I want to show you how to take paradiddle variations and turn them into four playable neo-soul pocket grooves you can call on in sessions. Paradiddles are a goldmine for phrasing, ghost-note placement and hand/foot independence — all the micro-elements neo-soul relies on. Below I’ll walk you...
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Technique
When I mix electronic tracks, one of my favourite little rituals is making the...
Technique
I get a lot of messages from drummers who use the Roland SPD‑SX live and...
Gear Reviews
I never expected footwear to become a topic I’d write about for a drumming...
Technique
I love playing hybrid kits live — the punch and dynamics of a real snare with...
I used to think picking drumsticks was all about length and weight — longer sticks for reach, heavier sticks for louder playing. Over the years, both in lessons and studio sessions, I've found a different truth: the shape of the tip often changes...
I love a snare that sounds wide, warm and roomy without getting washed out — that fat, three-dimensional tone that sits nicely in the mix and still cuts through when it needs to. Over the years I've had to find ways to capture that vibe when I'm...
Hiring an engineer for a drum tracking session can make or break your drum sound. Over the years I’ve tracked in everything from home studios to high-end rooms, and one thing is constant: clear expectations and the right questions up front save...
When I’m asked how to capture a tight, intimate jazz kit using only one overhead and one snare mic, my immediate reaction is: you can get a remarkably musical result if you focus on placement, mic choice, and how the kit is prepared. This is a...
I’ve tracked a lot of kits in my time, and the Gretsch Broadkaster sits in a sweet spot: warm, full-bodied, and musical. But when I bring a Broadkaster into a rock session I don’t want it to sound “vintage museum” — I want punch, attack,...
Recording brushes on an acoustic kit is one of those sessions that rewards patience and subtlety. Brushes capture a wide range of textures — from whispery swirls on the snare to woody, warm swept snare tones and gentle cymbal shimmer — but they...
I’ve lost count of how many mixes I’ve rescued from the “Where did the kick go?” moment. The kick is the engine of most tracks — when it disappears, the whole groove collapses. Over the years in the studio and teaching students, I’ve...
I love making lo-fi drum beats on the SP-404 because it forces me to be creative within limits. The unit's tactile workflow, immediate effects, and resampling capabilities make it perfect for building dusty, shuffling grooves that feel lived-in...
Getting a locked-in pocket for funk and neo-soul isn’t about adding more notes — it’s about making the notes you play breathe, sit with the groove, and serve the song. Below I share five focused practice routines I use with students and in my...
Small live rooms can be a nightmare for drum sounds. I’ve played and recorded in enough cramped venues and DIY rehearsal spaces to know how quickly a kit can turn into an uncontrolled wash of ringing toms and over-sustained snare. Over the years...