Author: Duran Ritz

How to Have Effective Bass Drum Technique

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Drum Career, gear

An issue that I hear a lot is how to properly use your bass drum pedal for effective bass drum technique. If you are a new drummer, the best tip I can provide is to just keep practicing. Most beginner issues usually revolve around muscle memory and simply getting used to using the pedal.

Having said that, there are a few things to keep in mind when working on your bass drum technique, such as the beater bouncing off the head, your leg getting tired, or having the bass drum move away from you.

I’m here to address some of these issues in order to help you get comfortable using your pedal.

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What is the Best Metronome for Drums

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Buying Guides, gear
What is the best metronome for drums? In order to be an effective drummer, you need to have solid time. An unwavering drummer with next to no chops will always be more important to any band or ensemble than a fancy drummer that can’t keep a steady pulse.
A great way to achieve consistent tempo is by practicing with a metronome. For drummers, the metronome is one of the most important tools in their arsenal. When it comes to buying a metronome, there are a lot of different options out there and it can be difficult to know what’s important.

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21 of the Coolest Gifts for Drummers – Christmas 2021 Edition

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Buying Guides, gear

Finding good Christmas gifts for drummers can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for.  But don’t fret, you’ve come to the right place because I actually am a drummer! I may not know what presents everyone wants, but I can at least tell you what sort of loot I’d like to receive. Here is a compiled list of some cool gifts ideas in 2021 that every drummer would want. I’ve also thrown in a few novelty gifts for the drummer who has everything, but might like something unique, fun, or personalized.

These are gift ideas for your drummer boyfriend or girlfriend, father, sister, mother, grandma, or anyone else you can think of. I’m sure you’ll find something they’ll love.

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Video: Larnell Lewis with Snarky Puppy

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Videos

Yo guys, Yes again, Snarky puppy is releasing some incredible music! This time taking a break from using their usual drummer Sput Searight, Snarky Puppy uses Larnell Lewis, the relative newcomer from Toronto, Ontario. This guy is something else!

Crazy chops and a solid pocket. Here is a new video of Larnell Lewis with Snarky Puppy on the tune “What About me” from their newest CD/DVD release “We Like it Here”.

As usual, these guys are playing some great music, but check out Larnell’s insane solo at 5:12. This dudes got it!

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How to Make a Great Drum Cover Video

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Drum Career, Videos

Drum cover videos have been circulating around YouTube for a while now. If you’ve checked out our Video’s Page, you probably have seen at least one great drum cover videos yourself. The first one I remember watching was Travis Barker playing along to Soulja Boy’s “Crank That“.

Unfortunately, I found that video to be a bit of a joke, and I brushed off the idea of videoing yourself playing drums to other artist’s music. What I should have done was give Travis praise for blazing the way for drummers to show off their skills to such a huge worldwide audience.

Since then, the popularity of the YouTube drum cover video has increased dramatically. Some of them may not be worth watching, while others are just downright cool. So how do you make a great drum cover video in the first place?

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Video: Agitation with Tony Williams and Miles Davis, 1967

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Videos

Tony Williams has always been, and will always be one of my favorite drummers. His intensity, speed, and tone have yet to be matched by any drummer alive today.

This is a fantastic video of Tony Williams with Miles Davis in his famous second quintet on the tune Agitation. The original song can be heard on Miles Davis’ record ESP, recorded in 1965 with the same group. At the time of the video, it was 1967, and Tony Williams was only 22 years old.

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How to Survive Going to Music School

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Drum Career, school

I’m not really a big fan of post secondary education in general, but I think there is quite a bit of merit to going to music school. It’s highly specialized, and unless you grew up in a city like New York, it’s a great way to become immersed in music daily.

But, going to music school is tough. Really tough. So, how do you survive, and better yet, how do you excel while attending music school?

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How to Make it When Drumming in a New City

Posted by Duran Ritz on Posted in Articles, Drum Career

So you’ve spent hours in the practice room perfecting your Tony Williams and John Bonham licks, and you just graduated with that brand new music degree. You’re well trained, and now it’s time to get out there and start drumming in a new city.

But with so many options, where do you start, and how do you begin carving out that freelance drumming career?

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