Wise Words From Theodore Roosevelt

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.

–Theodore Roosevelt

Wise Words from John Coltrane

There is never any end. There are always new sounds to imagine; new feelings to get at. And always, there is the need to keep purifying these feelings and sounds so that we can really see what we’ve discovered in its pure state. So that we can see more clearly what we are. In that way, we can give to those who listen the essence, the best of what we are. But to do that at each stage, we have to keep on cleaning the mirror.

–John Coltrane

Some Stuff I’m Working On Number 4

I’ve been working on a lot of fun new drumming ideas recently. This one is really exciting me as it comes together. The idea comes from a seven stroke roll, one of my favorite Buddy Rich licks (remind me to post my transcription of Buddy’s “Down For Double” one of these days), several Gadd licks (the ratamacue and FLR triplet ideas) and Keith Carlock’s signature doubles/FFRL lick. Put them into a pot, stir them up, and Voila! New idea. Hope you find these interesting and or helpful.

Here’s the PDF: Some Stuff I’m Working On 4

Oz Noy Guitar Clinic at GTR Store

I’m excited to join Oz Noy at his clinic this Tuesday, March 18th at 6pm at the GTR Store in New York City. We’ll be playing a few tunes and my good friend Margaret LaBombard will be playing bass. Oz in a fantastic guitarist, and he rarely does clinics in NYC, so I hope to see you there.

GTR is located at 141 West 28th Street in NYC, 4th floor.

Real Rock Stars Don’t Complain Onstage

Last week, I played a gig at a NY venue. There were six bands on the evening’s bill.

The singer of one of the bands was pretty annoying onstage. That band’s music was decidedly punk, which should mean that the band members are decidedly badass.

“Can I get a little more guitar in my monitor,” she whined more than once.

The drummer had to keep moving stuff on the house drum kit around—it looked like he was experiencing the dreaded “creeping bass drum” issue that really is a drag for drummers.

“Wow, this drum set kind of sucks,” the singer said into the microphone.

It was my friend Ted who pointed out how lame it was for the singer to whine like that.

He’s right.

You’re in a punk band and you’re complaining to the audience? That is so NOT badass. It’s a pansy move. It’s lame.

People, you’re playing a show at a club. Your audience wants to be entertained. Do your best rock star bit. Give us some snappy banter that keeps us smiling.

Bruce Henderson who was the singer in one of my old bands, knew this and acted accordingly. He didn’t complain onstage regardless of whether or not his monitors sounded right. Instead, he made pointed quips like, “this song goes out to my wife and my girlfriend.”

The crowd loved that kind of stuff.

So take a pointer from my friends Bruce and Ted.

No one gives a shit that your monitor mix is off and we don’t want to hear about it.

Stop complaining. Start entertaining.

Funk Comping 1

I’ve been messing around with comping in Funk and Rock. What if you could have the same kind of freedom with the interplay of your snare and bass drum (and eventually hi-hat too) to play melodic and rhythmic ideas just like Jazz drummers do? That is the point of this exercise.

It’s a four bar phrase and I’ve written it with (#1) and without (#2) an accompanying cymbal line. The version without a cymbal is provided so that you can make up any cymbal rhythm you wish. The 2nd example shows the cymbal line I think may work fairly well for what I’m hearing. Perhaps you’ll like it too.

Here’s the PDF: funk comping 1

Nasty Lick 53

Nasty Drum Lick 53

Here’s another little drum lick for you.

Here’s the PDF: Nasty Lick 53

Let me know how you like it.

Drum Off 2013 Idea 3

This groove is a combination of funk, clave and songo. It’s funky, it rocks and it feels latin, all at the same time. I stumbled upon this groove while working on developing clave independence with my right hand against all my other limbs (instead of left foot clave, which I feel is already “taken.”)

There’s something hereā€¦and I plan on exploring it further at some point.

You’ve heard me talk about this before, but one of the keys to making this sound right is to make sure all the unaccented snare notes are ghosted.

Here’s the PDF: Drum Off 2013 Idea Three

Rock out.

Drum Off 2013 Idea 1

On September 24th, 2013, I competed in my first Drum Off. I planned out my solo very carefully. There were certain sections where I improvised around a particular idea. There was also a section of mini solos that I played (fours) that were memorized. Each four bar solo was based on one main idea, and some variations. I will be posting the fours separately as Ideas One through Six.

Here is Idea One. This sounds pretty rockin’ at about 100 to 110 bpm or higher. I believe I played it at around 110 that day. It is based on the six stroke roll and its variations.

Important: Make sure that all the unaccented snare notes are ghosted.

Here is the PDF for you to download: Drum Off 2013 Idea One

By the way, although I didn’t advance to the next round, I was told that the judging was extraordinarily close, with me coming in third place for the store entrants at the prelim level. Had I come in second, I would have advanced. For my first effort, I’ll take it. And I’ll be back.

Drum Off 2013 Idea One

Neil Peart Drum Solo Contest: A Fan Letter

A few days ago, I received this email:

I’ve been carrying around the flexi disk of your solo for the Neil Peart contest for decades. It’s one of my favorite pieces of music ever and to me an indication of where I keep wishing drums could go. Lots of drummers have the technique that could go there but I’ve never really heard a percussion composition so completely right on. Glad to find you on the web! Thanks for the music.
—Matt MacLaurin

Wow. How great. Now, it’s time to create more good stuff. Knowing that I touched someone with this solo is all I needed to keep going.

Thanks, Matt. You made my day.

Here’s the solo for you to listen to:

Read a more detailed story about the solo here: Mark’s Winning Modern Drummer Drum Solo Contest

Here’s the first page of the letter from contest judge and RUSH drumming legend Neil Peart, informing me that I was one of the contest winners:


Neil Peart Letter to Mark Feldman.jpg