We are all individuals, and what works best for one may not work for another. But in general, you can assume that the techniques you see the better players using are some of best practices available. You just need to find the ones that work best for you.
Read moreMy First True Love - A poem about a drum from Joel Rothman
“My first true love was a love at first sight.”
Read moreThe difference between ruffs and drags - an excerpt from "The Missing Rudiments" book by George Lawrence
From my new book “The Missing Rudiments - ”The current modern majority opinion is that, since they can’t both be and are not the same thing, a drag has double stroke grace notes and most ruffs have single stroke grace notes. I agree with that majority in keeping it simple but with the caveat that there are other known stickings for ruffs by historically important authors, which are included in this book. So,“ruff is ruff, drag is drag, and never the twain shall meet.
Read moreSame Hand Tom Sweeps
I put this exercise together to get my shoulders moving a bit better.
The sweeps are done with the same hand from tom to snare or snare to
tom.
Take Ten - Drum Grooves for a Waltz in 10/4 Time
The article is based on the book, ’TAKE TEN—DRUM GROOVES FOR A WALTZ IN 10/4 TIME’ by Joel Rothman, which is due for release. Please contact Joel to find out more about obtaining the book. Email: joelrothmanpublications@gmail.com
Read moreOne Link At A Time
Consider practice as basic as brushing your teeth.
Read moreLet Me Give You A Hand With That
It’s a phenomenon called Limb Assistance. That’s when one limb is able to perform better when it’s partnered with another limb.
Read moreEric Boudreault in Guam, a drumming adventure like no other
At the end of March 2022, I received a call for a proposal to be the musical director and drummer for a major production. I was surprised to learn that this production would take place on the Pacific Island of Guam.
Read moreA Brief, Mostly Factual History Of The Bass Drum
The trend toward smaller bass drums was driven as much by portability as sound. Elvin Jones settled on an 18" bass drum because it fit into a cab nicely (so I’ve heard).
Read moreJust a Small Town Doc
So you pack your bags, load up the drums and head for the big city -- just as countless other aspiring players have done. And you’re immediately faced with the more established players, the ones who really are the big fish in this bigger pond.
Read moreRaising The Bar
my life, apparently. It turned out to be a lick that I’ve been using for years. Useful, but hardly life changing ... and after such a great build-up.
Read moreHow important are sticking patterns?
So, if one sticking pattern is so amazingly useful, why bother to learn more? Well the key word here is ‘learn’. There are some stickings that we want to commit to memory as solidly as we can. These are the workhorse stickings. They're the sounds and patterns we rely on day to day. Then there are stickings that are meant only as exercises
Read moreAnd now for something completely different!
We all need something to make us smile, and I can practically guarantee the following will provoke a smile—perhaps even a chuckle. It's an unusual and amusing photo of the best drum student I ever had.
Read moreMore Five Minute Drum Set Lessons with George Lawrence
Here’s the playlist of the eight videos that are on YouTube so far. I have eight more in the can that will be uploaded soon. Enjoy!
Read moreMaking Things Personal
It was an after-hours open stage club in the heart of the jazz district, and our budding jazz band had arranged to play a set -- our first venture outside the practice room. The resident drums were just awful.
Read moreLiving With Hearing Damage
Since I decided to come out about my hearing issues, a lot of people have asked me for some insight. It seems I’m not the only one who has paid a price for playing too loud, too long and too often.
Read moreEpisode #3 Video; 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence - Garibaldi Sevens
Episode #3 of 5 minute lessons with George Lawrence. This is a linear groove that Steve Klink taught me when I was teaching at Fork’s Drum Closet in the nineties; The Garibaldi Seven.
Read moreEnding on an Upbeat
Another sticking challenge from that rascal sage, Joel Rothman
Read moreCymbal Guarantees
Most companies will guarantee a newly purchased cymbal against certain types of breakage, but it ends there. If a player breaks a replacement cymbal, all love is lost and the cymbal will not be replaced. The rational is that the owner/player must be doing something wrong or just plain abusing their bronze.
Read moreEverything I Know About Bearing Edges
I'm So Confused
And so you should be. Options you may hear about bearing edges include: round-over, 30 degree, 45 degree, dual-45, reverse 45, 45 with round-over, bull-nose, baseball bat, vintage round-over. There are also different theories, applications, claims, boasts, and myths.