2 - miamimath

1
Free Debreuil
Age 17
Miami MB, Canada
Message To The Reader
W
hen I first started publishing this
Managing Director
magazine my goal was, and always
Free Debreuil
has been, to get people to play drums. Now, 15 years
later I am happy to know that with over 1 million subscribers that I inspire people everywhere to pick up some
drumsticks and start playing.
Chief Journalist
Free Debreuil
Try reading our research essay on the recent history of drums; it is a small piece with topics ranging from
the “Big Four” cymbal companies, to the advent rise of
electronic drumming.
Frontline Infantry
Free Debreuil
Maybe you could enjoy our feature article about
Chris Pennie, Coheed and Cambria‟s star drummer. It is a
personal look at his past, present, and future, with an insight into his unique techniques.
Artillery Operator
Free Debreuil
Perhaps a grittier editorial, “The Failure of Rockband” is what you‟re looking for. It argues that pros and
cons of Rock Band in relation to real drumming, and possible problems that could arise from overplaying.
I hope you enjoy this magazine, and remember.
Never stop drumming.
2
Fighter Jet Pilot
Free Debreuil
WIN THIS SNARE!
Table Of Contents
The Recent History Of Drums
Page 4
How American Music Has Changed in the
Last 50 Years
Page 8
A Peek into the 60’ - Across the Universe
Page 10
Drumline Movie Review
Page 12
Studio Drummer, Neighborhood (Poetry)
Beat! Beat! Drums
Page 16
The Failure of Rockband
Page 18
The Benefits of Using an Electronic Drum
Set
Page 19
A Personal Look into a Guitarist's Mind
Page 22
Chris Pennie
Page 24
Bibilography
Page 30
3
RESEARCH ESSAY
The Recent History Of Drums
D
4
by Free Debreuil
Firstly, drumming technology is completely different than what it was in the 1900‟s.
rums have changed radically in
One of the most important advances has been
the past 100 years. Traditionally a
the creation of electronic drum sets. The core
percussionist played only one or two instru-
technology is based off piezoelectric sensors,
ments at the same time, which can be seen in
which is a ceramic disk that induces voltage
classical orchestras today. William F. Ludwig,
based on vibration. This allows the drummer to
cofounder of the Ludwig-Musser drum com-
play quietly and flexibly, and is commonly used
pany, invented the first modern foot pedal in
for recording or rehearsing. Before a drummer
1908 he let a drummer use both his hand and
was forced to only play during the day, and was
feet effectively. This was the first in a long line
not able to play in a town or apartment without
of improvements that have led to the drum set
spending exorbitant amounts of money on
we know today. The most important advances
soundproofing. The technology is recent, so it is
in recent drum history are in drumming hard-
still quite expensive. A decent full electronic
ware, playing technique, and the designing of
drum kit costs about $2000, and a professional
cymbals.
one will cost about $5000. In addition, a drum-
mer will sometimes convert one or two drums to
very difficult to learn and is considered a
electronic pads, which function like a normal
“secret” method by much of the drumming com-
drum but play a recorded sound when hit. This
munity, allowing at will “[speed, power, control,
makes them sound more consistent; only some
and accents]”. (Moeller Method). The actual
styles of music are suited to this, and many
motion looks like a “whip, but very little effort is
drummers refuse to use them because it takes
required and gravity does most of the work. It is
the subtlety out of drums. All these new tech-
not an end all to drum technique, but it helps a
nologies are only possible by
piezoelectrics, and the technology is maturing to the point
when a non-drummer can‟t tell
the difference.
Secondly,
MOELLER METHOD
It is very difficult to learn and
is considered a “secret”
method by much of the drumming community.
advances
lot and is used by many professionals.
Finally, the evolution and
history of cymbals is important
to
percussion.
Bell
bronze, what cymbals are
in playing technique have changed the land-
made of, was first discovered by Avedis Zild-
scape of drumming. As drummers and guitarists
jian, an alchemist attempting to turn a base
became better technically, new forms of music
metal into gold. The metal is an alloy of tin, sil-
have been invented. When rock first started, the
ver and gold, and shaped like a cymbal, was
drummers and guitarists weren‟t able to play
discovered to resonate musically without shat-
much of the technical music we hear today. An
tering. In 1623 he founded the Avedis Zildjian
important style change has been double bass
Company under the reign of the Ottoman Em-
drumming, which occurs when the drummer
pire in Istanbul, Turkey. 386 years later today,
uses two bass drums instead of one. This al-
this company is still the largest producer of
lows the drummer to play with both feet, letting
cymbals in the world and is now run by 14 th
the player create fast streams of notes at will.
generation Craigie and Debbie Zildjian. The
An improvement to this has been heel toe tech-
manufacturing process remained a secret for
nique, which lets the drummer play two hits for
generations and is still handed down tradition-
one by catching the rebound off the bass drum
ally from parent to child. The second largest
with a rocking motion of the foot. This is used in
manufacturer in the world is the Canadian com-
a variety of music; using this technique a drum-
pany Sabian, which is also run by Zildjians. “In
mer can play world record speeds by using a
early 1977 Robert Zildjian had a conflict with his
RRLL pattern on the feet. As of 2009 the record
is “23.45 strokes per second”. (Rock Drumming
Underground) One more important advance in
the last 100 years has been the Moeller
Method, invented by Sanford A. Moeller who
based it off civil war corps drum technique. It is
5
brother Armand Zildjian [and split from the com-
the years, where the two ranges have been
pany]. The same “SABIAN” is based off the
identical alloy for alloy, model for model, distin-
founder Robert Zildjian‟s three children‟s names
guished on from the other mainly by the lo-
Sally, Billy, and Andy. In 1981 shortly thereafter
gos.” (Wikipedia) The two deny ever sharing
Robert started Sabian in the Meductic Azco
production facilities however, they are very
factory
[in
Can-
popular, though not as much
ada].” (Wikipedia) They now
AVEDIS ZILDJIAN
make similar cymbals, but
386 years later today, this
company is still the largest producer of cymbals in
the world.
on average they are thicker,
less mellow, and more tin
based. The next two cymbal
makers of the “Big Four” are
all
these
companies
make
many different types of cymbals, with some examples being “crashes (a „cshh..‟ noise),
rides (a „ping‟ noise), hi-hats (a
Menil, a German company, and Paiste, a Swiss
„tick‟ or „csh‟), splashes (a splash [of water]) and
percussion manufacturer. “The close relation-
chinas
ship between the two makers‟ tone families is
tone).” (Wikipedia)
most obvious in their entry level cymbals over
6
as Sabian or Zildjian. Last off,
(a
gong
sound,
with
a
trashy
7
OATS RESEARCH ESSAY
The How American Music Has Changed in the Last 50 years
P
by Anonymous
make you feel. Music varies greatly around the
world, mostly because it has a lot to do with
eople have often won-
culture. Africa's culture is very different from
dered if music has always
ours, so is their music. Americans have always
been around. Well, to answer that question I did
liked music but it has become increasingly
some research to find out where our music
popular with young people over the last 50
originated. Our first reliable music records came
years. Some older people look down on this,
from the Greeks and the Romans. Americans
but I think music gives teens a sense of who
musical history is very short when compared to
they are, the kind of music you listen to shows
Japan, India, Africa, and China. We don't know
who you are. Music is made with many different
much about our history until about 590-604
kinds of instruments and/or your voice. Some of
A.D. when people began to write music down,
those instruments are: guitars, violins, flutes,
the first music that was written down was songs
drums, and many new electrical instruments.
sung in churches. Another often asked question
People use music for many different things, like
I decided to research is why people write music.
for instance dancing. Many people love to
I got a lot of different answers for this question.
dance, but without music you couldn't dance.
A few of them are: to witness their religious faith
Or for in church it wouldn't be fun if you couldn't
to other people; to express themselves; to have
sing. So now you know about music but I have
fun, they enjoy writing music! After that I re-
one more question will music ever die. My an-
searched different kinds of music. How many
swer? No! I don't think it will ever die. Certain
kinds are there in America? Thousands! There
kinds of music will die but the concept of music
are so many the list would go on and on. Some
will never end. It survived this long, right!
of the more popular kinds are: rock, jazz, religious, alternative, and also classical. What is
popular and what is not has changed a lot over
the years, I doubt anyone in 590 A.D. ever even
thought of rock music! Then I asked myself how
does music effect people. I got the answer that
music affects everyone differently, however
certain kinds of music can change how people
feel. For example heavy metal music will make
you feel differently than classical music will
8
19th century song
composer Stephen
Foster.
Contemporary rap/
hiphop composer 50
cent.
RATIONALE
by Free Debreuil
I
think this isn‟t a very well written essay;
first of all it is all one paragraph. This
makes it hard to differentiate between all the
different thesis points. It‟s also full of spelling
mistakes which makes it seem amateur and
poorly written. The hook statement and the
closing paragraph make almost no sense and
the writer has to resort to using “!” points to try
and make up for the lack of flow and sentence
structure. The writer frequently asks himself
questions then answers them, which while
sometimes being an effective construct, it is
poorly used and it seems like the questions
shouldn‟t have been written on the paper. I like
the idea at the very end, which is music has
survived and will continue to survive, but it unfortunately it seems lost with the rest of the essay. The main problem with the essay is lack of
effort. It seems rushed and the writer should‟ve
read it over a few times, then threw it in the garbage and started over.
CHRISPENNIE
Coheed and Cambria
DRUM LESSONS
$30 per class
4 classes / month
9
MOVIE REVIEW
A Peek into the 60’s
Across The Universe
by Free Debreuil
REVIEW: A musical that works featuring top
notch Beatles covers.
PG-13, 131 minutes
Actors: Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood,
Joe Anderson
Director: Julie Taymor
* * * ½ (3½ stars)
Dominc Howard
Drum Clinic at MTS Centre
August 12, 2009
F
rom the first scene in the movie where Jude (Jim
Sturgess) sings the opening lines to the Beatles
song “Girl”, to the last song, Across The Universe
takes you on an unforgettable musical trip through the 60‟s.
When the movie starts, Jude is leaving for America to search
for his long lost father, who abandoned him as a baby. Leav-
Sponsored by TAMA Drums
Sponsored by Zildjian Co.
ing his girlfriend and Liverpool behind, he finds his father
working as a Janitor at Princeton University. When he got the
address he was expecting an “Einstein”, but is a “working
stiff” just like him. Jude befriends a Princeton student named Max (Joe Anderson) who is living in the
moment, a theme seen throughout the movie. Not caring about school he drops out and they move to
New York. Jude has a thing for Max‟s sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), and they get together later in the
movie after she loses her boyfriend in Vietnam. The best moment in the movie is when Jude is sitting on
a train singing “Across the Universe” on the way to a Vietnam rally; it fits the emotional mood and is the
title song for a reason.
The music is well done, and is all sung by the actors themselves. This is a risky move since it is
hard to match the Beatles musically, but the song covers are high quality and the transitions in and out
are smooth because many times they start out acapella. Also many songs are modified or abridged to fit
the movie (Hey Jude, for example, is much shorter), which tightens up the production and makes the
songs drag less. One negative aspect is that certain songs get tedious (there are 3 or 4) but once the
filler is skipped everything else is good. As well, the movie is full of homages to 60‟s culture and the
Beatles themselves. Near the end of the movie the characters actually sing on the same rooftop where
the Beatles performed for the last time, which is recognizable to even a remote Beatles fan.
10
The movie has many special effects, which are tastefully done for the most part. Some of the most
interesting are during the song “I Want You (She‟s so Heavy)”, where Uncle Sam reaches out of a poster
to grab Max, and a Clockwork Orange-esque sequence when the Army is checking recruits for medical
problems. These scenes are nostalgia for the generation who grew up during these cultural phenomena,
but still effective to generations today. There are also assorted riot and Vietnam scenes that were done
with special effects that look photorealistic.
Finally, the movie is aimed at everyone, with content and themes broad enough that everyone can
understand them. The director Judie Taymor sends a strong antiwar message, which may or may not be
your thing. Also, the theme that “who you are defines what you do,” said by Max, is seen throughout the
movie. These leave a strong impact on the audience and make the viewer think twice about today‟s
status quo. The actors are also all at the top of their game with no times where it feels like they‟re struggling or lost. The movie is a “chick flick” sometimes, but there is enough to keep fans of other genres interested. Watch it, and get your Beatles education at the same time.
The scene about halfway through the movie where they got on
a “Magical Mystery Ride”, aka they get really high and go on a
bus across the country
The scene after the circus, the characters lie in a circle because.. It‟s fun! They‟re all really high, I think it‟s because of
the punch that they drunk.
11
OATS MOVIE REVIEW
Drumline
W
by Free Debreuil
is a televised marching band competition called
eren‟t the kids in marching band
the BET Southern Classic in which the winning
always the kids who were picked
school receives a grant for their music pro-
on all the time? Even though I was never in
gram. A & T had been the consistent winner for
band in high school (I can barely master the
years, but in the last few years, it has gone to
kazoo), I love music and had a great respect for
Morris Brown, whose music program is headed
the band. I think after more people see Drum-
by Mr. Wade (J. Anthony Brown.) Dr. Lee had
line, not only will there less teasing of band
previously been an assistant to Mr. Wade, but
members, but I could picture a few of those
left him when he got the opportunity to head his
teasers signing up for the band.
own program. Part of the reason that A & T
Drumline tells the story of a talented kid named
had been losing lately is because Dr. Lee does-
Devon Miles Jr. (Nick Cannon), who is amazing
n‟t think there has been any good music made
on the snare drum. The music director of At-
since 1980, so his band is a little outdated style
lanta A & T University, Dr. Aaron Lee (Orlando
-wise, and has no respect for Mr. Wade orches-
Jones), recruits him for the school marching
trating his band to do crowd-pleasing hip-
band on a full music scholarship. Apparently, A
hop. Dr. Lee thinks Devon might be the band‟s
& T, along with rival school Morris Brown Uni-
saving grace. Devon bonds instantly with some
versity, are nationally known for their highly tal-
of his band mates, including Big Rob (Shay
ented and skillful marching bands, and specifi-
Roundtree), who is proud to play the tuba, and
cally the percussion sections. Every year there
Jayson, a.k.a. Affirmative Action (GQ), the
white guy who is at A & T because he loves the
music. Devon also attracts a girl on the dance
squad named Laila (Zoe Saldana.) He is a little
tired of the restrictions that they set in terms of
the organization of the band, so he rebels by
blatantly
outshining
everyone
else,
which
makes the leader of the drumline, Sean
(Leonard Roberts), irate with him.
The two
bump heads, and Sean begins to notice something unusual about Devon.
When he calls
Devon on his suspicions and finds out they
were true, he brings it to Dr. Lee, who kicks
12
l
Devon out of the band (Devon‟s rebellious atti-
where. One is with Devon and his relationship
tude didn‟t help him either.)
This doesn‟t sit
with his deadbeat dad, Devon Miles Sr. (Von
well with the Principal of A & T (Al Wiggins),
Coulter.) They touch on it briefly, but ultimately
who not only wants Devon back in the band,
it didn‟t add much more than time-wasting to
but wants Dr. Lee to use Devon to help mod-
the movie. In addition, the individual little prob-
ernize the sound of the band. Devon has to
lems of some of his band mates are a mild dis-
learn to work as part of a whole instead of
traction, like one guy pledging a fraternity and
showboating; Sean has to learn to accept that
Jayson trying to move up in status in the band,
there are other natural talents out there besides
but they too just succeed in making the movie a
himself; and Dr. Lee has to learn to compro-
little longer than it needed to be.
mise with the school and the band without com-
If you are a fan of great music and you want to
promising his love of what he considers “real
see some incredible drum performances, check
music.”
out Drumline. If this movie becomes a hit, I can
There are so many things to praise about this
guarantee you that the number of kids joining
movie.
the band will rise by leaps and bounds!
First, the acting is great.
I‟ve never
seen Cannon‟s Nickelodeon show, but he is
definitely an emerging talent. I‟ve seen Jones
do drama before, but this movie confirms that
he is able to do it, even if his previous dramas
(Magnolia, Liberty Heights, The Time Machine)
hadn‟t. The writing was great as well. While
this was a drama, there were healthy doses of
comedy that was funnier than some comedies
I‟ve seen this year. Finally, there was the music
and performances.
They were absolutely
breathtaking! I don‟t know how much of it was
performed by “stunt” drummers or how much
was performed by the actual actors, but it
looked really cool and sounded great.
There were a
though.
couple
of
problems
here
It was a little long, and that is due
mainly to a couple of side plotlines that go no-
13
RATIONALE MOVIE REVIEW
Drumline
I
by Free Debreuil
thought this was a good movie review. He gave a
good plot outline of the movie without giving away
too much and gave honest criticism, which gave me a
good idea of what to expect from the movie. I liked
DRUMLINE
noun
1. A group of percussionists in
a marching band, usually part
of a musical ensemble.
that he talked about the music in the movie, which is
effective because the movie is about a group of students that play drums, who are trying out for
a competition. I‟ve seen movies with similar plotlines before and they work well, as long as the
acting and special effects are good because the plotline is not the strongest point in the movie, it
is just a way to move the story from point A to B. One thing I didn‟t like about the review. The
author should have organized his ideas a better and split paragraphs more (the second one in
particular) because it lacks focus and is confusing in places, but overall it was still good. This
movie relates to my theme because the kids in the movie are going into a drum competition
where multiple people play using traditional techniques on snare drums, which is a drum line.
14
15
POETRY
Studio Drummer
Neighborhood
by Free Debreuil
The concert begins
A black matte finish
A total concentration
Raw attack, volume potential
Whine of camera gone
Will now be unleashed
Almost antiseptic tinge
On the unsuspecting ears
Now only an unblinking stare
A quiet morning neighborhood
OATS POETRY
Beat! Beat! Drums!
by Walt Whitman
BEAT! beat! drums!—Blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force,
Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation;
Into the school where the scholar is studying;
Leave not the bridegroom quiet—no happiness must he have now with his bride;
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, plowing his field or gathering his grain;
So fierce you whirr and pound, you drums—so shrill you bugles blow.
Beat! beat! drums!—Blow! bugles! blow!
Over the traffic of cities—over the rumble of wheels in the streets:
Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? No sleepers must sleep in those beds;
No bargainers‟ bargains by day—no brokers or speculators—Would they continue?
Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing?
Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the judge?
Then rattle quicker, heavier drums—you bugles wilder blow.
Beat! beat! drums!—Blow! bugles! blow!
Make no parley—stop for no expostulation;
Mind not the timid—mind not the weeper or prayer;
Mind not the old man beseeching the young man;
Let not the child‟s voice be heard, nor the mother‟s entreaties;
Make even the trestles to shake the dead, where they lie awaiting the hearses,
So strong you thump, O terrible drums—so loud you bugles blow.
16
RATIONALE
by Free Debreuil
This was a interesting poem; the repetition at the end of each segment was effective
(beat drums, bugles blow). I liked the analogy
which was that the beating of drums was the
drums of war, which never stop. The poem built
well, where each successive stanza use more
descriptive and more powerful words which
gave a sense of rising action as I was reading
it. On the mechanics side, there were no grammar mistakes and the beat flowed well throughout. Overall, this was a well written poem.
Live at MTS Center
December 23, 2010
Tickets online or call
1-204-643-4853
17
EDITORIAL
The Failure Of Rockband
H
by Free Debreuil
Even if you have the coordination required to
play the music, real drums would be impossible!
ave you ever wondered
how close Rock Band™
A switch to real drums requires a major relearning.
is to playing a real instrument? The game mimics the feel of playing on stage, and the harder
parts of the game mimic the coordination required to play the instruments. However,
smashing pads on a fake drum set really is not
the same as playing a real instrument. The
short answer, not even close. Long answer,
let‟s see.
Finally, Rock Band teaches bad technique, which will hurt a player in the long run,
because it is harder to unlearn bad technique
then relearn it properly. Without a basic level of
instruction or attempt to learn properly, players
end up just smashing the kit with no dynamics
or accents. Basically, the game just teaches
you to hit the drum set, somewhat in time, as
It is true of course, that Rock Band can
hard as you can.
teach the basic coordination required for drums,
but if used exclusively will hurt your drumming
in the long run. The kit that comes with the
game is very low quality, as it‟s mostly plastic.
Everyone has problems with it breaking, and an
entry level electronic set is 100 times better.
Rock Band has four pads plus a kick drum, with
This game is just a poor imitation of the
real instrument, and is a joke compared to
drumming. People who think they‟re super cool
when they‟re playing Rock Band, are really
wasting their time. Stop playing Rock Band.
Really. It‟s not a real instrument.
5 total pads. A real kit has at least 3 toms, a
kick drum, a snare, and 5 cymbals, with a total
of 10. As well, the left foot is not used in rock
band whereas it controls the hi-hat on a real
set.
Of even greater importance, Rock Band
does not let a player improvise beats because
the tracks for each song are pre-set. This is one
the most important aspects of drumming, because many drummers who can‟t read sheet
music, just “make up” beats as they go along.
18
A screenshot from the videogame “Rock Band
2”, made by Harmonix. This is the most popular
rhythm music game as of 2009.
OATS EDITORIAL
The Benefits of Using an Electronic Drum Set
by Jamie Hanson and Isabelle Lucas
Stepping into the age of electronics many things which were
not thought of could be changed are gradually being converted. No
one in those days could think of an electric guitar or a electric piano.
Even with the change the functions are much easier.
Likewise you had acoustic drums and nowadays the electronic
drums have taken the music field. Electronic drums do not have the
fineness of sound reproduction but are beneficial in many other ways.
Electronic instruments works with simply a signal produced and amplified and in that respect is no acoustic sound generated from it.
Roland TD12 (US$2000 RVSP)
The acoustic drums are built to sound loud which gives a body shaking sound when attached to a
live stage performance. Acoustic drums cannot be silent whereas the electronic drum sets can be set for
sound depending on the surroundings it is being played. The traditional drum disturbs the neighborhood.
In these considerations the electronic sets are really assistive as its sound can be controlled. The additional advantage you get is, you can play and listen yourself by putting a head phone, without creating
any noise for the others to get disturbed.
The another advantage you have with the electronic set over the acoustic drum set is the place
requirement. Electronic set can be put inside a cupboard after you finish whereas acoustic drum sets,
because of its huge drum and accessories require a considerable amount of space to be stored when
not in use. Similarly, in an acoustic drum you require to tune the drums and cymbals every time you perform. But with an electronic set you have no such adjustments to make to tune the set except adjustments in the sound level.
Some electronic sets allow you to attach the iPod or the player which enables you to perform with
your choicest tune and you can hear them through the headphone. More advanced and high end electronic sets produce the sound which can be said to be near as an acoustic drum. Many sets are also
come to the market which is reasonably priced and also have the high end features.
The other advantage the electronic drum has over the acoustic set is it is not impacted by the
moisture. Traditional drums lose their sound when coming into moisture contact. Electronic drum set offers you with different selection of sound and sound level. Manual tuning is always difficult. While in the
event of electronic drum it has several types of sound effects.
Initially the electronic drum sets were costly and was used by high level professionals. But with the
growth of industry these drums are available to every body in several price bands.
19
RATIONALE EDITORIAL
The Benefits of Using an Electronic Drum Set
I
by Free Debreuil
think this is a well written piece, but it lacked some editorial elements; I liked his opening
line where he related the improvement of electronic drums to the rise of the electronic pi-
anos and guitars. This gives the article a sense of credibility and pushes his point because he is saying
that history is repeating itself. He arranges his points somewhat logically with the strongest first, which is
that they can be played quietly and don‟t disturb the neighbours. His last point is weak, but I think he
tried to go strongest to weakest, but he should‟ve ended on a strong point too. He lacks a counter argument unfortunately, which makes it seem like he is not considering both sides but I don‟t think he was
following the editorial format we have. His third point is that you can listen to your iPod while playing, but
this is possible with a real drum set too if you wear hearing protection. His writing is good quality and
there are no mechanical errors, and overall his tone fits his topic. His call of action is lacking, because he
doesn‟t really tell the reader directly to “go buy an electronic drum set!”, but throughout the article he implies that the reader should do this. Overall, a good article, but it didn‟t follow the editorial format correctly
so it was a badly written editorial.
Ride Cymbal
Splash Cymbal
Crash Cymbal
Hi-hat Cymbals
METAL
Hi + Mid Toms
Floor Tom
Kick Drum
JAZZ
ROCK
The set up of a basic rock drum kit. More cymbals are usually added by the
drummer based on his preference, or to fit the style of music being played.
20
2010 World Tour
United States
Europe
Australia
South Africa
Canada
Japan
South America
Palu
21
FEATURE ARTICLE
A Personal Look into a Guitarist’s Mind
E
by Free Debreuil
most important. Without a good vocalist a band
veryone listens to music today,
will suffer hugely. Since the singer also usually
with worldwide sales of records
writes the songs (as he does), they have crea-
totaling over US$3.7 billion. (“Ifpi”)
tive control. This means they can influence
From the classic sounds of Led Zepplin to the
what the band sounds like as a whole.
eclectic sounds of Muse, they all were all cre-
(Wikipedia)
ated using the same basic instrumentation; guitar, drums, bass and vocals. It's the creativity of
To start, the main reason he likes guitar
the musicians that separates bands from one
over other instruments is it‟s portability. In addi-
another. Now we look at how all this is created
tion, Sky says, “You directly interact with each
from an average fan‟s perspective.
string, so you can play each note in at least six
different ways. There are different flavors to the
Veteran guitar player Sky Debreuil, who
same note.” He likes the versatility it offers.
has been playing guitar for over 2 years, is the
front-man of the band Sketchy. Sky practices “a
When Offbeat asked him how his band-
couple of hours every day, with more on week-
mates compare to guitar, he said, “The bass
ends.” Today will look at his opinions on the
guitar picks up where the lead guitar leaves off.
other instruments and his life in a band, from a
It backs up the lead guitar by playing simple
personal exclusive interview.
patterns to fill up the background and complement the drums.” Without a bass guitar there
He is the lead vocalist in his band, which
is the most prominent role, and arguably the
are fewer harmonies, which will detract from the
overall sound of a song.
He continues, saying that, “Drums are
also a backup instrument”, and provide the beat
or “groove” to play over. They also act as time
keepers, relying on metronomes or years of
practice to keep a solid tempo. The drummer
can also control the “intensity” at which the
band is playing by choosing what to hit, or by
varying the volume and beats.
Matthew Bellamy, lead guitarist of Muse, which is
Sky‟s favourite band.
22
Sky plays using many different bands of
guitars and gear, such as Ibanez, Gibson, Marshall, and Boss. He says however, “I have no
brand loyalty. I go purely on what it sounds
like.” This differs from drummers, who often
stick to one brand of cymbals for their entire life.
In guitar culture it is not unusual for guitarists to
switch brands however.
Finally, when asked about playing in a
band he replied, “It‟s fun when it sounds good.”
However, often members get pissed off with
each other, likely because they feel they're contributing more than they are. Also, if one person
plays badly the whole band will be shaky. This
creates tension, and four large egos in a small
stuffy room with large amounts of testerone
flying around generally creates problems.
In conclusion, Music is an important part
of what makes us human. It has been around
for as long as people, and is a huge commercial industry today. Every piece of music you
ever hear, from nursery rhymes to radio pop
was once thought up of and written down by a
musician. Sky‟s band is just one of the millions
out there creating music for you to hear.
S520EX
23
OATS
FEATURE ARTICLE
Chris Pennie
24
by Mark Griffith
25
26
27
RATIONALE FEATURE ARTICLE
Chris Pennie
T
his is a good feature article;
it gives a good behind the scenes look
at Coheed and Cambria‟s star drummer
and follows the conventions of the format. The interviewer does not “inject”
himself into the article, and keeps an
objective style through the article. The
lead is interesting and keeps me
hooked to keep reading, and gives a
brief description of who Chris Pennie is
and what he‟s all about. It is a novelty
lead which lists his past and current
bands, and also plugs his book
“Polyrhythmic Potential”. The article
asks good questions to the drummer,
and flows smoothly. The whole article is
based around the interview with the
drummer, and gives me a good idea of
what his personality is like.
28
by Free Debreuil
l
29
BIBILOGRAPHY
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BIBILOGRAPHY
Images Used
(20) Drumset http://boutique.michelmusique.fr/images/tama-starclassic-maple.jpg
(23) Guitar http://cachepe.samedaymusic.com/media/quality,85/brand,sameday/15-S520EXBK0b023a41d42354981dd44876773abd21.jpg
(4) Drumset http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/JoeyKit08cfab24bc3c8e42cd189a391caf0788ba.jpg
(3) Drummer http://drummerworld.com/drummers/Chris_Adler.html
(2) Drummer http://drummerworld.com/drummers/Travis_Barker.html
(8) Stephen Foster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_United_States
(9) Band Logo http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Rise-Against-Logo-rise-against120810_1800_1621.jpg
(8-9) Background http://leafsacc.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/hpim0133.jpg
(10) Dominic Howard http://media.photobucket.com/image/muse%20drummer%20dominic%20howard/
donny_alvin/MUSE.jpg
(3) Rise Against http://media.photobucket.com/image/rise%20against%20logo/enginebok/rise_wallpaper1.jpg
(18) Rock Band http://nailive.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/rock_band2.jpg
(21) Offspring http://popwreckoning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/offspring-3.jpg
(2) Singer on Box http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Muse_1.jpg
(28-29) Background http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/MuseNIA.JPG
(8) 50 Cent http://usss.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/50cent.jpg
(2) Profile http://webenhanced.lbcc.edu/philml/phil14ml/images/smith%20fire.jpg
(11) Strawberries http://www.arenacinema.com/universe2.jpg
(17) Afi circle logo http://www.bandswallpapers.com/data/media/1/afi21.jpg
(19) Electronic Kit http://www.drumza.com/images/RolandTD12SVStageElectronicDrumSet.jpg
(2) Drumset w/ logo http://www.empyrelounge.com/images/galleries/2009/020609-coheed-and-cambria/coheedand-cambria32.jpg
(3) Snare http://www.harmony-central.com/ProductImages/Large/000014941.jpg
(7) Poster http://www.microcuts.net/gallery/data/media/82/haarp_3_1600x1200_wallpaper.jpg
(11) Couple hugging http://www.moviecentre.net/albums/Across-the-Universe/hr_Across_the_Universe_6_001.jpg
(17) Band Members http://www.nastylittleman.com/Clients/afi/images/crash%20love/crash%20love%201.jpg
(15) Poster http://www.panicmanual.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/drumline.jpg
(12) Drumline Ad http://www.parentpreviews.com/legacy-pics/drumline.jpg
(30-31) Background http://www.performing-musician.com/pm/feb08/images/SabianCymbals_5.jpg
(6) Vater Ad http://www.poole-percussion.co.uk/thumbnails/vater-logo.jpg
(5) Zildjian Logo http://www.sopercussion.com/give/ZILDJIAN.JPG
(20) Metal Drumset http://www.woodbrass.com/images/woodbrass/SK44HZBNS-BMB.JPG
(32) Drumset http://www.woodbrass.com/images/woodbrass/
TAMA+SUPERSTAR+ROCK+HYPER+DRIVE+SUGAR+WHITE.JPG
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