Ken Hada

March by Ken Hada. I am thrilled to share my EP, “March,” inspired by my experiences in the 1980s and brought to life decades later. In the 1990s, with Studio Visions and some synthesizers, I composed about ten pieces of music. Collaborating with members of my band, Shoot The Moon, who played some of the rhythm parts. These pieces remained on 12 track tape for years. Decades later I added melodies and lyrics, all centered around the theme of the marching band.

“March” is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a reflection on the concept of marching. Marching was a significant part of my life in the marching band, but it also symbolizes the journey we all take through life. Each step, each beat, and each movement forward represents progress, perseverance, and the rhythms of our daily lives.

I hope you find joy and inspiration in these songs. As you listen, I hope you feel the spirit of marching and recognize the steps you take in your own journey. Thank you for listening, and keep marching on.

Listen to March free on YouTube,

and on all streaming Apple Music Spotify Amazon Music

Odd Time Reading Text. I have been thinking about adding some reading to my daily drum routine. So Im diving into the world of odd time signatures with ‘Odd Time Reading Text‘ by Louis Bellson and Gil Breines. I went through this book (among others) when I studied with Murray Spivack. This book is very good for multiple reasons.

Odd Meters

Number one it is odd meters so while you are learning how to read you are also learning odd meters simultaneously.

Drum book notation is different from real-world notation

In addition, the book is not noted like a drum book. If you studied music from most drum books you are not reading the same style of notation as you will encounter on a music job. Let me explain, most drum books are written without much thought to duration. ‘Odd Time Reading Text’ is different in that the nation has a lot of ties and combinations of ties and dots. If you as a drummer end up playing in a traditional ensemble such as an Orchestra or a small ensemble the music you will read will not look like drum music. In fact, it may be a trumpet part or some other instrument. This book, gives the drummer a real world reading experience.

This book will help your sight-reading

Lastly, your sight reading skills will increase with this book. For example, most of the book plays on sightreading weakness. In other words, this book is always making sure you are paying attention to every note and rest. Therefore sight reading will be greatly improved.

I used this book when I studied with Murray Spivack. If you would like to try it for yourself click here on my Amazon link and you will be helping my page out since I get a portion of each sale.

Ken Hada NBC article. I’m Ken Hada, a 60-year-old photographer and father of two in Southern California. In a recent article by NBC, I highlighted my approach to parenting and focused on creating a warm and loving environment for my children.

“tiger parenting” 

My father, a second-generation Japanese American, had a tough upbringing that made him more closed-off as a parent. Wanting to break this cycle, I prioritized emotional connection and openness with my kids. Despite the cultural norms that viewed vulnerability as taboo during my father’s time, I actively sought out resources and books to guide me toward a more nurturing parenting style.

Creating a loving atmosphere for my children has always been my goal. I made a conscious decision not to resort to physical discipline and ensured that my kids received the care and attention they needed. I aimed to provide them with a supportive and affectionate upbringing, different from what my father experienced.

My efforts reflect a shift towards more emotionally aware and involved parenting practices among Asian American parents. This story underscores the importance of breaking generational patterns and embracing a more empathetic and emotionally supportive approach to parenting.

In summary, my dad’s reaction to his father’s discipline style was to have a hands-off approach with me. And since I was a child I didn’t understand his reasoning for this. So with my kids I did what I had to do to make them feel seen.

Hopefully, all parents do the best they can with what they have.

The NBC article was written by Kimmy Yam and you can read it here

Hada and Stamos drumming. John Stamos filmed this clip at his house a few days ago. It brings back memories of playing drums with Stamos in the Kennedy High School Drumline. We play drums together more than most realize. For instance, we play drums over video conferences like Zoom or Facetime. And after all these years it’s amazing we still like the drums so much.

We have always had our mutual interests in magic, drums, computers, and photography. I’m so lucky to know John. Every time we hang out we have such a fun time.

Other times I have talked about John Stamos

Joe Wood TSOL Skateboarding. Joe Wood is a renowned musician known for his time as the frontman of the band TSOL. Before his music career took off, he was a skateboarder who frequented Skatopia in Buena Park. There, he would skate alongside his friends Scott Bunnel and Perry Peterson, known for their skill in localizing the pool.

As a younger skater, you looked up to Joe, Scott, and Perry, but also received tough love from them, much like older brothers keeping a younger sibling in line. Despite the occasional scolding, these interactions helped shape my skating journey at Skatopia.

Joe Wood’s passion for music eventually led him to front TSOL, where he significantly impacted the punk rock scene. Even today, he continues to create and perform music, staying true to his artistic roots. And his creativity as a musician expanded into different genres of music.

Joe Wood is a serious talent. If you ever get the chance to see him live take it. His performance last night blew my mind. He was on. He was in it. He took the entire club to another place in a few of the songs.

Although I don’t see Joe often he is always glad to see me. Tonight when I gave him a print he said “It’s been a while Hada!”. The print is of the last time Joe Wood rode a skateboard. It was at the Old Bro original location) in Carlsbad.

Finally, I will forever be at Skatopia with Joe Wood and the rest of the locals. I am so lucky to have known such a great group of people.

Hal Blaine at Zildjian. It was May 12, 2012, an extraordinary day when I found myself at the Zildjian West headquarters for a special private event held exclusively for Zildjian artists. In the main room, famous drummers and percussion enthusiasts were mingling. Among the attendees was a renowned cymbal expert from the Zildjian factory in Boston, who shared fascinating insights into the craftsmanship behind the iconic cymbals.

As I wandered towards Kirsten Matt’s office, I had the incredible fortune of bumping into Hal Blaine, the legendary drummer known for his work with The Wrecking Crew. To my amazement, Hal and I hit it off immediately. Surprisingly, our conversation veered away from drums and music. Instead, we talked about life. Hal’s warmth and humility made it feel like I was catching up with an old friend rather than meeting an iconic figure for the first time.

Hal Blaine at Zildjian

Kirsten Matt captured the moment with a photo, a treasured keepsake of that unforgettable encounter.

Years, before this chance meeting, I was at my local skatepark. That morning was cold (by California standards), so I was wearing my favorite Zildjian sweatshirt. As I took a break, a familiar face approached me—Josh, a fellow skateboarder who frequented the park.

“Hey, cool sweatshirt! My grandpa drums for that company,” Josh said, pointing to the Zildjian logo.

I was momentarily stunned. “who is your grandpa?” I asked, connecting the dots.

“My uncle is Hal Blaine” Josh replied with a big grin.

We never spoke of it again. And I didn’t think I would ever have a chance to meet Hal Blaine or speak of his grandson. But that chance meeting with Hal Blaine at the special Zildjian artists’ event and the subsequent connection with his grandson Josh were reminders of the unexpected ways our lives intersect. I am lucky to have met Hal, his drumming was the soundtrack of my generation’s life.

Other drum content from this website

Drumline Tryouts: 1980 memories is a song by Ken Hada from the series of songs called March. I wrote this series of songs about my time in the drumline at Kennedy. and this song is about my first encounters with the drumline. The pictures and film clips are from the drum lines between 1980 and 1982. Again the song is about the 1980 Drumline. You can hear any of the songs I wrote on all streaming apps as well as YouTube.

The drumline was my first real taste of what felt like a 1980’s male bonding and almost frat house experience. The relentless rehearsals, the inside jokes, the late-night hangouts, and the unspoken competition created an environment that was both intense and incredibly formative. This rite of passage was not just about mastering the paradiddles and flams, but about finding my place in a community that valued precision, passion, and a bit of playful chaos.

Drumline Tryouts: 1980 memories

“Drumline Tryouts” stands as a tribute to those formative years. The song is part of a larger collection I began writing in the 1990s called March. I wrote the chords and arrangement for this and the rest of the songs in the collection back then. Revisiting these old compositions and breathing new life into them has been a journey in itself. Although I wrote the music in the 1990s, I didn’t know what stories these songs would eventually contain.

While I played drums, arranged, and recorded most of the tracks, I was fortunate to collaborate with Joey Grijalva, who brought his guitar expertise to the table, and Don Duckworth, whose bass lines added depth to the composition. Their contributions helped shape the sound of “Drumline Tryouts,” but the essence of the song remains deeply personal. Every beat, every chord progression, and every lyric is infused with the memories of my high school days, capturing the essence of that unforgettable rite of passage.