Q&A
Q: You're very but very impressive I'm from Aruba and I'm 19 yrs old studying drums and percussion. I just wanted know how you startedplaying and what are your approaches to music . If you don't mind I ould like to know which books you studied. By the way I just saw you give private lessons so I will like to know how much you would charge for that.Because I'm planning to go to Boston in November so I would like to come to N.Y.C so we can meet over......
- Michael - Aruba
A: Thank u Michael. My father was a musician and guided me through much of my younger days. As per books, I've studied much of the standard material as well as approaches not published thought by proffessors I have been fortunate enough to work with. Lessons in NYC are $80 per hour. Please check my availability before you arrive to NYC. Online lessons are also available as single or developed courses designed for your needs.
- DG
C: Hey Dave! I just got your news letter, and it's really good to hear that things are going forward for you. and...This video, even just that 44 seconds of it, shows your refreshing ability to roll and tumble through an ever-driving rythmic statement. Your have an air of inspired presence... and energy. You continue to amaze me. Where did you come from? (smile)... All the best, and continued success...
- rashid-www.digidiva56.com
C: Dave, thanks for the advise. I'm going home to practice now.
Q: You monster brother. Where did you learn to hit like that?
- Drew - Houston
A: Thank you Drew. All over the world.
C: Enjoi your diferent playin.
- Ivan - Uruguay
Q: I enjoy to see different music creation and development of new concepts. I love what you do. Who do you listen to for composition inspiration? Sorry for the english.
- Slav-Cezch
A: Thank u Slav. Everyone & everything around me. My musical influences stem from the music of Bela Bartok, Igor Stravinsky, Ochiro Contro, Rito Dova, Wayne Shorter and all folklore from around the world.
- DG
C: Thanks so much for the online lesson. Having a ball with the audio you sent. Thank you so much for helping me get this.
- Saul - San Francisco
C: Finally Dave. I was curiously waiting for a drumset clip. Had heard about you on the kit but had never seen you. Man I continue to be wowed. Nice clip.
- Brendan
C: Jesus, Dave. Amazing tune. Can't wait to hear entire album and check out the group live.
- Francis - Ohio
Q: I love your unique style and bata percussion rythms. I would enjoy a live show, are there any soon?
- Andres
A: Thank you Andres. In the studio at the moment recording the record which will be out by this winter. Various shows & tours pending for 2008.
- DG
C: hola David como estas? me gustaria saber si das clases en particulares un NYC yo vivo en madrid pero me gustaria pasar algun tiempito por alla y aprovechar dar algunas clases bueno solo decirte que me ha encantado la manera que tienes de trabajar la precusion. Un verdadero placer en saludarte. Suerte!
- Luis-Madrid
C: Hello David....I must say u are a breath of fresh air musically, I find u very original in your playing and music.
- J.C - Seattle
Q: Gostei muito da sa musicalidade e gostaria de adquirir materias como cds e Dvds . Gramde abraço e fica com Deus !! Seja bem vindo a Salavdor - Bahia, Brasil.
- Reinaldo - Brazil
C: Great vids David. more....more...
- Robert, NC
Q: Hello David, met you at Rose in Brooklyn. Nice drumset playing. When you solo do you keep track of the one or the clave pattern?
- Tom, NYC
A: Great to hear from you Tom. Thank u. I dont keep track of anything other than the melody when I solo and the clave is in their naturally. Best,
- DG
C: Jesus! Incredible solos on your videos with LP. Congratulations on having developed your playing to such heights at such an age. You are truely an inspiration.
- Brendan
C: Saw you at the Zinc Bar with Jay Rodriguez. WOW...loved your 6/8 solos.
- Sebastian, NYC
Q: David, NIce playing. I am a timbale-set player and I would like to know what excersices you use to develop your bass drum and hand technique and independence?
- Duncan, FL
A: Thank you Matt. I tend to practice my left foot more than my right. Although I don’t play the BD with my left, my mind gets more rhythmically conscious of independence in general due to this, and in part my right can only develop greater independence and feel.
- DG
C: Nice perc. track! Nice bata sound.
- YC
C: Killin' video with L.P David.
- Bryan, NYC
Q: David, please let me know the release date of your upcoming album. Also, if there are cd's of your music out there now, let me know. your music is AWESOME. THANKS.
- YC
A: Thank you YC. It should be out by next year....Best,
- DG
Q: Checked u out on congahead. Nice vid, nice group. Is there other drums at the end? I hear other things going on.
- Maurice, FL.
A: Thank you Maurice. You got it! I overdubed the 3 Bata drums ... Played chachalokafun in meters including 3,4,5,7 & 9/4. Enjoy.
- DG
Q: Killer composition. What time signature is it in?
- Levon, Austin TX
A: Thank u Levon. It's actually in many. Every bar is in a different time signature (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,12,15) but there are also different ways of looking at it, depending on your musicianship.
- DG
Q: David, great clinic. When playing rumba on the drumset do you have a set pattern you play?
- chriss, NY
A: Thank you Chriss. Yes, I have developed various set patterns, but I dont tend to use them, as I have said before I simply begin with the clave and let that vocabulary flow out of me...If I did use them it would sound very mechanical.
- DG
Q: Hola david, te escribo desde chile, mi nombre es javier vargas y practico timbales en estos momentos, Quisiera preguntarte que platillo recomiendas para el timbalset ( de 14, 16 , etc) y que elemento de la bateria es mas necesario para incorporar al timbal: el bombo o bien la caja. Gracias
- Javier, Chile
A: Todo depdende del genero musical y el sonido que busques. En el timbal-set uso un 16 cuando toco salsa, pop, y generos que nesesiten un gran nivel de volumen. En latin Jazz uso un 16 china, 14 transformer y 10 splash, que veras en el proximo video con la LP. El bombo y la caja los uso, no como adiciones sino como parte elemental del timbal, teniendolos presente como intrumentos melodicos y no ritmicos. siempre lo mejor..... suerte!
- DG
Q: Hi David, was wondering what new music you've been checking out lately?
- Brian, NY
A: Usually there are quite a few musical ideas that I am investigating at any given point. My listening is always varied and perhaps, to an outside observer, confusing. I am excited about a lot of music right now like Igor Stavinsky's & Bela Bartoks string quartets, Miles Live 1964 with Tony Williams, Wynton Marsalis "Black codes", Michael Carvin "honoring the masters", Papo Angarica and Egberto Gismonti. Thanx for you Q.
- DG
Q: I saw you playing straight ahead recently and I'm just wondering how you're able to play hand percussion and not loose you sensitivity on your hands for the drum-set.
- Randy, TX
A: Thanx Randy. Just keep in mind that sensitivity does not come form your hands but from your spirit.
- DG
Q: Seen u play 4 the first time on drums. You play so rhythmic how do u manage 2 keep track of the clave or even 1? had a great time.
- Brandon NYC
A: Thank you Brandon. I try to aproach rhythm as melodic as possible. I dont separate rhythm and melody for me it is all the same. Plus SPACE/SILENCE is a very important note to keep in mind. Keep playing....stay in touch.
- DG
Q: I saw you recently play the three bata and I couldn't believe that you actually play the fast rhythm of yemaya. I 've tried to play that rhythm on the three and I thought it was impossible for one person to do so. I guess not. Beautiful playing.
- Tony, NYC
A: Thank you Tony. I've found every rhythm is possible it's just that every rhythm has it's own techniques. Just let it come out naturally.
- DG
Q: I've been trying to pull out many bata rhythms on the three bata and on the drum-set, is there particular patterns that can help me do that?
- Diego, NYC
A: Set patterns don't exist YET and each rhythm is a different pattern. I suggest you learn each bata drum separately first, listen to the music then simply play on the three bata what you hear. As for the drum-set, work on your independence and relaxation. Good luck!
- DG
Q: What is your process for applaying bata rhythms to the drumset and to music itself? I've seen acouple of others do it but it is to ovious they're trying to incorporate those rhythms, sounds very rough. You sound great.
- matt, NYC
A: Thank you Matt. Well many of the things I play belive it or not I have not worked out, it has just been the natural step of my percussion playing influencing my drumset. Like I always say, the idae is for it to come out naturally and listen to the music, specially bata rhythms, otherwise all this vocabulary and technique will sound too worked out, too mechanical. Just let come out! Remember it's about the music as a whole.
- DG
Q: I love your bata article. I had no idea of all that history. It is beautiful that you're willing to share all that. Thank you.
- Francis, CA
A: You're welcome Francis.
- DG
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