Welcome!


A great man (I think it was Mr Miyagi from The Karate Kid) once said:

"There is no such thing as a bad student. Only a bad teacher".

Wise words.

And some that really make sense to me, having been involved in drum and music

education professionally for the past 10 years. In that time I have been extremely

fortunate to have met some truly inspirational teachers and I would like to dedicate

this blog/magazine - (you could call it either a blogazine or a blagazine, depending

on if you think I know what I'm talking about!) - to those drummers who have really

made a difference in the world of drums and drum education.


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Matteo D'Ignazi Interview

MERRY CHRISTMAS all you Drumazine readers!  Here is one half of the Christmas day interview special with Italy's newest drumming sensation, Matteo D'Ignazi!!!








Drumazine: Hello Matteo! Welcome to Drumazine! For those people reading who might not already know you, please can you tell us a bit about yourself and your career as a drummer.

Matteo D’Ignazi: Hi guys!!!  I'm Matteo D'Ignazi from Pisa (Italy), i'm 25 years old and i'm a drum teacher and a touring musician, so i divide my life between drum lessons, the stage and the recording studio.

­­­­Dzn: Now a typical, but essential question: How old were you when you started drumming?

MD: I started playing drums when i was 13 years old.  My first approach with the drums was with my father (he was a drummer) and some friends of his.  I was at the rehearsal of a jazz band and in this band the drummer is one of my dads best friends.  When i saw the drums for the first time, I was immediately in love!!

Dzn: And did you have lessons at school, or with a private drum teacher?


MD: I began to study with a great teacher; Giampaolo Pellicci.  He gave me great advice and he prepared me a lot about technique with the help of great books like Stick Control, Syncopation, Gene Krupa, and also i started listen to great drummers like Steve Gadd, Gary Chaffee, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta & David Garibaldi.  I have studied with other great musicians; Fabrizio Desideri, Christian Meyer, Piero Borri & Andrea Spinetti and I have a diploma (with merit) from Drumtech, a great music college in London, where i had the opportunity to study for one year with Bosco de Oliveira, Erik Stams, Giuseppe Grondona, Darryn Farrugia & Philippe Castermane. Also i have participated in many masterclass's with some of the worlds most famous drummers, like Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi, Horacio Hernandez, Benny Greb, Steve Smith, Gregg Bissonette, Pete Lockett, Maxx Furian, Stefano Bagnoli, Ellade Bandini, Maxx Furian & Cristiano Micalizzi.
Dzn: Was your teacher at that time an inspiration?


MD: Absolutely, all my teachers were, and still are my great inspiration.  So this is a beautifull thing for the teacher and for the student, because it means that something concrete has been created deep in the soul.
Dzn: Have you had any other form of education in drums and/or music?


MD: Yes, i think that it's really important for a drummer learn music theory, and also play other instruments!  I studied trumpet for 2 years and i have participated in courses of music theory.

Dzn: What would you consider to be your first “success” in music?

MD: I like to play guitar, and I'll soon begin recording a new album of my personal project called Ozlo with another talented musician, Filippo Cosci.  The songs are composed by myself and by Filippo and I will be recording the drums, guitar and synthesizers.  F
or me this is another important goal in my career as a musician.

Dzn: Would you describe this as a “defining moment” in your career?

MD: Personally, I don't think that it's important want success or to be the best drummer in the world; I never think about these things.  My greatest success is to have a salary doing what I love most in the world: play drums every day. It's awesome!
Obviously I always try to do better; I'll continue to study and try to grow my music baggage.
My “defining moment” is my year spent in London to study drums and music.
It was during that year that I decided that I wanted to be a professional drummer, so when I came back to Italy I started teaching in various music schools, in my private studio and playing in different bands and touring the world as a session musician.  I have just returned from a tour of 40 gigs in U.S.A with an English band called Capelle(below), to promote their new album [where I recorded the drums].




Dzn: You’ve talked about success; have there been any failures, defeats or bad times you can tell us about?

MD: There have been not so much failures, but more what I would describe as bad moments, where I thought that the career of a professional musician was too hard and so difficult...  I mean, it is really difficult, but if you really believe in what you do, then you get to do what you want.  All of us have opportunities.

Dzn: Have you ever encountered any physical or psychological problems?  If so, how have you combated these problems?


MD: I'm very lucky because I never had problems physically.
The biggest psychological problem that many drummers have is to be uncomfortable in their playing because they don’t feel sure; maybe because they are playing in front off hundreds of people, or maybe in front of a jury (examination board or tutor).
There is a great book called “Mental Training For Musicians”.  This book illustrates all the techniques of "mental training" to increase the control of movements, to create a precise internal representation of the sound to be produced, controlling emotions, overcome anxiety and muscle tension.
I recommend it to all musicians!!!!

Dzn: Onto equipment! For all those gear-heads out there, what kit (drums/cymbals/anything else you would like to mention) do you play?

MD: I am very proud to be endorser for three great companies: i use STOCCO DRUMS, great custom drums from Italy and completely handmade.  I have two different sets with different sizes: one is my “Rock” set, the other one is my “Funk/Jazz” set.
I'm endorser of “DIRIL CYMBALS”, great cymbals from Turkey: i use the Raw, Special, Hammer and Jazz series.
At last i use the AGNER DRUMSTICKS, great drumsticks from a company with decades of experience.  I use the classic 5A.

Dzn: With the advent of new technology on what seems to be a daily basis, what modern technology do you incorporate into your practice, teaching, recording and live work?

MD: New technology is now something essential for all musicians.
For practice... How many drummers use a metronome??  Most drummers use them I think.  I personally have always used and studied with a metronome, (the greatest friend of the drummer)  :)
Another thing I often do, is to record myself during practice: I use an interface with just a couple of inputs for the microphones, a computer and any software like Cubase, Logic or ProTools (personally I use Logic, but all of this programs are very good!!).
Live performance: in many bands I use a metronome, this is important if you want to be very precise, and it's essential if there are samples.
Teaching: during lessons I use a metronome and a computer to demonstrate samples where the student can apply what he has learned in the lessons.

Dzn: Is there any other advice you would like to give young drummers?

MD: Yes. Listen to as much different music as possible!  Don't stick to a single genre; open your mind!  Also, study with a metronome, watch the great drummers and go to concerts.

Dzn: Would you like to promote yourself a little bit? Now’s your chance! Please tell us about any tours, releases, web links, endorsements etc…

MD: Thank you to STOCCO DRUMS, DIRIL CYMBALS, AGNER DRUMSTICKS.


Currently i'm playing with:


a postrock/experimental band called NUT (I recorded 2albums), i'm touring Italy, Germany, England. You can find some stuff on youtube or google, or check these pages:
www.myspace.com/nutbanditaly
http://sinusiterecords.bandcamp.com/album/nut-gravit-inverse (Here you can listen the new album!!!)


a garage/indie band called Strange Flowers: Tour started 17th december, 50 gigs in Italy, Germany, Spain, France, England over the next 6 months.
a funk/jazz band called John la Forges.  I'll be recording a new album in January.  You can find some stuff on youtube and google.

Also my very own website(s) where you can find videos, news and the next shows:

Thank you so much Drumazine!!!!!
GROOOOOOOOOOOVE

Dzn:  Thank you and Merry Christmas to you Matteo!  Keep smashing the drums up and we look forward to hearing from you in 2012!



Tuomas Vuorio Interview

MERRY CHRISTMAS all you Drumazine readers!  Here is one half of the Christmas day interview special with Finlands very own metal drumming hero, Tuomas Vuorio!!!





Drumazine: Hello Tuomas! Welcome to Drumazine! For those people reading who might not already know you, please can you tell us a bit about yourself and your career as a drummer.

Tuomas Vuorio:  Hi everyone.  I'm Tuomas Vuorio - 28 yrs old (semi) professional drummer from Finland.  "Semi" because i have an actual day job!  I live in Turku and I play in 5 different bands -  Mysore is my main band.  I have played for lots of different bands and many different styles.


Dzn: Now a typical, but essential question: How old were you when you started drumming?


TV: At age of seven.


Dzn: And did you have lessons at school, or with a private drum teacher?


TV: Well, for the first three years my uncle taught me to play drums.  After three years I had better technique and stamina, so I started to take drums lessons from Finnish professional drummer Petteri Määttänen.


Dzn: Was your teacher at that time an inspiration?


TV: Yes at that point he was and after 20 years i can still find the same mannerisms between Petteri`s style and mine.


Dzn: Have you had any other form of education in drums and/or music?


TV: Yes, i have played 5 years in Salon Musiikkiopisto, (playing everything from Marmibas to Timpani)


Dzn: What would you consider to be your first “success” in music?


TV: When people began to recognize me on the street as the rock drummer who played in the "well-known" band...


Dzn: Would you describe this as a “defining moment” in your career?


TV: It was nice, but of course fame did bring lots of pressure.  After all, I was 17 years old when it happened.

Dzn: You’ve talked about success; have there been any failures, defeats or bad times you can tell us about?


TV: Sure we had some failures too.  Young age, racy lifestyle and alcohol all combined to have a detrimental effect on our shows and music, so because of that we became a shooting star.  "Quickly to the public, but fast obscurity".


Dzn: So, would you describe the problems you have encountered as physical or psychological?


TV: I have been spared from major injuries.  Only minor physical injuries: bruises and a distorted ankles etc...


Dzn: How have you combated this problem?


TV: A lot of sports, exercise variety and good muscle fitness


Dzn: Onto equipment! For all those gear-heads out there, what kit (drums/cymbals/anything else you would like to mention) do you play?


TV: Well im a equipment junkie!  I have two drum sets.  My main kit is Pearl Masters Custom MMX (Silver sparkle) Kit, with 10", 12", 13", 16" Toms, and 22"x18" Kickdrum.  My secondary kit is Shine Custom Drums 100% Birch (RootBeer wallnut) kit, with 8",10",12,",14",16" Toms and 2x 22"x20" Kickdrums.
I have 3 snares at the moment.
13"x6.5" Pearl Joey Jordison snare (Custom painted, with stars on it )
13"x5" Jackshop Bubinga snare
14"x6.5" Pearl Reference snare (Maple / Birch)
I use Sabian cymbals, mostly AAX series, and i have also LOADS of fine Turkish cymbals by Diril Cymbals at my studio.
Basic setup of cymbals i use is 2x14" Hats, 2x 22" MegaBell ride, 17",18",19" Crashes, 6",8" Splash, 18", 19" Chinas.
I use Pearl Hardware 1000 & 2000 series.  Pearl Icon rack (custom modified) and 2xPearl RH-2000.
Tama SpeedCobra Doublepedals and Pearl DemonDrive double pedals
iPod, Palmer D.I Box, Soundcraft Mixer, Shure IN-Ear monitors.


Dzn: With the advent of new technology on what seems to be a daily basis, what modern technology do you incorporate into your:
a. Practice? TV: (iPod, with guitar tracks and click)
b. Live performance? TV: (iPod with click, Backing tracks)
c. Recording? TV: (Click, Trigger for bass drums. (only for the midi tracks, when i wanna have little power from steven slate) 
d. Teaching? TV: Click, drum machine, digital recorder

Dzn: Is there any other advice you would like to give young drummers?


TV: PARADIDDLE IS MEANING OF LIFE


Dzn: Would you like to promote yourself a little bit? Now’s your chance! Please tell us about any tours, releases, web links, endorsements etc…


TV: So everyone feel free and go check out my band:
www.facebook.com/mysoreband
www.myspace.com/mysoreband
We`re arrangin few big tours for summer 2012, stay tuned \,,/
And last but not least, im endorsed with:
Sabian, Balbex Drumsticks, Beyerdynamics, Aquarian Drumheads, Cympad.



Dzn:  Thank you and Merry Christmas to you Tuomas!  Keep smashing the drums up and we look forward to hearing from you in 2012!



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Drumazine has had a busy festive time - but, here on Christmas Day we have a little present of 2, yes TWO, special interviews for you!

I hope Santa bought you all the percussion gifts you asked for, and if he didn't then you must have been a naughty little drummer!

Merry Christmas from Drumazine!  And enjoy the interviews with the amazing Matteo D'Ignazi and the wonderful Tuomas Vuorio.

See you in 2012!

Drumazine

Monday, December 5, 2011

Custom Drums!

I already interviewed a Cymbal Smith, but now let's talk custom drums...

Drumazine: I would like to welcome Emir & CDS Drums to Drumazine! For those people reading who might not know about CDS Drums, let's find out all about who you are and what you do... 



CDS: First off all hello and thank you for the interview.  CDS is currently based near Ljubljana the capitol city of Slovenia.  We are also opening a small workshop in Brussels, Belgium in April/May 2012. 

Dzn: And how long have CDS Drums been in existence?  


CDS: I did my first customization of my old Pearl kit in 2002.  I noticed that more and more people were interested in custom drums so I built a few test snares.  That was in 2004 I think.  I guess that would be a birth date of CDS drums


Dzn: Why did you start to make drums?  


CDS: As I sad before, more and more people were interested in different looking and sounding drums and there was really no custom company in our country.  The main reason is of course, the love to this instrument.


Dzn: You make "custom" drums Do you make anything else (like sticks or cymbals or bags or hardware or standard "production" drum kits)?

CDS: Basically we are a drum oriented company that tailors the drum to the costumer, so there’s no “production” drum kits here.  We are in the process of making our own drum sticks though - I think we’ll have the first results early in 2012.


Dzn: Do CDS Drums have a signature sound or look, or are your kits specifically designed for/by the artists themselves?


CDS: There’s no signature for now so everything is specially made and designed for/by our customers.

Dzn: Do you make your drums only out of wood or are there other materials that you use? 


CDS: We make drums mostly out of wood. Everything else (acrylic, steel, bronze) is OEM ordered.  


Dzn: How long does it usually take from design through to completion of a drum kit?   


CDS: The drum kit waiting period is for now around 3-5 months.  It really depends on the season. 


Dzn: Do you have a favoured drum skin which you use on your kits?


CDS: Kits are usually equipped with Remo Pinstripe, Remo Emperor or Evans G2 coated.  We put Remo ambassador on snares.  


Dzn: Do you have any particular favourite kits that you have made so far? If so, (can you provide pictures and) tell us who the kit is used by?  


CDS: This one was fun to build:








And then this kit (right) was made for a big punk-rock festival in slovenia (PunkRockHoliday).  This kit was used by most of the bands and is currently used by band Aktivna Propaganda and for recording sessions in a few studios around here.







Dzn: Now, some more personal questions(!): Do you have a favourite band or type of music?


CDS: Two favorite bands would definitely be Snapcase and Raised Fist.  I mostly listen to Hardcore/Punk-Rock music with a few rock exceptions.


Dzn: Do you play drums yourself?


CDS: I am a drummer.  Been playing for about 15 years now.


Dzn: Do you have a favourite drummer?


CDS: That would be Dennis Chambers.  The guy has killer moves.


Dzn: You make a very traditional acoustic instrument; How important do you think new technology is in modern day drumming? 


CDS: Technology is good for many reasons:  Most important is the development of new hardware so things keep on getting better and stronger.  The other is that more that machines are used for mass production, more and more people will understand and appreciate hand built instruments.  That will keep custom companies as ours is alive

Dzn: Finally, people reading who are in the market for some new gear might like to know:
Where can we get your stuff?

CDS: Mostly through our facebook profile (facebook.com/cdsdrums), webpage (www.cds-drums.com), email: info@cds-drums.com, but we are looking for suppliers across the globe.  We are stationed in Slovenia and from April/May 2012 also in Brussels/Belgium.

Dzn: How much does it all cost?!

CDS: Ply snares start at approx. 250euros (£215 UK sterling approx)
Stave/segment from 350euros (£300 UK sterling approx)
3pcs sets start at approx. 900euros (£770 UK sterling approx)


Dzn: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about? (Any other links or information about CDS Drums?)  


CDS: As mentioned before, we are looking for suppliers and also new endorsers so this can also be a public call for all the drummers out there that would like to try out our drums and have some mad skill to prove themselves!  


Dzn: I would now like to say a very big Thank You to Emir & CDS Drums for sharing yourself with us! And good luck!  


CDS: Thank you for this great interview and I’m sure we will talk again soon ☺


Cheers to all your readers!

Emir, CDS Drums Owner/Masterbuilder