How to hold the drum sticks and hit stroke

Hi! Today's theme is how to hold drums stick and hit stroke. I'll explain, how to hold the drum sticks and how to hit the drum head.
First, I'd like to talk about how to hold the drum sticks. We call it grip. These are two ways to grip, first way is matched grip. First, hold the stick with thumb and index finger at about the pick one third point while the other fingers lightly wrapping around the stick. Matched grip is further subdivided into two kinds, The French grip (Timpani grip) and the German grip. With the French grip, the thumb is angled up. With the German grip, the top of the hand is angled up.

This is matched grip.

This is French grip (timpani grip).

This is German grip

Next, I'll introduce the regular grip (traditional grip). How to have is difficult a little. First, thumb and index finger's base of finger tuck tenaciously next, put on medical finger's between first arthro and second arthro finally, index finger and middle finger append lightly. This video uses from Sacha K's video.

Next, I want to talk about the "stroke". Stroke is how you beat (hit) the drum. There are various types of strokes, including full stroke, tap, down stroke and up stroke for a total of 4 types. This rendition uses with rebound and hit. It is used hit and what not in mosso tempo mainly. Tap is bridging dynamic between accent. The down stroke is the basic style for drums in a marching band. But when you pull the stick down, you don't hold the stick too firmly, because the first down stroke shoad hit strongly and then hit weakly on the rebound. If we hold the stick too strongly, we can't hit the next sound. The up stroke is often used in concert bands. We can express the percussion with a rendition in light touch, but it's not well suited for mosso tempo.

This picture is about stroke.

I have to announce that I'll take a break making this blog. I'll post my next blog in April or May. 

Thank you for checking my blog.

Bye for now.

Shunya Miwa

 

   

Comic

Hi, everyone. I made comic about related my blogs.
If you have free time, please take a look. I'm terribly sorry, I couldn't write interesting comic. But, I hope if you like it.  

This is my comic. I made it by myself.

About 'Electronic drums'

I introduced famous and popular drummers from my 3rd post to my 5th post in my blog. I'll talk about a little different topic this time. This time's topic is 'Electronic drums'.
Did you notice? I introduced it a little in the last post. If you want to see this post, please check it out!! Introduction-of-famous-drummers-part 3
Electronic drum is made sound with electronic processing when you play. You can connect to an amplifier, speaker or headphones. There are different from 'acoustic drums or real drums'. There are various kinds of electronic drums.. For example, synthesizer drums or not synthesizer drums.


This is electronic drums.




 These are real drums.

When we play electronic drums, we can set the drum sound and also we can make interesting sounds. For example, we can make the sound of a gun, a human laugh or a footstep sound.
Electronic drums were introduced at the end of the 1970's in the world. The first in the world were SYN-DRUMS Pollard by the company (USA). They were used for techno-pop mainly.

This is SYN-DRUMS.

In 1978, Toyo musical instrument company (in Japan) released ULT-SOUND. This musical instrument is similar to SYN-DRUMS. This machine was called synthesizer drums in those days.

This is ULT-SOUND.

At the beginning of the 1980's, Simmons company (the UK) developed an epoch‐making thing. This musical instrument's epoch‐making thing is its shape. The shape is hexagon. Thanks to this shape, it was known widely and boomed in this period. The shape was same as the present form from this era. In those days, it was about 100 million yen for the first model.

Simmons's electronic drums. It's very novel, isn't it?



In middle of the 1980's, various makers developed and announced electronic drums with various approaches inside of Japan, but Electronic drums were inaccessible for amateur drummers, so each company retired by the end of the 1980's.
Roland and YAMAHA developed a high quality sound module and kept the sense of playing real drums. This era's electronic drums got good evaluations from amateur drummers, and its use by drummers increased from this era.

This is V-Drum.

In 1997, Roland released a news electronic drum material. We call it the V-Drum. It is made from mesh head. What is mesh head? Mesh head is lapped material of two pieces of mesh texture materials.

I don't recommend electronic drums, because if you don't practice playing real drums, you can't learn drum's expression. If you want to play real drums, please practice both real drums and electronic drums. Electronic drums can cheat for poor playing drummers. If you want to play the drums well, you ha better not use electronic drums. However, they have some advantages, such as the ability to we can set interesting sounds and so on.

Thank you for checking my post!!    



        





Introduction of Famous Drummers Part 3







This is Akira Jimbo.

Hi, again! Last time, I introduced Tico Trres. I'll introduce a famous and respected drummer this time, too. This person is... Akira Jimbo. Akira Jimbo is a famous Japanese drummer. He is from Tokyo. In 1980, he joined Cassiopeia a fusion band, while he was in college. In those days, he was 20 years old. He was in this band from 1980 to 1989, but he rejoined Cassiopeia as a supporting member from 1997.

His presence attracts listeners, amateur drummers and professional drummers, both Japanese and foreign. Whatever sound appears on a score, he can play each sound. His technique is like Senzyukannon (Thousand-armed Kannon). Actually, he is called Jyutte kannon (Ten-armed Kanon). Because he plays like it's not only him playing. Jimbo has used YAMAHA drums since his debut. He took part in development of electric drums as a demonstrator. He has used MIDI (Drums Trigger System) since the early 1990's. Akira can play the drums while playing melody part and bass part on MIDI solo performance at same time. The solo performance is called one-man orchestra. In 2000's, His playing style was known only by his fans. He has taught at Kunitachi College of Music as a visiting professor with a jazz specialization since 2011, and he has appeared on band contests on TV shows as a judge from 2012.
His appeal is using normal drums with electron drums (MIDI). I explained MIDI (Drums Trigger System). More talk about MIDI. MIDI (Drums Trigger System) is made by YAMAHA originally in beginning of 1990's. The system is First, pasted cartrige and electronic drum pads connect each part of drums. When you beat each part of the drum, you can hear the set sound. But a one-man orchestra is so difficult, because we can set the order of intervals, so the machine doesn't beat the sound automatically. The other reason, we have to acquire perfectly about where I beat part, how many times and where I beat it, how I beat right order. We need to set short tones and long tones. So he is so awesome!!



This is MIDI (electron drums, Drums Trigger System)

I found Akira's drum set and gear. This is the URL. Please take a look. In 1999, he was chosen by Reader Poll Most Popular Drummer of the UK drum magazine "RHYTHM MAGAZINE". In 2000, He was chosen as the most accomplished drummer by American magazine, and he was featured on the main story in "MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE". The feature was more than 10 pages. He talked about what the drums mean to him and why he chose YAMAHA's drums. He said, " My Drum set is my irreplaceable space, and I have used YAMAHA's drums for a long time, I feel deeply 'my body extends is to my drums' ". When I sit and beat just one sound, I have passion in my mind. YAMAHA's drums always say 'Have fun more freely' to me.
Last, I'll show you two videos. The top left side video is a famous song of Cassiopeia the song title is 'Asayake'. The bottom right video is Akira's one-man performance video. The song is 007's theme song from Mission Impossible. He is so cool and marvelous!!



Introduction of Famous Drummers Part 2

Hello, everyone! I introduced Chad Smith last time. This time, I'll introduce a famous and respected drummer, too. This person is ... Tico Torres!! His full name is Hector Samuel Juan "Tico" Torres.

This is Tico Torres and he is so cool.



This picture was painted by Tico Torres.
It's so beautiful!

He is a drummer for Bon Jovi and also he is known as a painter and designer. I like his designs. He is from New York, NY, USA. His nickname is 'The Hit Man' because he knows well how to treat women. And also the Bon Jovi members call him 'The King of Cuba'. Torres began to play the guitar from 11 years old. He wanted to be a DJ, but turned to drums. He became a professional drummer at just seventeen years old. In 1983, he joined Bon Jovi as a drummer. His playing style is not showy, but he has steadiness and a wonderful technique. He used to use the Pearl drums, but he signed with Drum Workshop to promote their drums and now he uses Paiste cymbals from 2013. As I explained before, he is known as a painter and designer. He sometimes holds one-man exhibitions and he released a brand of children's clothes. The brand neme is 'Rock Star Baby'. I found the URL for Rock Star Baby. If you are interested in this product line, please take a look. The video below is his drum solo. Please take a look! He is so cool!!

He had surgery twice because of appendicitis doing a concert tour the band. Members worried about him. Why do I know that? Because Bon Jovi always thought he was important, and kind was to him. In return, he has passion for them. When he was hospitalized in Mexico, he said, 'I thought I was so lucky to be in one of the most popular bands in the world.'
He joined charity event with Nicko McBrain in 2015 in Florida and this charity is called the Classic Rock & Roll Party. The charity's purpose is to save children from domestic violence. Nicko is a member of IRON MAIDEN. He is a drummer, too. They performed double drums. This video is from the charity's permance. They're wonderful.

Jon said to Tico,'Tico grew up us. He said "I 've been looking at your back for 20 years, so I must like you. Thank you for always pulling, pushing me and for letting me be in this big band." When I saw this script, I was so impressed.
He made a deep comment. 'If the guitar or bass's rhythm breaks down a little, the drums can pull back the rhythm, but if the drums's rhythm gets into a bad state, the whole band will break down. So, I can never be relaxed at my gigs.' He is sooo cool!!



Introduction of Famous Drummers Part 1

Last time, I introduced how to play the drums but, today's topic is different.

In this time's post, I'll introduce a famous and respected drummer. It's... Chad Smith!!


Chad Smith

As you probably know, he is a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His full name is Chadwick Gaylord Smith. He was born in Richfield, Minnesota on October 25, 1961. He was chosen for the list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music in May 2013. He passed the audition of Red Hot Chili Peppers's drummer in 1989 when Jack Irons quit so, he became the 5th Red Hot Chili Peppers's drummer. His playing style is powerful, but groovy and stable. A lot of drummers have been influenced by him. He always uses Pearl drums, but he is particular about his snare drum when he plays the drums. He published 2 videos on the rules teaching about drums. This video is his drums solo in 2013. Please take a look!!

People said he looked similar to Will Ferrell for a long time. Will Ferrell is a comedian actor. They look like twins. According to one theory, they are twin brothers separated at birth. 


The left side is Chad Smith, the right side is Will Ferrell
Certainly, they're similar 

Suddenly, they began a drum battle in 2014. Beginning of things is SMS. Will spoofed Chad then, Chad was angry and he said, " I'm Chad. Stop spoofing me! Perhaps I should say, You want to do a thing. It's drums battle you and I !! I know you don't have drums skill anyway, do it." This video is interesting and funny!
Don't miss this historical moment!!

Drum scores and rhythm patterns

Welcome back to my blog! I'm so glad you came to check my blog!!

This time, I'm going to talk about how to read drum scores and how to play drum rhythm patterns. First, the image below is a drum score. These are percussion symbols. Actually, the symbols have various meanings, so it's a little difficult for beginners. I'll introduce the basic drum symbols.



Basic drums signs

The image is easy and basic to play drums. Are you clear? This chart shows which symbols represent which percussion instrument. Instruments with a high tone are at the top of the staff (cymbals), while low tone instruments, such as the bass drums, are at the bottom. Also, cymbals are usually shown with an 'x'.

Next, I'll show some rhythm patterns and videos. First, the basic drum rhythm pattern is 8 beats to a measure. This rhythm pattern is used on the hi-hat cymbal and ride cymbal. There are 8 beats in a measure, but 8 beats have variations. As you know, they are a little different. I found a video showing how to play 8 beat's so check it out!! Are you OK until here? I use Jared Falk's video.

 

Next, I'll show a video with 4 beat's in a measure. It is easier than 8 beats. This rhythm pattern uses the hi-hat cymbal and a ride cymbal. There are 4 beats in a measure, but 4 beats have variations. Are you OK until here? I use Shaun Schaefer's video.

Next, I'll show a video about opening and closing the hi-hat cymbal in a rhythm pattern. It is more difficult than the simple 8 beat pattern. This rhythm pattern uses only the hi-hat cymbal. I use Jared Falk's video.

Last, I'll show a video with a 16 beat rhythm pattern. It is the most difficult all of rhythm patterns. This rhythm pattern uses only the hi-hat cymbal. Are you OK until here?  I use Jared Falk's video. 

PLEASE keep on practicing!! If you practice many times, you can do it!!

Thank you for checking my blog this time, too. I hope to see you again.

Typical drums set

Drums set

Now, I'll write something immediately. My first post is a description of the typical modern drums set. I'll introduce the name of drums and the function of each part.

Hi-hat cymbal

 This is the hi-hat cymbal. The hi-hat is used when we beat rhythm. This cymbal has an unusual style. When we play the drums, most times it's closed. However, we play it open sometimes. 

Ride cymbal

This is the ride cymbal. The ride cymbal can beat the same rhythm, but the cymbal is a little different than the hi-hat cymbal. The hi-hat cymbal can open and close, but the ride symbal can't open and close.


















This is the crash cymbal. This cymbal is used between sections or when we need strong stress.

Crash cymbal

Snare drum

This is the snare drum. We use this drum when we beat the rhythm or as a fill in. Fill in means a short lick that fills in the gaps.

Rack toms

These are rack toms. Rack toms are split into 1st tom and 2nd tom. We call these toms high tom low tom. The function of these drums is mainly to fill in gaps.














This is the floor tom. The function of this drum is the same as rack toms.


















This is the bass drum. This drum is always used to beat rhythm. Bass drum has different playing styles. We can play with single pedal or twin pedal.

Bass drum

 

Twin pedal

Actually, drums have many various instruments as an option. For instance, there are China cymbals, splash cymbals, cow bells, and so on.

Thank you for checking my blog!! Don't miss the next post!!!!