How Murray Spivack Taught Me drums through ‘Stick Control’ Many drum enthusiasts have delved into the timeless classic ‘Stick Control.’ However, Murray, a personal acquaintance of the book’s author, had a unique perspective on its teachings. He believed that most people approached it incorrectly. Regardless of whether his interpretation was deemed right or wrong, Murray’s approach to ‘Stick Control’ had a profound impact on my drumming journey and significantly improved my skills.
Stick Control Spivack Method Exercise 1
How Murray Spivack taught me drums
Stick Control Exercise 2-4
Ken Hada Drums
Things you will need to study Murray Spivack’s Drum Method (paid links)
Joey Grijalva and I wrote the song “Home” in 1992. The song lived on the album also named “Home” by our band Shoot The Moon. In fact Joey Grijalva and I wrote the entire Home album in a single evening.
If you owned a home studio in 1992 you could make a recording like this.
The Musicians
The musicians on Home are as follows, Joey Grijalva on guitars and vocals, Ken Hada, drums, keyboards, and backing vocals, John Horne Bass, and Julie Van Duren on backing vocals.
Joey Grijalva used a Carvin DC 135 through a Korg A3 for most of the rhythm guitar parts
John Horne used a Tobias Killer B bass plugged directly into the Studiomaster.
Ken Hada (me) used a Slingerland Maple drumset, with a DW wood snare drum. Ken hada used an assortment of Zildjian and Paiste cymbals.
For more information about how Shoot The Moon recorded their songs check out the Moon Studio section of this website.
Art Podcast i had a conversation Words Push Things Around
Words Push Things Around
I few months ago I decided to give podcasts a try. You might think why podcasts? They are so stark, no pictures, no video, and no text. Instead of all the stimulating visual things that make the internet so fun podcasts rely on sound alone. Thats right, but sound can be very interesting. And why not sound? If I were you I would not underestimate sound. Sound is glorious and the sound of words are not to bad either.
As a matter of fact words have propelled this world forward for a long time. People have used words to do really great things and really bad things. Words can change a student into a doctor, and a single person into a spouse. Words push around so many things in our world. And if you use your words at someone else they might use some towards you. Sort of like a conversation.
Conversations can be very interesting to listen to or participate in. Im not talking about conversations on Reddit, a newsgroup or your favorite web forum. Im not even talking about conversations on text or dm. Im talking about real conversations (the in person type). Conversations that have no reason, nothing to sell, and nothing to prove. Conversations that talk about art of all things. That thing we do or admire that somehow makes sense. That art thing that makes us feel a feeling or elevates us. Art conversations on things like photography, skateboarding, music, poetry, or acting.
If you made it this far you might like to listen to my conversations with my friends. Friends I like and respect. Friends that I believe in. I think they have interesting things to say and you might think so too. I hope you will enjoy a series of podcast I create called “i Had a conversation”
Meeting Tony Williams was a special moment in my life. Even though at the time I didnt realize how much of a force he was. As a matter of fact when I was young, I used to follow all these famous drummers. In fact I studied with Chad Wackerman. And I loved Terry Bozzio’s drumming. And thought Vinnie Colaiuta was some kind of drum diety. Well after years of playing and listening to drums I began to hear Tony’s influence in some of my drum hero’s playing.
I was lucky enough to meet Tony Williams (thanks to the dude on bass in this video, Bunny Brunel). In fact one day while on the road with Kazumi Watanabe’s band Bunny asked John Wackerman and I if we would like to meet Tony. Of course we wanted to meet Tony! At the time we were all staying at the Keio Plaza. And Tony was in the lobby of the hotel. So we went to the lobby and there was Tony Williams! Of course Tony was kind and cordial. Unlike his We didn’t say too much to each other. But he had a depth to his presence that I have not sensed in many people. In the end I can only say that Tony still has a huge influence on me. And that to this day I try to borrow his creativity and individuality for my own art.
Here is a picture from the Kazumi Watanabe tour Boston. A year or so before this story.
I love this candid photo from NAMM 2008 of John Stamos and Jeffrey Foskett. For me, for some reason (maybe the Carl Wilson beard) this has a Beach Boys vibe to it. When I see this photo I am reminded of many funny stories about Jeff and John over the decades.
