Monthly Archives: June 2015

John Von Ohlen: Some Best Moments in Drumming Have Been the Simplest

Posted on June 17, 2015 by

SKF NOTE: Indianapolis music teacher Bob Phillips, who John Von Ohlen mentions in this post, is, John says, “the guy who really taught me music.” Mr. Phillips and the back story to this 1985 Modern Drummer interview are explained here. … Continue reading →

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Gary Chester’s Drum Setup

Posted on June 16, 2015 by

SKF NOTE: On May 22, 2015 I posted two pages of photos of Gary Chester at a studio recording session from a book Gary co-wrote with Charles “Charley” Perry called, “The Popular Rock Drummer.” These two pages from the same … Continue reading →

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Freddie Gruber: In the Final Analysis, You Are the Instrument

Posted on June 14, 2015 by

SKF NOTE: I post this, with hesitation, because it is a glimpse at Freddie Gruber as drum teacher. As such, it probably belongs in the public square. But it doesn’t show my drumming skill in the best light. Oh well. … Continue reading →

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Tony Williams’s Drumset and the Nub of Great Drummers

Posted on June 13, 2015 by

Driving Maine roads, listening for the first time to Tony Williams’s “Civilization” album. I think of a recent email concerning Tony’s yellow Gretsch drumset. The email includes a photo of Tony’s drumset assembled in a home basement. The photo haunts … Continue reading →

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Drumming with Words: A Time to Pound, a Time to Pause

Posted on June 13, 2015 by

Drumming With Words by Greg J. Stone — 06/11/2015 I have what…Ginger Baker calls the “gift of time.” …I have always had an instinctive ability to keep a beat — at least at the level of an amateur drummer. That skill … Continue reading →

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Elvin Jones: The Subtleties of Timekeeping

Posted on June 12, 2015 by

SKF NOTE: Herb Nolan’s 1977 Elvin Jones interview is loaded with wisdom and insight. Thank you, Down Beat, for making the entire interview available online. What Elvin says here about keeping time is among my favorites from Mr. Nolan’s piece. … Continue reading →

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3D Printer Drumset? Cool! But, How Does It Sound?

Posted on June 12, 2015 by

SKF NOTE: The technology here is fascinating. I emailed 3DPrint.com, however, asking if online readers can have a chance to hear Mr. Szydlowski’s drums. Not sure why the film editor ends this video at the exact moment the listener expects … Continue reading →

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