Back on the Throne!

As some of you may remember, I got a set of Roland Vdrums just before Xmas. It had been over 25 years since I had played drums with any regularity, but after roughly a couple of months things are starting to come together pretty well now after a few minor setbacks.
 
Setback #1
 
I originally set up a playlist of 5 songs to practice to. The list started mid-tempo and worked up to a faster tempo rocker. While overall fatigue wasn't a problem, the hand I use for hihat started to cramp up after about 10 minutes. This caused my normally light grip to lose grip entirely, especially when hitting the crash cymbal. This resulted in Flying Stick Syndrome! This phenomena ranged from just dropping the stick, to sending it flying across the room. Once, I lost the grip hitting the crash cymbal and the stick flew directly at my Les Paul that is hanging on the wall. I watched in horror as the stick flew at my guitar, only to see it ricochet off the wall right between the neck and the wall and come out the other side, never touching the guitar. This resulted in a movement of the drum kit. A few days later, while hitting the crash on the edge, I lost the grip again and the stick came back and hit me squarely between the eyes. My wife heard the yelp and then the laughter and came in to see what happened. After explaining to her what happened, she just shook her head and asked in a too innocent and helpful voice "Honey, should I go into the garage and get my bicycle helmet and your safety glasses for you?".
 
Setback #2
 
My kick drum foot came back fairly quick. I was able to do single and double beats easily and stay in time fairly well. The second week I had the kit, I played through my 5 song list roughly 8 times over the weekend. Monday morning when I got up from bed, I had a pain in my hip joint that nearly caused me to blackout. I quickly sat back on the bed wondering what the hell was going on. Once I got up and began walking around it began to feel better, but throughout the day everytime I sat for awhile and stood up, the pain would be instant and severe. I now do some deep knee bends and stretching before starting to play.
 
I now have my practice list up to 12 songs and can play through them without mistakes or mishaps. I must say it's been the most fun I've had in years playing the drums again. I highly recommend it to anyone that used to play and would like to get back into it. Running them through Session Drummer sounds great too.
 
Randy  

UbiquitousBubba


You've taken the art of stick tossing to a new, and rather amusing, level.  Think of it as performance art. 

I think the great thing is that she was so understanding, supportive and sarcastic compassionate.  I'm guessing she hasn't stopped mocking you yet.

Yeah, when I announce I'm going to play my drums, she'll toss out the "Don't forget your helmet babe".
 
Randy

When I was a larvae, my drum teacher taught me to take off any watches, rings, or other death-inducing jewlery before playing.  He then elaborated in excrutiating detail the nature of real-world injuries that he'd witnessed over the years.

You may love your gear, but it's wild and will kill you if it gets the chance.  Respect the gear.

lessons learned!  sounds like you're throwing your whole body into it! 

we're expecting a really good song out of this. 

You're a drummer??!!! 

And you admit it??!!

Q: – What’s the most common thing said to a drummer in a 3-piece suit?
A: – "Will the defendant please rise."

I remember when the WII controllers had that problem.

rsp@odyssey.net

  This caused my normally light grip to lose grip entirely, especially when hitting the crash cymbal. This resulted in Flying Stick Syndrome! This phenomena ranged from just dropping the stick, to sending it flying across the room.
 
  I highly recommend it to anyone that used to play and would like to get back into it. Running them through Session Drummer sounds great too.
 
Randy  

 

Randy, I was having a huge problem with the flying sticks when I got my e-drums (Alesis DM6).
I picked up a pair of Zildjian Anti-Vibe sticks. They are a slightly larger diameter (5B?) and a little heavier, but the have a rubber core, and are much better balanced. I still lose one occasionally, but not like before.


And I totally agree with your recommendation. I had a trap set 25 years ago, and it feels really good to play again. Nice thing with the e-drums is I can put on the headphones, and play my drums at midnight, without bugging the neighbors.


I usually run most of the drums through EZDrummer, but send the hi-hat to Session Drummer 2. Sometimes, I run it all through SD2.
I couldn't believe how rusty I was at first, but it's slowly coming back. Definitely great fun.
The SD2 hi-hat is way more responsive, and I think it sounds better.

"Decent" is, of course, subjective.
The Roland sets start at around $1,000.
I knew my main intent would be to trigger soft synth drums, so I was not particularly concerned with built-in libraries.
When I saw the Alesis DM6 Kit at $500, I could swing that.
I've had it for a year now, and have no regrets.
The weak link is still the guy sitting on the throne, but I'm working on that.

Kroneborge


So how much does a decent e drum set run, and any suggestions?

I've often considered going that route to try and improve my own drum loops.

I got a yamaha kit for $500.  I'm very happy with it.

Yeah, the built-in kits are a little weak on velocity, but as a trigger for soft synths, it is a whole 'nother animal. It's all in how the samples are mapped.

When you can do sixteenths on the hi-hat without gasping for air like a fish out of water, you know it's all coming back......