MODERN DRUMMER VOL. 4 NO. 2 FEATURES: NEIL PEART As one of rock's most popular drummers, Neil Peart of Rush seriously reflects on his art in this exclusive interview. With a refreshing, no-nonsense attitude. Peart speaks of the experi- ences that led him to Rush and how a respect formed between the band members that is rarely achieved. Peart also affirms his belief that music must not be compromised for financial gain, and has followed that path throughout his career. 12 PAUL MOTIAN Jazz modernist Paul Motian has had a varied career, from his days with the Bill Evans Trio to Arlo Guthrie. Motian asserts that to fully appreciate the art of drumming, one must study the great masters of the past and learn from them. 16 FRED BEGUN Another facet of drumming is explored in this interview with Fred Begun, timpanist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, D.C. Begun discusses his approach to classical music and the influences of his mentor, Saul Goodman. 20 INSIDE REMO 24 RESULTS OF SLINGERLAND/LOUIE BELLSON CONTEST 28 COLUMNS: EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 3 TEACHERS FORUM READERS PLATFORM 4 Teaching Jazz Drumming by Charley Perry 42 ASK A PRO 6 IT'S QUESTIONABLE 8 THE CLUB SCENE The Art of Entertainment ROCK PERSPECTIVES by Rick Van Horn 48 Odd Rock by David Garibaldi 32 STRICTLY TECHNIQUE The Technically Proficient Player JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP Double Time Coordination by Paul Meyer 50 by Ed Soph 34 CONCEPTS ELECTRONIC INSIGHTS Drums and Drummers: An Impression Simple Percussion Modifications by Rich Baccaro 52 by David Ernst 38 DRUM MARKET 54 SHOW AND STUDIO INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS 70 A New Approach Towards Improving Your Reading by Danny Pucillo 40 JUST DRUMS 71 STAFF: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR: Karen Larcombe ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Mark Hurley Paul Uldrich MANAGING EDITOR: Michael Cramer ART DIRECTOR: Tom Mandrake The feature section of this issue represents a wide spectrum of modern percussion with our three lead interview subjects: Rush's Neil Peart; PRODUCTION MANAGER: Roger Elliston jazz drummer Paul Motian and timpanist Fred Begun. The Neil Peart interview was a story we pursued for many months. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Jean Mazza Coordinating a meeting place was not easy considering the extremely hectic road schedule the band maintains. We finally tracked them down ADMINISTRATION: Isabel Lori at a fairgrounds concert in Allentown, Pennsylvania where MD's Cheech Ann Lambariello Iero spoke to Peart at considerable length. A talented and opinionated artist, Neil discussed numerous aspects of his music. Not impressed by mob fan adulation, Peart maintains a philosophy indicative of the DEALER SERVICE seriousness with which he views his drumming; "If I go in front of 35,000 MANAGER: Carol Morales people and play really well, then I feel satisfied . adulation means nothing without self-respect." CIRCULATION: Leo L. Spagnardi Paul Motian has been on the New York jazz scene for quite some time. Marilyn Miller He's worked with Keith Jarrett, Stan Getz, Thelonius Monk, Lee Konitz Maureen Politi and Charles Lloyd, and was a key member of the celebrated Bill Evans trio with bassist Scott LaFaro. Motian talks about his involvement with MD ADVISORY BOARD: composing and his affinity for the drumming masters of the past: "All musicians should check out the tradition of the instrument. their type Henry Adler Mel Lewis of playing is connected with the way people are playing today. Carmine Appice Peter Magadini Fred Begun has been principal timpanist with the National Sympthony Horacee Arnold Mitch Markovich Orchestra in Washington, D.C. for nearly 30 years. This Juilliard trained Louie Bellson Butch Miles percussionist discusses his background as a student of Saul Goodman, Roy Burns Joe Morello his aspirations as a writer, and the current state of percussion ensemble Jim Chapin Charley Perry literature. Billy Cobham Charlie Persip If you've ever wondered what goes on inside a drumhead factory, Joe Corsello Joe Pollard MD's David Levine has the full story. His Inside Remo tour takes you Les DeMerle Arthur Press every step of the way through the firm's 54,000 square foot facility in Len DiMuzio Paul Price southern California. Company president and founder Remo Belli talks Charlie Donnelly Ed Shaughnessy about the early days of Remo, Inc., the plastic drumhead, and the Sonny Igoe Lenny White challenges which face the company in the future. Don Lamond A Day In Las Vegas, reported by Laura Deni, is the complete lowdown on the finals at the Slingerland/Louie Bellson National Drum Contest. Thirteen young drummers under the age of 19 competed at the MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194- 45331) is published bi-monthly, February, University of Las Vegas for thousands of dollars in prize and scholarship April, June, August, October and December money and an opportunity to appear with Bellson on Johnny Carson's by Modern Drummer Publications, Inc.. 1000 Tonight Show. It turned out to be quite a contest and an event we hope Clifton Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07013. Second will be repeated each year. Our hats are off to Lou Bellson and all those class postage paid at Clifton, N.J. 07013 and at Slingerland who were responsible for coordinating this incredible at additional mailing offices. Copyrighted project. 1980 by Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. We'd like to welcome David Ernst and Charlie Perry to the column All rights reserved. Reproduction without the roster this year withElectronic Insights andTeachers Forum permission of the publisher is prohibited. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $9.95 per year. $19.00. respectively. Both gentlemen are experts in their fields and have a great two years. Single copies $1.75. MANU- deal to say. SCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes man- Another new entry for 1980, making its debut with this issue, is The uscripts, however, cannot assume responsi- Club Scene, a highly informative column containing some great advice bility for them. Manuscripts must be accom- for drummers active in the competitive club date business. Author Rick panied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Van Horn has a wealth of experience in this area and we think you'll find CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six his column a real winner. weeks for a change. Please provide both old The results of MD's Second Annual Reader's Poll are now being andnew address. MUSIC DEALERS:Modern tabulated. You'll find the exciting results in our June/July issue, along Drummer is availablefor resale at bulk rates. with Part 1 of The Great Jazz Drummers: An Historical Perspective, and Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer Publications, Inc.. 1000 Clifton Avenue. Clif- a revealing exclusive interview with the extraordinary Carl Palmer. ton. N.J. 07013. (201) 778-1700 POST- MASTER: Sendform 3579 to Modern Drum- mer, 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clifton. N.J. 07013. Modern Drummer Magazine is defi- nitely a plus to both the drum and music industry. As the opportunity presents it- self, I can assure you that I plug your magazine in any way possible. I am writing in response to several pre- I must congratulate you on an ex- Perhaps the major thing that irks me is vious letters criticizing Carl Palmer. cellent magazine. I much enjoy your in- the failure of the interviewers to obtain Pleasing to mind and pulsating to soul. terviews with drummers who have found more information on the equipment the Palmer's artistry displays qualities the key to success, and your articles on musician uses. Some interviews seem to beyond reproach. If anyone doubts his the current state of the art in drum equip- focus more on the personal side of the ability to show solid time with speed, ment. But I was quite pleased to see a musician, as opposed to the methods or balanced at full tilt, just listen to "The human interest type story "Flipped Over equipment they use. This is fine with me Enemy God", (live version). His re- Drums" in your December-January is- but I think the main purpose of MD is to spected standing is truly deserved and sue. While working for RCA records at present drummers with information that formidable. the time Whitehorse was working on will be useful to develop the knowledge their album, I caught a few sessions and of their trade. can attest to the fact that Mr. Valentine THOMAS LAPOINTE is a fine and innovative drummer right LAWRENCE, MA side up, as well as upside down. Though JAMES E. VALLONE I never caught his act live, I heard nu- BUFFALO, NY Just want to let you know that my merous positive reports from the grape- drum cases are weatherproofed! The ar- vine. Keep up the off-the-wall (in this I'm writing in reply to Jack Gilfoy ticle was great. It was so easy going. I case off-the-ceiling) type articles. from Indianapolis, Indiana, whose letter lined them with red felt and they look concerning the Blue Bear School of Music sharp. Now I don't have to worry about appeared in the December/January is- damaging my drums. Thanks again for BOB SOLAR sue. He stated, "If the student is in- the instructions. PINOS ALTOS. NM telligent enough, a master drummer will be found who can provide something more meaningful than a garage band en- TONY SIGNORELLI Thank you for the tribute to the great- vironment. Who needs to pay good mon- PALM BEACH. FL est man ever to play the drums. Gene ey for that? " Krupa. It is a true collector's item and I I'm a 17 year old progressive rock per- Michael Shore must be commended will keep my issue forever. cussionist. I'm one of the above men- for his excellent interview with Barrie- Gene and Cozy gave me drum lessons tioned people who have played in garage more Barlow in the December/January at their school in Manhattan many years bands.