Tommy Igoe

and THE VIC FIRTH PODCAST

If you have iTunes and have not subscribed to the vic firth podcast, you should consider it. I find interest in the different interviews from the drummers in their vast line up.

There was a contflict of interest as I was a young maturing drummer. I seem to come across arguements of crossing drum corp and rudiment elements to drum set technique, and trying to contrast all the great drummers I listened to over the years hit wall for me.

As a young player, there were rock drummers like Chad Sexton (311) who took marching techniques quite literally in there drumset playing, and then there were guys like Brad Wilk (Rage) whom I also enjoyed aspect of their playing even though they are looser in feel.

I could go on with other examples, but I'm sure I'll have more in blogs to come...

I'll embrace one more thought...

In marching band, I'd always watch great snare players get on a kit and trash the concept of groove. I'd then see an incredible jazz set player grab a pair of Ralph Hardimon signature marching stick (treetrunks to the laimen) and listen to him fumble his way through an rudiment exercise like it was his first day as a toddler trying to walk on two feet.

The truth is, you just can't expect to be trained in marching band and then go over to a drum set and be able to run autopilot with magical finess.

So instead of going on a rant, I'll let you click this link and hear some good thoughts from Tommy Igoe addressing the matter. Don't worry, he's got a sense of humor.

And if you're interested in checking out the Vic Firth Video Podcast, they've got a drumset, marching percussion, and concert percussion podcast for each.