May 6, 2020, 07:00 AM
by
Rhythm Scene Staff
Daniel Glass: Free Online Shuffle Course
Even though shuffles are found in every style of contemporary music, for many drummers the shuffle remains a decidedly weak aspect of their playing. Because many are financially stressed during this period of pandemic and lockdown, this course being offered at no cost for a limited time. Visit seaglassmusic.mykajabi.com to register for free or to get more information on this course.
Gretsch Drums: New Endorsers
Gretsch Drums has announced that Jarrod Alexander of My Chemical Romance, Brad Webb with Jamie Cullum, and Stephen Bidwell of Black Pumas have all become endorsers.
Jarrod Alexander returned to the drums for My Chemical Romance’s long-awaited reunion concert at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angles in December of 2019. His unique style of playing the drums is born of his eclectic musical tastes and the influences of a wide range of drummers. Jarrod plays with an instinctive mix of power and technical elegance to produce a sound that is richly complex and super loud.
Jarrod Alexander. Photo by RobxWallace_ReelNegative.com
Best known as Jamie Cullum’s drummer, Brad Webb has also played with Amy Winehouse, Paolo Nutini, Tim Minchin, and for his own projects. He is a versatile drummer with a unique touch and dynamics when playing his Broadkaster kit, which he describes as “the perfect mix of modern and classic drum sounds.”
Brad Webb. Photo by David Phillips
Stephen Bidwell is a beats man best known for playing Afrobeat, Go-Go, Dixieland jazz, and western swing. He has played with the bands Calm Blue Sea and Hard Proof, and he is currently drumming for the Black Pumas. Their self-titled 2019 debut album and their electrifying live shows earned the band a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
Stephen Bidwell. Photo by By Naz Stone
“We are delighted to welcome Jarrod, Brad, and Stephen to the Gretsch Drums Family,” said Andrew Shreve, Gretsch Brand and Artist Relations Manager. “Each produce that great Gretsch sound in completely different ways. It is a privilege to create drums that stirs such enthusiasm.”
To find out more about Gretsch Drums and the artists that use them, visit gretschdrums.com.
Percussion Marketing Council: International Drum Month Giveaways
Drawing even further attention to the PMC’s 25th anniversary and International Drum Month, a special selection of commemorative-edition snare drums, cymbals, hand drums, electronic pads, and educational instruction book collections have been donated by select PMC members. Each product has a special 25th-anniversary commemorative badge, indicating the significance of the one-of-kind product offering.
“We are extremely proud of the very special collection of percussion products that we assembled for consumers in celebration of the Percussion Marketing Council’s 25th anniversary and its flagship International Drum Month campaign,” said PMC Co-Executive Director Karl Dustman. “This consumer drawing is unprecedented in the PMC and the industry. We are most grateful to our contributing members that provide these one-of-a-kind instruments and related percussion products.”
The PMC contributing members include Alfred Music, Dixon Drums, Dream Cymbals & Gongs, Drum Workshop, Gretsch Drums, GonBops Percussion, Hal Leonard, Kat Electronic Percussion, Paiste Cymbals & Gongs, Remo, Sabian Cymbals, Sakae Drums, Superdrum, Tycoon Percussion, WFL III Drum Co., and Yamaha.
Consumers can enter the International Drum Month contest through the PlayDrums.com website. Monthly winners will be randomly chosen beginning in May and continuing through all of the 2020 25th-anniversary celebration year. These 25th-anniversary commemorative products make a great addition to any percussionist’s instrument collection.
As the percussion industry’s official nonprofit trade association, over the past 25 years the PMC and its members have contributed to the growth and diversification of the percussion industry through a series of educational programs, awareness campaigns, and free online promotions that have consistently grown in scope, participation, and impact. Membership to the Percussion Marketing Council continues to be open to all percussion instrument manufacturers, distributors, publishers, trade organizations, and educational alliances.
For additional program information, visit PlayDrums.com or follow via Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on programs news, announcements, and promotions.
Roland
Free Zenbeats App
With increased time for creativity, exploring a new app is a great way to spark musical ideas. Right now, Roland is offering the full version of Zenbeats on iOS or Android for free.
Included in the Free Zenbeats iOS and Android Unlock V1 are all bundled instruments, effects, and features, unlocked SampleVerse + 500MB content pack, unlocked track effects and mixing options, up to 2,000 Loops and Presets, AUv3 support (iOS only), and Stem Exporting.
To get the Roland Zenbeats unlock, install Roland Zenbeats on any compatible iOS or Android device, sign in or create a Roland account, choose the Store icon from the home screen or main menu, choose the Unlocks tab and add the free Android or iOS Unlock V1, and select the Cart tab to check out and download it to your device.