“Throughout his career — the live performances, studio recordings, method books, videos, drum-solo compositions, teaching — Ralph eschewed the usual trappings of success, and maintained his customary integrity and humility. He was an outstanding leader and soloist, with the sensibility of an ensemble player. He never flashed his superpowers, though he had many: flawless technique, stylistic versatility, laser focus, adaptability, eagerness to learn, calm temperament, dedication to his students, and professionalism at all times. His keen ear and obsession with tuning his drums helped make him one of the best sounding drummers on record.” -Ruth Underwood
Read moreSponsor: John Crocken Drum Sticks - hand crafted historic designs
i endorse Crocken Drum Sticks. No one else hand crafts sticks like these and nothing else feels like them. As Mr. Crocken says, they are fun to use. -George Lawrence
Read moreIn Search Of (not with Leonard Nimoy) Vintage Drum Parts
My cousin, Dean Stewart who lives in Alabama, is a drummer and vintage drum collector (yes, the disease runs in the family). He’s looking for a number of parts.
Read moreUpdate: my MIJ Lido Supreme 4 pc. jazz kit in "Fantasia Pearl" project
I disassembled, cleaned and refurbished this four piece drum kit made by Pearl in Japan. 12/14/20/14 .It’s one of the rarer MIJ sixties stencils - LIDO SUPREME - and one of the rarest and zowiest colors - fantasia pearl.
Read moreRIP Dino Danelli July 23, 1944 – December 15, 2022
Mr. Danelli, a protégé of the great jazz drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, merged percussive virtuosity with a rock sensibility. Like Ringo Starr of the Beatles, he set the template for the rock drummer archetype: disciplined and precise, but with a flair that drew the crowd’s eye. He would twirl his sticks — a trick he learned from his sister, a cheerleader — and throw them in the air, before catching them without dropping the beat.
Read moreNSMD welcomes DrummingNewsNetwork.com
We are adopting each other, so to speak. Paul and Drumming News Network will be our official news channel and he will be publishing a NSMD article every Wednesday on his network.
Read moreThe Great Hi Hat Tilter Debate!
Well, the hi hat tilter debate hasn’t actually ever started as far as I know, so I’m starting it! What is the correct side for the hi hate tilter screw; near side or far side?
Read moreStudy with George Lawrence
George teaches private lessons at his studio in Memphis Drum Shop and in his home studio in East Memphis. Remote Zoom lessons are also possible. He teaches beginner, intermediate, semi-pro and pro drummers.
Contact George at 330 338 6035, george@notsomoderndrummer.com for details.
Mr. Lawrence specializes in teaching adult drum set students at any level. Special “intensives” can be scheduled for one to three days.
Read moreProfessor Sound's Drum Tuning Bible
Scott Johnson’s Drum Tuning Bible has been on the www for probably 25? years. I am publicizing this because it is an exhaustive resource and very useful to those who have questions about tuning drums. Johnson writes about every possible method of tuning, head choices and combinations, and dampening devices without bias toward any of them.
Read moreNew project - MIJ Lido Supreme 4 pc. jazz kit in "Fantasia Pearl"
Whenever I buy one of these “beautiful ugly duckings”, I plan on playing it and using it for at least a while before passing it on to some other vintage drum geek who just can’t live without it. I remember a crowd of drummers at one of the Chicago Drum Shows laughing at me as I walked out of the building with a brand new Remo PTS “fiberboard” drum set that I bought at the end of the last day for $100. Man, I got my money’s worth out of that kit..
Read moreStories From the Hunt: Part Two - Purple Passion Slingerland
As I drove the 45 minute drive, it felt like I was getting further and further away from any civilization. Whoever this person was lived pretty far out in the middle of nowhere. As I approached the house, it was kind of a run-down farmhouse and there were chickens and other livestock roaming about the yard. A big guy with a long white beard and a pair of overalls came out to greet me. He actually reminded me of Uncle Jessie from the Dukes of Hazzard and explained that because of his line of work, his hand were messed up and he had not played drums in years.
Read moreRest in Peace, Floyd Sneed, drummer of Three Dog Night. Drum Solo Video
Three Dog Night added that Sneed "also an extraordinarily unique drummer who brought so much to Three Dog Night's sound." The late musician was lauded for breaking "many barriers both musically and culturally," with the band noting how "he also influenced countless other drummers with his amazing technique."
Read moreOdd Slingerland: Need Help Identifying
George,
New to me, parallel action strainer with rollers on this drum? Have you ever seen one before?
Are you wasting your time writing about drum stuff on Facebook?
In the future, Facebook will become obsolete and be replaced by a new internet site or other technology yet to be discovered. Don’t think so? Have you looked at your MySpace page lately? The information and knowledge you pass on to other drummers may be lost to the ages one day.
Read moreMy Rogers "Beater" kit
The term beater is usually applied to old cars that are beat up and butt ugly but are reliable and run well enough to get you to work and back. I’ve had several beater kits over the years that fit that description. You know - that beat up old kit that you take to that outside festival gig in case it rains, or to the “jam night” gigs instead of taking your nice kit. You don’t care if it gets rained on, or if beer gets spilled on it, if someone else plays it, or if it gets scratched up – it’s already scratched up.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
Prices lowered on my listings at DrumSellers.com, and letters to the editor.
Read moreThe impact of the full-scale war on Ukrainian drummers
And even if a band or an individual wants to perform, they must find a protected place, like an underground club or cafe. No matter how big, the number of opportunities went down for all musicians.
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
George Lawrence with FreeWorld band at Memphis Italian Festival
At DrumSellers.com: Please look at the very desirable vintage cymbals on consignment from Steve Johnson and John Dittrich click here. To see Tom Boyle’s snare collection on consignment click here, and to see John Dittrich’s snares on consignment click here.
Read moreVideo & Review: John Crocken Drum Sticks - Premium Persimmon, Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba and Purple Heart
Percussionist John Crocken has been manufacturing high end drum sticks by hand in Baltimore Maryland for forty years. Not your typical hickory, maple or oak sticks, but more rigid and dense, yet lighter woods that are preferred by symphonic percussionists and rope drum drummers. John sent four models for us to check out:
Read moreFrom editor George Lawrence
Drum Shows: The Music City Drum Show is coming up next weekend. July 9 in Nashville TN. The St. Louis Drum Show has moved into a much nicer venue In conjunction with the UMSL Music Dept. This year will be at the beautiful Touhill theater. The date is October 8. AND.. There is quite a drum show going on lately at DrumSellers.com. Check out all the latest gear for sale that has been consigned to us by collectors.
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