Category Archives: SKF Blog

Becoming a Pro Musician: Risk, Failure, Lessons Learned

SKF NOTE: Maybe other musicians grow by reaching one skill level, staying at that level for awhile until something takes the musician to the next skill level. That something, in my experience, is usually a combination of listening, developing chops, … Continue reading

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Don Lamond: Gretsch Ad (1968)

SKF NOTE: A Gretsch Don Lamond ad from February 22, 1968.

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Wynton Marsalis: Thinking and Playing Are Different Skills

SKF NOTE: This tale of Wynton Marsalis‘s life on the road has been on my bookshelf for a few years, waiting for the right moment to read. That moment started a week ago. Here’s a good thought from Wynton I … Continue reading

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John Von Ohlen: I Started on Drums at Age 17 (1984)

SKF NOTE: From the transcript of my interview with John Von Ohlen, published in the March 1985 Modern Drummer. John’s relatively late start on drums were preceded by more than a decade of studying accordion, piano, and trombone. And also, … Continue reading

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Mel Lewis: I Own Four Sets of Drums

SKF NOTE: Arnold Jay Smith interviewed Mel Lewis for the June 1, 1978 Down Beat. Revisiting that interview last night, I don’t recall Mel owning four drumsets, each different in configuration, that he used for different situations. Mr. Smith asks … Continue reading

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