1 question about John Blackwell's spinning technique

d0ublestr0ker0ll

It's more like a spinning/crossover technique, but this is a great drum solo nonetheless. For those of you who don't know John Blackwell, he is a super groover. Cool

If you can stream videos through Quicktime:

Go here: http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/johnBlackwell4.html

My question is about the way he spins the sticks when he crosses his arms to hit the snare and ride cymbal.

About 2/5 through the video they switch cameras to his right side, he does a huge roll down the set. Right after that powerful tom roll, he busts in to the crossover I'm talking about. It's short, but if you can catch it, it's a crossover between the snare/ride cymbal.....How does he twirl the stick? Is it an inside spin? Does he even twirl the stick completely around? I'm stumped as to how he holds on to the stick while striking, spinning and crossing over at the same time. He does it a few more times...not with the snare involved.

Unbelievable.

DWcannibal · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 6:32 am Post subject:

that guy is seriously bad *Horse's Patoot*...He is one of my faves. To me he is what thomas lang would be like if lang could add feeling and groove to his playing. Sorry I cant answer your spinning queston though.
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d0ublestr0ker0ll · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 7:05 am Post subject:

Yeah probably a difficult question to answer...I figure somebody might pick it out in the Technique section one day and actually know what Johnny's doing there. He's the man. Made the Prince album actually decent.

RiseAgainst · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 2:30 pm Post subject:

Yea John Blackwell is one of my favorite drummers too. I have his video on technique and showmanship. It is a great video, and it goes over his twirls and his crossovers. So I'll go watch that part and come back when I am done.

RiseAgainst · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 4:46 pm Post subject:

So I just finished watching that part about the showmanship. That part was awesome. He has some great bass work too. With the spinning part it is a pretty basic twirl. He holds the stick between his thumb and his index finger, and just turns his wrist around 360 degrees. So I guess it could be a inside or outside spin depending on which way you turn your wrist. With the crossing of the arms and stuff he said he got good at that from years of studying martial arts and mastering nunchakus.

d0ublestr0ker0ll · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 6:40 pm Post subject:

LOL Nunchakus??? That would explain it, wow. Ok so that makes sense, I thought about how holding in between the index and thumb would probably be the most logical grip. I wish I had the dvd or video so I could slow it down though... Rolling Eyes

I can't really catch the way the stick is moving in the air, or how his wrists are bending. I just don't want to start practicing stick twirling techniques without knowing the correct way. Crying or Very sad

omni · Fierce Poodle Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 278

John Blackwell IS a bad MF

Doomed to Drum · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 9:53 am Post subject:

anyone heard of "drumstick Spinology", it's a book on spinning sticks and adding it to your playing, the very first spin in it is very simple, and sounds exactly like what your describing, index and thumb, and spin wrist, making the ends of the stick spin in a circle, looks impressive but is really simple, the second is between middle and index fingers, same kind of thing.

d0ublestr0ker0ll · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 10:02 am Post subject:

No kidding? Where did you get that book? In which direction does the stick spin? I'm guessing...an outside spin, because I tried practicing it last night and it felt like that would be the natural way...

Doomed to Drum · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 10:06 am Post subject:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0970534205/qid=1085508206/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-9596098-9781413?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 That's the book, I find it is easier to spin the stick, with the end going clockwise with that technique, kind of having your hand flat, bottom facing ceiling and holding in ends of fingers, thenmove the end of the stick round, it takes a lot of practice but then one day you just get it, It's ace when you know you;ve just got it and can do it well whenever you want. I'd recommend the book it offers with it to in a pair, I bought the pair and both books are great.

d0ublestr0ker0ll · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 10:09 am Post subject:

MAN, thats cool...thanks alot dude. I can relate on how things just come to you one day. Man, 30 bucks! This better have the "spin around your toes" technique in it! Shocked

Thanks though I'll have to bookmark this until I have money to spend on it. Very Happy

Doomed to Drum · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 10:25 am Post subject:

Anytime man, a lot of stuff you say is always useful, I think I might have paid a little less then you as I bought on amazon.co.uk, so I think it cost me just over £20, but I suppose the exchange rate is in my favour on American goods at the moment Very Happy

Doomed to Drum · Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 2:16 pm Post subject:

Wow, I cant beleive I didnt remember earlier why price was higher on that book, I forgot to mention, it comes with a DVD showing you how to perform the spins, and how to use them in a playing context, rather then just as a hobby, cant beleive i forgot main point of the book, oops

d0ublestr0ker0ll · Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 2:35 pm Post subject:

Hell that's even better! I'd love to add a few spins to my rep! I'm going to look for the book next time I go to Guitar Center. Thanks for the info. Smile

lars from sweden · Ferret Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 111 Location: sweden

blackwell and lang seem to enjoy spinning their sticks alot. it´s cool to watch. I´d rather spend time on my groove, though.
like buddy rich said; people that lack techniqe and feel, uses stick twirls and other nonsense to cover up what they can´t express musicaly. true, but best of both worlds wouldn´t hurt Smile

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