Stick impact in slow-motion

It's an older video but it's quite amazing what heads and cymbals go through every time we strike them.  That's why it's important to deflect the impact of the stick on the cymbals.  Now, Mike Mangini does play pretty hard and it looks like a Zildjian A Custom crash which is pretty flexible.  Regardless it's pretty cool and mind-blowing.

Here's Frodo.  He likes to fix mallets.  He has to because he likes to play with them.

Percussion basics- holding sticks!

Here's my first video!  Drum basics- how to hold and move the sticks.  Geared toward school band students.   

 

REMO Drumhead chart

Keeping up with drum heads has become quite a challenge.  Even for someone who often deals with them.  Here is a chart I've created putting all of REMO's (drum set use) heads in somewhat of an organized form.  

 

There are three boxes:

• The top box is the basic heads broken down into two categories: single & double ply.  These heads have no dampening.  The Vintage Emperor is the newest.
• The bottom box is the same idea but these heads have some sort of dampening ring/ reinforcing dot.  
• The middle box combines the two boxes and adds textures to them.  Check out REMO's website for those details.

I also tried to organize tone and durability.  IN GENERAL, you can follow the arrows in the top.  I also tried to list the heads in darkness of tone as it goes down each subset, but I haven't tried all of the heads so it's not definite.  All of the heads do not come in all sizes.

I will probably make a second page with more details of each head.  I will also continue to create and post more of these charts as I make them.  Let me know if you have any questions/recommendations to this chart or other ideas.

Summer NAMM Show 2012

I attended the Summer NAMM show in Nashville, TN mid July.  Didn't get a lot of time to look at everything in detail, but below are some items of interest.  Interesting variation on established ideas, some are excellent, some are nice concepts that need more polishing.

The Z-Stick is a different take on the cajon.  Cajons are quite popular right now and these are hand percussion instruments that can be played all sorts of ways.  They have a Piezo pickup inside of them and some contain a filling to create a rain stick effect.  They are not audible on their own.  They need to be plugged into a sound system.  Now percussionists can stand in front of their own amp and effects pedals...great more gear to lug around.

Here is a stick holster by B*tch Straps (Trying to keep it PG here).  Pretty straight forward.  Made in Tennessee.

Interesting bass drum and hi hat pedals made by Drumnetics.  Instead of using springs, these pedals use magnets to propel the pedal back and forth.  Strength can be adjusted by changing their position.

Don't remember their name but it's an interesting concept.  Notice that the snare, two toms and a mic stand are mounted to the throne.

This product isn't available for sale just yet.  I forgot their name.  It's a cymbal nut mount of sorts.  The top part stays with the cymbal.  It locks the cymbal in place but by pulling it differently, it comes right off and allows you to quickly put them in your bag.  It's like having a Gibraltar Swivel Nut or one of the many squeeze nuts, but you don't have to worry about losing parts.

 Sabian had a few new prototypes and Remo and Evans had their new 14 mil heads. 

Welcome to Cats on Drums

Hello!

My name is Masa and I am a percussionist.  I work in a music store, perform and teach.  I also like cats. 

This is Blue.  She likes to lie on my bags and cases.

This blog will have posts regarding percussion topics and at times cats and anything else that may come to mind.  Feel free to contact me.  Requests and comments are welcome.  I would be glad to post your pictures of cats on drums.