*...Vintage
drumming ... vintage snare drumming - using the traditional 'OPEN
STYLE'... is one of the older schools of drumming there is.
This traditional
drumming approach, which is described and depicted in video examples on
this page (and the following pages), should obviously be dedicated to
the 20th Century's best proponent of this ancient & unique school of
drumming ... Sanford A. Moeller.
[
This article was posted in 2004, when 'drum forums' were not covering
Moeller's book with much accuracy or understanding ]
Some refer to Moeller's book as a manual
that teaches the Moeller system of drumming. This is not entirely accurate, however, but the important
thing is that for many decades, Moeller, almost single handedly, represented a very distinct
school of drumming. Video examples contained, herein, are meant to show 'traditional'
Moeller... right down to the usual controversy over
the 'little finger grip'.
This article is an OVERVIEW of some of the
concepts found in Sanford Moeller's book. The method described in the 'Moeller book' (as to
how to play the snare drum proficiently) is based on 'old' school. To help
understand this approach, included below are several videos
and illustrations, such as the drummer's
'traditional right hand grip' (open style) ... used by drummers for hundreds of years.
Moeller is an interesting subject, because, he was that unique someone who studied 'ancient' materials, followed what went
before and added innovations to the general knowledge for future drummers to
consider. We should do all we
can to preserve his contributions to the art of snare drumming.
After all,
what other recognized expert, from the 20th century (relating to rudimental drumming) made the effort,
to seek out drummers who had served in the great
US civil war? And what other rudimental expert from the 20th century, also mentored drummers who became famous in the field of jazz
drumming? The answer is Moeller!
~
Moeller:
"The
author finds, in his 15,000 mile trip around the US in 1925, that there are
hundreds of drummers with this accomplishment", (that is, hundreds of
players who studied and mastered the rudiments sufficiently enough to play
the 'Downfall of Paris')
Without
question, Moeller truly believed that rudiments are the basis of accomplished
drumming ... whether it be rudimental drumming or otherwise. He also
writes that when drummers meet on the basis
of discussing rudiments, the exchange will usually establish "the
beginning of a life long friendship".
Even though one may not appreciate the musical interests
of a fellow drummer ... WE (ALL OF US) SHOULD STILL HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON - practicing
rudimental exercises. There should be agreement on this basic point,
to say the least (no matter what kind of music a drummer wishes to play)!
Refer to the first video clip (below). It is offered in the spirit of what
I believe Moeller wanted to emphasize to his readers:
...for centuries, drummers have been playing like
this ... don't loose track of this art form...
The 'Moeller book'
has connected the 19th century with the 21st...
Click to view
(right click to
save)
When viewing the above
video, notice the style of what is being demonstrated. In this particular
clip, disregard how easy the sticking is, and concentrate on the grips. The
examples, in this article, are performed using simple and uncomplicated
drumming ideas. All examples utilize the suggested grips pictured on pages 4 & 5
in
Moeller's book.
One can 'see' from analyzing the style in the above video clip, why the
'ancients' were able to play for extremely long periods of time. It was
because of the easy and natural approach of the drummers' posture and stick grips
(to include loose, relaxed muscles).
Keep in mind that the so called 'Moeller grip'
for the right hand, may take some
time to develop. Increasing the strength of the
little finger is a gradual process. Who knows how many weeks or months it will take to train the right hand (both hands!) to use the 'little finger
grip'?
~
BACKGROUND
I am convinced that Moeller achieved
a monumentally important task, during the fast paced decade of the 1920's.
History tells us that Moeller learned how a 'vintage
deep drum', circa the mid 1800's, was played. The knowledge came from
veterans of the US civil war (drummers who were led by George B. Bruce and Gardiner A.
Strube). Therefore, Moeller's book and the pictures
are of historical value, to say the least.
~
Why has Sanford A. Moeller been
so mysteriously popular among many teachers and their students for over eight decades?
Perhaps it's because some of the knowledge
contained in his book, includes oral information dating back to the American
civil war, and even earlier. Moeller had researched the drumming
traditions of previous times from various countries. His genius was to synthesize and add his own
innovations to what he had learned.
Yet another reason his book survives, is simply because of the fact that he made use of
the camera to demonstrate the classic 'vintage' approach and style he meant to
show. Because of the quality of the photographs,
in Moeller's book, it is difficult to focus (really comprehend) as to what is
being shown. However, if one is willing to take the time to study the
images, the drumming style will eventually become
clear. The pictures show how they ACTUALLY went about beating a drum, one
hundred and fifty years ago!
~
'OPEN' STYLE DRUMMING
'Open' style and the style
that 'pipe drummers' use ... are not of the same school. The latter, of
course, is a style that requires a pressed, buzzed,
orchestral rendering of the roll (just to name a
few terms to describe a 'closed' roll). Besides the differences in style, as
to how the
roll is rendered, the two schools come
from using 2 different grips, as well.
Lest there be no misunderstanding ...
drumming in a pipe band is not a better
style of drumming ... it is just 'another' style, and so
forth. Few ever master both - or choose to master both approaches. To do so,
would mean that one is comfortable using 2 different grips (the little
finger grip - vintage approach) and thumb fulcrum grip.
Most teachers and
instructors usually suggest to their students, anyway, that they should practice
rolls both 'open'
and 'closed'. When a student hears this statement, they are being informed,
basically, that
different styles of drumming usually stem from how the roll is played.
Needless to say, if you practice rolls both 'open' and
'closed' ... you'll be fine. And if the pupil can use two different grips
as well, all the better.
~
Moeller's chief reason to compile &
write his book was that he likely observed that too many players, evolving into the
next generation of drummers, were being 'schooled by the general run'... future
drummers who were wanting, in terms of mastering a 'broad, flexible system' (to
paraphrase Moeller's own words).
If a drummer masters the
instruction given in Moeller's book (many believe), that drummer will have
learned a more versatile method than what others have been
taught.
