Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with drums

gift for drummer who has everything???

dublin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:06:13 -0800

Please help me find a noise making gift to give to a drummer. my husband is a professional drummer/percussionist who lives, breathes and eats music. he collects anything (and i mean ANYTHING) that makes noise and has literally put it to use. kitchen utensils, decorative metal bowls, children's toys, turkey calls. i would love to come up with something that would surprise him. he just bought himself wind wands, which i was mad about - that would have been the perfect unusual thing. does anyone have any suggestions? i know this is a crazy request. i am too uncreative to come up with anything. :(

Don't Wanna be an Idiot.

jhighmore — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:59:52 -0800

I have an interview at a "school of rock"-esque institution, which will require me to teach the song "American Idiot" by Green Day to a group of children. I have been playing guitar for years and years, and will be able to easily teach basslines. But drums is the problem. What's the best way to teach a drumline with no previous drum experience? Further info: The drummer that I have been assigned has been described as "advanced" (on a 1 - 3 scale). I am aware of "drum tabs"; would it be fine for me to print something like this off for him?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

more interesting beats than a metronome...

verisimilitude — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:44:23 -0800

Drum tracks. I want basic percussion only beats on mp3. Bored of listening to a metronome during saxophone practice.

Would like simple 3/4 and 4/4 beats to play along to. Doesn't have to be amazing music, just something that’s a bit more interesting than the constant click click click of a metronome.

Any more experienced musicians have tips on spicing up practice with a more interesting beat to play along with?

Does it make sense to learn the drums online?

seatofmypants — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:53:28 -0800

How do online drum lessons compare to taking lessons in person? Does it make sense money-wise if both cost about the same? I have some musical background and have been playing around with the drums since I was a teenager without any serious instruction or commitment.

I would like to start taking lessons and, in looking online, found a teacher in Canada who's style I really like. I live in NY.

This teacher gives lessons online for $50 a pop.

The way it works: He sends you an hour long video with instruction plus PDF's of written music. You do your homework and practice and then video yourself playing and send him the video. He comments and critiques. Rinse and repeat.

I can take lessons with someone local but he's not as qualified as the Canadian. Plus, as mentioned, I really like the Canadian teacher's style. The price difference is minor.

On the other hand, there is a certain urgency and push that a teacher can give that I don't thin can be transmitted online.

Anyone have any illuminating comments on this. If you have experience with learning another instrument online that would also be helpful.

Thanks much people. Happy holidays!

Recommendations for DJ samples/songs ala Fatboy Slim?

heatherfl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:30:56 -0800

My husband mixes dance music using Fruity Loops. I want to get him some CDs for Christmas for samples -- particularly stuff that sounds like Fatboy Slim. Help? I can buy loops already sampled or I can buy songs for that he can sample himself, it doesn't matter.

This song is a good overview of what FBS sounds like and what I'm looking for:
Mad Flava

There's a lot of retro sounding piano and brass, some funky bass/guitar, syncopated percussion, a bit of synth/electronica, and non-rap but rhythmically interesting vocals. If you're familiar with Fatboy Slim, you know what I mean!

FYI, I already got him "The Ultimate DJ Sample Box" which has actual Fatboy Slim samples. Just looking for supplemental goodies now.

So what should I get for him, music experts?

Thanks so much!

looking for drum instructor in dc

anya32 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:38:00 -0800

i'm looking for a drum teacher in washington, d.c. i've been taking lessons for about five months in san francisco, and am moving cross-country at the end of the month. i'm looking for a teacher who can help me continue my progress on a basic rock/acoustic kit, and would love to have someone who teaches me real (ie, not songs for little kids about bears, but radio playable) songs, as well as drumming skills. are there any specific teachers you can recommend, or schools? i'm leaving a totally rad teacher behind, who plays in a few bands and makes the lessons feel like i'm already playing drums like a pro, and not like a semi-beginner. thanks!

What's this beat style called?

theraflu — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:57:47 -0800

IANAMusician: The Libertines' song "Last Post on the Bugle" (in the intro) and "Pull Shapes" by the Pipettes (in the first verse) are examples of this beatbeat-beat rhythm that I keep hearing in songs that I like. My Google-fu has failed me; is there a name for this kind of beat? What other songs have it?

Help me play with my feet!

metajc — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:59:19 -0800

I play guitar with my hands and want to play beats with my feet. Can't figure out what kind of (digital) equipment I would need to accomplish this. I didn't get the idea from Bob Log III but he definitely inspired me push for it. I already fool around with a little bass drum and cymbal stand but it would be nice to be able to rig up some triggers (?) and a drum machine. Is that what I would need?

Any ideas for the fullest foot-powered percussion possible?

Finger-drumming for dumies?

lekvar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:03:23 -0800

Tips for finger-drumming? I have a Korg nanoPad and an Akai MPD-24, and I'm looking for tips, tricks and set-ups for using them to input drum patterns. I've skimmed some forums but I haven't found any solid advice for setups or techniques for drumming on those tiny pads. I'm not a drummer by training or inclination, but I would like to get better with beat-making.

Are there any setups or drum placements that are more conducive to finger-drumming? Should I be modeling my setup after a traditional drum setup?

Are there any exercises or rudiments for finger-drumming?

Are there any sites you've seen that focus on finger-drumming more exclusively than the Akai and Korg forums?

Are there finger-drumming best practices?

Is there a better term than "finger-drumming?"

Please suggest music for me to drum along to.

jalexc — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:36:30 -0800

Like many drummers, I enjoy playing along to music when I'm drumming. I'd appreciate your suggestions for interesting and challenging songs. I've been playing for 15 years and have a good enough level of technical proficiency that most music is accessible (but I have a small kit and am not looking for drum solos to memorize). I think there are two, somewhat contradictory, traits of a song that make it appealing to me:

1. There are some good, challenging fills or beats that I like playing note for note
2. The song is a good song to play around with by mixing up the beat and improvising. These songs are usually uptempo, have an odd time, or both.

Bands whose music I generally enjoy playing along with include Rush, Iron Maiden, Zep, Dismemberment Plan, Q and Not U, Ted Leo, and Elvin Jones-era Coltrane. I also like Jay-Z's Unplugged album, which had the Roots as his backing band. Although I love Squarepusher and Dillinger Escape Plan's drums, their songs are usually too fast/mechanical or require a double bass drum pedal.

I'm happy to provide specific songs from the above artists if that helps narrow it down, but didn't want this to get any longer. Thank you for any recommendations!

trashcan sinatra

Potomac Avenue — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:29:25 -0800

What crazy looking instruments can i build with a minimum of skill + resources and a maximum of WTF. i'm in a band playing keyboards, and sometimes i have nothing to do. tambourine and shakers are fine but sometimes i would like to make percussion noises like this:
BONG BANG BOMG BOOM

or sometimes I would like to make noises like this:

crashhhhh PING clang ttttttttcccchhhhhhhhhh AxAxAckAx riiiiiiiiitttchhhhhhhh
pppppsssssssss!

or sometimes maybe a little bit of eeeeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxxxxxCCVVVVViiiiiiiiiiiREOW! like a dying robot

Have you made strange percussion instruments? What did you do? Have you made traditional folk instruments in bizarre artistic shapes, or re-purposed regular household things to make amazing noises when you hit them together? Example: I used to play a big cardboard box with fly swatters-- it was beautiful.

Electronic suggestions are great too but i really dont know how to sauder or wire anything--but if you think of a toy or piece of electrical equipment that makes a crazy sound I'll take it.

Even if you haven't actually made them before please help me think of some new cheap but wild ideas out of your brain instead!

finally it'd be ideal if they are easy to transport and repair on the road.
anything i build i will obviously post pictures of them herein.

i thanks you and my adoring public thanks you in advance.

if you must know, yes i totally stole this idea from Drink Up Buttercup

Multitrack Recording, and also Drum Input

Maximian — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:19:03 -0800

I need some help upgrading a PC for better multitrack recording, and also selecting a decent piece of equipment for recording drum input. 1) I'm currently using an older PC for multitrack recording. It's a 1.2 GHz Athlon machine with 512M of RAM and an older soundcard (old Aureal vortex). It works ok (barely) for a few tracks, but the latency is troublesome (requires manual correction later) and has difficulty with more tracks. What would be the most economical way to upgrade this setup? Should I completely rebuild the machine, or would a higher-quality soundcard (maybe one with a separate processing unit / breakout box) be better? I can spend a little money (less than $1k, alas), but I could really use some help figuring out the most constructive way to upgrade here.

2) Is there a space-efficient way of doing realistic drum input? I hate every electronic interface to inputting drums I've ever tried, and as a former drummer I really feel like I need something tactile. The ideal solution for me would be a full drum kit with mics, but obviously that's expensive, takes up a lot of space, and has noise issues. If I'm not going to get actual drums, then I'd just need something I can hit that generates MIDI signals. Don't need or want a drum machine. Recommendations? The stuff I've seen in music stores (Roland V-Drums, etc) is extremely expensive and overfeatured.

Upbeat instrumental, piano or string music?

Andy's Gross Wart — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:15:41 -0800

Please help me find other songs that have a similar sound to the first 30 seconds of Vampire Weekend's M79. I am looking for upbeat, celebratory, instrumental music to use as background music for my brother's wedding video. I really like the combination of strings and drums in the Vampire Weekend song. I have found some of the Bela Fleck, Yo Yo Ma, Mark O'Connor, Joshua Bell and Edgar Meyer tunes that are close to what I am looking for:

Etienne Et Petunia - Appalachia Waltz

BT - Heartland: An Appalachian Anthology

1B - Heartland: An Appalachian Anthology

Brooklyn Rider - Brooklesca - is another tune that sounds similar.

Are there any other songs or musicians that are similar to the M79 introduction?

Is it possible to introduce my kid to NYC's musicians?

agentwills — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:46:40 -0800

NYC music filter: How can I find musicians who would be willing to let my kid hang with them? I’ve got a musical eight year old on my hands. I’m in Manhattan, which is an awesome place to raise a musical kid, and I feel like there’s this whole city of possible mentors for him that I just don’t know how to tap into. Other kids his age can’t keep up, and since he’s only 8 years old it’s not like he can go to open mic night. Nothing motivates him like playing with or being around musicians…but where to find them? I think he’d even be happy just sitting in on a rehearsal or something.

Before you file me under “crazy stage mother”, I’m really just looking for opportunities for him to be encouraged and for him to pursue his love of music (plays drums/piano, and composes/writes lyrics). We have a few resources that currently work and some we’ve tapped out, e.g. his school, our church, music camps, and of course his instructors.

I’m looking less for structured lessons (which he does take) and more for inclusion in that atmosphere with people who get him and he can really, really learn from just by being around them. Obviously safety is an issue so random Craigslist postings are completely out of the question.

Drum sets for newbies?

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:34:03 -0800

What should I know about buying a starter drum set? I would like to buy a starter drum set for my significant other. I am open to either electronic or non-electronic. Used or new. What should I be looking for? Which pieces are essential to learn on? Which brands are decent? Are there advantages to the electronic kind (I gather that noise is a big advantage -- I'm thinking these will go either in the basement or in a spare bedroom, is that even possible?) Is there anything else I should know? It's a surprise, and I have about 4 months to pull it off, if that matters....

Name-that-song filter: Trippy jungle drum / xylophone beat?

zenja72 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:01:58 -0800

Name-that-song-filter: I watched a high school play yesterday where a song I've heard before was used as the main theme music. I may have heard it previously in the context of binaural beats or "mind songs" or whatnot. It's entirely instrumental, although it is probably synthesized. Drums and a xylophone are used heavily, I think. I'd use words such as jungle and trippy to describe it. Thanks very much in advance!

Repetitive, riffy, drum driven songs

Bleusman — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:42:21 -0800

Suggest me some songs driven by drum riffs. I love songs that have a great percussion section, and those with repetitive drum riffs are some of my favorites from those. An idea of what I'm looking for would be Autolux's Turnstile Blues, or Morrissey's All You Need Is Me. Something with different sounding, repetitive drum riffs, and a couple of drum breaks to really get the feel of the beat. Is riff even the right word? Show me what you have!

My Control pad needs to be beat!

Asbestos McPinto — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:49:22 -0800

I recently purchased an Alesis Control pad off of Ebay, it works great but was missing the BFD-lite CD-ROM. I am looking for a free (shareware/donationware) program to use with this machine. I am running a Mac 10.3.9 with several different programs (Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Reason) and would prefer something VST based. After searching the archives, I looked at the Bluenoise site and My Drumset would be great but it's PC only.

Anybody have any suggestions/tips on programs?

8-year-olds, Dude.

Jon_Evil — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:55:13 -0800

What are some good rock songs that feature simple but distinctive drumming? My 8-year-old cousin just got a drum kit for Christmas, and he has some natural talent, and I want to encourage him as much as I can. I'm going to burn him a CD of songs to get him listening to different drumming styles and beats. I want him to hear how awesome people like Keith Moon and Bonzo and Levon Helm are, but I also want to have some songs that he can play along with relative ease. Also they need to be songs with lyrics that are appropriate for an 8-year-old.

My ulterior motive for this is so he can find a favorite band that isn't nickelback.

What's the deal with drums?

moonmilk — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:03:29 -0800

How does percussion work in rock & pop music? I can listen to the drum part in a song and appreciate that it sounds great, but I haven't got the slightest idea how they decide which bangy things to bang on and when. Why an accent here and not there? How'd they figure out when to repeat the same figure measure after measure and when to change it up? For that matter, I don't even know whether the percussion parts in rock & pop are generally improvised by the drummer or written by the songwriter or delivered by God.

I assume there must be underlying principles, traditions, schools-of-thought. Help me educate myself with recommendations for books or websites or your own insights! I don't need to become a drummer myself, I just want to understand this stuff to the basic level that I understand melody and harmony and chords and the like.

I saw a really cool ad for Fight Club featured on the awesome channel G4. What I am after is the soundtrack to that ad, does anyone know what it was? Or possibly where there are scores like it?

bostonhill — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:29 -0800

I saw a really cool ad for Fight Club featured on the awesome channel G4. What I am after is the soundtrack to that ad, does anyone know what it was? Or possibly where there are scores like it? It was basically a 30 second really intense drum beat. I know this is vague, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I must hear more of those Mad Men drums.

COBRA! — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:58:11 -0800

The drums in the Mad Men theme drive me, um, mad! Where can I get more? My wife and I are making our way though the first season of Mad Men on DVD, and I've fallen really hard for the part of the theme music when the drums kick in. What recordings feature similar drum sounds/textures?

Musicians in "Mixed Marriage"

swarkentien — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:45:12 -0800

My music theory professor challenged our class to identify a married couple where one plays the violin and the other the trumpet. His theory is that the personalities of violin and trumpet players clash. Can anyone name a prominent musical couple where one plays a bowed instrument and the other brass? I would imagine that a saxophone player or drummer would be equally incompatible with a string player.

Teach me how to unce unce

nitsuj — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:13:51 -0800

I want to learn, from a teacher face-to-face, to use the various tools in an electronic (as in "dance," including hip-hop) music producer's arsenal. Do classes/lessons exist? How about in Chicago? Drum machines, synthesizers, sequencers, samplers, etc -- you know the drill. I want to learn how to learn how to use these tools properly to create music.

I've used a number of different pieces of software that mimic popular pieces of hardware (Reason, for instance), but I really want to work hands-on with hardware, from a musician who knows how to use these instruments.

Do classes or lessons exist, like they do for guitar and other instruments? How about in the Chicago area? The Google isn't being very helpful in this department.

Rock Band Rocks my Wrists

GleepGlop — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:27:42 -0800

Drumming on Rock Band is killing my wrists. What should I do? I've had the game for less than 2 months and I've even taken a week off here and there to let my wrists heal up. In other words I am definitely not overplaying. I only play like 4 songs a session, maybe twice a day. I have however progressed rapidly to the difficult songs; I am halfway through expert mode. Songs like Reptilia with rapid beats really punish my forearms.
First I analyzed my lazy-ass playing style and fixed that: I was reclining in my office chair with my elbows in my lap and only moving my wrists. Now I perch on the end of my office chair and try to emphasize elbow joint movement.
My wrists are definitely tender beyond muscle soreness. I am only in this for fun so I am not willing to do elaborate stretching and massaging. I don't feel that I am unnaturally banging hard on the drums. I have looked up drumming technique and believe I am doing it as correctly as any casual drummer would.
I am thinking maybe I could get a wrist brace but I don't know. Any ideas?