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Hello Mr Mayer
I recently attended one of your clinics in New Zealand and was totally blown away by your ability.I was also totally
amazed with your pedal speed and was woundering if you would be able to describe to me how your foot technique works that gives you so much speed.Does your technique work on all pedal brands and what tension is best? I would be absolutly
thrilled with any advice you could send me.
thanks for the inspiring clinic.
Dylan
Hi Dylan,
In regards to your questions about the "reverse stroke", Heel Toe,"push pull" or "watheverthef'#$%k" -Foot technique i would point out the following:
I like light, low mass pedals like the old flexi flyer or the old camco or gretsch floating action pedals ( all of 'em out of manufacturing) .In any case,I use very minimal spring tension on my pedal. The spring is real loose, so the
beater almost falls back to me after impact (as opposed to snap back at me). Personally,I
preferre longer footboards (tama iron cobra, Sonor phonic, the new Pearl pedal's good too), but you can do the technique on any pedal if executed the right way. I also HATE toe stops and i remove'em if neccessary. They reduce the aera of my foot's action.I need every inch of my footboard.
The basic idea is to generate the first "down"- stroke launched from your heel up position, generated from your knee, not your toes (important!).Followed by a 2nd " up"- stroke, generated by the calf.
So your leg goes :
up-down, up-down,(bam-bam, bam-bam..).
It LOOKS's like a heel toe action but really it is kne (heel) -toe. That's the secret !
Experience the best way for you to push yourself. If you get cramps or
pains, You obviously push yourself too hard or you did'nt observe the mechanics of your technique carefull enough.Therefore you have to "compensate" for the lack of agility, balance or training in a particular part of your body
action, wich will result in "overemployed" muscular action hence cramps. I pay lot's of attention to the way i feel when i play. Dont' squeeze. If you "squeeze" when you practise, you will "squeeze" when you
perform. Be patient let it grow naturally...experiment,observe yourself, use your immagination, relax, relax, RELAX, be patient! It took me a long time to cultivate and master this technique, and as im trying to improve it's still a work
in progress to this day..
Learning a new technique is like growing a rare tropical plant. It requires sensitivity and all the above more than just hours of mindless shedding...
To conclude : wathever you do with your feet, allways be
aware of were your balance and center is. Try to stay balanced and relaxed, it's important to every aspect of your playing and it starts with the way you sit and your pedal work. It's easy to loose center when getting into that kinda'
right foot stuff!
Good luck,
Jojo Mayer
Hello mr.Mayer.
My name is Mike and i am writing to you from Athens, Greece.I have recently had my head turned to jungle-drum'n bass music.I found it to be a very exciting and interesting thing.Beeing a drummer i try to emulate what i listen from cd's and apply them to my playing.The thing is i am having some problems, both technique-wise and sound-wise.So if you had some practicing tips-suggestions that would help i'd appreciate it. Also, are there any book- methods covering this style of playing? Thank you for your time.I hope to see you in Greece sometime in the near future.Finally, do you have any plans to make an educational video?
Greetings,Mike.
Hi Mike!
First of all thanks a lot for your interrest and feedback, and my appologies for the delay in getting back to you.
In regards to
your question: I think there's no specific way to go about it. What i did was to listen to it A LOT ! I also got one of these sampling CD with tons of loops etc (jungle warefare 3, for example..). So i just started to emulate those beats
in a natural way. I also think its important to work on the "Touch" a lot. Dont' bang on the drums mindlessly but observe the sound you produce carefully...dont' play too loud too, it kills the jungle feel. Also, slow down the
beats and practise them SLOW so you can feel were the pocket is! Also, try to get a hold of the original breakbeats like the "AMEN BROTHER" loop and get into that! Getting an understanding of samplers, sequencer and how DJs approach music
production alltogether will put you on the right track conceptually....Technically speaking, all you know will help..... a single stroke roll in jungle is still the same rudiment as in jazz or rock or country or polka or........any other
style.Good chops come in handy at tempo 170BPM!
I've been working on a script for a educational video since i was approached by a number of companies to do one, but it will not happen anytime soon....
Best, Jojo Mayer
Hey there,
I've been coming to your Prohibited Beatz events on a regular basis and i just wanted to say that Nerve is the most incredible live act New York has produced in years! You guys are keping it REAL week after week...RESPECT!!!
Do you have a record out? If not, is Nerve coming out with a record anytime soon?
Peace, JT
Hi JT,
Thanks for your support and the props!
In regards to your inquiry about a NERVE record / product etc.: We're in the process of completing
the first record as we speak and it will be finished early on in 2003! I can't give you specifics on a release date at this point, but i'd like to encourage you enter our mailing list NERVE@jojomayer.com to getup dates about NERVE activities, tours and product releases. Otherwise revisit my homepage on a regular basis. We will start updating the site on a regular basis and updates about NERVE will be posted.Some advance MP3 tracks and videos will be available for download/streaming from this site soon.
Jojo Mayer / P-Beatz / NERVE
Hi,
I have checked out the party of couple times and have really enjoyed it. Recently, I called SHINE and they told me that you stopped the weekly event and might not be comming back. Is this true? and if so will you continue the party elsewhere?
I really hope you continue prohibited beatz becuase I think it is one of the coolest parties in the city.
Thank You,
Naomi
Hi Naomi,
Thanx for your message. Right now PROHIBITED BEATZ is taking a break to revitalize and to develop some new concepts. Meanwhile, NERVE is
working on a record and has been performing in Europe. Both PB and NERVE will be back in NYC in 2002 at a new location and with some fresh ideas and formulas....
Join our mailinglist: prohibitedbeatz@jojomayer.com and you will get updates on the party and the record. Stay tuned...
P-Beatz, Jojo
I have a couple questions. One is pertaining to your performance at the Modern Drummer Festival 1998, and the other is from your performance on the "Screaming Headless Torsos" Album.
At the Modern Drummer Festival you talked
about shifting a particular stroke into your fingers making it easy to play fast with less muscle mass. On the video I can't really tell what exactly the finger movements are in the hand. Could you tell where exactly where the
up strokes and down strokes are for both hands?
On the Screaming Headless Torsos album you play some really hip sounding linear licks. I'm wondering how you go about learning and practicing "licks"?
Thanks for Being an Inspiration,
Brad
Hey Brad,
check out the 2nd volume of the DCI Buddy Rich video tape (60' &70'). He plays a solo almost entirely on his cymbals. At some point he
beautifully displays the left hand finger thing. It's the only footage i know showing him doin'it. Get it!
I think his secret , besides tha fact that he was totally relaxed while doing it, was that he could compleately isolate the
finger movement from the rest of the hand. Almost no wrist action.That's cruical to get the speed: less mass = more agility /speed. I've been working on this finger isolation on my left hand for quite a while now but, athough closer, i'm
still not (and maybe never will be) at Buddys level. That guy was something...
BUT- I am able to do this with my right hand ! The "thumb thing" (as i call it) that i demonstrate on the MD fest video was showed to me by a
french drummer in the early 80'. I forgot his name (too bad). the secret ? same thing :Isolation!
Another hint : Check out Steve Gadd on DCI "in session" Tape. He does a similar thing with his left hand while playing a
samba pattern. A student of mine uses this technique and he's incredibly fast with it.
As a matter of fact, i ve seen many other drummers using various hybrids of that basic concept (Jeff Hamilton, Kenwood Dennard, Vinnie). I
think the main thing is to figure out what works for YOU. Just be creative. Use Your immagination. I took a thing i saw Han Bennink (a great Free Jazz drummer from Holland) do a few years ago. as i played around with his idea, I eventually
developped that "tilting" thing I'm doing on the MD festival on the far left snare drum.Experiment!
To conclude i have to say that the use of these particular techniques cover only 10% of my playing technique. After all
they are not THAT important really..
About the licks: I allways think of licks as melodies not coordinates (as lot's of drummers do..). I'm developing them from a musical stand point. I experiment with diffrent dynamics, accents
and tempos from really slow up to very fast. The best solutions for stickings usually offer themself afterwards naturally. I also sing the licks first before i play them on the kit. I sing drums a lot.That's why lot's of em sound linear
'cause that's how i come up with a lot of stuff ! Try it!
Best,
Jojo Mayer
Hello Jojo,
My name is Micha and I'm a 24 years old italian drummer. I've been playing drums for 8 years now and in the last two, I really focused on
studying and playing as much as possible.I went to the "London Music School" and I really put myself into music because a couple of years ago I decided that I wanted to do as much as possible to become a professional musician. I
feel I'm doing well but now I think it's time for me to move on and make another step forward and so..... HERE I'M WRITING TO YOU!!!!
I think every human being is able to do almost whatever kind of job in his/her life but, if he/she
looks deep into his/her soul will find something he/she can do better than all the other things, and I feel I GOT MY ANSWER; I FEEL I CAN BE A GOOD MUSICIAN AND THIS IS THE REASON WHY I'M WRITING TO YOU!!
I would really love if you will
write me any kind of suggestion You think it's important to help me gettin' into the "Music buisness" and the most important thing is that I'n ready to fly to U.S.(or wherever You are) even tomorrow if You have the time to give
me some lessons so that you can teach me and know me! Please, write me even if You are on tour and you can't because You might know somebody else You can introduce me to!I believe I got something to say when it comes to Music and if You
can help me, PLEASE DO IT!!!!
THANK YOU, MICHA.
Hi Micha,
thanks for your sincere message, your interrest and my appologies for delaying my personal answer to you.I've been getting swamped with mail
these days and sometimes (when i'm on the road) It'll take a minute 'till i get to process it all.
Obviously it's a broad subject you're touching on, and frankly (to behonest) not allways a easy one to comment on. There's many
diffrentaspects to be regarded such as your grade of determination, social skills, intelligence and most important: your talent!
In NYC there's lot's of very talented cats that are not working because they don't have the neccessery
social skills or any of the other business skills to get over. A very frustrating scenario...On the other hand, there's some smart asses that made a lot of money by just working hard or creating there own scene (hard work).I won't give you
specific recommendations. You could be the most talented cat i ever whitnessed, or you might plainly suck (as a drummer).Since i don't know you, i'd find it inapropriate. But, concerning the issue of "making IT" i would like to
give you a set of diffrent questions and quotes for you to think about ( not neccessary to answer to but just to meditate on), since often i believe it's more important to have the right questions than the answers....I feel that way i can
give you an push into the right direction, or at least share my experience on the subject.
Ask Yourself....
- Whats the most important to you?
- do you have a dream?
- do you have a plan how to achieve it? (if YES, why do you think it'll work..if NO,how do you achieve it without a plan?)
- are you ready to fight for it? (..eat shit etc.?)
- how much money do you think you'll ever going to be making with music (and how / why)?
- do you mind sacrificing a confortable lifestyle for a couple of years? Are you ready for it?
- do you make friends easy?
- do you like to "network"?
- do you want to be famous? If you have to choose : Money or Fame?
- does your playing change when some musicians walk into the club?
- are you ready to deal with the POLITICS of the business?
- are you ready to learn about MUSIC / SHOWBUSINESS in general?
- are you ready to learn about BUSINESS in general?
- are you interrested to INNOVATE and CREATE your own creative / working environement?
- can you see THE BIG PICTURE?
- are you ready to slaughter holy cows and push some of your heros from their pedestals?
- are you ready to be dissapointed?
- are you ready to discover?
- are you ready to leave things behind in order to make room for new things? (can you throw "stuff" away?)
Furthermore, a few quotes i found to be helpfull.....
-"dont believe the hype"
-"THINK DIFFRENT" (great slogan!)
-"JUST DO IT" (another one)
-"the harder you work the luckier you get"
Clean up the MYTHS:
- there's millions of drummers trying to make it.....FALSE!
- there's millions of drummers but just a few are really trying to make it.....TRUE!
-You have to be a monster in order to make it .....FALSE!
-You have to have your shit together......TRUE!
-"nobody's waiting for you".....TRUE!
-"they've seen / heard it all"....FALSE!
-"you'll never make any substantial money as a sideman".....almost 90% TRUE!
-"there's more music schools than clubs where one can play"....TRUE!
Concluding:
I really believe the music business is in a BIG crisis and in a big change.The internet and all the new media is very exiting and will
give the musicians new liberties.Hence, it will become more and more difficult to make money doing records and stuff. Otherwise, i really believe that music needs new impulses because the "risk free" music industry really drained
up many outlets of creativity and innovation.
It's people like us who will have to create it....nobody will do it for us otherwise.
Thinking along the BIG PICTURE will allways put you a step ahead...
As far as lesson
are concerned: I do teach rarely . I do clinics and stuff. But sometimes i'd give a private lesson. When you're in New York let me know and we can try to arrange something.
Good luck and best wishes,
Jojo Mayer
Mr. Mayer,
if you are reading this I must firstly say that I am honoured that you would take the time to read MY mail! Secondly, I'd like to say that I am blown away by your mad techniques, & I was wondering if there's any possible way I could get my hands on some kind of publication or anything discussing the Moeller Stroke/Technique...
Hi there,
The Moeller stuff was handed down to me by Jim Chapin directly. I took two lessons....watched, learned, observed and worked on it. He made a video for DCI. It looks kind'a homegrown, but as far as i know it's the only filmed documentation of it. Get it! There's also a book by Dom Famularo called "it's your move" wich has an indepth study of the moeller stroke, the free stroke etc. It's good. My best advice: observe, watch and learn!
Cheers, Jojo
RECORDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS / HAND EXERCISE
HELLO JOJO,
My name is Alex, I spoke with you briefly at NAMM 2000 . I was a little tongue tied, and had you sign a NEWSBEAT to the musicstore I work at. Anyways I had some questions I would have liked to ask you in person I was wondering if you could PLEASE answer them now for me!!!!!
#1) I LOVE DRUM n" BASS . which one of your recordings do you think best represents your live drum n' bass playing!!!!?????
#2) A brief description of your thoughts on the physical demands of drumming ( exercise / diet / age)
#3) What are the 5 c.d. 's in your disc changer at this moment??
#4) what exercises had the biggest effect on your playing technique??
THANKS SOOOOO MUCH FROM TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!!!
Hi Alex ,.
Here's some feedback to your questions:
#1) The record that presents my best d'n'b playing is still in the works. I'm
looking at a early summer release. Check my homepage later on this year for an up date.For automatic updates submitt to our e-mailing list (NERVE@jojomayer.com)
#2) Staying in shape (generally speaking) is a good idea no matter what you
do. I'm also trying to stay emotionally balanced and centered. This has a bigger impact on your physical condition than many people think.I'm also a vegetarian (for obvious reasons). I also think the older you get the more you will learn
to play more ergonomical and energy efficient, to compensate for naturally diminishing resources.(Check out Buddy Rich at age 70!).
#3) James Brown- "Star Time", Vladimir Horovitz -"Carnegie Hall 1965", Miles Davis-
"Milestones", Photek -"Modus Operandi", The Shadow Masters- (NINJA TUNES d'n'b' sampler).
#5) Mastering the pull-out accent (moeller technique)
Laters, Jojo Mayer
ELECTRONICS / PRACTISE ROUTINE / DRUMMER INSPIRATION
HEY, JOJO
DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR A FEW QUESTIONS?
#1) WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS DO
YOU FIND THE MOST USEFUL IN PERFORMANCE
AND PRACTICE??? I ' VE OWNED A TD - 7 BY ROLAND FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU USE ANYTHING LIVE TO GET A MORE SAMPLED SOUND!!! MY TD-7 HAS
ONLY LEFT MY HOUSE A FEW TIMES I CAN'T STAND THE HASSLE OF SET-UP FOR A GIG !!!!!!
#2) DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD TIPS ON EXERCISES FOR MY RIGHT FOOT ?
#3) WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HARDER DRUMMING CONCEPTS YOU ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW ?
#4) HOW MANY HOURS ARE YOU PUTTING INTO A PRACTICE ROUTINE A DAY ?
#5) WICH DRUMMER WAS MOST INSPIRATIONAL TO YOUR PLAYING ?
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I RESPECT YOUR PLAYING AND YOUR VIBE ..
ALEX
Hello Alex,
#1) I havent used any electronics lately. I'm rediscovering the possibilities of the acoustic kit right now and i'm fascinated working on
getting new sounds from my basic kit.As a audio to miditrigger i've been using the F-16, the fastest there is, to trigger samples in the studio sometimes (very rare).
#2) Wathever you do with your feet, allways be aware of were your
balance and center is. Try to stay balanced and relaxed, it's important to every aspect of your playing and it starts with the way you sit and your pedal work. It's easy to loose center when getting into right foot stuff! Otherwise,
whatever you do with your hands is good for your feet too.
#3) play with awareness of space....
#4) I dont' have a dayly practise routine anymore. I dont have the time for it... sometimes i dont' practise for weeks. Now a days i'll
make concentrated efforts to a quire skills i dont have. I'll take a week off if i can and work on stuff on a more intensified level. In a nutshell : "I dont practise for hours, I practise for results!"
#5) Tony Williams.....but there's many others that i admire and that inspired me.
Here is a selection of dialogue between jojo and his fans which corresponds to frequently asked questions and inquiries posted to www.jojomayer.com
Jojo is trying to respond to as many of the e-mails sent to him as possible. But eventually, due to time restraints and the sometimes overwhelming avalanche of mail he is not able to personally do so.
If you have been or will be getting a automated response, we appologize and ask for your patience and understanding.
Thanx
Selected topics:
