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ISSUE #41 \__\__\___THE____/__/__/ May 5, 2000
_____________TEMPO DISPATCH _____________
Newsletter For Drummers and Drumming Enthusiasts
Copyright Bill Powelson 2000 all rights reserved.
____________'IT'S ALL ABOUT DRUMS'__________
Tips * Tricks * Hints * Ads * Freebies * Lessons *
_________NOW 3,000+ SUBSCRIBERS!___________

TABLE OF CONTENTS: What is in this issue?

1. Feature Article: 
    MORE: Drum Solo Goodies .. .
2. Super thoughts . . .


FREE DRUMMERS NEWSLETTER
From:  Bill Powelson's
HOMESTUDY INSTITUTE OF DRUMS
On The Web * Where Beginners Learn FREE

E-MAIL: drums01@att.net

______________________________________
|__________FEATURE ARTICLE___________|

MORE . . . Drum Solo Goodies

     If not for the copyright laws . . .
I would put a ton of solos up at the site. 
I may do something along those lines anyway,
AND SOON. 


DRUM SOLOS'
     Here's my BEST drum solo tip!

     *  Choose the World's best drummers to
emulate.  Listen to them, and absorb them on a
daily basis. . . 

     Listening continually to the BEST,
will eventually become the greatest underlying
secret to your future success at the kit, especially
with solo techniques.
     Please let me have a minute extra to reinforce
this perspective a little more . . .


     I don't know how to explain it . . .
but a subliminal sort of learning process
supercedes all our academic efforts.  The patterns
those heavy-weight drummers are playing, will fit
snuggly into the BIG PICTURE as we DO study the
permutation, time signature, rudimental and various
academic theories. 
     But, the theories alone are not a panacea.

     'The best of the best' rhythmic ideas tend
to collect in the deepest recesses of our minds
as we listen.  It's DIFFERENT than memorization!
The ideas just 'stick'!  They become a part of our mental
rhythmic process.  We slowly gain an ability to 'think'
those ideas spontaneously, though we may not adequately
possess the ability to physically execute
and express those ideas at the kit right away.
.
     Then, as we continue to play for fun . . . developing
coordination, and studying the academics . . . those
same, 'best-of-the-best ideas' we've absorbed, will tend to
surface in our own playing styles (slowly, over a period
of months.)  We gradually become 'bits-and-pieces' of ALL
the drummers we've admired over time . . . without
actually dissecting their individual techniques
and licks . . .
     We may never acquire the ability to imitate drummers
like Rich, Bonham, Cameron, Copeland or Ulrich, EXACTLY
. . . but why would we want to?
     The objective is to play their ideas, OUR own way . . .
and to become uniquely different from them, in OUR own way.

     We must learn to ALLOW this to happen
. . . by simply learning to play the ideas that
are already in our deepest memories.  It means . . . letting
go of conscious thoughts, and ALLOWING the (subliminal?) or
subconscious rhythmic ideas or thoughts to surface and
emerge into our own playing routines.

     Stop saying, "I cant!" 

     Just relax and play what you are thinking.  Let
your own imagination do the creating.
     The GREAT stuff will usually come from within . . . or
from the creative side of the brain.  All we have to do
is listen, absorb . . . think . . . and finally, ALLOW
our suppressed and borrowed idea-fragments to emerge.

.........................................

HERE'S MY BEST 'STUDY-TRICK'
AND DIRECT PROOF OF WHAT I'M
TRYING TO SAY:

     Try this, if you haven't already . . .

     Before beginning a practice session . . .
Start with a 15 minute LISTENING session.  Put
on a favorite drum solo. Use headphones if possible.
. . . Just kick back, close your eyes and savor! 
Absorb every sound!  Get deeply into it . . . and
let it play.

     NOW . . . get ready to play your own solo!

DO NOT PASS GO! 
DO NOT COLLECT $200!
DON'T GO TO THE BATHROOM,
AND (MOST IMPORTANTLY)
DON'T BREAK THE SPELL!

DO NOT ALLOW ANY DISTRACTIONS
AS YOU TRY THIS . . .

     IMMEDIATELY after listening  . . . Take your place at
the kit and begin playing what you are thinking . . . without
trying to COPY . . . SIMPLY PLAY WHAT YOU ARE THINKING,
your own way . . . and *LET* it flow.
     If you've never done this before . . . it could turn
out to be the BEST practice session you've ever experienced.

     I find this may be the BEST routine to follow with
EVERY practice session.  It's a terrific way to warm
up, before jamming with your favorite recordings.

...................................................
    
ANYWAY . . .
     I guess . . . what I'm trying to say is that the
'theories' and 'technical studies' will HELP us reach
the goals we are seeking . . . but our LISTENING HABITS
may also play the biggest part in determining our
ultimate progress.
     (It takes a lot of BOTH disciplines to reach
the loftier goals.)

     Continue to absorb 'the-best-of-the-best',
then simply play what you 'feel' when you are at the kit . . .
Think the rhythmic ideas that are ALREADY in your mind,
as you jam.  Before long . . . EVERYTHING you've absorbed,
will slowly surface into your playing style.

     Sometimes . . . students get the idea from my
promotional efforts that the lessons ALONE will take
them to goals they are seeking.  It just isn't true!
     THE LESSONS WILL HELP . . . but it's the students
LISTENING HABITS that will finish the job. Listening
and absorbing . . . is really the key to the whole
thing.

_____________________________________________________


*********** Super Thoughts *************

Thanks to a great bass player & buddy,
Justin Innamorato 
for the following  . . .

Smile For Today: (Life's Truths)

ANYWAY . . .

People are often unreasonable,
Illogical, and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
People may accuse you of
selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
You will win some false friends
and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
People may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
Someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
They may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
People will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
And it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've
got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It never was between you and
them anyway.


 

  Here's something that may be more important that you think. 


END OF TEMPO DISPATCH #41 May 5, 2000





Copyright Bill Powelson 1994 all rights reserved.