Just read a great story on Steve Gadd's drum tech in the Jan 09 edition of
Performing Musician. Little sample of the kind of insights into this master stickman's set-up and style (and secrets):
Gadd particularly likes to keep the snare head on right until the point it breaks. "Generally, he'll lean over and he'll say to me, 'You might want to get the spare up in a minute,'" explains Yard. 'He'll rub it with his hands and he'll say, 'We're alright for another song.' Then after that song, you'll go to change it and he'll say, 'No, let's leave it for a minute. It's sounding good!' Then it'll pop mid song. But he's professional enough. He'll just take his hand up and play the tom instead of the snare while I change it over. I just flick it out, put the other one in, put the mic back down and then get out of his way quick. And he'll then just drop back on the snare, really calm about it.
It's the same if the bass drum beater goes. He'll move his right foot over to his left double pedal and will carry on playing. Then, when I've switched the beater round and taken out the broken stem, he just switches back and carries on playing and never drops a beat. It's just his amazing confidence without being arrogant. He's such a nice guy as well as a great player."
Lovely!! ?
Full article here ...
http://www.performing-musician.com/pm/jan09/articles/techthat.htm
