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COMMENT(S): 10 Question With...Doug Stronach
Published: January 01, 2008
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| Remember when Legato introduced their concept in the mid 80's, that changed the way the other drum manufacturers came to market. They were forced to keep up with progress. I think Doug and Hugh are going to make the same impact as Legato did. Keep up the good work.
Stu |
Published: January 01, 2008
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| I agree with most of Doug's points here. Those who know me know that I have long believed that we have missed something with regard to our pipe band drum tone. We are going for tension and pitch above everything and have lost tone. The only view I disagree with is that I don't believe we need to have sharper pitched drums just because the chanter sound is sharper. There are many modes of music where a high pitched treble instrument is complemented by a much lower pitched instrument. This is the principle of most orchestral and other musical arrangements. When I listen to most other forms of music involving drums, I hear a drum. When I listen to pipe band drums, I hear Formica with a snare, often not much snare at that. I must add however, that I listened to Doug's corps at the worlds and was impressed by the sound and projection in as much that it achieved what it was set up to do. It had as much projection as any other corps I listened to and I agree totally with Doug's views on shallower shells producing more response from the bottom snares at such high head tensions. |
Published: January 01, 2008
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| Having seen and heard these drums at numerous competitions last summer I can say that I was very impressed with the projection and particularly the clarity. Over all the drummers playing you could easily locate those from Toronto Police just by listening.
There are also two elements that should factored in: the lighter weight has to be a definite positive consideration, and the ability to reduce tension on the head would facilitate longer practice times without the repetitive strain injuries so prominent in drum corp.
The change also opens doors to explore some of the new fiber head technologies (coming in from Switzerland) and revisit the design of the sticks.
The new heads respond better while still thriving on high tension, but not as high as traditional kevlar. The sticks no longer have to compensate for the equivalent of playing on a slab of concrete. Adding to the throat of the stick could drastically change the sound without sacrificing the bounce and control. Persimmon sticks anyone? | |
