Appreciate the explanation of nuance in terms of note density compared to shifts in touch and feel, cold attacks etc. Cuz as someone who only recently started really understanding drums, I definitely didn't pick up on a lot of what makes this book challenging.
Coats 15 is also a perfect example of that seemingly simple book that is stupid difficult. One thing I’ve picked up in my musical career, the stuff that looks easy is difficult, the stuff that looks difficult is probably a bit less hard.
The hand speed and velocity adjustment challenges seem like a really consistent feature of Tom's writing style- along with his funky tuplet phrasing, color changes, and cross-stick grooves- and the exercise program really supports and emphasizes those skills. Roger and staff are GREAT at teaching the "contrasting differences" stuff too, with those abrupt dynamic shifts mid-roll. I love seeing how the exercise program reinforces the skills that they call for in the book. I feel like, in general, we're seeing a return of strong, discrete stylistic identities between the top groups- Bluecoats, BAC, BD, Cavaliers all seem to have "their thing"- and it's really great to see that kind of diversity in both arrangement and performance! This is a SUPER exciting season!!!!
There's something about their snare technique that I love, but I can't really describe it. I could be wrong, but they seem to embrace natural weight of the wrist and sticks more than pushing for high velocity while also letting the sticks resonate a lot more than other groups. Anyway, I love it this year and definitely see this drumline as having more potential than last year to push the standard. I wish the tenors were featured more though.
random question, but have you guys ever thought about reacting to collegiate drumlines? I am on MSU's drumlinbe right now and we have a lot of people that have marched cavs, bluecoats, scouts etc.
Ditto to all the analyses. I have to say the Bass Line is so solid, love the arrangement. Can't complain about the use of flams in this book. Oh, one last thing, being a Tama drum kit owner since the 90's, it's pronounced like Yamaha, it's "TAH-Mah"
It might be the mounting holes on the drum got drilled like .25/.5” too low? It seems consistent across the line which makes me think it was manufacturing vs an aesthetic choice
I was able to make the show in Little Rock and again in Broken Arrow. I do love the sound of these bass drums. They are groovy and reminiscent of old school fiber skin, a sound I love. I was disappointed that the Bluecoats battery was constantly hidden behind yard trash in the drill. They seemed non-existent to me, popping in out every now and then and literally disappearing for extended times. I was very impressed with the Cavies, Cadets, and Crusaders in no particular order. Overall, Boston's show was my favorite. I was able to catch the Cadets snares in sectional so I guess they made the biggest impression on me. Clean as a whistle. Crusaders seemed to have some meaty stuff. Cavies were just plain fun to watch. I liked that scratchy lick they threw in.
Is it just me or does the snare tuning make the tics super exposed? On the field with the low quality vids that have been posted it really seems like a wet fuzzy sound. But if they clean it that all goes away. The pit is phenomenal for this early, they're smooth operators.
I personally dont think they will compete with Devs and Boston. Sure the nuance of the book is cool but it is just not on par with Boston or Devs book. We shall see in the end. RIP Vangaurd
At the very least, their drumline won't hold them back too much. Their FE might also do just enough to get them close to another Sanford. If not they still won't be too far behind in perc.
