VOLUME 16, NUMBER 9 THE ART OF PIPE BAND DRUMMING METAL DRUMMING: So you think you know about burning chops? Well, you ain't ED THE QUEST FOR seen (or heard) nothin' if you haven't experienced SHAUGHNESSY CREDIBILITY the strange and won- After thirty years, Johnny derful world of Pipe A special MD report: Heavy metal Carson, Ed Shaughnessy, and Band Drumming. drummers have spent a good chunk 32 the Tonight Show band have • by Joseph McKee of the past twenty years longing for stepped down from the stage for respect from the non-metal music the final time. Here Ed remi- world. We asked top industry profes- nisces about the gig that made sionals and metal drummers them- him perhaps the world's most selves—pro and amateur—exactly widely seen and heard drummer INSIDE where metal drumming stands for an entire generation. And in today. Check out this a VERY exclusive sidebar, SABIAN thought-provoking inves- Carson himself talks Meductic, Canada is where you'll tigation. traps with Ed and find us this month, checking in • by Matt Peiken shares some great 28 with the Sabian cym- memories. 22 bal company on their • by Robyn Flans tenth anniversary. • by Rick Van Horn 36 MD TRIVIA CONTEST Okay, here's your last chance! Only one special MD reader will win Rod Morgenstein's $14,000 Premier touring drum- set—and it could be you! 60 COLUMNS Education 48 ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC Double Bass Ideas: Part 2 BY ROD MORGENSTEIN 118 TEACHERS' FORUM 52 THE JOBBING Immediate DRUMMER Gratification Departments Overcoming BY HOWARD FIELDS Performance Anxiety 4 EDITOR'S BY JON SACKS 120 STRICTLY OVERVIEW TECHNIQUE 74 JAZZ Cross-Sticking: Part 2 News DRUMMERS' BY RON SPAGNARDI 6 READERS' PLATFORM 8 UPDATE WORKSHOP Deen Castronovo, Advanced Dave Mattacks, Timekeeping: Part 2 12 ASK A PRO Equipment Pat Torpey, and BY RICK MATTINGLY Clem Burke, plus News 42 PRODUCT 16 IT'S 92 BASICS QUESTIONABLE Improving Your Time CLOSE-UP 124 INDUSTRY BY ROBERT DANIELSON Trick Kodiak T6 HAPPENINGS Snare Drums 20 DRUMLINE 104 LATIN BY RICK MATTINGLY SYMPOSIUM 43 CP Combo Conga Set 114 CRITIQUE Mambo Applications: BY GLENN WEBER The Maracas Pattern Wood-Whack Sticks 126 DRUM MARKET Revisited BY RICK MATTINGLY BY CHUCK SILVERMAN 44 Stixonics Drumsticks 112 CONCEPTS BY RICK MATTINGLY Stimulating Creativity BY WOODY THOMPSON 122 NEW AND NOTABLE EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Isabel Spagnardi MD and Good Friends MANAGING EDITOR Rick Van Horn This month's cover is a bit of a departure for us, FEATURES EDITOR William F. Miller with former Tonight Show drummer Ed Shaughn- ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adam J. Budofsky essy and recently retired host Johnny Carson pho- EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Justin J. Cordes tographed during the last days on the set of The ART DIRECTOR Tonight Show. It was the culmination of a relation- Scott G. Bienstock ship that spanned nearly three decades. And during ART ASSISTANT Lori Spagnardi that time, Ed Shaughnessy has probably been seen ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Tracy A. Kearns and heard by more people than any other drummer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bob Berenson in history. And Ed has plenty to say, in this, his ADVERTISING ASSISTANT third Modern Drummer interview. Joan C. Stickel SALES AND MARKETING Crystal W. Van Horn I'm also proud to say that Ed has been one of MD's greatest sup- DIRECTOR porters over the years. A member of our Advisory Board since 1979, CONSULTANT TO THE Arnold E. Abramson he's authored numerous articles, was a featured performer at one of PUBLISHER MD’s Festival Weekends, and has always been there for us whenever MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD: Henry Adler, Kenny the need arose. Ed's also never hesitated to put a good word in for Aronoff, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Jim Chapin, Alan Dawson, Dennis MD in his many clinic appearances, and we certainly thank him for all DeLucia, Les DeMerle, Len DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Vic Firth, Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jim Keltner, Larrie Londin, Peter of the above. And though The Tonight Show may no longer be a part Magadini, George Marsh, Joe Morello, Rod Morgenstein, Andy of Ed's musical life, word has it that he'll be just as busy as ever doing Newmark, Neil Peart, Charlie Perry, Dave Samuels, John Santos, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, Ed Thigpen, Dave Weckl. clinics, teaching, and performing with his band around the country. So what is Johnny Carson also doing on this month's cover? Well, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Robyn Flans, Simon Goodwin, Rick Mattingly, Ken Micallef, Teri Saccone, Robert Santelli. first, we felt Carson deserved his own tribute of sorts simply for mak- ing one of the finest bands in the history of late-night TV an integral MODERN DRUMMER magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is published monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc., 870 Pompton part of The Tonight Show for thirty years. That alone says something Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Second-Class Postage paid at Cedar for his love and support of top-quality live music. Also—and many Grove, NJ 07009 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 1992 by MODERN DRUMMER Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. people are unaware of this—Carson is a fine drummer himself, and Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. according to Ed, he's quite serious about it. Fans of the old show EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: MODERN might recall his passion for drumming from the numerous appear- DRUMMER Publications, 870 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ ances of Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, and Ed and Buddy in featured 07009. Tel.: (201) 239-4140. solo spots. MODERN DRUMMER welcomes manuscripts and photographic mate- We also feel somewhat indebted to Johnny Carson for the exposure rial, however, cannot assume responsibility for them. Such items must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. he's given MD over the years. For those who failed to notice, Modern Drummer was mentioned and displayed on The Tonight Show on MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, Dealer Service, P.O. three separate occasions over the years, giving us exposure to millions Box 389, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Tel.: (800) 334-DRUM or (815) 734- of viewers across the country. Interestingly enough, we never actually 6013. pursued the free publicity. Being a reader of MD, with more than a SUBSCRIPTIONS: $27.95 per year; $49.95, two years. Single copies passing interest in drumming, Carson simply felt it appropriate to $3.95. mention the magazine whenever it tied in with something on the SUBSCRIPTION CORRESPONDENCE: Modern Drummer, P.O. Box show. Obviously, it was exposure we could never have possibly afford- 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0480. Change of address: Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old and new address. Toll Free ed if we had to pay to reach that many people via network TV Tel.: (800) 551-3786. And so, our deepest appreciation to both gentlemen for the kind- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, P.O. Box ness they've shown to MD over the years. And, of course, our very 480, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. best wishes and warm thanks to Ed Shaughnessy for his valued friendship, and for his support of Modern Drummer for all these many years. Blas, You Can Please eight incredible drummers was a second demonstrated through a midiK.I.T.I. Pro Some Of The People Some story. As drummers reading a drumming and was astonished at the interaction sup- Of The Time... magazine, most of us are more concerned pression between the Muffin snare's dual I just received the June '92 issue of with how to play better than we are with triggers. I am a believer. My apologies to Modern Drummer. As I read through the how to sell a million records. Oh Boom Theory for the misplaced criticism, feature article on Blas Elias, I came across well...there's always July. and congrats to KAT on the long-awaited one line that really reached out and John O'Reilly upgrade. grabbed me. Blas stated, "I've never Seattle WA Richard Watson touched drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes in my New York NY life." This one line should have occupied the entire page. I just wish there were more people out there like Blas who are Victor Lewis proud enough of the fact that they don’t A million thanks for the long-overdue arti- Can I Please Not Have Your use such substances that they'll let it be cle on a truly amazing musician, Victor Autograph? known to the public—and especially to the Lewis. I was fortunate enough to meet him I would like to express my feelings about younger kids. We have to let them know at the Stanford Jazz Workshops during the the abundance of "signature" sticks being that substance abuse is not a necessity for mid-'80s. In master classes he always produced by most manufacturers today. If becoming a good drummer. Keep up the emphasized that listening and musicality it keeps up at the current rate, there will good work, Blas! were more important than any amount of soon no longer be sizes such as 2B, 5B, Paul Strand chops you could develop. In fact, he went and 5A. Instead, there will only be Neil Evansville MN on to tell everybody that he had horrible Pearts, Tommy Lees, and Billy Cobhams. chops. But to hear him play was truly Personally, I don't like this trend. inspiring. He listens and plays whatever is To me, drumming is a way of expressing appropriate for any musical situation, yet myself and my individualism.