ISSUE #15___\__\__\__\__\__________/__/__/__/__/ MARCH, 1998 THE TEMPO DISPATCH FREE Newsletter For Drummers and Drumming Enthusiasts Copyright Bill Powelson 1998 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! www.studydrums.com/drummers/bphome01.html E-MAIL: drums01@worldnet.att.net ___________________________________________________ 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: Solo Techniques (Triplets) 2. Humorous Story 3. Advertisements 4. Musicians Wanted (Free service) 5. Land of Lost URLS ________________________________________________________ TRIPLET SOLO SUGGESTIONS Upon close analysis of most recorded or 'live' drum solos, two separate note values stand out as being the most commonly used. Yes! Most drum solos are based on either 8th triplets or some form 16th notes. When you can comfortably manipulate these two roll patterns (note values) around the kit, your solos will begin to fly on their own. Lets begin with 8th triplets. I will assume you already know how to play them. If you don't, then visit either of the following two lessons. Learn to attach and play 8th triplet fills to the 8th Rock beat before trying to solo with them. You will find info on 8th triplets at both of the following urls: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/8thtrip.html OR http://enterprise.america.com/~powelson/fills44.html The triplet form shown in the above lessons is just one of the many ways to approach triplets (ie: RlrLrl). You could alter the stroke pattern many ways (ie: RllRll or LrrLrr). Another method of playing triplets is to play the first of your three notes on the bass then follow thru with a Right then a Left in very rapid roll-like fashion (BrlBrl). Once you can play the triplets for long durations at blazing speeds, it will come natural to create your own solos, following the suggestions below . . . Keep your bass tempo steady and........ 1. Begin with SOFT triplets on the snare. 2. Experiment with simple accent variations, first with your right hand then left. Next, try simple rim shots. In other words get a steady flow of soft triplets happening at a moderate but steady tempo, then occasionally drop one or two notes that are louder and more powerful than all the rest. This is even more effective if you can manipulate the stick so that it connects with the head and rim simultaneously. Doing this creates a 'ping' or rimshot sound. Mix it up! Get as much rhythmic variety into your solo as possible. 3. Try to mix accents with rim shots. You are mixing tones for different effects. Don't be afraid to experiment. Screwing up is part of the learning process! Sometimes the mistakes may sound better than the intended licks. 4. Reach to the closest tom tom for occasional cross-over variations. Again, you are playing a steady flow of triplets on the snare. Choose your time . . . but when you are ready, reach up and pop one note on a high tom without interrupting the flow of your roll. This will be easiest if done with the right hand (for most of you). If you can do it once, try two the next time. Soon you will be working your way all around the kit, popping all the toms randomly but in steady time (with both hands). STEADY is the key to success here. Keep the roll flowing but go anywhere you choose with it. The possibilities are nearly endless once you gain a feel for it. 5. Try crashing cymbals at random, while maintaining a triplet roll elsewhere (on a snare or tom). At first, take it slow then, with the roll in progress, reach up and pop a crash cymbal . . . just like you have been doing on the toms. Alter the random crashes at will, listening for effects that cook. 6. Experiment with accent variations on any tom tom. 7. Try cross-over variations between any of the toms. 8. When you begin to develop some control with accent variations, try to think and accent different Jingles and Rhymes. In other words, play the roll as softly as you can, then begin to think the rhythm pattern of 'Jingle Bells' or 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'. Play the jingle or rhyme as accented notes while the roll continues to flow. Every new melodic rhyme will produce another brand new solo. 9. Play triplet accents and Cross-overs around the cymbals for dynamic effects. 10. Try to think dynamically when playing solos. Seek dramatic volume fluctuations as well as note value fluctuations. This can be done by moving off the drums onto the cymbals then back to the drums again. 11. All of the above points or suggestions may be applied to sixteenth notes (singles, doubles and paradiddles) as well as eighth notes or most any other feasible note value or rudiment. This statement is bigger than you may think! It is another complete lesson on solos! Just insert the words 'single stroke' into all the above suggestions and you will see what I mean. 12. IMPORTANT: You must hear a solo in your mind before you will play it effectively on the kit. Begin a collection of solo recordings and listen to them every day. It is extremely helpful to listen to solo recordings immediately before attempting your own. Try this, it works! Grab a cola and listen to 10 or 15 minutes of a recorded monster solo. Try to absorb it subliminally. Do not allow distractions . . . just listen and FEEL what you are hearing, then get on the kit and go for it! Don't try to copy these recorded solos note for note. Simply use them to stimulate your own creative flow and maybe steal a few ideas. Do your own thing based on what you have just been listening to. 13. Tape your efforts. YOU WILL BE AMAZED! We are all hyper critical of our own humble offerings. It is very common to self criticize ourselves into total defeat. It is human nature I suppose. Anyway, if you will tape record one of your best solo jams . . . it is just possible you will not believe your ears when you hear the playback. Confidence is half the game! Hearing the playback will build confidence and guide you toward the perfection that you seek. Good luck and above all . . . HAVE FUN! ! ! ________________________________________________________ |__________________HUMOROUS STORY_____________________| A Helping Hand A priest is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too high for him to reach. After watching the boys efforts for some time, the priest moves closer to the boys position. He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a sold ring. Crouching down to the child's level, the priest smiles benevolently and asks, "And now what, my little man?" To which the boy replies, "Now we run like Hell!" .......................................... NOTE: The cute story above was lifted from the joke page at: http://www.best.com/~hpechler/rex/jokes/jokepage.htm ________________________________________________________ |_________________*** HOMESTUDY COURSE ***_______________| USING YOUR COMPUTER TO STUDY DRUMS! Study anytime . . . At home via floppy disk (offline), or study online via secret website!!! * DRUMMING TECHNIQUES, Beginner thru ULTRA Advanced! * For ALL ages, (10 and above)! * Student sets the pace & the schedule! * Drumset lessons at home on the computer ANY TIME of day! * Submit questions via E-mail! * Study drums online via secret website! * Or, study drums offline via (2) IBM compatible floppy disks, mailed to your home! * Also includes optional downloadable zip file of entire drum course (for offline study)! * THESE PROVEN METHODS REALLY WORK! (38 years in development!) * This course in drumset techniques also includes FREE additional lessons via this E-mail newsletter! * No scheduling hassles and no rush hour traffic! Getting to your drum lesson is easy! Just turn on the computer! * Private (E-mail) help too, with your instructor, Bill Powelson! * Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back! No hassles! TO SEE THE COMPLETE LIST OF LESSONS IN THE HOMESTUDY PACKAGE, DIRECT YOUR BROWSER TO: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/contents.html * * * * * * $35.00 (US FUNDS) CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED!!! 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! Http://www.catalog.com/drummers/z.html TO PURCHASE THE BEATBUG WITH MASTER CARD OR VISA NOW, GO TO . . . https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ ___________________________________________________ AD #3 "OLD DRUMS INTO NEW MONEY" (FREE with purchase of Homestudy Course) BUY IT SEPARATELY FOR. . . $18.00 (US) Via Secure Credit Card https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ E-MAIL BOOK & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: This new book is a motherload of buying and selling tips! The music dealers hate me for writing this! Turn old drumsets into fast cash and big profits! Discover how to gain a strangle hold and squeeze BIG discounts from your neighborhood music stores. This book contains too many secrets to mention here. LEARN MORE BY visiting this quick-loading page: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/oldrums.html TO PURCHASE WITH MASTER CARD OR VISA NOW, GO TO . . . https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ ___________________________________________________ AD #4: *** UNIQUE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY *** The Information Freeway $14.00 (US) $14.00 could put you into a very lucrative internet business! Take it from me, this one works! It is not a MLM! I will provide you with your own information product! You will be in business for yourself almost instantly. Learn how to do it at: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/ifreeway.html TO PURCHASE WITH MASTER CARD OR VISA NOW, GO TO . . . https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ ___________________________________________________ AD #5: *** KEITH'S KORNER *** DRUM SHOP BUY! SELL! TRADE! BARTER! Turn your old drums & accessories into fast cash! http://www.catalog.com/drumsale/drumset.html OR E-MAIL: Keith Burgess hitide1846@aol.com LET'S TALK!!!! ___________________________________________________ AD #6 *** AMAZON ONLINE *** "Amazon Online" FREE E-Zine! Developed to give women working online a place to announce opps/URLs, find tips/tricks/FREEBIES, get help, and make contacts. Find out how to get UNLIMITED FREE ADVERTISING! mailto:subscribe@takeaim.net?subject=Subscribe(disp) http://www.takeaim.net/amazon.htm ___________________________________________________ SPECIAL NOTICE!!! ELECTRONIC CHECKS 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: drums01@worldnet.att.net. 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.' _________________________________________________ *** RUDIMENTS *** (Some With Sound) MUFFS DRUM STUFF http://www.visi.com/~muff/rudiments-1-13.html OR http://www.visi.com/~muff/drum-stuff.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 ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** 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! ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** TEMPO DISPATCH ARCHIVE *** I have put all twelve issues of the 1997 Tempo Dispatch into a zip archive (viewable with IBM compatibles only). It will be selling for $5.00 per archive very soon. That is 12 of my best lessons for $5.00. All paid students can receive this archive free . . . just ask. Let me know via e-mail if you are interested. Bill P. ___________________________________________________ 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. 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 #15 MARCH, 1998