An often overlooked aspect of Bonhams considerable talents was his frequent use of ghost notes to accentuate his feel and add subtle texture to a groove. network: dfpNetwork, code: 'div-gpt-ad-drumforum_rosbtf_300x250', As mentioned before, each drum has a range of pitch that it can accommodate. googletag.defineSlot('/143039214/drumforum_Midcontent_VideoAD', [1, 1], 'div-gpt-ad-drumforum_Midcontent_VideoAD').addService(googletag.pubads()); } He was commanding, precise, and efficient. This drum is usually found chrome plated over a 'Ludalloy' shell. userType: ['guest','loggedin'], // display only on user type pageType: ['mainpage','post'], // display only on page type device: ['mobile'], // display only on device All Rights Reserved. Anybody selling a B/O Badge LM402 14x6.5 Supraphonic Aluminum??? device: ['mobile'], // display only on device Make sure you have felt strips on plain coated heads with no porting for your kick drum. "It wasn't a hugekit, but it was phenomenally loud. Gretsch was the only ones making them in the 70's, that I know of You must log in or register to reply here. Match this with a 15-inch hi-hat, a ching ring for that groovy late-Zeppelin vibe and, of course, no Bonham kit would be complete without a cowbell.
Bonhams drum kit tuning.interesting info! - DRUMMERWORLD -Thermo Gloss Maple (used from 1969-1970). Once the head is centered, place the hoop over the head and line it up with the lugs on the side of the shell. userType: ['guest','loggedin'], // display only on user type if(adUnits[i].pageType.indexOf(pageType) === -1) {adUnits[i].display = false; continue;} Ahead Snare Drum revisin | radarmusical. Fit all three with single-ply resonant heads and tune these to medium-high. IMO, that vistalite kit sounded very dry and hollow compared to the maple. Ultimately, our best hope for attaining a bit of Bonhams sound is to take a look at the physical elements of his style. Furthermore, engineer Eddie Kramer once recalled a mere tap of his finger eliciting a timpani-like resonance from Bonhams front bass drumhead during a session for Houses Of The Holy. var adUnits = adUnits || []; Most drums will have eight or 10 lugs. Very flexible yet easy to tune, its tone is what I was looking for. Single-ply heads are louder and brighter but have less durability than the double-ply heads. I think that this gets you about 80% of the way, but there's a sweet spot on every drum. Bonham used felt strips to round out the sound of his bass drum and used a Speed King pedal. The lugs are attached to the shell of the drum, and the threaded part of the tension rod is inserted into the lug. He never REALLY reveals Bonhams "secret". This gives the drum a softer sound with less attack and sustain. 7a illustrates the rhythmic counterpoint between these two entities, then the change of groove that Bonham issues in the bridge (notice during this part his use of the figure from Ex. You have to get into the "sweet spot", and that's gonna be different in a 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 (I've had all those sizes).
Snare/Bass Drum Tuning Question (John Bonham) : r/drums However with those clues, and some experimentation, I have come very close.
10 Ways To Sound Like John Bonham - DRUM! Magazine For tuning, Bonham loved having the resonant drumheads tuned higher than the batter heads. The old heads wont hold tune as well, and eventually theyll wear out and break. code: 'div-gpt-ad-drumforum_tablet_sticky_728x90', The legendary drummers time with Led Zeppelin ended all too soon with his premature death in 1980, but his legacy lives on through forever having changed how rock 'n' roll drums are played. As you might guess, the tension rods provide tension on the drum heads. code: 'div-gpt-ad-drumforum_300x250_3', Snares are made of wood or metal, which affects the tone greatly. Change your heads when needed, and try to strike the center of the drum head so that you dont dent the edges. Work on jazz, playing using rebound, and you'll probably be able to figure out how to get a lot of JB's sound out of a lot of drums. Listen to the latest SIGNAL PATH podcast with EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY, the English bandleader and producer known for her modern mix of jazz, electronics and How Do You Do That? }); The subliminal effect of every drummers influences can be enormous, and Bonham learned much of his initial technique by observing the styles of two early giants of swing, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. var mainpage = [ '/', 'index.html', 'index.htm', 'index.php', 'main.html', 'main.htm', 'homepage.html', 'index2.htm', '/forums/', '/board/index.php' ]; Youll want to tune the res head slightly higher than the batter: medium-high. Bonhams choice of head was dependant upon the shell material of the kit he was using, which, in turn, depended upon the performance setting. size: [[320, 50]], I've seen pictures of two mounted drums near Bonham in 1970. This is a different tone than youll hear as you tap near the tension rods when tuning. size: [[300, 250]], This is only for start-up, NOT DRIVING! adunit: 'drumforum_rosbtf_728x90', Gradually tune the drum up until its roughly at the same pitch as the bottom head. network: dfpNetwork, Bonhams massive performance on When The Levee Breaks hits a pinnacle when he unleashes this fill at 5:25 in all its majestic glory (Ex. John Bonhams drumming was as large as the lifestyle he led. As far as the bass drum goes, Jeff Ocheltree, one of Bonhams drum techs, has revealed that to achieve his famous thump, both heads were tuned much higher than one might expect.
Placentia, CA 92870. A drum key is a small tool that's used to tighten or loosen the tension rods that control the pitch of the drum. He decided against using the more expensive brass-shelled drums. In this Shure guide, learn How to Start a Podcast: Structuring an Episode. network: dfpNetwork, For best results, wed recommend a pair of Shure PGA181s offering a super flat frequency response. From thunderous John Bonham drums on Zeppelin records to R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop tracks from today, that thick, fat, '70s-esque snare tone can elevate an entire song. The "not so secret secret" JB used was tuning his reso. pageType: ['mainpage','post'], // display only on page type Dear Prudence, was it Ringo or McCartney? As you tune your resonant head, increase the tension until the wrinkles are gone and theres equal tension across all the tension rods. Each type of wood produces a slightly different tone. He creates a similar effect in the live version of Since Ive Been Loving You (Ex. userType: ['guest','loggedin'], // display only on user type Cheaper, would be buy the DVD, "Trust Your Ears", by Jeff Ocheltree. The drums themselves evolved from animal skin heads attached with rope to a modern system that uses multiple parts. Bonham used 42 strand snares on his snare drums. size: [[320, 50]], Additional Media Dissecting the Phil Collins Drum Sound Choosing the Best Snare Drum on Any Budget Mattacks was astounded when Bonham played the little 18 kick and it sounded just like a Led Zeppelin record! The first choice of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham Chrome-plated aluminum shell delivers cavernous tone with crisp attack Imperial lugs provide an elegant appearance Inject killer attack into your drum sound with the Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 snare! But the following tips and tricks can help you sound like rock royalty without busting your budget. I dont think I can play like John Bonham but the drum sound. any qualified recording engineer can achieve. His huge sound has been immortalized on classic tracks like When the Levee Breaks, Moby Dick and Immigrant Song. Smashing his kit with such incredible power, he came to define what a rock drummer should be. I was just listening to the John Bonham site here, the guy talked about the way he tuned his drums, the batter heads were tuned high, but the reso heads were higher, same thing with the bass drum, does anyone know how they were tuned, and if you were using a drum dial, what would the settings be, i really like his sound, any help would be appreciated thks. On 12/16/2015 at 11:45 AM, Ethan Christensen said: http://www.ledzeppelin.com/image/brussels-1980-4. the notes play on any drum; that last one is slick. var dfpSlots = []; The issue , in some ways, related to what guitarists get asked when they are trying to emulate a famous guitarist's style and tone in that people wonder if a famous player can STIL. all paiste 2002 series.
John Bonham Drums 2b). adunit: 'drumforum_mobile_1stguestpost_300x250', userType: ['guest'], // display only on user type Kick drum heads generally last the longest. Like really good. Combine that with large drums, his unique feel, and boom, classic rock god. When tuning your drum heads, youll use a drum key to tighten the tension rods. Take a look at the refined shadings of Bonhams entrance in No Quarter (Ex. network: dfpNetwork, userType: ['guest','loggedin'], // display only on user type 45-degree inner bearing edge with slight outer bevel. network: dfpNetwork, dfpSlots[i] = googletag.defineSlot('/'+adUnits[i].network+'/'+adUnits[i].adunit, adUnits[i].size, adUnits[i].code).addService(googletag.pubads()); network: dfpNetwork, He attributes this to the fact that, due to the drums behemoth 26 diameter, the large amount of air that needed to move through the shell had to travel very quickly to properly excite the resonant head. googletag.cmd.push(function() { pageType: ['mainpage','post'], // display only on page type LedZeppelin.com From there, experiment with the pitch until you get a tone that you like. adUnits.push({ Me too. adUnits.push({ Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. You want the drums to ring out clearly with an even tone. He played louder that many of his contemporaries, but he still had very well developed hand and foot technique. }); advises only the most creative and frugal application, so as not to be known as the drummer that always plays all those Bonham licks. size: [[320, 50]], Coated heads generally sound a little drier and darker. http://www.ledzeppelin.com/photos/led-zeppelin/1968-1969?page=16. Here are some methods and tips that will help you achieve your perfect drum sound: Drum dampening is done by adding something to the batter head to minimize the unwanted ring of a drum.
Andreas Schwarz iGroove - Das XXXL Groove Buch Bass Drum Secrets Benny Greb The Art and Science of Groove Benny Greb The Language of Drumming A System for Musical Expression Bob Gatzen Drum Tuning_ Sound and Design Gary Chester The New Breed George Kollias Intense Metal . yeah ive recorded my drums in that way but the room that im in isnt the greatest. There were no SuperkickEMADyaddayadda heads back then. Heads: Remo Coated Emperor on the batter head; Coated Ambassador on the resonant (he may have also used a Diplomat on the snare at some point) On his vistalites, he used a clear CS dot head on the batter and clear Ambassador on the resonant on the toms and bass drum (Bonham used the stock resonant head on all of his bass drums). I also recommend Paiste PST7, Meinl Classics, or Sabian APX if youre looking for a budget buy. Bonhams input on Kashmir went beyond the drums, though; it was apparently he that conceived of the main riff, a three-over-two polyrhythm (also called a hemiola) between himself and the other instruments. Click a section below to learn more about how to tune your drums. You must log in or register to reply here. -- John Bonham A Thunder of Drums by Chris Welsh and Geoff Nicholls, Given Bonzo's affinity towards Ludwig kits, odds are Bonzo was using a Ludwig kit to record Led Zeppelin 1. pageType: ['mainpage','post'], // display only on page type It's the most recorded snare drum in Rock and Roll history and was made famous in this size as the snare favored by John Bonham in Led Zeppelin. It was also used with Zildjian Cymbals, when he got the ThermoGlossdrums in1969 is when he fully switched to Ludwig and Paiste. As a result, he was able to conserve a lot of energy that other players waste flailing their arms about. John Bonham was self taught. This had been the standard rock drum kit in Britian, for those who could afford one, since Ringo Starr had swapped to Ludwig from the British brand Premier in 1963. As you practice, you may notice the tone of the drums changing. Their sound is produced when a drum head is struck either by hand or with a stick or mallet. Tighten them until they are just finger tight. The snare had an Emperor coated batter and an Ambassador (sometimes Diplomat) snare-side resonant head. Once youve got your kit together, theres one more thing before you bang it like Bonzo go for the groove! For the resonant side, use a single-ply head with an inner plastic muffling ring if you want to save money you can cut up an old bass drum head for this, which is exactly what the great man himself did. As for the relative tuning of each drum, keep them a third apart, letting the size of the tom determine the tuning. }); Blue and Olive Badges throughout the kit. Also proper head selection is crucial. The bass drum was tuned quite high as well, which worked well due to the large size of the drum (he used a huge 26 bass drum!). This kit was outfitted with Remo clear Controlled Sound heads, notable for their design featuring a black Mylar reinforcement dot in the center. 2023 School of Rock LLC. assignToVariableName: false // false if not in use Tune the batter head to a medium pitch and the resonant head up to a mediumhigh pitch.
STUDIO RSR - 126 Photos & 104 Reviews - 1041 S Leslie St, La Habra, CA Bonham used 42 strand snares on his snare drums. }); Jazz drums are way more boingy and less "massive" than you expect when you sit behind the kit. size: [[300, 250]], code: 'div-gpt-ad-drumforum_mobile_footer_300x250', Each type of head produces a different tone, and some are more durable than others. If you listen closely you can hear very clearly what note the heads are tuned to. Oftentimes it even seems as if the snare and kick in a Led Zeppelin song are trading blows in rhythmic combat as a verse proceeds unfazed. That's why the Glyn John's method was effective. That being said: Head choice- Remo Emperors on the batter side of both kick and snare. Professional drum techs (the people who set up and maintain drum sets for professional level bands) sometimes employ a turntable, which allows them to rotate the drums easily as they adjust the drums tuning. Whether acoustic or electric, recording studio or live concert, there are several factors to consider when miking your guitar. Ok, here's the deal. This could also explain Bonhams preference for an unported front bass drumhead. I have Ocheltree's DVD. Go with a double-ply batter head. The Ludwig Zep Set 5-piece shell pack is a re-creation of John Bonham's legendary acrylic set. in this months Modern Drummer magazine (december2008)someone asked the same JB tuning question which was answerd by Mr Ochletree himself. adUnits.push({
Happy Birthday When The Levee Breaks - Drumhead Authority userType: ['guest','loggedin'], // display only on user type pageType: ['mainpage','post'], // display only on page type As with the bass drums, tune the reso heads up to a medium-high pitch and the batters to medium. 110 Main Street. In the context of anyone elses music these phrases might even be thought of almost along the lines of a literal quote.
John Bonham tuning | Page 3 | Drummerworld Forum Youve got three snare drum options: aluminum, steel or brass. You are using an out of date browser. The final microphones are your two overheads. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When it comes to the bass drum for a Bonham-style kit, the bigger the better: Youll need one with a diameter of at least 24 to 26 inches and a depth of 14 to 16 inches. size: [[728, 90]], Medium high on the batter. GUIA DE COMPRA PARA O SEU PRIMEIRO KIT DE BATERIA. Open Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm. By following the suggestions in this little guide weve laid out and the video above, you can snatch up the tools needed and tune your drums perfectly to emulate the thunderous drummer's signature sound without breaking the bank. Wed recommend a Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic 6.5-inch x 14-inch aluminum snare or an equivalent drum of the same size. }); The snare had an Emperor coated batter and an Ambassador (sometimes Diplomat) snare-side resonant head. adunit: 'drumforum_rosbtf_300x250', You have to remember, or realize, the Remo pinstripe head was invented sometime around 1973. pageType: ['post'], // display only on page type head higher than the batter. 1d it made more of an impact on the listener than either one could have had on its own. His TOUCH was what made the tone happen, he had his own way of playing that some can emulate, but no one can really duplicate as they are not HIM!!! Next image. Theres no way to notate it and it can be difficult to express, but technically speaking, this elusive rhythmic value sits right in between the second eighth-note of a beat and the third note of an eighth-note triplet in that same beat (see Ex. Ex. adunit: 'drumforum_desktoptablet_1stguestpost_300x250', When it comes to the snare, a 6.5x14 aluminum shell is the best, but steel or brass can still get you close. googletag.cmd.push(function () { The top head is called the batter head. With the bottom head tuned higher, multiply the frequency of the desired fundamental note by 1.85 and tune the bottom head lug-pitch to that frequency.
Snare Drum Ludwig Supraphonic 14" - JohnBonham.co.uk network: dfpNetwork, Any snare resonant head will work. I recommend Paiste 2002 if your budget allows. Youll love your sound, and all it takes is following a few basic steps. Each drum has a range that contains the natural frequencies of that drum. However, the simple act of playing along to recordings of Led Zeppelin, as well as other groups of the era with drummers notable for their ability to swing (Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell), can be very helpful in developing feel. adUnits.push({ Wireless microphones give you unparalleled onstage freedom to connect better with your audience. Most beginners tend to tune their drums too high and choke the tone of the drum. Some older vintage drums may have six lugs. B8 alloy is the way to go. But the other two options will get you close. 761 Monroe Way. The elegantly crafted fill in the second bar is unique to even view on paper, mixing crisp singles with gently executed doubles, telling a story with its accents and ghost notes. They are worthless, and will drive you mad. Using a diagonal pattern, give each rod a half turn, gradually bringing the drum up to pitch. He said Bonham was to have a Black Sparkle kit for the American tour that never happened. Any wrinkles in the drum head should disappear once you start to get your drum head up to proper tension.
PDF Drum-Set Tuning Guide - Tune-Bot Tuning below this range sounds muddy and dull, while tuning your drum above this range will make the sound thin and choked. Before you fit it, place a felt strip under the head near where the pedal will hit. assignToVariableName: false // false if not in use for (var i = 0, len = adUnits.length; i < len; i++) { size: [[728, 90]], Start by tuning the kick drum until the wrinkles disappear in the head. If the tension isnt equal, youll hear odd, wavering overtones. size: [[728, 90]], 2a). Big kits and even bigger hits: Few drummers can match the enduring impact and appeal of JOHN BONHAM. Curved Bass Drum Spurs. Firstly, using a drum key, tune the lugs between 10 and 2 o'clock to high tension. Batter heads may be single or double ply. Miking an Acoustic Guitar. The vents also improve the stick feel of the drum. So much of Bonhams rhythmic vocabulary with Led Zeppelin referred back to the swinging triplet rhythms of the American big bands that he grew up listening to. I think I'm going to get one of these too. Youll hear a cracking sound: Thats just the glue in the head cracking and is totally normal. The bottom head of the drum is called the resonant head. Now move on to the batter head and repeat the process you used for the bottom head. assignToVariableName: false // false if not in use The claws are metal pieces that fit over the hoops to secure the hoops to the shell. -Ambassador Snare Hazy-42 strand Snare wires If the heads are new play for approx one week - then start to tuning. Have a look into the Glyn John's recording method , many many albums and bands from this era sound like they do due to Glyn and his brother Andy. So how to replicate that big, fat, funky Bonzo sound yourself?