Hello Indaba.  Welcome to another week.  It's Monday and that means it's time to talk shop.  This week I've chosen a very divisive issue in the drumming world: cymbals.  Traditionally, there are two big cymbal companies, Zildjian and Sabian (Sabian was actually started by a disgruntled Zildjian family member, believe it or not), but other cymbal makers out there get their due and proper as well.  You have Paiste and Meinl plus smaller, pricey shops like Istanbul.  What I want to ask the drummers of Indaba is this: What kind of cymbals do you recommend? But not just that, I want to know...

• What kind of hi-hats you use?
• What kind of crashes you use?
• What kind of rides and splashes and chinas?
• Do you use all of the same brand or do you mix and match to fit your needs?
• What is your favorite cymbal?

So have it at in the comments and have a gret week. 

What's up, Indaba.  Hump day is upon us once again and that means it's time for your weekly dose of web video.  Last week we examined the strange phenomina of cute girls playing ukuleles online.  How odd.  This week let's take a prodigious turn and examine some very young, very talented musicians.  This will be the first in a series of posts showing just how good young players can be (and how, depressingly, better they are than you).  But where to start?  Well, I want to start with my favorite instrument: drums.  There are hundreds of great young drummers so it was hard to choose only three.  However, this first choice was pretty simple. 

His name is Tony Royster Jr. and he burst on to the scene as a child (he's now 24 and still, obviously, amazing at drums).  In the clip below he is 12 years old and, clearly, a musical prodigy.  Think of what you were playing at 12?  A few Beatles songs maybe?  Maybe you just learned the drum roll or how to play even 16th notes.  Not Tony here.  When Tony was 12 he had mastered the double bass, complicated syncopation and had hands as fast as any drummer out there.  He's also pretty handy (pardon the pun) in the somewhat lost art of stick-play.  Back in the 40's, drummers added a little flair to their performances by playing around with sticks and Royster Jr. keeps it alive on the hi-hat (he strikes it from above and below).  Anyway, no typed words will really do his talent justice, you'll just have to watch. (Bonus: Here is Royster Jr. playing alongside amazing grown-up drummer, Dennis Chambers)

Tony Royster Jr., 12

Next up we have an even younger drummer.  This little guy, who is 4, by the way, is named Igor Falecki and he's from Poland.  While not as technically amazing as Tony above, keep in mind that there is an 8 year gap between the two.  I'd say for 4 years old this kid has got some chops.  The stuff he's playing in the clip, mostly rock beats, I didn't master until my early teens.  So something tells me that when Igor reaches Tony's age he'll be just as good.  You can see him a bit older playing some expos at his website.  You'll get a better idea of how he's progressing a musician but, regardless, to be able to play like this at 4 years old is extremely impressive. 

Igor Falecki, 4

Finally, we'll end things with the youngest "drummer" yet.  This is 3 year old Ethan Ong from Singapore and, though he doesn't have any drums in the clip, he's clearly ready for a kit.  Mom and Dad got wise and bought the boy some drums and he's turned out pretty well (he's 9 now).  However, though I could post a clip of Ethan actually playing a drum solo, I think this one of a 3 year old kid who is already showing that he'll be a great drummer is somehow more impressive.  If you'd like to see what he can do now you can head to his website and check it out.  For now though, enjoy the roots of a prodigy. 

Ethan Ong, 3

Check back next Wednesday when we'll be taking a look at some young guitar prodigies. 

Welcome to another week, Indaba.  It's Monday and that means it's time to talk shop.  Last week I posted an open call to all the engineers in the house to give us some Mic tricks and we got some good ones.  This week I want to talk about something becoming (sadly for drummers) more prevalent in the music world: drum machines.  Now, nothing can ever replace the pounding excitement a real drummer brings to a live gig but for a lot of recorded music, having a robot do it instead is easier and more versatile.  But here's the thing: there are so many drum machines and beat-making consoles available today it's kind of difficult to nail one down to purchase.  I have to admit I have a selfish aim here: I am in the market.  I live in New York where it's almost impossible to play drums for A) the noise they make and B) the space they take up.  However, I still want to make beats and mess around with my percussive side.  So, this week I want to know...What is the best drum machine?  What makes it the best?  Is there a cheaper option that doesn't include as many superfluous feature?  Have at it in the comments and help me make a decision.  Thanks, Indaba!

Hey Indaba, it's time for your weekly dose of funny music.  This week one of my all time favorite Internet people is back with another amazing song.  He goes by the handle VaDrum and he's made elaborate drum track for dozens of songs.  This time he turns his formidable talent on Super Mario Bros. 3.  Enjoy!

If you don't believe me, watch!

Happy Sunday!

The Battle of the Brands continues into its third week.  We've talked about Fender and Gibson and Martin and Taylor but we haven't yet touched on my world - the world of drummer.  Now, unlike the world of popular electric guitars where, pretty much, two big names (Gibson and Fender) battle it out, the world of drumming has no clear front runners to pit against each other.  You have Tama and Ludwig and Premiere and Yamaha and countless others.  So, for simplicity's sake, let's just argue about the two types of kit I've come to love over the years: Pearl and DW.  Which is better looking?  Better sounding? Which has better hardware or sounds the best without mics?  Let loose in he comments, everyone. 

While looking up info on drum tuning I stumbled across this 'Drum Tuning Bible' by a fellow going by the handle Prof. Sound.  The page doesn't look like much (it's an earthlink site, too) but damn if it isn't comprehensive.  Most drummers I know - myself included - do a little tapping around the lugs until the tones sound somewhat similar.  I don't think Prof. Sound would approve of that technique at all.  This "Bible" is so in depth that it borders on comedy.  The site is in its third installment and has a link to download a .pdf of the whole thing.  So, if you've ever had a question about tuning drums - and I mean any question - you'll likely find an answer at Prof. Sound's Drum Tuning Bible. 

PS. This whole site reminds me of our friend Jens Hannemann and his Complicated Drumming Technique.