The Internet's longest-running drumming podcast, Drummer Talk is devoted to drums, drumming, education, the music industry, and other percussion-related topics. Features news, reviews, interviews, and much more.
If you’re ready to jump into the next level as a music director, be sure to check out today’s episode!
From Lance
Hey Dave, been listening off and on for awhile now and wanted to get your opinion on something. I’ve been wanting to get back into playing drums and hopefully start doing some side gigs down the road. However, I need to practice as I am sure I will be extremely rusty and I would of course want to improve my skills. My house will not accommodate an acoustic drumset in regards to either space or volume for practicing. I’ve been starting to look at electronic sets. All I would need is something to practice on, so I’m trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible. I saw a Simmons sd100 for $200 but didn’t like how you can’t really adjust the spacing of the pads. I also saw the sd300 which would be just about perfect at $300. Do you have any suggestions on an inexpensive electric kit (really hoping to keep it under $300) for purely practice? I may actually use it for some midi work but that’s not my primary purpose. Just want to get something that feels as close as possible to an acoustic kit. Thanks! Lance
From Maximillam:
Hey, Dave & Troy! Been listening to the podcast for the past year – but thanks to the Archives I’ve probably heard close to 200 episodes. Thanks to both of you for the incredibly valuable information as well as the entertainment. I have a legal question and can’t think of anyone better to ask than the two of you, and would super-appreciate any kind of clarification on the matter! When transcribing drum parts, are we dealing with any copyrights/licensing fees/etc? Am I allowed to completely transcribe the drum parts for a whole tune and share it with the world? How about if I were to sell the transcriptions? Again, thanks to the two of you for going strong with this podcast. I’m an absolute fan. /Maximiliam Andersson
From Lynn
Hey guys, been a while since I wrote you, but still been listening. Question, so I was asked to sit in and sub for a drummer for a cover band. They do 80s and 90s rock. I am familiar with most of the songs, but many of them I’ve never actually played on drums. No practice and I have a week to learn 60 songs. I may be able to meet with the guitar player for a little bit. So my question is do I chart out the songs? Or is that bad? If I do chart them do you have a way you would use for 5 hours worth of music with is about 60 songs? You can use this question for podcast, but if you have time could you try to respond ASAP, I’m nervous about this, but excited too. I normally just play at church lately so I’m looking forward to playing out again. They are paying me $150. Thanks guys keep up the great work! Lynn
Dave and Troy pop in for a show to bring you up to speed with what’s been up this Summer.
Prof. Troy covers band managers on today’s episode.
From James: I love Drummer Talk and have been listening for years. I want to go back to the very first episode you have available and download and listen to them—one by one, and in order— but I can’t figure out how to get to the very first episode in the archives and begin the process of downloading. Is there a link that will get me to this first episode? Thanks very much!
From Craig: Hey, guys! Loving all the information from Troy on the different management sources for bands and artist. The inspiration that your show gives is priceless. Since listening to your shows I have started playing Tama drums (starclassic). Started building custom drums, started making custom drum wraps, and becoming more involved with the local music scene. I can’t wait to see where your inspiration leads me next! Great jobs guys, Craig. Check out my Facebook pages for the drums.
When To Hire A Manager
Just before or just after signing a record deal or a major contract.
The Role of the Personal manager
The areas that a manager should have experience in are. Touring, Project Management, Income, Contracts/Licensing, legal issues, strategy and visioning.
Artist Development ( think producer meets manager )
Business development / Procurement
All Aspects from start to finish project management
Touring
Monitoring Physical / Mental Health
Types of management firms
Small start ups
Mid level management firms ( Cam )
Big Leagues ( Q Prime management )
Management Contracts
Paying The Manager ( Commissions )
Types of Payment Structures
Expenses
You must decide what is acceptable in terms of “reasonable expenses”
Prorating & Limiting Expenses
Resolving Disputes
Limited Power Of Attorney
Limited Power Of Attorney
Limiting the commission after the term of the contract expires
Next Week: Agents and Managers 401
We continue on our series on representation with a focus on business managers.
From Scott
Hey guys hope all is well in drummer talk land. First off I got to say I love the podcast! I just recently started listening maybe two weeks ago. I’m listening in semi reverse order which is fun because to hear Troy’s excitement to bring stickers to Pasic or Namm (which ever it was), comes after hearing about him forgetting to bring them. It’s like reading a suspense novel backwards lol.
Secondly, Troy please please please please do a segment on cutting snare beds. I have a few snares that I received from a now defunct custom company, on which I never thought the snare beds were correct and have had nothing but trouble with my snare wires seating properly. I loved the bearing edge segments due to how well you clearly described the tools and the process and I think hearing from you on what to do with snare beds would be enlightening.
Thanks very much guys for reading this and taking it into consideration. Keep up the great work and thanks for providing the drumming community with such a great resource. ~Scott “skipper” Gentry
The role of a Business Manager in your career
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Some of the services of business manager does paying monthly bills, collecting royalty earnings, depositing money and monitoring your bank and credit accounts for discrepancies.
Some of the bills a BM my pay from your accounts
Touring Services and Financial Controls
Asset administration
Tax planning
This is broken into 3 main categories
Auditing Rights
When, How, Time frames, records requests etc. You must discuss how you can request an audit. It’s not personal everyone in Hollywood audits everyone else. It’s a way to gain an understanding of what is really going on.
Power of attorney and limited Power of attorney
Payments to your BM
Hiring a business manager and what questions to ask
Common Business Manager & Financial Planner Designations:
Next Week: Agents and Managers 301
We start part 1 of a 3-parts series on professional representation.
Agents and Territories
What kind of agency is it?
Things to look for in a specific agent
Red Flags
Next Week: Agents and Managers 201
We wrap up our NAMM gear recap with part 3: cymbals, sticks, electronics, and some accessories.
Paiste
Zildjian
Sabian
Meinl
TRX
Dream Cymbals
Turkish
Soultone
Vic Firth
Promark
Vater
Regal Tip
Roland
NFUZD
Evans
Music From This Week’s Show
We continue our series on new gear from NAMM 2016!
From Dan:
Hey guys! So happy you’re back on the air after your winter break! I have to admit that I was starting to get concerned and on the verge of sending you one of those “Are you OK?” emails. I’m glad that it was all just a case of being super busy.
I’m writing because I want to share a practice tip with my fellow listeners, one that I’ve found invaluable and doesn’t get mentioned as often as I would think. Namely, practicing in front of a mirror. If you step into a gym or dance studio, one of the first things you’ll notice is mirrors everywhere, in recognition that form has a direct impact on athletic and artistic performance. The same is certainly true for drumming.
So about a year ago I dug out an old mirror, spent about 10 bucks for materials at my local home center, and built myself an easel to hang the mirror from. That simple solution lets me monitor the quality and symmetry of my movements in a way I couldn’t otherwise do, every time I practice. As a bonus, it also lets me keep tabs on the funny faces I might be apt to make while playing, faces that I wouldn’t want to share with an audience! In short: 10 bucks well spent.
I hope others will find this helpful. As always, thanks so much for what you do for the drumming community.
Your friend, Dan
http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Count-Washable-Window-Markers/dp/B001FQKPSU
Tom D
Regarding top 50 drummer list, I was surprised Stewart Copeland was not on the list. I was delighted to Mitch Mitchell on the list. I don’t think he gets mentioned enough when speaking of great drummers. Love the podcast!
We’re back from our winter hibernation! We take a look at some of the most interesting gear out of NAMM 2016 on today’s show.
From Mark
Any tips for struggling learning double bass drum? Not getting it at all! Thanks
Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer
From Bobby
Hey I recently discovered your podcast. I am a percussion instructor in western Ky. I just wanted to say thanks for all the information. You guys talk about things I wasn’t aware I wanted to know. Can’t wait for more. Thanks!
From Bryan
Thanks for the show guys! I know the time and effort of putting on this show doesn’t equal the financial return (if any) but the service you two contribute to the drumming community is invaluable, in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the episodes on drum programming as it confirmed my desire to become re-united with midi technology. Back in the mid 90’s after graduating with degree in percussion I formed a what I called a midi-band where I programmed band parts using Performer and Band in a Box, and gigged solo playing a lead pan over top of the programmed parts. It provided a steady source of income and I never had to fire the bass player. I never admitted to my peers, my favorite part was the programming. Now with family and work responsibilities I don’t feel I play enough to knock out a couple passes on drumset in a recording session even though I know what I want to play in my head. Drum programming allows me to feel like I can still contribute some solid ideas to a project when the opportunity arises.
Another favorite episode is What not to wear. I was a little hesitant about pushing the play button on that one but glad I did – Great show! Even though I’ve moved on from playing and teaching full-time I still have a small bebop kit and all black attire ready to go. Being ready for the a last minute call for a gig is a hard habit to break. I drive a lot for work and between your podcast and I’d Hit That the miles go by quickly. Thanks again, congratulations, and I look forward to the next season!
Pearl
Pearl’s NAMM Facebook Page
We wrap up season 10 with an episode covering the tools you’ll need if you want to publish your own book!
Dave and Troy discuss the world of publishing on today’s episode by exploring a typical publishing contract.
From Tammy
Hey guys! In episode 2 there was discussion about what effect, if any, Katrina would have on music migration. As you saw displaced drummers looking for gigs in Memphis you said you wondered if ten years later music in Memphis would have more of a New Orleans influence. Well it’s 10 years later…any thoughts?
Next Week: Publishing 201
Prof Troy is back from PASIC15 and has the lowdown on this year’s convention.
From Dan
Hey Troy & Dave, I want to thank you and Mrs. What Is Up for taking on the subject of depression, and for doing so in such a vulnerable and loving way. It was such a powerful episode that it prompted me to do something I’ve been meaning to do for a while now: to go to Patreon and become a contributor.
In the show, you talked about how musicians’ brains may be wired differently, and of the transformative power of playing music. This reminded me of a NOVA documentary called Musical Minds.
One of the people profiled in the documentary is Matt Giordano (time mark 20:35), who has been coping with Tourette syndrome his entire life, and has found that the only thing that can help him quiet his tics is drumming. At the end of the episode (time mark 50:00) we also see how Matt is using drumming to help others with Tourette’s. The whole documentary is fascinating, inspirational, and well worth a watch. Fair warning though: if you’ve ever had someone with special needs close to you in your life, you may just find it impossible to make it through this thing with dry eyes.
As always, God bless you for bringing this show so selflessly to the drumming community.
Your friend, Dan
From “Debbie”
Wow – I was completely humbled to see the topic this week. Thank you for addressing this! When Shannon talked about the dread of practice and that sometimes it’s so hard to simply get started I wanted to laugh, cry, and shout all at the same time. Literally the story of my life.
I am sure that there are folks who listened to this podcast who struggle with depression or know someone who does. I believe hearing it talked about as a part of your daily lives (Troy dealing with it in his community, Dave and Shannon dealing with it as a family) WILL help people realize they are not alone and I know that will spread hope. Thank You!
P.S. More of Mrs. What is Up! She’s great!!
Next Week: Thanksgiving holiday. 12/3 – Self-Publishing 101
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