Todd Sucherman here!

Dominick--

I just use my ears. Drums have a sweet spot where they want to "live" and the better the drum, the bigger the sweet spot. I have no techniques or methods other than the ears on my head.

That ride is fantastic but honestly, it's too light for live gigs with Styx. I gravitate towards 22's....maybe they could make a 22" that's a touch heavier. But then again, I love the washiness of that 20". Ahh, choices......but that 20" was just sitting in the Sabian office marked "prototype" and I just left with it. Simple as that. The 22" Precision is way heavier and louder with a bell that won't quit.

OK!

Aloha and mahalo from Honolulu en route to Maui....

Todd

Very interesting, thanks for the info!

On to the next question - any advice on getting more of a "thonk" sound out of the snare drum? For the life of me, no matter how I tune I always seem to get more toward "gack" then the former.. Is it a matter of head tension, snare tension, or maybe even snare count (12 or 18 strand vs typical 20)? And I RARELY use muffling of any sort on my snares. Coated Ambassadors over Hazy Ambassadors most of the time.

On your DVD, that beige-ish snare looks like a ProMark Anniversary snare! That has a sound I'm looking for!


Dominick
 
Blink44---thanks a lot. To answer your questions, we were in BC about 3 or four times in the last two years. Not sure when we will be back but we were there fairly recently. Just keep an eye on the schedule at Styxworld.com. I can do more with trad than matched---it's "home" for me. If you learn both ways you have more options and will spur your thinking in different ways. Hope our paths cross one day too.

Brian--it was cool to meet you in Champaign. I just got back from the clinic run and I think each one was better than the one before--so you saw the "warm up" one but glad you dug it nonetheless. And thanks for the kind words on the DVD!

Slopsbop--my DAW is very humble and still not functional yet. I have the big boy Mac tower, a Yamaha 01v96, my one piece of nice gear is a Presonus ADL 600 tube mic pre, Pro Tools LE, monitors, full mic set up from Audix.......I really haven't dealt with it yet and it really is sort of a "learning station" for me at this point. Thanks for the positive feedback on the dvd. I really appreciate it.

Dominick--try cranking the bottom head. I mean crank it! Then go medium with the top and see what happens. Don't have the snare tension to tight. The Pro Mark drum is a killer as is everything made by Pete Stanbridge. (Stanbridgedrums.com) His site is a great snare porn site.
Hope I've steered you in the right direction.

Thanks guys,
Todd
 
Hi Todd. First off, thanks for the amazing DVD - it's so full of awesome stuff and has really inspired me lately in a great many ways.

My question is about the cymbals you use in the Jazz sections - they sound (and look) fantastic, but have no logos or markings (great jazz cymbals shouldn't, I guess). You have a flat with a sizzle chain for a second right side ride, is this the HH model? The other RSR looks like a Legacy to me (maybe?) and do you use Groove Hats? I think the grooves may show up on few other set-ups you use throughout the DVD, am I right?

Overall, your cymbal set-ups are incredible in every section - just fantastic sound for the whole thing.
 
i've listened to tears of joy for like literally the 100th time, still impresses me.
and i stopped by 3 other stores to get your dvd and i still cant find it... grr.
 
Toby---Thanks for your feedback! I'm flattered you're digging the dvd and happy you are getting some inspiration from it. The Sabian cymbals on the jazz kit left to right were:

14" Legacy Hi Hats
20" HH Dry Raw Ride
22" Legacy Heavy Ride
20" Encore (DeJohnette) Flat Ride

I don't have any Groove Hats. The hats used on the big kit were mostly 14" HHX Evolutions, and then on the triple snare solo motif were 13" HH Bright Hats. Thanks again for getting the DVD and dropping me a note!

Blink--- the DVD is available world wide at Altitudedigital.com. Try this:

http://www.altitudedigital.com/todd-sucherman-methods-and-mechanics.html

If you ORDER ONLINE it will ship same day.....right to your mail box! You're not gonna find it in many stores. It's like an "indie" record in a way. Use the internet! Right on, man....glad you're digging "Tears." One of my favorite Jerry Goodman compositions.

Thanks!
Todd
 
I just placed an order for the "signature" DVD. It will bounce from my sister's place to my APO box and I will probably get it in 2 weeks. Can't wait!
 
Hey man--

Thanks! I hope you dig it and that it brings you good ideas and good feelings all the way to where you are on the other side of the world.

Stay safe--

Todd
 
Todd
I just watched the BW documentary. It was very moving and maybe, albiet all the joy and good vibrations that emanated from the soiree, a triffle sad. It was inspiring the respect this man gets from his peers. I was never a great BB fan but have gained a greater degree of respect now that the lens have given me a new view of the man and his magic. Your playing was inspiring and phenominal to say the least. Believe it or not, my favorite Styx album remains the Extended Versions series. I love the live stuff! Do you and the 'Hitt' man (Brian) compare and exchange licks? I thought I noticed some similar passages, especially with the double pedal. Thanks for the rockin'...
 
Todd,

Congrats on your DVD! I love your playing and it has infused new ideas in me and given me new refreshing inspiration for the drums. I've been a fan for years every since I saw Powerhouse live in Chitown.

Tears of Joy is a great performance and will have many drummers trying to figure it out for years. My question, since I can't find the answer, nor seen it asked, is have you played other songs with Jerry Goodman that are available on disc? I only see a few albums from 2000 available by him, I believe Ariel and a live CD? Are you on those or others?
 
I just got word that Todd performed a clinic in Seattle. Anyone attend? I would have had I been in country....
 
intheruff--

Which Brian doc did you see? Smile? The making of "That Lucky Old Sun"? (There are two versions of that--one was on VH1 Classic, and there is a deluxe version on the new CD with a bonus dvd doc/performances.) Anyway, glad you dug it. Brian is a genius and one of the nicest people on the planet. As for Bryan Hitt, we just chat. We've never really played together or anything. Thanks for writing and for your feedback.

Bobhead--

Wow---Powerhouse! You're going way back now! Those were fun times.

Thanks for getting the "Methods and Mechanics" dvd. I'm happy to hear that your getting inspiration from it and I hope it continues to give you good things to think about and work on. Great!

Sadly, Jerry's records are out of print (I think). You can search at Amazon and pick them up from independent sellers. That's what I did with Ariel and the other studio one, and the name escapes me at the moment. "It's Alive" is my favorite one. Jim Hines is the drummer, and Paul Wertico plays a few tracks on one of the studio ones. I'm not on them and didn't meet Jerry until the mid 90s. But I always loved "Tears Of Joy" and I had him whip up the track "Going On 17" for me to play at clinics. He's a true musical genius. Thanks again for dropping me a note!

trkdrmr--
Just got home from Seattle. Had a great time there.

Off to Florida for 3 shows with the band and then on to San Jose for a clinic at Pro Drum on Nov 17th. Any San Jose folks--come out and say hello!

Cheers from Austin,

Todd
 
Todd... show me the way...
After a long time drumming, I've decided to go through the rigors of learning and hopefully mastering the heel/toe technique. Reason? Speed and a fuller sound for those 'big endings'. Am I just fooling myself? (puns intended... sorry) You have some of the best big endings I've heard. Do you use the h/t. If not, is there a reason? Do you have any clinics planned for the Spokane area? SJ just to damn far away.
 
Todd, I hope you read this post so that you will know what a sensation you new DVD is!!!! It's like taking a lesson from a star which is imposible for the little guys like me. I just got it last week and hopefully I will be able to finish it!!!! I mean, every time I start watching it I see something that makes me say, HEY!!! how the hell did he do that???. So I work on the lick and start watching again when,,WHAM!!!! there's another wow!!! You get the picture... Seriously, this is the best DVD I have EVER watched for several reasons but the most important one is how you connect with the viewer and make it seem like it's a personal lesson. Straight, down to earth and totally enjoyable. I have to tell ya that the comment about the Tony Williams lick being like projectile vomit had me laughing so hard I had beer running out of my nose!!!! Hope to meet you in person someday and shake your hand.
 
intheruff--

I really don't use heel/toe. It was just never natural or comfortable for me. You just missed me in the Pacific NW. I did clinics in Salem and Seattle. I won't be doing clinics in Spokane unless I'm invited by your shop---I (or any other drummer) doesn't choose where they do clinics. They have to be invited!

Stillgroovin--

Thanks for your enthusiastic comments. I really appreciate it! You know, I surely don't think the dvd is a "sensation" but I'm happy you are getting a lot out of it. A sensation to me denotes huge sales, which in this sluggish economy, could be better. What you can do is take that enthusiasm--like letting me know you dig it---and let OTHERS know about it by adding posts to topics like "drum dvds" on this board and other boards. It's very much like an indie record....so your word of mouth is important and deeply appreciated! I'm really happy you are enjoying it on such a deep level and I'm truly flattered. Let your other drummer pals know how you feel! And thanks again.

In Jacksonville tonight, Tampa tomorrow, and Pompano Beach Saturday.

Cheers!
Todd
 
hey Todd, thanks for the reply. The h/t don't feel natural to me either, but neither do poly-rhythms... lol. Well, I shall persevere with the process, but it's good to know single strokes on bd sound the way they do. Does your dvd review grand rolls on the bd? Thanks again... a real lose- Mitch Mitchell
 
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