Cliff Almond here.....

[LinearDrummer]

Anybody who doesn't know what a monster player Cliff is should check out his interview
http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/cliff_almond.html

[Swiss Matthias]

Interesting, thanks LinearDrummer!

[aydee]

Here are a couple more vignettes of Cliff's playing on the tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZOCdrwGch4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JpPKj2Da7M

[Swiss Matthias]

Well, the second link is great too, but it's actually Vinnie playing I'm tweeked with Karizma.

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Thanks for the kind words guys....that karizma video is amazing...

Yeah cool thread and great pics everyone, Ciff was a brilliant character, always loved his fights with J.R. Im going to see Ken K in White Chistmas this December. Ill post some Cliff caps later if you want?
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[Cliffalmondmusic]

That must have been a mistake....anyone know who linda is? Doesn't ring a bell...

[Swiss Matthias]

Maybe there's things you do you don't know about! :P
I never saw the name Linda until now. She has only 3 posts...

[aydee]

Originally Posted by Swiss Matthias

Maybe there's things you do you don't know about! :P
I never saw the name Linda until now. She has only 3 posts...

Cliff & Linda were actors from the 80s TV show Dallas..

Check 'drummer' Cliff blow at the 55Bar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JZzyzUhkno

PS- Hey Cliff, I heard your'e touring with Wayne this December. Whats your itenarary?

...

...

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Hey Aydee-
Thanks for clearing that up. As far as WK- Im doing a tour in India with Wayne, Anthony Jackson, and Dave Binney later this month..(nov). The specifics are here:

http://cliffalmondmusic.com/live.html

[GruntersDad]

Linda_PN is a he..................so says the bio.

[aydee]

Hey Cliff, what a pleasure it was to meet you! ( And the great MR. Anthony Jackson. : )

And even more to see & hear you play. I know you guys were sleep-deprived and frustrated with gig/management/sound issues, but man, out there in the audience the show exploded with a bang. There was a real buzz about this gig already, and people got more than their monies worth, and left the theater gasping!

I split my time between NYC and India, and next time you come by this way lemme know in advance.. If I'm here, I would love to set up some more gigs for you guys out here. Lots of takers for this music.. clubs & audiences..( gigs/music festivals season is Nov thru March )

Thank you again for some awesome music and I have to say that you are taking the drum kit to whole different level. The inventiveness, the power and the groove all working together was mind blowing to experience!

Safe flight home.

...

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Hey Aydee-
Back in NY now...thanks so much for the compliments. It was great to finally get to India. Everyone was so nice while we were there. It was great to meet you as well. Im sorry that the schedule was so tight otherwise we could have talked a bit more. We literally went from the gig to eat and then directly to the airport.
As I mentioned to you when we spoke, we definitely had some equipment issues that day. When we got to the gig, the bass amp didn't work and they had the wrong guitar amp...(they actually sent another one but it didn't work either!) Fortunately I didn't have as much of a problem with my stuff as the other guys did. The drums were not great but they were playable.
I'm not usually one to make too much of an issue like this, because equipment issues can be expected on some level when traveling. However, in this situation we had only gotten about 2 hours of sleep for 3 nights in a row, and the plan was to do a quick check and leave to get some rest. However the equipment was not what we requested, and what they sent didn't even work. (The bass amp was distorting and they wanted AJ to play through it anyway...)We ended up waiting there for 3 hours for the right gear to show up instead of sleeping...so that was a bit frustrating. Quite often in an attempt to save money, promoters will ignore equipment ryders and just tell you that it's "the best they can do"....This particular promoter kept smiling at us and saying "thanks for your understanding..." but didn't really seem to care about fixing the problem.
Fortunately for us the other gigs in India were not like this. The equipment worked and everything worked out fine. Not the case in New Delhi for some reason. At any rate, we still ended up having a decent gig and people seemed to like it so that's all that counts in the end!
Again I really appreciate your kind words and meeting everyone there. I hope to see you again at some point...

Thanks-
CA

[Joe Morris]

CLIFF, WE HAVE NEVER MET, BUT MAN WHAT AN INFLUENCE "ONE MORE ONCE" WAS ON ME. I WAS FLOORED WHEN I HEARD THAT RECORD. MUCH RESPECT!!

JOE MORRIS

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Thanks Joe...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG9rjLrQ0nY .

-CA

[diegoleno]

HEy CLiff, wow Its great to be able to interact with you and to say that youre a monster in the good way !!!!, my teacher Alejandro Matuk (maybe you met him) always tells us about you and to check out the work you've been doin'. I would like to ask you a question, hope you dont mind; I've always wanted to ask this to a great great player and I dont want to miss this chance: ¿What have been the aspects that you have practiced and focused more on, to develop the level that you have achieved, and also what have been the concepts that have developed your playing more, I mean that after studying that, you feel you have made a great evolution in your playing?. I hope you dont mind if this quiestions are very foolish but I'll be very grateful to your answer no matter what it is.

I look forward to meet you some day and see you perform live, until then get my best wishes and keep surprising us with your talent. Many cheers from Mexico City

Diego.

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Hey Diego-
Thank you for the compliments...(and thanks to your teacher as well)...Your question is a broad one, and certainly not foolish at all.
There have been so many different things that have influenced me and my approach to the drums. It's a bit difficult to pick one thing that is the most important in my own progression. One thing I would say that comes to mind immediately are the basic fundamentals of the instrument that have to be reinforced constantly. In the case of the drums this would be rudiments. In my opinion you really need to have a good rudimentary concept in place to execute your ideas, and this requires some daily maintenance. Muscle memory has to be constantly updated, and i'm always surprised at how quickly my skills can disappear when i'm not keeping my hands in shape.
Another concept that I would say has helped me the most is ...as obvious as this sounds...Listening. Listening skills are CRUCIAL to becoming a better musician. It's important to understand what is going on in any piece of music when you are playing it, or when you are just listening for your own enjoyment. It's always important to know how your instrument fits into the picture of what is trying to be portrayed by the composer. Obviously, different styles have different concepts and approaches, and it's important to know what the best musical choice is for the situation. Many times we get caught up in other aspects of playing such as chops, speed, etc. and before we know it we aren't making the best musical choices for the situation. This is a concept that never ends and is always expanding. If I had to put my finger on two very important things that have helped me in playing the drums or any other instrument, it would be those two concepts, but I think even more so the concept of listening and knowing what to play and when to play it.
Hopefully that helps....

-CA

[Phil Maturano]

Originally Posted by Cliffalmondmusic

Hey Diego-
Thank you for the compliments...(and thanks to your teacher as well)...Your question is a broad one, and certainly not foolish at all.
There have been so many different things that have influenced me and my approach to the drums. It's a bit difficult to pick one thing that is the most important in my own progression. One thing I would say that comes to mind immediately are the basic fundamentals of the instrument that have to be reinforced constantly. In the case of the drums this would be rudiments. In my opinion you really need to have a good rudimentary concept in place to execute your ideas, and this requires some daily maintenance. Muscle memory has to be constantly updated, and i'm always surprised at how quickly my skills can disappear when i'm not keeping my hands in shape.
Another concept that I would say has helped me the most is ...as obvious as this sounds...Listening. Listening skills are CRUCIAL to becoming a better musician. It's important to understand what is going on in any piece of music when you are playing it, or when you are just listening for your own enjoyment. It's always important to know how your instrument fits into the picture of what is trying to be portrayed by the composer. Obviously, different styles have different concepts and approaches, and it's important to know what the best musical choice is for the situation. Many times we get caught up in other aspects of playing such as chops, speed, etc. and before we know it we aren't making the best musical choices for the situation. This is a concept that never ends and is always expanding. If I had to put my finger on two very important things that have helped me in playing the drums or any other instrument, it would be those two concepts, but I think even more so the concept of listening and knowing what to play and when to play it.
Hopefully that helps....

-CA

Almond joy!!!!
Very well put! Some really really good advice!! Why you dont have a pro drummer page here is a mystery! Bernhard!!!!!! Please lets put one of Cliff up huh???

[diegoleno]

Hey Cliff-

Thank you some much for your answer, and most of all, for the sincerity of your words and for taking it seriously hehe. Let me tell you that this words are solid gold literally, coming from a world class musician its something for my personal record. I will never forget this, it's been very kind from you, and hopefully this can help not only myself but all the community. I support Phil Maturano`s (by the way another monster player; cheers Phil!!! I'll jump to your thread and post another deep, secret revealing question if you don't mind!! LOL) petition of putting a Pro Drummer page!!. Again my sincere thanks and keep playing that way, some day I will be able to ask you some more interesting stuff personally. Until then, my best wishes from Mexico City.

-Your Friend Diego

[GordonDrumBum]

Cliff shreds! Glad to see you post here.

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Thanks Diego...and thanks Gordon...
I'll always do my best to answer any questions. I'm on the road for a couple of weeks in Japan coming up and will most likely be spending a number of hours on my computer.
If anyone is in japan and wants to come out you can see the schedule on my site..

http://cliffalmondmusic.com/live.html

Thanks.

[filipemaliska]

Hi Cliff!

I m a big fan from brazil! do you like brazilian music?if you like..can you say some names from here that you know and like??

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Hello Filipe-
Thanks for posting. I am a huge fan of brazilian music. My personal favorites are Djavan, Toninho Horta, Ivan Lins, Egberto GIsmonti, Milton Nasciemento, Astrud Gilberto, Bibel Gilberto and of course anything Jobim related....I also am a big fan of Teo LIma, Portinho, etc....I'd love to spend some time getting more inside the music from that country....

[Cliffalmondmusic]

I'd like to say a quick thank you to Bernhard Castiglioni for my page on this site. It's really an honor to be included in the roster of musicians here. Thanks so much!!




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

[Bernhard]

Hi Cliff - you're quick, just put up your page - still working on it. So great drumming.Will put it on the frontpage and video drumsolopage too.

Hopefully we can meet in May in Bern - Switzerland.

Originally Posted by Cliffalmondmusic

I'd like to say a quick thank you to Bernhard Castiglioni for my page on this site. It's really an honor to be included in the roster of musicians here. Thanks so much!!




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

[Roger Biwandu]

More than well deserved, you're a great musician Cliff, and an awesome drummer !!!

Right on bro, and thanks again to Bernhard for that beautiful treasure named Drummerworld.

Originally Posted by Cliffalmondmusic

I'd like to say a quick thank you to Bernhard Castiglioni for my page on this site. It's really an honor to be included in the roster of musicians here. Thanks so much!!




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

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Thanks R- Hope to meet you in person at some point...

-CA

[*JOHN FAVICCHIA *]

I agree with Roger!!!! :)

[Smatch]

Wow I can't believe I have been in the dark in the regards to this forum for so long. Cliff I love your approach to the instrument and think that when you and Anthony play together there aren't many rhythm sections I can think of that are tighter. Looking forward to any future news.

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Thanks Smatch and John...

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Free Lesson for 24 hours only!

http://members.cliffalmondlessons.co...-architecture/


Also a special running for the next 24 hours. Check it out here...

http://members.cliffalmondlessons.co...-levels-boxes/

[Phil Maturano]

YO cliff...How much is it to join your site bro? Looks great!
PM

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Hey PHIL-

The lesson is free for 24 hours, but I opened up some slots at half price for the next 24 hours as well. It's normally 39 per month and for the next 24 hours its 20.00 us if you can get one of the slots.

Link is here:

http://members.cliffalmondlessons.co...-levels-boxes/


Thanks!

[Phil Maturano]

Gonna check it out! Its a great deal! You sounded great on that last clip I saw with Camillo! Crazy!!

All the best
PM

[davemacleod]

Cliff, I recently found some of your more "rare" stuff on youtube - Akiko Yano - and it's very tasteful groovery! It's definitely in stark contrast to the likes of "Caribe" (from OMO) which is, in my opinion, some of the best and most tasteful technical fill-around-the-brass-stabs playing ever to be recorded. LOVE it!

Thank you for inspiring me (and us) to be the best that we can!

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Thank you so much Dave. That was a LONG time ago. I appreciate your compliments.
FYI I just posted a blog on Practicing and I'd love to hear everyones opinion about this concept. If you are interested please check out the link below. The blog is called:
"Your sound".

http://cliffalmond.com/category/blog/

Thanks everyone-
CA

[davemacleod]

No problem Cliff. Read your blog - it's great - and left you a comment. I could actually write a thesis on practice (I'm sure many people could) but I tried to be succinct for your blog!

[Cliffalmondmusic]

Thanks Dave- Its great to see all the response to the practice stuff. Everyone has a completely different approach to practicing. Thanks for posting..

[Cliffalmondmusic]

HEY ALL- Free Video for 24 hrs here:

http://members.cliffalmondlessons.co...me-phrasing-2/


Thanks!
CA

[aydee]

...

Cliff, I could watch you play 'anything' all day- drums, wallets, lego, you name it. A meaningful lesson is a bonus. thanks for the freebie.

...