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The Brush Lab
136 members • Free
8 contributions to The Brush Lab
Nov 12 •
Add on to my introduction
It's been a few days since I introduced myself here. Now I'd like to share my favorite workhorses. It's my Gretsch 14"x4,5" Round Badge. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0_6c-o-64A) And after following Anthony's recommendation, I love the snare even more: I put on a Kentville Kangaroo head on and finally the sound is amazing. Thanks for the recommendation, Anthony. I can only pass it on. The other Snare is a custom made snare I use with sticks. Is build by Pommes Pommerenke, Berlin, who's a brilliant Drum maker.
0 likes • 17d
@Ralph Jensen Hi Ralph. Sorry, a little off-topic here, but can you explain why you would chose a Broadkaster? I found a used USA Custom for a very good price, but always wondered if the famous Broadkaster was only kind of a myth and a marketing thing, or if there is really a noticeable difference between the woods of the two. It’s not the first time that I heard someone say they would prefer a Broadkaster over a USA Custom.
25d •
Two further bossa-nova-approaches
Hey everybody. As I'm into bossa nova a little bit at the moment, I'd like to share two further approaches, that I picked up from Anthony and that I'm exploring now ("work in progress") under his guidance. >> Thanks at that point to the brush-master. 🙏 In one of the examples I play two different accent-patterns with the RH, while the LH hand is sweeping. You can find these in the BGOD-PDF on page 42. And preliminary exercises on page 40 and top of 41, which I play ahead in my clip, before going into the patterns. >> Suggestions for improvement are very welcome.
2 likes • 24d
Great playing and very smooth sounding. Thanks for sharing!
28d •
"Fishhooks" and one-direction shuffle
Thanks a lot, Anthony, for digging into the "fishhook-movement" and the one-direction shuffle in the "Brush-Lab-Live Technique + Groove Lesson" of today (16th Nov.). That was helpful. Also the explanations in the "Brush Grooves on Demand PDF" to that topic - pages 27 and following - are great to revisit, and with references to a possible audio-track (playback). Meanwhile I tried to transfer the fishhook-approach also to my attempts in Bossa Nova with brushes, where I would like to get into step by step: In the BGOD-PDF on page 42 the two patterns with ride cymbal (RH) and on page 43 with non-articulated fishhooks in the LH. Critical Comments welcome on my playing in the clips. But not on my face on 😂 (recorded with my handy-cam and mic.)
4 likes • 28d
Great playing, and thanks for sharing! I just did the other lesson date with Anthony and learned that I have to work a lot on my left hand and especially the fishhook motion. But the Brush Lab is the perfect place to learn and practice.
Nov 12 •
Get the Gig - 1st Assignment
🧹👨🔬 Brush Lab, it's giveaway time 🎉 I have created an 'assignment' for you which consists of: - Leadsheet/worksheet - Drumless backing track - Lesson video Watch the video to learn about the assignment. Once you're ready, record yourself playing along to the track and upload your video to this thread. The idea is you stick to the task outlined in the video. The first tune is called The Spy and it's a medium swing. You are to play the main groove without any fills or variation, then learn the hits in the shout chorus. I will choose the winner who I think sticks closest to the task and you have until November 30th to upload. Your prize can be one of the following: - Phrasing and Freedom with Brushes - paperback with free worldwide shipping - Comping and Improvising with Brushes - paperback with free worldwide shipping - Beginner's Guide to Big Band Drumming - paperback with free worldwide shipping - 30 minute online lesson with me Good luck, and I look forward to watching your entries!
2 likes • 28d
@Simon Schwarzenbach Hi Simon. It’s exactly as you mentioned! I’m absolutely not experienced with recording, just did trial and error and had help from YouTube 😊. I record the drums with two mics (one overhead and one bass drum, although a dedicated snare mic for the brushes would probably be better) via an audio interface into Logic (I had been using a Mac for office and so on for many years as well, so it was a logical choice) over the backing track. Then I export the audio, and merge it with a recorded video (I use a Zoom Q4) using iMovie. The “hardest” part of that is aligning the audio with the video, but I think it works ok for me. All quite basic but sufficient for my purposes.
2 likes • 28d
@Eric Kenlin Hey Eric, thanks for posting, and beautifully played!
Oct 26 •
Welcome! Introduce yourself + share a pic of your favourite snare 🥁
Let's get to know each other! Comment below sharing where you are in the world, a photo of your favourite snare drum, and something you like to do for fun. 😊 I'll go first - I live in Melbourne Australia, my favourite snare is the Gretsch 2mm Copper 14x5 (with Kentville Kangaroo Head) and I love long-distance running 🏃♂️
3 likes • Nov 12
@Gary Notch On my regular kit I have clear heads. On my bop kit I am using coated reso heads (Evans Reso 7 coated) at the moment, but I’m still not quite sure if I prefer that over clear heads. I hope the Kangaroo head arrives today, then I will try it on my snare first. If I like it I’ll probably try it on the toms as well, at least on the batter side.
2 likes • Nov 12
@Gary Notch I find it to make the sound a little warmer and dryer in the sense that it controls the overtones a little more, and in my mind the sustain seems to be a bit shorter and focused. The coating makes the head a little thicker/heavier and so it doesn’t resonate as much. But then that can also result in a somewhat deader sound. I guess it’s also a matter of what we’re used to. In earlier days there were no clear plastic heads and drummers had to use coated calf heads on both sides anyway.
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@markus-nickmann-3167
Cardiologist with a passion for drumming and the art of playing the brushes
Active 10h ago
Joined Nov 8, 2025