I'm sure I'm not alone in this feeling, but it feels like so many of your lessons outside of the established program come at just the right time! I'm currently placing some extra emphasis on fills, BAM! Awesome lesson in the inbox with sheet music just a week or two ago. I can't wait to see what you have cooked up in around a month.

Ooohhh...I'll have to check them. Just recorded a 5 fun/easy metal songs lesson for the you tube channel that will drop in the next month or so.

Orbit Culture dropped a three song EP today! If you haven't checked them out, I highly recommend them. EP is called The Forgotten

hahaha. You just like him because he plays DW Drums @Joshua...

Ya'll. This dude is freaking nuts. Granted, he has a SUPER weird facial expression literally the whole times he's playing. But still. This is amazing.

Geez. It's so inspiring to watch a "metal / tech" drummer play such beautiful music.

@Aaron very cool! Thanks for sharing. People really sleep on their foot technique (ESPECIALLY the hi hat foot). But just about every one of my drum heroes has quite a bit of control over the hi hat with their foot. People don't realize the hi hat foot isn't just for "stepping time" in ride grooves or jazz haha. Can be a whole new voice on the drum kit if learned to play with dynamics and different sounds.

DUDEEEEE these are so good. Literally diving in right now.

I have two different exercises that I use to practice changing the leading foot. 1a. RLRL RLRL RLRL RLR 2a. LRLR LRLR LRLR LRL So this is basically, 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4&a Twelve 16th notes + an 8th Note Triplet 2a. RLRL RLRL RLRL RLRR 2b. LRLR LRLR LRLR LRLL Twelve 16th note Singles + 1 Paradiddle 3a. RLRL RLRL RLRL RLrlr 3b. LRLR LRLR LRLR LRlrl Adding one 16th Note Triplet on the & of 4 makes a very quick turn around at higher speeds. I have an Exercise for Building Up Stamina For your Weak Foot This is played as Four 8th notes + Eight 16th Notes (as you get faster you can reset the tempo and change the Note Values to 16ths and 32nds) L L L L LRLR LRLR 1 & 2 & 3e&a 4e&a Or as two measures for more endurance training L L L L L L L L LRLR LRLR LRLR LRLR 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

@Carl No worries man...I wasn't a fan of their Hydrograd album, but I really liked their House of Gold and Bones series as well.

Sorry @Matthew hit wrong button. Differently not sad! Should not try to respond quickly. 😊 I love to Stone Sour songs (along with nearly all of there collection).

@Carl haha yes! Savatage! Man you don't find too many folks where I am from who even know or remember savatage...Hall of the Mountain King was my introduction to them as a teenager.

Megadeth's "Rude Awakening" and Metallica S&M are two of my favorite live albums...I really do skew towards live music, but keep driving and you will accomplish all of your goals! Listening to Stone Sour's "Audio Secrecy", "Mission Statement", "30/30-150", and "Come whatever may" in that order might get you pumped to accomplish anything. It does for me.🤘 Sorry this made you sad @Carl

Wow what a bummer. Had no idea they don't offer coverage for something like that.

No they do not. It is in the fine print. DW John Craviotto snare, my 1994 DW Collector series shells, satin oil finish with brass hardware. 7 peace kit. All my K custom cymbals, Meinl 22” Ride. All my drum mics, vocal mics. Said day for me in 2012 estimate of over 9G. I found a similar kit that DW built it is in a drum shop in Maine. However 10G is not in the budget. Here is a picture taken in 2011. I miss my drums for sure.

What?!?! Everything was stolen?? That's insane dude! I'm so sorry to hear that. Does a storage facility not cover stolen or damaged goods??

No not using anymore, most of my drum gear was stolen from a storage facility in 2012. Was a very sad day for me. I am currently playing Iron Cobras. Very solid and responsive pedals. I get it with the snares. Crazy though, I still find good deals and pick one up here and there. Last snare I purchased was the Bootleg custom shop snare for like 200 bucks, this thing sold for over 550. Love it I use it all the time now.

Amen Richard! Love the gear you've been playing man.

Exactly. When it comes to gear it's all about the situation you're in. In my opinion, there's a sweet spot when it comes to professionalism, price, reliability, all that kind of stuff. I'm all for buying fun gear, but you'll probably never catch me spending $1,500 on a snare drum. Just can't stomach it. Are you still using that 18 year old pedal?? That's truly awesome and a testament to the quality of DW products for sure.

I've been using quite a few beaters over the last few months actually! Zoro, sheep wool beater, Vic Kick wood with the felt covering, things of that nature. I love switching out beaters for sure. I bought the 5000 pedal used in high school, and it has definitely seen better days haha. Unforuatnly, the rust, and wear and tear ave won against this poor pedal and it's just not reliable anymore. Essentially it's just time to retire her to stay home, and time to find a replacement. I've played 9000's in shops and just can't believe how good they feel. So I think I'll give them a try! @Tim B.

Yes dude!! Southern Weather was my favorite album from them. Still such a classic for me.

I guess my question is WHYYY have you been thinking about switching? Sometimes I look at the gear I have and think, "ah I've had that for like 10 years - maybe I should try a new one" and I think every time that has been my reasoning...I haven't enjoyed whatever I purchased. I think if the 5000 is getting the job done, don't replace it. BUT, if you feel like the 5000 is lacking for some reason. I would recommend switching beaters before you buy a new pedal. Changing your beater can revolutionize your relationship with the pedal(s) you have. When I go to gigs that have a backline kit, I actually NEVER bring my pedal (unless I'm asked to). I just bring my favorite beater and that puts me right at home on pretty much ANY pedal (unless the pedal is broken and then that just sucks haha). The Vic Kick Felt beater is super compact because of it's shape/design and it is the perfect beater to throw in your stick bag.

Joshua, I am all for upgrading equipment does the brain good. LOL! I played DW 5000 double bass pedals for 18 years, very reliable not one failure. If the pedal does not squeak, wobble and make stupid clicking noises it is a good pedal. LOL! Being a pro player like yourself top of the line equipment is a no brainer. I get ask a lot from beginner drummers about equipment. I always ask them the same question how long have you been playing? Are you playing with other players? This will determine my answer.

I got the DW 9000 and it’s very smooth and sturdy if have a 5000 you know DW quality. I have a DW performance kit and I can’t say enough about the sound quality and looks!

@Pierre I agree with those on my influences & depending on your point-of-view, would include Queensryche, Black Sabbath, Savatage, Iron Maiden, plus newer (ha) bands like Dream Theater, Mudvaybe, Disturbed, Godsmack, Parkway Drive (insane double-pedal work). The list is sooo long of awesome bands! @Joshua Aaron Gillespie is a beast while I liked his (non-drum) side project The Almost as well.