In a dream world, a perfect world, we would all do our “pad” practice— I call it snare drum practice— on an actual drum, and giving it our undivided attention. Somewhere along the line I got the idea that it should also be done formally, standing up— in Charles Dowd’s program, playing Portraits In Rhythm from a sitting position wasn’t a done thing. But the reality for me is that, to continue putting in my time with Stick Control year after year, I need do it on a silent pad, seated comfortably on my drum throne, and with a little media helper— like, I need to have the TV on. Nothing I’m going to get engrossed in, so I’m not paying attention to what I’m playing, but just a little narrative thread to help the time move.
So, the character actor Kevin Pollak, maybe best known from the movie The Usual Suspects, has a little podcast chat show on which he has talked to a lot of great people, mainly comic actors— great especially if you’re a comedy fan, and/or of my generation. He’s done a couple of hundred shows, all watchable on YouTube, with way too many interesting and funny people to list: Larry David, Fred Willard, Thomas Lennon from Reno 911!, and on and on. They’re all in the 90 minutes-2+hours range, and are interesting without commanding your attention all the time— good for practicing.
So let’s get cracking— here are the Spinal Tap guys, to start you off:
Christopher Guest:
Michael McKean and Harry Shearer after the break:
Harry Shearer:
Go to Pollak’s YouTube channel for a whole lot more.
I am happy to help you with any of the materials on the site, and with anything else drumming related— contact me for private lessons, online world wide, or in person in Portland, Oregon. All levels of players, and all people, are welcome.
Email Todd | Call or text +1(503)380-9259 | Chat on WhatsApp