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Pennsylvania
/Alaina, Brian, Bryan, and Chanell rehearsing in Pittsburgh
Usually I'm kind of anti-PA, not because of anything that state has or doesn't have to offer, but simply because - despite being the 33rd largest state by area - it takes FOR-EVER to drive through when heading anywhere west of NYC.
However, this weekend in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh with PitchBlak were simply off the chain! Pittsburgh particularly turned up hard. Our host there had the brilliant idea of letting us rehearse at his house Sunday morning instead of rehearing in Brooklyn that night after a seven hour drive. Best idea ever.
Another Day of Busking in Prospect Park
/Hashtag has turned into a real banger!
Saturday, May 3
/I had one of the most exhausting days in a long time this past Saturday. PitchBlak played three sets throughout the day at Kickstarter's extremely hip block party, followed by an hour and a half set at Barbes. Here's a sweet pic from the block party via Kickstarter's Instragram. Check out this sweet video clip too:
That's a wrap: Fiddler on the Roof
/
Had a nice time playing Fiddler for the Dwight School. Sting's son ran lights and apparently the bass man himself was in the house for the last show! Here's a pic of my set up. Due to space and budget restrictions, I programmed all of the mallet and timpani parts on my Roland SPD-SX. That machine never ceases to amaze me!
A beautiful day for busking!
/Here's yesterday's view from Prospect park with PitchBlak. I love the kid in the background that looks simultaneously intrigued and skeptical.
On the Migration of Drums: A photo essay in 3 parts
/or, "This is why you should've played the flute."
Practice tips: iPod Shuffle
/
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.)
************
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.