Gavin Harrison here!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
if it was me - I'd get the 10x8 12x9 and the 14x12.
Will there be nothing lower than the 14" ??
I guess you could always add a 16x14 later on. Or split the difference and just get a 15x13.

Nice finish.

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

Hi Drizzle,
if it was me - I'd get the 10x8 12x9 and the 14x12.
Will there be nothing lower than the 14" ??
I guess you could always add a 16x14 later on. Or split the difference and just get a 15x13.

Nice finish.

Cheers
Gavin


I was actually thinking of adding a 16" Floor tom later or as a 'hanging' 16" tom.
Maybe I will do it right away, because the store told me the turn around could be 6 to 8 months, so.....


Thanks a lot!!!

PS I read in a the Dutch drum magazine 'Slagwerkkrant' that Alex Lifeson of Rush is playing on FOABP. How was that like??? And could it be PT and Rush do a tour together in the near future???

[tmccartney]

Gavin:

I love FoaBP - can't stop listening to it. I'll be seeing you guys in Chicago this year, just like October 2005. I can't wait.

I have a couple of quick questions about the new release.

First, there's a cool section in the "The Pills in Me" section of "Anesthetize" that is repeated probably three times throughout the song, and it appears to be in 11/4 time. Is that the way you're counting it, or is it more like 4/2/5?

Second, is it safe to assume that really IS an homage/reference to Trains near the end of Sentimental? Beautiful song. The whole album is beautiful.

Thanks,

Tracey

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi tmccartney,
that section is 11/4 but I don't count it - in fact I'd never worked it out until today - I just sing the riff to myself and pick out the accents. Same with the metal riff section at the front of the 2nd leg of Anesthetize.

Is it safe to assume that really IS an homage/reference to Trains near the end of Sentimental?

Yes it's got a similar vibe to it. As regards to it being a 'homage' - you'd have to ask Steve Wilson.


Cheers
Gavin

[cantstandyourfunk]

Thanks again for the MUSIC, Gavin. Thanks YET again.

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

I'm in the market for a new double pedal and have been checking out the Axis items. I see that you use Longboards and was wondering if they have given you any problems? The pedals look very well engineered but I've read conflicting reports about the long-term reliability and availability of spares. As a drummer who has no doubt tested them to near-death, would you recommend them?

Many thanks in advance.

Mix

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mixamuss,
yes the Axis are very good. I could play just as fast and articulate with the Sonor Giantsteps - but not as loud. Maybe it was the way I had the Sonor's setup - but my feet are totally used to the Axis now. The only (Axis) problem I had was a spring snapping - so maybe you should always carry a spare. Apart from that - I've done 100's of gigs with them and had no trouble.

Cheers
Gavin

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
Congrats on another exceptional album. The more i listen to it, the more textures seem to surface, especially listening to it with headphones and at low volume. I am curious about one thing though. Why the naked drum file at the end of "sleep together"? It brought a smile to my face the first time i heard it. Take care and God bless.

MM

[Drizzle]

I thought I recently read somewhere on the forum, that you where interested in reading the interview you gave to Dutch drummagazine "Slagwerkkrant".

So I translated the interview for you and anybody else who is interested in it.

It's in PDF format.

While looking at your set-up I noticed a kind of hi-hat/cymbal to the right of your snare.
Is it a hihat or a normal cymbal, and when do you use it?

Greetz,

Dre

[mixamuss]

Hi Drizzle,

I'm having problems opening the .pdf attachments. Don't know if anyone else has tried but just to let you know. Very good of you to do the translation and I'm sure there'll be plenty of people wanting to read it.

Mix

[Drizzle]

Hi Mixamuss

I have tried them myself and I have no problems opening them.
Maybe you have to download the latest acrobat reader. 7 or later.

I had to make the pdf-files smaller in order to upload them to the forum.
So Adobe made them smaller but in doing so it made them in a way that you wil need Reader 7.0 or higher.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html

Good luck, Dre

[DrumSound]

Thank you Drizzle, great Interview.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
thanks for the translation.

cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

No thanks

You've probably missed my question in the same post.

While looking at your set-up I noticed a kind of hi-hat/cymbal to the right of your snare.
Is it a hihat or a normal cymbal, and when do you use it?

Greetz

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
yes you right - I missed the question.
That is actually an old photo - from something like our 2003 tour - when I used that closed hi hat on my right side. I needed it to play "The Creator Had A Mastertape". It's a set up that I've used in some situations going right back to my Iggy Pop days of 1986. It meant that I could play a groove 'open handed' and play fast tempos whilst still hitting the snare drum hard.

Cheers
Gavin

[cantstandyourfunk]

Hi Gavin,
Though a recent convert to PT, I'm basically deep-sea diving in the music over the past one year. I recently saw parts of the PT Rockplast gig, and to say the least, I was blown by the band (and especially your playing).
With reference to live playing, I always wanted to get a close shot of you playing The Sound of Muzak. My question: HOW do you integrate so crisp ghosts into that groove? It just sounds out-of-this-world.
Just brilliant ideas.......

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi cantstandyourfunk,
thanks for the comments. I'm guessing you haven't seen my DVD Rhythmic Horizons ? There's a whole section on there demonstrating that groove with the ghost notes.

Cheers
Gavin

[erikimba]

hi Gavin!!!

excellent grooving!!!

i´ve noted you´re more alike of playing creative than playing fast.
i think of the same.

but the question here is.....Are you going to come to Mexico soon??? alone in a clinic or with porcupine tree???

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for the tip re: the Axis springs.

Best of luck to you and the guys for the rest of the tour....looks like a very busy couple of months for you all! I've no doubt you'll blow every audience away

Mix

[mixamuss]

Hi Mixamuss

I have tried them myself and I have no problems opening them.
Maybe you have to download the latest acrobat reader. 7 or later.

I had to make the pdf-files smaller in order to upload them to the forum.
So Adobe made them smaller but in doing so it made them in a way that you wil need Reader 7.0 or higher.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html

Good luck, Dre

Hi Dre,

Managed to open the files. Thanks. Great job you've done.

Mix

[Bola]

Hi,

I have just one question.Every room or concert hall has different acoustic characteristics right? So my question is:How do you know that you are not too loud?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Bola,
I'm not sure I understand your question completely. When I'm playing with Porcupine Tree - I'm not in control of the volume in the room - our sound engineer Ian Bond is. He decides how loud the PA should be. Sometimes - in a smallish venue - the problem can be that the guitar amps are so loud on stage that he needs to have the PA very loud to get other sounds louder in the room than the guitar amps. Virtually every guitarist I've met tells me that the amp HAS TO BE ON FULL otherwise it doesn't sound right. I've also witnessed problems with drummers who insist on hitting their snare drum SO HARD that the volume of it coming directly off the stage is louder than it would be in a mix - so the sound engineer takes the snare drum out of the PA and that creates a horrible delay with the rest of the drums that are in the PA.

Cheers
Gavin

[SantiBanks]

Hi gavin ! The new album sounds fantastic ! Love it a lot. Sounded much better I think then the tryouts from the last leg of the deadwing tour.
Also love your drumming style. I noticed you use more double bass then ever. Sounds lovely and almost Mike Portnoy like (dream theater). How come, you use so much double bass on this particular album? Was it more on request by SW to fit the style or did it come natural?

And I have another question, more regarding the recording of your drums in your studio. I read the interview in SOS and it states you use a G3 mac with 2408 (motu). Do you still use that setup or have you moved to something else?
And at what sample rate and bitdepth do you record? 48/24? or something else perhaps?

Btw, I noticed Pat Metheny is an influence (I know you liked scofield, didnt know about pat). What do you think of the drumming on their latest group release? (The way up)

Hope to see and hear you again in June @ Amsterdam Melkweg!

[SantiBanks]

Hi Bola,
I'm not sure I understand your question completely. When I'm playing with Porcupine Tree - I'm not in control of the volume in the room - our sound engineer Ian Bond is. He decides how loud the PA should be. Sometimes - in a smallish venue - the problem can be that the guitar amps are so loud on stage that he needs to have the PA very loud to get other sounds louder in the room than the guitar amps. Virtually every guitarist I've met tells me that the amp HAS TO BE ON FULL otherwise it doesn't sound right. I've also witnessed problems with drummers who insist on hitting their snare drum SO HARD that the volume of it coming directly off the stage is louder than it would be in a mix - so the sound engineer takes the snare drum out of the PA and that creates a horrible delay with the rest of the drums that are in the PA.

Cheers
Gavin

I think that was the case @ paradiso last year. I personally didnt enjoy the sound there (was my first time there) and the PA almost sounded distorted... But now I see why PA sets can be set very loud in smaller spaces.
Hope the sound will be better @ the melkweg. Looking forward to that gig !

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi SantiBanks,
I've been trying to use double bass drum stuff since 1982 and I suppose this album has more than the previous albums. I felt like some of the songs benefited from some small bursts of double bass drumming. It wasn't on request from anyone - it's just the way I felt it.

The SOS interview was done in 1998/1999 so as you might imagine I have more modern equipment than that now. I usually record at 24bit/44.1khz.

I haven't heard the latest Pat Metheny record.

Cheers
Gavin


How come, you use so much double bass on this particular album? Was it more on request by SW to fit the style or did it come natural?

And I have another question, more regarding the recording of your drums in your studio. I read the interview in SOS and it states you use a G3 mac with 2408 (motu). Do you still use that setup or have you moved to something else?
And at what sample rate and bitdepth do you record? 48/24? or something else perhaps?

Btw, I noticed Pat Metheny is an influence (I know you liked scofield, didnt know about pat). What do you think of the drumming on their latest group release? (The way up)

[SantiBanks]

well thank you very much for the info and prompt reply !

You really should hear the new PMG album, the way up is fantastic ! A real epic piece with just 4 tracks (track 2 is half an hour long...) but awesome themes and music ! Some nice drumwork on it too which Im sure you will like...

[Bobr]

Hi Gavin,
great job on the new PT album. i was pretty scared about the sound first time, but now i´m getting into it and really like the difference between deadwing and FOTBP. also thanks for not being only the "backlight" as you played on "in absentia", and adding more bass stuff as you do on live records. (arriving DVD is amazing).
hope you´ll understand me, sorry about my english.

Let it groove!

[ZDrums24]

Hello,
I am very interested in that little cymbal collection you have over your hi hat. So far, I know that you had the mount made for you by a friend and that the bell like cymbals were home made from so cymbals. I'm really sorry if this is a repeat (my eyes started glazing over after about 10 pages of this thread), but what tool(s) did you use to cut down the cymbals? How did you approach doing this? It seems simple enough in that you would just start cutting, but I've never done anything like that before, and I'm not sure if you would spiral your way in to the bell, just cut nearly straight in until you near the bell and then begin cutting the middle out, or if there would be another way of doing it.

Thanks for your time!
AAS

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ZDrums24,

have a look at page 15

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698&page=15

there's some stuff about the cymbals there.

cheers
Gavin

[ZDrums24]

Thanks! Sorry for the bother.

[hauk]

Gavin,

Finally picked up the new album a couple days ago - it's really good. Great drumming and music. And from previous experience I can only expect it to grow on me. A couple questions:
It seems like you've pretty much got free reign on the music, but just to clarify - was it completely your idea to do the tom pattern on the first part of Anesthetize? (One of my favorite songs, by the way. I love the chorus in the second part)
And do you know Steven Wilson's method for soloing (in general, not just FOABP)? Does he do a lot of improv, or does he think it out beforehand, or some mixture? I ask because some of the solos sound very orchestrated towards the music, like a melodic solo a composer would write into an orchestral piece.
Thanks for the great music!

[crookedrook]

Hey Gavin,

Hope all is well with the band and the tour. You've been asked so many questions about your double bass technique, your style, how to play certain rhythm's, but not sure about this question:
Considering the technical nature of the music and the length of the songs, especially on this new CD the 3rd track. Do you find yourself working out more to build up your stamina and endurance since your playing a lot of songs that require much movement? What do you do before a show?

Respectfully,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi hauk,

It seems like you've pretty much got free reign on the music, but just to clarify - was it completely your idea to do the tom pattern on the first part of Anesthetize?
And do you know Steven Wilson's method for soloing (in general, not just FOABP)? Does he do a lot of improv, or does he think it out beforehand, or some mixture?

Steve had already programmed some simple tom pattern on the demo of that piece...I just elaborated on it. As far as his soloing methods - you'd be off asking him that.

Hi crookedrook,
yes Anesthetize is quite a work out. The second part is quite demanding and it's harder because a lot of the first part features 16ths on the toms (which can really make your arms ache). By the time the third song starts I'm pretty exhausted - but I get a short break to recover before the drums come in on the third part.
Before the show I just play singles and doubles on a practise pad for about 15 minutes.

Cheers
Gavin

[hauk]

Thanks for the quick answer. I guess the easiest way to get in touch with Steven would be Myspace?

Also, how much do you think the quality of metal affects the sound of cut down chimes? As much as in regular cymbals? Because I have a lot of no name and sub par cymbals laying around recently, and I thought I might see if anything good could come out of them.
I know you used a Z crash to make that cut down china you use now. I have a ZBT 8" splash, but I'm worried the sound won't change very much if I cut it down only a few inches. What do you think?

PS
On the Musikmesse videos, do you have something stacked under the cymbal on your far right (can be seen between you and the hi hats in the second and third videos)? It sounds very trashy, but doesn't appear to be a china. Actually, on second look, it may in fact be a china, which would make sense from how you were set up in the Futile video.
Thanks.

[RedCask]

Hey Gavin!

I saw you perform with porcupine tree last friday at the Warfield in San Francisco. i also saw you guys at the fillmore last october...

the only word i can find to describe the concerts is: Flawless
absolutely beautiful music.

ive been playing drums for over 7 years, and i admire your work so much. You have quickly become an idolistic figure for me.

I've been trying to play along with some of PT's songs, but im having some troubles with some of the fills...ha, like in "Anesthetize" about 7-8 minutes into the song, the fills just open up. love them, but one of the fills i just dont udnerstand

sorry for my rambling. just wanna say that, your great and im looking forward to hearing more from PT!!! keep rockin!

-nick

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,

I have a recording question for recording drums. We are auditioning a drummer but our bassist works in another country at the moment so he can't take part in the audition so I decided to make some recordings which he can listen to over the net to judge if he thinks the guy plays tight enough or not.

I have a macbook with an M-audio FW1814 and external FW harddrive and also 2 matched pairs of condenser mics (Superlux ECO h6. Not top of the bill though I liked the sound on an acoustic guitar track and its just for simple recording purposes).

The room itself doesnt have much echo though I have the idea it amplifies the sound naturally. I want to use them as a simple overhead pair but Im afraid that the other sounds will spill into the mic.


I usually rehearse with headphones and I run different feeds from the amps and PA set to my mixer to create a mix for my own (I never hear myself which is a shame) and I notice that the drumsound can bleed into the singing microphone sometimes though that one is on the other side of the room. So if that sound can bleed into a dynamic one, Im pretty sure the other sounds will bleed into the condensers which are more sensitive...

Is there a workaround for this or is it just my thinking ?

[Joe Kearney]

I'm pumped to see you guys this Friday night in CLE, will you be playing a 19/8 drum solo?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Hauk,
I don't know because I've never tried cutting down 'sub par' cymbals as you call them.
Experimentation is the key!!

On the Musikmesse videos the cymbal that you're referring to is a Zildjian 12 China Trash Oriental

Cheers
Gavin



Also, how much do you think the quality of metal affects the sound of cut down chimes? As much as in regular cymbals? Because I have a lot of no name and sub par cymbals laying around recently, and I thought I might see if anything good could come out of them.

PS
On the Musikmesse videos, do you have something stacked under the cymbal on your far right

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Joe,

I'm pumped to see you guys this Friday night in CLE, will you be playing a 19/8 drum solo?

yes - in every song....but don't tell the other guys in the band!!!

hope you enjoy the show.

cheers
Gavin

[PHIL2007]

Gavin,I have been seeing a lot of advertisement of the Yamaha Daxdad.
I hear you had a hand in it's conception and design.
Can you elaborate on this?
Thanx in advance!!

[hauk]

Hi Hauk,
I don't know because I've never tried cutting down 'sub par' cymbals as you call them.
Experimentation is the key!!

On the Musikmesse videos the cymbal that you're referring to is a Zildjian 12 China Trash Oriental

Cheers
Gavin

Thanks, I'll give it a try when I have some time and tell you how it comes out.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Phil2007,
I had nothing to do with this product - where did you see that I had?

Cheers
Gavin


Gavin,I have been seeing a lot of advertisement of the Yamaha Daxdad.
I hear you had a hand in it's conception and design.
Can you elaborate on this?
Thanx in advance!!

[PHIL2007]

Hi Phil2007,
I had nothing to do with this product - where did you see that I had?

Cheers
GavinMr. Harrison, please forgive me,i had you confused with Russ Miller!
Please except my humble apology for this error!

[JordanC]

Hi Gavin, I'm a lurker on this board but I just wanted to drop by and say thanks for your amazing work with Porcupine Tree and otherwise. While I've been a musician my entire life, including a bit of drumming in the high school marching band, I never paid enough attention to Porcupine Tree's drumming until hearing your live recording with them on Coma Divine. Hearing the classic PT songs with your unique twists, especially your version of Dislocated Day, just blew me away. Equally great was seeing your drumming in DVD clarity on the Arriving Somewhere DVD. It definitely gave me a stronger appreciation for drumming in music and I'll have to check out your other DVDs.

By the way, I have to apologize about something. You play a ton of gigs so you might not remember, but I was at your New York show last October. You, Colin Edwin, and Richard Barbieri walked by and I said something stupid along the lines of "Hey, I recognize you guys...." and you (deservingly) said "no you don't". Anyway, I was surprising my girlfriend with the concert and wanted to thank you then for the music but didn't want to give away the surprise. Just a funny story I figured I'd bring up :-)


See you at the Cleveland show this Friday and June 1st Chicago show! Can't wait to hear Fear of a Blank Planet live (again).

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JordanC,
thanks for the compliments - however, I didn't play on Coma Divine - that was the previous drummer Chris Maitland.

Cheers
Gavin

[bballdrummer34]

I love your playing so much it is indescribable. You're going to be in Michigan soon aren't you? I'll be there. I hope to meet you.

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

Did you ever had any cowbells, or blocks in your setup, I see all these splashes and china's etc. but no cowbells.

Is there a reason for it, don't you like them or is it just that they don't fit PT music??


See ya in The Melkweg in Holland on the 28th of June.


Drizzle

[gary191265]

Hi JordanC,
thanks for the compliments - however, I didn't play on Coma Divine - that was the previous drummer Chris Maitland.

Cheers
Gavin

I thought it would sound better coming from you :)

[JeffV71]

Gavin,

I wanted to congratulate you on a fantastic performance at the Park West in Chicago last night! Your drums sounded amazing! Oh yeah, your back-up band sounded good too! Just kidding! Everything just sounded amazing - the production, sound, and performance from PT were top notch! Awesome. I was a very pleased fan.

Couple of questions: Do you play the songs differently every night without too much deviation from the original recording? I noticed you added some different spices into your playing. Second, I remember seeing on this board that you have a new kit from Sonor back home, how do you compare that kit to the one you're playing right now in terms of sonic response?

Thanks - best wishes to you and the guys at future shows.
Jeff

p.s.: great recovery during Even Less!

[ranenet]

Dear Gavin,

A short and simple one :) -

Do anyone at the band or management mentioned that petition (http://citymule.haoneg.com/?p=225) to you? and what do you think about that?

Cheers.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Jeff,
I try to change a few little things every night - just to stop myself going crazy. I think out of the two kits - I enjoy the SQ2 a little more.

Even Less : I dropped a stick - went to grab a new one but then I saw the first one bouncing around from drum to drum so I tried to grab it - but it ended upside down. Broke a few last night too.

Cheers
Gavin



Couple of questions: Do you play the songs differently every night without too much deviation from the original recording? I noticed you added some different spices into your playing. Second, I remember seeing on this board that you have a new kit from Sonor back home, how do you compare that kit to the one you're playing right now in terms of sonic response?

Thanks - best wishes to you and the guys at future shows.
Jeff

p.s.: great recovery during Even Less!

[cygnify]

Gavin - I just received my July 2007 issue of Modern Drummer magazine and was pleased to see that you have won the 2007 Prog Rock drummer of the year, elected by the readers of Modern Drummer! Congratulations! It is well deserved and you certainly had my vote!

I also just ordered your latest DVD and can't wait to begin work on it!

Now about those Florida tour dates - please come back in the fall! :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi cygnify,
thanks for the message - and to Moncholo who mentioned it yesterday.
I'm very pleased about it (obviously) - and many thanks to anyone who voted for me.

Cheers
Gavin

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,

I was listening to Anesthize and I realised that your drumsound for the first part sounds very much like Phil Collins to me (take that as a compliment). The way you use the toms (and co-incidently don't use cymbals on that part?) sounds a lot like how collins approached his kit for the stuff he did with Peter Gabriel. Especially the part where the room sound kicks in.
I don't know if you remember a posting I did at the end of 2006 where I asked you if you where familiar with Collins and his work in Genesis (which you replied a "no" strictly taken) but did this just came around or where you influenced by him after maybe some listening to his stuff?

Also, Congratulations with the 2007 prog drummer title ! You really deserve it. I think you are one of the best drummers out there. You know your stuff very well and you are one of the most creative drummers I heared. One of the few that actually let the drums breath and give it some air...

[Joe Kearney]

Conrats for the Porg drumming award, and a great show tonight in CLE. 'Twas an overall good show by PT and your opener, Three. What'd you think of Cleveland's crowd?

[Massik Kretal]

Congratulations!

I cant wait. I'm seeing you and the rest of Porcupine Tree tommorow...well today...its really late right now.

Can't wait for the show.

[Renan]

Dear Gavin,

A short and simple one :) -

Do anyone at the band or management mentioned that petition (http://citymule.haoneg.com/?p=225) to you? and what do you think about that?

Cheers.

Hey Gavin!

Same question here. There's a lot of PT fans here in Israel and we are trying to get in touch with you guys because we want you here!! So what do you think about that? and why the band isn't concluding Israel in tours for the last 7 years?

Thanks

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Santibanks,
yes it does come across a bit Peter Gabriel 3 - all drums no cymbals. I think I was a little more influenced by Jerry Marotta than Phil Collins regarding those tom based patterns.

Cheers
Gavin


Hi Gavin,
I was listening to Anesthize and I realised that your drumsound for the first part sounds very much like Phil Collins to me (take that as a compliment). The way you use the toms (and co-incidently don't use cymbals on that part?) sounds a lot like how collins approached his kit for the stuff he did with Peter Gabriel. Especially the part where the room sound kicks in.
I don't know if you remember a posting I did at the end of 2006 where I asked you if you where familiar with Collins and his work in Genesis (which you replied a "no" strictly taken) but did this just came around or where you influenced by him after maybe some listening to his stuff?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Renan,
that's a question you need to ask our management.

Cheers
Gavin


Hey Gavin!

Same question here. There's a lot of PT fans here in Israel and we are trying to get in touch with you guys because we want you here!! So what do you think about that? and why the band isn't concluding Israel in tours for the last 7 years?

Thanks

[Renan]

Hi Renan,
that's a question you need to ask our management.

Cheers
Gavin

Gavin,
Thanks for your answer.

Can you help with that? How can we get to the band's management and who we need to bride to see you guys here in Tel-Aviv? :)

Cheers,
Renan and all the fans in Israel
http://citymule.haoneg.com/?p=225

[Propellerphant]

Hey Gavin, I'm amazed that you spend the time on here to chat and answer questions! Most professional drummers are virtually unreachable. Me and four of my friends caught PT's show at the Showbox here in Seattle a couple weeks ago and we all agree that it was amazing! It was without a doubt the best show I've ever been to. 3 of those friends play in a band with me and Porcupine Tree is one of our biggest influences. Your drumming really inspires me to keep learning and improving.

If you have the time, I had a question for you that I've been wondering. One is how do you play the fill in Anesthetize at about 6:15? I'm completely baffled as to how you play that haha.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Propellerphant,
Glad you enjoyed the show. I think the fill you're referring to is the one that links the first part and the second part?

It's basically groups of 5's with some 32nd notes inside. It's very hard to describe here without writing it out.

Cheers
Gavin

[Propellerphant]

Wow thanks for the prompt reply Gavin! I wasn't expecting you to reply that fast haha. That is the fill I'm talking about, thanks for the description, I'll have to sit down at the kit today and try to figure it out.

[Bobr]

Hi Gavin, just wanted to ask: what type of earphones do you use? When I was watching the Arriving DVD and Rockpalast show it seemed to me like some "normal" phones with some special material around, just wondered what´s that? Is it possible to buy it somewhere? I use KOSS The Plug phones, but I´m not so comfortable with them as I wish...thanks for an answer and thanks for your great groovin´.

[Sol Good]

what type of earphones do you use?

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=303760&postcount=952

[Bobr]

Thanks, sorry about posting it...

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

Did you ever had any cowbells, or blocks in your setup, I see all these splashes and china's etc. but no cowbells.

Is there a reason for it, don't you like them or is it just that they don't fit PT music??


See ya in The Melkweg in Holland on the 28th of June.


Drizzle

[gungirl_newyork]

Hey Gavin,

I don't know if you remember me. My name is May and I was the web mistress for Moving Westward - The Offcial Go West Web Site. I remember our correspondence when you played for Peter Cox's solo efforts.

I saw you perform with Porcupine Tree this past weekend in NYC.

GREAT JOB!

I just wanted to say "Hello".

:o)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
sorry I forgot to answer this from before.


Did you ever had any cowbells, or blocks in your setup, I see all these splashes and china's etc. but no cowbells.

Is there a reason for it, don't you like them or is it just that they don't fit PT music??

It's not really a question of them being suitable in PT's music - I just don't really like cowbells and blocks. I know lot's of drummers who fit them into their style very well - it's just not my thing.

Cheers
Gavin

[dannypenalver]

Hi Gavin.
Just wanted to know what kind of stick do you normally use.
Cheers, Daniel.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Danny,
At the moment I'm using Vic Firth "Rock" model (hickory).

Cheers
Gavin

[Propellerphant]

Hi Danny,
At the moment I'm using Vic Firth "Rock" model (hickory).

Cheers
Gavin

That's what I use too. Great sticks. Very nice weight and feel and they're impressively durable.

By the way Gavin, I've been telling all my friends who are into PT about you taking the time to chat on this site and they were all very impressed and thought that was really cool. I figure more compliments can't hurt haha, you definitely deserve it. While I'm at it I might as well congratulate you on winning best prog drummer in this years Modern Drummer reader polls! I know someone mentioned it before, but I just received the current issue today and I open it up and bam there you are!

[decibel]

Dear Gavin,

Since I started listening to PT I really got into your way of playing and the sound you have. Your grooves are just awesome and it's all so musical. To put it like this: I like your taste. When I found this great video with you playing the song in 19/8 on drummerworld I also would like to say to you I really like the way you sound. Can you explain something about the way you record and amplify your set? Below is a link to a mp3 of my band (lyrics in Dutch, I'm sorry) and maybe you can give some recommendations on the sound of the drums. It's about the best we could achieve considering available time and budget, but we're not very happy with it..

Mannetje.mp3 (http://atonk.nl/downloads/89ec6eaf5c6cd0ee65d4061314b5c961.mp3)

Kind regards,

Jeroen

[frank_li]

Hi Gavin,

Originally Posted by Gavin Harrison
At the moment I have some Sennheiser MX400 (inside a custom mould)

I have a Sennheiser MX500, can you give any advice how you made the custom mould?

Cheers
Frank

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Decibel,
there is quite a bit of discussion about this in the previous pages.
Thanks for the kind words

Cheers
Gavin


Can you explain something about the way you record and amplify your set?
Kind regards,

Jeroen

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Frank,
I had the impressions of my ears made and the moulds (that hold any 'walkman iPod' type headphones) at "Handheld Audio" in London.

They look like the first ones in this list...

http://www.handheldaudio.co.uk/pages/catalog.asp?divitype=t&tp_id=84&root_name=Custom+Ears&pic=%2E%2E%2Fimages%2Fcustom%5F77x22%2Egif

Cheers
Gavin

[WhatWouldYouSay?]

Hey Gavin,

I saw the PT show in NYC the other night, and I was yet again mesmerized by your playing. You are truly unique in your style are have just a monster sound!

Anyway, I have two questions for you.

1. What is your favorite PT song to play live?

2. The sound you produce when you slide the stick over the head of the tom during Hatesong....is the sound more pronounced using a coated head or could you achieve the same effect using a clear head?

Thanks for bringing such a fresh and creative groove to the scene!

[dairyairman]

i'm really enjoying the new cd from porcupine tree. the more i listen to it the more i like it! i'm fascinated by the track "sentimental". it starts off with a quiet piano part that sounds like it might be in 11/4 or some combination of 5 and 6 count measures. then all of a sudden a very surprising and unexpected 4/4 drum groove starts, and the piano part is revealed to be a syncopation of that groove. that gets me every time! is that what you're talking about with your "rhythmic illusions" concept? and was any of that intro your idea?

[Onyx]

Gavin,

Wonderful show in NYC, the best out of the 10 or so PT shows I have seen. I was lucky enough to get a VIP pass for the second half of the concert and was amazed just how into it the crowd was, must be a great feeling for you guys to see the word spreading.... much deserved!

Anyway enough sucking up... :)

Does PT play to a click during the shows?

thanks,

-paul

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi WhatWouldYouSay,

1. What is your favorite PT song to play live?

2. The sound you produce when you slide the stick over the head of the tom during Hatesong....is the sound more pronounced using a coated head or could you achieve the same effect using a clear head?

At the moment I'm enjoying playing "Drown With Me"

2. Are you sure I slide a stick over the head? I remember doing it with my finger...and if that's what you're referring to - yes it's much easier on a coated head.

Cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi dairyairman,


i'm fascinated by the track "sentimental". it starts off with a quiet piano part that sounds like it might be in 11/4 or some combination of 5 and 6 count measures. then all of a sudden a very surprising and unexpected 4/4 drum groove starts, and the piano part is revealed to be a syncopation of that groove. that gets me every time! is that what you're talking about with your "rhythmic illusions" concept? and was any of that intro your idea?

Yes it is a quite simple "rhythmic illusion"...and, as you discovered it's all in 4/4. I came up with the quite strange drum loop in the verse and Steve played that 3 over 4 piano part to it. I suggested to isolate just the piano at the start to create that illusion for the listener.

Cheers
Gavin

[dairyairman]

ha! i *knew* you had a hand in that! nice job! that's my favorite part of the whole cd. the first time i heard it i just about fell over backwards!

[WhatWouldYouSay?]

2. Are you sure I slide a stick over the head? I remember doing it with my finger...and if that's what you're referring to - yes it's much easier on a coated head.

Cheers
Gavin

After going back and watching Hatesong on the "Arriving Somewhere" DVD, you are most definitely correct, you certianly do use your finger. All along I have always thought it was a stick slide. Nonetheless, it's a very unique and cool effect!

Thanks for answering my questions...I appreciate it.

[mind_drummer]

Hi Gavin

Can I ask you to tell me (if you could make a chart it would be awesome) the sticking pattern of the cool toms groove (akind of jungle groove) on "Anesthetize". It a very interesting and musical groove, I like it alot. Your last album is excellent, I love your work.

Cheers & keep it up.

[mr_hayward_99]

hi Gavin

a quick question and hope it has not been answered

in your book rythmic illusions (just got it after seeing your video - its amazing) when you play a grove which is displaced from the click are you keeping track where the 1 is in your head, or should you shout/sing the click or maybe keep the pulse with for instance the heel of your left foot (i tend to do this when learing a groove but is it something i should try and discorage because of stoping my learning curve? or is it irelevent). this technique helps me play the 16th note diplacements a lot easier.

i presume that this keeping track of the click while playing the "rythmic illusion" is the mental independence which gary chester cover in new breed.

[Braui]

Hi Gavin!

I think we´re all very pleased that you also answer some questions during a worldtour!
Congratulations about becoming best ProgDrummer, who else would be able to succeed the throne from Mr. Portnoy.

Just one little question. I noticed that you´re also playing a bass on your DVD. Did you have had any education in playing the bass, or is it just autodidactic learning by yourself?

Thanks an enjoy the tour!

Robert

[michael drums]

Hey Gavin,

Just saw you and PT @ The Rams' Head in Baltimore and REALLY enjoyed the show!! Especially your playing! WOW!! You're AMAZING!! I was standing near the front, on the right-center of the stage and had a GREAT view of you and couldn't take my eyes off of
what you were doin' with that kit! You TOTALLY impressed me with such excellent chops and flawless groove!

Though I don't want to dismiss the other guys for their PRECISE performance and PERFECT timing and tone! You guys have a fantastic unit of musicians that I HOPE stay together for a LOOOOONG time!! Good Luck on the rest of the tour, Gavin!

And I'll NEVER forget the smile you gave me when you saw me give you a thumbs-up and mouth the words "You're the best"! You probably won't remember that, but I WILL!!
Thanks again, Take Care and...DO Play On! ;-)

[michael drums]

Anyone else see Porcupine Tree Tuesday night @ The Rams' Head in Baltimore?

Wasn't Gavin AWESOME?!! Let's hear from y'all out there! Give Gavin an e-High 5! ;-)

[Heitor]

Hey Gavin!

Quick question: How do you make that finger-rubbing thing on Hatesong and on Swerve Pt. 2 (on your DVD)? It can't just a simple slide on the head... There's gotta be a technique behind this, because I just can't do it!

Thanks!

[ProgRock]

Hello Gavin,

I've been a Progressive Rock fan since I attended the 1974 Yes - Tales From Topographic Oceans show. Lately I've been listening to Porcupine Tree and had the chance to see the Arriving Somewhere... DVD with a friend that plays drums. I too have had a little experience in the 7th grade as the drummer in band class, and of course air drums throughout the years. Anyway your drumming style really inspired us both.

We've both been Peart fans since he joined Rush. But while my friend has always leaned toward Blues as an influence, I've leaned toward Jazz, due to the syncopated rhythms.

I recently purchased a 5 piece set of Tama RockStars and some cheap Zildjians (ZBT sheets) to get started. I've also purchased your Rhythmic Horizons DVD.

I was wondering if you could give me a few ideas on a good method of exercising, in terms of strength, timing and speed. I mean, were there any fundamental exercises you used in your earlier years as a development tool?

I'm really surprised to see you spend time here because I know you've got to be busy. ;) So no worries if you can't find the time.

Rock on!

ProgRock

P.S. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys live one of these days soon. Take Care!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mind_drummer,
basically it's something like this. 16ths around the toms with these accents..

R l r l r r L r r l r r L r l l R l r l r r L r r l r r L R l l

cheers
Gavin


Hi Gavin

Can I ask you to tell me (if you could make a chart it would be awesome) the sticking pattern of the cool toms groove (akind of jungle groove) on "Anesthetize". It a very interesting and musical groove, I like it alot..

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mr_hayward_99

in your book rythmic illusions -when you play a grove which is displaced from the click are you keeping track where the 1 is in your head, or should you shout/sing the click or maybe keep the pulse with for instance the heel of your left foot

I always keep track of where the "1" is. Tapping your foot on the hi hat works too - especially if there's no click.


Hi Braui

I noticed that you´re also playing a bass on your DVD. Did you have had any education in playing the bass, or is it just autodidactic learning by yourself?

I didn't have any lessons - it's all things I've picked up along the way. I was inspired by the way Tony Levin plays the bass with his "finger sticks" - so I thought I'd try playing with a drum stick. It saves me getting blisters!!

Hi michael drums,

glad you enjoyed our show.

Hi Heitor

How do you make that finger-rubbing thing on Hatesong and on Swerve Pt. 2 (on your DVD)? It can't just a simple slide on the head... There's gotta be a technique behind this, because I just can't do it!

I don't really know the tune Swerve Part 2 ? - but the technique is a conga technique - if you know any conga players ask them to show. It works on friction and a very light touch.


Hi Progrock,

I was wondering if you could give me a few ideas on a good method of exercising, in terms of strength, timing and speed. I mean, were there any fundamental exercises you used in your earlier years as a development tool?


I use to practise a lot of single and double stroke rolls and paradiddle combinations on a pad to a metronome. There's lots of good snare drum exercise books out there too...but nothing can replace having a good teacher.

cheers
Gavin

[mind_drummer]

Hi mind_drummer,
basically it's something like this. 16ths around the toms with these accents..

R l r l r r L r r l r r L r l l R l r l r r L r r l r r L R l l

cheers
Gavin

Thank's a lot Gavin

Now let take that into my practice sessions.

Oh ! I forgot to tell you, you're AN AWESOME DRUMMER.

Definitely on top of my "most inspirational drummer" list.

Take care & A+

[jr100]

Hey Gavin; excellent show in NYC on 5/19, you and PT were fantastic- I think Anesthetize was spot on perfect, it was also great hearing Mother and Child Divided and Gravity Eyelids in concert as well the other tunes that were not in your last show there back in October- great lineup. I hope you guys stay together for a while, you truly are an exceptional band. Take Care; JR

[TomasHakkesBrain]

Hey Gavin nice opening gig in Glasgow mate. I have been preaching about Amplifier for a few years now..i think i mentioned them a while ago.

I was wondering what ride you used on Anesthetize?. Its lovely crystal clear. I was also wondering how you get your drags sounding so tight and dynamic if you do any specifc exercise or rudiment.

Also..i didnt realise you played with Black and Go West back in the day. Two great 80's bands. Wonderful Life used to be used by a famous Edinburgh insurance company but it had to get dropped due to bereaved benificiaries phoning up and hearing that.

[deadwing_007]

Hey Gavin great show in Philly on the 23rd!

I noticed on the arriving dvd and at last nights show that it looks like you and Richard look at each other and have little inside jokes during shows, is that the case?

Also, i've seen porcupine tree 3 different times and also have the dvd and live cds going back to before you were in the band, and i like the fact that it seems like every tour has a few back catalogue songs that might not have been regulars in the setlist on previous tours. From your experience in the band does that just sort of happen or is there an effort to play older songs that might have gotten overlooked on past tours? And out of curiousity, have you ever performed ambulance chasing or the full length even less? I was pleasantly suprised to hear buying new soul during the last tour in the states and wonder if anything else from recordings gets played every now and then.

And sorry one last question... Do you know if Stevens voice was bothering him in philly? He sounded great but i was suprised by how many spots he dropped out and let wesley sing by himself. i'm sure if he has allergies its a terrible time of year for his throat.


Anyway thanks again for answering everyones questions and I hope its not turning into a chore for you!

John

[ZDrums24]

Hey, Gavin. I just saw PT for the first time at the Roxy in Boston last night (spent the first half of the show on the stairs above you and Colin and the second half trying to weasle my way to the stage) and I thought that this particular venue was great. Does PT usually play such a small place when you come to New England?

A second question: I read that the fills you play are brought about from what felt right in the music at the time (spontaneity) more than some arsenal of fills. I was wondering if you at least had some favorite stickings/rudiments/polyrhythms that you like to work with (alot of your fills feel like they could be swiss army triplets [3 over 4] with some slight manipulation of the natural accent). I have a hard time comprehending the idea of creating a fill on the spot with out some sort of preperation, though this could be the lack of a jazz background that i have...

Thanks for your time,
Austin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi TomasHakkesBrain,

I was wondering what ride you used on Anesthetize?. Its lovely crystal clear. I was also wondering how you get your drags sounding so tight and dynamic if you do any specifc exercise or rudiment.

That ride cymbal is a late 1940's Avedis Zildjian that I got from my late drum teacher Joe Hodson. I can't think of a specific exercise regarding the drags - sorry.

Hi deadwing_007

From your experience in the band does that just sort of happen or is there an effort to play older songs that might have gotten overlooked on past tours? And out of curiousity, have you ever performed ambulance chasing or the full length even less?

We just pick songs that we like to play. There's no conscious effort to do songs that might have got overlooked. I've never performed Ambulance Chasing or the full length Even Less.


Hi ZDrums24

I just saw PT for the first time at the Roxy in Boston last night. Does PT usually play such a small place when you come to New England?

A second question: I read that the fills you play are brought about from what felt right in the music at the time (spontaneity) more than some arsenal of fills. I was wondering if you at least had some favorite stickings/rudiments/polyrhythms that you like to work with (alot of your fills feel like they could be swiss army triplets [3 over 4] with some slight manipulation of the natural accent).

Actually we played to more people in the Roxy than we did in the Berklee Performance center. Yes you are correct I do love manipulating the swiss army triplet.

cheers
Gavin

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Wow, first I wanna say, you are an amazing drummer! Second, you guys played an AMAZING show on 5/23 in Philly, I'm so glad I was so close! I basically did not take my eye off of you while you played, I was in awe! Anyway, I watched your Rhythmic Visions dvd with a friend, and it made me really mad (but in a good way! lol) Your understanding of time, subdivisions, and just music in general is phenomenal! How long did it take you to get a good solid understanding of these things? Thanks for your time! -Josh

Edit: I also forgot one thing. Please tell Mr. Edwin he would be so much more awesome if he would show a little more emotion on stage :-). Just kidding! Take it easy!

[Mhm]

Hi Gavin, I've been a fan of your work with PT since In Absentia was out. It's just mindblowing. Just one question, do PT is ever planning to come to central america? There are tons of fans who would love too see you guys over here. :)

Best wishes...

[SantiBanks]

Edit: I also forgot one thing. Please tell Mr. Edwin he would be so much more awesome if he would show a little more emotion on stage :-). Just kidding! Take it easy!

I think he just does what he needs to do and thats ok. I saw nummerous bands (usually support groups) with band members that showed too much emotion. That irritates me more then almost no emotion.

Reminds me of the bassplayer from the Who, he was the only guy that just played and everytime he did a step aside. At the end of the gig, he was almost behind the curtain...

[Bernhard]

Congratulations to you Gavin for beeing voted No. 1 Prog Drummer in the Modern Drummer Poll 2007!!!!

Great!!!

Bernhard

[ponza91]

Congratulations Gavin !!!

If i could, i'll give you the "online drummer teacher Award"

Best wishes and thank you

alex

[mind_drummer]

I told you on HOD but still I'll do it here too...

CONGRATS !!!


Well deserved ;-)

[Gavin Harrison]

Thanks for the kind words about the MD award guys!!

Cheers
Gavin

[Holomorph]

You had my vote. It's good to see that it goes to someone who deserves it!

[Sam]

Congrats Gavin! Your the person who deserved it the most!

Sam

[Timbo]

Hey Gavin !

Congratulations for winning the title "Best Prog drummer".
I was so happy reading this news.
You have reached this aim by musical quality and not by just playing in a famous band.
Love the peaces you drum on Rhytmic Vision. The movement of your arms and hands looks so easy and smooth... and so the sound. You should receive the titles "best allround" and "best Studio drummer" too !!! :)

Your foot technique looks for me like the famous flat foot technique .. right ?
You dont use much finger control ... more hand motion .... right ?

See you in Frakfurt Offenbach ^^ .... of course

Nice greetings from germany my drumming hero !

Timbo

[crookedrook]

Gavin,

Congrats! on winning Best Prog Drummer in the modern drummer poll.

One quick question: During the recording of this latest cd, were you using Ambassador coated heads on the bottom of your drums or clear diplomats?

Thanks,
Rob

[Sam]

Hey Gavin! Sam again!

Okay, I'm def going to buy the Mackie 24:8. One question about a certain function. (if you use it at least). In the manual the say that it has a "switch" function, where you can switch between "downmixing" and "tracking". I know that it doesn't have flying faders. But is it like emulated in that way?

So you track the drums. Okay, everything is recorded in Nuendo (with two interfaces and everything) Little eq'd on the mackie.

Now I want to downmix ... what happens? The signal of the drums goes back in to the mackie? And i can adjust the volume?

Sorry if I'm being anoying. No one I know has that mixing desk.

Sam

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Timbo,

Your foot technique looks for me like the famous flat foot technique .. right ?
You don't use much finger control ... more hand motion .... right ?


No, I always play heel up on the bass drum pedals (never flat foot) - I use both finger control and hand/wrist motion.

Hi crookedrook


One quick question: During the recording of this latest cd, were you using Ambassador coated heads on the bottom of your drums or clear diplomats?

Actually they were clear ambassadors on the bottoms - the ones that came on the Sonor kit - and Coated Emperors on the tops of the toms.


Hi Sam

Now I want to downmix ... what happens? The signal of the drums goes back in to the mackie? And i can adjust the volume?

The 32:8 Mackie is not a digital desk - you cannot control your computer from it. Once I have recorded my drums into the computer - I mix using the virtual faders inside the computer program. I don't really use the Mackie in the mixing process other than listening to the stereo output from the computer.

Cheers
Gavin

[Sam]

Oh ok! Thx Gavin!

Sam

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

Regarding finger control, watching your DVD's and other video's it looks like you grip the stick with your index and middlefinger, with the thumb in between.

With this grip does the finger control comes from the middlefinger, ringfinger and little finger, but mostly from the middlefinger??

I've noticed that you sometimes play the (hi-hat) with the thumb up and sometimes sideways. But mostly sideways. Is this to play different dynamics , speeds?? And do you do it conscious?

Did you pay a lot of attention to how you gripped the sticks in your early years or did it evolve through the years.

Did your marimba playing had any influence in the grip.

I know many questions, but I'm very interested in how you do it, it seems to me that your grip is a big part of your clean execution.


Greetz
Dre

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
I have a variety of grips going on. Most of the time I grip the left stick at the absolute back of the stick with my little finger. My grip with the right stick focuses around my middle and index finger and use the middle and third finger for manipulating the stick...and again I tend to hold it right at the back end of the stick.
I do move from German to French grip quite instinctively - I never think about it when I'm playing.

I don't really play marimba - that was just for the video.

cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

If I'm not mistaken, you said you do not know or use the Moeller technique.

But Moeller is also about gripping the stick with the little finger, especially when you have to hit hard.

There's a nice website on it :
http://www.digbydoodle.com/MOELLER/MoellerJazz-rock1.htm

When you practiced your singles and doubles did you use both French and German style or mostly German. And would you grip the stick tight or loose.

Thanks,
Dre

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

A few questions if I may:

Are you using larger, heavier sticks for the tour? Are you playing harder in a tour setting than in the studio?

Lastly, the brief drum fill (solo) on the track FOABP is so well executed! What's the time signature for that fill? Are you using both kick pedals and using your left foot to brush the hi-hat pedal too, or are you playing doubles on one foot for the kick?

Thanks - looking forward to Chicago again!
Jeff

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
Congrats on the MD reader poll and the new album. I was curious about the 3rd video from the Musikmesse. First of all, excellent performance! Just wondering who you wrote that piece with, and if you plan on writting anymore with him/her/them? Take care and God bless.

MM

[RogerTheShrubber]

Hi Gavin,

I came across your video (on this site) called Futile and I just had a quick couple of questions about your snare used in the video:

What brand/model/dimensions is it? I am guessing Sonor but I could be wrong.

What heads are you using?

Last one: Are those snare cables you are using or the 8 strand "modified" Puresounds that I read about in an earlier post.

It's pretty obvious that I really enjoyed your snare sound .... and performance as well.

Great drumming and many thanks!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

When you practiced your singles and doubles did you use both French and German style or mostly German. And would you grip the stick tight or loose.

Yes I use both grips and the sticks are always pretty loose.

Hi JeffV71

Are you using larger, heavier sticks for the tour? Are you playing harder in a tour setting than in the studio?

Lastly, the brief drum fill (solo) on the track FOABP is so well executed! What's the time signature for that fill? Are you using both kick pedals and using your left foot to brush the hi-hat pedal too, or are you playing doubles on one foot for the kick?

I'm using Vic Firth "rock" hickory and yes I do play heavier on tour than I do in the studio.
The FOABP fill is two bars of 4/4 - it's coming out of a section in 5/8. I use the double pedal on that and have the hi hat cymbals 'dropped' on the clutch.

Hi Midnite Mike,

I was curious about the 3rd video from the Musikmesse. Just wondering who you wrote that piece with, and if you plan on writing anymore with him/her/them?

That piece is called "Quite Firm" written by the bass player on that track Laurence Cottle (a good friend of mine). I'd love to play some more of his 'big band' type tunes. That tune is featured on my first DVD Rhythmic Visions.

Hi RogerTheShrubber,

I came across your video (on this site) called Futile and I just had a quick couple of questions about your snare used in the video:
What brand/model/dimensions is it? I am guessing Sonor but I could be wrong.
What heads are you using?
Last one: Are those snare cables you are using or the 8 strand "modified" Puresounds that I read about in an earlier post.

The snare on that track is a Sonor 14x6 "Cottonwood" and it has a Remo Coated Ambassador on top and - yes it has the modified 8 strand Puresound snare wires on it.

Cheers
Gavin

[Scott Brooks]

Hi Gavin,

I'm not a drummer, but I've got a question more from a physics standpoint regarding your use of a single bass drum with a double kick pedal vs. using two bass drums, which came to mind with the release of Fear of a Blank Planet. Is there any loss in the sound quality or resolution of the bass drum from some of the rapid double kick passages on FoaBP? The issue I was considering was the relaxation time of both the drum head and the standing waves set up with in the drum chamber itself. I notice the front head of your bass drum has a hole, which I assume is to create shorter sustain, but does it decay fast enough so that you avoid interference during very rapid song passages? I really don't know much about the properties of the drum head, i.e. vibrational modes, decay rates, etc, so I couldn't sit down and calculate anything to put this argument on a more firm theoretical ground. It seemed to me, at least to first order, interference effects could creep in that could muddle the articulation of an individual note during the most rapid double kicks (not that I'm claiming to have heard anything like that in the recordings - my ear isn't good enough). I almost asked you about this after your show in Toronto, but I figured you'd rather not field physics questions right after a show :) Great show, btw...

Cheers,

Scott

[ZDrums24]

Working along the lines of double bass pedals, how did you come to a comfortable arrangement with your hi hat? i have 13" hats and after i bought a double bass pedal, they always felt too far away and my hand would cross over the other (causing the hazardous situation of having your hand over a drum stick!). I have been playing around with it for a few years, but i havent found a good solution yet.

do you have any insights you discovered? or is this just something you played with on your own for a while, like i am doing right now? or did you just find the least uncomfortable spot and just deal with it until it feels natural?

i noticed in the videos that are kicking around that you seem pretty comfortable with the location of your hi hats, so i was just wondering.

thanks,
Austin

[Drizzle]

I had the same 'problem'.

I change or alter my setup regularly, making slight adjustments, just in order to hopefully stumble on the ideal setup, and I'm getting there gradually...
I useally start with just the snare, bassdrum (single pedal) and hihat, and nothing else to affect the placement.

I place them where they feel most comfortable, while playing the hihat, snare and bassdrum. Changing the placement and height of the hihat while playing for a couple of hours.
80% of the time I play the hihat so I want it to be in most ideal, relaxed place.
Then I put the leftpedal of the double pedal to the right of the hi-hat.
You might even put both pedals 2 inch to the left putting the ideal position between the 2 pedals.

I think there is no real ideal placement for both pedals. I think you allways have to make a compromise somewhere. But the pedals itself are not that mega wide so the compromise is probably minimal.

But my tip would be to just ask yourself which pedal is the most important for you and put that one in the best place and then find the most ideal place for the other pedal.

I once made this drawing to find/analyze the ideal placement of my drums.
Sometimes I have too much free time..... :)

Good luck...
Dre

[ZDrums24]

wow, detail. thanks. what you are talking about is pretty much what i have been doing for the last 3 years. glad to know im not just spinning my wheels here.

[Drizzle]

wow, detail. thanks. what you are talking about is pretty much what i have been doing for the last 3 years. glad to know im not just spinning my wheels here.

I guess it's a problem every drummer expierences when setting up.
Because you want all the drums and cymbals in an easy to reach and playable place.
And when you have a lot of drums and big cymbals there is useally not enough space to put everything so it's easy to play.

A couple of weeks ago I changed my setup (bought a new rack) and I put my toms in the best place possible. Then I had to find a place for my 20" ride cymbal so that the bell is easy to reach, I still haven't found it.....
Sometimes it's to far away or to ackward to play, and when I bring it closer it blocks to much of the toms.

Maybe I have to ask Terry Bozzio how he does it.

[Gavin Harrison]

Guys,
regarding pedal placement and hi hat position - if this is of any help - here's my kit shot from above

cheers
Gavin

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for answering the question about that FOABP (solo) fill. I got to see it first hand last night at the Chicago show - I finally got it! Some other points of the show I really enjoyed were in "Way Out of Here" and "Halo". In WOOH during the heavy guitar riff section you break out into some amazing drumming. As you said in previous posts you like to spice things up to keep from going nuts, and you did that in this section. I was cracking up as I noticed Colin and Steve standing near your riser during that section (they looked at each other then looked at you) as if they hoped to find count "one"! Your fills were quite special there and I think they were amazed too! Steve also pointed at you when Halo started. Almost like he's saying, "hey man stop it! You're just messing with them!! I loved it!!

Seeing you in Milwaukee tonight. Last show for the US. Just wanted to say thanks for all the shows and the great drumming! You and the band are a class act all the way. Sorry for the long post - no real questions - just a sincere thanks and appreciation to you and your playing!

Jeff

[ZDrums24]

thanks for the overhead shot! you really do put alot of effort for us on here. it looks like your left pedal is tucked under the snare drum a little, which i did for a while. i might go back to that because my hats are way too far away.

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Hey Gavin! Quick question, what is the best way to practice with a metronome to get a better sense of time? I've been meaning to get a metronome but I keep putting it off due to the fact of not knowing how to properly practice with it? Thanks! -Josh

[ZDrums24]

The man himself may differ from me, but here is what I know:

use headphones. preferably with some sort of hearing protection. this is assuming you are on your kit. it is just far easier to hear your met with headphones whenever you are making any more noise than a practice pad.

step 1: isolate what you need to work on like a rudiment or a musical passage/groove.
step 2: set your metronome to a tempo you think is comfortable and play to it. about 95% of the time, i find that i have set the metronome too fast (my playing is close, but not perfect). keep dropping the tempo until you have a tempo on which you cannot mess up.
step 3: play at that tempo for a while, then, when you feel you are ready, bump up the tempo up a bit (i usually use 10 bpm increments until i really start pushing myself). if you reach a difficult spot, try changing the way your nome plays subdivisions (i have a db-60 which has seperate pitches and volume levels for beat 1, the 1/4 notes, the +s, e and a, and 8th note triplets). i use this to make sure all of my notes between the beats are where they should be if it sounds funky.

you just repreat the process of perfecting (almost anyways) and speeding up until you are at a tempo that you find desirable (for me, this is usually 10-20 bpm above performance tempo).

this process is really for working on very specific things like etudes, rudiments, and particular licks, fills, and grooves. as he has mentioned in here, mr. harrison typically practices with the aim for creativity and sponteniety, so ill let him discuss the exact role of the metronome in that context.

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

thanks man! i'm gonna get one as soon as I can. what is the best metronome for basically just starting out using one?

[JordanC]

Wow Gavin, there are no words....I was at the Chicago show on Friday a few days ago and you were going nuts! It was my 5th time seeing you guys live, but man your solo during Hatesong was simply incredible. I also enjoyed your going out of time in a few different places (rhythmic illusions?), and also in Halo the double-time run you did towards the end was a nice little surprise. You just seemed to be having such a great time up there, even moreso than the Cleveland show a couple of weeks ago.

Any particular reason why you chose to experiment so much that night? Or have you been doing that every night? Either way, I really loved the performance.

[LeDucHuy.VietNam]

Oh! "gavinharrisonorchidia" I like..This is best drum song of GAVIN. Hey man...

[ZDrums24]

thanks man! i'm gonna get one as soon as I can. what is the best metronome for basically just starting out using one?

your local shop should have a few $20 metrtonomes thatll get you through your life quite well (there is a grey Sabine one that i used to own, but i lost it. my instructor uses this one too since she lost her good one). these metronomes not amazing, but theyll do most of the time. essentially what you end up losing with the cheaper ones is fine tuning. they dont advance tempo one bmp at a time, but instead change by 2s and 3s, for example, but since the human ear should only beable to recognize a tempo change of 8 bpms at the least, this isnt a big deal.
my db-60 was about $60 dollars i think, but i felt the tap function and the subdivision adjustments justified the extra cost due to my tech position.

[fromyesterday]

I have a question for all of those reading, and specifically Gavin regarding programming the click for the live shows.

My band syncs with a sequencer and I do need a click for most songs. My plan was to use a Tama Rhythm watch but I don't want to be fooling with it during one of our MANY temp/time changes. My questions are:

-What is used to deliver the click to you with PT (software/laptop, a standard metronome, etc?)

-Do you just use a solid click with the temo changes or actually put an emphasis on beat one and change signatures? I think I read you play to just a click sound with the proper temp and keep where "1" is in your head - and that's good for me as well.

I was thinking maybe a drum machine I program or recording software like Logic to just program the click and the speed changes - that seem good?

[KirkDS]

Hi Gavin -

Looks like I'm a bit late to the party, but I've just recently discovered your drumming and PT and I just wanted to say that I can't remember the last time I was this excited and inspired to get behind my drums. I'm in my late 30's now and have been a bit skeptical of "new" music for a while, so I'm a bit disgusted with myself that it took hearing that Alex Lifeson had a guest appearance on your new CD for me to "find" you.
At any rate, I've bought just about everything PT related I could find in the past 3 weeks and I can't stop listening. Unlike every other band I listen to, every single song is great! It's amazing. I hear so many of my favorite drummers in your playing, but your playing is truly inspirational in a new and exciting way (for me anyway!).

Hope to see you in Minneapolis

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi guys,
I used to write a column about timing issues and practicing with clicks - I'll try and find some of the material and post it up here soon.

The other issue is what sounds and how to program a click.

I wrote an article about that too - and here it is..

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug03/articles/clicktracks.htm

Attached below are the actual sounds that I use (and mention in the article) - feel free to use them and spread them around as you wish.


In Porcupine Tree the thing generating the click is Logic Pro on a Mac laptop. I use these sounds inside the virtual sampler inside Logic Pro.
I always use the same sounds and have eq'd some of the high frequencies out of them so they don't give me so much ringing in the ears at high volumes.

Cheers
Gavin

[mr.beefhead]

Hello Gavin,

Since we're on the topic of clicks, I had a quick question: I saw the show in Boulder recently and you guys played without the visualizations. Since you didn't need to sync up with the visuals did you play without a click or did you still use it?

Thank you,
Derek

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mr.beefhead,
that night we did play all the usual 'film' songs to a click because -(although we couldn't project the films due to the fact that there was literally nowhere to hang our projector )- we were testing a new computer setup that has all the Logic stuff and Arkaos in one computer instead of two.

cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JordanC,
glad you enjoyed the show. I try to improvise wherever I can - some nights are more 'successful' than others - such is the nature of improvising. The later half of Hatesong has become a good place to try and get outside the box. I'm hoping that you mean "going out of time" as a reference to playing odd rhythmic patterns - and not really 'playing out of tempo" !!

cheers
Gavin

Wow Gavin, there are no words....I was at the Chicago show on Friday a few days ago and you were going nuts! It was my 5th time seeing you guys live, but man your solo during Hatesong was simply incredible. I also enjoyed your going out of time in a few different places (rhythmic illusions?), and also in Halo the double-time run you did towards the end was a nice little surprise. You just seemed to be having such a great time up there, even moreso than the Cleveland show a couple of weeks ago.

Any particular reason why you chose to experiment so much that night? Or have you been doing that every night? Either way, I really loved the performance.

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

When you improvise, do you 'sing' it mentally to yourself just a second before you play the fills or do you just do it on the fly and see where it ends?

I allways think of the melody of the section and try to find some cool groupings and subdivisions around the drumset to create a (hopefully) cool fill.
Is this sort of the same way you do it.

The intro fill on Halo on the Arriving DVD (if you can remember) is that something that you just start and see where you end up in relation to the click track and then fill up the 'gap' , or do you mentally know that when I start 'here' and play 'these' subdivisions in these groupings I'll end up there and play this fill to resolve back to the 'one' of the beat???

I hope you understand the question.....

Greetz, Gavin

[Gibbersticks]

Hey Gavin

I was wondering what the reasoning behind FOABP not being available through PT's website/burning shed? I read that you guys were asking fans to buy the album from local record stores, but here in Calgary no store presently has the album. I have asked about getting the album in but no one can give a time frame of when it will be in. I really would rather buy the special edition and have looked online but prices range from $50-110 US. Obviously I don't feel good about buying any album at those inflated prices so where can I get the special edition without feeling like I should drop my pants and bend over? Please Help.

Thanks
Daniel

[mr.beefhead]

I was wondering what the reasoning behind FOABP not being available through PT's website/burning shed? I read that you guys were asking fans to buy the album from local record stores, but here in Calgary no store presently has the album. I have asked about getting the album in but no one can give a time frame of when it will be in. I really would rather buy the special edition and have looked online but prices range from $50-110 US. Obviously I don't feel good about buying any album at those inflated prices so where can I get the special edition without feeling like I should drop my pants and bend over? Please Help.

Thanks
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I'll try to help you with this one. I think the decision to forego selling through Burning Shed was made by Roadrunner and PT to get the album charting as high as possible by only selling through outlets using Soundscan. As far as the Special Edition goes, there were only around 5K made for Europe and half that for North America. Ordering very early was the only way to guarantee getting one, a lot of people missed out. I wouldn't pay the prices they are getting on eBay right now. The last I heard, PT will release a DVD-A of the album around September containing extra tracks. So you don't lose out if you buy the regular edition right now and wait for the DVD-A for your 5.1 needs. Hope this helps!

Best,
Derek

[Gibbersticks]

I'll try to help you with this one. I think the decision to forego selling through Burning Shed was made by Roadrunner and PT to get the album charting as high as possible by only selling through outlets using Soundscan. As far as the Special Edition goes, there were only around 5K made for Europe and half that for North America. Ordering very early was the only way to guarantee getting one, a lot of people missed out. I wouldn't pay the prices they are getting on eBay right now. The last I heard, PT will release a DVD-A of the album around September containing extra tracks. So you don't lose out if you buy the regular edition right now and wait for the DVD-A for your 5.1 needs. Hope this helps!

Best,
Derek

Hey thanks Derek. It's kinda frustrating when you can order a cd from overseas for cheaper than you can buy it at your local record store. Oh well. Anyway thanks for the info!

Ciao
Daniel

[dancing with his ego]

Hi Gavin.
Im a huge fan of your playing style, im glad you generally aproach the doubble bass in the same way im attempting to now.

2 quick questions, im sorry if they have allready been covered, but it would apear you are that popular, and reading 33 pages of slow loading posts would take forever on my computer! :S

so in the drummer world video 'plasson' could you tell me what snare you are using? its gorgeous? any tips on tuning to get that sound? cheers :D

Benji

[JordanC]

Hi JordanC,
glad you enjoyed the show. I try to improvise wherever I can - some nights are more 'successful' than others - such is the nature of improvising. The later half of Hatesong has become a good place to try and get outside the box. I'm hoping that you mean "going out of time" as a reference to playing odd rhythmic patterns - and not really 'playing out of tempo" !!

cheers
Gavin

Yes, you were most definitely in time and I was referring to your playing in one time signature against another. :-)

[ZDrums24]

Hi Gavin.
Im a huge fan of your playing style, im glad you generally aproach the doubble bass in the same way im attempting to now.

2 quick questions, im sorry if they have allready been covered, but it would apear you are that popular, and reading 33 pages of slow loading posts would take forever on my computer! :S

so in the drummer world video 'plasson' could you tell me what snare you are using? its gorgeous? any tips on tuning to get that sound? cheers :D

Benji


I know the feeling about reading so many pages. The search option in the forum doesnt do a damn thing either.

I dont remember the page it was on, but snare sound has been touched upon on this thread (I did go through a read the first 30 pages about 2 weeks ago).
The drum you are talking about looks like a 12x5.5 sonor snare. probably the delite or designer series. It sorta sounds like a maple snare, but being that detailed is impossible with recorded drums. Mr. Harrison has mentioned that he tends to use thicker heads for the batter side (2 ply or reverse power dot heads). Harrison has also mentioned that he uses modified 8 strand snares.

I also remember something along the lines that the snare sound comes more from how you hit it than how you tune it or something like that. I could be wrong. My memory is good, but not that good.

Its mostly speculation, but I hope it helps. If I have anything lethally wrong, I'm sure someone will correct it.

[Holomorph]

It's a 14x6 Sonor Artist Cottonwood actually. Check the last 5 pages or so, I'm pretty sure someone asked that a short time ago.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi dancing with his ego,
the snare on Plasson is a quite old Sonor Designer 12x5 maple. Unusually for me it has an 18 strand snare on the bottom. All my other snares have 8 strands. It has a regular Remo Ambassador on the top. Tuning wise - it's hard to say - I think the head is kind of medium tension - not as high as you might think for a piccolo type of drum.

The snare drum that Holomorph is referring to is the one I play on "Futile".

cheers
Gavin


so in the drummer world video 'plasson' could you tell me what snare you are using? its gorgeous? any tips on tuning to get that sound? cheers :D

Benji

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,
sometimes an idea pops into my head a couple of seconds before a fill - other times I just take a chance on the moment.
The fill in Halo that you're referring to - I just started those groups of 5's in triplets and waited to see how they panned out - I hadn't figured out the mathematics of "if I start here I'll end up here" - Having a strong sense of where the beat is and where the downbeat is at all times really helps - plus when I'm feeling comfortable I like taking chances. There's nothing nicer than playing a fill you've never played before in your life....and that's only going to happen if you take a risk every now and then. I have - of course - played that grouping of 5 before - but I don't think I'd played it in that song (in that place) and starting in a random kind of way before.

Cheers
Gavin


When you improvise, do you 'sing' it mentally to yourself just a second before you play the fills or do you just do it on the fly and see where it ends?

The intro fill on Halo on the Arriving DVD (if you can remember) is that something that you just start and see where you end up in relation to the click track and then fill up the 'gap' , or do you mentally know that when I start 'here' and play 'these' subdivisions in these groupings I'll end up there and play this fill to resolve back to the 'one' of the beat???

[philiprst]

Hi Gavin,

I wanted to share something with you that might amuse you.

I have been a big PT fan since the early days. A few years ago, just after you joined the band, I stumbled on a video on the PT website showing some of the recording process. I remember seeing you playing something as part of the recording process and was just amazed at the power of what you came up with. At the time I had never touched a drum set and had no idea who you were. I thought you must be some amazing and unknown young drummer SW had found. You were completely inspiring and the thought popped into my head about how great it would be to play drums.

It took some time but eventually I did buy an old drumset, take lessons and become fairly proficient. Apart from my family, it has become the love of my life. Only very recently did I come across this site and this thread and now know that you are not really that unknown drummer I saw in the video but someone with great experience, teaching and musical skills.... It's been nice to come full circle and I thought it might bring a smile to your face to know that you inspired some guy who had no idea who you were...

Best wishes

Philip

[cdrums21]

Hi Gavin,
I'm embarrased to say that I am a bit out of touch with alot of today's players. I am an older drummer (49), and I do sessions and dates with a country artist. I recently discovered your playing on this site via watching some videos and my jaw just dropped in amazement. You truly are blessed with an enormous talent and your drumming is world class. After reading some of your posts, you also seem to be a very genuine, "down to earth" person. I respect that just as much as your incredible talent. I really just wanted to say "hello" and tell you that your playing is incredibly enjoyable and an inspiration.

I'm a "gear freak", especially with tuning drums and stuff and was curious if you tune your drums to actual notes or just intervals that sound good to you. Also, do you tune your bottom heads tighter than the top and if so, is there a specific relationship you use between the bottom and top heads (i.e. minor third, third, etc.) Thank you for taking the time to reply to these posts. You are a true artist and the drumming community is very lucky to have such an incredible talent to be inspired by and learn from. Thank you and God bless.

Clint

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi cdrums21,
here's the tuning of my toms from a couple of months ago

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

I think the bottom heads are a little tighter than the top ones.

Cheers
Gavin

[dancing with his ego]

thanks! i love that sound, may well be looking into getting one!

another question, from the mikedolbear forum, it was reported you likes the sticking patern
RLR RLR LRR LRL RLR
any chance you could let me know how you use it? i have taken it as 5 sets of tripletts, but which beat of the bar would you normaly start it on?
thanks so much for being down to earth enough to answer questions from us meer mortals :D

[Drizzle]

Will you be playing your new SQ2 set on the European shows.

And what brand cases do you use while on the road?

I'm in the process of buying some cases for my new drums which will be coming somewhere in november. :(

And finally I totally agree with cdrums21, we are very lucky as a drumming community to have you as an inspiration. You're such an incredible drummer, and to be able to ask you questions is so great.....And I have about a million....:)

It's like a computer freak having a direct line with Bill Gates....
or a priest with the Pope...........sort of....

Greetz,
Andre

[xush]

we definitely appreciate the time you take to answer questions here, Gavin~

I was wondering if there are any particular artists you'd like to work with in the future.
You seem to have collaborated with a very eclectic variety of esoteric artists-
would like to know who you'd really go out of your way to make music with if you had the opportunity.

thanks
mark

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi dancing with his ego,
that been taken a little out of context - that was part of a transcription of a fill from "Gravity Eyelids" and I think I started it on beat 2 & (as they are 16th note triplets).

The R L R R L combination is a favorite of mine and I use it many different ways and start from any point that inspires me on the moment. It might be in any subdivision too - or maybe I would start it in 16ths and then at some random point change up to 16th note triplets and keep the same sticking but change voicing on the drums or cymbals.

Cheers
Gavin


another question, from the mikedolbear forum, it was reported you likes the sticking patern
RLR RLR LRR LRL RLR
any chance you could let me know how you use it? i have taken it as 5 sets of tripletts, but which beat of the bar would you normaly start it on?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

Will you be playing your new SQ2 set on the European shows.

And what brand cases do you use while on the road?

Yes I'll be playing my new SQ2 kit on the European tour - I love it - I played it this afternoon at the Download Festival and it sounded great !!!

The cases I normally use are "Hardcase"

http://www.hardcase.com/

It depends on the situation - I also have a set of flightcases for the whole kit - but I still use some of the "Hardcases" to supplement those flightcases - and some stuff goes insides the Hardcases and then inside the flightcases.

Hi xush,

I was wondering if there are any particular artists you'd like to work with in the future.

It's a good question and I'm probably going to have to think about that one. I'd love to work with Fredrik Thordendal (the guitarist from Mesuggah) I love the stuff he did on his solo album. Joe Zawinul would be great to work with too. I'm sure there's hundreds of others - I just can't think straight at the moment.

Cheers
Gavin

[Holomorph]

The snare drum that Holomorph is referring to is the one I play on "Futile".


Ah, sorry about that... I should have read the post more carefully.

[Apeman3289]

Hey Gavin,
Just wanted to let you know that you are an incredible drummer and a HUGE influence on my playing! Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us and answer these questions. It really means alot to me personally that you would do that. I missed PT when they came to the States, but there's always another time I'm sure. Thanks again for all you do and please keep it up!
-Andrew

[Drizzle]

For everyone who's interested, another Musikmesse video on the Vic Firth Site.

http://vicfirth.com/features/MESSE07/harrisonHQ.html

[Apeman3289]

For everyone who's interested, another Musikmesse video on the Vic Firth Site.

http://vicfirth.com/features/MESSE07/harrisonHQ.html

Thanks Drizzle, awesome vid.

[Russkie]

Hey Gavin,

I was pretty amazed with the version of "HALO" that you guys played on BBC (was it 17/8, what you said? [the middle part])...I just can't get the feel of it...can you explain a little bit how did you changed it in order to be 17/8

And...do you have any plans of coming to Buenos Aires, Argentina?? We have a great PT fanbase over here!!!!

[Drizzle]

Hi Russkie,

If you have the "Rhythmic Horizons" DVD, take a look at the Overriding Section Pt 4.

He explains it there in great detail.

If you don't have the DVD, why not get it it's great, especially if you're into these kind of rhythms.

[kellycurrie]

Gavin,
I've been visiting drummerworld for years now and only yesterday took a look at the forums. I'm shocked to see that you regularily take the time to teach, share; basically shine your light on all of us with this common interest. Way to be! & Thank You.

By the way, sorry about busting in on you, steve, and (was it really?!) alex lifeson at the toronto PT show. I should have a question or two for you soon but for now im just going to browse through these last 35 pages take it all in.

Thanks again - kelly.

[trysthedrummer]

Gavin you're a legend, the rhythmic illusions book and visions dvd are fantastic! (Still need to get your newer stuff though!) ..and not mention your work with PTree. I love all that work you do with displacement/spacing of notes it's quality!

Anyway, thankyou!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Russkie,,

I was pretty amazed with the version of "HALO" that you guys played on BBC (was it 17/8, what you said? [the middle part])...I just can't get the feel of it...can you explain a little bit how did you changed it in order to be 17/8

It's basically 5/8 + 5/8 + 7/8 and over the top of that I play quatrer note accents on the hi hat.

K = kick drum
S = Snare drum
- = rest

so this is the pattern that the kick and snare play

K K - S - K K - S - K K - K - S -

As Drizzle kindly mentioned there's a whole section about this (and similar rhythmic composition) on my new DVD Rhythmic Horizons.

Apeman3289, kellycurrie, trysthedrummer - thanks for the kind words

Cheers
Gavin

[cha]

man i would love to listen to you getting creative with joe zawinul.. i love your drumming in a fusion-like context

/

[trysthedrummer]

wow

a reply by the man himself! :D

no probs, I couldn't come to see PTree in Newcastle few months ago, and I know your playing around Europe now but will you guys be coming back for a few shows maybe later on the year, into 2008?

-trys

[Jay.B.]

Hi Gavin, I hope you're well.

I haven't been around on this site much lately, but thought it worth while popping on to say how very much I enjoyed your show on Friday evening at the download festival, the whole thing blew me away, so I couldn't even begin picking out various parts, thank you very much for one of the few highlights of my weekend.

best wishes and take care,

Jay

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi trysthedrummer,
probably we'll be back around the UK in November.

Hi Jay.B
glad you enjoyed the show - felt like we weren't going down that well from where I was sitting.

if anyone's interested - just to let you know that I'll be doing a live Q & A at the Zildjian site

www.zildjian.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 12
3:00 - 4:00PM EST

that's 8pm - until 9pm UK time

hope to (virtually) see some of you there

cheers
Gavin

[trysthedrummer]

Ok cool, won't be doing anything then so I might just do

-trys

[bopdog]

Hey Gavin,

Great talking to you in Anaheim. Did you get the transcript I sent you?

Regards,

Stan

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Bopdog,


Great talking to you in Anaheim. Did you get the transcript I sent you?

I didn't see any transcripts -

Cheers
Gavin

[mr_hayward_99]

hi gavin

i was just wondering what drum instructional book/or books have you found the most useful over your years of playing.your books by the way are up there with the best.

i also got porcupine trees newist album and it rocks i love track 3 great song. do you like the wall, a few tracks on the newalbum sound like they are influenced by the Wall? i will definatly have to get some of your other albums.

thanks
tom

[rendezvous_drummer]

Hey Gavin,
Congratulations on winning the MD Readers Poll Best Progressive Drummer award. Very impressive and well deserved!

[atman]

Hi Gavin,
This time I write to you to make you a question, not specifically about drumming but related with music anyways.
In my way I´ve had the chance to be part of several bands but never formed a solid group with which I can work in a more serious way. Now it seems that I´ve found some interesting people to play with so my questions are:

1)How often do you play together when making new songs?
2)For how long do you play together?
3)Any suggestion which works on composition when playing in a band?


I recently bought "Perspectives", "Visions" and "Horizons". I really got surprised about the good, brief and clear explanations of concepts and this also ecouraged me to began with "Illusions" in a more detailed way. Thanks for your knowledge!

[mind_drummer]

Hi again Gavin

Thank's for taking time for live chat at zildjian Z-Club event. I have a little question, since you began playing along to old jazz album, do you plan in the future to form your own jazz/fusion band and explore this world ?

I'd like very much see & hear you play some jazz sessions :-)

Thank's for your always prompt answer.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mr_hayward_99

i was just wondering what drum instructional book/or books have you found the most useful over your years of playing.
i also got porcupine trees newist album and it rocks i love track 3 great song. do you like the wall, a few tracks on the newalbum sound like they are influenced by the Wall?

I really found the Fred Albright book "Contemporary Studies for Snare Drum" good challenging stuff - and the jazz systems that can be applied to Ted Reed's "Syncopation". I studied some of Gary Chaffee's "Patterns" books and I really got a lot out of the first exercise in Gary Chester's "A New Breed".

Personally I wasn't influenced by "The Wall" maybe Steve Wilson was - you'd have to ask him.

Hi rendezvous_drummer

Congratulations on winning the MD Readers Poll Best Progressive Drummer award

many thanks to you and the other folks who have mentioned it.

Hi atman

1)How often do you play together when making new songs?
2)For how long do you play together?
3)Any suggestion which works on composition when playing in a band?

We get together for a writing session before each album. So in my case that's happed twice - before "Deadwing" and then before "Fear Of A Blank Planet" and each time we spent about a week here in my studio.

If you're going to write together by 'jamming' (or improvising) be careful to avoid the 30 minute jam in "E" where it starts out great but never really goes anywhere. Obviously it's harder to change chords if there's 3 people playing harmonic instruments - so when we find a jam we like - we record it quickly - and then try to write other sections based off that - and it's important to change the harmonic structure around in each new section otherwise everything just gets trapped in one key.

Hi mind_drummer

Thank's for taking time for live chat at zildjian Z-Club event. I have a little question, since you began playing along to old jazz album, do you plan in the future to form your own jazz/fusion band and explore this world ?

thanks - it was fun. I'd love to write and record some jazz in the future - I just need to find the right players and try to do something a little different. It such a well established format - I'd like to see if I could find a new angle on it - at least from the drumming side of things.

cheers
Gavin

[harry_GR]

Greetings from Greece Mr. Harrison!!!

First of all I was pleased when I saw that you recommend Ted Reed's Syncopation for practicing as I study this book...

I saw the videos from musikmesse Frankfurt and I'm totally impressed by that weird 19/8 track!!! ( 7 - 7 - 5 )
while I was listening to the track and counting with my both hands... I thought that maybe you had in your ear-monitors a metronome playing that 7-7-5 pattern... I cannot explain this!!!! what was going on there??!

I was wondering how you come across these complicated ideas, such as Halo (2:26 this 17/8 thing!!!) or Sound of Muzak's
main groove...
Please can you share with us these moments of intensive inspiration??!!!
Always a challenge to understand and play these amazing uncommon grooves and rhythmic illusions... which I think I can manage them even though I lack technique...
Any advice for developing technique through these uneven fractions??
________

Come to Greece!!! PLEASE!!!!

And the last one,
why your 20" K Ride has the "K" logo at the bottom side instead of
a "Zildjian" logo like it has mine??

Excellent cymbal... amazing sound... perfect control...
Thank you for inspiring me buy that ride...

I hope that you can answer all them...
keep playing that great music...

Harry

[Sol Good]

I was wondering how you come across these complicated ideas, such as Halo (2:26 this 17/8 thing!!!) or Sound of Muzak's
main groove...


Harry: Check out the Rhythmic Horizons DVD - both those tunes are explained in detail.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi harry_GR

yes as Sol Good mentioned I go through Halo and Sound Of Muzak in detail on my DVD Rhythmic Horizons.

I saw the videos from musikmesse Frankfurt and I'm totally impressed by that weird 19/8 track!!! ( 7 - 7 - 5 )
while I was listening to the track and counting with my both hands... I thought that maybe you had in your ear-monitors a metronome playing that 7-7-5 pattern... I cannot explain this!!!! what was going on there??!

I am listening to a click but really the thing that holds it together for me is the marimba pattern. I just sing that to myself and I don't get lost. Much nicer than counting.

why your 20" K Ride has the "K" logo at the bottom side instead of
a "Zildjian" logo like it has mine??

that's a very good question - and I don't know the answer to that. Maybe someone at www.cymbalholic.com would know.

cheers
Gavin

[trysthedrummer]

Harry, is yours an old zildjian k or is it brand new?

[cfdrumr]

I watch some of the videos of you on Drummerworld...

What kind of ride are you using? Looks like a 20" or 21" Zildjian, and it sounds like a rock ride or something thick.

I know you are a sonor player...do you have any of their older stuff? Signatures? Bronze Snares?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi cfdrumr,

if you were watching the videos to Plasson or Futile then the ride cymbal is indeed a Zildjian 20". I got it from my late drum teacher Joe Hodson who told me it was a late 1940's Avedis ride.Surprisingly it's a great rock cymbal and I've used it a lot on the last two Porcupine Tree albums.

I don't have any really old Sonor drums. I've got Designer, DeLight and SQ2.

cheers
Gavin

[dwpaddy]

Hi Gavin,

just a quick post to say the Download gig was fantastic.
PT, and especially yourself, never cease to amaze and entertain me.

cheers again.

Dave


p.s., any plans for a clinic in the UK this year???

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Dave,
thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it - as I mentioned to Jay.B it didn't feel like we were exactly storming the audience - but what the heck.

I have no plans for a UK clinic tour this year.

cheers
Gavin

[figure_02]

Hello Gavin!

First i have to say that you are such a great inspiration for me, and a lot of other drummers, congratulations on the MD award, truly deserved!
Now, for the question, on the track "Mother and Child Divided" you play a sick groove wich I can't nail, could you explain for me what's going on there? No worries if it's to much, but a transcription would be really cool.

Cheers!

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

I've missed the live chat at Zildjian because I was busy.

But I was curiuos, is Zildjian gonna make their own version of your handmade bells?

That would be an honour right? Do you have patented them??


Greetz,
Dre

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi figure_02


.... on the track "Mother and Child Divided" you play a sick groove wich I can't nail, could you explain for me what's going on there? No worries if it's to much, but a transcription would be really cool.


It's two bars of 4/4 - but inside that there's a pattern of 10/16 played three times plus 2/16ths on the end to make it up to two bars of 4/4. Sometimes I play a 16th note triplet on the bass drum over those last 2/16ths. The illusion is completed by accenting the quarter notes on the hi hat.

13001

Hi Drizzle,
I don't know if Zildjian will start making those bells.

Cheers
Gavin

[figure_02]

Hi figure_02

It's two bars of 4/4 - but inside that there's a pattern of 10/16 played three times plus 2/16ths on the end to make it up to two bars of 4/4. Sometimes I play a 16th note triplet on the bass drum over those last 2/16ths. The illusion is completed by accenting the quarter notes on the hi hat.

Cheers
Gavin

Thanks alot! I'll go practice that first thing in the morning!

[DrumSound]

Hi Gavin,

would it be possible to get your DVD sign after the show in Cologne,
that is if you still have any DVD left?
Would be really nice of you if you could find the time,
regards,
Ty

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi DrumSound,
yes there will be DVD's at the show. Usually you can catch us after the concert.

cheers
Gavin

[loveporcupine]

hi gavin,

i just came back from your open-air show in interlaken (greenfield festival).
we only went down there to see 5 songs (lol).

do you enjoy playing at festivals?
amazing how you played (lots of diffenrent breaks than on the dvd arriving s.). john wesley wasn't around. i will go friday to cologne to see the show, will he also be there?
and besides this, who is your favorite drummer?

ok gavin, see you on friday!

lionel

[Mustykat]

Hi Gavin, it's wonderful to have you reply constantly. I'm a big fan of yours and a big fan of Porcupine Tree. I have always marveled at your snare sound (and overall kit sound for that matter!) I am looking for a new snare and I would like to know which ones you play as it is very hard to find online or anywhere! Any tuning tips would be helpful too. Thank you.

[JTRGR]

Holy cow... I've never listened to Porcupine Tree before tonight... I just bought and down loaded the last three albums. You my friend are on it for sure... Thanks for the inspiration.

Cheers,

John

[cfdrumr]

gavin...you are truely amazing! I was listening to PT in the car today wiht my father (who was into you guys before I was; he is a guitarist) and he said this...

"how can guys even listen to Mike Portnoy? Compare him to gavin...gavin has soul, chops and plays the craziest stuff I've ever heard. Portnoy just plays the same crap over and over again; Gavin is always fresh!"

Thanks Gavin!

[fromyesterday]

Gavin,

Question on recording - you're setup is well documented here so need to go there. Do you use any pre amps other than the ones in the Mackie? As I understand you run your mics into the Mackie->Two Rosetta 800s->Firewire into a G5. I want to do something similar, although I can't really afford two 800s I might try the Ensemble line from Apogee out - not as stellar sounding but half the cost. Still 8/8 in/out.

If you're getting that good of sound out of the Mackie I can pick a used one up for much less than I could assemble some good stand alone pre-amps. Also been hearing good thing about the Soundtrac Topaz boards and the pres in those.

I've pretty much also decided the Royer 121s are a must have no skimp area. Then again my first priority is to record rehearsals and deliver my in ears a good sequenced click you have going on so I can build this studio slow as I'm not making records in it.

Secondly I've begun the process of making my own clicks with your sound files and Logic Pro so I can play with our sequenced sounds live. Logic has QUITE the learning curve. How are you doing this effeciently? I've been pasting a bar of the click in time, then copying that bar to the next, etc- This doesn't seem like the best way to be using Logic!

Thanks for any insight as always,

Richard

[KINGLUDWIG]

U know it!!!! Gavin can play anything! No wonder Neil Peart himself has very high reguard 4 this drummer who has finally arrived in class & style!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi loveporcupine,

i just came back from your open-air show in interlaken (greenfield festival).
we only went down there to see 5 songs (lol).

do you enjoy playing at festivals?
amazing how you played (lots of diffenrent breaks than on the dvd arriving s.). john wesley wasn't around. i will go friday to cologne to see the show, will he also be there?

Glad you enjoyed the Interlaken show. I don't really like playing festivals myself. I try to play different from show to show - and yes John Wesley will be back with us for the European tour.

Hi Mustykat,

I am looking for a new snare and I would like to know which ones you play as it is very hard to find online or anywhere! Any tuning tips would be helpful too.

I play a few snares - it depends which recordings or videos you've heard.
At the moment I'm playing an SQ2 snare from my new Sonor set. It's 6 ply Birch - 14" x 5"
and has rounded bearing edges (like the old Gretsch shape). I also play
14x6 Cottonwood Sonor
12x5 Designer Sonor snare
14x5 Black Steel Sonor snare

and quite a few others.

The tuning varies depending on the tune - so I can't be that specific - sorry.

Hi JTRGR and cfdrumr - thanks for the kind comments.

Hi fromyesterday
I really like the sound of the Mackie Desk - I know they can be found quite cheap these days - they're a real bargain. I would pick the Neumann TLM103's over the Royers - I've had both for some time now and the Neumanns just sound amazing to me. The Royers are good too but not as versatile. Yes Logic has quite a learning curve on it - but I've been using it for 10 years now - so it seems pretty easy to me.
With those click sounds - I would put them into a virtual sampler (EXS 24) as individual samples assigned to separate notes of course - and then just write in the pattern you want as midi notes. Once you have a bar written - you can just press "L" for loop and it will play until the end of the song or until you interrupt it with another midi pattern or a stop. I'm sure you'll a lot of Logic questions if you're just getting started - you might want to join the Logic Users forum - there's a lot of folks over there who can guide you along.

Cheers
Gavin

[tobi283]

hi gavin!

i came across porcupine tree and you about one year ago but within this year PT made it to be my favourite band and you to be my favourite drummer. i really love your playing!

what i want to ask:
since you joined the band in 2002, PT's music became harder and heavier, especially deadwing and fear of a blank planet. so, would you say that this is YOUR influence on the band?

i tried to get your dvd "rhytmic horizons" but it seems they don't have it here in austria. anyway, will it be available on the concert in amsterdam?

and how come there's no concert in austria this year :)) ??

So have fun in germany, we'll see at melkweg in amsterdam!!

[tobi283]

hi gavin!

i came across porcupine tree and you about one year ago but within this year PT made it to be my favourite band and you to be my favourite drummer. i really love your playing!

what i want to ask:
since you joined the band in 2002, PT's music became harder and heavier, especially deadwing and fear of a blank planet. so, would you say that this is YOUR influence on the band?

i tried to get your dvd "rhytmic horizons" but it seems they don't have it here in austria. anyway, will it be available on the concert in amsterdam?

and how come there's no concert in austria this year :)) ??

So have fun in germany, we'll see at melkweg in amsterdam!!

[Tolo]

hi gavin!


what i want to ask:
since you joined the band in 2002, PT's music became harder and heavier, especially deadwing and fear of a blank planet. so, would you say that this is YOUR influence on the band?


If you look at the MusikMesse '07 videos I wouldn't say that metal/hard-rock are his influences....:-)

[ZDrums24]

what i want to ask:
since you joined the band in 2002, PT's music became harder and heavier, especially deadwing and fear of a blank planet. so, would you say that this is YOUR influence on the band?

I don't know all the details, but from what I've picked up around the web over the last few years, SW goes where he wants to go musically. to roughly quote him: 'if i get up tomorrow and decide the next album is going to be a jazz album, then it will be a jazz album' (this was more in reference to the tendency of each PT album to sound a little different than the ones that came before it, but i think it makes my point)

[DrumSound]

Hi Gavin,

thanks for the quick response, I don't think they will let us stay in the building after the show,
so I'll just hang around out front and hope you find a free minute for me.
Have a good time in Cologne and the rest of the tour,
regards,
Ty

[tobi283]

I don't know all the details, but from what I've picked up around the web over the last few years, SW goes where he wants to go musically. to roughly quote him: 'if i get up tomorrow and decide the next album is going to be a jazz album, then it will be a jazz album' (this was more in reference to the tendency of each PT album to sound a little different than the ones that came before it, but i think it makes my point)

yes i've also heard about that but i still think that the harder parts of PT's songs are very much affected by gavin's drumming :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi tobi283,

what i want to ask:
since you joined the band in 2002, PT's music became harder and heavier, especially deadwing and fear of a blank planet. so, would you say that this is YOUR influence on the band?
i tried to get your dvd "rhytmic horizons" but it seems they don't have it here in austria. anyway, will it be available on the concert in amsterdam?


I don't think the heaviness has particularly been my influence on the band. I think the stranger rhythmic designs have. I didn't grow up on heavy music - so I probably don't play it in quite the same way as someone who has. I'm not aware of it getting progressively heavier - it felt quite heavy to me back when I first joined. Probably heavier than any gig I'd done before.

Yes - Rhythmic Horizons DVDs will be available at the European shows.

cheers
Gavin

[Burger]

Yes - Rhythmic Horizons DVDs will be available at the European shows.


Hi Gavin,

How much does it cost there? Great, that it will be available at Porcupine Tree gigs! *Thumbs Up*

Thanks for answering and best wishes,

Burger

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Burger,
I don't exactly know - something like 35 Euros?


For those of you who may be interested to hear what my new project with 05Ric sounds like...

we put up a whole song "Unsettled" at www.myspace.com/gavinharrison05ric

should be released soon.

cheers
Gavin

[KirkDS]

Hi Gavin -

I'm guessing that you play a little harder live than in the studio, but have you ever had a situation where your monitor mix wasn't just right, so you possibly ended up playing louder than normal to compensate, therefore making it impossible to acurately play some of your fills, etc.?

I ask becuase I was on an R&B / funk gig this past weekend and it was all keys and bass in my monitor and I ended up playing louder and louder as the night went on and eventually all my fills became 8th notes with no subtleties at all. I've had this happen to me in a few live situations where I was just physically unable to play what I wanted to because of the volume level I was at. Just curious if you've ever encountered this.

Thanks... Like everyone else, I'm a huge fan.
Kirk

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi KirkDS,
yes I know exactly what you mean - it happens to me too. My other problem is that I start off playing too hard in the first song because of an adrenaline rush - and feel like I have to keep up that intensity for the rest of the songs otherwise they will feel weak in comparison.
I get pretty annoyed with myself when I do that because - as you mentioned - I start struggling to articulate what I want to play - and my hands hurt.

Cheers
Gavin

[michael drums]

Hey Gavin! How's the tour going? Hopefully it's REAL smooth!!

Anyway...I'm wondering who your influences were/are, if there are any?

It's interesting to see how many different styles you play, AND HOW WELL!!

I saw you @ the Rams' Head show in Baltimore last month and was just FLOORED how intricate your playing is and it got me wondering what other drummers you like!

Thanks Gavin...Play On! ;-)

[Holomorph]

For those of you who may be interested to hear what my new project with 05Ric sounds like...

we put up a whole song "Unsettled" at www.myspace.com/gavinharrison05ric (http://www.myspace.com/gavinharrison05ric)

"Wow!" is all I can say. Brilliant music, your drumming just never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for the link!

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Hey Gavin! I know you have explained this numerous times, and I'm sorry to ask again, but what snare are you using on the Fear of a Blank Planet title track? Also, what heads and snares are you using? I know I've seen you talk about using I think 6 or 8 strand wires, but not sure which. Thanks again in advance for answering a possibly annoying question that has been asked numerous times. Also, just wanted to mention I recently got my sister in law into PT, and she now wants to see you guys next time you come to Philly! Thanks again! -Josh

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi michael drums,

I'm wondering who your influences were/are, if there are any?

I grew up listening to Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Harvey Mason, Stewart Copeland, Billy Cobham, Steve Schaeffer, John Guerin, Simon Phillips.

Glad you enjoyed the Baltimore show.

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,

what snare are you using on the Fear of a Blank Planet title track? Also, what heads and snares are you using?

It was my 1982 Yamaha RC 9000 14x5 Birch (round bearing edges). It has a coated pinstripe on the top and a snare side ambassador. A Puresound snare (12 strands- cut down to 8 strands in the middle).

Cheers
Gavin

[harry_GR]

Harry, is yours an old zildjian k or is it brand new?

it is a brand new 20" K Ride
I purchased it from "www.thomann.de", two months ago... check it out... very good prices in comparison to local stores here in Greece...

[ZDrums24]

Hi again, Gavin.

I keep hearing about how you cut down some snares to 8 strands. Just above you mentioned something like 'cut down to 8 strands in the middle.'

My question: where are you cutting them from exactly? Are you cutting out the middle 4 or 2 from each side?

I've seen some snares marketed that are actually two smaller sets of snares on either side of dead center. I was wondering if this is what you are doing.

Thanks for you time,
Austin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ZDrums24,
I take off two strands from each edge - leaving 8 strands in the middle.

Cheers
Gavin

[Mustykat]

Hi Gavin. Is the 12x5 Designer Snare the one you use on your dvd, while playing along to "So What?" If not, which snare is that? I love that sound! It's very refreshing to hear fresh new interpretations of jazz and swing. How did you tune that snare and which heads? Thanks again.

[harry_GR]

Hi again Gavin,

I tried took off the strands as you said, leaving 8 in the middle, and I would say that
the sound is very good... (my snare drum is a 14x5 sonor s-class with 24-strand snare, which I didn't ruined)

But I have a little problem with the tuning of the snare side head...
I tune it quite low and I am very satisfied till the time I try to play hard.
the bottom head is detuning because of the unbolted screws which one of them ends up falling of the drum...

Generally, I want my sound to be rather low in pitch, a little bit jazz-blues...
Also I like the drum to sing a bit if it has no muffle rings and if it has rings, to be fat with attack and a funky accent...

Do you think I can have these two qualities of sound in just one snare?

It would be grateful if you could give a method for tuning from your aspect, or the tonal differences between top and bottom heads...

Thanks for your time... best wishes...

Harry

[tobi283]

hello again...

don't know if this already has been asked but... how do you usually warm up before a gig? i mean, do you have special rudiments? and does it depend on which kind of music / which band you play with?

i've once heard about ian paice saying that his warming up is to play single strokes on snare, just as loud, as fast and as long as he can :)

cheers!
tobi

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Mustykat,

Is the 12x5 Designer Snare the one you use on your dvd, while playing along to "So What?" . How did you tune that snare and which heads?

Yes, that's the one. It has Remo Ambassadors on it and I'd say it's tuned fairly high.

Hi harry_GR

I tune it quite low and I am very satisfied till the time I try to play hard.
the bottom head is detuning because of the unbolted screws which one of them ends up falling of the drum.
Do you think I can have these two qualities of sound in just one snare?

If the bolts are falling out the bottom of the drum, probably you have the head tuned too low. Actually I tune my bottom snare heads quite tight. Tighter than the top head anyway. I think it's possible to get many different sounds out of one drum - the problem is changing the sounds between songs in a concert. I use two snare drums when I play with Porcupine Tree - a 14x5 and a 12x5 off to my left.

Hi tobi283,

how do you usually warm up before a gig? i mean, do you have special rudiments? and does it depend on which kind of music / which band you play with?

These days I warm up on a practice pad for about 15 minutes before the show. Normally I just play single and double stroke rolls. I never used to warm up - but if the first song in the show is long/hard/fast then my hands can get tired quite quickly.

cheers
Gavin

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

I have a question about your process when creating/building drum parts.

While you're in the zone of creative exploration within a track, do you try everything that you think might stick and then subtract extraneous parts? Or do you start simple and then gradually add parts later being more sympathetic to the other instruments?

Lastly, what kit did you use to record the 05Ric project? really REALLY like your playing on UnSettled!

Thanks
Jeff

[Mustykat]

Hey Gavin, my apologies for so many inquiries about the snare drum. How would you compare the (more affordable) Delite Series 12 x 5s? Thanks again.

[ZDrums24]

I am posing this question to everyone.

Does anyone have any insight to the opening tom groove of 'UnSettled' from Mr. Harrison's work with 05ric?

the only thing I feel sure of is the fact that the groove is shifting from 16th notes to 16th note triplets (or something metricly comprable). i have been trying to find a time signiture for about 5 minutes, but I really cant even find a good landmark in the groove to count from (let alone find one). I have been trying to use those two snare hits as a landmark, but even when I am not trying to count, it feels like the groove is shrinking until it reaches a point and then i begins again back at the beginning length.

I have tried finding a pattern in the tom voicing, and I think I hear one, but it is hard to really say for sure because the groove seems to shrink with each repitition. I am starting to think the groove as a whole is actually much longer than I have been thinking. AH! This is the first groove in a long time to stump me so completely.

I'm curious as to what the rest of you think is happening and, if possible, later compare it to what Mr. Harrison says it is (if he feels like revealing any of it. it is his after all.)

I'm going to be annoyed if it ends up being something extremely simple and that I have just been over analyzing it.

[dejus]

Hello to Gavin and all drummerworld forummemebers!!!!
THis is my first post here!!!
Gavin when i first time hear you drumming in PT i just fall in love of your style of play. FOr my you are one of the best drummr of the world and i love to watch you plaing.
I have got question!!! Meaby someone ask for this on forum but i cant found it.
What drumehads you use( i know that remo) on batter and resonat and how you tune them(high,mid,low). I just love sound of your drums!!!
Bye bye
Sorry for my english!!!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JeffV71


I have a question about your process when creating/building drum parts.
While you're in the zone of creative exploration within a track, do you try everything that you think might stick and then subtract extraneous parts? Or do you start simple and then gradually add parts later being more sympathetic to the other instruments?

Lastly, what kit did you use to record the 05Ric project? really REALLY like your playing on UnSettled!


I try many different ideas - mostly just instinctive. I listen to the melody and groove of the other instruments and try to find something a little unusual to compliment them. I try to avoid (what I consider to be) clichés. It's a bit of a mystery where some ideas come from - and I like that. It can depend what kind of day I'm having.

The drums on my new project with 05Ric is my Sonor Designer (the same one I used on the last two PT albums).

cheers
Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Mustykat

How would you compare the (more affordable) Delite Series 12 x 5s? Thanks again.

I don't think I've ever played one.

Hi ZDrums24

Does anyone have any insight to the opening tom groove of 'UnSettled' from Mr. Harrison's work with 05ric?

After the little snare roll there's 8 bars of 4/4. The snare accents are different in each of the first 4 bars - then it's repeated.

Hi dejus

What drumehads you use( i know that remo) on batter and resonat and how you tune them(high,mid,low). I just love sound of your drums!!!

On the toms I use Remo Coated Emperors on the top and clear Ambassadors on the bottom. I guess they are tuned medium/low. There is some information about specific intervals earlier in this thread.

Cheers
Gavin

[figure_02]

Hi Gavin, going to bother you with another question. The fill after the long drumless part of "Mother and Child Divided" sounds extremely cool, I guess it's some 2, 4, 6 stuff between your hands and feet, cause it really sounds like a Portnoy fill and I know he does that alot.

Cheers.

[ZDrums24]

After the little snare roll there's 8 bars of 4/4. The snare accents are different in each of the first 4 bars - then it's repeated.




AW DANG! I was fooled. I'm going to try to go from there. This is really a cool groove. I haven't heard anything quite like it in drumset playing.

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

Had a listen to the 05Ric track 'Unsettled'. Fantastic! Really enjoyed the track, primarily for the drumming (nice one Sir!) but some nice bass work too.

I recently became the proud owner of copies of your two DVD's. Again, many thanks for a great insight into your approach (there's so much 'food for thought' on there that there's a serious risk of obesity for the watcher). You might need to add a health warning to the cover :o) Any plan to release the music from the DVD's with the drum tracks removed so that we mere mortals can have an 'attempt' at them?

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,
Any plan to release the music from the DVD's with the drum tracks removed so that we mere mortals can have an 'attempt' at them?

or maybe a sort of multitracks to create a mix for yourself (if you want the bass higher and keys lower for example?). I know the chance is pretty small this is going to happen but would be nice for sure !

Can't wait till thursday to see you playing again... Setlist looks pretty good to me (though no arriving somewhere sadly which is a huge favourite here but Im happy with everything as long as you guys play ;)) so Im sure it will be a killer gig !

Though one small question, are photocameras allowed if I don't use the flash? I'd love to take some pictures from the master in action...

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi figure_02,

The fill after the long drumless part of "Mother and Child Divided" sounds extremely cool, I guess it's some 2, 4, 6 stuff between your hands and feet.

you are correct.

Hi mixamuss


Any plan to release the music from the DVD's with the drum tracks removed?

no plans at the moment - sorry.

Hi SantiBanks,

Though one small question, are photocameras allowed if I don't use the flash? I'd love to take some pictures from the master in action...

sorry but no cameras allowed.

Cheers
Gavin

[figure_02]

Hi figure_02,

The fill after the long drumless part of "Mother and Child Divided" sounds extremely cool, I guess it's some 2, 4, 6 stuff between your hands and feet.

you are correct.


Sorry if I did not make it more clear, any chance you could write down what's exactly going on?

Thanks again for you sharing your time.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi figure_02

I don't have the recording with me but I think it's

S S K K T4 T4 K K T3 T3 T3 T3 K K T2 T2 T2 T2 K K S S

S = Snare
K = Kick drum
T4 = Tom 4 etc

cheers
Gavin

[figure_02]

That sounds correct, thanks again!

[loveporcupine]

hi gavin,

after interlaken, thx for this great show in cologne, the e-werk was packed and we had a great time. you just played amazing.

thx again

[spartacus1989]

Heya Gavin!

This is a slightly off topic question but I am deperate to know:
Are you and Porcupine Tree going to be supporting rush this year?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi spartacus1989,

Are you and Porcupine Tree going to be supporting rush this year?

not as far as I know.

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

What's your favourite music style? To play and to listen to

I read somewhere that before your days with Iggy Pop you weren't into that kind of music, but you started to like it.

I know you also like Thomas Haake from Meshuggah, do you like the music or is more out of a drumming point of view. You also said you liked to work with Fredrik Thordendal, cause you really liked his solo album.

I know you probably like all styles of music from jazz to metal, but what kind of music comes closest to you, if you know what I mean.

See ya thursday in the Milkyway
Drizzle

[crookedrook]

Hi Gavin,

I just watched three of the videos of you @ Musikmesse on your Drummerworld profile-I love your drum fills and how you incorporate them into the songs. It's amazing to see you go from jazz to Porcupine Tree and how you still keep the drum style the same between both. Do you still use your steel sonor snare, the one you recorded Deadwing with?

Thanks,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

I know you probably like all styles of music from jazz to metal, but what kind of music comes closest to you

that's a hard question - I don't really have a favourite - probably the music that's closet to me is the music I listened to when I was age 15-20 - and I still listen to those records now and I'm still very impressed by them.

Hi crookedrook

Do you still use your steel sonor snare, the one you recorded Deadwing with?

Yes the Sonor "black steel" is great, I used it on the PT DVD "Arriving Somewhere..." I don't remember using it on Deadwing...but my memory is fading!!

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

....probably the music that's closet to me is the music I listened to when I was age 15-20 - and I still listen to those records now and I'm still very impressed by them.


Could you share with us some of those records.

Is a band like Porcupine Tree a band you envisioned yourself playing in when you where younger or in a more jazz or fusion kind of band?


Cheers,
Drizzle

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Hey Gavin, quick question. I've been listening more and more to In Absentia...mainly The Sound Of Muzak...Anyways, just curious as to what time you are playing in for Sound of Muzak? I am really bad with time, and just trying to get an idea. The groove you play in that song just sounds amazing, and every time I hear it, I wanna play! Also, what would you recommend, in terms of books, DVDs, etc. for a better understanding of time? Thanks! -Josh

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

Could you share with us some of those records.

off the top of my head at the moment...

Art Farmer "Crawl Space"
Art Farmer Jim Hall "Big Blues"
Bob James first four albums
Chet Baker "She Was Too Good To Me"
Chick Corea "The Mad Hatter" & "Friend"
Pat Williams "Threshold"
Ian Dury & The Blockheads "New Boots & Panties"
Ben Sidran "The Cat & The Hat"
Jeff Beck "There & Back"
Stevie Wonder "Songs In The Key Of Life"
Quincy Jones "I Heard That"
Randy Crawford "Secret Combination" & "Windsong"
Chuck Mangione "Main Squeeze"
Donald Fagen "The Nightfly"
Frank Zappa "Joe's Garage"
Chaka Khan "Stomping at the Savoy"
Stanley Clarke "Rocks Pebbles & Sand"
Herbie Hancock "Mr Hands"
Gino Vannelli "Brother To Brother"
Tom Scott “Apple Juice”

(plus many more I can't think of right now)

Is a band like Porcupine Tree a band you envisioned yourself playing in when you where younger or in a more jazz or fusion kind of band?

I guess I would never have imagined being in a band like PT way back when I was listening to the above records.

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,

just curious as to what time you are playing in for Sound of Muzak?

It's in 7/16, 7/8 or 7/4 depending on your rhythmic perspective.

cheers
Gavin

[volume_3]

Hi

I'm Mike, 17, and I've only been playing drums since september, but im heavily influenced by you Gavin, the way you experiment with the drums is just mind blowing! The videos on youtube (like the cymbal song (also on Arriving Somewhere) and the same form of recording you did with the tom drums) are amazing for ideas and inspiration on using the drums to their full potential.

I'm having trouble figuring out time signatures though, Gavin you seem to be quite the mathmatician when it comes to the drums, do you have any tips for counting time signatures, and working them out?

I really hope im nearly half as good as you one of these days!

The new album is fantastic by the way.

Mike

[tobi283]

hi gavin!

i recently found out that you're playing a 13" hi hat is that right?
i'm about to buy myself a new hi hat (it's probably gonna be the A custom) and the shop assistent advised me to think about a 13" one, because it would sound more special and shilhouetted against the other instruments. well that seems logical to me but do you think that it will fit to heavier music too? what is your reason for playing a 13" hihat?

thanks!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi volume_3

I'm having trouble figuring out time signatures though, Gavin you seem to be quite the mathmatician when it comes to the drums, do you have any tips for counting time signatures, and working them out?

You get used to the sound of 7 & 5 & 9 they just have a sound to them that (when you're familiar enough with them) you instantly recognise.

Some compound time signatures are a bit more tricky to hear. Maybe it's a time signature like 19/8 but inside that you can hear two 7's and a 5. Sometimes I have to just sit and count through it carefully until I reach the obvious repeat point in the rhythm.

I have a method of count odd groupings that is explained on my last DVD Rhythmic Horizons - you might find it useful to see it.

Hi tobi283

i recently found out that you're playing a 13" hi hat is that right?

That is correct - I find them very versatile.

cheers
Gavin

[moncholo]

Hi Gavin,

I'm trying to get my snare drum to be as sensible as yours. I mean i want my snare to feel every little note and ghost note and buzz roll that i play, so as to be able to play stuff like The Sound of Muzak or the last part of Anesthetize, where you're playing all this little simple and dynamic notes on the snare drum. Do you have any tips to achieve that kind of response from your snare? Could it be a technique issue? Could it be a tuning or snare issue?

I'd really appreciate and answer! Thanks for your time!

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

I know he does use 8 strands on his snare (not sure if it's on all of them) so that has something to do with it. I just recently did this to my snare, and it sounds awesome. You would think, less snares, less sensitivity, but that does not seem to prove true. if you have extra snares, I would recommend experimenting. I'll stop here, as i'm sure Mr. Harrison will have a better explanation lol :)

[moncholo]

thanks! i'll try that, but i'm still gonna wait till i get tips from the master himself.