Hi SantiBanks
A question about notation. I noticed that the ">" symbol is used for accents. The Rhythmic Designs book uses those for the main snare hits and notes without the accent mark for the ghost notes. Why did you choose for this approach over using smaller notes for the ghost notes? Is this the proper way to score out drumparts?
It's really hard to read the smaller notes and something that you could only really reliably do with a computer. I have read hand written parts where the size of the dots have not been that consistent to start with. I prefer the accent system and it is the proper way to score drum parts.
Hi TKIE
I thought to strip screws (hope it's understandable now...). I heard that it happens often and that an owner of this pedal have to screw it frequently. How often do you care about this stuff? (meaning screwing) And what is a lifetime of your pedal?
I've had my original Axis pedal for 8 years and the screws have never stripped out.
Hi euphoric_anomaly
A question about your work with 05Ric. Which song(s) on the 2 albums did you have the most difficulty with (ie- time signature, tempo change).
The song "Scar" is quite a hard one - but once you memorise the 11/8 part it's not too bad. As with all odd time signatures there's always a key to them. You never have to count to 11 - you need to work out a way to feel the pattern in a collection of smaller groupings. Like 3/4 + 5/8.
Also, while I love Ric's fresh and melodramatic style of singing, have you ever considered releasing an instrumental version of the albums? I only ask because I think it would be easier to study the musical complexity without having to ignore the brilliant singing.
No absolutely not. His vocals are an essential and integral part of the music. It wouldn't sound right without them.
I've started practicing 6/8 time. Which I find quite easy to grasp, however, I'm always accenting the 'one' of every group of 3 (ONE two three, ONE two three), either with a stomp of the bass drum or a crack of the snare. Could you suggest an alternative way of counting 6/8 so I could play it without it sounding so monotonous or predictable?
There are of course many variations - you could put the snare on beat 5 for instance - but depending on the music you're playing it might not be appropriate. You could anticipate the normal place for the snare beat by a 16th. That's what I do in the verse of "Break" on the album Circles.
Hi EJWest
I noticed you were doing a certain brush pattern on the snare during Black Dahlia I think, it looked like you were doing circles with your left hand, while hitting and then sliding with your right. Is that correct?
Yes that's correct.
Hi sonorplayer
Could you share any thoughts on Giant Step? Do they hold up? I'm not a crazy double bass player. I like to work them into fills...that's about it. Are light or heavy pedals? How smooth would they be?
Yes they are great pedals - and feel really smooth. They can feel heavy or light depending on how you set them up with the springs and various adjustments.
Hi dtl
now that the porcupine tour is over can we look forward to an 05ric-gavin harrison tour maybe next year?
That would be great fun - but at the moment we're just concentrating on the next record.
Hi gibeachhead
Curious if you'll be lending your talents again on the next Steven Wilson solo album?
Right now - I've no idea.
Hi jojojojojo
i heard Thomas Lang did an audition with Dream Theater.
Is there any chance you might join Dream Theater?
Or is it just PT and your studio stuff at the moment?
What? Mike Portnoy has left Dream Theater? Are you sure?
Cheers
Gavin