drumming secrets

"What's cooking there in the kitchen?....where's that lovely smell coming from?".... All questions that could be great lines coming from an episode of a TV Coocking show where chef's show their secrets of making the most tastefull dishes.

In music we often just wanna be part of the game (touring, concerts, video clips, studio recording and all the PR glamour that comes with it), and we hardly ever ask what happens 'in the kitchen' i.e. behind the scenes.... I think that I have a fantastic little topic about this subject....

We play drums, buy stuff to hit the drums with, but do we ever ask ourselves how these products came to their actual shape and who's behind it?

As a 15 year old kid I started to wonder about these matters, I really did! Going through all kind of processes of wondering, reshaping and making hand made sticks myself (at the age of 18), I could never have thought to actually enter the wonderous world of designers and factories that modify and build them.

At this moment I can look back at a result of having two products on the market produced by the best drumstick producer in the world: Pro Mark. And it all started with "just" ideas!

(I am refering to the 739TX and the Smax)

Now having said that, I can imagine at this stage one could think: "Been there and done it!", however funny enough certain things can suddenly turn up from out of the blue to cross your path and still amaze me....

This is what happened to me last summer....It actually started on a normal day when nothing was happening at all; I was chillin' in my garden minding my own business, enjoying my day-off from music.....and then the phone rang! (Bummer! I got used to have no calls coming in for a few days....Every now and then I love the 'sound' of nobody calling me, ha,ha,ha....)

At the other side of the line a guy introduced himself to me with great enthusiasm...I wasn't sure about his name then, because I was more listening to his story. He told me in a passionate way he was on to something very interesting and he would love to have a second opinion from a "professional drummer such as me"....

Now, being in the business for over 30 years, I have learned that if people start to flatter me, I just want to know what's behind it...

I am not always suspicious, but in this case I just didn't know what to think!

And before I knew it we had set a date for a personal meeting and next I was on my way to go to his place.

When I arrived I got to know Rob van Rooij and he appeared to be a nice gentleman/musician. I even like to think that 'artist' would be a better way to describe him. The place where he lives and works is an old farm house that breathes historical air and energy. I got a chance to meet his wife and daughter and we started off with a nice cup of coffee and a never ending chat! All about drummers, music and concerts...

Now there was a special reason why I was here; his invitation and my curiousity about his new products. Next I was sitting in his studio with drumsets that he build custom by collecting 2nd hand gear and modify it to his taste! 2 handmade drum sets consisted of a collection of great looking sets that he had put a lot of creative expression into.

Sitting behind one of those drum kits, Rob gave me a couple of tools that he made by hand; sticks and rods and I have to say it was quite surprising how well some of his tools sounded and felt right in my hands.... Of course I am used to the professional quality of Pro Mark products, but in a way I found it interesting to see people like Rob putting so much energy, passion and effort into producing hand made tools and instruments!

During the experimental  'jam' in his drum studio I found out that some of the tools could be improved a little bit more. Before I knew it he took the sticks out of my hand and started to mold them a bit to my taste: quite interesting to see how somebody is handeling feedback in such a positive way!

In the end we were looking at a product of which he was very happy about, and it felt good to see a creative person becoming even more positive about his own invention....

I do expect Rob van Rooij to hit the market with one of his products for sure,... I am wishing him good luck and I am honoured to have met him for sure!

So, now I shared with you a bit of knowledge about people behind every product.....probably just started off as a wild idea.....and as a result, you can find it in the shops......always worth to get into it and try....and who knows; maybe you'll get a great idea!!!

Have fun playing drums!