E-Mail I have received
August 29th, 2009 · E-Mail
Mr. Brownell,
I have started constructing my own stave shell for a snare drum I want to make. As I was looking on the internet for information on the best ways to construct stave shells, I came across your website and saw the phenomenal woodwork that you do. I saw the Tongue & Groove joints that you carve into your staves, and it immediately seemed to be the best joint for properly holding the shell together. I was hoping you could give me some tips and tricks on how to construct these grooves. Because I am only 17, I won't be able to invest very much money into making these joints, but I would like to know if it is even feasible for me to try. Thank You very much for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Gus Courtsunis
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E-Mail I have received
August 29th, 2009 · E-Mail
Hi!
I’m 24 years old wood artisan student from Finland. The institute of Crafts and
Design is located in Petajavesi Middle-FINLAND. I’m very interested in your drum
making methods and enthusiastic to learn create handcrafted drums. I’m also a
drummer, (for about 8 years) so I know something about drumming and the sounds of
the drum.
In my Institute there is a practical training period, which means that I’m learning
and working in the international training place for 8 weeks. The Institute is
willing to pay for my living and flights to the international workplace, so employer
would not have to pay me any wages.
My question is, are you willing or if possible that you would take me as a trainee
to your company in September 2009?
Yours
Akseli Maki from Finland
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Beat Of The Week
August 12th, 2009 · Beat Of The Week
Sixteenths and eighths on HH.
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Reading Music
August 10th, 2009 · Reading Music
I just updated the Beat Of The Week. It reminds me of when I took lessons years ago. I was always writing out exercises for myself to learn. It helps to learn these patterns. It will help with coordination and reading. It’s a good idea to write out your own exercises that way you will also improve your writing.
It will take some time to be able to write out this kind of exercise and sit down and play it. Keep working on it and you will always be improving. It’s a long slow process but reading will definitely make you a better musician. If you plan on being a professional player reading is very important and can open up opportunities for playing in different situations.
Remember you want to make a living as a musician so the more you know the better. There are a lot of musicians who are successful and don’t know how to read but you never know what kind of playing situation you will end up in so it’s a good Idea to keep your options open.
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April Wine Jerry Mercer
August 5th, 2009 · Drummers
I had the chance to meet Jerry Mercer years ago. I was performing at The Halifax School Of Music in Halifax Nova Scotia. Jerry was doing a clinic in the afternoon. We got there early and were rehearsing for our performance with a percussion group of students from Al Resks drum studio. Jerry showed up early and grabbed a cowbell and started playing along with us I thought that was great.
After our rehearsal was over Al Resk came over to me and said “Bud why don’t you take Jerry out to get some lunch”. I went over and asked Jerry if he needed a lift and he did. I was really into it because I had followed Jerry”s career since the early seventies. I had always admired Jerry”s playing.
So we go out to my car with a couple of other people and Jerry jumps in the back seat. I have to tell you I was driving down Spring Garden Road with a big smile on my face that day it felt very cool. I found a good restaurant and Jerry and his companion went in, we waited in the car and talked about Jerry. We had a couple of good laughs while waiting.
Jerry is the kind of guy who talks a lot so that was good. He talked about April Wine splitting up and he wasn’t happy with that. It’s nice to see they put their differences behind them and got back together. Jerry also talked about Roy Buchanan and the time he spent working with him in the recording studio.He found it frustrating trying to play with Roy it just wasn’t coming together for them. Jerry told us he would stay late in the studio and beat the piss out of his drums to get his frustrations out. We had a good laugh over that.
Later we got to check out Jerry’s clinic. He played an awesome solo and then answered questions from the audience. It was educational. Jerry does this one handed roll and I haven’t seen anyone do it the way he does, very smooth. We all had a good day and it was great to meet Jerry.
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Peter Magadini
July 28th, 2009 · Drummers
Back in 1987 I had a chance to meet Peter Magadini and have a private lesson from him. Peter was in Halifax for a drum symposium at the Halifax School Of Music. I got to check out Peters performance and it was really impressive. The next day I was to have a lesson from Peter with another student from Al Resks Drum Studio. When I got to the studio I found out the other student wasn’t coming so I got a private lesson from Peter. He sat down and played for me. I have to tell you he had a great feel. He kept it pretty simple and I just enjoyed seeing him play for a few minutes.
We then did some work out of his book called Learn To Play The Drum Set Book 2. I played some of the exercises out of the book and he gave me tips on how to get things to flow better. He wrote out some exercises for me to work on and gave me some pointers on what to work on out of his book. He checked out my playing and after the lesson we talked to Al Resk about it. Peter said I was a fast learner and my hands were OK. I found the lesson to be inspirational and really enjoyed it. Peter is a great player and author of some great drum books. He has definitely inspired a lot of drummers over the years.
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