Vic Firth Educational
Feature: BASS
LOGIC by Bill Bachman
Vic
Firth is excited to offer students and teachers around the world
exposure to some of the best teaching methods and resources.
The third in the "Logic" series by Vic Firth Education
Team member Bill Bachman, Bass Logic was
written for bass drummers, drum instructors, band directors,
and anyone wishing to better understand the instrument. The issues
covered are those which are unique to the art of bass drumming
including tuning, stroke technique, quality of sound, rhythm/timing,
splits for 2-5 basses and much more.
The
book is full of quality information and bass music for players
of all levels including tons of exercises, a cadence, and ensembles
for 3, 4, and 5 basses!
The
examples that follow are just a small selection of the exercises
and instruction that is available in this book! If you like what
you see here, we encourage you to purchase a copy at your local
music store, or online at http://www.rowloff.com.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Prologue
Chapter
7: Quality of Sound and Dynamics
Chapter
15: Splits for Five
Notation
Key
Chapter
8: Proper Individual Practice
Exercise
Appendix
Chapter
1: Equipment
Chapter
9: Legato Stroke Technique
When
Action Ensued (cadence)
Chapter
2: Tuning
Chapter
10: Staccato Stroke Technique
Three
Down
Chapter
3: Muffling
Chapter
11: Rhythm Exercises
Four
Under the Floor
Chapter
4: Bass Composition
Chapter
12: Splits for Two/Tag Team Practice
Low
Five
Chapter
5: Setting the Line
Chapter
13: Splits for Three
Bass
Logic Glossary
Chapter
6: Grip and Set Position
Chapter
14: Splits for Four
About
the Author
THE
12 GOLDEN BASS RULES
1. RELAX
– don't use any more muscles than necessary
2. Always
maintain a strong fulcrum
3. Play
in the center of the head with the mallet striking at a right
angle (check this by practicing in a mirror).
4. The
mallet must always contact the head with its full velocity, especially
when playing low. Play through the drum!
5. Always
be able to play the whole part with proper mallet heights before
attempting to split it up with the bass line.
6. Always
know where the downbeats are and be able to count all of the rhythms
while marking time with your feet.
7. When
playing splits, always stay with the full ensemble, don't adjust
your timing to a previous error within the bass line.
8. Hands
not playing should be at rest in the set positon in order for one
to look confident and professional.
9. PRACTICE
WITH A METRONOME or electronically quantized music.
10. Don't
Practice "Above your head", take one step at a time (especially with
tempos).
11. Chops
are the key to playing great – burning muscle pain is your friend.
12. PLAY
AGGRESSIVELY!!!!
Excerpts
from CHAPTER 11: RHYTHM AND TIMING EXERCISES
Rhythm
and timing exercises are the ultimate tools used in becoming
a competent bass drummer. It is absolutely crucial to practice
these exercises with a metronome, be able to mark time with your
feet, count all rhythms, and to make sure that the rhythms within
the downbeats are played accurately. To develop solid skills,
it is best to start by playing them at a forte dynamic level
with the mallets turing out to horizontal (or vertical on a practice
pad). Be sure to master them at various tempos, dynamic levels
and mallet heights.
Excerpts
from CHAPTER 12: Splits For Two / Tag Team Practice
While
two people don't add up to a bass "line" per se, tag
team practice is a great way for bass drumers to help each other
progress.
This chapter is full of exercises for two players that will be
greatly beneficial to their success in a full bass line. Having
another player to practice with really puts your timing and rhythmic
accuracy to the test!
Test
your skills with this excerpt from the final bass drum ensemble
in the book. The first 4 lines are included below, but the
included audio file contains the entire ensemble.
BE
SURE TO CHECK OUT Bill
Bachman’s “Reefed Beats” DVD
Vic Firth artist Bill Bachman,
author of Rudimental Logic, Quad Logic, and Bass Logic and
the designer of the Heavy Hitter Pads series, presents REEFED
BEATS: A Guide to the Art of Rudimental Tenor Drumming.
