What I learned

First off, let me say this was a different type of project. It wasn't any type of artwork that we have to make up, or write some poems, or make a power point on some historical event. It was more interactive than that. It was something you did for fun. An instrument you wanted to learn, music you wanted to create. It was all about you. No guidelines given by the teacher, no requirements that had to be made. It was a project in which you would work on it in your free time. I wanted to learn how to play a drum set, so I got with my friend because he had one and knew how to play it. It was what I wanted to do. Sure, I could have did something else, like making a music video, or reviewing a concert or song. But that's not what I wanted to do. It probably would have been easier to do those, but I didn't find any joy in it. It was a hard thing to do, and took a little while to get the hang of it. But it was fun to try something different, and I thought this was the best project I have ever worked on because it was a different experience, but very fun at the same time.

-Carter

Back In Black

Today, Carter came over and we worked on the intro to "Back In Black" by AC/DC.  We spent literally 30 minutes on a 15 second segment.  After a very long time, he finally got it with out a single mistake.  I made sure that he could play it at least three times in a row so that i knew that it wasn't just luck that he got it right.  Anyways,  it was a pretty productive day.  P.S. this is part of his demo in class.

-Michael

Google Day

So, there wasn't anything really to do today because of the absent drumset, but I still got something to say. All I could think of doing was to play some songs on youtube. I have changed my mind about playing some White Stripes songs, to instead play some acdc songs. Some of these songs include: Rock n Roll train, TNT, Shoot to thrill, Back in Black, etc. The songs are a little repetitive, so for my presentation I would probably just shorten the length and play the main parts. I'm not looking for a drum solo, just some fun beats that require at least some mediocre talent.

-Carter

Jazz on drums

To my credit, I taught myself some jazz beats. By myself. I thought it was pretty awesome that I did it by myself, but my mentor thought otherwise. I was playing some jazz beats, and being the rockstar he is, he said that I can only play rock beats. Now I'm not saying he's a bad teacher, but I personally think that he should be proud of my newly found abiltlity. Also, I been slowly adding some variations with the bass pedal, and Michael was right when he said it makes a difference in the sound if it's not all straight forward. Now, the problem that has emerged from the depths, has been not playing the same beat on the hi-hat as the bass pedal. Only offbeats, are the hard part, but I got some dissapointment from my mentor for playing the hi-hat the same as the bass pedal...but I'm optimistic, and that's what matters. (It worked last time).

Joke of the week: I'm not completely useless
                            I can be used as a bad example

-Carter

Friday, October 21

Me playing "Come Out And Play" - The Offspring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1jyH60lz6c

-Michael

Today (or yesterday)

So, I know it's one in the morning but halo madden and black ops are kind of addicting. Anyways, today we stayed after school and used the drum set. This day, was all about Michael not me, I was enjoying the cowbell. So, Michael played a bunch of songs like paralyzer by Finger Eleven, Come out and play, and others that my memory can't think of right now (maybe because it's late, hmmm). I recorded him playing come out and play, and will later post the video. that about sums it up, but this is not goodnight.

Joke of the week: If you're too open minded...
                               Your brains will fall out.(Woody Paige)

-Carter

Now doing joke of the week

I used to have a fear of hurdles...
Then I got over it.

-Carter

A very fun day indeed

Yesterday, I went over to Michael's house to hit some drums once again. I'm learning more than just those basic beats that I have grew so fond of. I've now included whatever the other symbol thing is that's not the crash symbol. To my enjoyment, I can now to use some variations with the bass pedal. Hold the applause, I know that it's a wonderful thing. I think that my new favorite song is smooth criminal by alien ant farm, because Michael played that very well. Lastly, next time I'm gonna try and learn some jazz beats.

Now the cool brother named josh, and I made a video yesterday for  his google project, (Extra 20%maybe?) I dressed up as a rocket member, and he was pikachu. It was fun, I wore devin's really tight skinny white jeans, which was suffocating my thighs, but It was fun, just saying.

As a side note(and because I'm feeling the urge to), I will say what else we did yesterday. First, we kicked some field goals at the high school. I was probably 3 for 10, from like the 10 yard line, and Michael was probably like 7 for 20 from about the 20 yard line. After that, me michael, josh and gustavo went to sky high and I pegged like 25 teenagers with my amazing arm. And that was the day.

-Carter

Carter Playing Drums Today

So today Carter came over again to work on our project.  We started off with playing Rock Band so that he could just get used to playing drums and keep a beat.  The first song we did was "The Eye of the Tiger".  This is the easiest song on Rock Band.  He did very well and got 94% of the notes correct on easy.  We chose this song because it had a lot of repetition of the base pedal and snare drum (which are his biggest killers right now).  Then we did "My Own Worst Enemy".  He got 97% on easy and was awarded with the "Serious Skills" award.  Next, we played "Man in the Box", and he got 98%.  Since he did so well on this song, we decided to have him play medium on the next song to test his true skills.  We played "Livin' on a Prayer", and he got 91% on Medium.  Then we continued to do medium because the last song was a success.  We played "Carry on My Wayward Son" and he got 93%.

Next, we went out to the garage to play on the drum set.  He did pretty well, but like last time we played, he got nervous when I was there with him, so i left the garage and turned on the camera to show what he could do without me there. I will send you the video through e-mail because Blogger wont let me upload it, i don't know why.

-Michael

My Favorite Drummers

1.  Chad Smith - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
2.  Neil Peart - Rush
3.  Matt Cameron - Soundgarden
4.  John Dolmayon - System of a Down
5.  Alex Van Halen - Van Halen
6.  Keith Moon - The Who
7.  Jimmy Chamberlin - Smashing Pumpkins


-michael