Ignore all ads in these old issue/drum-lessons . . . ISSUE #16___\__\__\__\__\__________/__/__/__/__/ APRIL, 1998                                THE                           TEMPO DISPATCH                           FREE Newsletter                For Drummers and Drumming Enthusiasts          Copyright Bill Powelson 1998 all rights reserved.           ___/__/__/__/__/__________\__\__\__\__\___                         'IT'S ALL ABOUT DRUMS'       Tips * Tricks * Hints * Ads * Freebies * Lessons * Gigs?                          NOW 1,350+ SUBSCRIBERS!!!      ___________________________________________________             "THE TEMPO DISPATCH" is a FREE publication                        *** Originating From ***                    BILL POWELSON'S SCHOOL OF DRUMS                               on the web                   Where the Drum Lessons are FREE!              http://www.catalog.com/drummers/bphome01                     E-MAIL: drums01@worldnet.att.net      ___________________________________________________               The focus and intent of this publication      is to unite, enlighten, instruct and entertain all the      percussion enthusiasts of the Internet.                If you wish to receive NO further issues,      simply reply to the address at the top of this message      and type "REMOVE" on the subject line or body of the      message.  Your address will be removed immediately.      ___________________________________________________                         TABLE OF CONTENTS                      What is in this issue?              Contents:                1. Feature Article: Feeling The Backbeat                2. Bass Player Joke                3. Drumset Posters                4. Advertisements                5. Musicians Wanted (Free service)                6. Land of Lost URLS      ________________________________________________________ LEARNING TO HEAR AND FEEL THE BACKBEATS: The BACKBEAT is the key to everything rhythmic in music! My experience with thousands of young beginning drummers has taught me one thing. Some students seem to possess a natural feel for the backbeat while others must be trained to feel it. VERY IMPORTANT! The ability to feel the backbeat of a song is crucial to becoming a drummer. If you feel the backbeat strongly enough, it is possible to become a drummer without formal instructions and lessons. Without a special sensitivity for the backbeat flow in a song, you may never become a drummer, no matter how many lessons you may take. If you know what I am talking about and and if you possess this feel for the backbeat already, then this lesson may not be for you. This very special lesson is for those of you who do not know what I am talking about. WHAT IS THE 'BACKBEAT'? The backbeat in a song is usually the dominant repeating snare sound that flows through the music. In all forms of 4/4 the backbeats are on the counts of 2 & 4 in each bar. The secret to 'feeling' the backbeat is in developing PATIENT LISTENING HABITS . . . DO THIS, NOW . . . Learn to 'feel' the backbeat . . . · 1. Let a 4/4 tune play on your stereo system or radio. (Almost every song you may hear will be in some form of 4/4.) Find something with a moderate tempo . . . Get a song with a solid but simple drum part . . . at a medium tempo (not too fast and not too slow.) .......................................................... NOTE: ABOUT 99% OF ALL THE MUSIC PLAYING RIGHT NOW ON YOUR RADIO IS IN SOME FORM OF 4/4 . . . .......................................................... · 2. Get one ear into the speaker system or headphones. · 3. Pick out the dominant, repeating, accented snare sound in the music. In some complex songs, you may hear additional snare notes that are falling around the backbeat. Ignore those! Just listen for the strongest, loudest accented snare notes. Now clap your hands in-time with these 'BACKBEATS' as the drummer plays the song. YOU HAVE FOUND IT! Virtually every song you'll hear will be held together by this 'flowing' backbeat. The other musicians in the group tend to rely on the drummers backbeat to get their tempo and timing correct. Our job (when we do it correctly) is to maintain this 'backbeat' with 'swiss-watch' precision. If we can't hold it steady . . . the band usually disintegrates and we get a thumbs down, 'raspberry', haha. (BAD DRUMMER!) But IF we can hold a SOLID backbeat through out ALL songs . . . we are considered a WINNER and a candidate for MUCH praise & worship, haha. REMEMBER THIS, ALWAYS! It really doesn't matter to the other band members how FANCY we play! They usually don't give a hoot about that. They want us to HELP THEM 'FEEL' THE BACKBEATS, while THEY impress and 'wow' the the world with their own ingenious and masterful musical techniques. ;>) So . . . the DRUMMER IN DEMAND is the one who can lay that backbeat in there with no mistake . . . consistently . . . throughout EVERY piece of music. HOW TO 'FEEL' THE BACKBEAT . . . How do we acquire this indisputable perfection with our time measurement and 'feel' for the backbeat? Practice, Practice, Practice (with recorded music!) Memorize ALL the BASIC 4/4 Dancebeats first (in a future lesson), then Jam with every conceivable type of recorded song. Listen for the recorded drummer, ALWAYS. Strive to acquire an indisputable 'feel' for tempo and a solid 'backbeat', no matter how softly we may be required to play. This can prove to be a contradiction at times, with 'some' forms of soft, laid-back, music. Anyway, the secret to ALL drumming is buried in this backbeat concept. The 'backbeat' IS the quintessential 'BACKBONE' of the music . . . ALL MUSIC. If we feel the backbeat strongly, and learn to lay it in there dominantly . . . we can BE THE BEST! EVERYTHING . . . and I mean EVERYTHING in music is based around that backbeat flow of the song . . . This includes fancy fills, complex syncopations and all of the intricate jazz techniques that a drummer might play. Those other incidental intricacies just CAN'T HAPPEN until the backbeat has been established in a commanding way . . . (usually by the drummer.) . . . BUT, * NOT ONLY * THE DRUMMER! The other (rhythm) instruments in the band are normally working as a team WITH the drummer, to help establish a solid backbeat flow. The rhythm guitarist will usually play a 'chucking' rhythm sound on the backbeats . . . Pianists and keyboard players will usually compliment the backbeats throughout a song with repetitious notes (normally played in the higher register) on the counts of 2 & 4 in 4/4 time . . . ACCENTING the 'backbeats'. NOTE: *  3/4 time usually consists of 2 backbeats per bar on the counts of 2 & 3. *  5/4 and other odd time signatures usually contain 3 or more backbeats per bar. These 'lop-sided' signatures are only used rarely in jazz and other complex music styles . . . It is best to stick with common 4/4 music styles in the beginning until that unique 'feel' for the backbeat has been developed, then move into 3/4 grooves before progressing on to the really complex signatures. ENCOURAGING NEWS! · We can miss cymbal notes . . . No problem! · We can blow it with our fancy bass drum licks . . . NO PROBLEM! · We can omit most of the intricate rhythmic variations! That's OK too. · The BACKBEAT is the important thing! If we lay it down PERFECTLY, we are OK! If we don't? Well, we had better enjoy slinging burgers or pumping gas! You will find the above to be true in ALL professional situations. Remember it always!             ............................................      ________________________________________________________     |__________________HUMOROUS STORY________________________|                       Bass Player Joke Near-Death Experience      A bass player had a near death experience that has changed life his forever.      The other day, he went horseback riding. Everything was going fine until the horse started bouncing out of control. He tried with all his might to hang on, but was thrown off.      Just when things could not possibly get worse, his foot got caught in the stirrup. When this happened, he fell head first to the ground. His head continued to bounce harder as the horse did not stop or even slow down.      Just as he was giving up hope and losing consciousness, the Wal-Mart manager came out and unplugged it.         ..........................................      Thanks, Keith (of Keith's Korner).                        HOMESTUDY DRUMSET LESSONS                          (Complete Course)    USE YOUR COMPUTER TO STUDY DRUMS!    Study anytime . . .      At home via floppy disk (offline),      or study online via secret website.    * DRUMMING TECHNIQUES, Beginner thru ULTRA Advanced.    * For ALL ages, (10 and above).    * Student sets the pace & the schedule.    * Drumset lessons at home on the computer ANY TIME of day.    * Submit questions via E-mail.    * Study drums online via secret website.    * Or, study drums offline via (2) IBM compatible floppy disks,      mailed to your home.    * Also includes optional downloadable zip file of entire drum      course (for offline study).    * THESE PROVEN METHODS REALLY WORK!      (38 years in development)    * This course in drumset techniques also includes FREE additional      lessons via this E-mail newsletter.    * No scheduling hassles and no rush hour traffic. Getting to your      drum lesson is easy.  Just turn on the computer!    * Private (E-mail) help too, with your instructor, Bill Powelson.    * Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.  No hassles.    TO SEE THE COMPLETE LIST OF LESSONS IN THE HOMESTUDY PACKAGE,                      DIRECT YOUR BROWSER TO:       http://www.catalog.com/drummers/contents.html                      *   *   *   *   *   *                      CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED          TO PURCHASE WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD NOW, GO TO . . .           https://www.realtimecommerce.com/powelson/                      *   *   *   *   *   *            SEND CHECK, CASH or MONEY ORDER in            US FUNDS to:            Bill Powelson            107 Douglas Dr.            Holly Hill, Fl.            32117            NOTE: Please include your E-mail address.      ___________________________________________________      AD #2:                           ***GROOVE GUIDE***                          What is a GROOVE GUIDE?             The Groove Guide is to drums, a a speedometer is to      an automobile!              Finally!!!! 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Mention E-Checks to       get details on how to pay instantly, electronically with       an E-mail check.       ___________________________________________________       Place your own inexpensive ad in the Tempo Dispatch!       Reach a target market of 13,350 avid drumming enthusiasts!        ____________________________________________________       |____________________________________________________|           ________________________________________________________     |________________________________________________________|                         *** DRUMMER WANTED ***                             (FREE SERVICE)                         **********************     NOTICE:            If you have knowledge of job openings anywhere      in the World (Male or Female), let us know.  Job opening      announcements will always be free!      ________________________________________________________     |________________________________________________________|                 If you enjoy this little 'e-zine' please show your      support by reading the ads and buying the products.  The      'Tempo Dispatch' and free drum school will soon die without a      few sales.       TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE DRUM SCHOOL PRODUCTS WITH MASTER CARD       OR VISA NOW, GO TO . . .   https://secure.catalog.com/drummers/ccard.html           ___________________________________________________                END OF TEMPO DISPATCH #16  APRIL, 1998