Drummer Talk 251 – Tips for Effectively Playing Electronic Drums

So you’re stuck playing on an electronic drum kit. How can you make the best of it?

Drummer Talk Mailbag

• From Mike
  

  Thanks Dave,Troy !!! I had a “HOLY [EXPLETIVE]” moment last night listening to the newest podcast , very cool Indeed! THANK YOU for the plug and the link in the show notes!! I was not expecting that , you guys made my night. Very Much appreciated !! Another great episode too!

• From Alex
  

  Hello! I have been listening to your show for a bit now and I love it. I don’t know if you guys have covered this topic or not yet and I haven’t found it in a search but I was wondering if y’all could do a show on wrapping your kit, including how the wraps effect a drums tone as well as how difficult it is, if there’s any difference in the types of ways to adhere the wraps, etc. Again, if y’all have already covered this, please tell me which episode it is in so I can listen but I couldn’t find anything. I’d like to hear one straight answer rather than hearsay off a message board. Thanks a lot, guys

News

• Ulrich Joins Royal Blood in San Francisco
• Stewart Copeland’s Top 5 Tips for Drummers
• Ringo Inducted into the RRHOF
• WFD Winner – Tom Grosset

Topic Notes – Tips for playing electronic drums

1. Play to the instrument’s strengths
   1. Use the sounds it brings to the table!
   2. Samples
   3. Commit!  Be prepared to spend at least 3 hours setting up your kits, and what you want to use. It will be worth it!
2. Change how you play
   1. Your technique
   2. Nuance is lost on electronic kits
3. Change what you play
   1. The patterns you’re used to playing on an acoustic kit may no longer work
4. Use it for note entry in notation programs!
   1. Sibelius and Finale
5. Uncanny Valley – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley

Music from this week’s Show:

• Green Day – Basket Case
• Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – I Hate Myself for Loving You

In closing…

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Next week: Drum Wrapping 101

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