Gavin Harrison here!

[Fabio]

Ok Thanx Master!!
I have found :) :)

really binding, but also really constructive!! i like so much it!! :) :)

Thanx again Masteer Gavin!!

Good Work!!

[RVP]

Gavin,

Just wanted to pay some respect to one of my favorite drummers. Love your work, especially with Porcupine Tree. The "Arriving Somewhere..." DVD is phenomenal. I'm also very impressed with your approach on "Displacement" of beats and your approach to drum fills, amazing stuff. I actually was drawn to the Drummerworld Forums through your website, what a great place this is.

One question I have for you if you get the chance to answer.... What company makes your Crotales Cymbals (Several small bell cymbals off to the left of your Hats) and in what Octaves do you have yours in ? They sound great! I'm looking into getting some from Sabian to add on to my kit for a dynamic effect. Thanks in advance.

Keep up the inspiring drumming. You are truly a genius behind the kit in my eyes.

All the best,

Ryan Van Poederooyen
- Fellow drummer from The Devin Townsend Band and Terror Syndrome

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

I noticed on the Deadwing DTS, in the movie 'The making of.. ', when you play Mother and Child devided that there's a piece of black foam or something between the snare and the first tom.
Why is that ? Is it for mike leakage or to keep the snares from buzzing when playing the first tom?

Cheers, Dre

[angelo]

Hi Gavin
I have seen the photos on “Studio M Live. Many beautiful thanks!!
http://www.studiomlive.com/artists/porcupinetree0507/
You used another drum kit this is"Arriving Somewhere" dvd kit.
this is your american drum kit?
Have you a photo of your new SONOR 14x5 SQ2 snare?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi RVP,

What company makes your Crotales Cymbals (Several small bell cymbals off to the left of your Hats) and in what Octaves do you have yours in ?

I kind of made them myself - based on broken Zildjian crash cymbals. Discussion and method can be found around page 15 on this thread post No, 507. They have no particular pitch.

Hi Drizzle,

I noticed on the Deadwing DTS, in the movie 'The making of.. ', when you play Mother and Child divided that there's a piece of black foam or something between the snare and the first tom.

I was trying to cut down on the amount of spill coming from the hi hat into the snare drum mic (shure sm57). since I started with the Audix i5 mic on the snare the problem seems much less - so I don't use the foam anymore.

Hi angelo,

You used another drum kit this is"Arriving Somewhere" dvd kit.
this is your american drum kit?
Have you a photo of your new SONOR 14x5 SQ2 snare?

Yes that is the Blue DeLight kit that I use in the USA and on the DVD. My SQ2 is in those pictures too. I don't have any close up photos of it at the moment.

Cheers
Gavin

[angelo]

Hi Gavin
Hi RVP,
[I]
I was trying to cut down on the amount of spill coming from the hi hat into the snare drum mic (shure sm57). since I started with the Audix i5 mic on the snare the problem seems much less - so I don't use the foam anymore.

Know you which difference between “Shure sm57 "VS Audix i5?
I seen the characteristics Audix i5, perhaps is much more low,but really I do not know like sound. Can you say of what about of this?
I use Shure sm 57 top and bottom with "Royer at 84 shock mount" I seen this to use, Bruce Swedien recording session photo on Royer Lab site.
http://www.royerlabs.com/recording_tips/drs/BruceOverheads3_XLG.html
This is Jennifer Lopez session with Omar Hakim.
Very thanks for your time.
Angelo

[That Guy]

This might shock all of you, but I have never heard of Mr. Harrison until a few months ago. I know, I know... sue me. All I can say is... WOW! This guy is incredible.

Thats it.

[angelo]

Hi Gavin
This is Bruce Swedien recording drum tecnique.
He is one between the greatest engineers of the sound. The Kick Drum cover is made of a furniture blanket with elastic on the circumference and a zippered opening for the mike.http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/bruce-swedien/23422d1156454391-hi-hat-baffle-bass-drum-cover-close-photo.jpg
second photo is michael jackson Billy Jean recording session The Snare / Hat isolation baffle is made of - a layer of Plywood, a layer of Mu-Metal (similar to lead) and a layer of compressed wood....http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/bruce-swedien/23423d1156454409-hi-hat-baffle-drums-above-2jpg-copy.jpg
Can you say of what about of this? For me is a very interesting discussion
Thanks for your time you are incredible person
Angelo

[dannypenalver]

Hi Gav
back on track after 3 months, (working , practicing etc.) congratulations about your new stuff, sounds great, keep it up!

Danny P

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi angelo,

Know you which difference between “Shure sm57 "VS Audix i5?

I couldn't really hear any difference between the two mics - but I found I was getting some rattling from the top of the SM57 - and it appeared to me that I got less hi hat in the Audix.

second photo is michael jackson Billy Jean recording session

I don't think that is really a photo of the "Billie Jean" session - it seems that the hi hat cymbals are Zildjian ZXT Titanium - which were not available in 1982 track was recorded. (Or the Royer R122 mic). Interesting - but very ugly solution in any case.

Bruce Swedien certainly is one of the legends of studio engineering. I guess back then people were worried about separation and spill. I remember doing sessions where I just played hi hat - then overdubbed the bass drum - then overdubbed the snare drum. Not much fun - and generally didn't feel as good as if I had played everything together.

cheers
Gavin

[rhythmjunkie]

Hey Gavin, just wanted to say that I like the way you play the drums, a lot.

[angelo]

HI Gavin,

second photo is michael jackson Billy Jean recording session

I don't think that is really a photo of the "Billie Jean" session - it seems that the hi hat cymbals are Zildjian ZXT Titanium - which were not available in 1982 track was recorded. (Or the Royer R122 mic). Interesting - but very ugly solution in any case.

Bruce Swedien certainly is one of the legends of studio engineering. I guess back then people were worried about separation and spill. I remember doing sessions where I just played hi hat - then overdubbed the bass drum - then overdubbed the snare drum. Not much fun - and generally didn't feel as good as if I had played everything together.

cheers
Gavin

I don't know if it is really “Billie Jean” photo session recording , I've read this in the "Gearslutz" forum. Post and the photo were sended from Bruce Swedien.For me is not a Zildjian ZXT Titanium for me is old Zildjian black cymbal with gold logo. You can read this:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/1432249-post40.html
I have another question. In your wokshop in italy you have a cushion for protected notebook of vibrations.Can you say me which model?

Thanks a lot, "You are always number one". Thanks for the trick and your experience
Angelo

[ebbandflopsy]

Hi Gavin,

which are the pros and cons to record with mackie 24 8?
How you connect your studio equipment?

Which mics do you use for live gigs with porcupine tree? Which is the purpose of your digital mixer in live situations?

Thanks!

[ddrumbum]

Hello Gavin

With your help on a few post back I asked how to play HALO, well I think I figured it out, and made a video of me playing it, it is obviously nowhere near as good as you, but I think I did alright, anyway if you could watch this and critique me I would really appreciate it.

Your drumming is a HUGE inspiration to me, I love your grooves and your style, and am trying to llearn as much as I can, I have both your DVDs, and am constantly watching them, I am just really impressed with your technique and how you express yourself in your playing.

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=17422874

[Ayl20]

Hello Mr Harrison,

First off... what a drummer you are. Maybe all of these flatteries become a bit mundayne after a while, but i hope that you realise how influential you are to so many people (as exhibited in this forum). Every time i listen to any of your playing (especially with PT) i feel like rushing to my throne. You are without doubt one of the most (if not the most) musical and creative drummers i have ever heard... though, unfortunately, i hadn't heard of you or PT until about 7 months ago.

Anyway, this may sound like a stupid question, but i was wondering if it was still possible to purchase your books and DVD. I followed liks from previous pages on this forum but i could not see the books nor the DVD available for purchase. Sorry if i have missed something or if this has been asked before (i searched through as many pages of this forum as i could since i first found it... which was only yesterday : (

Any reply would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

-Luke

[Ayl20]

Sorry, just to clarify; to buy the books do i email the order to 'burningshed', as it says at the top of the page (http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/page/1/) and to buy your DVD's do i just go to a local drum shop or are they availalbe on the same site? I'm really sorry if this is obvious to everyone but me and i've just somehow missed them on the site lol.

Regards,

-Luke

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi angelo,

In your wokshop in italy you have a cushion for protected notebook of vibrations.Can you say me which model?

It's just an inflatable cushion. I bought in Tokyo airport for about 3 Euros.

Hi ebbandflopsy,

which are the pros and cons to record with mackie 24 8?

inexpensive - sounds great. I can't see any cons with it.

How you connect your studio equipment?

Microphones are plugged into the Mackie 32:8 and then each channel has a direct out. These 'direct outs' are connected to the 16 channels of Apogee Rosetta 800's via a multi core cable and after the Apogees have turned the analogue signal into a digital one it gets passed via firewire to the computer.

Which mics do you use for live gigs with porcupine tree?

BD Shure SM91
SN top and bottom Shure SM57
HH and Overheads Neumann KM84
TOMS Electrovoice ND408

Which is the purpose of your digital mixer in live situations?

we use the Yamaha 02R96 for our monitor desk.

Hi ddrumbum,

With your help on a few post back I asked how to play HALO, well I think I figured it out, and made a video of me playing it, it is obviously nowhere near as good as you, but I think I did alright, anyway if you could watch this and critique me I would really appreciate it.

First of all - I know it's not as easy as it sounds - so well done for attempting it. I think you need to work on your accuracy with your bass drum (and your timing in general) - also I noticed that you hit the snare drum off centre. In the middle part (17/8) keep straight 8th notes on the hi hat and really accent the quarter notes. Apart from that - I can feel you're enjoying playing it - so keep working on it - things will get easier the more you focus on them.


Hi Ayl20

Sorry, just to clarify; to buy the books do i email the order to 'burningshed', as it says at the top of the page (http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/page/1/) and to buy your DVD's do i just go to a local drum shop or are they availalbe on the same site?

Yes you can buy both books from Burning Shed - you need to email them for those items. Then follow the link at

http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/collection/23/

for the DVD Rhythmic Horizons. The first DVD is out of stock at the moment but plenty of other places have it.

cheers
Gavin

[monkeyboy]

Hi Gav,

How's it going? Just thought I'd ask a quick question - have you guys got Australia penciled in for a future tour with the the Tree? Was fortunate enough to catch you guys a few times when you played London in the last couple of years - great shows - Shepherd's Bush being my first was very memorable.

Love the chops and the groove - especially the grove - to die for - maybe I should rephrase and say dance too, but I can't, so I like to nod.

Take it easy and hopefully catch you on an upcoming Australian tour(maybe the guys at RR can get something sorted for oz).

cheers

Ant

[ddrumbum]

Hi ddrumbum,

With your help on a few post back I asked how to play HALO, well I think I figured it out, and made a video of me playing it, it is obviously nowhere near as good as you, but I think I did alright, anyway if you could watch this and critique me I would really appreciate it.

First of all - I know it's not as easy as it sounds - so well done for attempting it. I think you need to work on your accuracy with your bass drum (and your timing in general) - also I noticed that you hit the snare drum off centre. In the middle part (17/8) keep straight 8th notes on the hi hat and really accent the quarter notes. Apart from that - I can feel you're enjoying playing it - so keep working on it - things will get easier the more you focus on them.


cheers
Gavin

Thank I certainly do and certainly will, thanks again.

[dannypenalver]

Hi Gavin.

Just to ask a couple of questions here..

I can see your double pedal bass playing is good, What kind of exercises did you play to develop the speed and endurance for the PT songs and the DVD's?

Do you use moeller or anything like it?

Cheers Danny.

[Ayl20]

I second that visit to Australia commented on above. It would be awesome to see you and PT down here, but for a lot of bands i can see why Australia is not an economically viable destination :(

Anyway, i have a quick question if you don't mind. I was wondering if you have a favourite style of music to play? I read that your dad was a jazz trumpeter (i hope that this is right), so i was wondering whether you still play alot of other styles of music outside of your current projects genre's (if you have time that is)? Also, this may sound like a stupid question, but i was wondering whether you are a fan of Porcupine Tree's music? I'm sure that you like your music (considering that you have such an input into it), but i was wondering whether you would still listen to PT if you didn't play with them. It may seem an odd question but i know some friends who play in bands in which they despise the music but like their own parts within the music... it's a strange situation i know :)
I don't mean any disrespect... i LOVE PT!!!

Any reply would be greatly aprreciated.

Regards,

-Luke

[xamanex]

hello Mr Gavin

I am argentinian , I´m drummer
My name is Cristian

one question

what double pedals do you use ???

axis?
or pearl eliminator??

[Stanley]

Hi Gavin,

What kind of microphone clamps do you use to mount your ND408's to your toms? I have not been able to get mine in the position that I see yours in the Arriving DVD.

Thank You for your time,
Joel

[aydee]

Hi Gavin, just curious...., since you seem to me, to be delving into a lot of poly-rhythmic layering, and exploring odd groupings signature -wise ( the 19/8 ..7, 7, 5 you did at musicmesse), and also kind of approaching rhythm in a very phrased manner,.... have you heard or been inspired by any of the Indian stuff.

The reason I ask, is because the principles and approach of Indian rhythm is exactly that.

thanks, and great playing!, as always.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi monkeyboy,

have you guys got Australia penciled in for a future tour with the the Tree?

not at the moment.

Hi dannypenalver,

What kind of exercises did you play to develop the speed and endurance for the PT songs and the DVD's? Do you use moeller or anything like it?

As I've said before - I really don't think I've got some great technique on the double bass drum pedals. There are plenty of drummers around who have - and I'm probably not the right person to give advice about it. I don't think I use a moeller technique with my feet - probably the thing that has got me the furthest is perseverance. I've been trying to play a double pedal since 1984 - am I'm still working on it. Accuracy is the "Holy Grail" for me - not speed.

Hi Ayl20,

I was wondering if you have a favourite style of music to play?

I don't really have a favorite style of music to play - I don't really think in 'genres'. For me, there's just 'good music' and 'bad music' - according to my personal taste. I try to play as much as I can in the 'good music' style.

Hi xamanex,

one question what double pedals do you use ???

At the moment I'm using Axis Longboards.

Hi Stanley,

What kind of microphone clamps do you use to mount your ND408's to your toms? I have not been able to get mine in the position that I see yours in the Arriving DVD.

On that DVD - the tom mics were mounted on clamps that gripped the suspension arms of the toms. So - not on the rims themselves - but the metal suspension arms that are just off the shell. I really don't like clamps on the rims of the drums because they effect the sound of the drum. Now I have those mics on short boom arms mounted off the drum rack.

Hi aydee,

have you heard or been inspired by any of the Indian stuff.

Yes to both of those. I used to be in a band with a brilliant Indian tabla player - and I learnt many things from him. I know about the way they count with syllables - and my method of counting odd rhythms and groupings is very similar.

cheers
Gavin

[dairyairman]

hey gavin! i'm looking forward to the upcoming porcupine tree show in orlando florida, oct. 4th. i see that park avenue cds (a local record store) has announced that porcupine tree will be doing an in-store show earlier in the evening. that's a really small venue, so i know you won't be bringing your kit there, but will you be there at all? i mean, do you generally show up for small acoustic performances like that? i hope so because i'd love to see you perform at close range on hand drums or whatever, and maybe get the chance to meet you before the big show later in the evening.

[angelo]

Hi Gavin,
I have made to construct my support for cup chime with Quick-release with spring this support is total in alluminium.
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7154/immagine019zu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6936/immagine020fm0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/9303/immagine021yq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/5673/immagine030gh7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3865/immagine037xv3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3627/immagine033mm9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Can you say of what about of this? do you like it?
thanks of experiment and thanks a lot
Angelo

[Ayl20]

Hello Mr Harrison,

I was wondering, if you had time, whether you could explain the fill from 'Sounds of Muzak' to me... it's one of my favourite fills of yours and it is sooo tasteful. It is the one which links the vocal/acoustic guitar part to the final chorus/outro.

I have been learning the song and (to me at least) it all sounds pretty correct to the extent that my abilities will allow it be, but when i play that fill it just lacks the texture and feel that it should have and i think it may be that i'm not playing it in its enirety... like, for instance, i may be missing out a bass drum stroke when there should be one.

My main problem is that I can't work out which drums you are playing; that is, i'ts hard for me to hear the exact voicings of each note<< i hope this makes sense. Anyway, if you have already covered this then don't worry about replying because i'm slowly making my way through the whole thread. Also, if it's too much effort or time (believe me i will understand) then don't bother, but if you could it would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Keep up the GREAT work.

Regards,

-Luke

((( If anyone else knows this fill then you could save Gavin some time if you wanted ; )





Sorry about all the deleted posts... i was having some computer problems, i don't know how it happened?!?!

[hauk]

((( If anyone else knows this fill then you could save Gavin some time if you wanted ; )


In the prog issue of Modern Drummer (Mike Portnoy cover) that just came out there is a full transcription of The Sound of Muzak if you want to check it out.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi dairyairman,

i see that park avenue cds (a local record store) has announced that porcupine tree will be doing an in-store show earlier in the evening. that's a really small venue, so i know you won't be bringing your kit there, but will you be there at all? i mean, do you generally show up for small acoustic performances like that? i

I doubt very much that I'll be there. Usually these small in-store things have no room for a full band setup - and so typically they tend to be Steve and Wes singing and playing acoustic guitars.

Hi angelo,
your cymbal rack looks very similar to mine - looks like you did a good job with it.

Hi Ayl20,

I was wondering, if you had time, whether you could explain the fill from 'Sounds of Muzak' to me

Hauk is correct - there's a transcription of the whole track in the new Modern Drummer. I've just checked it against the fill and I think there's probably two 32nd on the bass drum directly after the two 32nds on the tom....but it was a long time ago that I recorded it - and my playing on that track has slowly mutated over the years into something else. Anyway - I'm glad you like it.

cheers
Gavin

[Clint Hopkins]

Hi Gavin,
I was wondering if you (and Angelo, if he'd like) could explain the construction of the actual chime mount. I'm highly interested in making one myself.

Thanks so much. Looking forward to seeing you and the rest of PT in Atlanta in October.

Clint

[ItalianRicky]

Hi gavin, this is my 1st post on this forum, and i'm glad to use it for write to you.
Probably i write some errors..my english is not good...:(

Since the first time i heard you in "la cura" of Franco Battiato, 34 years ago, i loved your drumming style.
From that moment, i've followed you and your musicianship with Porcupine Tree...
I've always played with a 8" 10" 12" 14" 16" 22"x18" and 2 snares set, and i gotta say that when i saw you with my same setup i was very glad.I was contaminated from you,overall by 2 things:
your tingle cups and the 14" oriental china that you use for example in "mother and child divided".
I've introduced it in my set and i gotta say that this add to my drumming a lot of ideas.
Now i wanna ask you some tips...

1- tuning drums.
I've found a great Bass drum sound with an Evans EQ4(similar to Power Stroke 3 remo).
But i got serius problems with the 12" tom and the 16".
I got a lot of sustain...too much sustain.
I'm using coated single ply heads...I need the warm sound of coated heads and a more hard sound on tom toms.do you suggest to use double ply heads?
Do you have some trick to tune the toms?resonant heads must have an particolar tuning?

2-snare drum.
Your sound on the snare is simply amazing.I've heard you at Drumsportal clinic in rieti(do you remember Yuri?) ans at boschello music store.Your designer 12" snare sound in a killer way!That time you've told me that you usually use emperor,pinstripe and emperor X on snares.But i saw that you have a heavy hit on the drums...i think that i have a little weak hit than you.I wanna a controlled sound on the snare...i've found a better head than ambassador in CS...emperor may be more versatile?the last problem is the ZZZZZ of my snare...what i can do for resolve this problem?


Thanks a lot and sorry if've stealed a lot of time to you.
i show you a photo of my set...i think that it seem familiar to you...:D
http://img117.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p7160071fa2.jpg
Thanks again Gavin, good luck!

Riccardo

[Scone]

Hi Gavin

I was curious: why did you choose to play matched grip? Is it a comfort issue or do you not like the look of traditional grip or something? I'm just curious... :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Clint Hopkins,

I was wondering if you (and Angelo, if he'd like) could explain the construction of the actual chime mount. I'm highly interested in making one myself.

I can't really explain how my one was made because a good friend of mine made it for me. I know Sabian used to make something similar to it.

Hi ItalianRicky,

Since the first time i heard you in "la cura" of Franco Battiato, 34 years ago

I don't think it was 34 years ago :-) It was recorded in the late 1990's

But i got serius problems with the 12" tom and the 16".
I got a lot of sustain...too much sustain.
I'm using coated single ply heads...I need the warm sound of coated heads and a more hard sound on tom toms.do you suggest to use double ply heads?
Do you have some trick to tune the toms?resonant heads must have an particolar tuning?

Try making a thin "O" rings (about 1.5cms wide) and drop them inside those "ringing" drums.The "O" ring should just rest on the bottom head inside. If it still rings too much - make a wider "O" ring - or a narrower one if the sustain is killed too much. I would also try changing to Remo coated Emperors on the top. I have no particular method - except experience and perseverance.

I wanna a controlled sound on the snare...i've found a better head than ambassador in CS...emperor may be more versatile?the last problem is the ZZZZZ of my snare...what i can do for resolve this problem?

Try all the heads - sometimes a particular drum works best with a particular head. Recently I'm using C.S in combination with a thin "O" ring. Is your snare drum buzzing by itself - or when you hit the toms? I use a Puresound 1412 but I take off the outside 4 snares (two from each side) so there's just 8 snares in the middle.
Regarding the buzz when you hit the toms: Turn off the snares and compare the pitch of the snare drum against the toms. If any of the tom pitches are close to the snare pitch - you'll get buzz when the snares are on. You have to change the pitch of either the tom(s) or the snare drum to avoid it (although it never goes away completely - but you can improve it a lot).

Hi Scone,

I was curious: why did you choose to play matched grip? Is it a comfort issue or do you not like the look of traditional grip or something?

My drum teacher - when I was a kid - wanted me to play matched grip. It just makes more sense to me - especially if you're playing loud. I do occasionally switch when I want that sensitive light articulate touch from the snare drum - but 99% of the time I play matched. I just can't get really loud rim shots from playing traditional grip.

cheers
Gavin

[ItalianRicky]

Hi Clint Hopkins,

Hi ItalianRicky,

Since the first time i heard you in "la cura" of Franco Battiato, 34 years ago

I don't think it was 34 years ago :-) It was recorded in the late 1990's


sorry gavin,i wanna write "4" i've put a wrong "3" !!!I've heard this song 4 years ago,from the Lp "L'Imboscata"...the first time that i hear completely the song and i ask for the drummer that played it.Something changed for me that day. ;-)

thanks a lot for the advices. I'll try to change with emperors or similar double ply heads on my toms.
But do you think that i gotta use internal rings anyway?Or this is only if i keep my single ply coated heads?

On the snare i'll try to use a O-ring...(but over the batter head,not internal like toms,right?) with my cs and i will tell you if i have an improvement with the sound.
For the Buzz of the snare drum...i've checked today,the pitch was similar to my 10" tom, and i lower the snare pitch.But i have anyway a consistent buzz.I'm using a Pearl bronze snare,24 snares.My snare is very particular,is a 20 plies of maple and birch..do you have never worked with some similar? i'll take off some snares...and hope that thing can help me.
thanks a lot, Gavin... for me seems impossible to write you in this easy way...it's wonderful!!!

goodbye!
Riccardo.

[Ayl20]

Hi Gavin,

I just got the DVD 'Rhythmic visions' and am waiting on 'Rhythmic horizons'.
First of all, i love the DVD, especially the alternate audio (click or music) and all of the new concepts (to me) which you introduce.

However, I'm having trouble applying the concept of displacement into a musical context without adding what i feel to be excessive tension. Would you (or anyone else) be able to tell me a part (or parts) of a PT song in which you use this technique so that i can see how you have played it in a musical context?

I have been playing around with some displacements but i have found that (to me) i cannot create a musical rhythm. So i was wondering, is there a way to compose a beat/rhythm which you know will sound musical when displaced?? So it would sort of be like working backwards from the displaced beat... I hope that this makes sense.

Regard,

Luke

[angelo]

Hi Gavin,
I was wondering if you (and Angelo, if he'd like) could explain the construction of the actual chime mount. I'm highly interested in making one myself.
Clint
Hi Clint, how are you. My Sicilia friend realized for me the support but I can explain you .
this is realized in stainless steel and aluminum.Ihave the photo.
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8758/immagine060oi2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3119/immagine063vx0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/43/immagine065er2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9882/immagine066qu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9882/immagine066qu3.f888a0d242.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=519&i=immagine066qu3.jpg)
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/8808/immagine064pa1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5791/immagine067vj6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

If you have other question feel free to ask me via pm, so we dont disturb Gavin forum space

[Doodsjongen]

Dear Gavin,

In one of your posts you state that the snare you like best is a 14x5 birch.
I was wondering what sonor snare you would recommend.
SONOR -51 14"X05" S CLASSIX SNARE
or
SONOR AS1405B Artist Snare 14x5 Steel Black

I know you use the black steel one in a lot of live situations
so it came as a surprise to read you like a birch snare the best.
I found out that Sonor hasn't got that many, so I was wondering
what snare, birch maybe more specificly, you like best.

with kind regards,
-Bram-

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ItalianRicky,

But do you think that i gotta use internal rings anyway?Or this is only if i keep my single ply coated heads?

Try the Coated Emperors first - and if there's still too much ring - then try the internal "O" rings. Every kit is different - and every room is different - experimentation is the only way.

On the snare i'll try to use a O-ring...(but over the batter head,not internal like toms,right?)

Yes on the batter head...although I've never tried an "O" ring inside the snare drum.

Hi Ayl20,

However, I'm having trouble applying the concept of displacement into a musical context without adding what i feel to be excessive tension. Would you (or anyone else) be able to tell me a part (or parts) of a PT song in which you use this technique so that i can see how you have played it in a musical context?

Rhythmic Illusions (displacements and modulations) are really study material - they're just ways of manipulating rhythm. I never really intended for any of those rhythms to be used in a very literal way like "try playing this example in the middle of YMCA and see what happens". Studying those concepts helped me in many ways. First it improved my inner sense of time and understanding of placement - secondly it opened up my rhythmic brain to a different way of thinking. I use modulations more than displacements in PT - but I quite often use displacements for 'fill' ideas. Sometimes I displace rhythms in a compositional way when I'm looking for a different groove for a song - the loop in "Sentimental" was made in that way. There's already a modulation illusion going on with the piano rhythm at the start. If you use displacement for more than a few seconds it becomes another rhythm - as is the case with "Sentimental". If you use it as an effect - as in the case 21 seconds into "Futile" - it just has a dramatic unsettling feeling.
In the chapter "History" on the Rhythmic Visions DVD you can see how I use the dramatic unsettling technique for a couple of seconds during fills.

Hi angelo,
looks like you've done a great job with the cymbal bar. It looks very similar to my one.

Hi Doodsjongen,

In one of your posts you state that the snare you like best is a 14x5 birch.
I was wondering what sonor snare you would recommend.
SONOR -51 14"X05" S CLASSIX SNARE or SONOR AS1405B Artist Snare 14x5 Steel Black

I haven't played the S Classix or AS 1405B so I don't know what they are like. The Black Steel is very good indeed. The Birch Sonor snare I use is an SQ2 6 ply birch with rounded bearing edges.

cheers
Gavin

[Doodsjongen]

Thanks for the quick reply, will check it out.

-Bram-

[Ayl20]

Thanks for the quick reply Gavin.

With regards to.. "I never really intended for any of those rhythms to be used in a very literal way like "try playing this example in the middle of YMCA and see what happens" I didn't mean that i used your exact examples (though they were very good examples :).

Instead, what i did was;

1) Come up with a beat that i thought went well with the song that i was playing to.
2) Displace it a certain amount and see how it sounded.
3) Repeat step 2 with all types of beats and differing amounts of displacement.

However, i could never find a nice displaced groove that didn't disrupt the song too much.
So what i was wondering was, whether you could first work out a beat that you intended to be the displaced rhythm and then work backwards by trying to find the 'root' rhythm. But, i realised that it's pretty much just as hard to do this as it is to do the other method as either way you have to play around to find a suitable beat and also your root beat would most likely end up being rather tensioned anyway so you'd theoretically be doing the opposite of displacement in the sense that you are trying to relieve tension by means of displacement.

So then i got thinking, is there some method by which a beat can be displaced WITHOUT it adding tension?? I was thinking that maybe, mathematically there was a way that a beat can be displaced whereby the listeners hear it as an 'alternate form' of the root beat. However, i think the problem with that is that your bass drum strokes will no longer follow the bass line nor your snare play the backbeat etc. So, basically, do you know of any mathematical principles (like, for example, in 4/4 time displace by 1 quarter note or an eighth note or whatever) that instead of creating tension give a new 'feel' to the root beat?

I'm pretty certain that there aren't any, but i was just wondering if you knew of any?

I'm only just learning this sort of stuff so forgive me if this doesn't make sense.

Thankyou very much anyway for the help, and i'm really sorry about the length of the post.

Regards,

-Luke

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Ayl20,

Creating a real "Rhythmic Illusion" is only possible when there's certain characteristics involved. Knowing that the audience is expecting a bass drum to be the anchor point on the "1" (and probably "3") whilst there's a backbeat (usually a snare drum) on 2 & 4 is exactly the reason that you can make an illusion work. You are just manipulating their perception. If you take a regular beat like this: BD 1&3 Snare 2&4 and 8's on the hi hat - and then displace it by 1/16 - people listening will re-organise that information in their brain so that the first bass drum they hear will still be a "1" to them.
This creates the tension when you first present it to them. However, displacement can be used to create great variations on a slightly unusual rhythm like example a below...

14337

Examples B & C are of course displacements of A - but I hear them as new "funky" variations of A - I don't feel it puts any tension on the listener - because rhythm A wasn't so familiar to them in the first place. I could quite easily play a song that featured rhythm A and then play rhythm B or C in another part of the song without anyone getting really confused about where the downbeat has gone.

cheers
Gavin

[Ayl20]

Thankyou very much for your reply. I understand what you you mean.

Thanks again,

Luke

[Dom Chandler]

Mr Harrison sir,
i tip my cap to you, not only a inspirational drummer, educator and award winning prog dude. But i can only admire the time and effort you put into this forum, i spent most of this evening reading most of the Q & A and i for one would like to thankyou on behalf of us drummers for spending so much time answering these questions. I'm waitng for delivery of PT's 'Nil recurring' cd, i'm sure it will be as inspirational to me as all your other work.
Thanx again mate, you're an all round good egg!

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

Lately I've been busy with your book Rhythmic Perspectives.

And I have a question about ostinato excercise nr 1.

After trying for sometime without getting any further I noticed that the problem for me was to line up the bass drum with the ghost notes.

So I started to practice the following (G being the unaccented notes and A the accented)

GGA
-B-

like in the the 2nd bar of the ostinato, and

GGA
B--
being the 3rd bar of the ostinato.

Later I put them all together and I was able to play the ostinato.

But my problem is that it doesn't feel right, it feels like I'm playing the three parts in a sequence (just lining up the bassdrum with the first or second ghostnote ) so I play the ostinato but it doesn't feel like I'm playing 3's over the latin bassdrum pattern.

My question is, did I learn it in a wrong way and made some sort of shortcut and totally missed the point of the excercise, or is it just a normal step in the process.

Greetz,
Dre

[atman]

Any plans for coming to Spain? ... Spain exists! :-) There's great food here, come and try "tortilla de patata", you will never be the same!
I would like to be at one of your shows but by seeing your tour dates you don't seem to like hot weather, it is great for a sunbath! I Hope you can come and see us, love, Atman.

[gusty]

14337


wow! these are some killer grooves! thanks for intruducing me to the idea of beat displacement

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

But my problem is that it doesn't feel right, it feels like I'm playing the three parts in a sequence (just lining up the bass drum with the first or second ghost note ) so I play the ostinato but it doesn't feel like I'm playing 3's over the latin bass drum pattern.

My question is, did I learn it in a wrong way and made some sort of shortcut and totally missed the point of the exercise, or is it just a normal step in the process.

Does it only feel strange when you're sticking it as R L L ? One of the things that always surprises me when I play these types of exercises - is how some very fundamental co-ordination things can catch me out. That's why I wrote out the "tool boxes". They look like exercises for beginners - but to play them accurately (with nothing flamming) is actually very difficult. I still practice them now because I know that I could make them feel better. They address quite basic problems. It's a bit abstract to work on patterns that you're not going to perform - but they sure pay off in the end. You're doing exactly the right thing in identifying the problem area - and then just going over and over that area. Remember - it''s not just this particular rhythm - it's any time you're playing something with two ghost notes with your left hand and you've got to play a bass drum note exactly with one of them.

Perhaps you're focusing so hard on the groupings of 3 (R l l ) that you're changing your perspective and starting to hear it in triplets - and the bass drum notes are sounding like some odd syncopation underneath them. This is the whole point of the book - it challenges your "perception" when you're faced with two (or more) superimposed ostinatos. Try pedaling quarter notes with your hi hat foot. That should keep your mind in 2/4.

Hi atman,

Any plans for coming to Spain? ... Spain exists! :-)

we love coming to Spain - but it's not going to happen on this next tour. There's many places all over the world that we'd love to go and play in - but it's quite a complex procedure planing/routing and booking a tour.

Cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

I understand what you're saying regarding the tool boxes.

At first they are not hard to play, but trying to play them real precise and lining things up is real hard and challenging.

It's very cool to see that working on 'simple' exercises like these really improves your groove playing.

I now understand my problem, through your comment about perception.
To feel the ostinato and mentally play the 2 superimposed patterns is just the hardest part.

It's like I'm playing A+B (resulting in C) and not A&B, if you know what I mean.

I would like to be able to mentally hear the individual patterns while playing the ostinato.

I've tried to sing the 3's and the latin bassdrum ostinato while playing the ostinato but somehow after a couple of bars I get lost.

I still see progress so I guess I just need to practice some more.

Thanks,
Dre

[aegir77]

Hey Gavin

I'm really glad Porcupine Tree's coming to Mexico. I''ll definetely be there.
I've had the chance to see some great drummers live (Weckl, Chambers, Terry Lyne) and I'm glad I'll be able to add another to my list.

[ItalianRicky]

Hi Gavin,How 're you?

I've followed your advices (see upper posts) and i put Emperor coated heads non my toms.
I'm very satisfied, the trio 8" 10" 12" is absolutely thunderous!!!
My 14" tom is very dark and powerful.I've found some problems only on my 16x16 floor tom.
The "note" of the drum is correct, work well with the others. But i got however too much sustain.
On upper post you suggested me that use an O\ring inside the drum.But we was talking about single ply heads...or this method work with my problem?
i wanna try other tuning solutions before use this method...if i can't reach a result that work i'll use it.
On each tom I've tuned the batter head at lower tension and the resonant head at the same tension.
What i gotta do on my floor tom??work more on resonant head and tuning?or i can't do nothing because it is too much deeper (16x16)???

the last thing i wanna say is thanks, for the advice (the snare drum with 8 snares and CS+O-ring sounds clean and amazing!!!
THANKS THANKS THANKS!!!

greetings from Italy!
Riccardo.

[kellycurrie]

WOW - Nil Recurring preview sounds fantastic. I can't wait to see you in action next month in Toronto.
I know its a long shot, but is there any chance your dvds will be sold at the merch desk?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

It's like I'm playing A+B (resulting in C) and not A&B, if you know what I mean.
I would like to be able to mentally hear the individual patterns while playing the ostinato.

It's a bit like juggling balls - you can't look at the individuals - you have to see the all the balls as one thing.

Hi ItalianRicky,

What i gotta do on my floor tom??work more on resonant head and tuning?or i can't do nothing because it is too much deeper (16x16)???

Experiment. The room you are in might make a difference to some frequencies. Tuning is always the best way to start - but sometimes it doesn't seem to work - then you need to think about dampening techniques.

Hi kellycurrie,

I know its a long shot, but is there any chance your dvds will be sold at the merch desk?

Yes, I'm planing on having my newest DVD there, plus the new CD of 05Ric and myself.

cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

It's a bit like juggling balls - you can't look at the individuals - you have to see the all the balls as one thing.


I understand but when playing the ostinato I always try to check if I'm still playing it in the right way.
So that the 3's are flowing and that I play the latin bassdrum pattern right. Because sometimes I think I played it right and then I hear it back and I'll notice that the spacing of the bassdrum notes is all wrong on some places.


I know that when it's all perfect I notice it and I play the pattern real easy and it becomes this new part, but still I'm trying to hear the latin bassdrum ostinato underneath. (maybe I'm just crazy)


Thanks a lot for your time.
Dre

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Mr. Harrison,
just a question: I'm trying to "decode" your intro to "Halo" on the DVD "Arriving..." but I'm having a heck of a hard time...

It starts off on the + of three and it's composed of sextuplets (???) with various accents displacements...

Can you help me?

I'm trying to learn it by heart while having a cup of Yorkshire tea (the red label).

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Alexdrum75,

That fill was something I just improvised on the night - but I can tell it's an old favorite grouping of 5's sticking. RLRRL in 16th note triplets.

cheers
Gavin

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Alexdrum75,

That fill was something I just improvised on the night - but I can tell it's an old favorite grouping of 5's sticking. RLRRL in 16th note triplets.

cheers
Gavin

Thanks Mr. Harrison. Today I'll try to write it down (hopefully).

[Alexdrum75]

Thanks Mr. Harrison. Today I'll try to write it down (hopefully).

Here it is.
The sticking is RLRRL and so on...

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/ale_serrao/introhalo.jpg

[crookedrook]

Hi Gavin,

If you answered this already let me know. Which Sonor series do you like the best Delite or SQ2? I know SQ2 has the options of type of shell and Delite has the Vintage shell, I'm just wondering because I'd like to get a set.

Thanks,
Rob

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Alexdrum75,
seems like you've got the subdivisions/sticking/accents you just need to fill in which notes are on which drum or hi hat.

Hi crookedrook,
I enjoy playing both the DeLight and the SQ2 - with slight preference for the SQ2 at the moment. PT's front of house sound engineer prefers the SQ2. He also preferred the Designer kit over the DeLight. I think he feels that maybe the DeLight is a bit soft, warm and round sounding for the PT music in general. Vintage shells are also an option on the SQ2 - but that would effectively make it a DeLight.

Cheers
Gavin

[crookedrook]

Thanks Gavin for your insight. It's such a privilege to be able to talk shop with you. I also wanted to say I enjoyed the three videos from Musikmesse.

[hauk]

Hi Gavin,
How has your merch been holding out on tour? I'll be going to one of your last North American concerts, and I'm worried there won't be much left.
Also, the Nil Recurring preview sounds great, my copy is in the mail and I can't wait.
Thanks for your time.

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Mr. Harrison,
it's always me bugging you with strange questions :-)

I've got a new one: watching your various videos on YouTube what's strikes me the most is the precision of your sticks and hands movements. The heads are always hit in the centers no matter what king of body movement are you doing. Infact the hit area is always darker on the coated white head and it no more than 5cm of diameter. There are no other marks or dents on the other part of the head. Impressive. Quite a few drummers are that precise (Jeff Porcaro was one of these).
Precison of movements to me is precision of sound, a thing that I'm always looking for to be a studio session drummer.

On the up cam it's clearly visible that there are absolutely no wasted movements, you seems to use french grip when rolling on the toms.

My question: are there specific exercises to develop such fluidity and precision of hitting?


Cya in November in Rome, on the Porcupine concert.

[Wavelength]

My question: are there specific exercises to develop such fluidity and precision of hitting?

I'll step in between here... I've worked on playing clean, precise double strokes spread between two drums, and it has helped with my fluidity around the kit quite a bit. Here's what you do:

- Pick the snare drum as your "home base" and play SLOW doubles on it.
- Start moving the second stroke of the double on another drum. If you haven't done this before, it will feel a bit uncomfortable, but just go slow, try to relax and strive to be as accurate as possible. You should work on accenting the second stroke to make the strokes more even.
- Play the second strokes of the doubles on each drum of your kit, and spend enough time on each combination to get the motions fluid and consistent. Once you can do that from one drum, start playing doubles on the next drum and spread the second strokes around the kit again.
- Go through your kit using each drum in turn as your "home base".
- The point of using doubles is that if you really master the motions, you can easily play single strokes between those drums at a doubled rate, and what's more, you can lead with your both hands.

This exercise is my little derivation from Rod Morgenstein's great book "Drum set warm-ups" -- you should definitely get a copy!

[Clint Hopkins]

Hi Gavin,

Having listened recently to various recordings of your playing I can't help but notice the relaxed feel that you always project. I was wondering if you sing subdivisions or a melody to stay locked within the groove. A lot of times I have the habit of 'honing' in on either my hi hat or bass drum and using that as an anchor for everything else to sort of hang on. The result is often times tentative. I find myself relying on muscle memory as opposed to being "in tune" with the groove.
Any advice you can offer is certainly appreciated.

Take care,
Clint

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi hauk,

How has your merch been holding out on tour? I'll be going to one of your last North American concerts, and I'm worried there won't be much left.

It depends what you you want. If it's CD's it might be safer to buy them from Burningshed.com (the PT shop) - The other stuff sells pretty well - but we usually have some things left by the last shows.

Hi Alexdrum75,

Precison of movements to me is precision of sound, a thing that I'm always looking for to be a studio session drummer.
On the up cam it's clearly visible that there are absolutely no wasted movements, you seems to use french grip when rolling on the toms.
My question: are there specific exercises to develop such fluidity and precision of hitting?

Consistency is important to me - and hitting in the same spot is the best way to try to get a consistent sound especially with snare back beats. I try to keep the movements economic so I don't waste energy and time getting from one drum to another. It's not something I think about when I'm playing. The advice "Wavelength" offers is good practice.

Hi Clint Hopkins,

I was wondering if you sing subdivisions or a melody to stay locked within the groove. A lot of times I have the habit of 'honing' in on either my hi hat or bass drum and using that as an anchor for everything else to sort of hang on. The result is often times tentative. I find myself relying on muscle memory as opposed to being "in tune" with the groove.

I sometimes grunt subdivisions to myself in certain moments - especially in fills. I don't use muscle memory - it's all got to come from your brain - muscles can get tired and slow down - or excited and speed up. Try playing some linear grooves (like the ones in post number 1548) - that way you have to hold the whole rhythm together in your head - as your limbs are not doing something so regular as to "anchor" against - (like you would if you're playing a 4 in bar bass drum for instance). It has to 'sound' right to you.

Cheers
Gavin

[hauk]

Hi hauk,

It depends what you you want. If it's CD's it might be safer to buy them from Burningshed.com (the PT shop) - The other stuff sells pretty well - but we usually have some things left by the last shows.


Good to know. I'll be looking for t-shirts and maybe hoodies, not CDs. In fact I just got Nil Recurring in the mail. It's great stuff, I can't stop listening to it. I especially love "Normal."
Thanks for your help

[Zildjian232]

Hi Gavin

I just bought the Rhythmic horizons dvd and it is by far the best drum instructional dvd i own. The polyrhythmic theory lessons have really shed some light on polyrhythms for me. Im using the 19 days track for my Berklee school of music audition for the track im going to be preforming. 7 7 5...hope i dont kill myself in the process. Good job on the Nile recurring album. now i have some new songs to attempt :)

you are a huge inspiration for my playing and i appreciate the fact that you are reaching out to other drummers and spreading your talent


ROCK ON!

-mike

[tmccartney]

Gavin:

I just grabbed the FLAC download of "Nil Recurring" from Burning Shed, and I love it.

But I've given up on trying to figure out the time signature in the verses of "Cheating the Polygraph." I'm trying to count 16th notes. :) Can you shed a little light on it?

Thanks, and I can't wait to see you guys in Nashville in a couple of weeks...



Tracey

[Tazdrummer]

All I can say is WOW.

I recently discovered the music of Porcupine Tree and I am totally hooked!!

I am so impressed that Gavin Harrison is a member here and posts here.

That is so cool!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Zildjian232,
good luck with your "19 Days" performance!!!!

Hi tmccartney,


But I've given up on trying to figure out the time signature in the verses of "Cheating the Polygraph." I'm trying to count 16th notes. :) Can you shed a little light on it?

It's in 7/8 - I wrote out that rhythm 2 or 3 pages back - have a look at post number 1482.

cheers
Gavin

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
Man, this thing is getting up there in pages, wow!
There is a song you might be interested in hearing.
"We Who Are Not As Others" by Sepultura on the Chaos A.D. album, track 9.
This song incorporates a very simple rhythmic illusion. Simple, effective and intense!
Take a listen and tell me what you think.
Take care and Glod bless.

MM

P.S. Track 5, "Kaiowas" is another i would recommend.

[12:5]

hi gavin,
i'm really interested in your concept of rhythmic illusions and wanted to ask if you have been the first one who defined this term as i haven't seen anyone else using it.
another question i have is if you can tell me in which songs of porcupine tree you incorporated rhythmic illusions as i'm not always sure if it really is an illusion or if i'm under the illusion that it is an illusion ;-)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi 12:5,
there's quite a lot of Rhythmic Illusions in PT songs. Off the top of my head..
Futile
Cheating The Polygraph
Sentimental
What Happens Now
Halo

I think I was the first person to use the phrase "Rhythmic Illusion" to encompass any rhythm that appears to be something that it's not. Usually based on either a metric modulation or a displacement.

cheers
Gavin

[12:5]

thank you very much gavin...i think you forgot mother & child divided the coolest groove ever...i cannot imagine how someone is able to invent such an ingenious groove ;-)
and isn't the part after the solo from alex lifeson in anesthethize also a rhythmic illusion?

would you count the verse of sound of muzak or open car as an illusion?...you can see it as 4/4 as well or am i mistaken?

also i wanted to say the nil recurring ep is unbelieveable...

[honorio]

Hi Gavin,

I read in one of these posts that your complete cymbal setup can be found on the Zildjian website. However, i own the Porcupine Tree DVD Arriving Somewhere... and I noticed that the setup you used there is different than the one described in Zildjian's website. Would it possible for you to tell me what your full setup is? If you have multiple setups, could you tell me which is your preferred setup?

Also, I read in another post that the five bells you have on the left side of your drumset were made by you and a friend out of some old cymbals. I was wondering if you could tell me which cymbals you used and how? I am not planning on reproducing or copying these bells in any way, I am simply a big fan of yours and your drumming has helped me improve greatly.
If you could answer any of these questions, i would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Honorio

PS. I will be seeing you perform with PT tomorrow, Oct. 3rd at the House of Blues in Orlando, FL

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi 12:5

and isn't the part after the solo from alex lifeson in anesthethize also a rhythmic illusion?

that bit is just drums in 4/4 whilst the guitars are cycling in 5/8

would you count the verse of sound of muzak or open car as an illusion?...you can see it as 4/4 as well or am i mistaken?

Yes - I'm trying to make 7 feel like 4/4 and the same with Open Car 17/8 feel a bit like 4/4. Mother & Child is trying to make 4/4 sound like something not 4/4...if you know what I mean.

Hi honorio,

my cymbal setup is constantly evolving - but take a look at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Harrison

that's a pretty close version. Regarding the mini custom bell cymbals - check out post number 507 (around page 15 of this thread).


Cheers
Gavin

[tobi283]

Hi gavin!

great work on Nil Recurring, i love the EP!!

One question, on wikipedia it says that you're playing "tap guitar" on the song normal... is that right? i can't hear any tap guitar... and i didn't know you're playing guitar as well!

tobi

[Gavin Harrison]

tobi283,

There's no tapped guitar on "Normal" - I play the 2 tapped parts in the intro of "Nil Recurring" and then the part in 7 before the outro. I've been playing a little bit of guitar, bass guitar and keyboards for the past 25 years - mostly for fun, and a bit for compositional purposes.

cheers
Gavin

[Panos_from_greece!]

gavin when are you coming in greece with porcupine tree???We're waiting and waiting and we cant wait anymore!!!!COME ON :)

[Drumkill]

Gavin:

I just wanted to say that I am happy that I ordered your new album Drop today! I have to wait for the product to ship across the pond to Canada but I am hoping that I can have it in hand before your Porcupine Tree perfornance in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 16th. (Maybe I can get you to autograph it!!!) I am really looking forward to hearing you live.

Again, thanks for your musicality and your work! Keep it up!

Cheers,

Tim

[dairyairman]

i just saw the porcupine tree show in orlando tonight, which i believe is the first show on the current u.s. tour. thanks for coming here! the show was epic! of course, i was watching the drumming very closely, and i wasn't disappointed. it was interesting to see how you play certain things i've heard on the recordings. i loved your drums and your cymbal setup especially. what is that little cymbal just above the rack toms? it seemed like a cross between a splash and a bell cymbal. i really liked the sound!

i hope you enjoy your brief stay in orlando. don't mind the heat, humidity, and rain. you should come here in the winter next time.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Panos_from_greece!,
sorry but we have no plans to come to Greece in the near future.

Hi dairyairman,

what is that little cymbal just above the rack toms? it seemed like a cross between a splash and a bell cymbal. i really liked the sound!

It's another one of my experiments. Originally it was a 16" Z crash that I've cut down to 8" and slightly bent into an inverted "china-ish" shape.

Hi 12:5,

the part in cheating the polygraph which starts at 5:48...is it in normal 4/4 or is it an odd timesignature?,

No it's in 5 just like the chorus is - except I play a quarter note override on the hi hat and place a 2&4 backbeat on the snare as if it was in 4/4. Does that make sense?

cheers
Gavin

[DrumsForHire]

I love your work with PT Gavin! Thanks for taking rock drumming even further.

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

Just received your and 05Ric's new CD "Drop" and I like it. Your drumming is how surprisingly clean cool and adventureous.
The (drum)sound is also amazing.

But I had a question regarding Axis pedals.

I've read all your comments on this forum regarding the Axis pedals, and it seems you really like them.

I currently use Pearl Eliminators and they're fine by my standards, but I've heard good things about the Axis pedals.

But since the Axis pedals go for around $600 and the Eliminator for half that, do you think the Axis pedals are worth the difference. Did they have a big impact on your footwork.?

I've read some reviews of some users, and mostly all really like the feel and speed of the pedals but there where some who had screws come loose many times.

Did you ever had problems with your Axis pedals??

Thanks,
Dre

[baniels]

Hi Gavin.

The wiki article lists your toms as 8"x7", 10"x8", 12"x9"
14"x12", and 16"x14".

The "Equipment Info" on side B of your Rhythmic Horizons DVD (which I LOVE, btw, as well as Rhythmic Visions) lists the same, except for the depth of your 8" tom - it is listed there as having square dimensions.

Was there a change? If so, what was your reasoning for going from an 8" depth to 7"?

I am a new and huge fan.

Thanks,

Ben

[cygnify]

Gavin,

really enjoyed the show last night (in Orlando) THANK YOU! I thought that the new tracks from Nil Recurring came across great live. One of the new songs in particular seems to have a sequenced bit at the beginning; I imagine you have that part in your in-ear monitors? I know you've used a click for the video synch - but I'm curious what you hear when accompanying an audio sequence. Would it be purely the sequenced part or is there a click along with it?

Also, a technical question, at the end of "Cheating the Polygraph" your groove contains of blur of ghost notes on the snare and doubles on the high hat. How exactly is that broken down?

I picked up "Drop" as well; looking forward to enjoying that today - along with the in-store performance tonight - even if it is just Steven! (I don't see how you could fit a kit in that store!)

All the best
Cygnify

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

But since the Axis pedals go for around $600 and the Eliminator for half that, do you think the Axis pedals are worth the difference. Did they have a big impact on your footwork.?
I've read some reviews of some users, and mostly all really like the feel and speed of the pedals but there where some who had screws come loose many times.
Did you ever had problems with your Axis pedals??

I used Eliminators for many years and I thought they were very good. Sometimes I struggled to articulate some things (especially at loud concert volume)- and I figured that it was just my lack of technique. When I got the Axis I could play most of those things that I struggled with a bit easier. I think it's more down to the fact that they suited my feet. However, a lot of drummers think that if they just had the 'best' pedals that they would suddenly be great double pedal players. In the end there's no shortcut - you can't make up for lack of technique - I know that because I was always looking for that 'magic' pedal too. I've practiced a lot more since I got the Axis and things are SLOWLY getting better - but I'm noticing improvement over months rather than days. I haven't had problems with them - the only thing that's happened is that I've bent a few beater shafts (Pearl ones).

Hi baniels,

what was your reasoning for going from an 8" depth to 7"?

Yes my new SQ2 set has an 8x7 whereas my Designer set has an 8x8. They didn't make 8x7 in the Designer days. There's not much difference really.

Hi cygnify,

Also, a technical question, at the end of "Cheating the Polygraph" your groove contains of blur of ghost notes on the snare and doubles on the high hat. How exactly is that broken down?

It's 16th note triplets grouped in a 5/8 rhythm. I don't have the chance to write it out because I'm on tour at the moment as you know...but it's not easy to describe any other way. Maybe someone else will jump in and transcribe it for you?

Cheers
Gavin

[12:5]

yes that makes sense to me...thanks for explaining.
meanwhile i found out by myself that it's in 5 but with kind of a 4/4 feel...great idea as always...this is why i love your drumming it's so creative and you hardly ever play a groove as one would expect...

one question: which rhythmic illusions did you incorporate in the two songs 'clock' and 'unsettled' from your new cd?...and if there aren't any...which time signatures are implemented in these songs?...very interesting grooves indeed!

[ItalianRicky]

hi gavin.
I hope that you're ok..
At first i wanna say thanks for your advices.I've used your advice about my 16" floor tom...an O\ring inside...last week on a live show a lot of drummers ask me how i can have a focused sound on my 16"...i told them that i was helped by a friend!Because i wanna consider you as a friend..A person that help me and other guys in this way, with passion and knowledge, can only be considered as a REAL FRIEND.My guitarist was shocked by the snare drum with the combo CS+O-ring...THANKS!

i got some questions for you..
1 - Pedals.I noticed that with foot i'm using overall the last part of the pedal,tha part nearest to me.But my DW 5000 haven't a long foot plate.This sometimes create me problems on fast double strokes and on double bass drumming.Overall, sometimes the strokes aren't all powerful in the same way.Can you give me some advice?
2 - secondary snare.I'want to add a secondary snare to my setup.i'was thinking about a 12x5 snare.what do you thing? for some songs that go more on a POP style can be helpful? (my main snares is too much dark,14x6.5..)
3 - double bass pedal exercise.Iyou always told us that you not consider yourself a PURE double bass drummer.And i wanna told you that i'm not a double bass lover.But i understand that double pedal can be added on the music with triplets,quartets, flams...You teach me this.And i found those thing very curious..What exercise you can suggest me??


thanks a lot again and good work for your tour.
With friendship.
Riccardo.

[fddrummer]

Hey Gavin - Firstly you are one of the most musical set players I have ever heard! Thank you for putting together amazing compositions and material! I recently watched a new video here at drummerworld from the frankfort 07 fair. The piece was in 19/8 - did you program this track on your laptop? Also - do you have the track available anywhere - I would love to practice to it if it's available somewhere. Thanks again!

Regards,
Eric Bittermann

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi 12:5,

one question: which rhythmic illusions did you incorporate in the two songs 'clock' and 'unsettled' from your new cd?

There's a few things going on in "Unsettled". First the intro is all in 4/4 - then the verse is in 3/4 (but I think of it as a group of 7 + 5 which equals 12/16) The part in the outro really shows the 7+5 feel. Other than that there's a cross over between a 12/16 triplet kind of groove and a straight 16ths 4/4 groove. "Clock" is pretty much all in 4/4 but with an unusual groove from the toms and snare hits.

Hi ItalianRicky,

1 - Pedals.I noticed that with foot i'm using overall the last part of the pedal,tha part nearest to me.But my DW 5000 haven't a long foot plate.This sometimes create me problems on fast double strokes and on double bass drumming.Overall, sometimes the strokes aren't all powerful in the same way.Can you give me some advice?

Yes I had a DW 5000 and I hurt the arch of my foot trying to play that short pedal board at high volumes. You won't have that problem with an Axis Longboard.

2 - secondary snare.I'want to add a secondary snare to my setup.i'was thinking about a 12x5 snare.what do you thing? for some songs that go more on a POP style can be helpful? (my main snares is too much dark,14x6.5..)

Yes a 12x5 will offer a completely different sound from your main snare.I really like it.

3 - double bass pedal exercise.Iyou always told us that you not consider yourself a PURE double bass drummer.And i wanna told you that i'm not a double bass lover.But i understand that double pedal can be added on the music with triplets,quartets, flams...You teach me this.And i found those thing very curious..What exercise you can suggest me??

Sorry but I haven't got any double bass drum exercises at the moment. I'm thinking about making some because so many people keep asking me about it. I'm sure there's some great double pedal books out there somewhere.

Hi fddrummer,

The piece was in 19/8 - did you program this track on your laptop? Also - do you have the track available anywhere - I would love to practice to it if it's available somewhere. Thanks again!

The piece is called "19 Days" and it's from my newest DVD Rhythmic Horizons.
http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/collection/23/

There's a play-along version of it on there + a midi file version too. On that Frankfurt performance the track was being played from my laptop but it was a stereo mix of all the played instruments + a click.

Cheers
Gavin

[deadwing_007]

hey gavin, I just wanted to say that I got the Nil Recurring EP in the mail this week and it is excellent. I really love the entire thing. It's a shame that less people will probably hear it since it probably has a much more limited release than a full album, I love it just as much as fear of a blank planet. Keep up the awesome work!

John

[crookedrook]

Hi Gavin,

I know you've been asked this before, and if you have can you direct me to that thread.

In Absentia: track 9 @ 3:20-25 (only if you still remember) what are you doing there as far as a fill?

Looking forward to seeing PT in Cincinnati, ohio @ Bogarts

[reg]

Hi Gavin.

Hope all is well. Enjoy your playing and PT.

I read an article were you talk about an instructor that you had, he would have you hit coins with your sticks to control your sticking. Can you please explain? Did he place coins on all of the drums or just the snare drum?

Reg

[aegir77]

Just came back from the Porcupine Tree concert in MEXICO...
Congratulations! you did a great job, i'm very pleased and satisfied with your performance.. your drumming was just unbelievable.. it seems like you improvise a lot and i really like how sometimes your fills sound like you're pulling back the groove but then you just come back.. amazing..
And that beat you did on the second or third song, where there's a silence and the song starts to feel like it's on 5 but then you come in with something really weird on the ride cymbal..but somehow following the 5 pattern with the snare , or i dunno, didn't analyze it much.. it was just incredible,, ( I've just started listening to PT, so i dunno the titles or exactly what you were playin if you played it like that on the record, sorry)...

Anyway. Congratulations and i hope you enjoyed it.. it seems like you did.. It was pretty funny when the singer's guitar cable fell off the guitar...

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crookedrook,

In Absentia: track 9 @ 3:20-25 (only if you still remember) what are you doing there as far as a fill?

I imagine that you're talking about "Creator Had A Mastertape" - I don't have the album with me and I can't remember that fill exactly - but I think it has come up before on this thread - so you might need to look back through it.

Hi reg,

I read an article were you talk about an instructor that you had, he would have you hit coins with your sticks to control your sticking. Can you please explain? Did he place coins on all of the drums or just the snare drum?

One small coin taped to a practice pad for accuracy of stroke.

Hi aegir77,

And that beat you did on the second or third song, where there's a silence and the song starts to feel like it's on 5 but then you come in with something really weird on the ride cymbal..but somehow following the 5 pattern with the snare , or i dunno, didn't analyze it much..

Glad you enjoyed the show. That track is called "What Happens Now" and the part you're referring to is like this. It starts with a guitar in 5/8 and then I play in 7/8 with the bass drum & snare drum - on top of that I play a dotted 8th note on the ride cymbal. The bass joins in with a pattern in 7/8 (chords change every 4 bars) and the keys and guitars join in the dotted 8th note. Eventually that dotted 8th becomes an 8th note in 12/8 as we modulate into a different feel. Make sense?

Cheers
Gavin

[aegir77]

Glad you enjoyed the show. That track is called "What Happens Now" and the part you're referring to is like this. It starts with a guitar in 5/8 and then I play in 7/8 with the bass drum & snare drum - on top of that I play a dotted 8th note on the ride cymbal. The bass joins in with a pattern in 7/8 (chords change every 4 bars) and the keys and guitars join in the dotted 8th note. Eventually that dotted 8th becomes an 8th note in 12/8 as we modulate into a different feel. Make sense?

Cheers
Gavin

Thank you it makes sense now... It's a very cool song.( i've listened to it more) . and that part is crazy but amazing..

[flyinghelmets]

Hi Gavin,

This is my first time posting on your message board, and I'd like to say, first off, that I'm absolutely blown away by how heavily you interact with your fans. It's great stuff.

I'm interning at a recording studio, so I'm starting to focus heavily on recording technique. As a drummer, I think your drum recordings are phenomenal and plan to use them as a reference for my recordings. I know a large part of the sound comes from your development of tone and texture, but I have a couple questions from the technical end:

1)I read you prefer to record in the dry room and add ambience later via room mics placed in the live room. Since you're recording in a dry room, do you do anything to create a more live sound? For instance, placing a stack of rocks under the snare to create some diffused reflections.

2)Also, it seems on all of your recordings you have a really clean rendering of your drum kit and not much signal processing. Do you do anything to isolate components of the drums (snare from hi-hat). And do you further reduce bleed with noise gating or any other processing?

Thanks in advance.
I'll be heading over to Alabany for your show on the 18th (too expensive here in NYC), so I'll see you soon.
Andrew

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi flyinghelmets,

For instance, placing a stack of rocks under the snare to create some diffused reflections.

wow, I've never heard of that before - but I do like experimenting so maybe I'll give it a go.
I don't generally do much to the dry room or add much eq as I record.

Do you do anything to isolate components of the drums (snare from hi-hat). And do you further reduce bleed with noise gating or any other processing?

I have - when playing hard open hi hat passages - improvised a piece of foam around the snare mic to try to stop so much hi hat going into the snare channel. I try to adjust my own dynamics as much as I can to suit the kind of mix I'm going to want. There's no need to play the hi hat really loud if you don't want to hear that much of it in the final mix. Likewise with the other drums and cymbals. For instance when I recorded the GH&05ric record I wanted to get quite soft and long crash cymbal sounds so I just tried hitting them much softer than usual. I went through a phase of wanting every crash cymbal burst into a very fast crash and then decay away quickly - now I'm thinking I want more of the opposite.

Cheers
Gavin

[Tolo]

Ciao Gavin,

I've just received "Drop" and like it a lot, in particular "Where are you going?" is keeping my ears...busy.

By the way....where are you going ? Is there anything else out of PT or O5Ric collaboration that you are thinking about ? New projects, solo records, other band records ? (I liked your contribution to the 3 Blind Mice record, great groove on that song :-))

See you in Milan in a month.
T

[dblinkhorn]

Gavin,

Just wanted to say that I've admired your drumming since I discovered Porcupine Tree and your other projects. You have a great creative edge in all of your work! You've been a big influence on my playing as well. Also, excellent work on GH&05Ric. That is some mind-blowing drumming!

[Heitor]

Hi Gavin!

Just received the GH05Ric album in the mail and am listening for the thrid time! Still blown away completely by your playing on this work! It's incredible!

So, how did come to know 05Ric and how was the writing and recording process? Was all done via internet or did get the chance to meet in person to write some pieces together? Also, what was your approach to arranging the drum tracks for this work since you were working completely by yourself? Cause it's a bit dfferent from the "song-driven" frame of mind you have to use in PTree...

Now, just a fanboy question... I've been planning to lay down my version of "19 Days", just for fun and admiration of your work and this song specifically. Would it be all right to put it on YouTube so you could check it out and maybe share a word or two about my playing and recording? Maybe I'm asking too much of you, specially since you're on tour, but it is a dream to be able to talk so openly about drums and music in general with you and it would be an honor to hear something from you about my playing!

Hope the fall tour has been a success so far for you and PTree! Keep drumming!

Cheers from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...
Heitor.

[angelo]

Hello Gavin how are you?
I look Zildjian site “oriental crash of doome” use you this with the Porcupine Tree?
I have realized 5 custom Bells but I have a problem
this cymbal sound is more splash sound
your cymbal have much more profile ,Why?
I would have to cut this much more big?
how calculation the measure?
this is my cymbal
i cut only bell is it correct?
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5366/immagine020ft6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Thanks a lot
Angelo

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Heitor,

So, how did come to know 05Ric and how was the writing and recording process? Was all done via internet or did get the chance to meet in person to write some pieces together? Also, what was your approach to arranging the drum tracks for this work since you were working completely by yourself?

I met Ric through "MySpace". I really liked what he was doing and I found out that he lived close to a show PT were playing - so I arranged to meet up with him. We started sending each other files over the internet and one thing led to another. We didn't actually write in the same room - but it seemed that we were both heading in the same direction musically - so it worked out great for us. I arranged the drum tracks on my own - but that's what I do a lot these days anyway. I quite often record on my own.

Now, just a fanboy question... I've been planning to lay down my version of "19 Days", just for fun and admiration of your work and this song specifically. Would it be all right to put it on YouTube so you could check it out and maybe share a word or two about my playing and recording?

Sure, why not.

Hi angelo,

it looks like you've cut them smaller than mine. My bells start around 6.5" - there's always a bit more than just the bell of the cymbal. Also it might depend how thick the cymbals were to start with.

Cheers
Gavin

[K.Howden]

tobi283,
been playing a little bit of guitar, bass guitar and keyboards for the past 25 years - mostly for fun, and a bit for compositional purposes.

cheers
Gavin


Hi Gavin, how are you?

Just wondering if you have any input in PT's music in terms of writing Guitar parts, or Melodies (non percussive stuff) ?

Personally I play drums, but also compose; Guitars, Bass, Stings, Piano, Synth lead and pad etc...(although I don't play any of those instruments) and I'm currently in the process of composing my own album and I guess this leads on the another question; Do you think that having a more than basic knowledge of rhythm....maybe going as far to say the "specialist knowledge" that Drummers have, adds a "special element" to riffs/melodies that they write, that is lacking (not necessarily in a detremental fasion) in melodies/riffs etc, that non-drummers or musicians who haven't as greater an understanding of rhythm compose?

Hope you're well and I'm looking forward to the Nottingham gig in December,

Kev

[angelo]

Hi Gavin [I][I]
Hi angelo,

it looks like you've cut them smaller than mine. My bells start around 6.5" - there's always a bit more than just the bell of the cymbal. Also it might depend how thick the cymbals were to start with.

Cheers
Gavin
I look your cymbal bell
in this photo
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5179/1003722ce3we6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5179/1003722ce3we6.a8c48fa54b.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=503&i=1003722ce3we6.jpg)
Your bell is much more big
do you remember cymbal from cut down this?
which measures are now?
thanks a lot Gavin excuse me
Angelo

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi K.Howden,

Just wondering if you have any input in PT's music in terms of writing Guitar parts, or Melodies (non percussive stuff) ?

Yes I've come up with a few riffs and lines here and there. Having an ear for melodies doesn't necessarily rely on an advanced sense of rhythm - it can of course come in handy if the riff or melody is contributing to some kind of polyrhythm though.

Hi angelo,

the original cymbals were between 15" 17" regular Avedis Zildjians from the 1970's 1980's.

cheers
Gavin

[baniels]

Gavin,

My wife is getting tired of your DVDs. I watch some of one or both of them nearly every day. Somehow I can't get enough.

Thanks.

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

I hope the second leg of the tour is treating you well. Chicago fans will miss you this time around!

Anyway. In my studio at home we're trying to achieve a "skin smack" sound from the toms during playback. I'm using maple drums, remo white coated emperor heads on tops, clear ambassadors on bottom, sizes 8,10,12,14,16. We want the drums to cut through the mix. We do the usual rolloff of any unneeded low frequencies, then cut and/or boost in other areas to our liking. I think we've gotten some good results.

So my question: Do you use any EQ techniques? If so, where do you typically make a boost or cut for your toms? For instance, boosting the low-mid around 800 hz to get that "skin smack" in my application. Second, are you gating your drums at all?

Thanks!

p.s.: I just bought and downloaded Sanity & Gravity. Great work!!! Very emotional stuff.

[angelo]

Hi Gavin how are you?
You often uses your version of swiss army triplet
can you talk about this?
What is it?
thanks a lot
Angelo

[gibeachhead]

Hey Gavin,

I just wanted to say I will be seeing you and the guys tomorrow at The State Theatre in VA. I know it's gonna be an AWESOME show and I can't wait, i'm getting there early to make sure I get up front. Good Luck tomorrow night man and with the rest of the tour :).

Brent

[franklinj]

Hey Gavin, I dont know if this has been answered yet, but I was wondering if you had a transcription or tab or something of the pattern you play in "Lets Sleep Together." I think its coming out of the first chorus. Its a really cool and interesting pattern, but I cant figure it out. Thanks in advance.

[ItalianRicky]

i'think that gavin cannot post trascriptions because he's on tour.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JeffV71,

Do you use any EQ techniques? If so, where do you typically make a boost or cut for your toms? For instance, boosting the low-mid around 800 hz to get that "skin smack" in my application. Second, are you gating your drums at all?

I use very little EQ if any - I use the bass roll offs on the Sennheiser 421's for the higher toms that don't need so much bottom end. Also I don't gate the toms at all.

Hi angelo,

You often uses your version of swiss army triplet. can you talk about this? What is it?

Basically it is a triplet with a flam on the first note. I quite often use it (and variations of it) inside 16th note subdivisions.

Hi franklinj,

As ItalianRicky mentioned - I can't really make transcriptions at the moment whilst I'm out on tour.
Maybe someone else on this board would care to try it?


Cheers
Gavin

[flugadaflum]

hey gavin! just wanted to say i made the trip from philly with a friend to see you guys in NYC last night, and it was mindblowing! the band was incredibly tight! it was so cool hearing and seeing you play in a live setting. let steven know the fans really appreciate him letting you open up a bit more, live and on Fear of a Blank Planet, and that it should continue like that! you do it in a musical way and for the more musically educated/experienced fans, those "rhythmic illusions" really add a new level of enjoyment/enhancement.

[12:5]

hi...do you have any plans on making a new dvd with porcupine tree?
the last one was one of the best musicdvds i've ever seen...

[franklinj]

Hi JeffV71,

[
Hi franklinj,

As ItalianRicky mentioned - I can't really make transcriptions at the moment whilst I'm out on tour.
Maybe someone else on this board would care to try it?


Cheers
Gavin

Ah, I didnt realize that. If someone else could try it, that would be awesome. I love that part of that song.

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Hey Gavin! I know I'll be beating a dead horse with this one, but I'll ask anyway (if you don't want to answer, I understand! :) What is the exact size (or close proximity) to your 5 bells. Reason being, is that I'm going to try to replicate them somewhat and don't want too much of a zil-bel or splash sound. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. I'll be seeing you guys in Atlantic City hopefully this Saturday, and was curious what the chances were of possibly meeting you guys. I know you're very busy and can't waste time, but I was just curious about this. Thanks!
-Josh

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi flugadaflum,

Glad you enjoyed the show last night.

let steven know the fans really appreciate him letting you open up a bit more, live and on Fear of a Blank Planet, and that it should continue like that!

I don't understand the statement. Steve doesn't give me any kind of permission. It's my decision what to play.

Hi 12:5,

do you have any plans on making a new dvd with porcupine tree?

not at the moment - but we will be recording the audio at a few concerts for a possible live record of this tour.

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,

What is the exact size (or close proximity) to your 5 bells.

I don't exactly know - I'll need to measure them. I cut them just instinctively so they are probably quite odd sizes.

cheers
Gavin

[flugadaflum]

Gavin then ignore what I just said. My friend told me it was "like that." Just keep doing what you're doing!

[Hoofbite]

Hey Gavin,

Excellent show Friday night at the State Theatre!!! Sorry if this is a dumb question but on a different note, I was talking to my friend recently and he mentioned that he was able to meet you and the rest of the band back on May 19th 2007 at the Nokia Theatre in NYC. And at that meet n greet after the show he got a Drumhead signed by you and the guys that was used during practice sessions earlier that day. But he never asked if you personally played on it, though that is the assumption, but he and I are now curious.

If you cannot remember that is cool, either way he is going to get it framed and was gonna have the frame say the show date, etc and if you played on it he is going to write that down on it too.

Thanks again for a AWESOME show friday night!!!!

-B

[jr100]

Hey Gavin;
My son and I saw you with PT at the Beacon in NYC- this was our third time and you guys just seem to get better each time, always a fantastic show with things we haven't heard before. I was surprised and happy to see Will Calhoun in the opening band- those guys really cooked- are they touring with you or do you have different openers at each show?
Is there any chance you'll be touring with 05ric?- I would love to see that.

Also, I was wondering what your feeling was on open playing- I saw you doing it on part of "Sleep Together" during the concert. I know some drummers like Carter Beauford and Billy Cobham have been very successful with it- I just can't seem to get the same feel ( although my skills come nowhere approaching yours or theirs) , I suppose it's just a matter of practice.
Thanks, looking forward to whatever you do next, enjoy the rest of the tour.
JR

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Hoofbite,

...a Drumhead signed by you and the guys that was used during practice sessions earlier that day. But he never asked if you personally played on it, though that is the assumption, but he and I are now curious.

Yes I had played on it.

Hi jr100,

I was surprised and happy to see Will Calhoun in the opening band- those guys really cooked- are they touring with you or do you have different openers at each show?

Yes they were great - I watched them from the side of the stage. That's the only date they're doing with us.

Also, I was wondering what your feeling was on open playing- I saw you doing it on part of "Sleep Together" during the concert.

I occasionally attempt it so that I can play extra things on the toms or extra ghost notes that I can't get with my left hand. But generally I can't make it feel as good as when I play the old right over left.

Glad you enjoyed the show.

Cheers
Gavin

[volume_3]

Hi Gavin, How are you?

Im sorry if this has been asked, but...

How do you go about writing drum parts for new songs? Im in a band and i'm trying to vary my drumming a bit now, trying to add more interesting beats, using Funk styles and maybe Jazz aswell (Indie/alternative band). When i improvise along to my iPod i come up with really good stuff, but i find it hard to use those idea in my bands songs.

Thanks.

[fearofflying]

Hello.....Gavin,

Saw you guys last year at the Nokia. Now your playing in my back yard in Albany.
I would like to offer to take the band out for dinner before the show.

I sent Andy L. and e-mail as well.

Also will you have any of your latest recordings available for purchase at the
show? 05ric I have to get me some of that.

thanks
Tom

[Drumkill]

Hi Gavin:

I just watched you in Toronto, Ontario's gig last night and both my 19 year old son and I thoroughly enjoyed the music and namely as my son would put it "the sickest drummer that he has ever heard".

We both noticed that there is very little interaction between the musicans when you are playing as you seem to intuitively know where everyone is. (I guess thats what rehearsal is all about LOL)

My question to you is what do you have in your in-ear monitor mix? Do you have guitar/vocals and at bit of drums? Does it change from show to show?

Amazing concert and I immediately came home and watched the Rhythmnic Horizons DVD that I bought last night.


Cheers,

BTW, those pesky cymbal stand nuts always loosening up after playing! frustrating sometimes eh?

[Damp]

Hey Gavin,
I just caught PT's performance at the Beacon in NYC. Outstanding performance (as always). I also managed to pick up the LAST copy of Rhythmic Horizons. I enjoyed watching this DVD more than any other instructional drum video! I especially enjoyed the excersise on groupings of 5 over 7 and 7 over 5 (ba ba, ba ba ba....) That's the sort of thing I've been trying to enhance my skills with.

I do have two questions though: 2) You play the breakdown for "Halo" on the DVD on bass with a drumstick and then loop it whilst playing your kit over it. Its a quite simple pattern to understand, but I can't seem to be able to keep the 4/4 china hits over it like you do on the album version. Any suggestions?

and 2) On the equipment info section of the DVD, it says your 12X5 snare is a Designer snare, but does that mean it's a DeLite maple or an S Classix birch?

If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be so obsessed with drumming!

P.S. I've seen PT three times in here America already and you've yet to play Shallow...What Gives?

[Tyrnox]

Damp :

The designer series was sonor's old custom drum line, which are now the SQ2. I do believe you would get a similar sound with the Delite series, seeing as they are vintage maple shells.
I have a 14" Delite and i've fallen in love with it. So much that my other hi-end snares sound rubbish in comparison.

Gavin :

Great show in Quebec, it was very cool to see the band 3 in it's entirety this time ( Even if Joey alone was amazing )...definately the best opening gig i've seen to date. You guys played a very long set!! I was stoked and really happy about it, even if alot of the people in the room looked tired at the end, meh, if we're up to me, I would have had a giant sign written "Play never enough", like in the past Dream theater show I had seen ! haha

Cheers

Emmanuel

p.s I'm really glad I picked up the next volume of "Rythmic Horizons", your concepts are very interesting...there's definately alot of work to be done on these!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi volume_3,

How do you go about writing drum parts for new songs?

It depends how much the song is already written. Maybe it's still in a skeleton form or maybe it's fully formed. Like you, I jam along and see what ideas come to me. I record them, listen back and decide what works and what doesn't (in my opinion and based on my personal taste). Sometimes if there's a producer present they may have an idea of what's working that is maybe different to mine. Maybe we discuss the options. Having experience in this line of work really helps. You might spend ages coming up with (what you believe to be ) a killer drum part and the the producer says "nah, give me something else". You have to find ways of generating lots of different ideas - even though in a session situation you might not like the parts that the producer wants you to play - you might even think the song sucks too.
Having an ability to manipulate feels and rhythms and a sense of what is right for the song (not necessarily what is a great show off drum part) is the key thing.

Hi fearofflying,

Also will you have any of your latest recordings available for purchase at the
show? 05ric I have to get me some of that.

Yes my CD with 05Ric will be there - and my DVD Rhythmic Horizons too.

Hi Drumkill,

My question to you is what do you have in your in-ear monitor mix? Do you have guitar/vocals and at bit of drums? Does it change from show to show?

Yes we all have in-ear monitor mixes. I listen to a mix of everyone's instruments. We carry our own digital monitor desk (Yamaha 02R96) so it's pretty much the same night after night. Some minor tweaks are sometimes necessary depending on the room.

Hi Damp,

I do have two questions though: 2) You play the breakdown for "Halo" on the DVD on bass with a drumstick and then loop it whilst playing your kit over it. Its a quite simple pattern to understand, but I can't seem to be able to keep the 4/4 china hits over it like you do on the album version. Any suggestions?

You tried playing 8ths and accenting every other hit?

and 2) On the equipment info section of the DVD, it says your 12X5 snare is a Designer snare, but does that mean it's a DeLite maple or an S Classix birch?

As Tyrnox mentioned "Designer" was an older model range of Sonor. I believe it's 6 ply maple with no support rings inside.

Cheers
Gavin

[GavManB]

Hi Gavin,

I'm really glad PT is playing Norwich soon but it also really sucks as i'm gigging that night! I love gigging but it would have to be the only friday that month I am! ARGH!

Anyway, you seem to have immaculate gear and you obviously experiment a lot with your cymbals so I was wondering what/how you clean yours? There is a thread on drummerworld and everyone swears by certain methods that other people will swear that they are crazy for using!

I have also started experimenting with cutting down cymbals the first one of which is now a 7.5" ride cymbal. Luckily I have a friend who is a metalworker and he cuts them down to
size for me! :) I have a small selection of broken/cracked cymbals to try out I was just wondering if you had tried anything that really didn't work at all or if you had any that really surprised you? (I'll try and post pictures and some recordings of these experiments once they are done).

Also kudos on your Rhythmic Horizons DVD, it's been melting my brain for quite sometime now however I am (most) of the time able to play Halo with those accented quarter notes, it did throw me for a long time. Also is that section different on the live DVD to the original recording? By this I mean it sounds like you accent all the quarter notes on the china in the "heavy section" but in the original recording it sounds as if you accent those quarter notes then you do 2 crashes with the snare and continue on the beat whereas on the live DVD instead of carrying on the beat you seem to play the china on the off beats as if you were carrying on the accented quarter notes as you play them on the hi hat. Of course you then up it again the second time round and play all this on 2 chinas instead of the ride and a china! ARGH!

If the above doesn't make sense i'll understand as my knowledge of musical terms is not great, i've been much more of an emulator than a reader! Something I MUST change eventually!

Thanks again for being on here and answering all these questions, i'll do everything I can now to get you a damn clinic tour in the UK! Can't believe no one has asked!

Gav

[Bernhard]

Check out Samples from the great new CD "drop" - published by Gavin himself:

gavin harrison & 05ric

http://www.drummerworld.com/pics/drumpics12/gavinharrisondrop.jpg

Great Music - great Drumming.....

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Gavin_Harrison.html

...ahh, and there is also a new live Video of PT


Bernhard

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Bernhard,
thanks for the update.

Hi GavManB,

you obviously experiment a lot with your cymbals so I was wondering what/how you clean yours?

I never do.

I have a small selection of broken/cracked cymbals to try out I was just wondering if you had tried anything that really didn't work at all or if you had any that really surprised you?

A couple of them didn't turn out that great, but they we're broken to start with so I didn't really lose anything.

for quite sometime now however I am (most) of the time able to play Halo with those accented quarter notes, it did throw me for a long time. Also is that section different on the live DVD to the original recording?

It may well be different on the live DVD to the CD - I can't quite remember. I also play more double bass drum stuff through the 'heavy part' in the live shows that I don't think I did on the CD.

Cheers
Gavin

[Bube]

Hello Gavin!

I was wondering, which 6" splash did you use on In Absentia?Precisely, in The sound of muzak?It is 6", isn't it? :P

Thanks and keep on grooving!

[Midnite Mike]

Hey Gavin,
Great show at the Egg tonight in Albany. Had a wonderful time, hope you guys come back soon. Take care and God bless.

MM

[Fabio]

Hi Master!!!! How are you??

Finally, one week ago i have received the "Rhythmic Horizons" DVD !!
I'm still without words :) :)

I must see it at least once time at day :) :)

It's Faaaantaastiic!!!!!

Now, i try to study on mp3 song and PDF documents..
Really special thanx Master!! Thanx for your patience and fundamental instructions, that give us.. :) :)

Special salutes from all G.H.F.C. WE WAIT TO ROME!! :) :)

Good Work Master Gavin!! and Good concerts with P.T.

Cheers

Fabio

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Bube,

I was wondering, which 6" splash did you use on In Absentia?Precisely, in The sound of muzak?It is 6", isn't it?

Yes it's a 6" A Zildjian splash.

cheers
Gavin

[fearofflying]

Hello.........................Gavin,
You guys sounded great last night. Great opener as well.
I purchased 05ric it is an amazing piece of work.
In the true fashion of Gavin Harrison. I just want to say to all the drummers
out there you have to get this. It is a awsome piece of work.
There are no mediocre tracks. A wonderful drumming experience.

[s0nspark]

Hello Gavin!

To get the gushing out of the way ... like many here I consider you to be one of the most talented and tasteful drummers ever. As much as I am in awe of your technique, I *really* love the fact that you exercise it in a musically responsible way, playing just what the song needs. Hats off... :-)

I do have a question, if you don't mind...

I am in the market for a new kit after a few years away from the drums (it's been murder, I tell ya!) and am planning to start a project that will draw stylistically from jazz/fusion with pop sensibilities and the occasional heavy influence. The kit I am currently favoring would be composed like so:

20" kick
10", 8", 13" 15" mounted toms (in that order left to right, 2 up, 2 down)
13" primary snare (medium tuning)
12" secondary piccolo snare (high tuning)

I plan to tune the toms with a medium tension with single-ply coated batters ... do you think the 13" tom would service me well as a floor tom? I am concerned if I go to a 14"/16" combo for the floors that the gap between them and the 10"" rack would be to great...

Given the styles I must cover (and the fact that this will most likely be my only kit for the foreseeable future) it is kind of difficult to keep the kit on the small side and still find a good balance of sounds. What do you think?

[ItalianRicky]

Hi gavin, how're you?
I gat a question.i recently buy a Dw maple 12"x5" snare.
I've heard your designer 12x5 that you've used on RH clinic tour here in Italy.
I need some informations:
1 - have yout cutted away some snares on that drum?
2 - you've mounted an emperor coated, right?
3 - you'll keep this snare with an high pitch?

thanks a lot and i'm awaiting for Milan concert of PT!

cheers!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi fearofflying,

I'm glad you like my new CD with 05Ric - thanks for the kind words.

Hi s0nspark,

20" kick
10", 8", 13" 15" mounted toms (in that order left to right, 2 up, 2 down)
13" primary snare (medium tuning)
12" secondary piccolo snare (high tuning)

They're quite strange sizes to me - although I really like a 15x13 as a floor tom. I don't know if the 13 will - I've never tried it.

Hi ItalianRicky,

I need some informations:
1 - have yout cutted away some snares on that drum?
2 - you've mounted an emperor coated, right?
3 - you'll keep this snare with an high pitch?

Unusually for me - I still use the original 24 strand snare wires on that drum. I use a coated Ambassador - tuned to (what I would describe as) medium pitch.

cheers
Gavin

[s0nspark]

They're quite strange sizes to me - although I really like a 15x13 as a floor tom. I don't know if the 13 will - I've never tried it.


Yes, admittedly they are a little "nonstandard" :-) The idea for those tom sizes came straight from the kit Dave Weckl used to play with the first few incarnations of Chick Corea's Electric Band and on his first instructional tape (Back To Basics?)...

Really, I'd like to get a full set of toms, 8" to 16", a 20" and 22" or 24" bass drum and then assemble a 6-7 peice kit as the gig/session requires but... that is a lot more money than I have to spend and carting that stuff around would most likely kill me :-) Oh well.

Thanks for the feedback! I hope to catch PT live sometime soon...

Cheers,
s0nspark

[gibeachhead]

Gavin,

I have read you use 13" K hi hats but I have also heard that you use 14" hats. My question is which size hi-hats do you primarily use, and why do you prefer that size?

Also, which ride do you use when you play live? Just a standard K ride or K custom, etc?

Thanks in advance,

Brent

[kellycurrie]

Hi there. Porcupine Tree in Toronto was incredible! Three was pretty impressive too.

My Question:

What kind of sticks do you use?

[angelo]

Hi kellycurrie
how are you i think that is "vic firth rock"
Oval tip for a full sound. Great for rock and band.
L=16 5/8", Dia.=.630"
this is very beaufiful drum stick
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2182/rockmj7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Angelo

Hi Gavin
How are you
i look your video and see a structure isolate around drum.
can you say about this?
I have a 10x20mt
room with natural reverb but often i can isolate this

many thanks Gavin good work
Angelo

[Tazdrummer]

Hi Gavin,

I am a recent fan of yours and Porcupine Tree. I recently watched the Cymbal Song video and really liked it. Do you have anything else similar in plans for anything in the near future? Which cymbals did you use on that song?

Thanks,
Keith

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

What percentage of the time would you say you're touring verses working in the studio (looking back over the last few years)? Also, how important is it to stay healthy on tours like the one you're on? They are long tours and you're always "moving"! It's got to be draining, right?

Thanks,
Jeff

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi s0nspark,

Really, I'd like to get a full set of toms, 8" to 16", a 20" and 22" or 24" bass drum and then assemble a 6-7 peice kit as the gig/session requires

That's what I like to do if possible - get all the tom sizes. Occasionally the 13 or 15 comes in handy.

Hi gibeachhead,

I have read you use 13" K hi hats but I have also heard that you use 14" hats. My question is which size hi-hats do you primarily use, and why do you prefer that size?

I've been playing 13"s for many years - before that I used 12" ReMix hats. I really like the 13" K hats.

Also, which ride do you use when you play live? Just a standard K ride or K custom,

Just a standard 20" K Ride.

Hi kellycurrie,

What kind of sticks do you use?

As Angelo kindly mentioned they are Vic Firth Hickory "Rock".

Hi Angelo,

i look your video and see a structure isolate around drum- can you say about this?.

Yes they are professional isolation panels - I bought them from a studio supplier. They help me keep a close dry sound if I need it.

Hi Tazdrummer,

I recently watched the Cymbal Song video and really liked it. Do you have anything else similar in plans for anything in the near future? Which cymbals did you use on that song?

Have you seen it on my DVD "Rhythmic Horizons" or the Porcupine Tree "Arriving Somewhere" DVD?
On my DVD there's a Drum Song film too. I can't remember which exact Zildjian cymbals I used on that film without watching it - and I don't have a copy of it with me.

cheers
Gavin

[mottnt]

Hi Gavin,
I'm a recent fan of yours since I went with a friend of mine (great drummer) to the recent Raleigh NC show 10-11-07. I watched some drummerworld.com videos of yours and a live performance PT DVD before going to the show that night. Based on the various videos I saw, I have to admit that I was really looking forward to hearing you play live. I have to say, you certainly did not disappoint. You were so great and tasteful that my friend and I were giddy like little girls. I immediately went out and bought anything I could of your work. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. LOVE your bell cymbals. The opening band was also fantastic. I'm ashamed to say I can't remember the name of the band. Three???

You are, in my mind, one of the most talented drummers out there and the whole band is superb also.

- I heard you were also in a fusion band. If so, is it on sale and what is the name of the band.

Thanks so much

-Ted

[Tazdrummer]

Hi Tazdrummer,

I recently watched the Cymbal Song video and really liked it. Do you have anything else similar in plans for anything in the near future? Which cymbals did you use on that song?

Have you seen it on my DVD "Rhythmic Horizons" or the Porcupine Tree "Arriving Somewhere" DVD?
On my DVD there's a Drum Song film too. I can't remember which exact Zildjian cymbals I used on that film without watching it - and I don't have a copy of it with me.

cheers
Gavin

I saw it on the Arriving Somewhere DVD. There looks as if there is a big 16 inch or so china, a 6 and/or 8 inch splash or bell, a 12 inch or so china, a 20 inch or so ride, and maybe a 16 or 18 inch crash?

[TomasHakkesBrain]

Hi Stu,
Yes the Zildjian config is correct in a way. It doesn't show all the other alternatives that I have and use. The ride that I use on heavier stuff is a late 1940's Avedis ride with a really nice bell. I use a K Ride 20" when I play live with Porcupine Tree, and the Constantinople in the studio in lighter music. They're really beautiful cymbals the Constantinoples I don't don't want to play them too hard.

Cheers
Gavin

Hi Gavin, ive been desperately trying to find something comparable to your teachers old ride (without paying 2k!)..i know you're with zildjian but would you say this dream contact or bliss 20' would do the job?. I dont like the new Armand because its too sweet for my liking. Really want something with a clear seperated bell and the body with little ping but definition for jazz fusion/prog metal.

http://www.dmdrums.co.uk/Dream.htm

Cheersa

[ItalianRicky]

I saw it on the Arriving Somewhere DVD. There looks as if there is a big 16 inch or so china, a 6 and/or 8 inch splash or bell, a 12 inch or so china, a 20 inch or so ride, and maybe a 16 or 18 inch crash?


i suppose that are 16" or 15" K crash and a 17" in front of him...And the most right crash seems to be a 18" A custom crash...i don't know if it is an projection or a fast...
The big china at gavin's right is a Z custom china, near the 12" oriental trash chinese and
The K 20" ride.
On Gavin's left we have K 13" hats, 14" oriental china (or 16", i'm not sure)
and the tingle cups.
Splashes...i dunno, maybe 8" and 10" K or A custom splashes?

[Liquid_Drummer]

Hey Gavin,

Hope things are going well on tour. Myself and the Keyboard player from Little Atlas (if you have not checked them out you may like them if you like early Genesis etc..) will see and you and PT tonight in Cinci. It will be my 1st PT show and I look very forward to it. Are you guys playing Hate Song tonight ?

P.S

Try some Cinci Style Chili while your in town if you like that sort of thing. They are known to have the best around. Skyline and Goldstar chili parlors are plentifull in Cinci.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

Was last night a typical performance ? Seems to me that you guys were really in to it as was everyone in attendance. I am glad you guys had such a good turn out because I know that it can help fuel the band.

No hate song but oh well because I heard quite a few tunes that were new to me that may have become new favs. Looked like you were playing with controlled abandon last night. Were you improvising a lot ? I dont know if its just the buzz left over from a good concert or what but I have say that I think I saw the best live drum performance of my life last night. I am insipired big time. I hit the drums the moment I got home..... Thanks for the great show....

What was the 2nd song ? You were cracking a smile at the other guys like something happened. I didnt hear anything weird. Just curious..

[gibeachhead]

What was the 2nd song ? You were cracking a smile at the other guys like something happened. I didnt hear anything weird. Just curious..


Gavin and the fellers will always look at each other and laugh randomly during shows, just goes to show the bond they share, its hilarious for no reason :)

[Pywacket]

I read on a forum that people thought a couple of the songs (Blackest Eyes bieng one of them) were faster some nights and then slower other nights. I didn't have the heart to tell them that they were the same tempo every night. I guess that's people's perception.

cheers
Gavin[/QUOTE]
.................................................. .................................................. ........................


Strange as it may sound I've had the experience of thinking the click I use live slowed down or sped up on different nights even though I know it's always exactly the same tempo. Maybe it has to do with mood, adrenalin, anticipation or nerves which I personally still suffer from.

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

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JeffV71,

What percentage of the time would you say you're touring verses working in the studio (looking back over the last few years)? Also, how important is it to stay healthy on tours like the one you're on? They are long tours and you're always "moving"! It's got to be draining, right?

I would say that I've been touring a lot more than recording over the last few years. I try to stay healthy on tour - I don't get drunk and I try my best to eat reasonable things - but it's very random. I do get run down the longer the tour goes on because you never really get a proper night's sleep - and inevitably catch a cold somewhere along the way.

Hi mottnt,
glad you enjoyed the show so much - yes the opening band are called "Three" and they really kick ass!!!!

Hi TomasHakkesBrain,

ive been desperately trying to find something comparable to your teachers old ride (without paying 2k!)..i know you're with zildjian but would you say this dream contact or bliss 20' would do the job?

I can never tell with cymbals until I've played them for a couple of weeks in different situations. I got really lucky with that old ride - but I'd have loved it anyway for sentimental reasons.

Hi Liquid_Drummer,

Looked like you were playing with controlled abandon last night. Were you improvising a lot ? I dont know if its just the buzz left over from a good concert or what but I have say that I think I saw the best live drum performance of my life last night. I am insipired big time.

Thanks - I actually felt like I didn't really have a great night myself. Yes I improvised quite a bit last night and didn't think all of it was really that happening. That's all part of the journey if you set out to improvise. Some things might turn out good and others might not. Glad you enjoyed it though.

Cheers
Gavin

[Liquid_Drummer]

Well Gavin your "not so great night" left me slackjawed more times that I can count. I would have to say that you were right on track and I didnt hear anything that didnt work. Your fills felt right for what was going on and it was inspiring to see how you are able to play so busy yet stay out of the way in all the right places..The way you subdivide fills and come back right on the money just amazed me time and time again.

I really have not given much of the stuff previous to you joining a chance because your drumming in the framework of PT I found to be exactly what I like to hear. Perfect synergy IMHO. There are so many albums previous to you joining. Any suggestions ?

[gibeachhead]

Well Gavin your "not so great night" left me slackjawed more times that I can count. The way you subdivide fills and come back right on the money just amazed me time and time again. I will come see you guys everytime you come near Louisville, Ky from now on. I really have not given much of the stuff previous to you joining a chance because your drumming in the framework of PT I found to be exactly what I like to hear. Perfect synergy IMHO. There are so many albums previous to you joining. Any suggestions ?

Dude get PTs earlier work, its SOOO GOOD! And when Steven Wilson went back and remastered the earlier albums, Gavin did drumming for some of the sky moves sideways and I believe all of Up the Downstair. You can recognize Gavin's playing, and its awesome! Adds so much more to the original track.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin plays on some of the remasters ? Sweet...

[RollMyCoaster13]

Hey Gavin!

Thank you so much for all the time and support you've given to this forum. It's really great to see someone of your calibur giving advice to the fans. It's much appreciated.

I'm wondering what kind of recording equipment you use in your home studio. I'm interested in getting into the production aspect of things, and right now my recording tools are quite poor. In particular, what kind of mixer are you using? Thanks so much. Your drumming is a constant inspiration!

Alex

P.S. You easily have the best sounding drums in the business. Truly amazing!

[angelo]

Hi Gavin
I look in acoustic sciences corporation site another professional isolation this is a tube traps what you think about of this?

http://www.acousticsciences.com/tubetrap.htm
Many professional engineers used this in studio
Gavin I like me to see you soon in Taormina
good work
thanks a lot
Angelo

[Sol Good]

Hey Gavin!

I'm wondering what kind of recording equipment you use in your home studio. In particular, what kind of mixer are you using?


http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=283920&postcount=796

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct99/articles/readerzone.htm

[Inngwar]

Ok, i got some questions for Gavin...

First off all , love your drumming. I can't really pick my favorite drummer but if someone was to point a gun to my head i think you would be a way to go...

First question, why doesn't Porcupine Tree visit Serbia?

Second question, which exercise would you recommend for double bass and feet in general?

Third question, what do you think would be the best way to improve my coordination around the kit?

Thanx in advance!!!

[figure_02]

Hi again Gavin!

I am going to talk about you and Porcupine Tree in school in a couple of days. I have decided to use the song Halo as an example of the great vocals, the "wise" lyrics, and the awesome drumming of Porcupine Tree. Any interessting information about that track that you could tell me? I know the instrumental part is in 17/8. ;)
And, do you know why the band is called Porcupine Tree? I guess it was Stevens idea back then, but did he ever tell you why?

It's so awesome that you take the time to answer these questions!
Cheers!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Inngwar,

First question, why doesn't Porcupine Tree visit Serbia?

I guess because a promoter hasn't invited us there yet.

Second question, which exercise would you recommend for double bass and feet in general?

That's a hard question because I don't really think of myself as a double bass drum player. I usually just do short bursts of 2,3,4 or 5 notes at a time. I try to find spaces in fills to put the 'short bursts' into.

Third question, what do you think would be the best way to improve my coordination around the kit?

It depends what level you are at now. Recently I've been trying to pedal 'off' 16th notes with my left foot on the hi hat - that is just the "e" + "a" of every four 16ths and then improvise around the drums with my other 3 limbs. I'm sure there's some great coordination books out there - "The New Breed" by Gary Chester is very good.

Hi figure_02,

Any interessting information about that track that you could tell me? I know the instrumental part is in 17/8. ;)
And, do you know why the band is called Porcupine Tree?

I remember that the composing process started with that 17/8 idea which I had already worked out a few months beforehand. After that Richard started with the white noise sequencer and we just jammed along. It came together quite quickly.
I've never know where the name Porcupine Tree comes from...and Steve won't tell anyone either.

Cheers
Gavin

[12:5]

hi gavin,
i can't stop listening to nil recurring particularly what happens now...at 5:17 starts this rhythmic illusion which sounds absolutely amazing so i tried to figure out what is going on there but i'm not quite sure if i'm on the right track...so you play in 7/8 colin plays in 7/8 too and the guitars are 5/8 or 6/8?...can you shed some light on this section please?

another thing which i'm curious about: can you tell me in which pt songs you use polyrhythms?

[hauk]

12:5,
He explained that a couple pages back, here you go:

It starts with a guitar in 5/8 and then I play in 7/8 with the bass drum & snare drum - on top of that I play a dotted 8th note on the ride cymbal. The bass joins in with a pattern in 7/8 (chords change every 4 bars) and the keys and guitars join in the dotted 8th note. Eventually that dotted 8th becomes an 8th note in 12/8 as we modulate into a different feel. Make sense?

Cheers
Gavin

[Johnny]

Hey, Gavin, great show at the Meridian last night. You really played well. The whole band seems looser (I mean that in a good way, not that the music isn't tight!) than last time y'all were here. I was happy to see a significantly higher turnout too. I'm really digging the "Drop" CD.

Thanks for coming to Houston and thanks for all you do.

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

I've been doing the subdivision excercices you do on your Rhythmic Visions DVD.

And I was wondering if you have some kind of trick or method of playing the 'odd' subdivisions. Where do you focus on to know your 'subdivide' correct?

I sometimes find it hard to get 'started' to play some certain subdivisions, especially the 5's ,7's, 11's.
Once I get it it's easy to play them, but before getting there I have to speed up or slow down to subdivide correct and line-up with the click.

The 6's, 9's and 12's I derive from the 3's (triplets), so they're easier to get right.

I , for example with the 5's, count the 'leading' hand strokes 1, 2 and then
make the switch to the other hand.

1 2_ 1 2_ 1 2_ 1
R R R R R R R R
_L L L L L L L L



Greetings,
Dre

[Shane G]

Gavin,

I too was at the Houston show and I double the comments Johnny said.

Porcupine Tree, and your performances with them, are a huge inspiration to me.

I also picked up a copy of "Drop" and I am enjoying it immensely.


Add PASIC '08 (Austin Tx) to your schedule next year, would ya?

[Joe P]

Hey Gavin!
I loved your performance at Voodoo Fest! (It reminded me of why you're my favorite drummer!) One quick question: what kind of tom heads did you use on your DVD Rhythmic Horizons (the camouflage set)?

[hauk]

Gavin,
I was at the Dallas show and it was awesome! Great songs, great performance, great drumming. Also the sound there was really good, I was impressed. The only thing I would have changed is I wish you'd played Hatesong, but I really can't complain. Thanks for the experience. Also, 3 was really good. I'll have to get one of their albums.
If anyone is interested, here's the setlist:

Fear of a Blank Planet
What Happens Now?
The Sound of Muzak
Lazarus
Nil Recurring
Anesthetize
Dark Matter
Open Car
Blackest Eyes
Half-light
Way Out of Here
Sleep Together
[Encore:]
Trains
Even Less
Halo

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

I sometimes find it hard to get 'started' to play some certain subdivisions, especially the 5's ,7's, 11's.
Once I get it it's easy to play them, but before getting there I have to speed up or slow down to subdivide correct and line-up with the click.

I know what you mean - and I think the more you do them the easier they get. You just know how much to speed up or slow down until they slot into place. I try and sing the odd subdivision to myself (over a straight 4/4 beat) just before I have to play it.

Hi Johnny, Shane G, Joe P and Hauk,
thanks for the kind comments about the Porcupine Tree live show. I enjoyed it too. Hope you make to see us again in the future.

Cheers
Gavin

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

I'm soo mad I missed you guys in Atlantic City, especially after reading the setlist that was just posted for Dallas. I really wanna see you guys play The Sound of Muzak live! (I have the Arriving Somewhere dvd, but it's just not enough!) I will definitely be there for your next tour around the states, hopefully supporting a new album **HINT HINT**. You are one hell of a drummer! Now if only I could just understand time as well as you!
Best Regards!,
Josh

[franklinj]

Hey Gavin, sorry to ask for another one of your licks, but your fills are so good I cant help it! I was wondering if you or anyone else on here could transcribe the fill thats around the 5 min. mark on Fear of a Blank Planet. I love the feel of it, but I cant seem to figure it out.

[Clint Hopkins]

Hi Gavin,
Just a quick note to express how much my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the PT show in Atlanta, Monday night. You guys sounded phenomenal! Your tasteful playing will never go out of style. I learn volumes every time I see and/or hear you. Thanks for the inspiration to get off my rear and practice. My wife commented several times during and after the show on the beautiful sound of your kit.

I'm currently listening to and loving yours and Ric's disc that I picked up at the show. What a sublime musical experience: nice work.

Clint

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin, sorry to ask for another one of your licks, but your fills are so good I cant help it! I was wondering if you or anyone else on here could transcribe the fill thats around the 5 min. mark on Fear of a Blank Planet. I love the feel of it, but I cant seem to figure it out

Hi Franklin,
Someone asked the same question on the HOD-forum, he explains it there.

Here's the link House Of Drumming Forum (http://www.houseofdrumming.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2999&highlight=)

Cheers,
Dre

[franklinj]

Thanks man! THats perfect actually!


Hey Gavin, sorry to ask for another one of your licks, but your fills are so good I cant help it! I was wondering if you or anyone else on here could transcribe the fill thats around the 5 min. mark on Fear of a Blank Planet. I love the feel of it, but I cant seem to figure it out

Hi Franklin,
Someone asked the same question on the HOD-forum, he explains it there.

Here's the link House Of Drumming Forum (http://www.houseofdrumming.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2999&highlight=)

Cheers,
Dre

[goo-goo]

hi gavin, had a wonderful time at the PT show at houston. you pretty much rocked all night and I hope I can meet you again.

I wanted to ask you, do you have a high resolution of your kit (driver's seat) you could share? would love to have it as a wallpaper in my PC.


Thanks Gavin. And I'm loving Drop. It reminds me of Jakko Jackzik's latest album...a cross between that and King Crimson with Trey Gunn. Thanks for autograph as well!!

Keep up rockin'!

[ProgDrummer]

Hey Gavin!
Played a great show at the Roxy on Monday. Enjoyed your performance especially! Ironically, my Rhythmic Illusions book came in the mail the same day as well. Definitely gonna be looking forward to the live album!!!

Daniel

[fddrummer]

Hey Gavin -

Just picked up your Rhythmic Visions DVD - Great stuff on here! I particularly enjoyed the arrangement of 'A Night in Tunisia'. You should put together a jazz concepts book, or dvd - you had some great ideas going in that clip. Also - I'm currently putting together a percussion album - any chance of having you contribute with your busy schedule?

Regards,
Eric Bittermann

[s0nspark]

Hey again Gavin :-)

Just a quick question for ya... If my memory serves me correctly, one of the kits you had when initially joining PT was a red Sonor kit... Was the finish on that kit Luminous Red (RAL 3024)? I was really fond of that particular shade and, well, Sonor offers about 25 shades :-)

Thanks much...

Cheers,
Tim

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi goo-goo

I wanted to ask you, do you have a high resolution of your kit (driver's seat) you could share? would love to have it as a wallpaper in my PC.


I can't upload hi res pictures onto this forum. There is a maximum size of 488.3kb
This is the best I can do....

15140

Hi s0nspark,

If my memory serves me correctly, one of the kits you had when initially joining PT was a red Sonor kit... Was the finish on that kit Luminous Red (RAL 3024)?

The first Sonor kit I played in the States was a Birdseye Amber DeLight. That got swapped for the one I use now in the States a Birdseye Azure.
I played a Birdseye Azure on my first European tour with PT - and then the Earth finish Designer - and now the Tribal finish SQ2.

Cheers
Gavin

[s0nspark]

The first Sonor kit I played in the States was a Birdseye Amber DeLight. That got swapped for the one I use now in the States a Birdseye Azure.
I played a Birdseye Azure on my first European tour with PT - and then the Earth finish Designer - and now the Tribal finish SQ2.

Cheers
Gavin

My bad ... it was your Pearl kit I "remembered" :-)

Thanks for the reply...

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Your kit makes me smile everytime I see it. It looks so comfy, and I always wish I could sit behind it and play it! Just a question though...do you move your throne in a little when playing, or do you always sit that far back? Maybe it just looks far because nobody is sitting in it! lol Have a great one!
Josh

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,

Yes I like to sit a long way back. I'm 6' 2" so I can't be that close anyway.

Cheers
Gavin

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,

Yes I like to sit a long way back. I'm 6' 2" so I can't be that close anyway.

Cheers
Gavin

I think that's my problem. I'm the same height, and I feel like I sit too close. I'll definitely have to try that. Thanks!
Josh

P.S. It's good to see a taller drummer! Everyone seems to be so short lol.

[Ploum©]

Hi Gavin, I just received your 2 DVDs, been watching them all evening yesterday.
They're amazing and inspirational, I've got so many more things to work on now! Haha.
The "simple" polyrhythm exercises alone are going to take a while to assimilate.

I realized though, most of the tunes you play on them are very fusion/jazz/funk oriented, and all I knew about your playing was from the Porcupine Tree albums.
Among other things, there's a pattern from a song by the band Incognito that sounds pretty neat.
On your Wikipedia page I see you've played on many albums besides the PT ones.
Can you select the 3 or 4 that feature that other side of your playing the best?

Thanks a lot for all your replies so far, that's very generous (the thread is a goldmine).

[s0nspark]

Gavin -

I am seriously looking at picking up a set of Sonors (S-Classix or DeLites more than likely) but am unfamiliar with the tom mounting system... from pictures it seems pretty heavy duty and I am a little concerned about how it may affect the resonance. In the past I have gone with Gauger RIMS mounts as a way around mounting systems that choke the drums... Have you ever had an issue with Sonor's T.A.R. mounts? Would RIM mounts be overkill or unnecessary? Also, have you ever considered mounting your floor toms in a similar fashion to your rack toms (i.e. suspended on your rack)?

Forgive my unfamiliarity with Sonor - I've had a hard finding shops in my area that stock anything from them :-/

Cheers,
Tim

[Drizzle]

Someone mentioned this on the HOD forum, Backstagemusician.com (http://www.backstagemusician.com/index1.htm)did an interview with Gavin, and placed the video of it on it's website.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Ploum©,

On your Wikipedia page I see you've played on many albums besides the PT ones.
Can you select the 3 or 4 that feature that other side of your playing the best?

That's a tough question - because as far as my playing is concerned I usually just prefer the most recent stuff (such as my record with 05Ric "Drop"). There's some interesting stuff on Jakko Jakszyk's album "Bruised Romantic Glee Club". Of the older stuff - the Incognito album "Inside Life" is nice and I still like listening to Yasuaki Shimizu's "Aduna" album.

Hi s0nspark,

I am seriously looking at picking up a set of Sonors (S-Classix or DeLites more than likely) but am unfamiliar with the tom mounting system..... Have you ever had an issue with Sonor's T.A.R. mounts?

No I've never had a problem with them - they're really good. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either the DeLights or S-Classix.

Also, have you ever considered mounting your floor toms in a similar fashion to your rack toms (i.e. suspended on your rack)?

I have done that in the past with an old Pearl kit - but I prefer the floor toms on legs. Due to the size and weight of floor toms - you end up putting a lot of pressure on the mounts and shell by hanging them off a rack.

Cheers
Gavin

[Ploum©]

Hi Ploum©,

On your Wikipedia page I see you've played on many albums besides the PT ones.
Can you select the 3 or 4 that feature that other side of your playing the best?

That's a tough question - because as far as my playing is concerned I usually just prefer the most recent stuff (such as my record with 05Ric "Drop"). There's some interesting stuff on Jakko Jakszyk's album "Bruised Romantic Glee Club". Of the older stuff - the Incognito album "Inside Life" is nice and I still like listening to Yasuaki Shimizu's "Aduna" album.

Thanks a lot!

I've already found the Jakszyk and Incognito cds on Amazon, it seems like Aduna will be much tougher to find though. I'll be hitting the big Parisian stores ASAP.

Looking for an online store that stocked the album, I came across a translated interview of yours (from a Dutch mag called Slagwerkkrant) that answered pretty much the same question.

The list is consistent!
Here it is :


Porcupine Tree – Deadwing
Porcupine Tree – In Absentia
Franco Battiato – L’Imboscata
Yasuaki Shimizu – Aduna
Mick Karn – The Tooth Mother
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – The Big Idea
Jakko Jakszyk – Glee Club
Incognito – Inside Life
Lewis Taylor – Lewis 2
Shooter – And Your Point….

[garryjboyle]

Hey Gavin,

I am a big fan of Porcupine Tree, your drumming is brilliant; solid and tasteful – everything a drummer should be. I am not a drummer but a bass player and have signed up to ask a few questions (please don’t flame me, I promise I’ll behave!).

As part of my 4th year on an honour degree in music I have decided to look at acoustic drum production techniques and am looking to use yourself/studio and Fear Of A Blank Planet/In Absentia as case studies as they are sonically stunning records. Having done some research on Both FOABP and In Absentia I have some questions:

-In the Sound on Sound article you explained that you record drums live in your control room with the screens doors open and ambient mics in the big room. Was this how FOABP was recorded?

-My understanding is that In Absentia was recorded in Avatar Studio NY. How were the drums recorded? From what I dig up the kit was close mic’d but were there any ambient mics used (Paul Northfield didn’t mention then in an interview I found)? To my ears there is less room sound on In Absentia than in FOABP yet (based on photo’s I have dug up) Avatar is a bigger room than your studio… Was this simple a mixing choice thing or a conscious decision at the recording stage? Or am I simply reading too deep into nothing?

-You listed (as a reply to another question) this as your mic set up:

Bass Drum (SM91)
Bass Drum (Audix D6)
Snare Top (Audix i5)
Snare Bottom (SM57)
Hi Hat (AKG CK391)
Tom1 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom2 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom3 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom4 (Sennheiser 421)
Tom5 (Sennheiser 421)
Overheads (Pair of Royer 122's)
Close Ambience (Pair of Neumann TLM 103's)
Distant Ambience (Pair of Schoeps CMC5's)

Is this current still? Was this the set up for FOABP (specifically the ambient set up)?

When you say close and distant are we talking just outside the booth and at the other end of your hall?

You use two mics on the Kick also. Is this a batter head and one inside? If not how is this set up?

-And, just out of interest, in the SOS article you list the EV n/d 408’s as your choice tom mic over the Sennheiser 421’s as they don’t get in the way. Everything I can dig up after that article seems to list the 421 as the choice mic. Is this accurate? Why the swap back?

I appreciate any help you can give. I know these seem to be pretty geeky (useless) engineer questions but they would be brilliant for my research.

Thanks for your time. Can’t wait to see you play in November on the Porcupine Tree tour.

Regards

Garry

[goo-goo]

Thanks Gavin for the drum kit picture!!!

I can host a bigger size picture if you (or everybody) wants it.

oquintero @ gmail . com (if you want to Gavin....without the spaces on my address....just protecting from spam bots ;) )

Question regading Nil Recurring song:

On the Robert Fripp solo part, did you re-record that part or was the solo recorded after your drum parts? I think the interaction and atmosphere created in that part between you and Mr Fripp is awesome...and completely orchestrated...I don't feel that any note is out of place. Its just plain amazing!!!

Thanks again Gavin

[Pandrex]

Hi Gavin. Just wanted to say well done in the Oxford show on thursday. I came from N Ireland and it was well worth the trip. I was the guy black hair n beard right at the front middle (I doubt you would remember me though lol). The crowd was very tame for some strange reason, but your playing (and everyones elses) was pretty much spot on. I saw the rythmic horizons DVD on sale which i really wanted to get, but unfortunately I'm just really broke these days so I had to pass.

One more thing, can I ask what snare drum you were using that night?

Cheers

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi garryjboyle

-In the Sound on Sound article you explained that you record drums live in your control room with the screens doors open and ambient mics in the big room. Was this how FOABP was recorded?

Exactly.

-My understanding is that In Absentia was recorded in Avatar Studio NY. How were the drums recorded?

That's correct. There were several pairs of Neumanns set up at different distances around the room - but a lot of what you hear on the record is the close sound. Some tracks have more ambiance than others - it was a mix decision depending on what was needed for each song.

Is this (mic list) current still? Was this the set up for FOABP (specifically the ambient set up)?

Yes, that's the most up to date one I use in my studio.

When you say close and distant are we talking just outside the booth and at the other end of your hall?

Yes, although I moved them depending on the sound I wanted for each track.

You use two mics on the Kick also. Is this a batter head and one inside? If not how is this set up?

The SM91 is inside and the Audix is just looking into the hole on the front head.

-And, just out of interest, in the SOS article you list the EV n/d 408’s as your choice tom mic over the Sennheiser 421’s as they don’t get in the way.

I thought that the 421's sounded better (especially in the lower 3 toms) so I switched to them. I still think they're a bit cumbersome - and would be hard work in a live situation like PT.

Hi goo-goo,

On the Robert Fripp solo part, did you re-record that part or was the solo recorded after your drum parts?

Robert's stuff was recorded after my drums, so he deserves any credit for interaction and atmosphere!!

Hi Pandrex.

can I ask what snare drum you were using that night?

It's my new Sonor SQ2 14x5 Birch 6 ply with round bearing edges. Did it sound OK?

cheers
Gavin

[Spazzy-McGee]

Someone mentioned this on the HOD forum, Backstagemusician.com (http://www.backstagemusician.com/index1.htm)did an interview with Gavin, and placed the video of it on it's website.

Thats a pretty damn cool interview. Nice to see that guy asking questions that weren't so "stock." Good job Gavin! cool to see who ya are.

GAVIN: do you enjoy interviews?

on a side note: I also just learned of this site. Pretty cool! Finding all sorts of neat things today. Interviews/sites now where is my pot of gold?

hee hee

Spaz-McG

[Pandrex]

yes gavin. I wasnt expecting it to have as much crack as it did though, but thats certaintly not a bad thing....

I really liked that sonor black steel (i think)snare you used way back on the arriving somewhere DVD. I recently just purchased a tama bubinga kit and I'm looking for a new snare, loads of these sonor ones seem really high quality.

Your toms sounded great, especially in the intro on anesthetize (or aunnies thighs lol). It was also cool to see you playing with such a small kick drum, why did decide to go with a smaller size out of interest?

Cheers Gavin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Pandrex,
small bass drum?? I've always used a 22".

Cheers
Gavin

[Charterman50]

Hey Gavin - been awhile and just taking a look through your forum. I am sure you have probably answered this - I didn't see it though - curious what heads you prefer and BD muffling. I am playiing a nice set of Slingerland maples and have had pinstripes on them for years, but as I will be replacing them soon I wanted to ask your thoughts. Also didn't see the response to what snare(s) you are playing. I have a '76 Black Beauty that I have been in love with since I bought it, a 3 1/2 x 14 Maple piccolo and a 12 x 7 1/2 Gretsch free floater that is really high. I think the allure of a late 40s Radio King still draws me and I did hear a really great sound out of a hammered brass Craviotto.

Looking forward to your response - Best, Charterman

[Pandrex]

Hi Pandrex,
small bass drum?? I've always used a 22".

Cheers
Gavin
oh lol, my mistake... it just looked really small from where i was, maybe because your toms are quite high above it, i dunno..

nice pearl rack you use, i have the same ;D . If only i could get my hands on some of the those cupchime things you made.

[Butch Axsmith]

Gavin ' I enjoy your playing //// just great ....
also the Sonor drum set ////
Butch Axsmith

[garryjboyle]

Hi garryjboyle

-In the Sound on Sound article you explained that you record drums live in your control room with the screens doors open and ambient mics in the big room. Was this how FOABP was recorded?

Exactly.

-My understanding is that In Absentia was recorded in Avatar Studio NY. How were the drums recorded?

That's correct. There were several pairs of Neumanns set up at different distances around the room - but a lot of what you hear on the record is the close sound. Some tracks have more ambiance than others - it was a mix decision depending on what was needed for each song.

Is this (mic list) current still? Was this the set up for FOABP (specifically the ambient set up)?

Yes, that's the most up to date one I use in my studio.

When you say close and distant are we talking just outside the booth and at the other end of your hall?

Yes, although I moved them depending on the sound I wanted for each track.

You use two mics on the Kick also. Is this a batter head and one inside? If not how is this set up?

The SM91 is inside and the Audix is just looking into the hole on the front head.

-And, just out of interest, in the SOS article you list the EV n/d 408’s as your choice tom mic over the Sennheiser 421’s as they don’t get in the way.

I thought that the 421's sounded better (especially in the lower 3 toms) so I switched to them. I still think they're a bit cumbersome - and would be hard work in a live situation like PT.

Many thanks Gavin,

So, again out of interest, what do you mic your kit up with in a live situation?

Where and how was the rest of FOABP recorded? The PT Wiki page lists a ton of studios - was most done at Steve Wilsons home studio?

Regards

Garry

[DrummingJim]

Hey Gavin!!

I saw you play at The Forum on friday with Porcupine Tree and i was apsolutely blown away! The sound was incredible! I loved the use of your polyrhthms.

I was wondering do you play with a click track live?
Also which snare do you play? As i am looking to buy a new snare drum.
Thanks!!
James

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Charterman50,

curious what heads you prefer and BD muffling

I've been using Remo Coated Emperors on the tops of the toms for many years now. Clear Ambassadors on the bottoms. Remo coated CS on the top of the snare drum and Clear Remo Powerstroke 3 on the batter head of the bass drum. Inside the bass drum is a heavy cushion that touches both front and back heads.

Hi garryjboyle,

So, again out of interest, what do you mic your kit up with in a live situation?

Pretty similar to the studio setup except... just one Bass Drum mic (Shure SM91) inside the drum. EV 408's on all the toms, and Neumann KM84's for overheads and hi hats and ride cymbal.

Where and how was the rest of FOABP recorded? The PT Wiki page lists a ton of studios - was most done at Steve Wilsons home studio?

It was recorded all over the place. I think the guitars were recorded in Florida.

Hi DrummingJim,

I was wondering do you play with a click track live?
Also which snare do you play? As i am looking to buy a new snare drum.

Yes we play to a click for the songs that have a film so that it's all in sync. I'm using a Sonor SQ2 Birch 14x5 round bearing edge snare drum.

cheers
Gavin

[Spazzy-McGee]

Gavin -
I'm new to this board so I hope this isn't a duplicate question (looked for it, didn't find it but there are 49 friggin' pages here! haha)

I heard or read somewhere that you don't really consider yourself a "double-bass" player. Although you do, do a lot of it. Of course I'm impressed with your chops and I know a simple click track slow to fast is how you develop them. I'm more conserned about practicing technique.

What is your technique for playing double bass, and how would you suggest one to practice and develop it?

Thanks Gavin!
S-M

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

Just curious, why the choice for Coated Emperors on the toms.

Is there a particular reason for using them compared to Clear Emperors?

Is it the warmer tone of the coated heads compared to the clears?

Are there situations where you would use other heads, like type of music or miked or not miked??

See ya in the Heineken Music Hall on December the 5th.

Dre

[kiarze]

Hi Gavin!

What are the cymbals that you use?
When is that PT come to Portugal?

You are an amazing drummer!
Kiarze.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Spazzy-McGee,

What is your technique for playing double bass, and how would you suggest one to practice and develop it?

The only things I really strive for on the double pedal is to have control and be accurate. It's easy to play a load of fast nonsense - but to play them REALLY in time and in sync with your hands (with no flams) is hard. I've played double since 1984 - and I'm still trying!!!
In terms of technique - I always play 'heel up' and play single strokes starting with the right foot. I don't work on speed - I'm not interested in playing 16ths really fast - I just try to use my imagination to see if I can find some interesting ways to play them inside grooves and fills.

Hi Drizzle,

Just curious, why the choice for Coated Emperors on the toms.
Is there a particular reason for using them compared to Clear Emperors?

I used to play Clear Emperors/Pinstripes and Clear Ambassadors but I really don't like the "plastic" tone they give. It's like a "U" shape on a graphic eq - lots of high frequencies and low frequencies but not much in the middle - and the coated heads just seemed like a more natural organic sound to me.
It's just my preference.

Are there situations where you would use other heads, like type of music or miked or not miked??

I never seemed to play in "un-miked" situations anymore - I'd probably play Coated Ambassadors in a low volume situation.

Cheers
Gavin

[gapwedge]

Hello Gavin.

Just a quick line to say thanks to you and the band for a great show at the Kentish Town Forum on Friday. It was more than worth the trip from Caerphilly. I was lucky enough to recently win two tickets to a PT "one-off acoustic show" from a well-known music TV channel, so hope that I will get to see you all for the third time, very shortly.

Congratulations also on the award for best album from Classic Rock magazine.

Can I ask about something on the page about you on wikipedia?

It states that in 2008 you will be joining King Crimson. Is this a permanent thing or the next project whilst PT have a (well-earned) break?

Could I also ask have you always been a Zildjian man? When I think of your cymbal set-up, perhaps not all of them would be what some would consider to be classic "rock" cymbals eg the k's, but it all seems to fit in so well with everything else. Is it a case of always having played these and letting them fit in or have you gone down the "horses for courses" route of using x cymbal for this and y for that?

Thanks, again,

[Clint Hopkins]

Hi Gavin,
I've been listening to and enjoying 'Drop' quite a lot lately and I'm wondering what the time signature is in the beginning riff to 'Sailing'? Along with 'For Lack of' it's one of my favorites. Also, just out of curiosity, could you point out the tap guitar parts you play on the disc?
Thanks so much for taking the time.

Clint

[DrummingJim]

Thanks for the info Gavin!

At the moment im studying at the ACM in Guildford. Ive seen some really good masterclasses there from Thomas Lang, and Chad Smith. Have you been there?

I no you are on a busy tour schedule at the moment, but i was wondering if you where planning on visiting to do a masterclass in the future?? This would be amazing!!

You are often a big talking point in our drum classes!!

I hope you had a good gig tonight!

cheers!!
Jim

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi gapwedge,

Can I ask about something on the page about you on wikipedia?
It states that in 2008 you will be joining King Crimson

I don't know about that. Unfortunately it seems anyone can edit your Wikipedia page and add whatever they want. I don't know who wrote that there or where they got that info.

Could I also ask have you always been a Zildjian man?

I've been playing Zildjians since 1986 - and I've never had a problem mixing and matching their different cymbal types. They're just musical cymbals.

Hi Clint Hopkins,

I've been listening to and enjoying 'Drop' quite a lot lately and I'm wondering what the time signature is in the beginning riff to 'Sailing'?

It's in 9/8.

could you point out the tap guitar parts you play on the disc?

I can't really remember - I'll have to listen through it and take notes.

HI DrummingJim,

I've never been to ACM or been invited to make a masterclass there as far as I can remember...but I've heard it's a very good place.

Cheers
Gavin

[leysingi]

Hello Gavin.
Having come over from Iceland specifically to see you and PT in Oslo this summer and in Kentish Town last week, I just thought I'd drop in a line to say that both shows were absolutely stunning (technical glitches in Oslo notwithstanding). I've been listening to PT for a couple of years now and following up on a lot of your side projects as well. Just what can be said about "Drop"? In my humble opinion, your drumming simply defies description; I must confess I've never heard anything like it. And you seemed on fire at the Forum! This is just to say thanks for the music, the inspiration and the time you devote to your trusted fans!
Cheers!

[s0nspark]

Hey Gavin -

I remember seeing pictures of your new kit somewhere recently but can't seem to find them again ... can you point me to them?

Thanks much!

[Mr. Brownstone]

Hey Gavin -

I remember seeing pictures of your new kit somewhere recently but can't seem to find them again ... can you point me to them?

Thanks much!
Post #866 of this thread. ;)

[s0nspark]

Post #866 of this thread. ;)

Thanks much ... I scanned pages and pages looking and just missed it I guess... We're gonna need a special index for this thread :-)

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Mr. Harrison,
sometimes, I say most of the times, I get to play with people that have a different time perception. I tend then to play behind the beat while they tend to play ahead of it.
These are three songs that I played recently on some demos:

Kingdom of desire (Toto) (http://www.mediafire.com/?2huzxr9gsla)
#41 (Dave Matthews band) (http://www.mediafire.com/?4jw1yx9n01d)
Somebody like you (Keith Urban) (http://www.mediafire.com/?6wzmx1tdm1a)

Listening to those clips I feel I play much behind the beat, the songs never lift up, the engine never starts.
What can I master to deal with these situations?

Cheers from Italy (Rome).

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin !

Looking forward to the 5 december show in Amsterdam. You might know that its Sinterklaas avond in Holland so if you have some time off that day, I recommend going into town and get some speculaas, kruidnootjes and chocolade letters. They taste teriffic!

Also, are you familiar with these microphones:

http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/microphones.html

They are highly recommended and extremely cheap (and they have a special model for stuff like toms which are more corner moulded). I was wondering if you ever used them (couldn't find them in any of your microphone lists) and what you think about them (especially tonewise).

See you the 5th !
Cheers, Santi

[Inngwar]

Hi Gavin,

This may sound really stupid but i'm really anxious to know...
So i have been watching your first dvd and i have realized that you play your double kicks without moving your foot foreword (maybe i'm wrong) and they sound very even. Could you explain this motion?

[gongbass]

Hey Gavin, I was curious to see if you had ever considered adding octobans or a gong bass drum to your set-up. From what I know, Sonor makes both for their artists. Just curious as to your thoughts on these drums and the drummers that use them (Simon Phillips, Gary Husband). Cheers!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Alexdrum75,

Listening to those clips I feel I play much behind the beat, the songs never lift up, the engine never starts. What can I master to deal with these situations?

I only managed to load the Toto song - and for sure the guitarist is playing a long way in front of you. Have you tried playing this song with a click? Sometimes people have different perceptions of tempo and where they play relative to the beat. It only really grooves when everyone in the band has a strong sense of tempo and a similar feeling about where to place their beats. Some musicians never really pay a lot of notice to beat placement - and can't even hear that they play out of time. Drummers tend to be more sensitive to it because it's a very large part of playing the instrument.

Hi Santibanks,

Also, are you familiar with these microphones:

http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/microphones.html

I've never heard of them, so I can't comment about them.

Hi Inngwar,

So i have been watching your first dvd and i have realized that you play your double kicks without moving your foot foreword (maybe i'm wrong) and they sound very even. Could you explain this motion?

Do you mean without sliding the foot up the pedal? I've always done it like that - first note is with the toes - second note is with the 'ball' of the foot.

Hi gongbass,

I was curious to see if you had ever considered adding octobans or a gong bass drum to your set-up.

I never have had the feeling to include those sounds in to my setup - although I do have a pair of old octabans in my garage and I managed to use them a little bit on a PT song called "So Called Friend" from the Deadwing CD.

Cheers
Gavin

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Alexdrum75,

I only managed to load the Toto song - and for sure the guitarist is playing a long way in front of you. Have you tried playing this song with a click?



As ever, it's a pleasure and an honor to be answered by one of the contemporary drummer I admire the most, if not the ONE.

However, whenever I try to play with a click, whether live on in a studio situation, I feel that the gap between my sense of time and the other musicians' one is greatly exaggerated.
In this situation the outcome is actually worse than playing without a click track.
I have to focus in on the click and that distract me from the whole groove.
It's a really frustrating situation, believe me. And I don't want to blame the other musicians because I really don't know clearly yet If it's me or the other buds.

I mean: in a non professional situation it's only the drummer who bears the burden of keepin' time. And that should not be.

I ask also other forum members here to give me advice (of course not here on this section) on this so to have a broader picture of how they deal with these situations.

Maybe this post can be expanded somewhere else on the drummerworld.com forum.

[Fabio]

Ciao Gavino !!

We are a small group of the mythical GHFC
Tomorrow we will be to Rome to the tendastrisce, for the concert !!
We would want to succeed to greet to you, we hope to succeed to us..
Considered that the last year, the theatre security has been much rigid, we fear that it is also this time..

So if we must have problems,
know that during the concert, we will be under the Fausta's banner !!


See you tomorrow.. We hope !!

Greetings from GHFC !!

[tobi283]

Hi gavin!

that was an AWESOME show last night in vienna!!!! did you like it too?
one question do you remember the fill you played after the guitar solo of sound of muzak? can you reveal that? it is at 3:48 on the studio version...
and another question, why didn't you do the drumsolo when steve asked for it :)) ?

[hitman050]

First of all Gavin (Sir!), I must say, you are an awesome drummer. One of the reasons I started drumming a year back was after listening to some of your stuff!

I have a couple of questions, if you will not mind answering.

1. I am having a problem choosing a double bass pedal. The only 2 available in my price range in India are the Sonor DP492 (single chain) and the Janus Ergo Pedal (double chain). What are you thoughts on either of them?

2. Would you advise Rhythmic Horizons and Rhythmic Visions, to an intermediate player like me. I don't have a teacher, and I am looking for some studying material, and am very interested in your instructions.

Thanks

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi tobi283,

one question do you remember the fill you played after the guitar solo of sound of muzak? can you reveal that? it is at 3:48 on the studio version...

I don't remember what fill I played in last night's show (in any song)...do you mean it sounded like a fill from the CD?

and another question, why didn't you do the drumsolo when steve asked for it :)) ?

I knew his problem would be fixed quickly and I didn't want to start a solo and then stop after 30 seconds...plus I don't really love playing drum solos.

Hi hitman050,

1. I am having a problem choosing a double bass pedal. The only 2 available in my price range in India are the Sonor DP492 (single chain) and the Janus Ergo Pedal (double chain). What are you thoughts on either of them?

I'm not familiar with either pedal - but I have played Sonor pedals and they were very good indeed.

2. Would you advise Rhythmic Horizons and Rhythmic Visions, to an intermediate player like me.

Start with Rhythmic Visions and see how you get on. It's not a physical technique dvd - it's about manipulating rhythm.

Cheers
Gavin

[Inngwar]

Hi Gavin,

Sorry for my bad english...

I'm interested to know if you ever had creativity problems? And if you did , do you still sometimes find yourself in a dead end?

And what inspires you the most? Do you find your self less or maybe even more creative in front of a crowd?

[tobi283]

No it didn't sound like on the cd, i just wanted to make shure that you know which fill i'm talking about...
So how come you don't like playing drum solos?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Inngwar,

I'm interested to know if you ever had creativity problems? And if you did , do you still sometimes find yourself in a dead end?
And what inspires you the most? Do you find your self less or maybe even more creative in front of a crowd?

I think (like most of us) there are days were I feel more creative than others. Some days I play my drums and nice things start to appear - and other days - where I can't hear any new stuff coming through. Usually it's in the smallest details and I have to be in a relaxed frame of mind to reach those details. Letting go of any preoccupations is important and not being afraid of sounding bad momentarily. Of course it's all in the mind - and a good book to read is Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner. Reading that book helped me get in touch with my inner rhythmical thoughts. Being in front of a crowd makes no difference to my creativity - I don't feel more or less inspired. The inspiration has got to come from inside my head or something that I'm hearing someone else play.

Hitobi283,

So how come you don't like playing drum solos?

Because they seem so completely out of context to me. I'll happily play a solo during a tune because there's a musical form going on and I can use that to have some meaning...but to just pull a solo out of thin air (because the guitarists amp has broken down and he suggests to the crowd.. "How about a drum solo?") usually means regurgitating a load of pre-rehearsed licks and fills (just a load of showing off basically) - and I find that a really boring circus act - to either perform or listen to. I could start a solo from nothing and try to follow the wind - but I really need an open ended time frame and to be in the right state of mind (as I said above).

Cheers
Gavin

[aydee]

I think (like most of us) there are days were I feel more creative than others. Some days I play my drums and nice things start to appear - and other days - where I can't hear any new stuff coming through. Usually it's in the smallest details and I have to be in a relaxed frame of mind to reach those details. Letting go of any preoccupations is important and not being afraid of sounding bad momentarily. Of course it's all in the mind -

Thats a wonderful insight into the mind ( ...if I may put it diplomatically) of an artist of your caliber.

However, I have often wondered that I, as a musician of limited ability, I have always felt that the day I could instantaneously play / create everything that I could imagine, I would have fulfilled my musical goal

What are your playing aspirations, considering you are already well past the milestone I talk of?

I have had the good fortune to pose this question to Max Roach, and Zakir Hussain amongst others, but would love to hear your feelings about your own playing and musical goals.

Thank you, as always, for all your replies

[pagoda_5b]

Hi Gavin,
I hope you're enjoying the sunny weather in Rome today, you guys got lucky for it's been foul in the past few days.
I can't wait to see the show tonight and I'm wondering if you have plans for a clinic or two in Italy in the near future.
I only started listening to your music in the past months but I's stunned by your musical sensibility and ideas and I'd really appreciate to hear from you live.

I'd like to thank you for your kindness and availability, good luck for the show and the future!

Ivano.

[drummer-derk]

hello

i think you'r gone
but how did you get
a great drummer like this

greets,derk

[12:5]

great show u played in vienna!!...i thought anathema was good but in comparison to PT they sounded like an amateur band
your fills were amazing as always especially the one in sound of muzak after the solo...

[gibeachhead]

Hey Gavin,

I have recently been using the 12" oriental China Trash, as I believe you also do. I was just wondering something. In the past several months I have owned 3 of these cymbals. The model keeps cracking on me (within 45 days of use) at the concave of the cymbal. I did some research online and found that it appears to be a "common" problem with the oriental trash. I am just curious if you to experience the same problem with this cymbal or not? It sucks because I love the sound of this cymbal so much, but I am going to have to get another companies effects china to replace it because this cymbal just doesn't hold up over time especially at its cost, and its not worth it to keep replacing it every month. :(

Also if you have any suggestions for a 12" effects China besides the oriental trash, then that would be much appreciated :)

Anyways, always good to hear your replies.

Thanks in advance Gavin!

Brent

[Ayl20]

[/QUOTE]
Because they seem so completely out of context to me. I'll happily play a solo during a tune because there's a musical form going on and I can use that to have some meaning...but to just pull a solo out of thin air (because the guitarists amp has broken down and he suggests to the crowd.. "How about a drum solo?") usually means regurgitating a load of pre-rehearsed licks and fills (just a load of showing off basically) - and I find that a really boring circus act - to either perform or listen to. I could start a solo from nothing and try to follow the wind - but I really need an open ended time frame and to be in the right state of mind (as I said above).

Cheers
Gavin[/QUOTE]

Perfectly said. That's exactly how i feel. They always tend to sound 'unmusical'(?!) to me aswell. I've only heard 2 or 3 drum solo's that have had feel and musicality, and they are mostly just a time-keeping groove with one or two tasteful licks/chops thrown in, unlike the over-hyped limb flailing insanity that some drummers perform. Some are technically great, but musically they don't do anything for me.

However, i do LOVE drum solo's while the rest of the band is playing (especially in a live setting). Your solo in 'Hatesong' from the PT DVD is a prime example.... oh so tasteful : ) Also, the solo in the song FOABP (on the album) where it's just you and you 'pull' the whole band back in... perfect!! There's a huge difference though between your solo during a song (in FOABP) and drum solo's where there is no musical context, as you rightly said. Keep it up and PLEASE come to OZ.... i've heard rumours that you were on your way down here with PT but i can't see anything on your site. I understand how hard it would be to come here though, tucked away from the rest of the Western world. I'll keep my eyes peeled!! Now you've made me wanna go drum... cya.

[garryjboyle]

Hey Gavin,

Just another couple questions about your PT recording process if thats cool.

-'In Absentia' and 'FoaBP' both sonically have roughly the same drum sound. This is interesting as both had two different kits, engineers, microphones and rooms. What would you, if at all, contribute this similarity to? The way the kit was recorded? The tuning? A mixture?

And lastly:

-Was 'FoaBP' recorded to guide demo's like 'In Absentia' where parts were replaced as you went along?

Cheers

Garry

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi aydee,

I have always felt that the day I could instantaneously play / create everything that I could imagine, I would have fulfilled my musical goal.

Me too.

What are your playing aspirations, considering you are already well past the milestone I talk of?

I don't think I am past that milestone. On rare occasion I seem tap into some inspiration and things start to flow. I'm always chasing that feeling. I'm well past the point of worrying about technique and I do try to steer the ship from the bridge rather than have my head in the engine room...if you know what I mean.

Hi pagoda_5b,

I'm wondering if you have plans for a clinic or two in Italy in the near future.

Not at the moment. I made 12 clinics in Italy earlier this year - so it'll probably be a while until I get invited again.

Hi gibeachhead,

I did some research online and found that it appears to be a "common" problem with the oriental trash. I am just curious if you to experience the same problem with this cymbal or not?

I have broken a couple of them - but the secret is to really let them breathe and swing - if you clamp them down (even a bit) they will break. I love the sound of them too. I had a Zildjian 12" EFX "Piggyback" china a few years back that was really nice too.

Hi garryjboyle,

-'In Absentia' and 'FoaBP' both sonically have roughly the same drum sound. This is interesting as both had two different kits, engineers, microphones and rooms. What would you, if at all, contribute this similarity to? The way the kit was recorded? The tuning? A mixture?


To me they sound very different and yes they were different sets in different rooms. I guess it's the way I hit them. A lot of a drummers personality is in the touch - I know it sounds crazy but I've heard different drummers play the same kit - and they sounded quite noticeably different. (wow I used the word different a lot there).

-Was 'FoaBP' recorded to guide demo's like 'In Absentia' where parts were replaced as you went along?

Yes FOABP was recorded to demos like In Absentia.

Cheers
Gavin

[garryjboyle]

Hi garryjboyle,

-'In Absentia' and 'FoaBP' both sonically have roughly the same drum sound. This is interesting as both had two different kits, engineers, microphones and rooms. What would you, if at all, contribute this similarity to? The way the kit was recorded? The tuning? A mixture?


To me they sound very different and yes they were different sets in different rooms. I guess it's the way I hit them. A lot of a drummers personality is in the touch - I know it sounds crazy but I've heard different drummers play the same kit - and they sounded quite noticeably different. (wow I used the word different a lot there).

Maybe 'the same' is too strong a word choice. How about a sonic similarity? ;)

Garry

[stefano.pan]

Hi Gavin,
thanks for the amazing show, last night in Milan.
I enjoyed the evening and your performance... as usual ;-)

I'm also glad there are more and more people coming on PT's concerts every year.

Cheers!

Stefano

[plerik]

Hi Gavin.

I have some question for you.

- When you play live with a band that don't have sincronize video or track, there are some situation that you prefer to have only a click in your in-ear monitor? Why?

- When you recording your drum-part in, for example, Porcupine Tree Album, how of the drum-part is writing in you mind, and how is born in studio session?

-Your style of drumming is for me one of my great inspiration, but for me is incredibible your "sanse of taste" and accuracy of you style. I read and Study you DVD and book.
I ask you some advice to develop this features
For example in your style, you use a lot of sticking controll...you have sugestion to develop this style?


Tanx a lot Gavin
I hope that my English is quite clear

Enrico
ByE ;)

[Tolo]

Hi Gavin, maybe you don't know.....but you have joined King Crimson....:-)

www.dgmlive.com.....

best music related news of the last 10 years.

ciao
T

[hitman050]

I would like to ask a question? Ever since I have started drumming, I always feel my left hand limits what I can play. Are there any specific exercises that you use(d) to develop your weaker hand (and leg), so that it was close to your stronger hand in terms of both power and speed/control?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi garryjboyle,

How about a sonic similarity? (FOABP and In Absentia).

As I said I don't really hear it. If anything FOABP and Deadwing have a similarity to me - but there's an obvious reason for that - the drums were both recorded at my studio.

Hi plerik,

- When you play live with a band that don't have sincronize video or track, there are some situation that you prefer to have only a click in your in-ear monitor? Why?

I'm very fussy about tempo - and some tunes are difficult to get the right tempo for. I might use a click for just 16 bars just to get the tune off at the right tempo....in the same way people use metronomes for a count off.

For example in your style, you use a lot of sticking controll...you have sugestion to develop this style?

Study some snare drum books. Fred Albright's "Contemporary Studies For Snare Drum" is very good.

Hi hitman050,

I always feel my left hand limits what I can play. Are there any specific exercises that you use(d) to develop your weaker hand (and leg), so that it was close to your stronger hand in terms of both power and speed/control?

Probably you'll never get your left hand to be as good as your right (assuming that you're right handed). You've been using your right hand a lot more in everyday life (writing/eating/opening draws/picking your nose.. etc) and it has a stronger connection with your brain.

You can of course try to play left handed on your kit (Billy Cobham style) and that will help you develop your left hand and your left side. But remember to do what every sounds and feels best to you - not what just looks cool. Billy does it brilliantly - but I could never make the groove feel better by playing things left handed. I try to practice things with my left hand that my right hand can do - there's no secret exercise - just determination.

Cheers
Gavin

[plerik]

Tanx Gavin for you answers
I have other question ;)

- For me In some Live situations without without synchronized video or track, is useful to have the metronome in Headsets, for example when the bpm is low (minor of 90-100). Is correct for you?


- The next question is very important for me for understand your metod for compose music and drum part. I have my metod but If it were possible for me to understand your method,
I would be very happy.

Tomorrow I start my studio Session in Italy with my Fusion/Prog Band.
The album will be mixed by Derek Sherinian

When you recording your drum-part in studio, for example, Porcupine Tree Album, how of the drum-part is writing in you mind before the studio session, and how is compose in studio, for example Fill, Dynamics, "color"
With porcupine you have some session with other Porcupine before the studio session or you write all part in studio?

Tanx a lot Gavin
Enrico

[aydee]

Hi aydee,

I have always felt that the day I could instantaneously play / create everything that I could imagine, I would have fulfilled my musical goal.

Me too.

What are your playing aspirations, considering you are already well past the milestone I talk of?

I don't think I am past that milestone. On rare occasion I seem tap into some inspiration and things start to flow. I'm always chasing that feeling. I'm well past the point of worrying about technique and I do try to steer the ship from the bridge rather than have my head in the engine room...if you know what I mean.


Cheers
Gavin

Gavin,
Thanks so much for indulging me in my arm-chair philosophy. I have great admiration for those who can "steer from the bridge.". I'm a boiler room guy working my way up to trying to understand that feeling.

Zakir talked of moving "the music" and the " time" off of his fingers to the pit of his stomach.(I have seen him play 2 completely different rhythms in 2 different meters on the 2 tabla drums..... something you are doing a lot of lately).

Max talked of exploring the infinity between 2 notes( funnily enough, an Indian concept), and truly saw the drums as a linear melodic instrument.

Other ways of expressing the same thing I guess.

May I ask, when you do improvise or just create ( not sure how much of your recorded playing is improvisational), are there some ideas that flash through you that you find impossible to execute, or do you sometimes find yourself at a loss for those kind of ideas, if you know what I mean ?

Where do your demons reside? : )

Cheers

[Shane G]

Hi gapwedge,

It states that in 2008 you will be joining King Crimson

I don't know about that. Unfortunately it seems anyone can edit your Wikipedia page and add whatever they want. I don't know who wrote that there or where they got that info.

Perhaps from Robert Fipp's website:
http://www.dgmlive.com/news.htm?entry=1210

I know, I know, the timeline doesnt match up (gapwedge's post with Robert's entry) but its still true, nonethaless.

Right Gavin?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi plerik,

When you recording your drum-part in studio, for example, Porcupine Tree Album, how of the drum-part is writing in you mind before the studio session, and how is compose in studio, for example Fill, Dynamics, "color"
With porcupine you have some session with other Porcupine before the studio session or you write all part in studio?

I'm not sure I really understand your question. When I hear a new song for the first time - of course I imagine what rhythms could fit well with the song. Then I go and sit at the drums and start to record (as I have a studio in my house). Fills/dynamics and colours are coming to me in the moment that I'm playing. Then I play the results to the other members of the band to see what their reaction is. I may re-record the song a few times until I'm happy with the parts and the performance.

If I'm going to a studio to make a recording with a new artist - I have no preconceived ideas of what I'm going to play because I haven't heard the songs yet. The songs will determine what I'm going to create along with the requests/suggestions from the artist and producer.

Hi adyee,

May I ask, when you do improvise or just create ( not sure how much of your recorded playing is improvisational), are there some ideas that flash through you that you find impossible to execute, or do you sometimes find yourself at a loss for those kind of ideas, if you know what I mean ?

The only time I'm really struggling for ideas is when the song/tune I'm playing on is very uninspiring to me. Sometimes as a session musician you're called in to play on something you really don't like...and that's when it gets hard to think of things.
Other times I might be disappointed by what my hands and feet are playing - with - what appears to be - a will of their own.

Hi Shane G,

Perhaps from Robert Fipp's website:
http://www.dgmlive.com/news.htm?entry=1210

Yes the 'cat' and the 'bag' seem to have parted company.

Cheers
Gavin

[gapwedge]

Hi Gavin

Now that the feline has separated from it's convenient carry-case, might I be permitted to re-ask my question about whether joining King Crimson will be in addition to or instead of PT?