´HOW FREQUENTLY DO YOU CHANGE YOUR DRUMSET CONFIGURATION

topic posted Sat, May 17, 2008 - 4:37 PM by  Rick
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This was a cool question asked in the last thread and I thought it warranted it's own thread.

Back in the 80's when I always had a roady for my regionally successful New Wave band, Tao Chemical,
I always used to drive my techs crazy because I constantly changed my drum (and electronics and keyboard)
set ups for every gig.

I still love to break it up a bunch, but I mostly do that by cymbal choices (I get bored easily) and
, in particular, snare drum choices on gigs.

Over the years, I've amassed a nice collection of very versatile snare drums (from custom built 6",8" and 10" 'jungle/hip hop* snares
to field marching drums and coliseum drums.

I just love snares. I even played a lot with my wife's band, Lackadaisy with a weird but fun set that had 7 snares (and no toms)
on it...............all set up to look like a normal drum set in sizes, but used, specifically, to reproduce the sound of individual songs
of the record I produced for them (which I didn't play the drums on, Sue Cole had that honor)

That was a kick. I also had three sets of hi hats 8" 12" and 16" to simulate different production aesthetics.

Boy, did you have to remember to turn the snares off on THAT kit.

How about you all: How frequently do you change the configuration of your drumset when playing out.
posted by:
Rick
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  • I loved Lackadaisy! And I don't even like sushi! :-)

    For trapset stuff I change it all about once a year. Take apart every piece, put it all across the room, start with the bass drum, and slowly rebuild the whole thing - sometimes over the course of a couple months of band practices.

    I've ended up with sets where the kick drum was behind me - play the pedal with your heel
    - sets where the snare was outside of my left leg (I play lefty)
    - hybrid sets where my left hand was stick and toms, my right hand congas and hand drums
    - and once a set that was just my rack all opened up and every drum and cymbal I could fit along three layers - you just stood in front of it and played the wall of toms. Very aerobic and tribal!

    None of these experiments was, in the end, very productive, and none was an improvement on the basic contraption set up by Chick Webb and Gene Krupa, but they were all fun to build, fun to play, and got my mind thinking in new ways.
    • Dude, you are blowing my mind. I'm impressed with your creativity and open-mindedness. I'll admit that I am probably "stuck" with my current arrangement. I like knowing where everything is with my eyes closed... But, still, what you have suggested is intriguing... I should really consider your example. Maybe it would open some new vistas in my drumming.
    • That's cool, Angus.

      Lackadaisy didn't play around all that much (though a fan has posted a television show we were on
      in the bay area once on YouTube.com) so how did you find out about Chris' group?
      • I happen to catch Lackadaisy at Mobo Sushi one night, and I liked what I heard, even though the Post-Goth, Pre-Emo sound is not normally my forte. So I went back to Mobo a few times when I got word that they were playing again. I loved the skeletal guitar sounds, BTW. Very cool, very unique. I always thought the group had a good shot at the 'big time', but maybe it was the right sound at the wrong time.
        • i've recently set up a pedal with a cowbell attached. very fun. working on clave with my left foot.
          also playing with a talking drum under my left arm while i play right handed bell patterns on it ...and the left hand on snare, hi hat and toms.
          • and once in a while i'll set up my kit completely left handed...then play that and feel like a complete retard. does wonders for 4 way independence though.
            • I think it's good to change it up a bit, once in a while for experimentation or new challenges. I haven't actually done that in a long while though.

              Right now, I'm loving being able to sit down, listen and let go. My kit is pretty extensive and customized to my liking. So familiar that I can just close my eyes, listen in and let go. Just disappear in the groove and let the subconscious mind take over a bit.

              What fascinates me now, is not volume or quantity of notes, but rather quality, and creative application of notes. Listening for rests, specific placement of beats/notes/sounds. A less is more approach. Playing musically means knowing when to play, when not to play, and paying attention to dynamics.

              Rock on kids.