Last night saw another edition of Virtual Vinyl, which featured some recordings that you should check out. Twitch turned out to be a wonderful platform, and one which I’ll use more in the future.
You can view the stream here below.
Introducing: The Wednesday Throwdown
There is a new program offering here at grooveKSQ: The Wednesday Throwdown. This is a weekly short group workout focusing on building speed and endurance for your hands. All you need is your pad, a pair of sticks and your smart phone.
This program is delivered by Zoom, so click the links for the monthly pass or the weekly pass. If you stick with these sessions, your hand speed will greatly increase, I promise you. But you have to prepare and do the work.
**NOTE, this event is free to current drumset students, but email me for the materials.
Product Video: Evans Calftone Heads
We haven't posted a product video in quite awhile. This is an A/B comparison of Remo Coated Ambassadors and Evans 56 Calftones. Shot with an iPhone, using the onboard mic so you have a familiar sound on which to base your evaluation.
The next step is to do new batter side heads all around the kit and I will post some video of that very soon. Other things you should know: the drum kit is a Ludwig Legacy Classic, which is Ludwig's 1960s build: 3 ply maple/poplar/maple with a 30 degree rounded bearing edge.
As always, there is no payment or endorsement deal for any product that we feature, it is solely for informational purposes only.
All About the May grooveKSQ Schedule...
For a teaching studio and live events producer, the current crisis has presented some real challenges. Lessons have transitioned to an online format temporarily, as have some of our other events. Around this time of year, we are typically preparing for the student grooveFEST performances. Of course, these are tough decisions to make, but everyone’s safety comes first.
For the month of May, here is what is happening:
Rhythm & Words is postponed. This event was designed to be live, in front of an audience. To move this particular event online would do a disservice to the performers and to the audience. I absolutely LOVE this performance concept and it will happen, but it will be presented in its optimal format when the conditions allow.
grooveFEST is postponed. For the same reasons. The educational benefit to the students is from the experience of live performance. Moving that event online would likewise not serve its chief purpose - to educate (and celebrate) the students. As soon as we can hold that event live, we will. Stay tuned.
Tuesday Night Vinyl has become Virtual Vinyl. This is an example of an event that can be transitioned online and still accomplish most of its mission. There is no real substitute for having everyone in the same room, BUT, I think that going forward when live events can resume, we will keep a component of this where people can participate remotely. This month’s event is scheduled for Sunday, May 24th, 7:00pm via Zoom. Please email me for the login information. Good headphones highly recommended!!!
Thank you for your continued support, we will all get through this situation together.
Weekly grooveKSQ Challenge: Singles!!
There are a few things you need to do for fast (and smooth) single stroke rolls. A lot of younger players think that if you just blast the sticks down on to the playing surface as fast as you can. Wrong. That will sound like you barfed all over your drum. Gross. We definitely don’t want that.
The secret is this: 1) staying loose; 2) knowing when to switch your mechanics up (wrist vs. fingers, etc). and 3) keeping your check hand in time with whatever tempo you are playing at, whether just in your head or within an ensemble.
This exercise below will help you do all three things. Watch the video below for more explanation.
New Additions to the Spotify Playlist; Virtual Vinyl Update
This month’s Thursday Night Vinyl went virtual (hence, Virtual Vinyl, get it?). Using Zoom videoconferencing as a platform was somewhat of an experiment, but one that worked well. Next month, expect some refinements so I can deliver a better remote experience. Of course, the idea is to build a community with everyone in the same room, but we can only do our best under the circumstances we have.
New artists added to the playlist: Miles Davis, Tony Tixier, Buddy Rich and Joni Mitchell. You can check out the Virtual Vinyl Spotify playlist below. Enjoy and stay tuned for the next event Virtual Vinyl in May.