Gavin Harrison here!

[Spuz]

Hey Gavin,

You're a great drummer and I love your work etc etc

Sometimes I get strange mental blocks with regards to a very specific technique; double sixteenths on a single pedal at certain places in the beat for instance. I know that I can play it, because I have been for years and occasionally I still can, but apparently my brain thinks I can't do it, so I usually can't.

Do you ever get mental blocks like this? How do you overcome them? (by the way, I have tried playing it slow and working up to speed. No good.)

Keep up the good work :)

Also, to everyone here on the forum: where do I find the FOABP dvd-a version? I've seen announcements about it and stuff but I can't for the life of me find anywhere that actually sells it. Am I blind or what?

[Sol Good]

Also, to everyone here on the forum: where do I find the FOABP dvd-a version? I've seen announcements about it and stuff but I can't for the life of me find anywhere that actually sells it. Am I blind or what?

http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/product/169/639/

[ChristZero]

Hi Gavin!
Really enjoyed seeing you in Saarbrücken yesterday. You were obviously in good shape.
Some posts before you mentioned the click track to be on your monitor just for some bars as a count off. Seemed to me you were using that method yesterday too, right? Because sometimes when there are really subtile keyboard sounds I wonder how the whole band could stay in time without a clicktrack...
Well anyway it was great!!!
"See you in Paaariiiis" unknown guy in the crowd (it wasn't me)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi gapwedge,

might I be permitted to re-ask my question about whether joining King Crimson will be in addition to or instead of PT?

In addition.

Hi Spuz,

Sometimes I get strange mental blocks with regards to a very specific technique; double sixteenths on a single pedal at certain places in the beat for instance.

Yeah I can remember having trouble with this beat: x x - - - - x x - - - - - - - -
bass drum on the first two 16ths of beat one and the last two 16ths of beat two - plus hand to hand 16's on the hi hat. I had to really practice that so there was no flams at all between the hi hat and bass drum.
Another good one to practice is "Wanna Be Starting Something" (Michael Jackson - Thriller). It is a Linn Drum on the record but it's a good coordination exercise.

The bass drum is like this : - x x - - - x - x x - x - - x x : snare plays 2&4 and the hi hat plays just the first four 16ths.

Cheers
Gavin

[loveporcupine]

hi gavin,

after interlaken and cologne i could convince about 25 people (all from Basel/Switzerland) to go to zürich watching the show. after the gig they were all kissing my feet because they could once see your drumming. pt is just live mindblowing, i was waiting 2 hours to get the best seat on first floor and this concert was the highlight of 2007!

my question: which song do you enjoy most to play live?

thx again for making my ears so happy.

lionel

[ProgDrummer]

Hi WhatWouldYouSay,

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

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

Cheers
Gavin

Here's your answer, though his opinion may have have changed since the FOABP release...

[s0nspark]

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.


This is quite exciting! The Bruford/Mastelotto pairing was one of my faves... I am curious as to what roles you and Pat will play, as in the last situation (generally speaking) Pat held down the grooves freeing Bill to experiment over top... Any thoughts on that?

In any case, congrats and I look forward to what will surely be another impressive work involving you :-)

[Mr. Hat]

Hey Gavin.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. I am interested in knowing more about your recording process. I know that you prefer Waves C1 compression. What are some of the basic settings you use such as ratio, threshold, attack, etc? Do you roll off any frequencies? Do you use a gate on any of your drums?
Congats on your continued success! Can't wait to hear your take on Crimson.

[angelo]

Hi Gavin How are you?
Excuse me Gavin i have a question
I want to buy a microphone for my hi-hat I am undecided between a neumann tlm103, or neumann km 184 or akg c391 can you help me in choosing and advise the various differences I love your current sound of your hi hat.
thanks a lot for your time
Angelo

[ProgFron]

Hey Gavin,

Thanks for the great show at Brussels last Thursday!
It was my fourth show and the last one was really something special.
Too bad about The Sky Moves Sideways and Even Less, but you guys more than made up for it.

I'll be seeing you again in Amsterdam and have a question about that show.
Me and several guys and gals from the PT forum who went to the Brussels gig are also going to see the band in Amsterdam.
It's kinda rude, but my question would be if you could persuade Steven or whoever makes the setlists to play Even Less and The Sky Moves Sideways?

I have both your DVD's and I have a question about your polyrhythmic fills.
When you're writing do you just go for it and see what works best, or do you really work a fill out in your head first?
I've been trying to incorporate this kind of fills in my own music, but it's not always working out.
I'm trying patterns of 5, 7 and quintuplets, but I have some trouble coming up with good patterns.
So what's your approach?

Thanks for your time. You're drumming is phenomenal.

Cheers,

Francis

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi s0nspark,

I am curious as to what roles you and Pat will play, as in the last situation (generally speaking) Pat held down the grooves freeing Bill to experiment over top... Any thoughts on that?

Sorry, I have no idea at this point.

Hi Mr. Hat,

I know that you prefer Waves C1 compression. What are some of the basic settings you use such as ratio, threshold, attack, etc? Do you roll off any frequencies? Do you use a gate on any of your drums?

I'm still out on tour in Europe - and all my settings are on my computer at home...so you'll have to wait for that answer.

Hi angelo,

I want to buy a microphone for my hi-hat I am undecided between a neumann tlm103, or neumann km 184 or akg c391

I've used all 3 mics and the one I would choose is the AKG CK391. It's probably cheaper than the KM184 as well.


Hi ProgFron,

I have both your DVD's and I have a question about your polyrhythmic fills.
When you're writing do you just go for it and see what works best, or do you really work a fill out in your head first?

It depends. I might have an idea of a polyrhythmic grouping just before I play it.
If I'm working on a new piece I might decide to just go for it and see what comes out.

Cheers
Gavin

[xopethx]

Hello Gavin!

I'm wondering, since you've been behind the kit for 30+ years, how you've dealt with or made improvements in the way you break down/set up your kit. I've been playing for a year, and my kit is somewhat large (no rack, you can see pictures in the link under my signature).
Every week i've got various gigs to attend, and of course the first common-sense solution is to carry along less pieces, stands, cymbals, etc...

I've got a set of cases which helps smooth things a bit, but collapsing/re-setting all the cymbal stands for each different configuration is quite tiresome...
Anyhow, i'm just seeing if you've done anything over the years to ease the burden, because i'm getting pretty exhausted.

Thanks for continuing to set a higher standard for us :)

[Fabio]

Hello Gavin!!

Fantastic! wonderful, really a big realized dream, for me!!
Talk about PT live in Rome!!
Thanx master!!
I have seen you and PT for first time!! i was with Fausta, in first line :P :P

Thanx thanx thanx to you!! for your beckon!! >.<
I hope see you soon!!

Greetings from GHFC!!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi xopethx,

I'm wondering, since you've been behind the kit for 30+ years, how you've dealt with or made improvements in the way you break down/set up your kit.

I've been lucky enough to have had a drum tech do it for me for the past 15 years or so. But I do like having everything on the rack (mic stands as well) for ease of positioning and total recall-ability. I've always used a mat or carpet and marked the positions where the feet of the stands go and the bass drum spurs etc. Also I used to mark the stands with felt pens. It doesn't look great - but you can only see it up close - and I'd rather have a consistent set up. I've played the same kind of set up for more than 20 years now - so I know I'm not going to suddenly change my mind about a cymbal angle or height and therefore I can saw off excess metalwork. That also means it's easier to put the cymbal arms in the cases as un-collapsed as possible.

Cheers
Gavin

[mr.beefhead]

Hi Gavin,

All this talk of you and Pat Mastelotto playing together has got me thinking about dual drummers in a band setting.

--Have you ever had occasion to play with another drummer like this before and if so, did you like it? It seems to me some drummers love it and some really dislike it.

Also a couple of off the wall questions:

--What was the worst job you held down while trying to become a professional musician?

--What was the worst gig you did because it actually paid some money?

Thanks as always for your time!
Derek

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

I have a couple of questions for you about Unsettled from 05Ric. First: What hi-hat cymbals are you using for this song? My ears tell me that you’re not using your usual K hi-hats – I’m curious. Second: On your Rhythmic Horizons DVD you perform your solo on the B side. At 7:53 you move to a right-hand floor tom / left-hand hi-hat / 16th note triplets kick pattern. At Unsettled at 5:07 I hear something similar but not exactly similar. Was that groove in Unsettled, to some degree, born from your solo?

Last question: Do you miss your studio? Being creative, etc., on your own time? I know I miss mine even after a few days.

Sincerely,
Jeff

[Spuz]

Hello again,

Several pages back you mentioned all the variables that go into a snare's sound, and you mentioned the size of the room you're playing in. Obviously it would depend on the drum itself , but do you have any tried and true general tips for tuning your snare before hand if you know you're going to be in a big room? Like less buzz or tighter head or whatnot?

I really enjoyed your performances at Musikmesse :) Endless creativity

Thanks

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mr.beefhead,

--Have you ever had occasion to play with another drummer like this before and if so, did you like it? It seems to me some drummers love it and some really dislike it.

I did a double drummer thing with an excellent Italian drummer called Elio Rivagli. We listened carefully and tried to play compatible parts. It was an interesting thing.

Hi JeffV71,

I have a couple of questions for you about Unsettled from 05Ric. First: What hi-hat cymbals are you using for this song?

I think there were 12" Zildjian ReMix hi hats

Second: On your Rhythmic Horizons DVD you perform your solo on the B side. At 7:53 you move to a right-hand floor tom / left-hand hi-hat / 16th note triplets kick pattern. At Unsettled at 5:07 I hear something similar but not exactly similar. Was that groove in Unsettled, to some degree, born from your solo?

No, it's an idea I've had kicking around my head for some time now. "Unsettled" didn't really come out of that solo. I think that solo was recorded a couple of years before.

Do you miss your studio? Being creative, etc., on your own time?

Yes, I love being there and having the chance to create whenever I feel like it.

Hi Spuz,

but do you have any tried and true general tips for tuning your snare before hand if you know you're going to be in a big room? Like less buzz or tighter head or whatnot?

I usually tune from an instinctive level - I always have more than one snare drum with me and I usually have a lot of different size "O" rings. It depends on the sound I want for the song in question. I try to keep the pitch of the snare drum away from the pitch of the toms so I don't get too much snare buzz from sympathetic vibration.

Cheers
Gavin

[LinearDrummer]

Gavin -
Congrats on the Crimson gig!

I think you're a perfect fit to sit in Brufords chair :)

Just courious did you have to auditon or did they target you and do you think you'll have to change your approach in terms of the way you supported PT verses KC?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi LinearDrummer,

No I didn't make an audition - Robert Fripp has seen me play many times when he was opening for PT. I'm sure I'll have to go into it with a very open mind - and be ready to change my approach to suit the situation.

Cheers
Gavin

[12:5]

hi gavin,
i purchchased your new cd drop at the concert in vienna and now i'm addicted to it...it really grooves like hell...and i've never heard such interesting rhythms before; i can imagine it was alot of work to invent these grooves

besides this do you know manu katche? do you like his style?...i think he is an amazing drummer who has amazing groove maybe not as much as you but not far behind...;-)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi 12:5,
thanks for the comments. Yes I tried very hard to come up with those grooves for the songs on "Drop". The really hard part was to navigate all the odd time signatures and not make them sound like an assault course. Sometimes I tried to disguise the odd times signatures and sometime make them obvious - but making it all flow was very challenging. Some songs I worked on for several days trying different ideas.
It took me at least a day or two just to get a recorded performance that I was happy with.

I really like Manu Katche - he's very interesting and at the same time very musical. He finds great drum parts to play. "Fallen Angel" by Robbie Robertson is one of the many masterpieces of Manu's playing.

Cheers
Gavin

[Clint Hopkins]

Hi Gavin,
I have a couple questions regarding the tune "For Lack Of": Am I correct that the main groove alternates between 3/4 and 5/4? Only when or if time permits could you transcribe that groove or explain the sticking you use? Also for the chorus section with the ride on the upbeats; is it all in 3/4? I really enjoy how your snare accents outline the vocals in that section.
As always, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Clint

[s0nspark]

Gavin - I know this has been said many times 'round these parts but I think it is super cool that you take time to answer questions from "the masses" :-) I, for one, greatly appreciate the time you take... Thank you so much!

As an aside, I just got the Rhythmic Visions DVD this week and am loving it! Also, "mrs. s0nspark" tells me I may be getting Rhythmic Horizons for Christmas... YAY! :-)

Best wishes for the holidays!

ps - *fingers crossed* for a Modern Drummer cover before too long ;-)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Clint Hopkins,

I have a couple questions regarding the tune "For Lack Of": Am I correct that the main groove alternates between 3/4 and 5/4? Only when or if time permits could you transcribe that groove or explain the sticking you use?

It's all in 4/4. I can't transcribe it at the moment because I have no scanner with me (Maybe a transcriber reading this thread would care to do it??) Anyway here's the bass drum line in 16th's subdivisions 4/4:

|- - - x x - x - - - - - - - - - | x - x - - - - - - - - - - - - - |

here's the snare drum line

| - - - - - - - x - - - - - - - - | - - - x - - - - - - - - - - - - |

Also for the chorus section with the ride on the upbeats; is it all in 3/4?

Yes that's the basic idea but I think there's a bar of 4/4 in there too. I tried to make the snare hits compliment the vocals.

Cheers
Gavin

[cygnify]

I'm sure I'll have to go into it with a very open mind - and be ready to change my approach to suit the situation.

Man, you're not kidding! Maybe Fripp will ask you to not play any cymbals, as he did with Bruford! :) I can't wait to hear the interesting places that project goes in!

[Mr. Hat]

Hey Gavin.
I saw you guys in Atlanta and noticed the show was being recorded but didn't hear exactly what it was for. Was it for an XM-type disc perhaps? You have been kind to share with us quite a bit of information. We all appreciate it. I was curious to know if you could share with us your preferences for panning while mixing. Do you mix your overheads hard left and right or do you prefer a narrower soundstage? Where do you place your toms in the mix etc? I realize this kind of thing is subjective and I'm sure changes depending on the situation.
Thanks a bunch.

[gibeachhead]

Hey Gavin.
I saw you guys in Atlanta and noticed the show was being recorded but didn't hear exactly what it was for. Was it for an XM-type disc perhaps?

Gavin did say that PT is planning to release a live record of the current tour :)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Mr. Hat,

I saw you guys in Atlanta and noticed the show was being recorded but didn't hear exactly what it was for.

Yes that show was recorded for potential live album material. Some other shows have been recorded too.

I was curious to know if you could share with us your preferences for panning while mixing.

Yes I pan the overheads hard left and hard right. I pan the drums from the view I have when I'm playing them. So on the records you'll hear the hi hat on the left - ride on the right and the toms (from high to low) going from left to right. Only the overheads are hard panned - everything else is panned as you would see it from the drummers perspective.

Cheers
Gavin

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

Congrats on the Crimson gig ! I can say that I am POSITIVE that the music created around the combined talents is likely to produce some of the most interesting music Crimson has done in many years.

Will all respect to Bruford and their past drummers, I dont think they have played with anyone that can "play around with time" as well as you do. The way you are able to subdivide time and make it feel good even when it gets very complex drops my jaw to the ground every time I hear it. Sorry for all the gushing man its just that it is very inspiring to listen to your drumming.

Oh yeah, getting to play with Tony Levin..

Priceless...

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

Yes I pan the overheads hard left and hard right. I pan the drums from the view I have when I'm playing them.

Interesting... I've recorded myself for fun about five years now and it's a very slow process learning to get a decent drum sound, lots of trial and error. I sometimes think what's harder : learning to play drums or sound engineering...
I just received my new drumset (Pearl Reference) and I'm right in the middle of getting it miked-up and 'dialed' in.

Do you use your overheads for the whole kit or just the cymbals with maybe an extra room mic?

And what is your mixer procedure.
Do you start with overheads and add individual drums later or do start with for example the snare, bass, toms etc.
I always start with the overheads and get a decent drumsound from them and then add bass, snare, toms etc..

I have a mixer connected to a computer running Cubase, should I already use eq on the mixer or is it better to do all 'enhancing' later in Cubase.

Do you pan on the mixer or in the software you're using.

Also on which drums (snare, overheads,...) do you add reverb?

That's it for now, OMG I have so many questions I could ask you..........

See you Wednesday in Amsterdam,

Dre

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Gavin, I heard a rumour you were playing on an upcoming King Crimson album? Is there any truth to these rumours or am I being misinformed? Good choice if so for both parties.

EDIT: Just found out for myself from Fripp's diary. Congratulations.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer,

Oh yeah, getting to play with Tony Levin..Priceless...

thanks for the comments - and I had the pleasure to play on a tour with Tony in 1992. Great inspiring playing.

Hi Drizzle,

Do you use your overheads for the whole kit or just the cymbals with maybe an extra room mic?

It depends. There's two different approaches - if the room the kit is in sounds great - then starting with the overheads and filling in the other close mics a little gives a nice natural drum sound. If the room you're playing doesn't sound great - then I would start with the close mics and treat the overheads as "cymbal" mics. Of course you also have the option of adding digital reverbs - or live ambient room mics. When adding digital reverb I just add it to mostly the snare drum and a bit to the toms. Nothing else. I also add the Waves C1 compressor to the snare - and maybe a tiny bit to the toms & overheads.

Hi Mediocrefunkybeat,

I heard a rumour you were playing on an upcoming King Crimson album?

I've been asked to play with them in some live concerts next year. I don't know anything about an album. Where did you read that?

Cheers
Gavin

[SantiBanks]

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.


Cheers
Gavin

No problemo ! I might check them out myself soon (they have some new models out) and maybe I will use them on drums during rehearsals. If you are interested at that time in some samples, let me know.

Congrats on the crimson gig btw !

See you wednesday (and this time, I hope to be at front row...)

[crimsonkng]

I know it's old news but I just read that GH is joining Crimson next year. How exciting! Honestly, I've never heard of GH. I've never heard Porcupine Tree's music. (hangs head in shame)

I love all of Crimson's music (especially Beat and The Power To Believe) and all of Adrian Belew's music. I'm also into XTC, The Beatles, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, ELP, David Bowie (late '70s and early '80s), Zeppelin, and (earlier) Zappa. The only Genesis song that I like is "Dancing On A Volcano." I became a drummer because of the Dave Clark Five (!!!). Bruford (in Crim) and Palmer are my drum gods.

Anyway, please suggest some songs and/or recordings/CDs that represent Gavin's talent and style. I'd like to become familiar with his music prior to the start of Crim 2008. OK to respond directly to crimsonkng@mail.com

Thanks. Dan

[asmodeus]

Hi Ccrimsokng,

I know it's old news but I just read that GH is joining Crimson next year. How exciting! Honestly, I've never heard of GH. I've never heard Porcupine Tree's music. (hangs head in shame)

I love all of Crimson's music (especially Beat and The Power To Believe) and all of Adrian Belew's music. I'm also into XTC, The Beatles, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, ELP, David Bowie (late '70s and early '80s), Zeppelin, and (earlier) Zappa. The only Genesis song that I like is "Dancing On A Volcano." I became a drummer because of the Dave Clark Five (!!!). Bruford (in Crim) and Palmer are my drum gods.

Anyway, please suggest some songs and/or recordings/CDs that represent Gavin's talent and style. I'd like to become familiar with his music prior to the start of Crim 2008. OK to respond directly to crimsonkng@mail.com

Thanks. Dan

I'd suggest you pay a visit to Gavin's site here on drummerworld and check out the sound files and videos. i particulary like the videos from the musikmesse gig this year:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/gavinharrison1.html


The other samples are a very fine treat as well. And if you want to check out Porcupine Tree stuff, I'd recommend In Absentia ;)

[NeuroAxis]

Gavin -

I've followed your work for many years; glad you're here.

And an amazing show in Houston a few months ago, BTW.

I had a question about Anesthetize. The fast double bass part at the end, right before the last chorus and the psychadelic jam outro, is that just straight 32nd note double bass or is it some broken up pattern?

Thanks...

[hauk]

Gavin -

I've followed your work for many years; glad you're here.

And an amazing show in Houston a few months ago, BTW.

I had a question about Anesthetize. The fast double bass part at the end, right before the last chorus and the psychadelic jam outro, is that just straight 32nd note double bass or is it some broken up pattern?

Thanks...

I believe you're talking about this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/hauk/AnesthetizeHeavy.jpg

Gavin transcribed it a while back (post 1407) along with a fill from Anesthetize. It repeats every three beats, over the band's 4/4.

[cfdrumr]

Gavin...long time no talk. I made some chimes like you instructed and they came out great.

I searched the thread and couldnt really find anything about your kick sound. I know your using a powerstroke 3 (i believe I remember that from an early post about heads).

What is your bassdrum tuning and muffling situation.

[Gavin Harrison]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/hauk/AnesthetizeHeavy.jpg



Looking at it now - of course there's a big mistake in it. The 16ths on the bass drum at the end of beat 2 and the start of beat 3 should both be 2x32nd notes. So the bass drum is always running in groups of 4 x 32nds.

Hi cfdrumr,

What is your bassdrum tuning and muffling situation.

I have a heavy feather pillow in my bass drum. It's quite a dead sound that relies on a mic to produce a short hard punch. A bit like an old Jeff Porcaro bass drum sound. I use Pearl plastic beaters and an Evans black kick patch. Heads I would guess are at medium tension.

Cheers
Gavin

[NeuroAxis]

Thanks! I'll definitely start working on that.

I also had a question about a beat you play in Orchidia at about 2:26. I think the hat pattern is in 6/8 (with two eighths, two sixteenths and two eighths on the downbeat), but are you just doing the same 32nd note pattern that you do in Anesthetize underneath it?

[Bube]

Hi Gavin!


I have two questions.
First.
I was just wondering, did anyone anytime asked you to come to Croatia? I'm asking this cause I'm angry on our Croatian lazy-ass concert organizators.
Here's the story, I saw on tour list that the nearest place to see your show is Vienna.So my brother and I travelled 450 km to that concert!

Don't get it wrong, I'm not angry at you.I didn't regret it, we had a great time! :)


Second and the last question...

Which Sonor snare model did you used on "Arriving somewhere.." concert?


Thanks a lot!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi NeuroAxis,

I also had a question about a beat you play in Orchidia at about 2:26. I think the hat pattern is in 6/8 (with two eighths, two sixteenths and two eighths on the downbeat), but are you just doing the same 32nd note pattern that you do in Anesthetize underneath it?

No it's not the same thing. It's hard for me to describe without the chance to transcribe it..but..the bass drum is playing a continuous Swiss Army Triplet starting on the second 16th note. Does that make sense? The hi hat is playing a typical African 6/8 rhythm with the snare drum on beat 4 of course.

Hi Bube,

I was just wondering, did anyone anytime asked you to come to Croatia?

Sorry but no.

Which Sonor snare model did you used on "Arriving somewhere.." concert?

It's an Artist series "Black Steel" 14x5 with a Remo Emperor X on the top.

cheers
Gavin

[Pandrex]

Hi again Gavin. Can i ask what you are doing in this particular fill in hatesong live from the arriving somewhere DVD? Its the instrumental part with pretty much the bass and drums. You are using lots of double stoke or paradiddle snare ghost notes things , also using toms and with no bass drum. Its right after you do the thing on the floor tom when the camera has zoomed up to your hands. I guess you could say you do this thing I'm talking about 3 times and its just before Steven comes in with his first high solo note.

Do you know which part? If so, could you explain the sticking and tom positioning in the pattern please? I notice you are quite fond of these types of fills. I think its similar sounding to the FOBP fill around 5.03 mark but without the double bass drum.

Thanks,
Simon

[baniels]

Hi Gavin,

I've been watching your DVD's constantly. I find the pair to be a supreme source of inspiration and education. I hope you make more! As I said once before in this thread, it is starting to drive my wife mad; I hope I can barrage her with some new material one of these days.

I really like the extras that you included on Rhythmic Horizons. Having the MIDI file for 19 Days makes it much easier to practice, since I am able to play it back at slower speeds without losing fidelity or changing the pitch, as would happen if changing the playback speed of a WAV file or MP3.

On that note, I was wondering if it would be possible to get the same thing (a MIDI file, that is) for the backing track you used for the chapter on Resolving. I found that chapter to exhibit some of my favorite examples of your drumming and, in my effort to learn by emulation, it would help me a great deal to have that track in MIDI.

Is that something you could share?

Thanks,

Ben

[NeuroAxis]

No it's not the same thing. It's hard for me to describe without the chance to transcribe it..but..the bass drum is playing a continuous Swiss Army Triplet starting on the second 16th note. Does that make sense? The hi hat is playing a typical African 6/8 rhythm with the snare drum on beat 4 of course.

It does make sense; I've never tried playing a Swiss Army triplet on double kicks...interesting.

I also never realized that that particular 6/8 hat pattern was African--I remember hearing a lot of Swedish metal drummers doing it a few years back, especially Martin Lopez from Opeth.

And I know there is more than one Tomas Haake fan on here. Found this yesterday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvQx8Ic6MjM&feature=related

[Bube]

Hi Bube,


Which Sonor snare model did you used on "Arriving somewhere.." concert?

It's an Artist series "Black Steel" 14x5 with a Remo Emperor X on the top.

cheers
Gavin

And which one is on the bottom?

[Massik Kretal]

I dunno if anyone asked about this already. But can you explain the drum solo fill in Fear of a Blank Planet, or point me to a link with it written out.

Thank you.

[hauk]

I dunno if anyone asked about this already. But can you explain the drum solo fill in Fear of a Blank Planet, or point me to a link with it written out.

Thank you.

House Of Drumming (http://www.houseofdrumming.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2999&highlight=) has a transcription of it, which Gavin says is correct. Just scroll down a bit.

Also, Gavin:
I love how in the heavy part from Anesthetize you're playing 4 over 3 in the hands, and all of that is over the 4 of the band. Just thought I'd say that was really cool, I've been trying to learn some polyrhythms lately and I remember learning that 4 over 3 pattern between your snare and china before I even knew what a polyrhythm was.

[Massik Kretal]

Thanks man.

So Gavin is that fill something you came up with from just messing around and playing the kit and you found something cool? Or did you think about it and try to make a fill with some kind of objective in mind. Basically what was your thought process behind it and all the other incredible fills you have played?

[trysthedrummer]

Hello!

Coming to see you on saturday night at Manchester!! Should be a cracking gig, and good luck on the night!! :D


-trys

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,

Just a quick thank you note for the wonderful show in Amsterdam. In contrast with your previous gig there (in June), the sound was fantastic so Im very happy.
Your playing was from out of this world, I really had some wow moments and enjoyed every bit of it.
And also a thank you for playing the Sky Moves Sideways ! I think everyone loved it.

Hope to see you guys again next year (and if possible, please book the HMH again! Its a wonderful venue with great sound and easy to travel too)

btw. did you had a chance to try out our sinterklaas stuff?

[DTrocks]

Why didn't you release a live cd of this dvd? I'm just wondering. I LOVE that dvd! Great drumming! You should make a live cd out of it!

cheers!

[Sol Good]

Why didn't you release a live cd of this dvd? I'm just wondering. I LOVE that dvd! Great drumming! You should make a live cd out of it!

cheers!

It's available as a download here:
http://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/product/94/537/

[Dazza]

Hi Gavin,

A quick message to say thanks for playing the UEA in Norwich last night; despite some issues with the levels during the first couple songs which were quickly rectified, the sound was excellent and easily the best I've heard at that venue. Was nice to hear Dark Matter too, sounded great.

Looking forward to Notts!

All best,
Darren

PS. I guess the Free Bird thing is going to run for a while yet!

[fearofflying]

Hello.........Gavin,

I can't wait to here you with King Crinson..one of my favorite bands with one of my
favorite drumers. What a combinaton. My question is , are you still using S-HOOPS?
how do they change the sound of the kit. Is the height of the rim closer to the level
of the head. thanks
Have a great Holiday.
Tom

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Pandrex

Can i ask what you are doing in this particular fill in hatesong live from the arriving somewhere DVD? Do you know which part? If so, could you explain the sticking and tom positioning in the pattern please?

I'm sorry but I don't remember that particular fill...and I don't have a copy of the DVD with me.

Hi baniels

I was wondering if it would be possible to get the same thing (a MIDI file, that is) for the backing track you used for the chapter on Resolving. Is that something you could share?

I don't have that kind of thing to hand right now - but probably on my computer at home I still have the song. However, it would be relative to the instruments I used inside Logic Pro on that particular day and would mean nothing unless you the identical setup to mine. Could you not program something very similar? I know the music I programmed was nothing special.

Hi Bube,

And which one is on the bottom?

Remo Ambassador snare side.

Hi Massik Kretal,

So Gavin is that fill (in FOABP) something you came up with from just messing around and playing the kit and you found something cool?

That particular fill is quite composed. I needed a special break for that moment in the song and so I figured it out before hand. I knew the shape I wanted it to have - 16ths (with some 32nds thrown in) and then a run up the toms in triplets for the end of it. I just kept jamming until I came up with the fill that I liked.

Hi fearofflying,

My question is , are you still using S-HOOPS?
how do they change the sound of the kit. Is the height of the rim closer to the level
of the head. thanks

Yes I am and I'm still very happy with them. Yes they have a subtle effect on the sound and I don't believe the rim height is closer to the head. It looks that way because of the design but it doesn't feel that way when you rim-shot a drum.

Cheers
Gavin

[ProgFron]

Hey Gavin,

Just wanted to thank you and the rest of the band for playing so incredibly well in Amsterdam.
It was my fifth PT gig and it just keeps on getting better!

I don't know if this has been asked before, but what exactly is the sticking for the ending of Cheating the Polygraph?
It's groupings of five, but I can't really figure out how to play it.

Cheers,

Francis

[trysthedrummer]

What a night. Unbelievable performance Gavin! Topped off by getting hold of Colin Edwins setlist he thew out!!

I look forward to seeing Ptree in the closer future!!


-trys

[thom_barnes]

Gaving:

Just got back earlier from your Leeds Met University gig...absolutely fantastic! Thanks to yourself, the rest of the band and Anathema for a great evening!

I was stood right against the barrier in front of your kit so had the best view in the house to see you at work! I really liked the way you mix up your playing from the album a bit, your fills were awesome and your playing is tight beyond belief! I've always loved how your tricks are mind-blowing yet quite subtle and serve the music rather than being too 'showy' and over-powering, you add another dimension to PT's music!

Thanks again anyway.

P.S. I bought a signed drum skin by the band after the show for my brother for christmas, he's going to be so happy when he opens it, you're a massive inspiration to him (you managed to show him how to use double-bass tastefully!)...i was just going to get him a book or something, but i thought he might prefer the drum skin.

Have a great christmas, Thom.

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

Great show last night in Leeds. I'm struggling to wipe the smile off my face. I saw one of your first shows in Newcastle back in April when FOABP was just hitting the stores, so wasn't familiar with the material. It was impressive then and it was all the more enjoyable last night to see/hear it still being played with such flair and enjoyment (considering you guys must be knackered after so many shows and so much travelling).

There were plenty of drummers in the audience last night waiting for those killer fills and chops and as always you delivered in spades.

Congratulations to you and the band. Have a great Christmas and no doubt 2008 will be an even bigger year for PT.

Mick

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ProgFron,

I don't know if this has been asked before, but what exactly is the sticking for the ending of Cheating the Polygraph?
It's groupings of five, but I can't really figure out how to play it.

It's another pattern that's very hard for me to explain without the chance to transcribe it for you. (I'll do it after the tour). It's 5/8 but I'm playing 16th note triplets. Once you see it written down it's quite simple.


trysthedrummer, thom_barnes, mixamuss

thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed the show!!!

cheers
Gavin

[nx1600]

Hello, I've been listing /studing your style lately, very cool stuff. anything new headed out, soon.... or possiblly touring in the states, any time soon !!

thxs

[pubicmonkey]

Hi Gavin, just wanted to say that I absolutely loved the show the other night in Manchester, even though I did spend the last half hour sat out in the stage exit area due to passing out through dehydration. I must say you all seemed rather determined in your exit from the venue, Steven only briefly shook my friend's hand while passing. I guess you'll have all been feeling a little worn down with the heavy touring though. Anyway, thanks to you and the guys for a great show, especially liked the little addition to Open Car. Maybe next time I see Porcupine Tree on tour I'll make it through a whole set.

[dwpaddy]

Good morning Gavin,
no questions for you, just a big thank you for a great show last night in Nottingham. I was gobsmacked at your timing and the ease at which you changed. Incredible technique and a joy to behold.
I mentioned elsewhere that it was like being at a Rush gig where a large portion of the audience were there to see the drummer. After every fill, heads turned with nods of approval and open-mouthed astonishment with looks on their faces that read ,'What did he just do there???'.

It was the late and very great Paul (Brookie) Brook, formerly of this very forum, who pointed me in your direction. I have this among many other things to thank Paul for.

Cheers again Gavin and all the very best for the rest of the tour.

Dave Courage

[gary191265]

Gavin,

Great gig at Nottingham last night, cheers !

Quick question (totally non-drumming related)...what was it you found so funny during the start of 'Mellotron Scratch' ? :)

Gaz

[dwpaddy]

Gavin,

Great gig at Nottingham last night, cheers !

Quick question (totally non-drumming related)...what was it you found so funny during the start of 'Mellotron Scratch' ? :)

Gaz


Gaz, I got the impression that it wasn't on the set list and took some of the band by surprise.

[gary191265]

Gaz, I got the impression that it wasn't on the set list and took some of the band by surprise.

Sounds plausible :) Mind you they all seemed fairly jolly last night...the joys of nearing the end of a Dylan style never-ending tour, I suppose !!

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

I see you're going to be involved with King Crimson which is great news. Do you have any other collaborations and/or albums planned in the New Year?

[DTrocks]

When will there be a new album? Can't get enough of you guys! you are just genius!

Cheers!

[ac17]

Hi Gavin!

I have just purchased Rhythmic Visions and Illusions.
Although I have been playing for many years, I still feel my time is not the greatest (I am being very anal by saying that, however).

I know that there is 1) 'internal time' (my mind's concept of where the pulse is), and 2) what my body actually plays (e.g. the impediments created by poor technique - such as flaming a bass drum with a hi-hat sometimes, but not every time. Or, having a slightly inconsistent back beat, for example). For the former, I am working on Fred Dinkin's book (It's all about time). Re: the latter - sometimes I think I should just give up the drums.

I'm finding I love what you do, but it all just messes with my head!

I guess I would like some advice on how to go about all this stuff. I am quite a novice at your material, and find it difficult to hear the "a" state in your examples (even your egs. with the metronome).

I have a metronome, and a computer with Cubase. So you think I should program something into my computer to help start me off? (i.e., any suggestions of what to program in – other than a metronome?)

Also, when doing the more complex stuff, do you find that you sometimes get stuck in the "b" state while you play it, or when listening back to what you play? (or do you always know where you are)?

If not, then whoa! How the heck did you get such good time?

Warmest regards.

(and no questions about gear from me!)

Merry X-mas.

Andy

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi nx1600,

anything new headed out, soon.... or possiblly touring in the states, any time soon !!

That's about it from PT for now. Did you get the 4 track ep "Nil Recurring"? It's the extra tracks from the Fear Of A Blank Planet sessions. Maybe next year there will be a live album released. Not sure yet. I'll be making a few shows with King Crimson in America next year and continue writing with 05ric.

Hi pubicmonkey,

I guess you'll have all been feeling a little worn down with the heavy touring though. Anyway, thanks to you and the guys for a great show, especially liked the little addition to Open Car.

Yes we're completely drained right now. What's the addition in Open Car? Do you mean the middle section that's not on the album?

Hi dwpaddy,

It was the late and very great Paul (Brookie) Brook, formerly of this very forum, who pointed me in your direction. I have this among many other things to thank Paul for.

Although I never met him - I understand he was a very nice chap indeed. Glad you enjoyed the show.

Hi gary191265,

what was it you found so funny during the start of 'Mellotron Scratch' ?

something was wrong with the sound of Steve's guitar - it just sounded funny to me.

Hi ac17,

Also, when doing the more complex stuff, do you find that you sometimes get stuck in the "b" state while you play it, or when listening back to what you play? (or do you always know where you are)?

I never get stuck in the B Status - because I always keep my mind in the A Status. You have to hear it as a completely new pattern and not as 'the really obvious one' it's disguising within. One of the best things that comes from practicing "Rhythmic Illusions" is that it will strengthen your sense of time and understanding of rhythm. Once you spend ten minutes trying to play a straight rock beat 1/16 out of it's normal place - and then go back and play it back in it's original position - it will feel so much better to you.
As I state in the book - it requires no chops to play this stuff - just a lot of brain power - and it's really worth giving the rhythmic brain a good workout - because that's where all your ideas come from.

You may find it useful to program the exercises into a computer - but you still have to hear them in their A Status.

good luck

Cheers
Gavin

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

What are your thoughts on making another instructional DVD sometime in the future? Is there any concept or theme you've come across that you'd wish to explore and make official on a DVD? I read somewhere that you like to chronical your work for personal reasons (so you won't forget all you've learned!), but your DVD's are simply great tools for us drummers out here. I certainly enjoy them and would buy another one.

Thanks
Jeff

[xopethx]

hello Gavin!

thanks for your continuing inspiration and advice around here on Drummerworld, and in the drumming community in general!
my friend and I finished recording a small 3-track EP this past week, and i'd like to see what you think of the drum sound we ended up with - I've been playing for 13 months (since i bought my kit), and this is the first time i've recorded anything on a serious level.

here are 2 sample tracks (99% final mix, a few minor tweaks left)

Track 2 - very groove/fusion oriented, but with a very PT-ish vibe (http://media.putfile.com/The-Awakening---Track-2-99)

Track 3 - much more of an Opeth type metal influence, with a different drumming style from the other track (http://media.putfile.com/The-Awakening---Track-3)

If you can (people must bug you all the time about stuff like this), just let me know where i can focus on making improvements, and how you like the drum sound! here's a list of mics we used -

Neumann KM-183 (stereo pair)
Neumann KM-184
Shure MD421
Audix i5
Sennheiser SM57 (of course)
Audiotechnica something-or-other (ambient room mics)

take care gavin! thanks again for all the hard work you do!

P.S. - if these Putfile links don't work, our myspace is here - The Awakening (http://www.myspace.com/theawakeningfl)

[cgrieves]

If you can (people must bug you all the time about stuff like this), just let me know where i can focus on making improvements, and how you like the drum sound!

I realise I'm not Gavin but those tracks sound superb to me- I can see where your influences are!

The only thing I noticed was your aux snare towards the end of the first track should be panned towards the front, it sounded a bit lopsided. Other than that, great stuff, really great. If you go commercial, I'd buy your music! Oh and, if you're playing like that after 13 months, then you have a bright future....

Gavin, just to say I've followed your career for a long time- since your Incognito appearance (I can remember the first time I heard "Metropolis" and just had to know who was creating that groove!), through Dizrhythmia and other projects. It's great to see you have found a long-term niche like PT.

I couldn't make the London gig so I drove up from down South for the UEA gig, and it was superb. You sounded like you were on an "Experimental" evening- lots of interesting diversions from the studio tracks. Sounded great and everything came off very well from my viewpoint. The green pac-men were especially enjoyable.....

[liberté_ou_la_mort]

Howdy Gavin,

I just wanted to thank you for a really great gig in nottingham the other day. It was my birthday and it just topped it off for me =)

Hope you had a good time, thanks again

sam x

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JeffV71

What are your thoughts on making another instructional DVD sometime in the future? Is there any concept or theme you've come across that you'd wish to explore and make official on a DVD?

Making a DVD or Book is such a big undertaking that I can only find the energy required every few years - and once I've got enough ideas that I think will make a good (interesting to me) product. I'm always thinking of rhythmic ideas and exploring them - most of which have appeared in the last two PT releases "Fear Of A Blank Planet" & "Nil Recurring" plus my new project with 05ric "Drop". To come up with really new fresh stuff (not just variations on the same old things) - some amount of time has to slip by for me to experience life and all the influences it brings.

Hi xopethx,

If you can (people must bug you all the time about stuff like this), just let me know where i can focus on making improvements, and how you like the drum sound!

It sounds really good - if a little unbelievable for someone who has only been playing 13 months!! Nice ideas over interesting music. The snare sounds really good - it seems that the first two toms are buzzing a lot from sympathetic vibration from the snares. Were some of the crash/splash cymbals overdubbed?
Was there some editing of the drum tracks after you recorded your parts?

cheers
Gavin

[xopethx]

Hi xopethx,

If you can (people must bug you all the time about stuff like this), just let me know where i can focus on making improvements, and how you like the drum sound!

It sounds really good - if a little unbelievable for someone who has only been playing 13 months!! Nice ideas over interesting music. The snare sounds really good - it seems that the first two toms are buzzing a lot from sympathetic vibration from the snares. Were some of the crash/splash cymbals overdubbed?
Was there some editing of the drum tracks after you recorded your parts?

cheers
Gavin

wow thanks for the quick response, and compliment :-D you've pretty much made my week. I agree with the snare buzz problem - in the rush to prepare for the recording, i tuned things a bit differently that i'm used to, and switched from the Sonor 24-strand snare wires to some puresound custom-20s. I think the combination of those items was a bad call in relation to the timing of things. I'm finding, much like you've said, that it takes a tremendous amount of experimenting on that snare in order to get it juuuust right.

I didn't record everything in one take, but there shouldn't be any audible cuts, and nothing was overdubbed. Was there anything that jumped out at you? The hi-hat accents when i'm crashing seem to be a tad loud, now that you mention overdubs...
Also, there was minimal editing, using Beat Detective. the entire ending of the 2nd song, we decided to leave untouched, for that 70's raw feel. As far as mixing, our engineer used the Waves SSL4000 eq/compression.

Once again, thanks for taking time to check out my playing! Also, my guitarist was wondering if you'd be able to snag Steven for a minute and let him hear some of our material :-D It'd mean worlds to both of us.

edit : here's our first track - Prodigal (tentative title) (http://media.putfile.com/The-Awakening---Prodigal)

-chris

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ProgFron,

I don't know if this has been asked before, but what exactly is the sticking for the ending of Cheating the Polygraph?
It's groupings of five, but I can't really figure out how to play it.

Someone else just asked me about this section so here it is..

15743

It's going by really fast.

cheers
Gavin

[ItalianRicky]

hi gavin, how're you?
i have a little question.
can you tell me your setup on the fear of a blank planet tour?
drums and cymbals please!
thanks a lot.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi xopethx,

I didn't record everything in one take, but there shouldn't be any audible cuts, and nothing was overdubbed. Was there anything that jumped out at you? The hi-hat accents when i'm crashing seem to be a tad loud, now that you mention overdubs...
Also, there was minimal editing, using Beat Detective.

Yes I can hear Beat Detective working, plus there's a few odd clicks that tell me there's been some edits going on. The trick to getting rid of snare buzz is to first make sure the tom (or toms in question) aren't close in pitch to the snare drum. You can easily hear it when you turn the snares off and just listen to the pitch of the snare drum against the toms. Second is to not have badly fitted or too loose snares - which is one of the reasons why I cut my Puresounds down to just 8 strands. You can also try loosening the lugs either side of the snare bed.

Cheers
Gavin

[trysthedrummer]

Nice work xOpethx! Sounds really nice, and for 13 months playing you're bloody good.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ItalianRicky,

can you tell me your setup on the fear of a blank planet tour?
drums and cymbals please!

there is an up to date list of my setup here...

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

cheers
Gavin

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I just wanted to clarify whether you did a 'live' recording with Level 42 (as mentioned on your Drummerworld front page). It doesn't get a mention in your recordings list on your website. If the album is out there I'd love to hear it.

Many thanks

Mike

[Ailmour]

Hi Gavin!

I saw you yesterday in Helsinki and the show was amazing, one of the best gigs of my life. Even though I know that you were tired because of the long tour, it didn't sound (nor look) like it! Your playing was tight and really grooving and I really liked the improvisation you had going on there.

In my opinion, your drumkit is very good-looking and -sounding. For more, cymbals suit you well when they're on top of your head. So, was there a crack in the crash or were you just switching it to get a different sound?

Anyway, thanks again and have a nice last show of the tour in Tampere!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi mixamuss,

I just wanted to clarify whether you did a 'live' recording with Level 42

Yes and no. We did record the show but it was never officially released...but I understand that it's out there as a bootleg. In fact if you look back a few pages on this thread you'll see a link to it.

Hi Ailmour,

For more, cymbals suit you well when they're on top of your head. So, was there a crack in the crash or were you just switching it to get a different sound?

thanks - I had broken it so I went to change it and suddenly thought it might look good on my heads as a improvised hat. Glad you enjoyed the show - we've never been so tired and fatigued as we are now.

Cheers
Gavin

[ilikedrums]

Hi Gavin,

i got some question to ask about your Recording Room. It seems to be complete out of wood, with a very high top. Is the wood at the bottom a special one (Bubinga or Teak for example?). On your website there ´re only two small pictures, which show not everything.

Do you have some digital pictures of the whole Room with your fully miked up Drumset? It would be very interesting to see, how you set the mikes, where to position the Drumset and what the whole room looks like.

I met you at German MUSIKMESSE Frankfurt, spring 2007 (saturday at the Sonor Autograph-Session) and saw you with Porcupine Tree at the Capitol Offenbach, Germany (30.06.2007) - what a wonderful Concert!

Please Rock on...

Greets Jens

[Drizzle]

thanks - I had broken it so I went to change it and suddenly thought it might look good on my heads as a improvised hat. Glad you enjoyed the show - we've never been so tired and fatigued as we are now.

Cheers
Gavin

Was it the crash over your 12" tom, I saw you check that one out on the Amsterdam gig on December 5th.

Do you alreay now the songs you have to learn for KC?
What's your routine for learning 'odd' material, do you just listen to it and then play along or do you write it out or just a guide sheet.

[Nonconnor]

Hi Gavin.

Good show in Helsinki saturday. Your playing was just as great as I expected.

I wanted to ask you how you felt about the room? I was sitting in the mid section from your left and the lower frequencies (espescially your kick drum) were resonating pretty badly from the concrete. How did it sound to you? I understand that the ticket demand was very high, so they had to move you to that building, but that place is known to have very difficult acoustic qualities. How did your sound guys feel about it?

Anyway, it was great to get to see you live.

[Ailmour]

Hi Gavin.

Good show in Helsinki saturday. Your playing was just as great as I expected.

I wanted to ask you how you felt about the room? I was sitting in the mid section from your left and the lower frequencies (espescially your kick drum) were resonating pretty badly from the concrete. How did it sound to you?

Yeah, the place is quite bad. I was about in the 6th row from Steven and it sounded just perfect there but I know that it's getting messy when you're a little more far away from the stage.

[NENZIO]

Hi Gavin!!! I'm writing from Bologna(the most beautiful city in Italy,you should see it soon)
...I've a big questio for you...where exatly you learned to play drum?? by a private teacher or during you colleg??
I think your drumming is something unique...how you can be everytime creative-quite-louder...and change the groove in only a moment???
I hope you answer soon at my post(sorry for English)
all the best....

[ProgFron]

Hi ProgFron,

I don't know if this has been asked before, but what exactly is the sticking for the ending of Cheating the Polygraph?
It's groupings of five, but I can't really figure out how to play it.

Someone else just asked me about this section so here it is..

15743

It's going by really fast.

cheers
Gavin


Thanks for explaining!
I'm exited to hear you're going to work with 05ric again.
Are you going to stick to the same style or try some different things?

Cheers,

Francis

[Pandrex]

Thanks for explaining that 5/8 fill Gavin.

Speaking of cheating at the polygraph .. can you please tell me if this is right for the fill at 5.49?

I'm sorry, i dont have a scanner to upload a pic to explain it better, but here goes..

It's in 7/8 (split into 16ths). You are playing on an instrument for every 16th beat I think.

2 bass drum,1swisstriplet thing(3),1 Hi hat beat, 2 bass drum, then 2 swisstriplets (6)....which totals to 14. Then the next section goes into 5/8.

So you might say that you split the 14 beats into 2,3,1,2,3,3

Is this correct?

Thanks,
Simon.

[Huwbean]

Hey Gavin!

Thanks for the cheating the polygraph thing my drum teacher will love it!

As for the rest of it, I think I have it but I'm not sure, are you playing septuplets in the verse? because it doesn't sound like 7/8!

Cheers,

Huw

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ilikedrums

i got some question to ask about your Recording Room. It seems to be complete out of wood, with a very high top. Do you have some digital pictures of the whole Room with your fully miked up Drumset? It would be very interesting to see, how you set the mikes, where to position the Drumset and what the whole room looks like.

You seem to be referring to my live room. It does have a lot of wood in it - and I don't know exactly what kind of wood it is. I don't play the drums in the live room - I play in the (quite dead) control room - leave the huge doors open and record the ambiance in the live room with a pair of mics. That way I have both a dry sound and an ambient sound so I can mix it the way I want for a particular song. I don't have any new pictures of the kit with all the mics on - but there are some out there if you search around.

Hi Drizzle,

Was it the crash over your 12" tom, I saw you check that one out on the Amsterdam gig on December 5th.

No, that was another one that I broke.

Do you already now the songs you have to learn for KC?
What's your routine for learning 'odd' material, do you just listen to it and then play along or do you write it out or just a guide sheet.

I don't know which songs I have to learn yet. Normally I write some kind of chart out - and just play along.

Hi Nonconnor

I wanted to ask you how you felt about the room? I was sitting in the mid section from your left and the lower frequencies (espescially your kick drum) were resonating pretty badly from the concrete. How did it sound to you?

Helsinki was a pretty large room for us. I couldn't hear what you were hearing - I was having some trouble with the drum riser - because it was wobbling a lot - and I was already feeling dizzy before the show started so it was a bit like trying to play the drums on ice.
The sound in those large rooms are very rarely good.

Hi NENZIO,

I've a big questio for you...where exatly you learned to play drum?? by a private teacher or during you colleg??

My Dad played a bit of drums and got me interested in them. I studied privately with Joe Hodson when I was about 11 to 15 years old. I then studied with ex-Berklee graduate Dave Cutler when I was 18. After that I just followed my nose.

Hi Pandrex,

Speaking of cheating at the polygraph .. can you please tell me if this is right for the fill at 5.49? 2 bass drum,1swisstriplet thing(3),1 Hi hat beat, 2 bass drum, then 2 swisstriplets (6)....which totals to 14. Then the next section goes into 5/8.Is this correct?

I think that's correct.

Hi Huwbean,

I think I have it but I'm not sure, are you playing septuplets in the verse? because it doesn't sound like 7/8!

No, it's 7/8 like this...
15807

that's it written two different ways.

Cheers
Gavin

[Raygun]

Hello Gavin,

I'm interested in your mic setup as I'm currently in the process of putting together a home studio. I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about the mics and how you mount them.

I've read that you use the EV N/D408 for you toms live. I was interested to know, since EV doesn't appear to make that model anymore, if you've had the chance to use the N/D468, and if so, how they compare to the 408. These look like a very good design in respect to getting a good position while keeping out of the way, and they seem to sound pretty good in your videos.

Also, I read here that you prefer to mount the mics to your rack when possible. Do you do this in the studio as well as live? I was interested to know what type of mounts you use to accomplish this (particularly with the N/D408s).

And (last question!) specs-wise, the Schoeps CMC5 seems like a particularly good choice for a set of distant ambiance mics. I was wondering which capsules you use in them.

I apologize if you've been over this already (I scanned the thread last night but didn't see an answer to these). Thanks again for the great music! I'm really digging the Nil Recurring EP.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Raygun,

Yes, for many years I used the N/D408 and I understand that they have now been replaced with the N/D468 - (which I now use on my live setup). Recently I switched to using Sennheiser MD421 for the toms (in my studio) as I thought there was an improvement especially in the sound of the lower toms....but they are very big mics and a bit cumbersome, so wouldn't want to used them live.

All my mics are attached to my drum rack except the overheads. Pearl make a bracket called PCX200 which makes it very easy to use just the top part of a mic stand to mount from the rack. I just checked my Schoeps CMC5's and there's no number on the capsules.

cheers
Gavin

[gibeachhead]

Hey Gavin,

I was curious if your bell holder is a custom job or if it is actually a product produced for the mass market. Either way I was wondering if you could recommend any holders for a bell set up or where to find one? I found some online stores that listed such products as Sabian bell holder 3, Sabian bell holder 5 and Sabian Triple arm holder. But the online stores contained no image or description about it.

I did find this image and info on Sabian's site though, the image below is what Sabian describes as "This holder clamps to cymbal stands for easy placement of "CD" Cymbal Discs, Bell Discs or splashes." But thats all I could find.
http://www.sabian.com/english/cymbals/Accessory/images/l_32000.gif


I thought something like this would be more common to find but I guess not. Anyways your info is always appreciate as usual!

Thanks in advance,

Brent

[asmodeus]

Hi Gavin,

first of all, congratulations on your awesome drumming! I find it to be very inspiring, although I don't even play drums myself. Well, at least not "physically" i.e. I do program some stuff.

I have a question for you and maybe it's a little bit hard to explain, but here i go: I've noticed that in the great majority of your drum tracks there is some kind of "melody" going on. And what I mean is, that the drums can be regarded more as having it's own voice, it's own "melody line" than just mere accompaniment. The best example for me would be the tune '19 Days', where after listening a couple of times the drum line began popping into my face, if you know what i mean. I began to see, why what you play makes sense. Because if you listen to the other instruments you can see how the drum voice fits in. So my question is, do you do that with premediation? Or is it something that comes out of nowhere? (i find this hard to believe)

So, this discovery i made some time ago has been very important to me as a musician, because from the example of the drums i realized it applies to the rest of the instruments as well. I think there are at least a good amount of songs ond bands out there whose music admits this kind of observation. It kind of gave me a theory that unifies improvisation and strict composition and rules out that chance or some other mystic force governs music. Then my second question would be, have you had a similar realisation of your own? If yes, what was it?

I hope what I said wasn't to confusing :P. I feel kinda like this guy:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JzqumbhfxRo only that i am not so talented :P

Cheers!

[Big T]

Hi Gavin

Very excited to see you will be working with King Crimson, one of my all time favourite bands. And you.... YOU!! I can't get enough of watching you play the drums. Jaw dropping stuff!! I love your sound.
Anyway... don't want to big you up too much...! I was wondering, are you just doing live dates with KC or will there be a studio recording?

Cheers

Big T

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi gibeachhead,

I was curious if your bell holder is a custom job or if it is actually a product produced for the mass market. Either way I was wondering if you could recommend any holders for a bell set up or where to find one?

Yes my bell holder is a custom job from a friend of mine in Chicago. He makes custom pieces for drummers. I've seen a couple of the Sabian ones and they're probably the closest thing to what I have.

Hi asmodeus,

I've noticed that in the great majority of your drum tracks there is some kind of "melody" going on. And what I mean is, that the drums can be regarded more as having it's own voice, it's own "melody line" than just mere accompaniment. So my question is, do you do that with premediation? Or is it something that comes out of nowhere? (i find this hard to believe).

I try as much as I can to play 'musically' and sometimes that means playing a melody - or a melodic shape (because the drums aren't really tuned to standard recognizable pitches). Sometimes I try to think like I'm playing a saxophone or trumpet (so I can try to phrase in a different way) and other times where I think of the toms as if they were notes on a marimba.

Then my second question would be, have you had a similar realisation of your own? If yes, what was it?

The day I heard the record "Big Blues" by Art Farmer and Jim Hall (1978). Steve Gadd managed to make the drums have a new emotional meaning to me - he seemed to conjure up melancholy and beauty in a very musical way that I'd never heard before. Most of the time it's just the way he plays the ride cymbal - and touches the snare and bass drum to create meaningful expressive rhythms - which sounded like melodies to me and felt totally improvised in the moment. A lot of it is very simple playing (no chops going on at all) and that's what impressed me so much - that Steve could create a really powerful, moving performance by playing very little. A real lesson in taste.
I guess before that - I always thought to be impressive you needed to show some chops.

Hi Big T,

I was wondering, are you just doing live dates with KC or will there be a studio recording?

As far as I know at the moment - just live dates.

cheers
Gavin

[Robby Settles]

Hello Gavin,

What snare drum did you use on "Shallow?"

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Robby Settles,

that was a Noble & Cooley 14x5 Alloy Classic with a coated Pinstripe on the top.

cheers
Gavin

[ItalianRicky]

Hi gavin.
I hope that you're ok.
I've not questions this time, i wanna only say "Merry Christmas and happy new year" to you, your family and your dears.

You give us a lot of tips and spend for us a lot of time, and this is the minimum that i can do for you.
I wonder that 2008 will be a great year for you, a happy year of musical and personal satisfactions.

See ya!

Riccardo.

[Russkie]

Hey Gavin,

I really don't know if this was posted before... but have u ever used "cowbells" on your drums. I mean, have you ever tried, or planning to add some "latin" or "arabic" touch to your style. (Or have you ever discussed this with SW, to try that out with PT)

PD: Recently i saw a "latin" style drummer, playing a cowbell with a pedal (never seen that before...), and it was awesome how he incorporated the "cowbell kick" in his fills...

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Russkie,


I really don't know if this was posted before... but have u ever used "cowbells" on your drums. I mean, have you ever tried, or planning to add some "latin" or "arabic" touch to your style. (Or have you ever discussed this with SW, to try that out with PT)

I don't use cowbells or jam blocks in my setup. I don't really "hear" those sounds inside my playing with PT. There's already so many great drummers out there doing it well.

BEST SEASONAL HOLIDAY WISHES TO EVERYONE WHO READS AND CONTRIBUTES TO THIS THREAD!!!!!

Have a great 2008

Cheers
Gavin

[Fabio]

Hi Gavin!! >.<

Merry chrystmas!!

And good festivities!!

Good holiday!!

[angelo]

Hi Gavin
I wish you a care good Christmas and a Happy New Year.
From my heart
Good luck my best friend
happy holiday and Happy days
you are a very special person.
Angelo

[gibeachhead]

Merry X-mas to you and your family Gavin!!!! Or Happy Holidays!

Keep on Rockin http://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/rock.gif

[glen thomas]

All the best throughout the holidays Gavin and the same to all the forum readers :-)

[ProgDrummer]

Hey Gavin! What did Santa bring ya? :P

[trysthedrummer]

Merry christmas and a happy new year folks!

[Ailmour]

"Merry Christmas and a happy new year" from me too!

[sssssssss]

Gavin Harrison = my favourite drummer at this moment. A totally great musician!

[Inngwar]

Happy holidays!

There is a polyrhythm somewhere in the middle of "what happens now" (the riff from "anestesize") , what is it that you do there?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Inngwar,

basically that Anesthetise riff is in 5/8. Then I come in with this polyrhythm..
15970

Then the bass joins in playing in 7/8 - then the guitar and keyboards join in playing the 3/16ths pattern that I'm playing on the ride cymbal. The really hard part is that the bass is following a chord structure and changes with the chords every 4 bars of 7/8. So I hit a crash cymbal on the downbeat of every four bars of 7/8 (but my part - as you can see - is cycling in three bar repeats). Bit of a brain teaser that one.

eventually we modulate the tempo so that the ride part becomes an 1/8 note in 6/8. Make sense?

cheers
Gavin

[mind_drummer]

Hi Gavin

Since you're one of my favorite drummer and you're so humble and available for the drumming community, I want to take the time to wish you an happy new year, that 2008 bring you whatever you want or need and that health stay with you.

God bless you


Cheers

A+

[Liquid_Drummer]

Hey Gavin,

I am trying to play Cheating the Polygraph and the displaced kick drum pattern has me about to seize up ! I would love to be able to play that beat and work on improvising my own thing in it as a practice drill for myself but I just can't figure out how to get it right. Could you perhaps give me a some insight in to how you count the rhythm in your mind ?

Happy New Year to you and yours.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer,

I'm imagining that you're talking about the verse groove? (There's a lot of different challenging grooves in that piece). If you are - there's a basic transcription of it on the previous page of this thread. As you'll notice the hi hat part is the same in the fist half as it is the in the second half. I think that's the pattern that I focused on originally - it's a very fast 7/16. I never count it - I just hear that 7/16 sound in my mind. I don't know what you mean by "displaced kick drum pattern" ?

The whole pattern is a kind of "rhythmic Illusion" and it's interesting to me to see how our audience feel it during a concert. Generally, they just notice the downbeat (the first bass drum) and the backbeat (the accented snare note in the middle of the bar). This is what tends to happen when you present a listener with equidistant 'downbeats' and backbeats'. So what I play with the hi hat and snare ghost notes would sound to them like septuplets - which most audiences are not used to hearing.

Cheers
Gavin

[Velvel]

Hi Gavin,

I got the pleasure to meet you during Porcupine Tree's concert in Mexico, your such a nice (and tall) person, a serious inspiration for playing drums better every day, my questions are pretty simple, how was your experience (and for the group, if you know) of playing in Mexico? did you got to know the city?

Best wishes for the next year. Good luck.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Velvel,

we had a great experience in Mexico - as it was our first time we didn't know what to expect - but everyone was very nice to us - and the gig went very well.
We didn't get time to look around the city much. I'll have to do it next time.

cheers
Gavin

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

I am very curious to hear your evolution as a drummer. What is your oldest available performance ? Do you have any old recordings of you practicing that you would consider letting us hear ? Something from when you were a teenager perhaps.

Happy new year to you and yours,

Liquid Drummer

[sloba_dragovic]

Hi Gavin!
All the best wishes in New Year!
Your talent is unique!

We were watching that live Porcupine Tree video from Drummerworld and the band is so so great and correct in time,and you are playing all those ideas,and i really don't know how your friends from band manage to play with you,and me and my drummer begin to suspect that they have a metronome in their in-ear monitoring...or you're all so well practiced that they know your every move?

And about the UNSETTLED - whoaaa,great song!great played!bravo!

And question about your songs from Musikmesse in Frankfurt,are those your own compositions?Because those songs are very beautiful.Especially 7-7-5(And since i am a keyboardist)Have you played all instruments on those tracks?

[mixamuss]

Hi Gavin,

Hope you had a great (and hopefully relaxing) Christmas?

Happy New Year to you. I'm hoping we hear lots of new things from you in 2008.

I notice on the PT site that you're playing some clinics in Switzerland at the end of January. Are you likely to do any UK clinics any time soon? I think they'd be amongst the most well-attended events in clinic history if you did ;o)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer,

I am very curious to hear your evolution as a drummer. What is your oldest available performance ? Do you have any old recordings of you practicing that you would consider letting us hear ? Something from when you were a teenager perhaps.

I think the oldest available stuff on record is from 1986/7
Sam Brown's "Stop" album
Dizrhythmia "Dizrhythmia"
Froon (a German based band that used to be called Spliff)

I did make a record in 1980 with a band called "Choice" and I have my very first BBC sessions that I recorded with my Dad's quartet from 1979 - plus a group jam at a friends house when I was about 8 years old...but these are for my private collection only. There's a pretty full list of recordings that I've made here..

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

Hi sloba_dragovic,

And question about your songs from Musikmesse in Frankfurt,are those your own compositions?Because those songs are very beautiful.Especially 7-7-5(And since i am a keyboardist)Have you played all instruments on those tracks?

I co-composed the first one "Designer" with Gary Sanctuary

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/gavinharrison1.html

Tthe second one "19 Days" with Dave Stewart.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/gavinharrison2.html

The last one "Quite Firm" is written by Laurence Cottle.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/gavinharrison3.html


I didn't play any of the instruments on those tracks except the marimba on "19 Days". Tracks 1 & 3 appear on my first DVD "Rhythmic Visions" - and the second piece appears on my DVD "Rhythmic Horizons".

Hi mixamuss,

I notice on the PT site that you're playing some clinics in Switzerland at the end of January. Are you likely to do any UK clinics any time soon? I think they'd be amongst the most well-attended events in clinic history if you did ;o)

Thanks - but I have no plans at the moment to make a UK drum clinic - but I'm trying to get a date in March/April to make a show for "Hardcase". I don't think I've made a clinic since 1998 in the UK.

[jgregson]

I don't think I've made a clinic since 1998 in the UK.

Hey Gavin,
I think I remember seeing you at the Bath Rhythm festival, 2002? I seem to recall you playing "Hell's Bells"!
Mind you, memory is a fickle mistress...
John.

[DTrocks]

what kind of bassdrum pedals do you use on "Futile" on the rythmic horizons dvd?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi jgregson,

I think I remember seeing you at the Bath Rhythm festival, 2002? I seem to recall you playing "Hell's Bells"!

Yes I did play "Hells Bells". Dave Stewart is an old friend of mine so I got him to make a backing track for me.

Hi DTrocks,

On that "Futile" clip I use Sonor Giant Step pedals.

Cheers
Gavin

[Raygun]

Yes, for many years I used the N/D408 and I understand that they have now been replaced with the N/D468 - (which I now use on my live setup).
Ah. So no real discernible difference between them? (Sorry, no one I know around here has ever used them.)

Recently I switched to using Sennheiser MD421 for the toms (in my studio) as I thought there was an improvement especially in the sound of the lower toms....but they are very big mics and a bit cumbersome, so wouldn't want to used them live.
Understandable. I have used MD421's in the studio on a couple of occasions and they do sound very good on bigger toms. But yeah, they do tend to get in the way and I'd like to get something that's a bit more multi-functional. The N/D468 looks easy to mount and if they're the same as the 408's you used, also sound pretty good to me (and being a tad more budget-friendly doesn't hurt!). I think I still might get an MD421 for my 16" tom, though. I have plenty of room to mount one over there.

I just checked my Schoeps CMC5's and there's no number on the capsules.
They must be the Mk4g capsules (if they're cardoid, that is. is there a pictogram?). I think that's the kind of standard capsule for the CMC5, according to what I've read. But I've never even seen one!

basically that Anesthetise riff is in 5/8. Then I come in with this polyrhythm..
15970

Then the bass joins in playing in 7/8 - then the guitar and keyboards join in playing the 3/16ths pattern that I'm playing on the ride cymbal. The really hard part is that the bass is following a chord structure and changes with the chords every 4 bars of 7/8. So I hit a crash cymbal on the downbeat of every four bars of 7/8 (but my part - as you can see - is cycling in three bar repeats). Bit of a brain teaser that one.
Sweet! Thanks for posting that, Gavin. That's got to be my favorite bit on Nil Recurring. That fill right before the 5/8 guitar riff comes in is also pretty darn cool. And the fill at 3:06 into Cheating the Polygraph is just brilliant, man. I know you like to vary up your fills, but that one on the record has a certain bit of ninja-ocity to it. I wish I'd thought of it! ;)

Thanks again for taking your time to post here for us all!

[glen thomas]

Hi Gavin.. Congrats on the King Crimson gig. Should be a great experience ;-) I must admit I had a small heart attack when I heard the news since I'm a huge Porcupine Tree fan. I hope you still continue with PT otherwise I'll be sobbing uncontrollably for a long time. ;-)

Question: You've probably been asked this 10 times so apologizes up front. ;-)
When you record at your home studio, how do you divide your kit, track wise.
Is every single part of your kit on a separate track? If so, at some point do you ever combine or bounce drum tracks from say 2 to one track. I'm just trying to understand your recording setup "track wise" with your Mackie. For "Fear of a Blank Planet" did you have just rough music tracks from Steve that you played along with to get your final drum parts recorded and if so what tracks were you listening to, or did you play to the complete final song versions. I've heard of some drummers doing their tracks after the music had been laid down previously to a click track which sounds a bit odd to me.

Another question is if Steve and the band recorded one place and you recorded your drums at your home, how does this all merge together. Do you bring a disc of your drums to Steve or visa versa. I've only recorded in studios when the band was also present and all recording was done in that same studio. I was just wondering how it worked when different parts were recorded in different studios and then finally put together. You must all have the same recording software, hardware etc I would imagine, no? :-)

glen = pest :-)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi glen thomas,
yes everything in the drumset is recorded onto separate tracks. What would be the point in bouncing things together? Yes, I played along to the demos - which I had already recorded demo drums to some months earlier. Once I'm finished with the drum tracks - I would pass them onto Steve via a firewire hard drive so that he could import them into his version of the song on his computer. We both use Logic Pro on a Mac computer so we have identical copies of the song and tracks to work on independently. That's pretty much how it works with Colin and Richard too.

cheers
Gavin

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

Thanks for the link to the list of your recordings. Saw the the Sam Brown video for stop from 87. Great singer, song and choice drumming there. That girl can sing !!! Think I am going to check out her work. Thanks !

[Drizzle]

Hi Gavin,

You said you have your drums set up in the control room and record there.

I have a small practice/recording space at home and my mixer is right next to my drumset, so that would be my control room.
The problem I have with this set-up that it is quite hard to set-up the mixer. Because I hear the drum through the mixer but also directly, so I can't really hear what I'm doing.

Eventually I'll get it but everytime I have to do it it's a pain.

Do you experience the same, or do you only use your mixer as an interface to the computer and only change things in Logic.

Cheers,
Dre

[cantstandyourfunk]

Dear Gavin,
I don't remember when I last posted on this thread: honestly, I thought you were just visiting for a while (I don't know why I said that!!).But hey, here's you wishing us a great 2008!
Thank you, and I wish you have a great year ahead.
Thank you for all the music.
I have been a big fan of yours since the late 90s when you joined PT. You have been my drumming idol since. Like many on this thread, for me, you brought back some much-needed "inspiration" through your playing. Thanks again.

PS: Shallow and Start of Something Beautiful are two of the best songs I've heard in quite some time to come, including all genres of music.

[glen thomas]

Hi glen thomas,
yes everything in the drumset is recorded onto separate tracks. What would be the point in bouncing things together?

Hi again Gavin :-)

Once again thanks for your response. I think it's amazing you take the time
to answer our questions on here knowing how busy you are. It's too bad other
drummers don't follow your lead ;-) All I know is that i greatly appreciate it and
have learned a lot from your responses. :-)

I just want to explain my statement about bouncing drum tracks. I've recorded
in some small private studios where they were 16 track or less studios and sometimes,
they took the drumtracks, which may have been 6 tracks and bounced them down
to 2 to make room for other instruments on the other tracks. For example, they
took all the toms and put them on one track when originally each tom was on a seperate track. I've come across that a few times where the studio was using
reel tape or adat, not computer based recorders. They'd mix the toms before bouncing them but I know if a change needed to be made later, it was out of the question.. ;-)
For the most part, the result was still good.

glen thomas

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

Do you experience the same, or do you only use your mixer as an interface to the computer and only change things in Logic.

Yes of course I can hear the drums direct in the room as well as the sound from the desk in my headphones. Usually I record a drum flat (with no eq) and then send it into the computer. Then I might play that sound back into the desk and gently eq it (on the desk). Then I copy that eq directly onto the channel that has that drum on it - so next time it gets recorded with that eq setting on it. It takes time to go through every drum and bit by bit improve the sound of the drum via the desk. Also I might eq or effect the sound inside the computer after it's been recorded.

Hi glen thomas,
ok now I understand what you mean with 16 track recorders etc. I haven't recorded like that in so long I don't remember what I would have bounced together. With computers you have an incredible amount of tracks - I don't even know what the limit is - I had a song with 100 tracks in it once!!!

cheers
Gavin

[ProgDrummer]

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,

Several of these questions have been answered. If you could check out these past posts, you can find your answers!

[cjcdrums]

Hi Gavin,

Any chance of getting a "Futile" drum-less play-along track?

Forgive me if this has been asked before, I searched the thread and found nothing.

[Mercyful]

Hi Gavin:

I am from Chile in south America and I just want to say that I admire very much your music and the way you play the drums, your music has cross the world, and let me say you have many fans, even in a far country like this.

Greetings, and hope to see you live someday playing with PT in Chile.

[michen]

Dear Gavin,

while studying your Rhythmic Visions DVD I noticed that you like ghostnotes a lot. What baffled me most was the fact that you mastered the ghostnote after each upbeat so well. In particular that is because there is such a big dynamic contrast between those two notes.

Now I've tried to emulate what you did and see myself confronted with the problem that my ghostnotes come up way too hard after the upbeats. Is there a special technique that you are using or can you shed some light as how to practice these?

Thanks in advance,
michen

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi cjcdrums,

Any chance of getting a "Futile" drum-less play-along track?

Sorry - I'm afraid not.

Hi Mercyful,

Thanks for the message - I last played in Chilie 11 years ago with Lisa Stansfield - we had a great time there.

Hi michen,

Now I've tried to emulate what you did and see myself confronted with the problem that my ghostnotes come up way too hard after the upbeats. Is there a special technique that you are using or can you shed some light as how to practice these?

Do you mean the ghost note directly after the main snare drum hits (the backbeats)?
I've been doing that for as long as I can remember - I guess it came from listening to Jeff Porcaro. If the tempo is slow enough I can usually get a ghost note in a 16th note before and after the backbeats. I can't think of an exercise that's really going to help you other than just trying to do it. Of course I rimshot the backbeat to make the difference in volume even more pronounced.

Cheers
Gavin

[michen]

Hi michen,

Now I've tried to emulate what you did and see myself confronted with the problem that my ghostnotes come up way too hard after the upbeats. Is there a special technique that you are using or can you shed some light as how to practice these?

Do you mean the ghost note directly after the main snare drum hits (the backbeats)?
I've been doing that for as long as I can remember - I guess it came from listening to Jeff Porcaro. If the tempo is slow enough I can usually get a ghost note in a 16th note before and after the backbeats. I can't think of an exercise that's really going to help you other than just trying to do it. Of course I rimshot the backbeat to make the difference in volume even more pronounced.

Cheers
Gavin

Yes, after the backbeats - that's what I meant. I'll just keep on trying then. At least now I know what is technically possible ;-)
Ah, Jeff Porcaro - with the example on Rhythmic Visions you're referring to his "very famous halftime shuffle groove", right? Such a great drummer...

Anyway, thanks for your quick answer!
michen

[stoneymonster]

Hi Gavin,

I haven't seen anyone ask about your unique grip here. I was wondering how you arrived at it and what advantages you see. It seems counterintuitive since (I believe) the fulcrum is so far back from the balance point of the stick. Is it because you get increased power with less motion, while sacrificing a bit of rebound?

My instructor has been drilling into me to hold the sticks with the fulcrum at the balance point (he likes the middle finger/thumb fulcrum), but your style is quite a departure and wondered if you would comment on it.

Thanks!

[ChrisBassdrum]

If got a question to your racksystem:
When you out on tour do you have any solution to put your Rack with all tomarms safety into the truck? I have the problem that I have not been found any kind of matched case for my racksystem.
I hope for an advise.
see you,
Chris

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi stoneymonster,

I haven't seen anyone ask about your unique grip here. I was wondering how you arrived at it and what advantages you see. It seems counterintuitive since (I believe) the fulcrum is so far back from the balance point of the stick. Is it because you get increased power with less motion, while sacrificing a bit of rebound?

Yes, you're right - I'm way back past the fulcrum point - right on the very end of the stick. I think it's just developed through live playing with rock bands - I want the power and the volume to feel assertive and I know - although holding it at the fulcrum point would be nice - it's just going to frustrate me and my hands will be begging to hold further down to the back of the stick.
Of course the downside is that it requires more effort - but I play from a passion point of view - and I'd rather do what feels right - rather than what is technically correct.
Also I know my grips aren't even - I hold the left stick mainly with my little finger (and that's my technique for getting consistent rim shots) - and the right stick mainly between my middle finger and thumb. I never think about my grip - it's just something that has come about from years of playing - and just doing what felt the most natural to me.

Hi ChrisBassdrum,

When you out on tour do you have any solution to put your Rack with all tomarms safety into the truck?

I take the rack tom arms off. They're all numbered so they go straight back into position (with their memory locks) with no problem.

cheers
Gavin

[K.Howden]

Hi Gavin,

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I was wondering how you came to join PT after Chris left. Was it a chance meeting? or did Steve/ the band seek you out especially for the Job?

Thank you for everything you've brought to PT and I Hope you're well,

Kev

p.s. congradulations on Drop, its a fine piece of work

[jasonyounger]

Hello Gavin,

I took my 14 year-old son to see you guys at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio back in October. You guys put on an amazing show (thanks for doing “The Sky Moves Sideways”).

You have a writing credit on “Cheating the Polygraph,” “Start of Something Beautiful,” “Mother and Child Divided,” and “Futile.” Can you tell us what your contributions were to those songs? Did you have a chord structure and/or melodies and SW built a song around it? Or did you guys sit down and write them together?

For songs that are credited to all four band members (“What Happens Now?,” “Way Out of Here,” “Halo,” “Glass Arm Shattering”), is it a case where all four of you are together and you’re just jamming?

And finally!! You are credited for playing “tapped” guitar in “Nil Recurring.” What exactly is that??

Apologies if these are repeated questions and thanks for the time!!

Jason

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi K.Howden,

I was wondering how you came to join PT after Chris left.

I've been friends with Richard since the early 1990's and have worked with him on a few different projects. When Chris left - Richard called me and asked if I would come to New York and record "In Absentia" as a session drummer - which Idid. After that the band invited me to join the band as a full member.

Hi jasonyounger,

You have a writing credit on “Cheating the Polygraph,” “Start of Something Beautiful,” “Mother and Child Divided,” and “Futile.” Can you tell us what your contributions were to those songs?

Yes, I started them all. They began with drum rhythms and some bass & guitar ideas/riffs that I wrote. Sometimes they made it through to the final song - sometimes they were just there to indicate the kind of rhythmic pattern that I thought best complimented the drum rhythms - and left the note choices up to Steve.

For songs that are credited to all four band members (“What Happens Now?,” “Way Out of Here,” “Halo,” “Glass Arm Shattering”), is it a case where all four of you are together and you’re just jamming?

Yes those came out of 'jam' sessions at my home studio.

And finally!! You are credited for playing “tapped” guitar in “Nil Recurring.” What exactly is that??

It's literally me tapping my 7 string guitar in a similar way that people play the "Chapman Stick". You can clearly hear me doing it in the first 32 seconds of that track. There's two tapped guitar parts going on there - over the drums.

Cheers
Gavin

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Hey Gavin, I saw you mentioned you're approach to gripping the sticks, and I just had a few questions. I actually play the same way (all the way back on the stick) and I noticed at higher speeds, sometimes my hands cramp up, and become a little sore. Do you have this, and if so, what do you do to correct it? Thanks a lot!
Josh

[FlamingMonkey]

Hi Gavin,

Any chance of getting a "Futile" drum-less play-along track?

Forgive me if this has been asked before, I searched the thread and found nothing.

Speaking of "Futile", i've been slowly transcribing this song in my spare time (haha...spare time). It was one of those songs that caught me from the start as one i instantly loved and wanted to know every detail of, and gavin's playing is always inspirational.

i hope to have it finished soon and up for everyone to see. one thing i'm not sure about is a few of the different time signatures i put in there, my interpretation might be a little off (isn't everybody's) as i don't have many transcriptions under my belt.

cheers to everybody, and thanks Gavin for making this forum so interesting and educational.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,

I noticed at higher speeds, sometimes my hands cramp up, and become a little sore.

It depends what speeds you're taking about. I wouldn't go to the back of the stick if I had to play blast beats - it's going to be really hard or near impossible. Most of the time I don't play really fast - the PT songs aren't that fast - but I feel that I want to play them with a certain amount of "balls" - so I choose to hit the drums quite forcefully. That feels good to me, but can be tiring - so I have to balance the amount of energy I have against the required amount of effort it takes to swing some pretty big wooden bats around by the tail. (Vic Firth Hickory "Rock").
Also, to pace myself so I only run out of steam by the last note of the show. Yes my hands get sore - but I can't play a show like that at less than 100%


Hi FlamingMonkey,

Speaking of "Futile", i've been slowly transcribing this song in my spare time

I look forward to seeing it - and checking the time signatures etc.

cheers
Gavin

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,

I noticed at higher speeds, sometimes my hands cramp up, and become a little sore.

It depends what speeds you're taking about. I wouldn't go to the back of the stick if I had to play blast beats - it's going to be really hard or near impossible. Most of the time I don't play really fast - the PT songs aren't that fast - but I feel that I want to play them with a certain amount of "balls" - so I choose to hit the drums quite forcefully. That feels good to me, but can be tiring - so I have to balance the amount of energy I have against the required amount of effort it takes to swing some pretty big wooden bats around by the tail. (Vic Firth Hickory "Rock").
Also, to pace myself so I only run out of steam by the last note of the show. Yes my hands get sore - but I can't play a show like that at less than 100%

cheers
Gavin

Not blasting speeds, but if I'm doing fast 16ths on the hi hats, sometimes my hand will cramp and start to hurt, so I'll slow down to 8th notes, which changes the feel of the song. I was just curious if you had that same problem, and if so, how do you correct it? Thanks again for the fast response! You're the man!!!
Josh

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi XboxIsAGodToMe,
once the tempo gets into the mid to high 90's it gets hard to play 16ths with one hand. The king of that was Jeff Porcaro. Try playing along to the track "I Keep Forgettin'" by Michael McDonald - that's quite a workout to make it through the 3:43 without stopping and keeping it smooth and even. How to do it without cramping? Play the hi hat pretty lightly. Even Jeff said that he gets cramps in his hands.

cheers
Gavin

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

Ok, cool, so I guess I'll just have to deal with the cramps like I've been doing lol. Maybe do a few more hand exercises or something. Thanks again for the help! There isn't a chance you could help with the Rubik's Cube I've been trying to figure out, is there? J/K I've been obsessed with the damn thing! Take care!
Josh

[gloryrun]

Gavin,

My trip to NYC to see you at Beacon theatre was totally worth the long drive.

When you're developing parts, how do you determine the balance of doing too much vs doing too little? Also along those lines... How much feedback do you ask of steven or the other guys when working out sections?

[Kalma]

Hi Gavin,

my name is David and I'm from Germany.

I just wanted to show you our "cover" version of Porcupine Trees Song "Sound of Muzak".
check out: www.dfmusik.de/media.php

It doesn't sound like your drumgroove but we like it, too :)


Hope you like it


All the best
David

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi gloryrun,

When you're developing parts, how do you determine the balance of doing too much vs doing too little? Also along those lines... How much feedback do you ask of steven or the other guys when working out sections?

The same way I balance anything - it's just my personal taste. I'm making those kind of decisions all the time whilst I'm playing the drums. I don't ask the other guys in the band - I think they trust me to do the right thing.

Hi Kalma,

I just wanted to show you our "cover" version of Porcupine Trees Song "Sound of Muzak".

Very interesting - especially the departure from the original in the chorus sections.

cheers
Gavin

[michen]

Hi Gavin,

my name is David and I'm from Germany.

I just wanted to show you our "cover" version of Porcupine Trees Song "Sound of Muzak".
check out: www.dfmusik.de/media.php

It doesn't sound like your drumgroove but we like it, too :)


Hope you like it


All the best
David

I think you did very well. Especially for someone at your age. Keep it up!

Regards,
michen

PS: I'm from Germany, too ;)

[Kalma]

Wow, that was a fast answer Gavin! Never suggest that you're checking back for new replys every day!
thanks for your plaudit :)

Can you give me some tips for become a drummer like you?
I'm going to buy a sonor giant step double pedal on the weekend. Where did you get the beaters you play in the video of futile? Are this also sonors? I couldn't find them :(

Ehm, Gavin: One question again: A friend of mine wants an autograph from you (and the other band guys). his name is lennart. He's a very big fan of you and Porcupine Tree! Do you think you were able to send him one? (and me, too ;) )


@michen: Thank you :) Do you have icq? ;)

[shrugs1434]

Hi there Gavin,

Recently PT has moved to one of my favorite bands, right up there with Led Zeppelin and Radiohead which have been at the top for years. I started with Deadwing and loved every song instantly. I moved on to different albums and noticed a change once it hit In Absentia. The songs became a bit heavier and had more changes and odd time signatures. It went from psychedelic rock to more progressive rock. I think the change was definitely for the better. Do you think your joining of the band had this more progressive and heavier effect, or do you think it was just the natural progression of things?

[hauk]

Hi again,

I was rewatching Arriving Somewhere... and I noticed you appear to start to switch sticks a couple of times after finishing cross-stick sections. Do use different sticks for cross-sticking than for normal playing? How come?

Also, I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to get my hands on some of the b-sides from various PT albums. Songs such as So Called Friend, Mother & Child Divided, Half-Light, etc seem to be unavailable at the moment, and I'd love to have the originals of those (having heard them live).

Thanks for your time

PS: I know this is a long shot, but while I'm at it I may as well ask: Do you know what Steven means by the phrase "collecting space," or would I have to ask him? I've heard it used it several PT songs as well as being the title of one of Steve's solo songs. I'm not sure if it's supposed to mean "taking up space," or what.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Kalma,

A friend of mine wants an autograph from you (and the other band guys).

sorry - but I can't do it.

Hi shrugs1434,

Do you think your joining of the band had this more progressive and heavier effect, or do you think it was just the natural progression of things?

A bit of both. "In Absentia" was written before I joined.

Hi hauk,

Do use different sticks for cross-sticking than for normal playing? How come?

No, I may have been switching sticks because I could feel a fracture in the stick and knew it was going to break soon. I don't actually remember the part you are referring to.

Also, I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to get my hands on some of the b-sides from various PT albums? Do you know what Steven means by the phrase "collecting space,"?

They're two questions I don't know the answer to.

Cheers
Gavin

[alinux]

Hello Gavin and Hello All Gavin fans...

I would like just to share my band's music :)
All comments and criticism is wellcome...
Some info(in english): http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3443
Myspace with some tracks:
http://www.myspace.com/profusionrock

Best wishes,

Vladimer Sichinava

[ddrumbum]

Hello Gavin and Hello All Gavin fans...

I would like just to share my band's music :)
All comments and criticism is wellcome...
Some info(in english): http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3443
Myspace with some tracks:
http://www.myspace.com/profusionrock

Best wishes,

Vladimer Sichinava

Man I really Like your music a lot, do you have CD's for sale?

[hauk]

No, I may have been switching sticks because I could feel a fracture in the stick and knew it was going to break soon.

Okay, the timing must have just been a coincidence.

They're two questions I don't know the answer to.

Cheers
Gavin

Understandable. Thanks for your response!

[cantstandyourfunk]

Hi Gavin...

I was just reading your answers in a Drumrock.com forum interview, where you stressed on the importance of "planned practice". Will you please explain how you look at this?

Thanks again...


http://www.myspace.com/fivelittlenindians

[Gavin Harrison]

Dear readers

I've added a new "search this thread" feature because I realise that it's very hard to look through all these posts to find an answer you might be looking for.

The search result will only return the page that it's on - after that - once you've got to the page - you need to hit "command + F" and then type the word(s) you're searching for and it will be highlighted in the page.

I'm still happy to answer questions that you might have - should you not find the answer through the aforementioned search procedure.

Cheers
Gavin

[alinux]

Dear Gavin and Dear Readers/Gavin's fans,

I can send you my bands music in private. (It's an archive with album + covers).

Already sent to:

ddrumbum (can't send you a private message, message me your e-mail in private)
and Gavin.


P.S: ddrumbum I can't sell (no idea howto do it :P) so I share ;)
Others if intested:
http://www.myspace.com/profusionrock
(I'm Gavins big fan, + we all in my band are PT's superfans;)

[NeuroAxis]

Mr. Harrison -

I saw the Houston PT show a few months ago and it struck me that Steven starts playing the piano intro with no count but the drum loop comes in perfectly on time. Did you guys just patch a click into Steven's monitor mix or were you triggering the sample manually?

Just curious...

[Otto]

As much as I deeply respect your composition and playing skills, I am as deeply impressed by the degree to which you give back to the drumming community via your participation here.

Humbling!

Obligatory praise now done, I am curious if you have ever had to deal with legal issues related to theft or plagarisim of your music/drumming - and if so, what advice you might have.

Thanks!

[NeuroAxis]

Mr. Harrison -

I saw the Houston PT show a few months ago and it struck me that Steven starts playing the piano intro with no count but the drum loop comes in perfectly on time. Did you guys just patch a click into Steven's monitor mix or were you triggering the sample manually?

Just curious...

Sorry; forgot to mention I was talking about 'Sentimental'

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi NeuroAxis,

Steven starts playing the piano intro (to "Sentimental") with no count but the drum loop comes in perfectly on time. Did you guys just patch a click into Steven's monitor mix or were you triggering the sample manually?

For that tune Steve listens to a click in his 'in ear' monitor - that way we can have the drum loop in time and the film in sync.

Hi Otto,

I am curious if you have ever had to deal with legal issues related to theft or plagarisim of your music/drumming

I've never had that problem. I guess you can't copyright your own drumming style - so people are free to copy whatever they want. In fact I 'stole' many ideas/rhythms/fills from my drum heroes over the years. You might call it 'influenced'.

cheers
Gavin

[alinux]

My first passion was Lars Ulrich...
When I switched to ProgRock:Phill Collins, Neal Pearlt, Virgil Donati...
Gavin Harrison become one of my bigest inspiration and great example of modern drumming (I knew Gavin with Incognito Live bootleg CD...).

How about you guys ? How do you discover Gavin Harrison?

P.S Gavin and how do you discover yourself ?:) (am joking Maestro)

Saluti!

[ChrisBassdrum]

Hello Gavin,
On "Sleep together" (Albumversion) did you record this piece in your homestudio, because I want to know if you left the doors of your drumroom open for this?

Also I read on the internet that PT brings a Live-CD out. Which concert was recorded?
THX
Chris

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi ChrisBassdrum,

Yes I did indeed use a lot of my live room on "Sleep Together".
We recorded at least 3 live PT shows that I can recall. One in Finland, Atlanta and Cologne - there may have been some others but my mind is a blur.

Cheers
Gavin

[cantstandyourfunk]

Hi Gavin,
Thanks for the search command option; guess I found the answer to my practice queries.
I'd also like to ask you how you build a solo: is it ever/always pre-meditated?

Thanks

[alinux]

Hello Gavin,

I'm curious to know about software that you use for writing Drum Parts(partiture)...(For recording Drums as I remmember, you use Pro Logic 8).


Thank You in advance,

Vladimer

[12:5]

hi gavin
any chance that you release some bootlegs of pt shows?
you could film every show and still it would be interesting to watch because of your drumming and the way you change your fills every night...please tell steve to hurry making the next dvd ;-) i can't wait anymore!

and do you have plans on playing live with ric05?

[Alexdrum75]

Hi Mr. Harrison,
maybe you can shed some light on a querelle that's going on in the Jeff Porcaro thread.
I'm asking you this 'cause you have a much more trained ear than most of us so here it goes: on the Dire Straits album "On every streets" there's a track called "Heavy fuel".
Can you tell who the drummer is between Manu Katche and Jeff Porcaro?

Thanks again.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi cantstandyourfunk,

I'd also like to ask you how you build a solo: is it ever/always pre-meditated?

I don't really play solos...but I guess I would have a theme, tempo and framework to improvise around. I hate drum solos that have no tempo - just a load of licks speeding up and slowing down.

Hi alinux,

I'm curious to know about software that you use for writing Drum Parts(partiture)...(For recording Drums as I remmember, you use Pro Logic 8).

You mean notation? If so I use Logic Pro 7 (I haven't got Logic 8 yet).

Hi 12:5,

any chance that you release some bootlegs of pt shows?

No.

and do you have plans on playing live with ric05?

Yes one day we will - but right now we're busy working on some more new material for the next album.

Hi Alexdrum75,

First of all I don't hear any JP in there. I'm pretty sure that it's Manu.
I'm also pretty sure that the whole track has undergone a lot of computer manipulation.
I know someone who worked on a Dire Straits album session (with Manu on drums) and said that Manu played his ass off. After he went home they loaded it all into a Synclavier and straightened out the timing. I love Manu and I can't hear his fluid groove in there either.

Listening to this song 99% of the snare beats sound exactly the same - which to my ears sounds unrealistic. Check the fill at 1:33 A hand to hand 16's fill that doesn't change sound?

Around 3:37 I can hear a strange kind of glitch in the snare roll.

cheers
Gavin

[crazydrummer]

Hi Gavin !

I would like to know what's for you the good tuning for your snare drum to have a maximum of ghost notes (for the 2 heads please)

thank you,

Denis

[cantstandyourfunk]

Hi Gavin,
Thanks a lot for your answer. It's really something that you take out time to answer our questions here on the forum: just goes to show how much you love your art.

Can I please ask you something more on solos?

[cantstandyourfunk]

How do you go about that improvisation?

[cantstandyourfunk]

PS: Just posting on Manu: I guess 'fluid' is the exact word that describes his sound. I totally dug him on Sting's The Soul Cages. It was one of the first albums that I pillow-drummed to!

And then the eponymous Satriani album down the line...the sound of his drums and his playing on the tracks Home and Moroccan Suunset were just super-tasty.

[NeuroAxis]

Gavin -

I read on a post a long time ago that you had tried shoving cotton balls into the soundhole of a drum that had too much sustain, so the cotton balls would "jump" up when you hit the drum and then land back on the resonant head to dampen the ring. Did you ever try this and if so did it work? Seems to me like and ingenious way of damping a tom that is too ringy.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi crazydrummer,

I would like to know what's for you the good tuning for your snare drum to have a maximum of ghost notes (for the 2 heads please)

I'm not sure I understand the question. Do you mean the maximum sensitivity? In which case, you need the highest tuning with the thinnest heads (like Remo Diplomats).
If you mean you want the ghost notes to stand out more in your playing - then that's really nothing to do with the heads or the tuning - but more to do with your technique...and possibly mic placing and mixing - especially with a mic under the snare.

Hi cantstandyourfunk,

How do you go about that improvisation?

That's quite a difficult question. The easy answer is - I just make it up as I go along. The hard answer is - a lot of soul searching - looking for hidden demons and inspiration.

Hi NeuroAxis,

I read on a post a long time ago that you had tried shoving cotton balls into the soundhole of a drum that had too much sustain

It didn't really work for me. So I made thin "O" rings (about 1.5cms wide) and dropped 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.

cheers
Gavin

[crazydrummer]

Hi crazydrummer,

I would like to know what's for you the good tuning for your snare drum to have a maximum of ghost notes (for the 2 heads please)

I'm not sure I understand the question. Do you mean the maximum sensitivity? In which case, you need the highest tuning with the thinnest heads (like Remo Diplomats).
If you mean you want the ghost notes to stand out more in your playing - then that's really nothing to do with the heads or the tuning - but more to do with your technique...and possibly mic placing and mixing - especially with a mic under the snare.


Ok ! That's exactly what I was looking for. "Sensivity" was the good word.

Thanks a lot Gavin !

Denis

[Liquid_Drummer]

I was having a big problem with snare sensitivity as well and read (maybe from gavin) that tuning the bottom head higher that the top can help and boy did it ever !! My ghost notes can be heard while playing with a loud band live with no snare miking.

[cantstandyourfunk]

That's quite a difficult question. The easy answer is - I just make it up as I go along. The hard answer is - a lot of soul searching - looking for hidden demons and inspiration.

Wow, the easy one actually seems more difficult! I have a long way to go for either to happen.

PS: It's just absolutely amazing that we can actually get to ask you questions — and get away with 'em — on this site. Kudos to Bernhard for this one, and thanks a zillion tonnes, Mr Harrison, to take time out to interact. I'd really like to meet you someday, not just because you're one of my biggest musical inspirations, but also because you come across as an amazing human being. Thank you.

[Kalma]

Hi Gavin,

what is it for a black ring that is on your snare on the video of Futile?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Kalma,

It's just an "O" ring to dampen the snare a little bit. I think it was a Yamaha one - but I've lost it now.

Cheers
Gavin

[05R6R]

Hey, Gavin is there any truth to the rumor that PT might join Rush on tour?

thanks!

[cantstandyourfunk]

Now ^^^ that'd be cool.

Just for curiousity's sake: What is your dream band to play in? Is PT that dream band?
Do you have any such dream band at all?

[Ailmour]

I'm not Gavin but about PT supporting Rush: according to a few Steven's interviews I've read, he does have a way too many projects in 2008 to have the time for a tour.

[gibeachhead]

I'm not Gavin but about PT supporting Rush: according to a few Steven's interviews I've read, he does have a way too many projects in 2008 to have the time for a tour.

I think I have heard that Rush rumor since like Deadwing was released in 05, but yes I agree with your statement Ailmour. I don't think PT has enough time to tour in 2008. They want to relax and take the year off ;).

Plus Gavin is touring with KC in 08 (I think), so he is also going to be busy with touring as is.

[Bernhard]

Yesterday we had a great Drumclinic in Basel with Gavin. He played famous pieces from Porcupine Tree and then explained very well how some rhythms are developed. How to count 5/4, 7/8 - great stuff, great drumming. Everybody was happy - room packed.

Afterwards we went for dinner - and here his greetings to our forum-members:

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

Bernhard

[Mr. Brownstone]

Awesome! Many thanks to you, Bernard, and Gavin!

[XboxIsAGodToMe]

OMG, I would give ANYTHING to see a clinic with Gavin. Must have been an amazing time. Now I'm going to cry myself to sleep tonight, thanks! :)

[alinux]

Yesterday we had a great Drumclinic in Basel with Gavin. He played famous pieces from Porcupine Tree and then explained very well how some rhythms are developed. How to count 5/4, 7/8 - great stuff, great drumming. Everybody was happy - room packed.

Afterwards we went for dinner - and here his greetings to our forum-members:

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

Bernhard

Funny Gavin ;) Thanks Bernhard for this video and thanks Gavin for the greetings! ;)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi 05R6R,

Hey, Gavin is there any truth to the rumor that PT might join Rush on tour?

Not as far as I know.

Hi Bernhard,

as always it was a pleasure to see you again and spend some time talking about the world of drums!!! The Swiss clinics are going very well.

Cheers
Gavin

[Kalma]

Hi Gavin,

David here.

I want to ask you for your fill in Swerve at ca: 1:24
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_DNViiEpx8Y

Can you say how you do this (or write it down)?


Thank you
David

[Liquid_Drummer]

One guy left a comment that Gavin was the "Highlander" of drumming. So thats how you go so damn good eh ? Been alive for hundreds of years and managed to keep your head ! There can be only one highlander...

That fill is very similar to something I have been trying to do recently but it has not found a home yet.. Its like there are quads between the left hand and the left and right foot with the right hand filling in the spaces. I can count 123-123 during that fill however it does override a bit if I am not mistaken.

[michen]

Hi Gavin,

David here.

I want to ask you for your fill in Swerve at ca: 1:24
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_DNViiEpx8Y

Can you say how you do this (or write it down)?


Thank you
David

This is what I would call a typical Gavin Harrison fill. No, wait it's THE Gavin Harrison fill! ;-)

Take a look at this one here, the first bar is pretty close to it I think.
http://www.drummerworld.com/Drumclinic/gavinharrisonfear.html

Michen

PS: You don't build this one up in just one day. If you really want to master it, start slow and try to match your strokes to the click as good as possible. Then slowly work your way up to speed.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Kalma,

I want to ask you for your fill in Swerve at ca: 1:24
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_DNViiEpx8Y

Can you say how you do this (or write it down)?

This is a job for Terry Branam !!!!

cheers
Gavin

[Smashin Jack]

Thank you kindly for the add, Gavin!!!

[loser_user]

Hello Gavin,

just ordered your DVD Rhythmic Horizons from Burningshed ;-). I can hardly wait. Here's my question: With King Crimson you've played together with Pat Mastelotto, right? What exactly is the attraction for a drummer like you to play in a band with 2 drummers?

TIA

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi loser_user,

With King Crimson you've played together with Pat Mastelotto, right?

No, I haven't started yet. First rehearsals are at the end of March.

cheers
Gavin

[loser_user]

Hi Gavin,

OK, my fault here. I don't want to be immodest but can you answer the question what's the attraction to play with another drummer though?

[moncholo]

Hi Kalma,

the fill that you're asking about is a pattern that Gavin uses somewhat often when playing drums. It can be heard in the drum break in "The Creator Has A Mastertape" and also the drumbreak of "Fear of a Blank Planet".

It's a sextuplet pattern; just six notes.

S is snare drum, T is tom, and B is Bass drum. The CAPITAL LETTERS are the accents, and the normal letters are ghost notes.

It would be something like this: S-s-s-s-B-T

And the sticking would be: LRRLFR

Still, in the lick played in Swerve, he makes a ruff out of the bass part.

I think it's right. Hope it helps. Maybe someone should notate it.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Kalma and moncholo,

regarding that Swerve fill 1:24
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_DNViiEpx8Y

I think it's this
16854

Thanks to Terry Branan of course.

Hi loser_user,

what's the attraction to play with another drummer though?

There could be some exciting rhythmic possibilities to play along with Pat. He might do some crazy electronic stuff too. I don't really know how it will work out until we start rehearsals.

Cheers
Gavin

[loser_user]

Thanks Gavin,

I thought you already had a certain concept. That this is not the case makes the whole thing even more sympathic. I will definetely follow your work with King Crimson and of course with PT. I hope you and your band(s) will come on tour to Germany as soon as possible. Do you come to the Musikmesse Frankfurt this year?

[Terry Branam]

Thanks to Terry Branam of course.




You're very welcome!



Terry

[NeuroAxis]

Gavin -

Watching Arriving Somewhere... something occurred to me. For the jam at the end of Hatesong do you guys count out a specific number of measures or do the other guys just wait for you to start riding on the china to signal the last two measures? Just wondering...

[moncholo]

Hi Kalma and moncholo,

regarding that Swerve fill 1:24
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_DNViiEpx8Y

I think it's this
16854



Cheers
Gavin

Guess i was wrong! The worst part is that i listen to it watching the transcription, and still it doesn't sound like that to me. Not to question Terry's abilities. Guess i must train my ear a bit more.

[Terry Branam]

Moncholo,


Your ears are not failing you for sure. The notes are evenly spaced across the time. I am going to redo the transcription.

I will keep you all posted as to the results...



Terry

[Gavin Harrison]

Yes, after some sleepless deliberation I made Terry the music sample with the click.

We believe this is now correct.

16879

16880

thanks again to Terry.

Hi loser_user,

I won't be in Frankfurt this year.

Hi NeuroAxis,

Watching Arriving Somewhere... something occurred to me. For the jam at the end of Hatesong do you guys count out a specific number of measures or do the other guys just wait for you to start riding on the china to signal the last two measures?

No they just watch me and I give them a nod for the ending.

Cheers
Gavin

[FellowBassPlayer]

Hi there Gavin! Yet another Chilean fan here. I actually took a flight from Chile to Mexico with 3 other friends just to see PT

But well, on to the questions

As we all know, a good chemistry between the drummer and the bass player is always necessary.

I just wanted to ask you the following:

Who is the bass player you have had the best time with, musically speaking? (besides 0zric maybe?).

How do you feel about playing with Colin Edwin?, i find him to be a very talented and inspirational bass player

That's it for the moment, may I add that i think that you taking the time to answer fan's questions is something admirable and very rare on this industry.

Regards, Matias

PS: Tell Colin that he has a fan in the southests country in the world!

[moncholo]

16879




Ok. That is just about the craziest fill i have ever seen!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi FellowBassPlayer,

Who is the bass player you have had the best time with, musically speaking? (besides 0zric maybe?).

I've been lucky enough to play with some amazing bass players such as Tony Levin, Mark King, John Giblin, Nathan East, Mick Karn, Danny Thompson, Randy Hope Taylor, Laurence Cottle, Martin Elliott and many others - all of them were great fun in one way or another.

I couldn't really pick one. From that list I suppose I spent the most time playing with John Giblin - and so we had a great rapport. I've also spent a lot of time playing with Colin from PT and over the past 6 years we got to know each others playing very well. It's always a partnership playing with a bass player.

cheers
Gavin

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

It was cool to read in the latest Modern Drummer you are like me a car racing fan?

Is there any specific serie you like ? F1, Touring car, Nascar?

Do you also race cars in your free time, or is it more a passive hobby?


Greetz,
Dre

[mp3guy]

Hi Gavin,

I love the stuff you've done with your drumming throughout the years and the massive knowledge base you've built up into your books and dvds, it's completely mindblowing.

I've been playing drums over a year and a half now and I'm beginning to work my way through your rhythmic illusions book. I am very interested in illusions like those in the book and also syncopation in general.

Just on the first displacement exercises, does the syncopation become more natural with practice, so one would be able to displace any beat on the spot any amount of subdivisions, or will you always have to learn a new beat in displaced form from scratch each time?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Drizzle,

Is there any specific serie you like ? F1, Touring car, Nascar?
Do you also race cars in your free time, or is it more a passive hobby?

I'm mad for Formula 1...but I don't get to drive too much these days - let alone race. I hardly go anywhere in my car.

Hi mp3guy,

Just on the first displacement exercises, does the syncopation become more natural with practice, so one would be able to displace any beat on the spot any amount of subdivisions, or will you always have to learn a new beat in displaced form from scratch each time?

Good question. Displacements do get easier the more you practice them - I can displace really simple beats pretty much on the spot into any position - and if you're using it as an effect - the simple beats are the ones you should use. If you're using displacement for compositional purposes - and displacing a quite complex beat - then I find I have to write it out and learn it as a 'new' beat.

cheers
Gavin

[aydee]

Hi Gavin, I'm sure you have a ton of favorite drummers and many, many that you enjoy listening to, but are there one or two that you are listening to these days? Drummers that you find exciting?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi aydee,
one of the drummers who I really like at the moment is Morgan Agren

He played on an excellent album with the guitarist from Meshuggah. Lot's of samples from that record here..

http://www.myspace.com/fredrikthordendalsspecialdefects

and a medley played live from that record here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5YEqmIIdj8

cheers
Gavin

[reg]

Hi Gavin

Hope all is well.

I have a question to ask.

Are there advantages to learning to play with a right hand set up as well as a left handed set up? Does this make any sense?

Reg

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi reg,

There could be some interest from a practice point of view. Assuming that you're right handed/right footed and would play the left handed kit with your right hand on the hi hat. I tried for some time to play left hand lead on the hi hat (on my regular right handed kit - like Billy Cobham/Simon Phillips) - and although it made me feel different (and some new ideas came through) when I recorded myself - the time didn't feel as good as if I played the hi hat/ride with my right hand (so I gave up on it). However if you're interested in experimenting - I think having the hi hat on the right side (or in front of you) via a remote cable hi hat could be an interesting thing. I did sometimes play with a closed hi hat where my first floor tom would traditionally be - and I got a nice open feeling from it - plus it made me think differently. I can see little sense in playing a truly left handed kit where I would cross my left hand over my right to play the hi hat. It just wouldn't sound and feel as good as a right handed kit.

cheers
Gavin

[Kalma]

Hi Gavin,

do you know Chris Brien? He's a friend of mine, a multi pedal artist and he really loves your playing!!


When somebody is a Zildjian Artist, does he get broken cymbals from them to cut out Chimes like you?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Kalma

I don't know Chris Brien but I checked out his site and see that he has a pretty big multi pedal setup.

The Zildjian cymbals that I cut down were ones that I had bought and broke in the 70's/80's and were lying around in my garage.

cheers
Gavin

[Jonny_1588]

Hey Gavin

Thanks for replying to my pm

Here's the questions , sorry I couldn't send them quicker.

What would you say are the typical responsibilities of a session/touring musician?

What characteristics do you feel are essential to survive being a touring musician?

As a musician at your level how would you rate your quality of lifestyle?

In terms of a salary for a professional drummer , what are the typical rates when you start off?

As regards to the working hours, how unsociable can they be, are you at the beck and call of the artist your playing for?

From your experience is there always some kind of contract involved when playing with artists , or is it more self-employed?

Would you say oppurtunites abroad are better than the UK , when it comes getting gigs?

When traveling are you responsible for your travelling expenses?

What qualifications do you have, or is word of mouth and networking more important?

Following on from that are any trade publications usefull for finding professional work?

What professional bodies do you think are essential or usefull, such as the MU?

[Gavin Harrison]

What would you say are the typical responsibilities of a session/touring musician?

Being professional. Knowing the songs before rehearsals start, being there on time, and being conscientious about every aspect.

What characteristics do you feel are essential to survive being a touring musician?

Having a sense of humour.

In terms of a salary for a professional drummer , what are the typical rates when you start off?

Mostly doing things for free or very low pay. I don't really know what folks get paid these days. Back in the early 80's I would do bar gigs for about £20

As regards to the working hours, how unsociable can they be, are you at the beck and call of the artist your playing for?

It's really not a 9 to 5 type of job. I have done recording sessions that started at 10am and finished at 4am the next day. Some artists prefer to work late at night - others want you playing the drums at 9am on the dot.

From your experience is there always some kind of contract involved when playing with artists , or is it more self-employed?

I've never had a contract with any artist.

Would you say oppurtunites abroad are better than the UK , when it comes getting gigs?

It's wherever you get a lucky break. In the early 90's, lucky breaks were coming from Italy for me.

When traveling are you responsible for your travelling expenses?

It depends on the type of tour you're on. Usually the artist pays the travelling expenses - whether that's the petrol money for your car (on small tours) or the plane ticket - or tour bus (on bigger tours). I don't charge the artist to get from my house to the airport.

What qualifications do you have, or is word of mouth and networking more important?

I don't have any real musical qualifications - word of mouth is what it's all about.

Following on from that are any trade publications usefull for finding professional work?

I don't know anymore. There used to be a weekly paper called "Melody Maker" around in my early days - and they had adverts for auditions.

What professional bodies do you think are essential or usefull, such as the MU?

The Musicians Union have a strong presence in theatres and TV/radio. When I started out it was pretty much compulsory to be a member. It maybe has less relevance to where I am now.

cheers
Gavin

[Ayl20]

YESSSS!!

I'm so glad that you and PT are coming down-under. I can't wait for the Sydney show. I hope that you like it here.

I was wondering how long you guys are here for?? I see that you have 3 shows in 3 days.... do you have any plans to do any clinics while you are here or will you just be in and out with PT? Either way i can't wait to watch you and PT.

-Luke

[Geoff24]

Hello Gavin,

Nice to correspond with you. Love your work with PT and especially your drum sound and technique.

A couple of questions if I may.

1) I have recently started editing and creating new drum tracks from real drummer samples in ProTools. Mainly to write to and give me a better drum feel for composition (keyboards). I've wondered about the practicalities of recording real drum parts to my stuff but I guess it could be prohibitively expensive. Do you have a standard rate for recording drum parts at your studio?

2) A question re live work. Do PT take their own PA on tour and does that affect your drum sound from an audience perspective. Do you ever get big differences between what you hear (from your own monitoring) and what the audience hears? Do you use any form of attenuation to reduce the effects of very loud gigs?

Thanks for your time.

Geoff24

[Geoff24]

Hello Gavin,

Nice to correspond with you. Love your work with PT and especially your drum sound and technique.

A couple of questions if I may.

1) I have recently started editing and creating new drum tracks from real drummer samples in ProTools. Mainly to write to and give me a better drum feel for composition (keyboards). I've wondered about the practicalities of recording real drum parts to my stuff but I guess it could be prohibitively expensive. Do you have a standard rate for recording drum parts at your studio? Can you work with ProTools files?

2) A question re live work. Do PT take their own PA on tour and does that affect your drum sound from an audience perspective. Do you ever get big differences between what you hear (from your own monitoring) and what the audience hears? Do you use any form of attenuation to reduce the effects of very loud gigs?

Thanks for your time.

Geoff24

[Jonny_1588]

Thanks for replying!

[Drizzle]

Hey Gavin,

What's in your opinion the record(s) with the best drumsound?



Dre

[DT91]

Hi there Gavin,

I've never really gotten round to trying to learn any of your songs (the shame i know :p )
but i was just wondering what you think would be the funnest/best song to learn for an intermediate player and maybe reasons why?


Oh and can't wait to see you play in the UK whenever that will be.


Rich

[Grimmage]

I was wondering if Gavin or anyone else knew if it was possible to get an RSS feed of this forum and the threads. I sent a message to Bernhard but no reply. Must be busy. Thanks for the help.

[NeuroAxis]

Found some vintage GH footage rocking out at an Italian (I think?) gig:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZndLbpnR4U

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Ayl20,


I'm so glad that you and PT are coming down-under...I see that you have 3 shows in 3 days.... do you have any plans to do any clinics while you are here or will you just be in and out with PT?

Yes, I'm working on trying to arrange some clinics.

Hi Geoff24,

I've wondered about the practicalities of recording real drum parts to my stuff but I guess it could be prohibitively expensive. Do you have a standard rate for recording drum parts at your studio? Can you work with ProTools files?

Yes I can work with Protools files. Contact me via PM.

Do PT take their own PA on tour and does that affect your drum sound from an audience perspective. Do you ever get big differences between what you hear (from your own monitoring) and what the audience hears? Do you use any form of attenuation to reduce the effects of very loud gigs?

No we don't carry our own PA around. I can't usually hear what's happening in the PA - but I can feel the volume and bass end in the room when the PA is on or off - so depending on the room it can affect my monitoring a bit.

Hi Drizzle,

What's in your opinion the record(s) with the best drumsound?

That's a really tough question because I find it very hard to separate the drum sound from the personality of the player. When I hear John Bonham - I hear that drum sound. If I heard another drummer play on John's drums - I'm sure it wouldn't sound the same to me. So I just love 'his drumming' - (and his sound just comes along with it).
I love Jeff Porcaro's snare drum sound - but I just don't think it would sound the same if he wasn't playing it and placing it in the pocket as only he could. Does that make sense?
It's a thing that I find difficult about mixing and mastering - I find it very difficult to separate the 'sound' from the 'music'.

Hi DT91,

i was just wondering what you think would be the funnest/best song to learn for an intermediate player and maybe reasons why?

There's quite a few - but one that springs to mind is "The Sound Of Muzak" from "In Absentia". It has some good fun rhythms to play. The verses are in 7 and the choruses in 4.
cheers
Gavin

[benji68]

Hello!

I LOVED your workshop in Niederlenz (Musik Produktiv). I was the guy asking the question about the creative process. I hope you liked it here and am looking forward to see you again in switzerland...

[Drizzle]

Hi Drizzle,

What's in your opinion the record(s) with the best drumsound?

That's a really tough question because I find it very hard to separate the drum sound from the personality of the player. When I hear John Bonham - I hear that drum sound. If I heard another drummer play on John's drums - I'm sure it wouldn't sound the same to me. So I just love 'his drumming' - (and his sound just comes along with it).
I love Jeff Porcaro's snare drum sound - but I just don't think it would sound the same if he wasn't playing it and placing it in the pocket as only he could. Does that make sense?
It's a thing that I find difficult about mixing and mastering - I find it very difficult to separate the 'sound' from the 'music'.


cheers
Gavin

I see what you mean, it reminds me of a something Neil Peart said about Steve Gadd's drumset while recording the Burning for Buddy sessions. Steve's drumset arrived the day before he supposed to play and his drum tech had set it up and Neil played it to set up the mixer and it sounded real dead and awful. Then when Steve came in the next day he started to play and it they sounded great....

Dre

[djlouis]

HI Gavin, saw you in Quebec City with PT and I can honestly say that you are one of my favorite drummer . I bought your DVD (rhytmic horizons and Arriving somewhere) at the event and i watched it a lot, it's so inspiring to see you play different style of music. Your drum fills are so creative, melodic and rhytmic and most of all never obtrusive, you play a lot but it's always tasty . How do you develop such a unique style and how do you know when it's too much and when it's ok to do it? I also want to know what inspire you to do the little finger tapping on the snare head while you're doing cross sticking cause it's the first time I ever saw it, did it come from you or you heard another drummer do that before? And finally I want to know how do you switch from real loud playing to the subtlest buzz roll cause I have hard time switching dynamic like that at gig. I got so many more question but that's for an other post . Thank you.

[Ayl20]

Hey djlouis, that finger tapping while cross sticking has been around for a while. I know that Bernard Purdie used to do it while playing. There is a video of him doing it on youtube, just serach his name and you'll probably find it.... It adds some nice, extra groove to simple beats. Ever since i saw Purdie doing it i've added it in here and there while cross-sticking because it sounds so nice. I've never seen Gavin doing it before though... that's cool!!

[Ayl20]

Here is the link djlouis...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FX_84iWPLU&feature=related

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi djlouis,

How do you develop such a unique style and how do you know when it's too much and when it's ok to do it?

I think the biggest determining factor in a musicians style is their personality. I realised this when I was first working in Italy and couldn't understand the language. I could quite easy feel the musicians personalities when I played music with them. Things like being gracious and tasteful - humorous - melancholic - right up to pushy and egotistical are pretty obvious if you're sensitive to that. Playing too much or not enough is also controlled by what your parameters of taste are. Having a feel for balance is very important for being tasteful. If you're going to play something tricky it needs to be balanced with an amount of simplicity - otherwise it becomes boring and meaningless.

(I'm not referring to myself here - they're just my observations).


I also want to know what inspire you to do the little finger tapping on the snare head while you're doing cross sticking cause it's the first time I ever saw it, did it come from you or you heard another drummer do that before?

Actually I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. I once saw Carlos Vega do it about 20 years ago when I was lucky enough to sit directly behind him at a concert. He also did a really cool 'flam cross stick' thing too.

cheers
Gavin

[Bernhard]

Here is the link djlouis...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FX_84iWPLU&feature=related

Wow....wow wowwww....

I hate it so much to be pointed to a crappy quality youtube link, when the original - where it was stolen from - is in our library:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/Bernard_Purdie16.html

Bernhard

[djlouis]

Thanks a lot for the Purdie link, that guy seems so funny but he's funky for sure.

[Ayl20]

Sorry Bernhard.... :(

I didn't know that the clip was hosted on here. I had just come across it randomly on youtube. I can understand why it would annoy you. Sorry again. Sorry for being off topic too.... back to the original thread.

[Bernhard]

Sorry Bernhard.... :(

I didn't know that the clip was hosted on here. I had just come across it randomly on youtube. I can understand why it would annoy you. Sorry again. Sorry for being off topic too.... back to the original thread.

No problem Ayl -- just vent sometimes

Bernhard

[DTrocks]

what kind of ride do you use, Gavin?