Issue #11___\__\__\__\__\__________/__/__/__/__/ November 97 THE TEMPO DISPATCH FREE Newsletter For Drummers and Drumming Enthusiasts Copyright Bill Powelson 1997 all rights reserved. ___/__/__/__/__/__________\__\__\__\__\___ 'IT'S ALL ABOUT DRUMS' Tips * Tricks * Hints * Ads * Freebies * Lessons * Gigs? NOW 1,200 SUBSCRIBERS!!! ___________________________________________________ "THE TEMPO DISPATCH" is a FREE publication *** Originating From *** BILL POWELSON'S SCHOOL OF DRUMS on the web Where the Drum Lessons are FREE! http://www.catalog.com/drummers/bphome01 E-MAIL: powelson@america.com ___________________________________________________ The focus and intent of this publication is to unite, enlighten, instruct and entertain all the percussion enthusiasts of the Internet. If you wish to receive NO further issues, simply reply to the address at the top of this message and type "REMOVE" on the subject line or body of the message. Your address will be removed immediately. ___________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS What is in this issue? Contents: 1. Feature Article: Special Help with FATBACK 2. Bar Jokes of the Month 3. Land of Lost URLS 4. Musicians Wanted (Free service) 5. Advertisements ________________________________________________________ FEATURE ARTICLE SPECIAL HELP WITH CONFUSING RHYTHMS: *** FATBACK *** As we focus our ears into the depths of a song, it often occurs that many beat and roll patterns are only intriguing sounds at first. Rhythmic sounds abound . . . They intrigue, overwhelm, bombard and confuse us constantly! We can often 'feel' certain rhythms, but we can't play them! That is . . . Until we memorize and study the techniques being used to create those sounds. Once the techniques have been memorized and mastered, our natural talents 'kick in' and everything falls into place within the music . . . like a big Jig-saw puzzle. Much of the time (but not always), we are hearing repeating rhythms over and over again in song after song. These repeating rhythms are the obvious starting place for any student of drums. THE SECRET TO ACCELLERATED PROGRESS IS IN KNOWING WHICH BEATS AND ROLLS ARE WORTHY OF OUR TIME AND ATTENTION. =============================================================== NOTE: This is where an experienced drum instructor can prove their worth (hint, hint.) It helps to have someone point out the more valuable study areas. Someone who has paid those dues already. Otherwise, you may devote decades to mastering techniques that will be of little or no use on a real gig. Meanwhile, the more valuable techniques may go unchallenged and . . . as the years roll by, you wonder why the BIG opportunities never materialized . . . =============================================================== Certain rhythm patterns resurface year after year in song after song. This has been the norm since the beginning of the recording industry. The lyrics change and super stars come and go, but these same beat and roll patterns continue as the underlying structures in most of the music we listen to and play. The upside of this very real fact reveals that if we can overcome our musical prejudices . . . we soon discover how easy it is to play the music of nearly any era or style . . . using the SAME ARSENAL of Beat & Roll patterns over and over again . . . SWING & SHUFFLE: Swing & Shuffle were the predominate popular rhythm structures between 1925 and 1955. They are still very common in todays music, but not to the same degree. The beginning of the modern Rock era around 1955, ushered in a big change for drummers. Eighth-note 4/4 (rock) began to take center stage about that time and has been the recurrent dominate rhythm pattern of choice ever since. By 1965, the musicians and buying public had grown weary of hearing the 'simple' basic rock beat. Drummers began to experiment with permutations of the pattern. One 'catchy' permutation took hold about that time and is still dominating the music scene today. Someone (I don't know who) nicknamed that 8th-note 4/4 permutation, 'Fatback' . . . FATBACK: 'Fatback' is a term you will not find in most dictionaries, but every modern musician worth his salt should have a general idea of what the rhythm sounds like. The term 'Fatback' originated with the southern blacks I guess. Initially 'Fatback' was considered a 'soul' food . . . pork rinds cooked in deep fat. I speculate that the musical term 'Fatback' took its meaning from the unique sounds the soul food made as it fried . . . in the deep fat. Much of the older 'Soul' and 'Funk' music of the 1960s and 1970s was based in the classic rhythms, now called Fatback. On the other hand, as you listen to music of the 1990s, the same general 'Fatback' rhythms still predominate in song after song. The point I am making is this . . . The 'Fatback' beat is definitely worth your time, effort and attention. Mastering the 'Fatback' rhythm can be a real challenge for the average beginning drummer, but diligent, persistent effort will eventually pay off in a big way. This beat form will crop up in a large percentage of the music you may choose to play . . . no matter what style of music you may prefer. 'Fatback' will often confuse and frustrate the natural 'ear' of many beginning students. When a beginning student hears 'Fatback' in a song, it may intrigue them, though their coordination hasn't developed to a point where they can jump in and play along. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF PRACTICE!!! These students may need a few more hours of repetition before the natural creative flows will kick in. Just continue to jamm. Practice the simpler forms of the beat first (without music.) Later, continue to have fun playing YOUR MUSIC, doing all the things you CAN do. As you return to playing recorded music . . . the coordination problems will gradually dissipate and recognition will eventually occur. Sooner or later, a 'Fatback' type song will turn up in your list of favorites. This kind of specific exposure may be all that is needed to get you smokin' with the beat. It will often happen naturally when the time and the song is right. FATBACK FORMS: Fatback beats take many forms. This tends to add to the confusion. Nearly all of the potential 4.3 billion permutations of 8th-note 4/4 'might' be considered (by some) as possible Fatback variations. Also, there are other applications of 'Fatback' existing in 16th 4/4, Quarter-note 4/4 and other time signatures as well. Take heart . . . IT IS EASIER THAN THAT! These obscure forms and applications will actually be very easy to learn . . . once you have mastered the 8th-note examples I am about to show you. PRIMARY FATBACK: (8th-note 4/4) The good news is that one permutation (variation) stands out as the MAIN Fatback beat, then there are two or three others that are similarly important. Most of the remaining potential Fatback type permutations tend to remain unnoticed and rarely used! You will find the main Fatback beat discussed in the lesson entitled, 'Popular Rock Variations' at . . . http://www.catalog.com/drummers/prmrocvr.html Primary Rock Variation #1, discussed in the above webpage lesson, IS the 8th-note 4/4 permutation most often classified as 'Fatback'. Listen to the midi sound file if possible. Get this rhythm flowing in your mind . . . and memorize it! The next time you turn on your radio or play your favorite CDs . . . it will turn up again and again. MORE FATBACK: Also, if you are up to it . . . check out the lesson entitled, 'Rock Syncopations' at . . . http://www.catalog.com/drummers/syncs01.html This lesson culminates in the addition of a syncopation to the primary 'Fatback' pattern. Listen to the sound file, get it flowing in your mind and practice until you can play it rapidly on command. BEGINNING STUDENTS: Beginning students may become frustrated quickly with some of these patterns. This next lesson is very long and it progresses rapidly into difficult techniques. Take it very, very slow! Some of you may need to wait until you are ready! Just listen to the sound files and get the rhythms flowing in your mind. Continue to jamm with recordings everyday! You will soon begin to recognize these and other similar patterns in your favorite music. As that begins to occur . . . it will hopefully prepare you to return to these lessons and try again. Anyone can play these beat patterns, given enough persistance and effort. Don't let this material discourage you! Continue to jamm with recordings and patiently wait for everything to make more sense. It will . . . I promise! NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF!!! Now, surf over to E-M lesson #3 at . . . http://enterprise.america.com/~powelson/ccrtcd3.html This is one of my special 'hidden' lessons and it is intended for advanced (paid) students only. I am giving it away to all the subscribers of this rag. Anyway, The 'Fatback' study continues in great detail within this lesson. Here you will learn some of the more complex forms of Fatback and other 8th-note 4/4 'rock' syncopated permutations. ENCOURAGEMENT: Sometimes, we need just the right song to make it all happen. Jamm with your favorite songs on a regular basis and keep an 'ear' out for anything that resembles the Fatback patterns we are discussing. You shouldn't need to go too far before discovering a song that fits the mold. I estimate that a minimum of 20% of all 8th rock music from 1965 forward has employed some form of Fatback. Sometimes the 'Fatback' beats are syncopated and sometimes they aren't. Find a song that fits the mold and jump in playing. Don't be too much of a perfectionist! Just do what you can do with the music! Play and enjoy! Then, as time passes you will discover that your limbs will gravitate naturally to something 'very close' to the rhythm of the song. You must just relax, and let it happen. It is all too common to kill the fun with excess self-criticism. Don't pick at your shortcomings! Just focus on the things you are doing correctly and gradually expand on them in a positive, constructive way. It is ok and acceptable to alter a beat pattern to some degree from the actual recording. Pro drummers do this all the time! Part of the creative thrill is to continuously change things around. You needn't worry too much about playing a song 'exactly' right. Even the session drummers will often change their own rhythmic arrangements when they go out on a 'live' gig. Of course we all strive for exacting techniques but with time and ample 'fun-practice', the perfected techniques will follow automatically and easily. KEYWORD = FUN! Bill Powelson BONUS LESSON: To help you get a better handle on improvised fills, visit E-M lesson #5 at . . . http://enterprise.america.com/~powelson/ccrtef5.html This 'hidden' lesson is actually an old Tempo Dispatch feature article that I have converted into a webpage lesson. ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| BAR JOKE OF THE MONTH ------------------------------------------------------ One day a piece of string walks into a bar and the bartender says, "sorry but we can't serve strings in here. So the string walks out of the bar and pays a bum on the road to tie him in the middle and fray his ends . . . The string walks back into the bar and the bartender says, "Are you the string I just sent out of here"? And the string says . . . "NO, IM AFRAID NOT"!!!! (frayed knot!) GET IT? :>0 Thanks to Punkdrum03 ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** DRUMMER WANTED *** (FREE SERVICE) ********************** ----------------------------------------------------------- NOTICE: If you have knowledge of job openings anywhere in the World (Male or Female), let us know. Job opening announcements will always be free! ________________________________________________________ |_________________*** ADVERTISEMENTS ***_________________| NEW BIZ-OP: BUY/SELL DRUMS +249,999 OTHER PRODUCTS AT 30% to 50% OFF!!! http://www.catalog.com/drummers/5000.html OR E-Mail: powelson@america.com (mention 5000) ___________________________________________________ AD #1: LEARN TO PLAY DRUMS AT HOME !!! $35.00 US CASH, CHECK or M.O Bill Powelson's HOMESTUDY PACKAGE Includes *ALL* of the following . . . * ENTIRE COURSE IN DRUMSET TECHNIQUES! (30 interactive lessons with sounds & images). * E-mail Book & Biz-Op: 'Old Drums Into New Money'. You can make money, learn professional BUYING/SELLING tips, tricks, techniques and support the school too! * Receive the package ON DISK, ONLINE and as an E-MAIL ZIP. * Online E-mail support: Answers and help from a pro, just like you might receive from a private tutor. TO PURCHASE WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD NOW, GO TO . . . https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ $35.00 US FUNDS WILL BUY IT ALL!!! CREDIT CARD, CHECK, CASH or MONEY ORDER in US FUNDS to: Bill Powelson 107 Douglas Dr. Holly Hill, Fl. 32117 NOTE: Please include your E-mail address. ___________________________________________________ AD #2: ***BEATBUG*** What is a BeatBug? The BeatBug is to drums, what your speedometer is to your automobile! Finally!!!! Visit the following URL then leave a short E-mail note asking about the BEATBUG. The BEATBUG is the miracle gadget of the 90's for all drummers! It is a high tech answer to the age old problems of tempo uncertainty. In this webpage discussion I will show you how to keep ROCK SOLID TEMPO and put an end to the tempo-wars with your band members. . .for good! 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Mention E-Checks to get details on how to pay instantly, electronically with an E-mail check. ___________________________________________________ Place your own inexpensive ad in the Tempo Dispatch! Reach a target market of 1,200 avid drumming enthusiasts! (5) 10 word lines/$5.00 (US) per insertion 4 MONTHS OF ADVERTISING $20.00 4th insertion FREE! ____________________________________________________ |____________________________________________________| THE LAND OF LOST URLS 'Webpages that are buried on the bottom of the search engine dog pile.' _________________________________________________ *** E. Asa Bour's Page *** of *** Drumming Resources *** LINKS TO MANY DRUM WEBSITES AROUND THE WORLD http://www.eh.net/~abour/drums.html _________________________________________________ KEITH'S KORNER DRUM SHOP BUY! SELL! TRADE! BARTER! Drums & Accessories http://www.catalog.com/drummers/drumsale/drumset.html (Keith Burgess) hitide1846@aol.com ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** ANNOUNCEMENTS *** (FREE SERVICE) . . . No response this month! It is FREE! USE IT! ANNOUNCEMENT #1 BLANK :>( Your FREE announcement could be here! ___________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENT #2 If you enjoy this little 'e-zine' please show your support by reading the ads and buying the products. The 'Tempo Dispatch' and free drum school will soon die without a few sales. ___________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENT #3 SPECIAL NOTICE!!! US residents! Now you can pay by check via E-mail. Any of the drum school products or services will be on their way to you in minutes! Send an E-mail enquiry to: powelson@america.com, to get details on how to pay instantly, electronically. ___________________________________________________ TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE DRUM SCHOOL PRODUCTS WITH MASTER CARD OR VISA NOW, GO TO . . . https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ ___________________________________________________ END OF TEMPO DISPATCH #11 November, 1997