Archive for February, 2009
There is a special feel that was born from the brass bands of New Orleans. It first emerged around the turn of the 20th century and eventually worked its way north, merging into other styles of music along the way. This is a groove that is neither triplet nor sixteenth note based. It's not straight funk and it's not totally swung. It's somewhere in between. It's a feel that's literally impossible to notate on sheet music and even harder to play.
[caption id="attachment_710" align="alignl...
Read More
Breaking news! ryangruss.com is now specially formatted for the iPhone and iTouch. Now you can get the latest loops while driving down the interstate, sitting in a meeting or even going to the bathroom. Hat tip rekkerd.org.
[caption id="attachment_687" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Mike Tyson checking in on the blog."][/caption]
...
Read More
[caption id="attachment_639" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Charlie Watts - The Rolling Stones"][/caption]
When it comes to "rock drummer" stereotypes, no one breaks the mold more than The Rolling Stones' own Charlie Watts. He's in one of the biggest rock bands in the world, yet he plays the smallest drum set you'll ever seen in an arena. He's never been banned from a hotel for inappropriate/illegal behaviour involving mud sharks. And I'm pretty sure he's never choked on his own vo...
Read More
That's all I've got today. My right hand is still gimped up and I'm in the middle of upgrading my studio with more RAM.
[caption id="attachment_621" align="alignleft" width="234" caption="mo\' ram, mo\' loops."][/caption]
Loop #20
On this loop, I was going for a sampled, dance vibe (but on a live kit... with one hand). To achieve this, I cranked up my 6 1/2" x 14" brass snare and taped one of my LP jingle sticks to the batter head. I loosened the heads on my 22" kick as low as they'd...
Read More
Ok, get those violins out. Today I'm a bit under the weather AND I've got a bum wing.... well, wrist actually. I'm hopped up on flu meds, painkillers and I'm wearing a splint that makes me look like a professional bowler. I've actually been mistaken for Ernie McCracken three times today. Being a huge fan of Kingpin, I'm going to chalk it up as a compliment.
I was going to take the day off, get some rest and recover a bit, but then I thought about Rick.
[caption id="attachment_589" ...
Read More
[caption id="attachment_546" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Steve Gadd - Linear Lifetime Achievement Award"][/caption]
Linear drumming is a style of playing where no two limbs hit at the same time. These grooves are typically broken up between the snare, kick, hi hat and toms, creating a unique, lilting feel. One of the most popular examples of linear drumming is Steve Gadd's performance on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover". If you really want to impress the guy behind the...
Read More
If I’ve learned anything in my 20 years of drumming, it’s that you need to give 110% when performing (especially on live TV). You’re probably asking yourself, how do I achieve this? Well, let me give you 3 simple rules:
1. Go out and get yourself a nice tux (preferably white).
2. Raise your cymbal stands to their maximum height.
3. Don’t hold back.
Follow these rules and everything else will fall into place, as demonstrated below:
...
Read More
No loops today but here's a tour of Shawn Pelton's (SNL house band) home studio. This video definitely swayed me towards purchasing my M-Audio A/D converter. It also inspired me to pierce my left ear and grow some Mutton Chops.
Part 1
Part 2
...
Read More
Most drummers associate playing the rim of the snare drum with cross-stick back beats and rim shots. While it definitely serves these functions well, it can also be used as an alternative to the hi hat or ride cymbal for creating unique sounding grooves.
Some well known examples of this technique are Van Halen's "Finish What Ya Started" and INXS's "Need You Tonight". Both of these drummers play enormous kits with a multitude of cymbals and hats to bash on, yet chose to ride a pattern on t...
Read More
Everyone has their "go to" jukebox songs. The frat boys always go to "Ants Marching". The Parrot Heads consistently go to "Margaritaville" and the stoners love themselves some "Redemption Song".
And for me? Well, after a few pints, it's not unusual for me to scrounge around for a some quarters, stumble over to the nearest jukebox and punch the buttons for my "go to" song: Cheap Trick's 1979 power-pop classic, "I Want You to Want Me".
It's the ultimate bar song. Loud guitars. Huge, an...
Read More
