Drum Phil
06-26-2007, 01:30 PM
MXDP Member Interview #3: Billdrum
Phil: Alright then, so we'll start with the usual stuff. Who are you and how old?
Bill: Bill, and I'm an elder statesman at 40 years old
Phil: You're quite a bit older than most of the members, but how long have you been playing now?
Bill: I'm not the oldest though! Been playing since 4th grade (10 years old or so), so 30 years. Started out on a pad with rudiments, etc.
I'm so old, I started out with trad grip. You don't see that much anymore.
Phil: That’s quite a while. Do you remember who or what exactly got you started?
Bill: My family is very musical, but no-one played drums. I just thought it sounded like a good idea.
...and my memory's not gone yet, lol.
Phil: Not long now though eh. We all know you use a custom kit but for those who don’t know the specs of it, what gear do you use?
Bill: Conaway, maple shells. 22x17 kick, 12x9, 14x12, 15x13 toms (all hanging). Snares vary. I have 6.5x14 chromium Mapex, 12x5 custom maple popcorn (I built), 6.5x14 brass that I built, and a 5x15 Ludwig metal snare that I refurbished completely.
Phil: And cymbals?
Bill: Zildjian 20" K Heavy ride, Zildjian 16" crash (older), Zildjian 18"crash (older), Zildjian 14" hats (older), Wuhan 18" China w/rivets, Zildjian A 10"splash, Wuhan 8 & 10" splashes. I have a 15" K Dark crash with a crack also that still sounds fine, but I don't use it much because the crack will get worse.
I also own lots of percussion stuff like triangles, a tambourine (expensive Grover), a vibraslap, 3 Pearl clave blocks, a conga, a set of bells, numerous cowbells, maracas, woodblocks, claves, etc.
And a set of 6 and 8" concert toms
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/bmachold/Band06007.jpg
Phil: That’s quite a lot of percussion, have you ever used it all in one rig?
Bill: Not all at once. I used to play a lot of shows, so the small "toys" were necessary. I even have slide whistles, bird whistles, and stuff like that.
I have a Roland SPD11 also.
Phil: Whistles? I guess you didn’t use them much whilst incorporating the actual kit?
Bill: Not really. When you play shows, you usually use a small kit with lots of percussion incorporated in, xylophone or bells, timpani, etc. too. You try to set it up so it’s all reachable from one stool.
Phil: I don’t know about you but whenever i've played a show, i’ve always been tempted to take a bigger kit for some reason.
Bill: Depends on the show........some of them are just boom-chick-boom-chick most of the time, with some timpani hits and xylo licks here and there.
You have to play to the situation.
Phil: True that. So, while we're on the subject, do you still do much gigging?
Bill: I don't play shows much anymore....got sick of them. I play in a classic rock cover band that plays quite a bit, a full jazz ensemble that plays usually once or twice a month, a symphony orchestra, and any other gigs I can pick up.
Phil: That’s pretty cool. Any tips for the budding giggers out there?
Bill: The more styles and situations you can make yourself comfortable with, the more you can play. If you're new to an area, don't turn anything down because you never know what it will lead to, or who you can impress. Don't TRY to impress, just play what fits, play it well, and groove.
I guess the best advice is......LISTEN.
Phil: True in all aspects of drumming really. Speaking of which, what would you say is your favourite aspect of the instrument?
Bill: Which instrument? Lol. I always loved timpani and rudimental snare drumming in high school. In college I really got into the marimba and drum set (jazz specifically). Later I really got into Latin and ethnic styles on the drum set. So I have a lot of different experiences and tastes, all of which help shape my playing.
Phil: I guess my favourite thing now is to lay down a great feeling groove with other great musicians, no matter what the style.
Bill: Latin stuff, definitely. It often takes an advanced level of coordination, and you still have to make it groove.
Phil: Which goes to prove drumming's not all about knowing where to put your sticks?
Bill: Right! While it’s important, it’s not everything.
Phil: Now, a lot of younger members tend to be obsessed with custom drums. I asked Chippy the same question i'm about to ask you so we'll see how the answer compares. What made you go with Conaway drums?
Bill: First of all, I researched the company and found a lot of people were very happy with his product and workmanship. Secondly, he is affordable. Third, I just really felt like what I wanted in a kit didn't come in a standard factory configuration and that I could meet my desires better if I had them made.
Phil: How long ago did you purchase your kit?
Bill: March 2005....about the time I joined this forum.
Phil: And have there been any problems with it as its aged?
Bill: None...I love it.
Phil: Now, earlier you mentioned rudimental snare drumming, did you start with this or was it something you tried out later?
Bill: Started learning rudiments at an early age. Studied out of the Wilcoxin books. Our high school had a really good marching band program, so that all fed into it.
Phil: And how would you say that helped with the set?
Bill: The more you can do with your hands and your chops, the more you can play any percussion instrument. You just have to apply it to the kit. Many accent patterns and rhythms you learn in marching band make great fills when orchestrated on a drum set.
Cont...
Phil: Alright then, so we'll start with the usual stuff. Who are you and how old?
Bill: Bill, and I'm an elder statesman at 40 years old
Phil: You're quite a bit older than most of the members, but how long have you been playing now?
Bill: I'm not the oldest though! Been playing since 4th grade (10 years old or so), so 30 years. Started out on a pad with rudiments, etc.
I'm so old, I started out with trad grip. You don't see that much anymore.
Phil: That’s quite a while. Do you remember who or what exactly got you started?
Bill: My family is very musical, but no-one played drums. I just thought it sounded like a good idea.
...and my memory's not gone yet, lol.
Phil: Not long now though eh. We all know you use a custom kit but for those who don’t know the specs of it, what gear do you use?
Bill: Conaway, maple shells. 22x17 kick, 12x9, 14x12, 15x13 toms (all hanging). Snares vary. I have 6.5x14 chromium Mapex, 12x5 custom maple popcorn (I built), 6.5x14 brass that I built, and a 5x15 Ludwig metal snare that I refurbished completely.
Phil: And cymbals?
Bill: Zildjian 20" K Heavy ride, Zildjian 16" crash (older), Zildjian 18"crash (older), Zildjian 14" hats (older), Wuhan 18" China w/rivets, Zildjian A 10"splash, Wuhan 8 & 10" splashes. I have a 15" K Dark crash with a crack also that still sounds fine, but I don't use it much because the crack will get worse.
I also own lots of percussion stuff like triangles, a tambourine (expensive Grover), a vibraslap, 3 Pearl clave blocks, a conga, a set of bells, numerous cowbells, maracas, woodblocks, claves, etc.
And a set of 6 and 8" concert toms
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/bmachold/Band06007.jpg
Phil: That’s quite a lot of percussion, have you ever used it all in one rig?
Bill: Not all at once. I used to play a lot of shows, so the small "toys" were necessary. I even have slide whistles, bird whistles, and stuff like that.
I have a Roland SPD11 also.
Phil: Whistles? I guess you didn’t use them much whilst incorporating the actual kit?
Bill: Not really. When you play shows, you usually use a small kit with lots of percussion incorporated in, xylophone or bells, timpani, etc. too. You try to set it up so it’s all reachable from one stool.
Phil: I don’t know about you but whenever i've played a show, i’ve always been tempted to take a bigger kit for some reason.
Bill: Depends on the show........some of them are just boom-chick-boom-chick most of the time, with some timpani hits and xylo licks here and there.
You have to play to the situation.
Phil: True that. So, while we're on the subject, do you still do much gigging?
Bill: I don't play shows much anymore....got sick of them. I play in a classic rock cover band that plays quite a bit, a full jazz ensemble that plays usually once or twice a month, a symphony orchestra, and any other gigs I can pick up.
Phil: That’s pretty cool. Any tips for the budding giggers out there?
Bill: The more styles and situations you can make yourself comfortable with, the more you can play. If you're new to an area, don't turn anything down because you never know what it will lead to, or who you can impress. Don't TRY to impress, just play what fits, play it well, and groove.
I guess the best advice is......LISTEN.
Phil: True in all aspects of drumming really. Speaking of which, what would you say is your favourite aspect of the instrument?
Bill: Which instrument? Lol. I always loved timpani and rudimental snare drumming in high school. In college I really got into the marimba and drum set (jazz specifically). Later I really got into Latin and ethnic styles on the drum set. So I have a lot of different experiences and tastes, all of which help shape my playing.
Phil: I guess my favourite thing now is to lay down a great feeling groove with other great musicians, no matter what the style.
Bill: Latin stuff, definitely. It often takes an advanced level of coordination, and you still have to make it groove.
Phil: Which goes to prove drumming's not all about knowing where to put your sticks?
Bill: Right! While it’s important, it’s not everything.
Phil: Now, a lot of younger members tend to be obsessed with custom drums. I asked Chippy the same question i'm about to ask you so we'll see how the answer compares. What made you go with Conaway drums?
Bill: First of all, I researched the company and found a lot of people were very happy with his product and workmanship. Secondly, he is affordable. Third, I just really felt like what I wanted in a kit didn't come in a standard factory configuration and that I could meet my desires better if I had them made.
Phil: How long ago did you purchase your kit?
Bill: March 2005....about the time I joined this forum.
Phil: And have there been any problems with it as its aged?
Bill: None...I love it.
Phil: Now, earlier you mentioned rudimental snare drumming, did you start with this or was it something you tried out later?
Bill: Started learning rudiments at an early age. Studied out of the Wilcoxin books. Our high school had a really good marching band program, so that all fed into it.
Phil: And how would you say that helped with the set?
Bill: The more you can do with your hands and your chops, the more you can play any percussion instrument. You just have to apply it to the kit. Many accent patterns and rhythms you learn in marching band make great fills when orchestrated on a drum set.
Cont...