Posted by fiddlepogo on Sunday, September 15, 2013
I have access to a decent drumset, and I even bought some closeout drumsticks for $3.00!
It's good cardiovascular exercise, and when I practice fiddle after practicing drums, both my bowing AND my foot tapping are on STEROIDS. It's also something I can do even if my fingers give me trouble.
And tonight... I was doing this gig for an old friend that got engaged. She happens to be a drummer, and I mentioned that I've decided to take up drums.... well, one of the invitees tonight had heard her mention that, and decided to give me some drums.
It's not a complete set... and most of the parts are First Act.... which is the kind you get for kids for their first set!
There a First Act high hat, a First Act snare, a First Act floor tom,
and a larger, higher quality snare that I haven't figured out the brand of yet.
(Edit- it's an ancient Ludwig with slightly corroded plating, but I think it will probably sound good- but that has to wait- the wife is so hypersensitive due to fibromyalgia that she couldn't stand two or three gentle steps on the high-hat, and a couple of finger taps on the floor tom!)
And three brand new pairs of sticks.
Missing:
bass drum and beater, cymbals and stands.
I don't see me becoming a rock drummer. I want to develop a super light touch and be able to play gigs that rock drummers CAN'T.
I saw a local musician sit in with another band as a drummer- and he did something I'd never seen before... he had a bass drum beater rigged up to strike the BOTTOM of the floor tom. If I could do that, I might be able to do entirely without the bass drum.
I also saw the band Daisy Mayhem a couple of years ago, and the drummer for his bass drum, the drummer was using a...
Samsonite suitcase!!! Sounded cool! So that might be a possibility!
I'm also really fond of the high hat in general, so I don't know if I will really miss the other cymbals much, but I may upgrade the cymbals on the high hat if that's feasible... the First Act ones are REALLY cheesy!
The gig was interesting too- guests from about 55 to at least 83, and they really seemed to enjoy my fiddling, clawhammer banjo playing and singing with the baritone uke. One lady grew up in Virginia, and really liked my playing, and it turns out I've jammed with her son! Also, many of the attendees were square dancers, so the fiddling was a good fit for them too.
8 comments on “A New Venture for Pogo- I've decided to take up DRUMMING!”
OTJunky Says:
Sunday, September 15, 2013 @2:45:07 AM
paradiddle & flamaddidle....
--OTJ
fiddlepogo Says:
Sunday, September 15, 2013 @8:31:26 PM
I thought it was flamicue!
fiddleiphile Says:
Sunday, September 15, 2013 @8:46:21 PM
Most of the new bass drum pedals have adjustable angles for the beater and can be set up to use under a floor tom. You might want to invest in a set of brushes to keep your neighbors from setting fire to you and your drums. Sound very cool too! Look for a set with a sliding handle that adjusts fan and stiffness of the brush. You can do a lot of drumming with a set of hats and a snare and a floor tom with a pedal. A 20" ride cymbal would round out the set nicely.
OTJunky Says:
Monday, September 16, 2013 @2:33:19 AM
Hmmm - maybe there is a flamicue, but I seem to remember a flamadiddle from my high school band days.
Anyhow, now you can invent a syncho-diddle... ;-)
--OTJ
fiddlepogo Says:
Monday, September 16, 2013 @11:08:41 AM
I'll have to check into that fiddleiphile!
Brushes will probably be included- I think it's a cool sound.
But very little drumming will be done at home, I fear- the wife is WAY too sensitive.
Drum set set up in a storage unit is much more likely.
I don't know about the name, but I AM very eager to learn the rhythmic equivalent of a Syncoshuffle, yes indeedy!
Humbled by this instrument Says:
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 @6:34:05 AM
"I decided to take up drumming"...and now I need to find a new place to live....
fiddlepogo Says:
Friday, September 20, 2013 @8:28:19 PM
I have access to one drumset...
and the set I'm putting together is going into the mini-storage.
And I'm going to move that to a place closer to where I live so I can practice there.
fiddlepogo Says:
Friday, September 20, 2013 @8:30:14 PM
I actually did just a little drumming around the wife, and she was surprised at how quietly I COULD do it.
And that IS a major goal of mine... to be able to drum at a very low volume level.
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