Drummer Talk 260 – All About Bearing Edges (Part 1)

Drummer Talk

Professor Troy drops the knowledge in part 1 of our two-part series on bearing edges.

Opening Detritus

• Shout out to our newest DT Patrons, Craig Parton, Samuel di Prete, Jonathan Winfrey, Brady Ponton, and Eric Ahern
• We’re getting caught up on Patreon rewards!

Drummer Talk Mailbag

From Eric:

Hi Dave-

I’ve been an on and off listener to the podcast for the last two years or so, and I have to tell you that the last episode, featuring Mrs. What Is Up speaking about music theory, was probably my all-time favorite so far. It spurred me to finally donate to support the podcast.

I’m a 38 year old teacher of French and Spanish, and have been a (sometimes frustrated) life-long music learner. I could completely relate to that feeling of giving up on music when hitting a wall in learning music theory (and in my case notation). Growing up taking music classes in school, I was a failed saxophone player, then a failed guitarist, and finally a mediocre snare drummer. Later in life I finally got my hands on a drum kit and felt like I had found my instrument. I progressed and starting playing in bands, loving every minute of it. But the music theory cloud loomed over me like a fowl reminder of my inadequacy. As you so rightly said, it was like the other members of the band were speaking in a foreign tongue that I longed to understand. That spurred me to pick up a ukulele and learn some easy three-chord pop songs. Ukulele got me back into guitar, and the more I learned the more I wanted to learn. Now I still play drums, but I am also learning more and more music theory just by virtue of playing guitar, learning scales, song structure, keys, chord formation, etc. This knowledge has greatly benefited my drumming. Plus now I can shred on guitar in a Strokes cover band.

As a language teacher, the entire podcast I kept waiting for someone to make the analogy to language learning. In fact, I only ever made any progress in music once I started thinking about the steps I took in learning languages, which for some reason was always easier for me. When you made the comparison to learning German, I actually yelled out “Hell yes!”.

Sorry for the long-winded email; I just wanted to say thank you so much for this inspirational conversation, and for the resources that you, Shannon and Troy shared. It would be so great to hear another episode getting more into the details of theory with your lovely wife.

Best,
Eric

News

• Phil Rudd loses appeal because judge figured AC/DC don’t want him

Topic Notes

• Drummertalk Bearing Edges PDF

Music from this week’s Show:

• AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long
• AC/DC – Back in Black

In closing…

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Next Week: All About Bearing Edges (Part 2)