This really should be listed as "funny clothes I have worn on a gig." Besides styles that have changed over the years such as giant velvet bow ties, ruffled tuxedo shirts and bell bottom tuxedo slacks, I have had my share of clown suits worn on gigs.
One of the first I can remember wearing was a green army jacket with a green and gold shoulder cords on the left epaulet. We were a polka trio named the "Golden Emeralds". Clever wouldn't you say?
I was a young drummer of 14 playing with high school seniors. We had to wear red sleeveless 3 button sweaters. We looked like the Osmonds.
One leader didn't have us wearing anything funny but he made name tags for us. They had the name of the orchestra, my name , and my instrument (drums) under my name. Don't know why but I got paid well. I guess he was going for that restaurant waiter look that was so in back then.
I worked in a night club with a lead singer who thought it would be funny if he sang the song "Baby Face" while I wore a gorilla mask. He probably stole the idea from Tony Bennett.
Same band, same leader...he bought us blue woven knit Eisenhower jackets and slacks. The pants had no zipper or pockets. Thankfully I was much thinner back then. I was told these puppies were "professional" stage wear.
Yes... I have worn lederhosen on a gig and I am most proud.
I have also worn a powder blue dinner jacket!
Oh yeah...almost forgot. I once had a gig at 7:30 in the morning where the band was to march in and disrupt a corporate sales meeting in Silicon Valley. I was instructed not to shave, wash or comb my hair, and to wear a bathrobe with long black socks and house slippers. I added a lit cigar for a classy look. The look on the faces of the poor shlubs in the meeting was priceless.
Cowboy hats, boots, Nehru jackets, vests, bowler hats, lighted bow ties...ah...good times my friend...good times. Actually, now that I think about it, I have never been asked to wear a clown suit!
cn
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
October Birthdays
October 3, 1962 Tommy Lee
October 7, 1953 Tico Torres
October 11, 1936 Billy Higgins
October 25, 1924 Earl Palmer
October 25, 1962 Chad Smith
October 26, 1938 John "Jabo" Starks
October 26, 1976 Aaron Spears
October 30, 1951 Trilok Gurtu
October 31, 1939 John Guerin
October 17, 1909 Cozy Cole
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What Key?
My Bass player John and I were hired many many years ago to play with an "established" group who needed bass and drums. The gig was in Morgan Hill for a Christmas party at a rather large restaurant. Now I was fairly new to the Bay Area and while I had heard of Morgan Hill, I really didn't know where it was. This, mind you was well before Google, Mapquest, and certainly GPS.
For instructions I was told "oh it is just past Los Gatos." Now I knew Los Gatos and had played there...but if you're not from the Bay Area, Morgan Hill is about 30 miles "just past" Los Gatos my friend.
I knew I was in trouble when I was on US 101 and saw signs listing the miles to Los Angeles. I had never ever been late for a performance. These were pre-cell phone days...no one to call. To make matters worse, this was a newly built restaurant in a new development so far off the beaten track at the time, that there were very few street lights, signs, or landmarks. I swear I thought I saw tumbleweeds roll in front of my car. It begins to rain. Not Good.
I finally roll up to the venue five minutes before downbeat and was greeted by John and the two dopes who hired me and gave me directions. They promptly grabbed my tubs and brought them in while I parked. John started setting up my drums (God bless him).
I ran inside. The trio was playing while I finished the set up. All told I managed to set a record for setup and was only about five or six minutes late as I didn't bother with my toms or cymbals and just went with snare, bass, and hi hat (until the next break).
OK....Cool. You have to realize that I was ticked with myself as well as the contractor and everyone attending the event. Once I am settled in, I start getting the "lay of the room" and noticed that the restaurant was not finished being built yet. Still needed paint, they were understaffed, the room was too small for the amount of people, and of course it goes without saying that the stage area for the band was way too small even for this quartet. There were unfinished windows and open to the outside. Oh yeah...did I mention it was Christmas time? Even in California it gets cold in December. The furnace was not operable yet and I swear you could see your breath.
So here we are in tuxedos I'm wearing a muffler, and John put on an overcoat. Besides our playing skills, John and I were also hired because we were vocalists. Cold air is not good for singers.
The "leader" and his piano playing partner didn't really have a book or a playlist. Before every tune the conversation went like this: " so...what tune do you want to do next?...I don't know...how about A Foggy Day?...naw...let's do that later...how 'bout On A Clear Day? ...yeah ok
C? ...no...Bb....Cary...John do you sing that one? ...yeah I do but in F...well Ok then ...let's play it in F....wait...Concert F? yep. how fast do you want to take it...oh I don't know...about here...1...2...1-2-3-4. From the head or an intro?...oh yeah let's do the last eight bars as an intro.
hey...why couldn't we do A Foggy Day?... it's the same tempo."
It went like that ALL NIGHT!
I got paid (not enough) and went home talking to myself and pounding the steering wheel the entire way. It was still raining. Sheesh!
cn
For instructions I was told "oh it is just past Los Gatos." Now I knew Los Gatos and had played there...but if you're not from the Bay Area, Morgan Hill is about 30 miles "just past" Los Gatos my friend.
I knew I was in trouble when I was on US 101 and saw signs listing the miles to Los Angeles. I had never ever been late for a performance. These were pre-cell phone days...no one to call. To make matters worse, this was a newly built restaurant in a new development so far off the beaten track at the time, that there were very few street lights, signs, or landmarks. I swear I thought I saw tumbleweeds roll in front of my car. It begins to rain. Not Good.
I finally roll up to the venue five minutes before downbeat and was greeted by John and the two dopes who hired me and gave me directions. They promptly grabbed my tubs and brought them in while I parked. John started setting up my drums (God bless him).
I ran inside. The trio was playing while I finished the set up. All told I managed to set a record for setup and was only about five or six minutes late as I didn't bother with my toms or cymbals and just went with snare, bass, and hi hat (until the next break).
OK....Cool. You have to realize that I was ticked with myself as well as the contractor and everyone attending the event. Once I am settled in, I start getting the "lay of the room" and noticed that the restaurant was not finished being built yet. Still needed paint, they were understaffed, the room was too small for the amount of people, and of course it goes without saying that the stage area for the band was way too small even for this quartet. There were unfinished windows and open to the outside. Oh yeah...did I mention it was Christmas time? Even in California it gets cold in December. The furnace was not operable yet and I swear you could see your breath.
So here we are in tuxedos I'm wearing a muffler, and John put on an overcoat. Besides our playing skills, John and I were also hired because we were vocalists. Cold air is not good for singers.
The "leader" and his piano playing partner didn't really have a book or a playlist. Before every tune the conversation went like this: " so...what tune do you want to do next?...I don't know...how about A Foggy Day?...naw...let's do that later...how 'bout On A Clear Day? ...yeah ok
C? ...no...Bb....Cary...John do you sing that one? ...yeah I do but in F...well Ok then ...let's play it in F....wait...Concert F? yep. how fast do you want to take it...oh I don't know...about here...1...2...1-2-3-4. From the head or an intro?...oh yeah let's do the last eight bars as an intro.
hey...why couldn't we do A Foggy Day?... it's the same tempo."
It went like that ALL NIGHT!
I got paid (not enough) and went home talking to myself and pounding the steering wheel the entire way. It was still raining. Sheesh!
cn
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Things To Bring With You
Assuming that you have the right clothes, directions, and times for your performance, what else do you need to bring? I always bring an extra music stand, stand light, pencil, and extra sticks/mallets. In addition I have some tools such as a pliers and wrench, especially if I am playing congas and bongos, snare string ties, extra drum heads, drum key of course, and an extra strap for my bass pedal if I am on set. While I don't like to bring anything I don't need to a performance (we have enough to carry!), I want to make sure I am covered in an emergency.
cn
cn
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
September Birthdays
Brad Wilk: Rage Against The Machine and Audio Slave. 9/5/68
Buddy Miles: Ink Spots and Jimi Hendrix Experience. 9/5/47Elvin Jones with John Coltrane. 9/9/27
Rush's Neil Peart. 9/12/52
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Do We Need Cases?
Trumpet players, clarinet players, and even piccolo players have cases for their instruments. Why is it then, that many drummers don't think they need cases? Trust me...as soon as you bring your tubs to a rehearsal or your first gig, it will sink in quickly (usually in-between the 6th and 7th trip from the car) why you need cases.
Cases can be expensive with prices as high (in some instances) as your drumset and cymbals. That's what makes the decision so tough when you get your first set. You've just spent a fortune on drums, cymbals and a throne, and now you have to buy cases? If you want to save the look and condition of your equipment AND your back, the answer is "yes".
Now I am old school and use a fiberboard rolling trap case on wheels. It has handles on the side and top for lifting into and out of the car. In it I store my snare stand, hi hat stand, three cymbal stands, throne, tambourine, cowbell, hi hat cymbals, a single bass drum pedal, extra sticks,brushes, & mallets, microphone cables and my microphone in a hard and padded case. I also have fiber cases for my snare, two toms, a bag for my cymbals, and a padded case for my double pedal. I mentioned "old school" earlier and have to say that my stands, while professional, are flat based, lighter in weight, and fold up small. That's important. Double braced stands are heavier and too big for a trap case of this sort.
Ready? I put the bass drum on top of the trap case and roll it into the venue. I go back to the van and use a Rock and Roller cart to load the toms, snare , cymbals, stick bag, double pedal, and microphone stand. That's it...two trips. Done. Finito. And my equipment looks shiny and not scratched. How are you moving your drums?
Cases can be expensive with prices as high (in some instances) as your drumset and cymbals. That's what makes the decision so tough when you get your first set. You've just spent a fortune on drums, cymbals and a throne, and now you have to buy cases? If you want to save the look and condition of your equipment AND your back, the answer is "yes".
Now I am old school and use a fiberboard rolling trap case on wheels. It has handles on the side and top for lifting into and out of the car. In it I store my snare stand, hi hat stand, three cymbal stands, throne, tambourine, cowbell, hi hat cymbals, a single bass drum pedal, extra sticks,brushes, & mallets, microphone cables and my microphone in a hard and padded case. I also have fiber cases for my snare, two toms, a bag for my cymbals, and a padded case for my double pedal. I mentioned "old school" earlier and have to say that my stands, while professional, are flat based, lighter in weight, and fold up small. That's important. Double braced stands are heavier and too big for a trap case of this sort.
Ready? I put the bass drum on top of the trap case and roll it into the venue. I go back to the van and use a Rock and Roller cart to load the toms, snare , cymbals, stick bag, double pedal, and microphone stand. That's it...two trips. Done. Finito. And my equipment looks shiny and not scratched. How are you moving your drums?
Auditions
Trying out for various groups and ensembles requires different skill sets. I can't really address all of them here, but will try in future posts. Whether you are auditioning for a pop band, jazz band in school, symphonic band, orchestra, musical theater, college music department, praise band at church, or just a jam group on the weekend, there are some common approaches among these diverse groups.
Arrive to the audition early. Be dressed appropriately but comfortably. If you are trying out for a punk group, body piercings are acceptable. If your are trying out for a conservative ensemble with a music professor looking over your shoulder, you might want to consider removing visible body jewelry. Make sure you understand what equipment you will need to bring and what will be provided. If you are trying out for a pop band be sure to ask ahead of time for any recordings that the group has made and study them carefully. If the group is a "cover" band make sure you know what groups they are covering. If the group is a wedding band make sure you know what styles they will be playing (assume all styles from swing to rock to rhumba to ethnic). If you are playing excerpts, or notated solos, make sure you have multiple clean copies for the people or jury. BREATHE!
When the judge says "go ahead"...pause (briefly), take a breath (to calm you down a bit), and then go (on your own terms). In all cases the folks auditioning you know that you are nervous. People are different though. Some (most) will try to make you comfortable, but some want to see how you react under pressure and may be cool to you. Stay calm and act like you have done this many times.
cn
Arrive to the audition early. Be dressed appropriately but comfortably. If you are trying out for a punk group, body piercings are acceptable. If your are trying out for a conservative ensemble with a music professor looking over your shoulder, you might want to consider removing visible body jewelry. Make sure you understand what equipment you will need to bring and what will be provided. If you are trying out for a pop band be sure to ask ahead of time for any recordings that the group has made and study them carefully. If the group is a "cover" band make sure you know what groups they are covering. If the group is a wedding band make sure you know what styles they will be playing (assume all styles from swing to rock to rhumba to ethnic). If you are playing excerpts, or notated solos, make sure you have multiple clean copies for the people or jury. BREATHE!
When the judge says "go ahead"...pause (briefly), take a breath (to calm you down a bit), and then go (on your own terms). In all cases the folks auditioning you know that you are nervous. People are different though. Some (most) will try to make you comfortable, but some want to see how you react under pressure and may be cool to you. Stay calm and act like you have done this many times.
cn
Drumming On The Go!
Thanks to Fanny for sending this to me. Some Russians are very serious about their music and taking it with them on the go. (I guess they never heard of an ipod!) The front head looks like it could use some tuning. I don't know... but when I am on vacation, I usually just take a pair of sticks and a small pad. I may have to rethink this. These guys have nothing on the boys at Orange County Choppers. Whadia think... two or four stroke engine? I wonder if the port on the bass drum collects a lot of insects on the road? Well I guess they have to work those bugs out.
cn
What Do You Want To Talk About?
Well...what do you want to discuss? Snare drums? Cymbals? Recordings? Sticks? Musical Terms?
Maple vs Birch? Drumheads? Microphones? Thrones? Tuning? Mallets? Stickbags? Ensembles? Solos? Counting? Practicing?
cn
Maple vs Birch? Drumheads? Microphones? Thrones? Tuning? Mallets? Stickbags? Ensembles? Solos? Counting? Practicing?
cn
Monday, August 31, 2009
Weird Gigs I Have Played
Most people who have been playing as long as I have (stop giggling) have had their share of strange gigs. It comes with the territory of being "seasoned." One of my early ones was at the Hyatt House in Lincolnwood, Illinois. Now to begin with ...you have to know this hotel was painted purple, which should have been a tip off. Anyway...the people that booked this wedding overbooked the room, meaning there were too many people for the size of the room.
I was in a quartet in my fairly new tuxedo, giant velvet bow tie and ruffled shirt (this was the 60's after all) and set up before the leader arrived. It was obvious that there would not be enough room for the band. The leader arrived and saw the same thing. He was ticked. Not at me...but with the stupid situation. You see, union rules require a larger group of musicians for a larger room. If this had been in a larger room to accommodate all these noisy people it would have meant more money for the leader!
I did the only thing I could under the circumstances...I set up in one of the little hallways where the swinging doors were to and from the kitchen. Half in the room...half in the kitchen. Oh it was a fun night...let me tell ya! Got a lot of free food though!
cn
I was in a quartet in my fairly new tuxedo, giant velvet bow tie and ruffled shirt (this was the 60's after all) and set up before the leader arrived. It was obvious that there would not be enough room for the band. The leader arrived and saw the same thing. He was ticked. Not at me...but with the stupid situation. You see, union rules require a larger group of musicians for a larger room. If this had been in a larger room to accommodate all these noisy people it would have meant more money for the leader!
I did the only thing I could under the circumstances...I set up in one of the little hallways where the swinging doors were to and from the kitchen. Half in the room...half in the kitchen. Oh it was a fun night...let me tell ya! Got a lot of free food though!
cn
Practicing
Do I still practice? Yes! Practicing is a way of life for a musician. You can either look at it as one of those boring "chores" that you have to do, or you can approach it as a way of bettering your playing skills.
Playing percussion, I have to keep my chops up on set, snare, timpani, mallets, and congas. I also play piano which is an instrument with which I "relax".
So what do I practice? For starters let me say there is quantitative practicing where you work on things such as scales, rudiments, excerpts, patterns, and in the process attain accuracy and authority at various tempi. This builds your hands/feet, strength, and stamina. It also builds headroom into your performance playing. Headroom is the difference between a car that is built to go 140 miles an hour and is only being driven 65 miles an hour, and a car that can only go 65 miles per hour at its top speed. Both cars can go 65 but one is cruising while the other is overloaded, rattling, and about to fall apart in the process. If you always feel like the second car being overloaded when you perform, then you need to practice in this manner with a metronome to measure improvement.
Qualitative practicing deals with approaching the material on your music stand to better understand what the composer/arranger had in mind for the music. The nuance of the music. The dynamics of the piece. The tempo where the music starts to make sense and sound right. As an experiment...right now... sing Jingle bells very softly and very... very slowly. You will notice that while you may be getting the correct notes, you are probably not singing the song in the joyous, exuberant, and fun way James Pierpont intended. That's a huge difference. Get away from the notes and into the music.
More on practicing in another post.
cn
Playing percussion, I have to keep my chops up on set, snare, timpani, mallets, and congas. I also play piano which is an instrument with which I "relax".
So what do I practice? For starters let me say there is quantitative practicing where you work on things such as scales, rudiments, excerpts, patterns, and in the process attain accuracy and authority at various tempi. This builds your hands/feet, strength, and stamina. It also builds headroom into your performance playing. Headroom is the difference between a car that is built to go 140 miles an hour and is only being driven 65 miles an hour, and a car that can only go 65 miles per hour at its top speed. Both cars can go 65 but one is cruising while the other is overloaded, rattling, and about to fall apart in the process. If you always feel like the second car being overloaded when you perform, then you need to practice in this manner with a metronome to measure improvement.
Qualitative practicing deals with approaching the material on your music stand to better understand what the composer/arranger had in mind for the music. The nuance of the music. The dynamics of the piece. The tempo where the music starts to make sense and sound right. As an experiment...right now... sing Jingle bells very softly and very... very slowly. You will notice that while you may be getting the correct notes, you are probably not singing the song in the joyous, exuberant, and fun way James Pierpont intended. That's a huge difference. Get away from the notes and into the music.
More on practicing in another post.
cn
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