How was the lesson? [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
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How was the lesson? [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
LOL!!! hey randy how did u know??
well, what can i say. imagine being 18 and meeting and being taught by your all time drum idol!!!
it was fantatsic. dave was delightful and was so helpful and informative. he went over all of his technique stuff and answered all my questions and it was brilliant!!! we must of covered every subject from music business to stool hight!!! lol. was a wonderful day for me!
i can write something with more detail if any one is interested?
Go ahead, write away... [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
Louie,
OF COURSE, we are interested!
[img]cool.gif[/img]
I second and third that motion. Details please. [img]wink.gif[/img]
I talked with Dave earlier today and he told me about just returning from giving you a lesson. I had forwarded the MP3 links of your playing Tiempo deFestival to him.
that's pretty funny.
You gave WECKL a link of someone else playing a WECKL tune..without asking them?
Wow.
that's pretty funny too.
Yeah I did, the link was a public link and not private and I thought Louie did a really good job., Dave dug it too.
Louie said "i can write something with more detail if any one is interested? "
...Louie,Louie, Louie.
You know the answer for that question 100%.
And you know the answer is YES.
Write, Write, Write.
Thanks.
Bye
...and about the link to Weckl.
The intentions from Randy are good, but I would had asked first.
Bye.
LOL...it was funny. at the end of the lesson when we were packing up, he said "is there a thing floating around on the internet of you playing tiempo?" so im like "how the hell du about that?" i was kind of embarassed to be honest, and i aksed if he minded, but he said he dug it, and i told him the reason for learning it and putting it on the net. he seemed cool about it. im not sure if they think its flattering of weird??? lol.
anyway, im sat in ronnie scotts 40 mins early (there's was no way i was gonna let a late train fuck this one up!) and i wait for dave.
he arrives early and says hes been using shit bongos and no djembe for the past two nights, so he makes some phone calls and gets stuff sorted and sent across london.
he then asks me to come up to the stage and we begin taking etc and he says "why dont you sit down and play a little bit?" so i go and get comfortable on his kit (which was extremely comfortable by the way, everything very close and easy and cymbals lower than it looks). So at this point im thinking "fuck me" im sat on the stage at ronnie scotts, sat at dave weckls drum set, and the man himself has just asked me to play for him! i wasnt nervous; how can i be nervous of playing the drums; its my thing. but just very aware of who was standing next to me....and also aware not to play his licks!
i played ok-ish. just chop kinda thinkgs round the set. and then he says "play some time stuff". so i play a contemporary thing and then cross to a be-bop thing. he then asks me to perform singles and double etc.
then i got up and he said "thats great man" and i said "dave, its nerve-racking. imaging you playing for buddy rich at 18!" he laughs.
then we went over the whole technique thing. and i was explaing how fucking confused i was with thomas' approach being the TOTAL opposite to dave's. Dave's technique seems to make so much sense, and i understood it far better than on the videos. it clicked more. its partly about playing from the back of the hand rather than pinching at the front. he said this is the way u'll see vinnie and gadd play. and the moeller stuff was explained properly to me for the first time.
then we covered topics such as set-up, playing with energy which i feel my playing lacks. he said thats a state of mind and is about placement of notes. and i asked him about accenting with the band, which i feel he and buddy do the BEST. then a little brushes, counting etc.
he also gave me some great advice about general stuff, playing, being a business man, being an all-rounder etc.
then we just hung for a bit. he still had to get comfortable on his kit and he hadnt had a chance the past two days. he was setting up the video camera for the website etc. and i just watched him play for a while. it was strange for me watching is so close up. no lights, people, stage etc, just dave playing drums.
was a fantastic day that i'll never forget and still hasn't really sunk in.
[img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] Wow Louie... One of those magical moments you'll never forget... Talk about INSPIRATION to keep on pushing ahead!!! Real happy for you bro. [img]biggrin.gif[/img] THanks for sharing that.
Nice one Louie, what a fantastic experience that must have been. I was just thinking when I was watching him how if you sat me behind all those drums and cymbals, I think I would have shat myself!! I can't believe you played for him too, good for you. Glad too that you discussed some hand technique with him, he looked so fluid last night. Any more insites into his technique? His left hand still looks open to me as opposed to the way Vinnie gets his palm facing down, allowing the fingers to do most of the work.. cheers.
I could have asked first, but at the sametime many 'players' ghost this board that many of you don't even know about and have probably hit those links too.
So for that reason and plus I think Louie has some serious talent going for such a 'young' punk [img]wink.gif[/img] I sent the links .........remember, this is the web and it's not invisible, if you put something out there, MP3, video file, bootleg, guys will at some point find it and either take light of it or have a problem.
[img]rolleyes.gif[/img] !!!! I'm stunned louie. Good job! How could you not be nervous in front of our lord??? [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Agreed. I couldn't imagine that weckl would be anything other than flattered. If it was me and someone was doing that, I'd feel pretty good about it.Quote:
Originally posted by Randy Walker:
I could have asked first, but at the sametime many 'players' ghost this board that many of you don't even know about and have probably hit those links too.
So for that reason and plus I think Louie has some serious talent going for such a 'young' punk [img]wink.gif[/img] I sent the links .........remember, this is the web and it's not invisible, if you put something out there, MP3, video file, bootleg, guys will at some point find it and either take light of it or have a problem.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 03, 2004 09:13 AM: Message edited by: Rudy_Ment ]</font>
Sorry, I misinterpreted that. You're talking about asking louie's permission.
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ June 03, 2004 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Rudy_Ment ]</font></font>
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 03, 2004 09:17 AM: Message edited by: Rudy_Ment ]</font>
he also talked alot about touch. and how important touch and feel for the instrument are. i.e letting the sticks do the work, not gripping them too tight and being organic and musical.
having already applied some of this last night and today, he is correct and it does make more sense and for me, it feels great.
however, i think i want to learn ALL these techniques....thomas' and dave's. because it depends on the music and gig. if i was playing with black sabbath (got forbid) then some of thomas' stuff could apply....but if i was doing ANY music with dynamics and that deserves touch (not just jazz)....then dave's way makes sense. i love the thought of being good enough to learn everything and have "OPTIONS".
he also talked about drum positioning.....i.e when ever buddy rich played a lot on the toms...he did it match grip....because u couldn't move the toms in those days....and to still set the toms up flat if u play traditional, simply does not make sense. it means you have to lean down. traditional grip needs to horizontal with the head....like buddy's high snare and therefore flat left hand. sitting at daves kit was like sitting is a comfy arm chair....literally. obviously i'd change things cause im taller than him etc.....but he comes out each night and plays so relaxed, doesnt fight the music or the drums, and doesnt sweat a bead!!!
i fancy some of that.....
we also chatted about individuality. creating your own style etc. he said dont worry what other people think, because everyone has an opinion and you'll never please everyone. dont look back, dont look forward, look NOW and at what YOU want to do.
and i appreciate randy sending dave the link....i couldnt believe it when dave mentioned it!
That is so awesome, Louie!
It COULDN'T have happened to a
nicer guy!
I am very, very happy for you!
Dave has a way about him. It's
clear that his accenting is the
top. It's certainly my favorite
aspect of his playing and audible
in everything he does/has done.
[img]cool.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ June 03, 2004 10:55 AM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font></font>
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 03, 2004 12:44 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>
Louie,
Did Dave talk about your kick
at all or kick technique?
[img]cool.gif[/img]
not really. he said he plays heel up and that i should do whatever is most comfortable.
one of his overall messages was "have your shit together before you get involved in all the super-drumming". he said i should be "THE MAN" to handle every gig and not be pigeon-holed....i.e a vinnie or peter erskine. its not really beneficial practising "heel-down" because you "should" when you be-bop or brush chops are not up to scratch.
congrats Louie... you jammy bleeder [img]eek.gif[/img]
Thank you for sharing the great story Louie.
Now you gotta to hang with Gregg B. too!
Danny
Yeah, that reminds me. I was not the only person sharing these links with other drummers, Danny hipped GreggB to Louie.
Way to go Louie!!!! I can only imagine what an experience that must have been for you. You are a great player and a big inspiration for a guy like me that is old enough to be your father(43)LOL!! Just another reason why I just LOVE THIS PLACE!! Thanks so much for the info. Oh yea! Remember, "Keep It In The Pocket". PT.
...but he [Dave] comes out each night and plays so relaxed, doesnt fight the music or the drums, and doesnt sweat a bead!!!
Same comment my drum teacher had in college when we sat front row back when Dave played w/Chick around '86! "That guy didn't sweat a bead...who was he?"
Fantastic Story Louie! One of those experiences that do not happen all that often. Very cool that Dave was so willing to spend the time just hanging and letting you play a little and giving great advice to boot. Very Cool. [img]cool.gif[/img]
Dig
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm guessing you meant 'couldn't' [img]tongue.gif[/img]Quote:
Originally posted by peter c:
It could have happened to a
nicer guy!
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ June 03, 2004 10:55 AM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font></font>
[img]eek.gif[/img]
Thank you, Rudy!!!!!
[img]cool.gif[/img]