okieshadow
How and where I Learned to Drum
'Twas back in nineteen hundred,
Just fifty years ago,
When first I heard the roll of drums,
And it set my heart aglow.
About eight-thirty in the evening,
If memory serves me right.
And 'twas a balmy August night,
In a little village called Moodus,
Just a country place remote,
Where ancient drumming reigned supreme,
And on history's page it's wrote;
Where rudiments were known as rules
And a piece was called a beat;
A soft pad used while learning,
Where one could not fake or cheat;
Where change-hands were not called shivers
Or a three stroke roll a ruff;
Where the men who taught this ancient art,
Were strict and knew their stuff;
Each blow was struck distinctly,
For a rebound did not go;
Each hand was raised to the shoulder,
With instructions thus and so;
Rhythm, time, and execution
Were drilled into the bone;
And a single drum made music,
When one chose to play alone.
They had a system too, quite unique,
Not found in any book,
'Twas the work of a great musician,
Named Dr. U.S.Cook.
Yes, the style was quite unique indeed,
But for all they did not boast,
And eighty years ago and more
'Twas the talk from coast to coast.
So this is where and how I learned to drum
Justly proud to say,
This mention made as a matter of fact,
In no conceited way.
Pete Mietzner,
Jan. 17, 1950
okieshadow
Playing well with others is important - not being too flashy, just keeping good time and of course coming up with cool beats. A good snare drum, kick drum, high hat. Just getting good at the hand feet coordination. Chad Smith
okieshadow
Playing along with records is key. And as far as equipment goes it has gotten so much more affordable and the drum sets are of great quality. I play Pearl; their Export Series is great for a beginner. Chad Smith
okieshadow
Once at the White House I was asked to conduct the Drum and Bugle Corp. The man just handed me the baton and I finished the song. It was great. I got to keep the baton. Dom DeLuise
