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World's Fastest Drummer (WFD) / Extreme Sport Drumming Contests and the Drumometer ![]() Extreme
sport drumming, speed drumming, WFD and the Drumometer
Were Made for Each Other!
The Drumometer and the World's Fastest Drummer Contest go hand in hand as do extreme sport drumming and speed drumming. Indeed, without the Drumometer there would be no World's Fastest Drummer Contests! How else could you measure speeds that race up to and beyond 18 beats per second? And, although the WFD contests are lots of fun and can be profitable too (if you win!), make no mistake the Drumometer is a serious tool for use by serious drummers.
The
WFD & Extreme Sport Drumming Controversy Drumming is basically a very physical activity that could very well qualify as a sport and the WFD contests simply provide a place for drummers to get together to test their chops in friendly competition and in a fun environment. Because of the educational information that is circulated during these contests, many of the contestants find that they come away learning a lot more about the proper practice of drum technique than before they came. Things they can take home with them that will help them for the rest of their drumming lives. I see this as a very positive thing for the education of our future up-and-coming drummers as well as seasoned players who may never have spent much time developing their chops properly. As far as chops vs. musicality, playing musically is very important. Let's face it, what good is learning to play the drums at all if you're not going to be a musical drummer? However, learning to play musically is not a part of the WFD contests. This is something that drummers must learn on their own. The WFD is concerned with just one aspect of drumming and that is building chops, and chops are a critically important addition to any drummer's bag of tricks as they play a key role in creativity. What good is inventing some really cool groove or fill during a performance if you don't have the chops to execute it cleanly and accurately? Unfortunately, there are many drummers out there, amateurs and pros, who are one-sided players. There are those who have lots of chops and no idea how to apply them musically, and there are those who can play musically but are severely limited in their creativity due to their lack of chops. My idea of a great drummer is to excel in all aspects of drumming including musicality, hand chops, foot chops, 4-way coordination, solid time, etc. (For more on this, I refer you to my article Eight Essentials of the Artist Drummer.) I love chops and I don't just say that because I have some. I've loved chops ever since I first saw Buddy Rich play drums. Although I've been playing since the 4th grade, I didn't start taking private lessons until junior high school. But it wasn't until high school, when I started studying with Joe Morello, that I understood exactly what was possible to do on a drumset. Although I'll always love Buddy's chops, Joe simply blew Buddy away and not just from a technical standpoint but musically as well. If one were to make a case that proves having great chops and the ability to play musicially can be a winning combination, I would submit Joe Morello as a prime example. Another of Joe's students, Danny Gottlieb, is also a well-known example of a drummer with chops who can also swing with the best of them.I'm certain that the controversy between drummers who are for and against the Drumometer and the WFD will continue. All I can offer is my opinion. I feel that the WFD is providing a positive outlet for drummers who want to improve their chops and compare them against other drummers. As I said earlier, the WFD stresses the correct approach to practicing during these contests including playing with relaxed muscles and without tension. And this is very beneficial information for drummers who may not know the proper approach to technique and will wind up hurting themselves through practicing the wrong way. So, whenever drummers attend a WFD contest, they're not only having fun but are receiving some valuable education as well. And whether you win these competitions or not, it really doesn't matter. As I see it, everybody wins! Drumometer
Review
Links
to WFD Rankings WFD
Official Rankings: Battle of the Hands WFD
Official Rankings: Battle of the Feet Links
to Exclusive Video Clips of WFD Competitions Winter
NAMM 2004 International Fastest Drummer Competition WFD
Champ Tiger Bill Hosts the World's Fastest Drummer Competition
at the NAMM Music and Sound Expo in Minneapolis
Links
to the WFD Family Boo
McAfee and The Drumometer
Johnny
Rabb Art
Verdi Jotan
Afanador Tim
Waterson Mike
Mangini Tiger
Bill Meligari Jason
Farmer: The World's Fastest Drummer? World's
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