Steve Weiss Music Blog

Meinl has reinvented the wheel!

April 4, 2008 – 2:52 pm
Maybe not the wheel, but they have gone wild on a familiar geometric shape. The newly released Meinl Liquid Triangle is a space aged adaptation on the trusty triangle. It combines a fairly stock solid steel triangle with a resonating dome filled with water. The sonic possibilities that this contraption creates are vast and limited only by your imagination. When you play the triangle in a classical fashion it produces a familiar triangle sound with a slight downward pitch bend. The effects that i enjoy most out of the triangle happen when you alter the angle of the liquid chamber after you strike it. This creates a more drastic pitch bend that is reminiscent of a waterphone-like device. As i played with the liquid triangle I found it best to mount the triangle on a cymbal stand with a double triangle mount such as the Grover double triangle mount. This would ...

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Peterson Body Beat Metronome

March 21, 2008 – 2:20 pm
I recently had a chance to test run the BodyBeat Metronome as I taught the front ensemble of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. I was excited for the change of pace in time keeping gadgets. There were a couple of interesting things that I found out as I explored this new device. The BodyBeat is equipped with an external vibe clip that transmits a mild pulse to any convenient area of the body. Before i got started using the BodyBeat I thought that the slight vibration would get lost in the sea of sensory response that is inherit with any musical activity. Surprisingly, the opposite proved to be true, I always felt the clear pulse while the rest of the ensemble was playing. This observation started me on journey to find out why time would be so clear. I found research that proves that tactile information such as the ...

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Pearl Percussion Delivers on 2008 New Products

March 11, 2008 – 3:08 pm
Over a month ahead of schedule, Pearl Percussion has delivered most of their New For 2008 products. Included are the Ultra Grip Tambourines with adjustable jingles, Brass Jingle and Steel Jingle versions which have adjustable "volume" controls for all sets of jingles. This allows the player to decide how much “jingle” they need for the tune being played. Additions to the Brazilian Instrument line are the Caixa, 18" Surdo and 22" Surdo. The Anarchy Clave Block (a cool addition to the highly successful Anarchy Cowbell), PWM20 Wooden chamber Maracas and cool accessory items such as PPS30BD Surdo legs that turn your Surdo into a bass drum and the PPS45 Shekere Holder add to the already extensive Pearl Percussion Accessory lineup. Pearl Percussion has also added onto their Travel Conga product line by coming out with Stands for the Travel Congas (carry bag included) and a ...

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Pearl Drumsets Have Perfect 20/20 Vision

February 13, 2008 – 2:10 pm
Pearl Drums has introduced a new line of drum sets that replace their long time drum set staple, the Export Series. The new Pearl Vision Series Drum Sets from Pearl kicks up the features and benefits that has made Pearl the best selling drum set in the beginner to intermediate price point for the past decade. Pearl has four levels of Vision Series drum sets, all of which feature something new and improved over the Export Series which started it's life in 1982 and like the McDonalds hamburger, sold in the millions. The Vision VX Series has six colors, three of which even have black hardware, and come complete with 5 drums and a full set of hardware (including 2 cymbal stands) all for under $750.00. The Vision VSX Series has six Ultra Exotic covering finishes...talk about some cool looks! The shells are the same ...

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Gretsch Celebrates 125th Anniversary with Limited Edition Drum Sets

February 1, 2008 – 2:57 pm
Founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, an immigrant from Mannheim Germany, the Gretsch Drum Company is celebrating it's 125th Anniversary in 2008 in a similar way they have celebrated their milestone anniversaries in the past - with specially designed and very limited edition products. Gretsch Guitars is featuring a special 125th Anniversary Chet Atkins Guitar which will have only 25 total pieces made worldwide! Likewise, on the Gretsch Drum Set side, there are three very special and limited edition Drums Sets being manufactured in celebration of 125 years in business. Each of these drum sets is limited to 125 kits made and each is patterned after great Gretsch setups of the past. The Gretsch Rock Legend Drum Set has many of the same features found in the drum kits played by such greats as Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones and is finished in the beautiful Nitrocellulose Millennium ...

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Rudimental Drumming

January 7, 2008 – 3:04 pm
A little time with a pad and sticks is time well spent. It's relaxing and fun all at the same time. Recently, I was looking for a change of pace in the practice routine and decided to take a trip back to the basics by brushing up on my rudimental technique. Previous knowledge flowed back to me with ease as I played through the pages of "The All American Drummer" by Wilcoxon and "14 Modern Contest Solos" by Pratt. Solos from Charlie Wilcoxon, John Pratt and Mitch Markovich all felt great on my hands as I played for hours. Reviewing this material lead me to search out less-familiar titles and came across many old and new sources of material for all rudimental percussionists. The "N.A.R.D Drum Solos" is a collection of solos contributed by members of the former National ...

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Drum Stick Package for Rock Band

January 7, 2008 – 11:41 am
We've been receiving a lot of requests for drum sticks from fans of the new video game, Rock Band. There has also been a demand for the Gum Rubber Drum Pad Mod, using HQ Soundoff Pads or Vic Firth Drum Mutes. As a result, we've put together a package that offers silent playing with better rebound, and professional quality drum sticks to enhance game play. Drum Sticks One of our staff members who is a professional drummer and avid gamer selected the Zildjian Rock Black Drum Sticks for playing Rock or Heavy Metal songs in the game and the Zildjian Travis Barker White Drum Sticks for Pop or Alternative songs in the game. The difference in color allows for quick stick changes. The difference in weight, length and diameter offer an enhanced feel, optimized for the different genres of music. Stick Tips As vtjustinb points out on the Rock Band ...

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Holiday Sheet Music

November 27, 2007 – 5:26 pm
When I started to put together a list of holiday music for the banner on the front page of our website, I thought it would be a fairly simple task. Looking back on it now, all I can say is "WOW", was I completely wrong in that assumption. The list of holiday music is as diverse as the percussive world itself. Arrangements of classics holiday tunes are available for all types of instrumentations and grade levels. Arrangements by Chris Brooks, Lloyd Brooks and Murray Houllif will keep your beginning percussion ensembles content for the whole season. The great thing about many of these arrangements is the integration of non-pitched and pitched percussion sounds. Most of the arrangements take the classic melodies and intertwine them with great grooves and feels that most students will find fun and challenging. The thing that surprised me most was that the arrangements weren't only for ...

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Facebook Pages

November 14, 2007 – 10:16 am
We just setup a Facebook page that includes a discussion board, and will include a wiki shortly. Check it out if you're on Facebook and have a moment. Steve Weiss Music Facebook Page

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How to Purchase a Drumset this Holiday Season

November 13, 2007 – 8:42 am
What do you say when your son or daughter asks for a drumset this holiday season? Although the first reaction may be "not in my lifetime", here are a few things to think about when you decide to purchase your first drumset. One of the most important features to look for on an entry level drumset is if it includes cymbals and a seat (throne). This will avoid experiencing the "what do you mean batteries aren't included?" feeling Christmas morning, as your child looks at you in disgust. Since many of the top manufacturers include all items needed to start playing immediately, it should be something that you look for. Some off-brand or store brand drumsets disguise the fact that they do not come with everything needed to play. The height of your child is another factor to consider when picking out a drumset. Purchasing ...

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