Issue #2_____\__\__\__\__\__________/__/__/__/__/02/05/97 THE TEMPO DISPATCH FREE Newsletter For Drummers and Drumming Enthusiasts ______/__/__/__/__/__________\__\__\__\__\________ ========================================= 'IT'S ALL ABOUT DRUMS' Tips * Tricks * Hints * Ads * Freebies * Lessons * Gigs? _____________________________________________________ "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 ==================================================== You are receiving this e-zine because someone at your address has expressed a burning love for drums. The focus and intent of this publication is to unite, enlighten, humor and entertain all the percussion enthusiasts of the Internet. If you wish to receive NO further issues, simply reply to 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. PUBLISHERS PLEDGE: This subscriber list will NEVER be made available to any other company, at any time, for any reason. I value and respect the privacy of each and every one of you. This is my promise and pledge to you all. (Bill Powelson) ___________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS What is in this issue? Contents: 1. Feature Article: The Beauty Secrets of Simplistic Drumming 2. Bass Player jokes 3. Land of Lost URLS 4. Drummers wanted! 5. Advertisements 6. Special Announcements: (Writers Wanted) ___________________________________________________________________ ***FEATURE ARTICLE*** THE BEAUTY SECRETS OF SIMPLISTIC DRUMMING! Some of the best drummers have a problem with simplicity. It sometimes seems that it is much easier to play fast and complex. Then, along comes the lifeless boring ballad that will tend to drive any drummer up the wall. Most drummers are alike on this issue! We love songs that cook and we hate dull boring music that lacks exciting rhythms. If we are jamming alone at home with the stereo, it is easy to simply ignore the draggy stuff and play only the fun music. Unfortunately, we are usually offered no choice in the matter on most professional gigs. If the band decides to do a rhythmically boring tune, we must endure! The boring songs usually end up by far, the toughest to play! Boring songs are a part of the job, so we need to learn to play them well. Ideally we should strive to play every song the best it can be played! There are many secrets to simplicity but the most important is tempo! SECRET #1: TEMPO TEMPO is everything! Foremost and always! If the other musicians can hear and feel the tempo we are laying down . . . everything will sound good and they will love their drummer. But we drummers must always execute 'near perfect' tempo, no matter how simple the song or rhythm may be! If we rush or drag (speed up or slow down) . . . the effect will be felt throughout the entire band. We become tantamount to a 'Dirty ole egg sucking dog'. Oooooh that is a bad place to be! :>) The problems arise when we are unsure of the tempo. This tends to happen more frequently on the very simple songs. As we drummers pull-back and play softer, using less energy . . . the other musicians may lose the 'feel' of the rhythm . . . starting a chain reaction that sends us tumbling flat on our face. Ouch! It hurts every time! We get the blame anytime another band member screws up. The answer to this dilemma comes back to several factors: SECRET #2: CONFIDENCE: CONFIDENCE: We drummers must maintain 'near perfect' tempo at all costs. Now, it is common for any open-minded drummer to be over-influenced by another player onstage. In other words . . . if the bass player or piano player inaccurately tugs on the tempo . . . and we follow . . . we must shoulder the blame if they are wrong. It seems that the offending member never gets blamed! It is our fault if we follow them into the pit of doom! We must have the confidence to hold the tempo and know instinctivly, when the others are wrong! This is the thing that drives all drummers crazy . . . and trust me . . . most professional drummers have dealt with this more than they would like. It goes with the job! *** THE SOLUTION *** A tool is needed here that will always keep us in line with 'near perfect' tempo even when those around us are falling apart. I am not referring to a metronome or click track. Nothing like that!. I am talking about the BeatBug. The Beatbug is a miraculous little device that attaches to your snare batter head and acts like the speedometer in your automobile. The only difference is, it measures the number of beats per minute you are playing, rather than miles per hour. If you haven't read about the BeatBug at the website, you should do so. Go to this URL: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/z.html Study and understand the point being made there then drop me an E-mail note asking for more information on the BeatBug. I will send two more pages of FREE information that describes the little miracle device in absolute detail. It could be the precious answer to many of your onstage problems, especially when playing the simple, dull and boring songs. SECRET #3: DYNAMIC FINESSE: DYNAMIC FINESSE: This is largely 'acquired' wisdom. We drummers must know instinctively, 'When NOT to play'. There will be many places in the music where little or no drums are required. This happens more frequently in Hymns, Country Ballads and softer music styles. Sometimes it takes real guts to stop playing and layout completely. As you do this, at just the right moments in the music, something cool will happen! New (low end) dynamics will be added to the overall sound of the group/band. You will be missed and appreciated at the same time. Your contribution to the overall sound will then become even more obvious as you reenter the music with thunderous rhythmic confidence. Try this with your own band! If it is done correctly, you will begin to get the respect you deserve. Try doing this at every appropriate opportunity! I think you will notice a few more appreciative nods coming from the other band members. NOTE: If you notice that the band tends to fall apart when you drop out, try keeping a very soft backbeat with the hi-hat . . . only a very soft 'chick' sound and that is all. Just enough to help the group stay together but not enough to be heard by the audience. Then, when you come back in . . . do it with gusto! This sort of DYNAMIC FINESSE tends to make a point. That point is this: 'Most of the tempo problems occur when you AREN'T playing'! The other players will then be forced to concentrate on maintaining their own 'near perfect' tempo. It is good for the group as a whole and it will make your job easier! SECRET #4: GO EASY ON YOURSELF! The odds are very much in your favor that you are being TOO HARD ON YOURSELF! Taking the blame for the inadequacies of the other band members is a common occurrence with good drummers. We automatically shoulder the blame when the other guy gets out of time! But, this is self defeating! I recommend against it! Make each player responsible for playing in time! That is the best we can do as drummers . . . the rest is up to them! If they insist on playing out of time, simply pull back and let them fall on their face a time or two. Before long they will get the message and become a little more tempo conscious. SECRET #5: BASIC DANCE BEAT MEMORIZATION: BASIC DANCE BEAT MEMORIZATION: Total and complete memorization of the Basic Dance Beats will help add solidarity to your playing. Count, count, count! Always count everything! If you are playing 16th 4/4 . . . be sure that 16 hi-hat notes are 'felt' in every bar. Never 15 or 17 . . . Always 16! 12/8 = 12 notes on the hi-hat, 6/8 = 6 hi-hat notes, 8th 4/4 = 8 hi-hat notes and so on. You will grow to feel these counts with more experience and enough memorizing effort. TEST YOURSELF RIGHT NOW!!! This is a great confidence builder! Play each of the basic dance beats from memory right this minute! DON'T LOOK AT THE WRITTEN NOTATION! Play them from memory! If you can't play the following beats from memory then return to the Basic Dance Beat lesson at the website and practice each beat until you have total and absolute instant recall! Your future success as a drummer may depend largely on your ability to do this: PLAY THESE BASIC DANCE BEATS FROM MEMORY!!! 1. 16th 'Rock' 4/4 2. 6/8, 12/8 Blues (Also called triplet 2/4 & Triplet 4/4) 3. 8th 'Rock' 4/4 4. Shuffle/Swing 5. Quarter (4th) 4/4 (Also called Cut-Time 2/4 . . . it depends on how the thing is written) 6. Waltz: a. 16th Waltz b. Triplet 3/4 'Blues' Waltz (Also called 9/8) c. 8th Waltz d. Shuffle/Swing Waltz e. Quarter (4th) 3/4 'Waltz' ========================================================= HAVING TROUBLE? If you have trouble with any of these beats then visit the following URLS: BASIC 4/4 DANCE BEATS: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/prime01.html BASIC 3/4 DANCE BEATS: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/waltz.html SECRET #6: LISTEN TO THE BEST! As a final thought towards playing eloquent and simplistic. Listen and imitate those who do it best. I am referring to the great session drummers right there on your recordings. Listen closely to the tricks and techniques they are using on the simple songs. As you acquire and adapt those licks, the boring songs will take on a whole new feeling. They will become fun to play! ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| BASS PLAYER JOKES A scientific expedition disembarks from its plane at the final outpost of civilization in the deepest Amazon rain forest. They immediately notice the ceaseless thrumming of native drums. As they venture further into the bush, the drums never stop, day or night, for weeks. The lead scientist asks one of the natives about this, and the native's only reply is "Drums good. Drums never stop. Very BAD if drums stop." The drumming continues, night and day, until one night, six weeks into the trip, when the jungle is suddenly silent. Immediately the natives run screaming from their huts, covering their ears. The scientists grab one boy and demand "What is it? The drums have stopped!" The terror-stricken youth replies "Yes! Drums stop! VERY BAD!" The scientists ask "Why? Why? What will happen?" Wild-eyed, the boy responds, " . . . BASS SOLO!!!" - Zeus T. Serious - Trombone/Bass guitar/Drums/Guitar/Banjo/Kazoo) - Nottingham, England ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| THE LAND OF LOST URLS 'Webpages that are buried on the bottom of the search engine dogpile.' =========================================================== RIMSHOT! A Super drum page made possible by Ian Howard. This site will have everything you are looking for! Interviews, lessons, commentary . . .the works. Check it out now! http://www.io.org/~ihoward =========================================================== - - - - THE WORLD OF DRUMS AND DRUMMING - - - - Mike Wilcox in Austrailia takes a lighthearted approach to rudiments, basic set ups, great jokes and how to hold the sticks. Select from over 40 drum MIDI files, as well as some PC software for drummers to download, plus a gallery of drum art, a fun quiz & more!!! Check him out! http://www.nowopen.com/drums ============================================================ ============DO YOU HAVE A WEBPAGE DEVOTED TO DRUMS?========= If you do have a webpage, it is probably lost on the bottom of the search engine dogpile, along with the majority of us. The search engines are totally maxed out and bursting at the seams! If your website doesn't come up within the first 250 of 2,600,413 hits, then you are out of luck. No one will ever find you. It is a dilemma that needs to be addressed. (Drum roll please . . . :>) TEMPO DISPATCH to the rescue! (Ta-da) *** FREE URL ADS *** With each new edition of the dispatch we will randomly select and publicize a couple of URLs, FREE OF CHARGE. The objective is simply to give a few of the underdogs a little boost. After all, it takes a lot of work and expense to create a great website. These people deserve recognition for their efforts! So, send me your URLS! I won't make any promises but eventually everyone may get an honorable mention from this little service. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$ BRIBES ACCEPTED!!! $$$ Of course BRIBERY WILL WORK! ;>) hehehe. If you would like to have a guaranteed URL ad insertion into the next edition, send a check or money order for $5.00 in US funds, to: Bill Powelson 107 Douglas Dr. Holly Hill, Fl. 32117 Be sure to include your E-mail address. ($15.00 will get your URL ad in the next four editions of Tempo Dispatch) =============================================================== ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** DRUMMERS WANTED *** (FREE SERVICE) If you have knowledge of job openings anywhere in the World, let us know. Job placement anouncements will always be free! ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** ADVERTISEMENTS *** (3) 80 word lines/$10.00 (US) per insertion 4th insertion FREE! =============================================================== OVERCOME BAD GIGS, FOREVER! In this webpage discussion I will show you how to keep PERFECT TEMPO and put an end to the tempo-wars with your band members. . .for good! Visit the following URL then leave a short E-mail note asking about the BEATBUG. The BEATBUG is the miracle gadget of the 90s for drummers! Every drummer needs a BEATBUG! Http://www.catalog.com/drummers/z.html =============================================================== "OLD DRUMS INTO NEW MONEY" This new book is a motherlode 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 squeeze BIG discounts on new equipment from your neighborhood music store. This book contains too many secrets to mention here. Visit this quickloading page: Visit: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/oldrums.html ============================================================== IBM COMPATABLE DRUM MACHINE A DRUM MACHINE CAN BE A GREAT WRITING, LEARNING & PRACTICING TOOL! 'Check-out 'The*Drums Professional' or a demo version of 'Rhythm Brainz' NOW from MediaTech Innovations at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MediaTech_Innovations =============================================================== CHUCK SILVERMAN'S LATEST EFFORT! THE FUNKMASTERS- Guitarists, bassists, drummers of the James Brown bands-1960-1973. 144 pages of lessons, history, pictures, anecdotes, 2 CDs packed with playalongs and lessons. Clyde Stubblefield, Jab'o Starks and Melvin Parker are 3 of the drummers featured in the book. ORDER NOW. Email to drumnart@sprynet.com for ordering info. Two tracks at http://www.chopshop.com/silverman/ =============================================================== LAYON DRUM TRIGGERS Layon Drum Triggers are the best choice for triggering from your acoustic drum set: Highest Quality, Greatest Durability, Most Comfortable, Response, Useful Sensitivity Range. A HREF="http://www.theonlynet.com/~lsc/ ============================================================== ________________________________________________________ |________________________________________________________| *** ANOUNCEMENTS *** (FREE SERVICE) =============================================================== This is your platform! If you have an announcement to make, you can make it here, FREE! Just send an E-mail note to powelson@america.com. No Spams please! Think in terms of public service announcements. Like this . . . =============================================================== WRITERS WANTED! send your drumming related articles via E-mail to Bill Powelson: powelson@america.com. If your article is chosen to run as a featured article, in a future edition of this e-zine, you will receive FREE advertising in four editions of Tempo Dispatch ($30.00 value). Some spamming is allowed in feature articles! :>) =============================================================== CYA NEXT TIME! END OF TEMPO DISPATCH #2 2/5/97 TEMPO DISPATCH #1 may be found online at: http://www.catalog.com/drummers/dispatch.html