Cymbals Direct

Blake Fleming is a man who knows drums, and the rhythm and style it takes to create a new voice in drumming. His drum interest began at the young age of eight, leading him to several years of performance within orchestras, bagpipe bands and other experiences that led him straight into the world of experimental music. Known today as the drummer of Future by Now a New York-based experimental band that also features Andris Balins, Fleming is a prominent name in progressive, post-punk, math and experimental rock today and can be found teaching at State University of New York.

Perhaps Fleming’s best known work is as the original drummer for The Mars Volta, a Grammy Award-winning band from El Paso, Texas. His off-and-on five-year tenure with TMV led Fleming to a freelance drumming career, as well as a college-level teaching gig that inspires students and gives them a unique look into the world of drumming, rhythm and percussion.



When it comes to a truly unique sound that can keep up with the rigors of experimental rock and other alternative genres of music, cymbals play a vital role in the overall tone and experience of drumming, for both the drummer and audience. Fleming’s drum kit relays this same feeling though its Meinl cymbals that include the Byzance Dark Hi Hat, Byzance Traditional Medium Thin Crash, Byzance Dark Spectrum Ride, Generation X Electro Stacks Effect and Byzance Jazz Extra Thin Ride.  

Labels: Artists, Meinl Cymbals

When Las Vegas, Nevada, is mentioned, a visual landscape of gambling, outrageous stage shows and Elvis impersonators may come to mind. In February, 2012, however, drums will take over the imagery that is inspired by the city that never sleeps. Welcome to the John Wackerman 2nd Annual Las Vegas Drum Festival, an event that is ready to rock the world and take the drumming up a notch or twelve.

In its second year, The John Wackerman 2nd Annual Las Vegas Drum Festival is proud to call Las Vegas its home. Nestled softly among the bright lights and fun atmosphere that Vegas allows, the slamming and hammering of drums can be easily disguised, giving drummers of all levels the chance to collaborate, teach, learn and have fun. Students, instructors, professionals, amateurs and hobby drummers are all invited to take part in the fun on February 19, 2012, bringing their best questions, concerns and expertise to the floor.
Artists at the John Wackerman 2nd Annual Las Vegas Drum Festival include Danny Seraphine, former member of band, Chicago, and currently playing with CTA, John Wackerman, who has drummed with Maynard Ferguson, Lindsey Buckingham, and Kazumi Watanabe, and Chad Wackerman, drummer for Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa and the Australian group, Men at Work. Blue Man Group members will also be at the Festival, in addition to an incredible line-up of drummers and percussionists all drumming away on drum sets, Sabian cymbals, among others, and a whole world of percussion instruments.



Las Vegas may be synonomous with with high-energy stage shows and casinos, but in February, the world of drumming will be making its own waves throughout the city. No matter the level of expertise and drumming knowledge, the John Wackerman 2nd Annual Las Vegas Drum Festival may be one of the best tickets for total drum immersion this winter.

Labels: Drum Festival, Sabian Cymbals

Fans of Arejay Hale, of Halestorm, know his amazing control of both the drums and the audience during a concert.  Hale has been known to interrupt his own intense drum solos to ramp up the crowd, conducting from the stage with drum sticks, and orchestrating the crowd’s cheers and chants, bending them to his will. Hale may be one of rock’s more entertaining drummers, and a big reason why Halestorm is a non-stop force of metal, with humble roots as a middle school garage band from Pennsylvania founded by siblings, Lzzy and Arejay Hale.

From the time he was a child, Arejay has been a drum fan. According to his sister's post on the band's blog, their parents bought Arejay a subscription to the magazine Modern Drummer when he was a little boy.  Excitedly, she gushed about the huge accomplishment of her brother being featured in the magazine he treasured as a kid.

Music Tour Reviews describes Hale’s drumming style as a combination of modern and old school which brings "back drumming to the forefront."  Indeed, a quick search on YouTube brings up a long list of live performances posted by fans in the audience.  Every show includes one of his elaborate drum solos that hammer away on a fierce drum set accented by Zildjian cymbals.

During his solo during Halestorm's performance at the Uproar Festival in October 2010, Hale’s drumming included three sections which each included different drum tools.  He progressed from a blasting drum solo, to comical sticks that looked like baseball bats, and finished with the rest of the band all using trash cans in the style of the hit show Stomp. As if this was fun enough, Arejay and Roy Mayorga, the drummer from Stone Sour, each took turns accompanying the other during their prospective solos.



With connections to bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour and Disturbed and an immense talent throughout the band, Arejay Hale and Halestorm are not only poised for success, but could also be an epic force in the comeback of classic metal drumming in music today.

Labels: Artists, Zildjian Cymbals

The unmistakable sound of a gong can accentuate the end of a song or phrase within music, or be a reminder of the cultural significance of instruments within spiritual circles. These unique instruments are a symbol of Asian culture and are deeply tied to the lives of those within countries like Japan, China and in South Asia. Gongs were once used as a means of communication over long distances, and represent success within the lives of those cultures.

The process of manufacturing a gong is a testament to the dedication of those who take on the craft. Gongs are made through a complicated method that allows the alloy to be heated, lathed, hammered and cooled. It then goes through a final round of heating and cooling that allows the entire instrument to blend together in a manner that produces a wide range of harmonious tones when struck. The metals used in gongs may vary, but most are made from bronze and can measure anywhere from 10 inches to 40 inches in diameter. Sizes do vary according to manufacturer and style of gong.

Within music today, the gong plays a special role that helps to produce an emotional connection to the music being played. The striking sound of a gong vibrates on a wide range of frequencies, and it is this ability to touch a myriad of sounds that has caused the gong to also be considered an instrument within healing circles, as well. In a sense, this connection returns the gong back to its roots, when it was played during festivals, weddings and celebrations, invoking good feelings and marking special occasions.



Throughout its history, the gong has remained one of the more visible instruments played in an orchestra, band or during celebrations or ceremonies. These instruments are not only beautiful to behold, but can be a notable aspect of any musical composition.

Labels: Gong

Cymbal choices are some of the most exciting and overwhelming decisions that must be made when customizing a drum kit. For the drummer ready to move beyond basic cymbals and start building a personal sound, or the professional drummer looking to enhance a drum kit with a brighter sound or a trashier vibe, a drummer has a wide range of styles, sizes and brands to choose from.

Many cymbals are geared toward specific styles of music, and have descriptive terminology that can ultimately define the sound. When looking for the right sound, emulating a favorite drummer or artist can be an effective tool to help discover the desired harmonics. Cymbal brands like Meinl, Zildjian and Sabian all have information throughout their websites that list the artists and the cymbals they endorse. It can also help to research videos of artists, or the different videos that these companies have developed in order to help drummers choose. If you are lucky enough to live near a music store that stocks cymbals, testing the sound in person is a great way to find the right cymbal, but it should be noted that the sound of a cymbal in a music store is different than the sound heard during a performance or recording session

It can also help to understand the basic structure of a cymbal and how its resonance and sustain are affected by the different weights, lathing or even the finish of a cymbal. Louder music like heavy metal, or that played in a marching band typically requires a heavier cymbal that can stand a beating and keep up with the rest of the music being played. Lighter rock, jazz or country can be enhanced through the sound of a thinner cymbal.



Professional, student and amateur drummers must all look to enhance the sound of a drum set, eventually, whether through wear and tear, or the desire to customize a personal sound. By researching the types of cymbals available and the differences in design, construction and feel, drummers of any level of experience can find the cymbal that completes the overall sound of the rhythm as well as the music.

Labels: Cymbals Guide

The thought of Brazilian drumming may bring to mind fantastic Latin rhythms and the integration of world drums into edgy and driving beats that make even the shyest spectator want to dance. In the case of Vera Figueiredo, this stereotype is absolutely true, yet not the complete picture of sound. Vera Figueiredo is not only an accomplished Latin drummer, but  she also bridges the Latin and Rock genres together, beautifully, giving her the presence of an edgy, driven and overtly talented and entertaining drummer.

Figuiredo may have cornered the market on Latin drumming with her Afro-Cuban style, but as a self-proclaimed fan of bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, Figuiredo’s style is a culmination of Latin, fusion, jazz, rock and funk drumming. Known in Brazil as the “Queen of Drumming,” her unique style of drumming and astonishing personality are also known across the world. Not only an accomplished drummer and performer, Figuiredo also has her own drumming school:  The Vera Figueiredo Drum Institute (Instituto de Bateria Vera Figueiredo), located in Brazil.



As a Sabian artist, Vera Figueiredo’s drum rig consists of a multitude of different cymbals, including several HHX Evolution series cymbals and her favorite, the Vault V-FX Distortion Hi-hat. As an accomplished drummer, Figueiredo has taught and played around the world in various ensembles, orchestras and with her own band, and it is her unique style and rich sound that she has become one of the greatest Latin drummers today.

Labels: Artists, Sabian Cymbals

Whether bright and shiny, subtly matte, lathed, dark or mysterious, the way a cymbal looks has more than a visual effect on a music performance. Cymbals are complicated instruments that are crafted according to standards that have been improved upon for centuries. From the angle of the cymbal, the size of its bell and the metal alloys used, a cymbal can produce a wide range of sounds, tones and harmonics to suit the drummer and music being played.

The finish used on a cymbal has more than an aesthetic function. In fact, the finish can be the finishing touch on a cymbal, giving each cymbal style or series a voice and overtone of its own.  Unfinished cymbals have a dirty, trashy or otherwise dark feel to the sound, one that is especially evident in cymbals that are hammered by hand or roughly lathed. The Meinl Byzance Dark Splash cymbal is a great example of the sound quality and tone available in a cymbal that is unfinished.

Finished cymbals provide an entirely different sound to the drumming continuum than an unfinished cymbal. Polished, buffed and lathed to perfection, these cymbals give the sound a more refined, glassy and clear tone. Finished cymbals epitomize the drum set, shining in their splendor amidst the toms, snare and bass drum. The Sabian APX Cymbal gives a quality and dynamic sound while not compromising volume or appearance.



Cymbals bring a finishing touch to any drum solo or fill, giving songs a harmonic tone and emotional pulse through crashes, splashes and hard-hitting rhythm. Whether a finished, hammered, unfinished or otherwise specially-crafted cymbal, the final appearance and finish on the instrument can be the final note to a supreme musical composition.

Labels: Cymbals Tips