Drum It With Brummet

  Did you know ? Laboratory macaque monkeys were observed using objects to drum and communicate social dominance to each other. They will use anything around them to create a rhythm including shaking cage doors.  Further research revealed that when monkeys drum, they stimulate the communication areas of the brain, and is this is now thought to be the origin of primate vocal communication systems.    ~~~     Follow Dave:   on Amazon Subscribe to:   Brummet Media​ YouTube Channel​  ​ ~~~

  To Mute or Not to Mute? This is an area of personal preference; some drummers refuse to use any muffling at all and others swear by it. Myself, I have always used slight muffling due to the fact that I was doing studio work (under scrutiny of microphones) when my career first started in the early 80's. In this environment any funky overtones were always addressed.  Rings: I personally don't like the plastic zero-rings as I feel they take too much out of the tone and I like as wide-open a sound as possible. They also got in the way when handled and often got bent and kinked beyond repair.  Noise Gate: I discovered a cheap method that is much like a mechanical noise gate; a small square of terry cloth-like material gaff taped to the edge of the metal hoop (not the head) so when the drum is struck the flap of cloth rises off the head allowing full tone, then drops down onto the head to cut off any discordant overtones. Very effective and very low cost.  Gels: Gels are...

  Dave's drum students often ask for music they can practice the percussion lessons to - this is one that allows for creativity, and practice. However it is very nice to listen to and zen out.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shX1ZFi7sTY ~~~     Find our Books:   on Amazon Subscribe:   Brummet Media​ YouTube Channel​  ​ ~~~

   Sound Quotes Sharing inspirational, informative,  amusing quotes from people in the music industry.  Want to submit a quote with our audience?  Find our  Submission Guidelines & Contact Information   HERE "I love to talk about the drums and music.  I started playing drums when I was probably six  and played a lot until I was about ten or eleven years old.  I had a drum set at home,  and I would just bang on it.  I'd even go on the Internet  and study basic beats." ~ Sean Berdy ~~~     Follow Dave:   on Amazon Subscribe to:   Brummet Media​ YouTube Channel​  ​ ~~~

  Drum Trash As a drummer, sustainable entrepreneur and instrument inventor, I am forever finding uses for items often thrown away.  Reuse Drumheads: Cut strips from snare side head (thinner) for mounting snare wires. Also the snare side is in better shape as it isn't hit. Utilize the aluminum rings from old drumheads for flesh rings on hand drums (cut off mylar and smooth any sharp edges). Use as parts trays in workshop. Give away to less fortunate drummers if not too damaged - drummers change out their heads regularly and their "used" heads are in better condition than a beginning drummer's.  In an upcoming post I describe how my extra parts and pieces helped to implement the Drum it Forward program to repair some school instruments. ~~~     Follow Dave:   on Amazon Subscribe to:   Brummet Media​ YouTube Channel​  ​ ~~~

   Sound Quotes Sharing inspirational, informative,  amusing quotes from people in the music industry.  Want to submit a quote with our audience?  Find our  Submission Guidelines & Contact Information   HERE "It's certainly no coincidence  that big bands became the entertainment  of the army in WWI and WWII,  and that jazz drumming style is very military influenced.  The snare drum comes from the military  and becomes the core sound of jazz drums." ~ Damien Chazelle  ~~~     Follow Dave:   on Amazon Subscribe to:   Brummet Media​ YouTube Channel​  ​ ~~~