On the Migration of Drums: A photo essay in 3 parts
/or, "This is why you should've played the flute."
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Practice tips: iPod Shuffle
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So I was out of town at my parents' place in Maryland over the weekend and upon returning to NYC Monday night, I realized I hadn't picked up a drum stick for almost five days! I just wanted to play. No grooves to build, no music to study, no licks learn, just play.
It was a little late to call friends for a jam session, but who needs friends when you have access to hundreds of top tier musicians on your iPod (actually, there's nothing better than playing with real, live human beings!)? So I got out my iPod (err, iPhone), hit shuffle, and played a long to whatever it threw at me. Here's what came up (yes, my iPod is Phish heavy...):
Phish - Bouncing Around the Room (A simple, basic Latin groove that never changes. Can you stay as steady as Jon Fishman for the entirety of the tune?)
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (I tried to play all the percussion parts with the drum set part. Pretty doable!)
Phish - Round Room (How many ways can you play a pattern of nine and still fit within a song?)
Radiohead - Morning Bell (The 5/4 version from Kid A)
Phish - My Mind's Got a Mind of Its Own (Traditional bluegrass number played here by Phish. Again with the steady-as-Fishman bit.)
Steely Dan - Rikki Don't Lost That Number (typical Steely Dan studio perfection with Jim Gordon on drums.)
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Suddenly it was 10pm (quitting time at my apartment) and I was feeling much better after getting to hit some drums. Always keep it fun! If it's not fun, why bother?
Jasper in Deadland
/I had a blast subbing for three performances of Jasper in Deadland. Thanks to Jeremy Yaddaw for the opportunity. His kit (pictured) looks and sounds amazing!
Tonight: Trumpet Grrrl in Greenpoint
/Come through if you're in the hood. We play at 10pm. Several other bands, cheap beer, and really, really great art.
Melanie Brook & Robin de Jesus - "When You're Home"
/Here's a clip from Melanie Brook's 54 Below show, "When You're Home," from Lin Manuel-Miranda's In the Heights.
On the Horizon: 54 Below with Melanie Brook
/Looking forward to playing with winner of "The Callback," Melanie Brook on Tuesday at 54 Below. Broadway World ran a little preview about the show. Check it out here and perhaps I'll see you Tuesday!
Baltimore! We Partyin!
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Baltimore was LIVE this weekend! Such a great time playing at Soundstage. Before the show we had some pizza at Joe Squared and afterwards we stopped by Brewer's Art for some tasty brews. The next day we stopped at Lost City Diner to #juiceup before heading back to NYC. It was a very Baltimore weekend and I can't wait to get back. Here we are with the legendary Kermit Ruffins after the show.
Southbound
/PitchBlak is about to take the road for our longest run of shows yet. Do you live in any of these cities? I always love meeting new people in new places, so let's hang!