ISSUE #17___\__\__\__\__\__________/__/__/__/__/ MAY, 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 1,500+ 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: 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: PERFECTION / Internal Clocks & Rudiments 2. Bass Player Joke 3. Advertisements 4. Drum instructors wanted * Will train! 5. Land of Lost URLS ________________________________________________________ Perfecting Internal Clocks & Polishing Rudiments Most of the professional musicians I know, will all tell you the same thing . . . "There is NO substitute for 'MUSIC' if you really want to perfect your 'MUSICAL' skills". Music is the single most important 'practice' ingredient of all. It is that simple! Far too many instruction books, educators and students (myself included) tend to become so involved in dissecting the trees that we fail to see the forest. I honestly believe that our internal clocks and rudimental finesse can be honed to absolute perfection as we enjoy the thrills of playing along with the real thing. Music! Yes! I am suggesting a totally different mind-set than you may be expecting. PLEASE HEAR ME OUT ON THIS . . . IT MAY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR MUSICAL FUTURE! Music is normally recorded in near perfect time. Just like a metronome, the beat of the music is always metered and constant. The big difference is, when you practice with recordings, MAGIC happens! We naturally gravitate to the 'feel' of the beat and the 'flow' of the song. The creative juices begin to stir and the next thing you know, hours pass while we savor the thrill of it all. The end result is, we enjoy a wonderful practice experience and our technique improves dramatically in the process. It just makes more sense to follow a song, rather than a metronome? The more we play REAL music, the more accurate the internal clock will become anyway. Practicing along with recorded music is exactly the same as practicing with a metronome, only we have more fun. FUN IS THE SECRET, MAGIC INGREDIENT! If we are having real fun, we tend to practice longer durations. With the increased length of our practice sessions, the muscles and timing-senses improve at an accelerated rate. Perfection, finesse and control will arrive gradually over the longer periods of time devoted to our new found passion . . . REAL MUSIC! If your confidence is totally down with regards to tempo and the internal clock, see: 'How To Overcome Bad Gigs Forever' at: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/z.html I would recommend a BEATBUG . . . not a metronome NOW, A NEW FOCUS TOWARDS RUDIMENTAL STUDY! It is true that rudimental study is a necessary evil if we hope to improve our technique and creative potential. We each need to develop our rudimental skills to absolute perfection. This is very important. MY POINT IS THIS . . . Rudiments needn't be boring either! Ninety percent of our rudimental exercising can be done within the framework of a song while having a great time! The OTHER 10% can be done in very short, fun-filled increments while we occupy our 'intelligent minds' with 'simultaneous' (more enjoyable) activities like watching TV or ignoring our babbling spouse . . . (Oops, now I AM in BIG trouble)! :>) Anyway, here are three of my best suggestions for fine tuning the rudimental skills. 1. Practice NEW rudiments every day, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Practice pads are great if you have one handy, but if you're in the car, practice on the steering wheel. If you're in your easy chair, practice on the chair arms. If you are at the desk, use that. You don't need a pair of sticks in your hands either. When learning a NEW rudiment, memorize the basic movement . . . start repeating it ever so slowly until it becomes entrenched in your mind. There will be plenty of time to perfect the stick control and bounce in the next fun suggestion. The idea here is to get into the habit of practicing a rudiment of some type, any time you are bored or any time you are mentally occupied with some other 'lightweight' but fun mental activity, (like watching TV or . . . well, you know.) ................................................................ NOTE: The only exceptions to all this might be rolls that are crushed or pressed. You may need a pad or real drum in those cases. ................................................................ 2. Once you have a rudiment memorized and can keep it going at a slow to moderate rate, it will be time to start having fun with it. Learn to use it in a song! This is where most of the instruction books let us down! But it is really just a 'common sense' kind of thing. First, take your new rudiment and learn to use it as a half measure 'fill'. Don't worry about trying to create a solo with it yet, just learn to fit it into a slow beat. Medium to slow 8th Rock is usually best. HERE IS HOW . . . When we play a full bar of Basic 8th 4/4 rock, there will be two bass notes. The first bass is on the count of 'one' and the other on the count of three. A half measure fill will begin on one bass and end on the next. Most (but not all) of the rudiments may be applied as fills in this way. You will usually place a bass on the first note of your fill. The trick is to play one or two repetitions of the rudiment and be back to the beat as you connect with the next bass drum. For a MORE HELP with this, see: 'Rudiments, Rolls & Fills: Part I' at: http://home.att.net/~drums01/fills01.html * THEN VISIT * 'Rudiments, Rolls & Fills: Part II' at: http://home.att.net/~drums01/fills44.html Gradually, get into the habit of using these little 'fills' everywhere you can, in song after song. Don't worry that the drummer on the recording isn't using that roll as you are. Just try to toss in different half measure rudimental fills and make them fit 'in-time' with any song. Try slow songs at first then graduate into quicker tempos when you are ready. Soon, those fills will become a part of your habitual playing style and you will find hundreds of ways to re-apply them. Now the best part . . . 2 halves = 1 whole 4 halves = 2 wholes Two half measure fills equal one whole measure fill. In other words, once you are totally confident with half measure bursts, just double, triple or quadruple them. Your fills may be any length you choose. The only rule is that we must stay 'in-time' with the music. The next thing would be to move those longer fills all around the kit. Never play them on the same drums in the same order twice. That new rudiment will be shining like a brand new silver dollar before you know it and you will be having the time of your life. It's really fun to practice this way! ONE FINAL THOUGHT . . . As you practice these fills with recordings at home in the drum room, there isn't any reason to play every song exactly like the record. The idea is to master these boring rolls in a creative and innovative way. So for now, strive to do things with recorded music that the original drummer COULD HAVE, BUT DIDN'T DO. Later on, as you learn more and more techniques you will find it easy to imitate the recorded drummer note for note when it becomes a necessity. Most of all . . . HAVE FUN!!!! ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| Bass Player Joke Bass Players are now being used in research instead of lab rats. When researchers were asked why, they gave three reasons: 1. There are more of them. 2. The lab assistants don't get attached, and 3. There are some things a rat won't do. ............................... NOTE: Previously a 'lawyer joke' lifted from: www.pacificocean.com/weblinksbloomingtonormal/Clean-Jokes.html HERE IS DRUMMER THINGY! :>) HAHA, I Love it! Chinese Proverb: "If your enemy wrongs you, buy each of his children a drum". ............................... Thanks, Azmodan ________________________________________________________ |_________________*** HOMESTUDY COURSE ***_______________| HOMESTUDY DRUMSET LESSONS $35.00 (Complete Course) Learn from a pro & play like one. STUDY DRUMS FROM YOUR COMPUTER ANYTIME! At home via floppy disk (offline), or study online via password authorization. * Unlimited E-mail questions encouraged & welcomed * DRUMSET TECHNIQUES, Beginner thru ULTRA Advanced. * For ALL ages . . .(almost) * Student sets the pace & the schedule. * Study at home on the computer ANY TIME of day. * 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 __________________HOW TO PURCHASE__________________ HOW TO PURCHASE #1: (Credit Cards) * * * * * * $35.00 (US FUNDS) MASTER CARD OR VISA TO PURCHASE WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD NOW, GO TO . . . https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ ___________________________________________________ HOW TO PURCHASE #2: 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: powelson@america.com. Mention E-Checks to get details on how to pay instantly, electronically with an E-mail check. ___________________________________________________ HOW TO PURCHASE #3: (Regular mail) $35.00 US FUNDS WILL BUY IT ALL!!! SEND 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. HOW TO PURCHASE #3: (E-Check) Mention 'E-CHECK' in a note to: drums01@worldnet.att.net ___________________________________________________ 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 & 'BACKBEAT' 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/ One thing is certain! These lessons will never be priced any lower than $35.00! This price may go up at anytime! SIGN UP NOW! ___________________________________________________ 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! (Constantly Changing) Check it out again!!! *** NEW CYMBAL PAGE *** *** NEW LOW, LOW PRICES *** *** DRUMMERS HELPING DRUMMERS *** http://www.catalog.com/drummers/drumsale/drumset.html OR E-MAIL: Keith Burgess hitide1846@aol.com LET'S TALK!!!! ____________________________________________________ |__________OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MAY ENJOY__________| NL #1 (P) *** 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 ___________________________________________________ NL #2 (P) LOOKING FOR MORE MONTHLY INCOME? You can get it w/our 100% e-mail recruiting system. Ask for FREE details from mailto:webmaster@cashconnection.com. 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Drums & Accessories http://www.catalog.com/drummers/drumsale/drumset.html (Keith Burgess) hitide1846@aol.com ________________________________________________________ |______JOBS!______________JOBS!____________JOBS!_________| *** DRUM INSTRUCTORS WANTED *** ** WORLD WIDE *** ********************** I will train you personally! Age 18 or older preferred, with some stage experience. Teach my methods in your locality. I WILL SHOW YOU HOW! Good income potential in most areas. Enquire: drums01@worldnet.att.net Yes, you will need to purchase and study my methods to get in on this new idea . . . Don't enquire if that might offend you. Bill Powelson ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** TEMPO DISPATCH ARCHIVE *** I have put all twelve issues of the 1997 Tempo Dispatch into a zip archive (viewable with IBM compatible only). It is selling for $5.00. That is 12 of my best lessons downloaded to your computer 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 other freebies may dry up soon if this method of marketing doesn't improve. (I am told that by spamming with bulk e-mail, my sales will increase by a factor of 10.) YUK!!! Please prove them wrong! TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE DRUM SCHOOL PRODUCTS WITH MASTER CARD OR VISA NOW, GO TO . . . https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/ ___________________________________________________ Your drumming questions are always welcome at drums01@worldnet.att.net END OF TEMPO DISPATCH #17 MAY, 1998