geek mode*

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sol Good,
I don't know if it's the same Morgan Rose from Sevendust. It must have come from one of the other guys in PT - personally I don't know him.

Not all the songs have click tracks - only some of the ones with films or sequencers. I've played so many 1000's of gigs with clicks I don't find it restricting at all. I can enjoy myself playing with clicks or without - I suppose I've learned to feel free playing with one.

Cheers
Gavin


- Morgan Rose is acknowledged in the liner notes to Deadwing. Do you know if this is the same Morgan Rose that plays drums for Sevendust?

- I understand you play most of the PT set to a click in order to sync with sequences and video, and you certainly do a great job of it. By the end of a long tour, do you get sick of playing to a click for 2 hrs every night? Being a 'jazzer at heart', I'd guess that you can't wait to to play some smaller gigs with less rigidly-structured sets and arrangements (and tempos).

[Pywacket]

Hi Gavin.

I've been touring and recording for the past thirty odd years with the same outfit and, because of the kind of music the band play, I've always approached the drumming on a Phil Rudd/Charlie Watts type of minimulistic level. It seemed the right road to go down and I've always been quite happy playing that way. Two years ago I underwent surgery on both wrists for Carpal Tunnel and whilst recovering had time to reflect on my attitude to drumming and for the first time in my career I actually started listening to versatile drummers, like yourself, and became inspired (a little late in the day admitedly). With the full use of my hands again I embarked on a well overdue learning journey. I'm being taught to read, got the rudiments sorted and practice more now than I ever have. I would like to introduce what I'm learning into my live playing but cant seem to make the final leap, even with new material, always falling back on what's SAFE. It seems no matter how proficient I get at particular chops in the rehearsal room I sh*t out when it comes to playing them on stage. I would also like to introduce a short solo but, never having done one (properly) I've no idea how to construct something that's both technically correct and musical. Any advice you can offer an old dog doing his damndest to learn and implement new tricks would be most welcome.

Thanks.
Steve Williams.

[TitanSound]

Great to have you on the forums Steve!

I really enjoyed your drumming on "Napoleon Bona, Parts 1 & 2". Our bass player introduced me to Budgie about 4 years ago and I saw you live at The Underworld back in 2003. Sorry to hijack the thread a little but its great to see even the pros wanting to furthur themselves in the art of drumming.

Good luck and thank you for the inspiration!

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

After watching the new PT DVD I have to say that your performance in Hate Song is just amazing. Not knowing the terminology I have to ask if the parts you are playing late in the song are good examples of metric modulation ? That thing you did where you ran your thumb over the tom !!! I about died when I saw that and was just amazed that it was so easy to hear in the mix. One question though. How is your hi-hats so loose without coming off the clutch? They look like they are going to take off in the 1st song. Again, your drum sound is just amazing. Every little ghost note on that snare is so easy to hear in the mix. I wish that my ghost notes came out like that when I played live but after hearing some soundboard recordings of our shows I have found that I cant hear any of my ghost notes unless the rest of the band are playing a quiet part...

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Pywacket,
I think it takes a lot of courage to 'redesign' yourself after you've been playing as long as you have.
I know that when I've got some new ideas I want to introduce into my 'live' playing I have to try them out one at a time. It does take courage because there's always a chance they're not going to work - and I'm going to feel silly. However once I do manage to slip some new stuff in - and it works - I gain confidence and try more new things. It's a slow procedure - but I kind of dare myself to play some new (that's hot off the practise pad).

I'm inspired by your story - it's never too late to improve and change. Keep it up.

Cheers
Gavin

It seems no matter how proficient I get at particular chops in the rehearsal room I sh*t out when it comes to playing them on stage. I would also like to introduce a short solo but, never having done one (properly) I've no idea how to construct something that's both technically correct and musical.
.

[Pywacket]

Great to have you on the forums Steve!

I really enjoyed your drumming on "Napoleon Bona, Parts 1 & 2". Our bass player introduced me to Budgie about 4 years ago and I saw you live at The Underworld back in 2003. Sorry to hijack the thread a little but its great to see even the pros wanting to furthur themselves in the art of drumming.

Good luck and thank you for the inspiration!

Thank you Titan. That seems such a long time ago now! The reason I ask Gavin for advice is having only recently heard PT for the first time his playing inspires me the way Bill Brufords did when I first heard Yes back in the early 70's. I started down a similar road to Bruford with a band called Quest then the job came up with Budgie and I had to change course. After what seem a lifetime it's all come full circle and though I still love the idea of locking into a groove, and staying there ( when the song itself is strong enough to allow it) I would like a bigger arsenal of decent chops for when they are needed and the confidence to use them.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer
Thanks for the comment about Hatesong. Yes I do a few simple "metric modulations" in the outro section. The hi hats have a locking part under the cymbal so there's no way they're going to fly off. Sometimes it's nice to have the cymbals that loose. It lets them really breathe.

cheers
Gavin



After watching the new PT DVD I have to say that your performance in Hate Song is just amazing. Not knowing the terminology I have to ask if the parts you are playing late in the song are good examples of metric modulation ? That thing you did where you ran your thumb over the tom !!! I about died when I saw that and was just amazed that it was so easy to hear in the mix. One question though. How is your hi-hats so loose without coming off the clutch? They look like they are going to take off in the 1st song...

[tmccartney]

Hi, Gavin - I hope you don't mind my asking a third question, and this one is EXTRA dorky.

"Trains" is one of my favorite PT songs. I've never tried to play the drum part, but I've learned the guitar part. I think I've been counting it wrong all this time - not that it matters, but I'm curious. When Steven sings the line "sixty ton angel," does "sixty" fall on beat 1 of the measure or beat 3?

Thanks for your patience. I can't wait for the new PT DVD and tour. Come to Nashville and see us this time!


Tracey

[British Boy]

Hey Gavin,

You are by far my favourite drummer (alongside Vinnie perhaps), and I love your book Rhythmic Illusions. I'm gonna order one of your DVD's soon too. I'm a huge PT fan, and i'm going to see you guys at the Carling Academy in Newcastle on April 18th I think.

Are you guys doing any sort of signing after the show? I wanna meet you!

- Jezen Thomas

[Timbo]

Hey Gavin !
Thank for being with usdrummers and fans . I love your playing .
You are my biggest influence!!! i have ordered your books dvds , PT DVD and , PT Recordings :) IT totally blows me away away away away :)

My personal Top 10 ranking:

1. Gavin Harrison
2. Weckl
3. Minnemann
5. Gadd
6. Bissionnette
7. Josh Freese
8. Chambers
9.Lang
10. Derek Roddy

ITs no joke, there isnt a drummer on earth who combines such great technique with amazing groove an musical drumming.... but YOU !
Whenever songs of PT has odd times ... no-one really notice at first cause of you . When you are playing the whole song alway sounds like a whole peace of music.... just like great amazing and grooving music !
I love the way you`ve setup your drumset and the whole sound of your drumset.
One question at last : Do you use already the new iron cobra clutch to control hihat close/open ? how do you like it ?

Take care of you Mr. Harrison ! All best wishes for future , health and of course drumming !

Nice greetings from germany ( I hope my english is not too bad)

[Timbo]

Aaaaah ... I have searches the thread and find the answer.
You are using Iron cobra clutch and DW drop-Clutch together :) Very interessting !

[Chris Edwards]

tmccartney - in Trains, I hear the "sixty" on beat 3. Hence (if I remember right) the "angel" is on 4 1/2 aka the 4-and.

British Boy - check out the tour dates:

Apr 18 - Glasgow (I'll be there)
Apr 19 - Newcastle

[British Boy]

Oh cheers for that.


The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 20 characters.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi tmccartney,
yes it's a bit confusing at first - but the word "Sixty" is on the 'one'. The rhythm that I'm playing has snare beats on 2 & 4. The way the guitar rhythm moves - it gives an illusion of being in a different place.

Cheers
Gavin


"Trains" is one of my favorite PT songs. I've never tried to play the drum part, but I've learned the guitar part. I think I've been counting it wrong all this time - not that it matters, but I'm curious. When Steven sings the line "sixty ton angel," does "sixty" fall on beat 1 of the measure or beat 3?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi British Boy,
thanks for the kind words. When we can - we meet people after the show - usually outside the venue. Hope you enjoy the concert.

Hi Timbo,
thanks also for the nice comments - yes I love the "Cobra Clutch". It could be better - but there's nothing else like it. I've been waiting many years for someone to invent it. In combination with the drop clutch I have a few different options for hi hat sounds.

Cheers
Gavin

[tamadrummer132]

I hope that this has not been asked yet, but theres way too many replies for me to read...

Do you trigger your drums in any way or are the sounds what you, or someone else, has done to tune them?

p.s. dont lie.. cuz thats lame.

[Timbo]

Hey Tamadrummer

*g* why should it be lame to trigger bassdrum ?
Deathmetal-drummer with 220 bpms + double Bass need to trigger... to much air in the shall = bad sound . Triggering makes the sound clearer in extreme tempos .

www.derekroddy.com there you can find more information about triggering the bassdrum (in the forum)


But : you should hear ( when your ears are healthy ) that Gavin does not trigger on PT-records and live performance.

[junglelord]

Gavin I have just received you first DVD Rhythmic Visions...gonna be a great week and a fantastic year.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and mindset with us, your one awsome dude....I am still thinking about Monteal.
I look forward to a new mindset and new Rhythmic Visions.
Yours truly
Dean Ward

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I hope your clinic tour is going well. I wish they all weren't on the other side of the planet though!

Cheers
Daniel

[GavManB]

Hi Gavin,

Is it likely that you will do clinic tour in the UK anytime soon? I know quite few people that would love to see you play up close as well as the fine people of the drummerworld board!

All the best

Gav

P.s. My double kick is improving! Huzzah!

[Pywacket]

Quote............................................. .................................................. .......................
Is it likely that you will do clinic tour in the UK anytime soon? I know quite few people that would love to see you play up close as well as the fine people of the drummerworld board!
.................................................. .................................................. ...................

I'd definately be there!

[TitanSound]

Myself included. Make sure one is in London though...for some strange reason not many drum clinics are held in London!

[orangefiltersky]

Hi, Gavin,
now that the titles of the new Porcupine Tree songs are revealed, I`d like to ask you which one was your fav one to play during the recording sessions. Did some of the songs change much in comparison to the autumn tour? And above that, I`d really like to know what you think about "Fear of a blank planet" on a whole. Is it really that heavy as someone, who attended one of the pre-listening parties, mentioned?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Junglelord
- hope you enjoy the DVD.

Hi Gibbersticks,
clinic tour of Italy is going GREAT - thanks. I don't get much chance to connect to the internet though.

Hi GavManB,
I'd love to make some clinics in the UK - but nobody has asked me.

Hi orangefiltersky,
All the songs were good fun to play - I don't have a favourite. There are some very heavy parts - and some very delicate parts too. I don't think of it as being any 'heavier' than the previous two records - there's a nice balance.

Cheers
Gavin

[TitanSound]

I'd love to make some clinics in the UK - but nobody has asked me.


Thats crazy!!! One of the best UK drummers needs to spread his knowledge to the public!

If I knew who to contact at Sonor I would arrange on your behalf "Listen...please get Gavin a UK clinic tour" :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi TitanSound,
all I can suggest is to contact Sutherland trading. They are the UK's distributor of Sonor Drums.

http://www.sutherlandtrading.com/

Cheers
Gavin

[tamadrummer132]

Hey Tamadrummer

*g* why should it be lame to trigger bassdrum ?
Deathmetal-drummer with 220 bpms + double Bass need to trigger... to much air in the shall = bad sound . Triggering makes the sound clearer in extreme tempos .

www.derekroddy.com there you can find more information about triggering the bassdrum (in the forum)


But : you should hear ( when your ears are healthy ) that Gavin does not trigger on PT-records and live performance.

i hate the sound of deathmetal drummer's BD's.. they are a thump, not a BOOM like a drum naturaly sounds.

And you have to admit that you like drums that sound good because of good tuning, heads, and shells, then a computer making a sound.

[Pywacket]

I'd love to make some clinics in the UK - but nobody has asked me.

.................................................. .................................................. .........

I cant believe that!

Are you familiar with the Drumsense teaching programme? Colin Woolway, it's founder, regularly organizes clinics around the UK with people like Mark Mondesir, Gary Husband and Carl Palmer. I've mentioned your name to them for possible future events. I hope you dont mind.

.................................................. .................................................. ................

[marcydarcy]

Hey Gavin,

My ears maybe fooling me but is it you who's drumming on the song Christenings from the new Blackfield album?
The drumsound in that song is slightly different from the other tracks and I hear a lot of typical Gavin Harisson details (especially the drumfill at 1:46).

Thanks.
Marc

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Pywacket,
thanks - I know Colin Woolway.

Hi marcydarcy
I did record a version of that song a long time ago - but I haven't heard the new Blackfield record yet. I didn't know it was released - how have you heard it?

Cheers
Gavin

[marcydarcy]

Hi marcydarcy
I did record a version of that song a long time ago - but I haven't heard the new Blackfield record yet. I didn't know it was released - how have you heard it?

Cheers
Gavin

Well, as embarrassed as I am I have to admit a friend of mine got it from some torrentsite on the web and I asked him for a copy.
Anyhow, it sounds great and I really dig one fill in that song (which has an incredible buzz roll in it)

Cheers,
Marc

[Gibbersticks]

Well, as embarrassed as I am I have to admit a friend of mine got it from some torrentsite on the web and I asked him for a copy.
Anyhow, it sounds great and I really dig one fill in that song (which has an incredible buzz roll in it)

Cheers,
Marc
Yesterday 06:07 AM

Well that wasn't very smart! It isn't really a good idea to tell artists or close friends of artists that you downloaded their stuff. Thats what you would call a conversation killer.

Gavin
As this is more and more of a problem for a lot of artists, how is it that albums end up on download sites before their release? Someone close to the project has to be responsible for it otherwise how would you get a hold of the album? Is that fair to assume? Or would it be someone from their record company? Deadwing was out on download sites before its release as well and I have to admit I was extremely tempted.

[marcydarcy]

[QUOTE=Gibbersticks;272955]Well that wasn't very smart! It isn't really a good idea to tell artists or close friends of artists that you downloaded their stuff. Thats what you would call a conversation killer. QUOTE]

You sure as hell are right. That's why I allready pre-ordered the album. I hope am not setting the wrong example for those who don't buy the official album.

[tomtom]

Hello Gavin,

just read your interview in MD. I have to admit I´m not familiar with your drumming but your interview was one of those "fun to read" interviews (yes, that IS a compliment ;=) and really inspiring.

I would really like to check out some of your drumming/music, what do you reccomend?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
yes it happens because we have to send out copies to journalists to review the album so that it appears in the magazines around (or just before) the real release date.

Usually we digitally watermark the CD's so that the record company can see who has uploaded it.
I'm sure in a busy office of a magazine (where they're getting sent a lot of discs per week) some folks at the office look through the discs and take them home. That's probably when it happens.

It's very frustrating for us. BUT I hope the people who download it still buy the real thing....otherwise we've worked for months and months and spent lots of our money for nothing.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

Well I have to say that I actually discovered PT by accident when downloading in something else. I saw the song in my received files and thought "what the hell is this?". It turned out to be Even Less and so I downloaded some more. Stupid Dream became a Huge hit in my house and with close friends so I tried to order it but it had been discontinued. I ended up ordering it from a Snapper records web store (can't remember the name). It ended up costing me $60 Canadian!!!! My wife wanted to kill me. LOL. My obsessions know no monetary bounds, my bank acct however does. And now you guys keep re-releasing albums in 5.1!!! Damn you anyway!

Cheers

[stefano.pan]

Hi Gavin,
thanks for the clinic in Milan!
Beyond a useful "brain-training" (we've got no ideas coming from our muscles, as you told us), I enjoyed very much the Porcupine Tree's pieces: it was like a private concert :-)

Thanks again,
cheers.

Stefano Pan

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi tomtom,
glad you enjoyed the interview.
The last two Porcupine Tree albums "In Absentia" and "Deadwing" may be worth hearing. There's a new one coming out in April too.

thanks for the message

Cheers
Gavin

Hello Gavin,

just read your interview in MD. I have to admit I´m not familiar with your drumming but your interview was one of those "fun to read" interviews (yes, that IS a compliment ;=) and really inspiring.

I would really like to check out some of your drumming/music, what do you reccomend?

[Liquid_Drummer]

Hey Gavin,

Do you plan to release any more instructional dvd's in the future ? If you do, could you please consider (As DVD extras or maybe disc 2) including some PT tracks with the option to go drums only ? You do all this great drumming on these albums and it ends up getting covered up with singing and guitar ? Joking there. My point is ( and I think I speak for a large portion of your fan base) is that we would purchase "drums only" versions of your work in a heartbeat ! IS there a way for you to make these things avalable ? I am wondering why it is that drummers dont do this ?

[Dazza]

Hey Gavin

Well I have to say that I actually discovered PT by accident when downloading in something else. I saw the song in my received files and thought "what the hell is this?". It turned out to be Even Less and so I downloaded some more...



In retrospect, it's funny how you can discover some of your favourite bands through incidental channels - I was introduced to PT while playing a racing game on the Xbox! I remember tearing around Florence in a Porsche or something, and hearing this really cool track on one of the pseudo radio stations within the game. Turned out to be a little song called Strip The Soul by a band with a rather intriguing name!

Anyway, new album and tour can't come soon enough!

All best.

[mr.beefhead]

Hey Gavin!

I've got a quick question for you. How were the drums mixed for the new PT album? I'm guessing they were recorded in your home studio, but is the mix going to sound more dry like on Deadwing or more classic sounding like on In Absentia? I'm really looking forward to the new album and tour to follow!

Thanks,
Derek

[meandhimcallitus]

Hey Gavin, I was just wondering if you have any formal training in various other instruments besides drum?(concert snare, tympani, marimba, xylo. etc.)
srry if you been asked this question before =(

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I was at my local drum shop yesterday and I noticed this magazine called DRUMS ETC that is a free mag that is handed out in music stores across Canada. What got my attention was that there was a write up about the 2006 Montreal Drum Fest. Here is what they had to say about you:

"Gavin Harrison was known to some in the audience for his role in the popular band Porcupine Tree. Such control, such displacement of beats, such focus, and such deadly chops!"

All the drummers got just a quick blurb written about them, but yours definately had the most praise.

I had recommended PT to the guys at my drum shop a little while ago and it has caused quite a reaction. The guys that work the floor and the stores drum teacher have been going over the songs trying to figure stuff out. They were completely amazed that someone could take something so odd and make it sound so normal and relaxed.

Anyway cheers, and how about sending me a copy of the new album instead of those journalists who just end up uploading it to the net!!! PLEASE :-)

Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_drummer,
I have no plans right now to make another DVD. My new DVD has only just been released.
I don't think the drums would make much sense on their own - without the music - but yes - they could be louder!!!!!!

Cheers
Gavin



Do you plan to release any more instructional dvd's in the future ? If you do, could you please consider (As DVD extras or maybe disc 2) including some PT tracks with the option to go drums only ? You do all this great drumming on these albums and it ends up getting covered up with singing and guitar ?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mr.beefhead,
personally I don't think the drums sound like either album..and yes they were recorded at my house.

Cheers
Gavin



I've got a quick question for you. How were the drums mixed for the new PT album? I'm guessing they were recorded in your home studio, but is the mix going to sound more dry like on Deadwing or more classic sounding like on In Absentia? I'm really looking forward to the new album and tour to follow!

Thanks,
Derek

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi meandhimcallitus,
I didn't have any formal training in other instruments, although I can the bass, guitar and keyboards rather badly.

Cheers
Gavin

Hey Gavin, I was just wondering if you have any formal training in various other instruments besides drum?(concert snare, tympani, marimba, xylo. etc.)
srry if you been asked this question before =(

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

What would be really cool is (if PT does another Live DVD) if in the special features there was a drum cam feature where the camera stays on you playing some tracks. I have a few DVDs that do this and it is really cool.

When you played the Montreal drum fest did you bring your own drums or were some provides for you to your specifications?

Cheers
Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Gibbersticks,
the kit was supplied by the Canadian distributor of Sonor for the Montreal Festival.

Cheers
Gavin

[glen thomas]

Hi Gavin
First, I must say, I love your playing and the band Porcupine Tree. Definetly a great combination, and the music you create is a breath of fresh air to the music scene.
I can hardly wait for the new release.

Question: I am curious on how you sequence with the videos used in the Porcupine Tree live shows. I know you're using a click but what I mean is, what is the equipment you are using. I use a click a lot in a few of the bands I play with for keyboard sequences and sound effects via midi or mini disk, but I'm puzzled on how you link up to video or more precise, the video equipment?. I guess my second question would be, do you control the equipment or does a tech do it?

As much as I love drumming, I love the tech side of things. :-)

Thanks,
glen thomas

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Glen,
we use a VJ program called "Arkaos" on a Mac powerbook. It gets midi notes sent to it via our other computer that is also generating the click. In Arkaos you assign a film to a midi note. When it sees the incoming note it fires out that particular film. It waits for the midi note 'on' and plays the film until it sees a midi note 'off'.

I set up the offset during rehearsals so that the sync looks good between the music and the film. Pretty simple really.

Cheers
Gavin

[glen thomas]

Hi Glen,
we use a VJ program called "Arkaos" on a Mac powerbook. It gets midi notes sent to it via our other computer that is also generating the click. In Arkaos you assign a film to a midi note. When it sees the incoming note it fires out that particular film. It waits for the midi note 'on' and plays the film until it sees a midi note 'off'.

I set up the offset during rehearsals so that the sync looks good between the music and the film. Pretty simple really.


Very cool. I'll look into that "Arkaos" software. What equipment do you use to project the images onto the screens you have on stage since the computers are the main controller?

I use to use midi on stage but had a problem with vibration causing the computer problems. I then switched to mini disc where it was able to take a bit more vibration from drum volume and band volume. I'd just record the midi tracks into WAV format on the right channel of the mini disc, and have a click on the left channel. Feed to front house is mono but it solved the problem I was experiencing. Have you experienced any glitches like that with vibration either locking the computer harddrive or making it skip?

glen :-)

[deadwing_007]

Hey Gavin, I was recently on Sonors site and its been updated since the last time i was on it. I don't see anything about the designer series there now. Have they discontinued it? It seemed like it was incredibly customizable which i loved. When you go into their section about delite kits the banner on top of the page has a picture of you playing. I know you mentioned playing on a delite kit at the drum festival, but your kits are designers. I was just curious if you knew anything about what Sonor has been up to and if the designer line is done.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Glen,
we just use the video outputs on the Mac to connect to a projector. Yes I have had problems with computers and vibration on stage.

Hi deadwing_007,
The banner pictures on the Sonor site are randomly placed - they don't mean necessarily that I play DeLight...although my set in America is DeLight (and it's very nice too).
You can now find a fully customisable selection of all the types of Sonor shells on their site - it's called "SQ2". They have a 'configurator' that you use to design your own preferences of shell thickness - wood type - shell depth - colours - and hardware coating etc. I should have one in time for the next tour.

Cheers
Gavin

[hauk]

I checked out that SQ2 configurator the other day - wow is it customizable. you can do just about anything

also, I finally got my hands on deadwing (listening to mellotron scratch right now). its another great album, I can't wait for fear of a blank planet.

[glen thomas]

Thanks for the info Gavin. I priced those projectors.. Yikes.. they're pricey.
Buying one may cost me a marriage :-).haha.

Question: On the Porcupine Tree DVD are you using single stroke bass drum notes on the intro to "Mother and Child Divided"? It sounds like double strokes at one point but I'm not that savvy at double bass. :-)
Your execution of that groove is so tight yet fluent and the hi hat groove just adds an entirely different spin on it. (kinda Vinnie Colaiuta-ish) Any chance you have a transcription of that groove?:-)

Also, the entire band seems to kick in without any cue from you. Is the rest of the band listening to a click track also? Maybe I missed something. Excellent performance none the less.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Glen,
yes those are single strokes on the bass drum - I always use single strokes - and 99% of the time start with my right foot. I can't remember how we all come in together at the start - there is a click because of the film - I think maybe they have the count in in their headphones - I can't recall it right now.

Cheers
Gavin

[Bernhard]

Gavin appearing at the Musikmesse Frankfurt!!!

Agora Stage:

30.03.2007 - 10:30 - 11:00

30.03.2007 - 14:30 - 15:00

31.03.2007 - 15:30 - 16:00

Hope we will meet....

Bernhard

[glen thomas]

Gavin appearing at the Musikmesse Frankfurt!!!

Agora Stage:

30.03.2007 - 10:30 - 11:00

30.03.2007 - 14:30 - 15:00

31.03.2007 - 15:30 - 16:00

Hope we will meet....

Bernhard

Ok.. who'll spot me plane fair??? :-) I'd love to be there but alas I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere. (Sault Ste. Marie, Canada)|o|

[Gavin Harrison]

Hey Bernhard,
I hope to see you there. If I'm not backstage setting up - I'll probably be at the Sonor stand.

Cheers
Gavin

[nickg]

last couple of days i've been listening to "Deadwing" again. it's so nice to actually listen to a band with great playing, great vocals (not metal band "cattle prod up the ass" screaming/growling), dynamics, and music that doesn't insult your intelligence.

[Zildjian 242]

Hey Gavin, first I just discovered porcupine tree, all I can saw is wow! I cant believe i didn't find this bad earlier

ok so my question....

I read somewhere that you combine triggered and acoustic sounds, Is that true? If so how are you going about doing that?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi nickg,
glad you like the record - although there's nothing quite like the "cattle prod up the ass" to wake up a singer! It's a production technique I intend to pursue.

Hi Zildjian 242,
Sometimes I use a plug-in called "Drumagog" to add a very short clicky sample to the front of my bass drum sound in post production. The problem can be that if you play some fast notes with the double bass drum pedal - sometimes it gets lost in the music. If I EQ the bass drum to be really clicky enough to cut through the rest of the band - it sounds very nasty (as a bass drum) and it starts to make the cymbals and snare sound nasty too. So if I add a tiny amount of clicky bd sample it doesn't change the sound of the drums - but just gives a bit of clarity to what I'm doing.

Cheers
Gavin

[Where_She_Wept]

So, Gavin,
Did you have a hard time singing the polyrhythms on this dvd? I tried singing along and found myself lightheaded and out of breath with the 5's and 7's. How did singing these make you feel?

Don't get me wrong - you're brilliant - just a little lighthearted question!!

Thanks for being a huge inspiration and for all of the beautiful music! Looking forward to the new cd.

Thanks,
Western New York's only 9-fingered drummer
Paul

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin-

Wanted to say-Rhythmic Horizons is a GREAT DVD....I especially like the ending called resolved. Just had an article put in on http://www.handidrummed.com/drummers/profiles/robert_lykins/ check it out if you don't mind and have a few minutes. Looking forward to the new cd.

Thanks for everything...
-Rob

[Gethin]

hi Gavin,

i recently had the pleasure of watching the Porcupine Tree live dvd... and i have to say, it's one of the better live dvd's of ANY band that i've ever seen! awesome!!
Still yet to check out Rhythmic Horizons in full.

I'm definately looking forward to the new Porcupine Tree album!! bring it on!! hope it's all going well.

Hopefully you guys can get out to Australia for some shows this time round?? pleease!!
:D

keep up the awesome inspiring work!

Gethin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi DanBritt,
thanks for the comments!

Hi Where_She_Wept,
yes it's hard to sing (or grunt in my case) a long pattern of notes - because at some point you have to breathe. So you have to keep singing as you breathe in. Not easy.

Hi crookedrook,
I read your article - a very inspiring read. Keep up the good work.

Hi Gethin,
thanks for the message, glad you're enjoying the DVD. We'd love to come to Australia - let's hope this time round it happens.

Cheers
Gavin

[lifeisalldynamics]

Hi Gavin,

I've just been visiting the musikmesse frankfurt-page and there is an additional date to your performances on the 29th, can you confirm this date or did they somehow get mixed up?
I recently 'infected' a friend of mine with the 'and-now-let's-play-this-in-gavin-harrison-style"-virus and I'm planning to take him to frankfurt and surprise him with your performance, and I would really like to avoid the following conversation:
Me: "Hey, I got a surprise for you!"
Him: "Wow! An empty stage...gee, thanks!"

Thanks for all the inspiration!
Maren

[MadGuitar]

Hi Gav!

First, I just heard the Fear of a blank planet preview on myspace.com, it sounds really awesome! Nice sound, great drums, tight guitars. Congratulations, this will be the best PT Album, imo.

I´m really excited to see you in Frankfurt at Musikmesse next month. What will you perform? I hope you will play Futile...
What do you think? Will you get your new SQ2 kit till the show? ;-)

Cheers,
Ivan

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I just listened to the "Fear Of A Blank Planet" preview and now I'm even more excited than I already was. Although I noticed that 2 songs were leaked to torrent sites. Were you guys aware of that? I don't want to spoil the surprise for myself as I know the album will be awesome. I love that you can still find a few bands that make great albums as apposed to the odd good track and a bunch of filler.

The wait is killing me!
Daniel

[glen thomas]

Hi ya Gavin

Love the album preview on the Porcupine Tree Myspace site. WOW! Sounds amazing.
I love the dynamics you and the band have. I can't say that enough. Plus it sounds like you've been given a lot of room to let loose on the drums. Always a bonus :-)


Sorry, another pesty question :-)
Gavin, I saw a post on a forum a while back that you might be re-recording (if not done already) the drum parts on earlier albums that were done prior to you joining Porcupine Tree. Is this true? If so, which ones? It mentioned something about releasing the early albums as a box set. I wish I could remember the forum, but it was a while ago. That would be pretty cool to hear your drumming on those earlier studio albums. Since I'm new to the Porcupine Tree fan tree, I only have In Absentia, Deadwing, and the Live DVD.

Glen

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi lifeisalldynamics,
I saw that too - and I don't know for sure at the moment. If I am - I'll post it here.

Cheers
Gavin



I've just been visiting the musikmesse frankfurt-page and there is an additional date to your performances on the 29th, can you confirm this date or did they somehow get mixed up?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi MadGuitar, Gibbersticks and Glen Thomas,
thanks for the comments - I'm glad you like the preview.

There's no plan for me to go back and put new drums on those old records.

I might play some PT stuff at the Frankfurt show. It's a surprise.

Cheers
Gavin

[glen thomas]

Hi again Gavin

With Porcupine Tree and Rush releasing new albums soon, is there a chance you
guys will open for Rush on a few dates? That would be a dyno double bill.. :-)

glen

[Nonconnor]

Hi There!

The Blank planet preview sounds really cool. I'm really looking forward to the album.

Is there any chance of you doing a clinic in finland? PT is playing at Ilosaarirock in july and i was hoping that you would have a little spare time for a clinic while you are here. I talked with the Deluxe music (Sonor and Zildjian dealer in Finland) guys today and they said, that they are going to look into it. Hopefully it will work out.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi glen thomas,
we''d love to open for Rush. Just waiting for the invite.

Hi Nonconnor,
I'd be happy to make a clinic in Finland - it depends on many things though. We might be flying out the next day to play somewhere else. Let's see what happens.

cheers
Gavin

[Nonconnor]

Well it's nice to know that it's not totally out of the question. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I might even apply the "cattle prod up the ass" -technique to get the Deluxe music / Em Nordic guys moving.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi lifeisalldynamics,
I understand that I will NOT be performing on the 29th at Frankfurt. I think it's a mistake on that website. I will probably be there in the afternoon of the 29th setting up and adjusting my kit for the following day. You might even find me at the Sonor booth.

Cheers
Gavin




I've just been visiting the musikmesse frankfurt-page and there is an additional date to your performances on the 29th, can you confirm this date or did they somehow get mixed up?

Maren

[Ogg]

Good Evening Gavin.
Another one who would like to add how awesome the 'FOABPlanet' preview is...can't wait for the album.
Anyway, browsing through my local second hand cd store earlier today when I came across 'Dizrhythmia', the name rang a bell so I find this album features the talents (from '88) of a certain 'Gavin Harrison'. Man, I've had one listen and it's 'out there' for sure. I had a wee google and came across the term 'Indo-fusion'? and checked out that it's you mate. Any recollections of this Gavin? Personally I consider it quite the find.

ps: Hey! MY mention of 'PT opening for Rush' a while back was heartily ignored!? Heh heh.

[cygnify]

The FOABP preview on the PTree myspace page is awesome - lots of dynamic contrasts, heavy parts, beautiful parts, etc. Everything that I love about PTree seems to be touched on in that preview - I can't wait to hear the whole thing (I'm assuming there are at least some decent transitions between all those cool parts! lol! :) )

The preview gives me the impression that you use a fair amount of double bass on the heavier sections. You have often downplayed your double bass talent (something I would vehemently disagree with :)) I have tried for quite some time to play the ending to "Futile" up to speed - but those short double kick bursts and their relation to the ride/snare pattern is extremely difficult. Do you begin thinking of something like the end of "Futile" by focusing on your lead (right) foot and then try to add the other foot to double it up? Also, I am trying to determine if you hit the kick simultaneously with the snare where the pattern lines up? (This lends to 3 groupings of 5 notes on the kick vs. changing the kick pattern to allow for the snare hit)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Ogg,
We had a really great time making that record. It's a long time ago now - but I loved working with the other members Danny Thompson, Pandit Dinesh and Jakko Jakszyk. It came together really quickly at Spaceward Studios near Cambridge. We all played together and it was a nice vibe - sadly nothing really came of it as the record company dropped it after about a year.

Cheers
Gavin


Anyway, browsing through my local second hand cd store earlier today when I came across 'Dizrhythmia', the name rang a bell so I find this album features the talents (from '88) of a certain 'Gavin Harrison'. Man, I've had one listen and it's 'out there' for sure. I had a wee google and came across the term 'Indo-fusion'? and checked out that it's you mate. Any recollections of this Gavin? Personally I consider it quite the find.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Cygnify,
that preview seems to have all my double bass drumming in it for the whole record!
In the end of "Futile" there's only 4 notes on the BD in between the china hits - and none with the snare drum. Does that make sense?
I think you can clearly see it in this clip

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/gavinharrisonfutile.html

Cheers
Gavin



The preview gives me the impression that you use a fair amount of double bass on the heavier sections. You have often downplayed your double bass talent (something I would vehemently disagree with :)) I have tried for quite some time to play the ending to "Futile" up to speed - but those short double kick bursts and their relation to the ride/snare pattern is extremely difficult. Do you begin thinking of something like the end of "Futile" by focusing on your lead (right) foot and then try to add the other foot to double it up? Also, I am trying to determine if you hit the kick simultaneously with the snare where the pattern lines up? (This lends to 3 groupings of 5 notes on the kick vs. changing the kick pattern to allow for the snare hit)

[diane]

Hi Gavin,

I intend no harm to C.Maitland by writing this, but...I've been going through (OK, obsessing over) PT's back catalog and can't help but compare you two.

Something "torqued up" the entire PT sound when you joined the band (and I'm not just talking about the "heavier" sound on IA and Deadwing). There's a noticeable energy missing on the earlier stuff that attributable directly to your later influence. It's almost like Maitland had an "asleep at the wheel" style about him.

Speaking of asleep at the wheel, well, more like in a trance at the wheel, your music is a constant companion on my drive to and from work. It's a never-ending source of wonderment to me, a 47 year old chick in North Carolina, USA. (Love your, Start of Something Beautiful and the addition of your twinkle-doo cymbalettes on the DVD)

It's a pleasure to read the comments from other posters here. I don't feel quite so much like I'm living in the wilderness without fellow kindred. I'm doing my best to "evangelize the masses" regarding PT, even if I prefer to keep you all to myself. (I joke.)

Here's hoping y'all come back to DC on your next US tour. I'll drive the four hours - no problema.

[Gibbersticks]

Hi Gavin,

I intend no harm to C.Maitland by writing this, but...I've been going through (OK, obsessing over) PT's back catalog and can't help but compare you two.

Something "torqued up" the entire PT sound when you joined the band (and I'm not just talking about the "heavier" sound on IA and Deadwing). There's a noticeable energy missing on the earlier stuff that attributable directly to your later influence. It's almost like Maitland had an "asleep at the wheel" style about him.

Speaking of asleep at the wheel, well, more like in a trance at the wheel, your music is a constant companion on my drive to and from work. It's a never-ending source of wonderment to me, a 47 year old chick in North Carolina, USA. (Love your, Start of Something Beautiful and the addition of your twinkle-doo cymbalettes on the DVD)

It's a pleasure to read the comments from other posters here. I don't feel quite so much like I'm living in the wilderness without fellow kindred. I'm doing my best to "evangelize the masses" regarding PT, even if I prefer to keep you all to myself. (I joke.)

Here's hoping y'all come back to DC on your next US tour. I'll drive the four hours - no problema.

Ummmm I'm thinking that unless you can play anywhere near as good as Chris Maitland did for PT then maybe you shouldn't say he was "asleep at the wheel". I personally think his drumming was excellent and he was their drummer when I discovered PT and became completely obsessed. When Gavin (here is your props!) took over he just took the band to another level. It was just meant to be. Maybe the band had just progressed beyond Chris's skill level??? Why did he leave anyway? Was he fired? Whats the scoop Gavin??? Do tell, do tell.

cheers
Daniel

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Diane,
thanks for your comments - I'm glad you're enjoying driving to it. Let's hope we play in DC again next tour.

Hi Gibbersticks,
yes I think Chris is a great drummer too. It's not a question of Chris v Me. We're just different types of players.

Cheers
Gavin

[Bernhard]

Why did he leave anyway? Was he fired? Whats the scoop Gavin??? Do tell, do tell.
Daniel

Hi Daniel. It's great that Gavin finds time and pleasure to answer really all these technical drumming questions. What an enrichment for our forum - like a live chat. Thank you soo much Gavin, looking forward to meet you in FF......

BUT PLEASE: Don't ask him personal band internas or opinions about other drummers, you will not get an answer on the forum - for good reason. That's also the reason, why so few drummers frequent forums.

Bernhard

[Gibbersticks]

BUT PLEASE: Don't ask him personal band internas or opinions about other drummers, you will not get an answer on the forum - for good reason. That's also the reason, why so few drummers frequent forums.


I didn't ask him for his opinion on Chris Maitland, I was sticking up for him as I think he was awesome with PT. I really didn't expect an answer about why Chris left the band, call it curiousity!

I also agree that for someone of Gavins stature to make himself available to the masses like this just adds to his reputation. If only more Pros could take the time to do the same.

Cheers
Daniel

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
I just finished reading Kenny Werners "Effortless Mastery." Could you give me some insight into what you came away with, from this obviously intelligent and thought provoking book. Thanks, Take care and God bless.

MM

[Timbo]

Jippiiiiiiii Gavin will come to Germany , Frankfurt

I will be first in line :)
Hmmm is there a chance to met you after the show to get an autograph on my Rhymtmic Vision DVD or PT-CD ? :) :)

Would be great !

Nice Greetings to the master and all other musicians :)

Timbo


P.s. the drums on the new album F.O.B.P. are awesome.
Nice double bass licks . Pro-Metal-drummers will be jealous when they listen to it :)

[glen thomas]

Hey Gavin,
I just finished reading Kenny Werners "Effortless Mastery." Could you give me some insight into what you came away with, from this obviously intelligent and thought provoking book. Thanks, Take care and God bless.

MM

I've not heard of this book. I see that it's highly recommended but how does it help out a drummer for example?