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Eric Starr's Articles

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  • Fusion And Surf Music - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The term "Fusion" refers to the fusing of many different styles into a distinctive sound. Not so much as styles as a feel, in this article we will be discussing Fusion, Half Time Standard Rock and Surf music styles, their development, history and influence on other genres.
  • Early Polka And Beginning Of Rock And Roll - History And Development
    Polka originated in the early 1800s in what is now the Czech Republic. As a result of its simplicity, the primary drum set rhythm for Polka has influenced the rhythmic approach in many other genres of music. In this article we will be discussing Early Rock, And Polka music styles, their development and history.
  • Getting Around Odd Meters To Utilize Polyrhythmic Technique
    Creating additional odd meters and methods of breaking up standard meters into odd groupings and utilization of odd time signatures for creating particular feel and tempo in polyrhythmic compositions are discussed in this article, polyrhythmic styles and developments.
  • Contemporary Western, Middle Eastern Music And Arabic Music
    Music style and rhythmic roots of the Middle East and the Arabic nations dates back thousands of years, and has influenced great amount of other musical traditions. In this article we will be discussing Middle East and the Arabic rhythm patterns.
  • Afro Cuban, Brazilian And Jazz Ballads Brush Techniques And Rhythms
    Afro Cuban, Brazilian and Jazz rhythms often simplified for percussionists, to avoid duplicating each other. In this article we will be discussing rhythms, patterns, development and history of Jazz, Brazilian, and Afro Cuban styles.
  • Punk The Musical Approach - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Punk music style can be very challenging. The distinguishing features of Punk drumming are that it's based on simple grooves and is almost always very loud. In this article we will be discussing the Punk music style, its rhythm, development and history.
  • The Early Rock Music - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Rock music in all its variations is arguably the most popular, identifiable, and universal style of music throughout the world. In this article we will be discussing the early Rock music style, its rhythm, musicality, development and roots.
  • The Odd Time music - History And Development Drummers Guide.
    For thousands of years, odd time meters have added richness to musical genres in every part of the world. In this article we will be discussing the Odd Time music styles, their rhythmically, development and history.
  • Contemporary Klezmer music - History And Development Drummers Guide.
    The term Klezmer comes from the Hebrew words, "kley" and "zemer", meaning "musical instrument". In this article we will be discussing contemporary Klezmer music styles, their rhythmically, development and history.
  • Small Band Jazz - History And Development Drummers Guide Part Two.
    Following the Swing era, the size of jazz groups decreased from large Big Band orchestras to much smaller bands. This trend began in the early 1940s. In this article we will be discussing the Small Band Jazz music, development and history - part two.
  • Small Band Jazz - History And Development Drummers Guide Part One.
    Following the Swing era, the size of jazz groups decreased from large Big Band orchestras to much smaller bands. This trend began in the early 1940s. In this article we will be discussing Small Band Jazz music styles, their rhythmically, development and history - part one.
  • New Orleans, Displaced, Linear And Ghost Note Funk - History And Development Drummers Guide
    New Orleans Funk pattern is the repetitive accent derived from the "3" side of a clave rhythm characteristics of a Second Line groove. In this article we will be discussing New Orleans Funk, Displaced, Linear, and Ghost Note Funk styles, their development and history.
  • Gospel Music And Funk Rock - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Gospel Music brings the tradition of Blues into the music of the African American Baptist Church. It took the name of "Gospel Music" in the early 20th century. In this article we will be discussing Funk Rock, And Gospel music styles, their development and history.
  • Heavy Metal Music, Double Bass - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The Heavy Metal sound initially relied on high pitched singers, but later has evolved to embrace lower range, roaring vocals. In this article we will be discussing Heavy Metal music style and double bass drumming techniques, their development and history.
  • The Big Band Music Style - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The Big Bands styles and rhythms dominated popular music in recordings, radio, and live settings. Prominent drummers include Louie Bellson, Jo Jones and Gene Krupa and others. In this article we will be discussing Big Band musical style development and history.
  • Second Line Music Style - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The end of slavery was a catalyst for New Orleans type music, especially what is known as New Orleans "Second Lyne", which is still the defining characteristic of Second Line drumming. In this article we will be discussing Second Line development and history.
  • Dixieland Music Style - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Dixieland drumming is simpler style of playing than busy Second Line drumming. In addition, Dixieland has more of a traditional swing feel compared to the one of Second Line drumming. In this article we will be discussing Dixieland development and history.
  • Hip Hop And Rap - History And Development Drummers Guide Part Two
    Typically, Hip Hop music style consists of one or more rappers speaking autobiographic tales, in an intensely rhythmic lyrical form. In this article we will be discussing Hip Hop and Rap music styles, their rhythmically, development and history - part two.
  • Hip Hop And Rap - History And Development Drummers Guide Part One
    Typically, Hip Hop music style consists of rappers speaking autobiographic tales, in an intensely rhythmic and melodic lyrical form. In this article we will be discussing Hip Hop and Rap music styles, their rhythmically, development and history - part one.
  • Funk Rhythm And Music Style - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Like Jazz, Be Bop, and Rock n' Roll, Funk acquired its name from a slang expression with sexual connotations. In musical terms, Funk means anything that was off the traditional path or funky. In this article we will be discussing Funk development and history.
  • Drum And Bass Jungle - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The history of Drum and Bass Jungle rhythm and music style is relatively short. It has, however, attained immense popularity within a musical subculture. In this article we will be discussing the development and history of Drum and Bass Jungle rhythm and style.
  • Disco, Country Ballad And Country Waltz - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Disco music style incorporates different elements of Rock, Funk and the Motown sound. It is above all else drum driven dance music. In this article we will be discussing Disco, Country Ballad and Country Waltz music styles, the development and history.
  • Country Western, Train Beat And Country Rock - Styles, History And Development Drummers Guide
    In the 1970s, Country music, with artists such as Charlie Daniels, began incorporating the sound and influence of mainstream Rock n' Roll. In this article we will be discussing Country Western, Train Beat and Country Rock styles, their developments and history.
  • Bluegrass, Western Swing, And Country Two-Beat - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Growing out of the instrumentation of early 20th century string bands and the influence of Blues, Bluegrass received radio exposure in the 1930s. In this article we will be discussing Bluegrass, Western Swing, and Country Two-Beat styles, their development and history.
  • Country Music - History And Development Drummers Guide Part Two
    In the 1950s, Ray Price, with drummer Buddy Harman, developed the Country Shuffle. In the same decade, the heavier back beat influence of Rock n' Roll emerged. In this article we will be discussing Country music style, development and history - part two.
  • Country Music - History And Development Drummers Guide Part One
    Country music is popular around the world and serves an age-old function: storytelling. Its themes of love, heartache are exceedingly popular. In this article we will be discussing Country music style, development and history - part one.
  • Ska And Reggae - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin says that musicians created the word Ska "to talk about the skat! skat! skat! scratchin' guitar that goes behind." This pattern is largely what gives Ska its characteristic sound. In this article we will be discussing Ska and Reggae musical styles, their development and history.
  • Calypso And Soca - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Caribbean music is a fusion of many different musical cultures, including South American, Cuban, African, North American, and even European, the compositions, rhythms, and instruments of Caribbean music, reflect a celebratory atmosphere.
  • Cajun And Zydeco - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The terms Cajun and Zydeco refer to two distinct styles, both stemming from French cultures in southern Louisiana. However, as current Cajun and Zydeco musicians often cover both genres, it's appropriate to include development and history of both styles in one article.
  • Batucada, Samba And Bossa Nova - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The word Batucada refers to the percussion rhythms of street Samba from carnival in Rio de Janeiro and is played solely on percussion instruments. In this article we will be discussing Batucada, Samba and Bossa Nova styles their development and history.
  • Brazilian And Samba - Styles, History And Development Drummers Guide
    By becoming familiar with the various grooves in this and other Afro Cuban articles, a drummer will be able to recognize and play appropriate rhythm in almost any Latin style. In this article we will be discussing Brazilian and Samba styles, their developments and history.
  • Blues - History And Development Drummers Guide Part One
    In the post civil war united states, a mixture of field hollers, spirituals, and dance music gave birth to the Blues. By the early 20th century, Blues had emerged as its own genre. In this article we will be discussing Blues development and history - part one.
  • Blues - History And Development Drummers Guide Part Two
    In United States Blues has evolved from an unaccompanied vocal music traditions of African American slaves into a wide variety of styles, sub genres, and regional variations. In this article we will be discussing Blues development and history - part two.
  • Cuban Conga, Cumbia and Pilon - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The Cuban Conga rhythms are performed in the "conga de comparsa", an ensembles similar to the Samba schools of Brazil, during the Cuban festivals. In this article we will be discussing Cuban Conga, Cumbia and Pilon styles their developments and history.
  • Danzon And Palito - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Danzon ("Great Dance" or "Grand Dance") first appeared in the latter part of the 19th century and is the cornerstone of almost all modern Cuban music. In this article we will be discussing Danzon and Palito musical styles, their development and history.
  • Pilon And Plena - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Pilon pioneered in the 1970s in the eastern part of Cuba, most notably by the group Los Bocucos. Its rhythm is influenced by the sound of workers pounding coffee beans. In this article we will be discussing Pilon and Plena styles their development and history.
  • Merengue, Beguine And Bolero - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic, officially promoted as such by the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. In this article we will be discussing Merengue, Beguine and Bolero musical styles, the development of rhythm, dance and history.
  • Songo - Bomba - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Just as Jazz from United States influenced the Mambo, Funk and Soul inspired the Songo, which combines Cuban rhythms with Funk, Rock, Jazz, and musical styles from the Caribbean and Brazil. In this article we will discuss the Songo and Bomba and their development.
  • Cha Cha - Mozambique - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Cha Cha is the North American term for the Afro Cuban Salsa dance known as the "Cha cha cha," which refers to the sound of the "3 note rhythm" in the dance step. In this article we will be discussing Cha Cha and Mozambique, styles their development and history.
  • Guaguanco - Mambo - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Guaguanco is the most popular form of Afro Cuban Rumba. Other Rumba styles are the Yambu and the Columbia. In this article we will be discussing Guaguanco and Mambo, instrumentation, improvisation along with musical voicing, development and the history.
  • Afro Cuban 6/8 - Cascara - History And Development Drummers Guide
    Cuban clave rhythms would emerge in Africa, in the Nigerian Yoruba tribe. Unlike the rumba clave, which is based on a duple feel, the Afro Cuban 6/8 rhythm is based on a triple feel. In this article we will be discussing the Afro Cuban 6/8 and Cascara styles.
  • Clave - Afro Cuban Music - History And Development Drummers Guide
    The most important feature in almost all Afro Cuban music is the clave rhythm. Clave is Spanish for "key," as in instrument key. Styles presented in this guide include order and type of clave: 3-2 or 2-3 son clave, 3-2 or 2-3 rumba clave, and 6/8 clave.
  • Afro Cuban Jazz History And Development Drummers Guide
    Within 50 years after Columbus discovered the New World, the Spaniards instituted slavery in Cuba. The slave trade was concentrated in the western part of the island, caused Afro-Cuban music to develop in Matanzas, Havana Province, and the city of Havana.
  • Acid Jazz - African Contemporary - Rai - Jazz Styles Drummers Guide
    Acid Jazz draws on many musical styles Funk (mainly 1970s Funk), Soul, R&B, Hip Hop, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian and it has no standard beats. This article will be discussing Acid Jazz, African Contemporary and Rai Jazz styles along with their history and developments.
  • World Beat - Soukous - Bikutsi - Jazz Styles History Drummers Guide
    World Beat is associated with various African styles including Juju, Afrobeat, Afropop, and Highlife. Learn about styIes originated in the early 20th century in Ghana and Nigeria along with the history and examples of Jazz styles like World Beat, Soukous and Bikutsi..
  • Breaking Too Many Cymbals Is Not Normal For Any Drummer Out There
    Cymbal setup is a common problem with inexperienced players. This is usually due to an improper striking or inappropriate stick choice. This article will explain the proper care and striking techniques needed for expanding your cymbals lifespan.
  • Contemporary Jazz History From The Drummers Point Of View
    Jazz history, among other subjects is a mast to know for any drummer, actually any musician out there. Todays article will walk you through the contemporary jazz history and will unveil the developments of different jazz styles and techniques.
  • Taking Care Of Drums, Cymbals, And Other Equipment On Gigs.
    Having a problem taking care of drums, cymbals and other equipment on gigs? - This article reveals the potential hazards of rock clubs and discusses the most common on and off stage situations that can compromise your equipment and its condition.
  • Tuning Your Drums - Comprehensive Guide For Drummers
    Drums can be stubborn instruments, but with a little know-how, you can make even a cheaply made instrument sound good. The three types of drums you need to know how to tune are the tom-toms, the snare drum, and the bass drum.
  • Rock And Roll History For Drummers From 1950 To Todays Rock Scene
    Rock 'n' roll history and the evolvement of drum machines, this article unveals the transition Rock 'n' roll has overcome and the developement of the industry and the drummers along with the impact the transition has made on todays music scene.
  • Getting Ready For Recording Studio Work - Drummers Help Guide
    Guide for drummers to prepare themselves for studio work. This article will help understand the importance of the sense of time while drumming along with the prerecorded music and will improve understanding of what is really needed in a composition.
  • Proper Positioning Of Your Drum Setup - Drummers Tips And Advices
    Proper positioning of your drums, and cymbals is crucial to your success, because it affects both your posture and your technique. This article discusses the proper drum setups that allow avoiding injury of your back, arms, wrists, and hands.
  • Time Will Come To Replace Drum Heads, Sticks And Brushes - Guide For Drummers
    When is the time to replase drum heads, sticks, mallets and brushes? This article will help you understand the lifespan of replacable drum parts, sticks, mallets and brushers. Article also gives a few tips on expanding life time of drum accessories.
  • Drummers Guide For Choosing The Right Sticks And Brushers
    This guide will help beginner drummers understand and choose the appropriate drum sticks and brushes. Article explains the use of different type of drum sticks and brushes while giving recommendations and examples of each type.
  • Maintaining Drums, Pedals And Cymbals - Guide To Help Maintaining And Storing Drums
    Maintaining a good condition of your drum set is a mast! Learn all about proper maintaining, packing and positioning of your drum set. Article discusses the importance of utilizing cases, explains proper methods for setting and storing of drums.
  • Purchasing Drum Set Help Guide - Tips, Advices, And Recommendations
    Buying a drum set help guide. Article is focusing on the essential ideas for choosing a drum set and will help to make the choice that is right for you, by explaining the importance of the drums, cymbals, and accessories in a drum set.
  • Snare Drum Buying Guide - Tips And Advices For Drummers
    This article will help beginner drummers to understand the basics of the snare drum and will guide through the process of checking the drum itself, the parts, snares skins and the existing mechanisms prior purchasing a snare drum.
  • Drum Rack Or Stands - Drum Racks And Drum Stands Discussed
    Which makes more sense a drum rack or stands? Lets look deeper in to the subject and see what will make a practical and useful sense for using drum racks or the drum stands. Which is faster to setup, easier to carry, or takes less space on stage?
    Article includes real world examples.
  • Todays Drum Kits - How Important Is The Drum Brand
    You want to buy a really good drum kit. Why should you choose Yamaha and not DW, Mapex, Pearl, Gretsch, Tama, Premier, Sonor, Peace, Sunlite, Ludwig, Rogers, Slingerland, Taye, Leedy, or some other company? How does one choose the right brand? What to look for?
  • Double Basses Or Double Beater Pedals - Drum Hardware Discussion
    In this article we will be discussing double bass setups and setups with a single bass drum with a double bass drum pedals. While using a single bass drum with the double bass drum pedal may sound practical, it is certainly not recommended in all situations.
  • Markings For A Repeatable Set-up - Drum Setups Discussed
    Whether you use a large kit, small kit, or somewhere in between, one thing is certain: you want a set-up that is comfortable so you could concentrate on performance. There are ways to assure the exact same positioning of the drums every single time.
  • Covers, Cases, Cardboard Boxes, Blankets. - Drum Cases Discussed.
    In this article I'm going to discuss drum cases. The question is how do I decide what is best for my needs? Drum cases are divided in to three categories: Ata Cases, Hard Cases, and Soft Covers. Article contains explanations of the above drum cases categories with real world examples.
  • How can I stop breaking sticks and cymbals and heads? - Drumming Tips and Advices.
    Beginner drummers tend to spend a lot of money on replacing parts that got broken because of the wrong stroking techniques. And while drum shops love drummers with such problems, it is certainly not normal to break heads or sticks while playing.
  • Drum Tape on Drums - Different Ways to Use Drum Tape on Drums And Setups.
    Many times drummers apply tape to the heads of the drums and other part of the drum and drum set up. What is it for? What kind of tape do they use? To answer those questions we will be discussing on stage drum set ups and tape applications.
  • My Drums Don't Sound Good Anymore! - Time To Replace Drum Heads?
    Time to replace drum heads? Often drummers ask "When should I replace my drum heads?" - In this article we will be discussing different aspects about the time-duration (lifetime) of drum heads. Ken Sanders explains different tips about when and how to replace drum heads, he also mentions a few of his original tricks that help him keep track about time duration of each skin on every drum in his drum set.
  • Vintage Drums Versus Custom Drums - A Few Thoughts About Vintage And Custom Drums
    Why do people buy Vintage Drums? Do they sound better than todays Custom Drums? How should one choose a vintage drum? And What is considered to be a Collectable Vintage Drum? - To answer those questions, you need to ask your self - "are you looking for a specific sound or a collectable item?" and "When exactly was the particular drum manufactured?"

    Ken Sanders shares his thoughts and tips for buying vintage drums, and how vintage drums compare to the todays custom drums.
  • Getting Your Double Bass Chops Together - Drumming Techniques Discussed
    While practicing double bass drumming many young drummers often ask: - How can I raise the speed, and learn double bass drumming fast, so we turned to a professional drummer with over 30 years of international stage experience Ken Sanders, to discuss ways to master foot techniques needed for raising the speed of double bass drumming.
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