October 1994
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Features AARON COMESS Album number two sees Spin Doctors drummer Aaron Comess laying down that slippery funky thing yet again. Not that Aaron has cut down on his extracurricular jazz work. Does this guy ever stop? • Teri Saccone 20 BOB MOSES The eccentric but unarguably gifted drummer who powered the first jazz-rock band is still breaking barriers. With a brand- new album and ever-probing style, Bob Moses explains why his "Simul-Circular Loopology" might be too dangerous in live doses. • Ken Micallef 26 HIGHLIGHTS OF MD's FESTIVAL WEEKEND '94 Where should we start? Simon Phillips? Perhaps "J.R." Robinson? Say, Rod Morgenstein? How about Marvin "Smitty" Smith...or David Garibaldi...maybe Chad Smith, Clayton Cameron, or Matt Sorum.... Two days, one stage, a couple thousand drummers, mega-prizes: No matter how you slice it, it's the mother of all drum shows, and we've got the photos to prove it! 30 Volume 18, Number 9 Cover Photo By Ebet Roberts Columns EDUCATION NEWS EQUIPMENT 52 DRUM SOLOIST 8 UPDATE Max Roach: Bill Bruford, "Blues For Big Sid" David Garibaldi, TRANSCRIBED BY Dave Mancini, CRAIG SCOTT and Ray Farrugia of Junkhouse, plus News 76 HEALTH & SCIENCE 119 INDUSTRY Focal Dystonia: HAPPENINGS A Personal Experience BY CHARLIE PERRY WITH JACK MAKER DEPARTMENTS 42 PRODUCT CLOSE-UP 80 JAZZ 4 EDITOR'S Tama Iron Cobra DRUMMERS' OVERVIEW Bass Drum Pedals WORKSHOP BY ADAM BUDOFSKY Expanding The 6 READERS' 43 Tama Tension Watch Learning Process PLATFORM Drum Tuner BY JOHN RILEY BY ADAM BUDOFSKY 12 ASK A PRO 84 Rock 'N' 44 Vic Firth Ed Shaughnessy, American Concept Sticks JAZZ CLINIC Stephen Perkins, and BY WILLIAM F. MILLER Contemporary Triplets Adam Nussbaum BY RICK LATHAM 14 IT'S 46 NEW AND 94 STRICTLY QUESTIONABLE NOTABLE TECHNIQUE 96 SHOP TALK Ostinato Studies 82 DRUMLINE BY JOE MORELLO A Look At The Brite Works 102 THE JOBBING 100 IMPRESSIONS BY RICK VAN HORN Steve Jordan On... DRUMMER BY KEN MICALLEF Miking Your Drums For Live Sound 112 CRITIQUE BY MARK PARSONS Torn/Karn/Bozzio CD, Bob Gatzen tuning video, 116 PERCUSSION Chuck Silverman books, TODAY and more Stomp BY JEFF POTTER 122 DRUM MARKET Including Vintage PROFILES Showcase 126 DRUMKIT OF 60 UP & COMING THE MONTH John Stanier Of Helmet BY KEN MICALLEF A Note-Able Advance In a 1982 Editor's Overview, I suggested inherent in current drumset notation would be alleviated. how nice it might be to have one standard You'll probably note in the key below that the notation system notational system for drumset. Book Modern Drummer has used in the past is not very different from authors, arrangers, composers, and copy- what's been proposed. However, there are certain nuances that ists have always used a vast array of signs we'll conform to more closely in future issues. Though the basic and symbols to indicate multiple toms, outline of the Weinberg system is presented here, Norm's com- double bass, various cymbals, rimshots, plete study includes numerous other recommendations and guide- hi-hat strokes, etc. One need only glance lines. For a detailed summary, you can write to Norman Weinberg at a random selection of drum methods, through the Percussive Arts Society, P.O. Box 25, Lawton, OK percussion ensemble literature, or the drum parts to stock arrange- 73502. ments for ample evidence. Unfortunately, nothing came of the I'm happy to say that MD is officially adopting the Weinberg suggestion back in '82. But today I believe we're finally headed system. I'd like to suggest that individuals planning to submit in the right direction, thanks to the efforts of percussionist/educa- material to MD in the future adhere to the system as closely as tor/author Dr. Norman Weinberg. possible. Hopefully other authors, arrangers, and composers will Rather than create a totally new notational system from scratch, follow our lead. And if everyone cooperates, we may finally end after massive research, Norm has carefully refined and clarified up with one universally accepted system—and that would be an the current, most common methods in the hopes that those who extremely important accomplishment after all these years. write for drumset in the future will adopt his recommendations. The Percussive Arts Society has already adopted the system for all future PAS publications. In a 700-page research report, Weinberg Snare Bass Bass Tom Tom Tom Tom Tom Ghost Rimshot points out, "The wide variety of procedures in 2 Stroke current drumset notation can cause frustration for novices and experienced players alike. No other instrument asks a musician to work within such a disorganized and ever-changing H.H. H.H. Open Closed Half- H.H. Ride Ride Crash China Cowbell notational system." Obviously, if everyone Hand 2 open Foot 2 who writes for our instrument would adopt the Weinberg system, many of the ambiguities The World's Most Widely Read Drum Magazine MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD: Henry Adler, MODERN DRUMMER wel- EDITOR/PUBLISHER RONALD SPAGNARDI Kenny Aronoff, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Harry Cangany, Jim comes manuscripts and photo- Chapin, Alan Dawson, Dennis DeLucia, Les DeMerle, Len graphic material, however, can- ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ISABEL SPAGNARDI DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Vic Firth, Bob Gatzen, not assume responsibility for them. Such items must be accom- Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jim Keltner, Peter Magadini, George panied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. MANAGING EDITOR RICK VAN HORN Marsh, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Andy Newmark, Neil FEATURES EDITOR WILLIAM F. MILLER Peart, Charlie Perry, John Santos, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale Ed Thigpen, Dave Weckl. at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, ASSOCIATE EDITOR ADAM J. BUDOFSKY Dealer Service, P.O. Box 389, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Tel.: (800) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Robyn Flans, Burt Korall, 334-DRUM or (815) 734-1214. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT SUZANNE HURRING Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallef, Matt Peiken, Teri Saccone, Robert Santelli, Robin Tolleson. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $29.95 per year; $51.95, two years. Single ART DIRECTOR SCOTT G. BIENSTOCK copies $3.95. MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is pub- ART ASSISTANT LORI SPAGNARDI lished monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc., SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer. 870 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Second-Class P.O. Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0480. Change of address: ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER TRACY A. KEARNS Postage paid at Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 and at additional mail- Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old ing offices. Copyright 1994 by MODERN DRUMMER and new address. Toll Free Tel: (800) 551-3786. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR BOB BERENSON Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, ADVERTISING ASSISTANT JOAN C. STICKEL P.O. Box 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. A Member Of: MARKETING AND PATRICIA DONNELLY EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: MODERN DRUMMER Publications, 870 Printed in PUBLIC RELATIONS Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel.: (201) 239- The United States 4140. azine should cover them. So my sincere gratitude to all of you for SON OF THE RETURN OF THE Personally, I have made a habit of read- this honor. And indeed, rather than mak- DAVE GROHL CONTROVERSY ing every feature article, even those on ing me feel complacent or even satisfied Editor's note: Letters in the June and July players who I am not that interested in. about my past work, it serves to inspire me Readers' Platform departments criticized (After all, I paid for the magazine; I'm toward the challenges of the future—like MD for featuring Nirvana's Dave Grohl going to get it all!) And I am happy to those lines from Robert Frost, which have on the March cover. The response we've report that on many occasions I have bene- always moved me: "For I have promises to received to those letters has been unlike fited a great deal by simply reading all the keep, and miles to go before I sleep." anything we 've seen in the history of the articles. I hope that we readers might all Thank you all very much. magazine. Literally hundreds of readers learn that anyone who's being heard has a Neil Peart have written—not only to defend the place being printed, too. Toronto, Ontario, Canada choice of Dave Grohl specifically, but to I think that we should esteem Modern overwhelmingly support MD's policy Drummer—especially when compared to regarding the choice of artists to be fea- other "instrumental" magazines that seem tured in the magazine. to feature the same five or six guys all the FESTIVAL WEEKEND '94 It would be impossible to run all the let- time, even if they haven't recorded any- Any time someone talks about a multi- ters we received—even in excerpted form. thing of significance in years! We drum- artist drum event, chills go up and down However, we did wish to acknowledge this mers are actually spoiled with one of the my spine. These events are typically unor- unprecedented reader support. With that best magazines around. I personally hope ganized, unprofessional, and ultimately in mind, we present below one letter that that letters written with the intention of unproductive. Modern Drummer'?, Fes- effectively and articulately sums up the bad-mouthing fellow drummers will stay tival Weekend was a true pleasure. Thanks sentiment expressed by those who were at home in the trash can and that we might to your fine organization, the Festival was moved to write to us. (And with this letter, spend our time working on improving our- not only enjoyable, but was also very pro- we conclude our coverage of this contro- selves and our craft.