​NKU Percussion Masterclass -- April 10, 2019

Thank y'all for joining me today! I sincerely hope that you are able to gain some useful insights from the class.

In the interest of saving paper, I've attached my lecture outline below for your convenience. There are also two Spotify playlists - one with examples of the country drum grooves we discussed and another with personal examples from recent recording sessions that demonstrate my take on similar ideas. In addition, I've included a few favorite video clips from my past live performances, as well as a few recommendations for music-related podcasts and drum set method books.

If you have further questions about the material covered today, or are seeking advice on gear, music, or career-related matters, feel free to contact me any time at adam.c.nurre@gmail.com
​

​1) Lecture Outline -- PDF download

• my personal quick n' easy pre-show warmup -- PDF download

​
​
​2) Recommended Listening -- Spotify Playlist

Shuffle 

• Buck Owens – Act Naturally (Willie Cantu)
• Ray Price – Heartaches By The Number
• Kentucky Headhunters – Dumas Walker (Fred Young)
• Asleep At The Wheel – Corine, Corina (Milton Sledge)

Western Swing

• Bob Wills – Stay All Night (Smoky Dacus)
• Bob Wills – Take Me Back To Tulsa (Smoky Dacus)
• The Time Jumpers – On The Outskirts Of Town (Billy Thomas)

Train & Variations

• Gary Stewart – Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor (Milton Sledge)
• Merle Haggard – Fightin’ Side Of Me (Biff Adam)
• Buck Owens – Just As Long As You Love Me (Willie Cantu)

Two-Beat & "Waylon 2" Variation

• Loretta Lynn – Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (Muddy Berry)
• Kentucky Headhunters – Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine (Fred Young)
• Merle Haggard – Sing Me Back Home (Biff Adam)
• Willie Nelson – Highway Man (Paul English)
• Waylon Jennings – Bob Wills Is Still The King (Richie Albright)

Country/Rock

• Ray Wylie Hubbard – Drunken Poet’s Dream (Rick Richards)
• Rascal Flatts – Life Is A Highway (Jim Riley)
• Jason Aldean – That’s The Only Way I Know (Rich Redmond)

Waltz Variations

• Waylon Jennings – Amanda (Richie Albright) -- 6/8 Waltz
• Ernest Tubb – Waltz Across Texas (Farris Coursey) -- 3/4 Waltz

3) Personal Recording Examples -- Spotify Playlist​
     
   Rod Melancon, "Pinkville" (2019, Blue Elan Records)

• Lord Knows -- example of the "Waylon Two", with a wobbly almost-shuffle hi hat pattern
• Rehabilitation -- low-key rock groove, note how cymbal crashes are mostly reserved for vocal accents

   Jeremy Pinnell, "Ties of Blood and Affection" (2017, Sofaburn Records)

• I Don't Believe -- uptempo 4/4, no fills and minimal cymbals, hi hat and snare patterns accent the melody
• I'm Alright With This -- slow swing two in the verses, full shuffle on the chorus, minimal fills/cymbals

   Garner Sloan, "Liquid Sails and Bobcat Tales" (2016, Independent)

• Contestant -- the kick/shaker imply a 2-beat, while the snare adds interesting syncopation to verses
• Bad Tidings -- basic shuffle two but with variations to highlight dynamics, plus tastefully obnoxious fills

   Carson McHone, "Goodluck Man" (2015, Good Horse Records)

• Good Time Daddy Blues -- train beat that accents the guitar rhythm, with a Waylon Two bridge
• Gentle With My Mind -- behind-the-beat 6/8 waltz feel

4) Performance Media

• David Ramirez, "New Way of Living". Tønder Festival, Tønder DK (2018).
• Rod Melancon, "Perry". DittyTV, Memphis TN (2018).
• Porter & the Bluebonnet Rattlesnakes, "Your Hometown". Bedrock Studios, Los Angeles CA (2016). 
• Jeremy Pinnell, "The Way Country Sounds". KEXP, Seattle WA (2016). 
• ​Solo w/ Track. Sound Shed Studios, Austin TX (2016). 
• Yago de Quay & Intel Curie Project. Intel360 Conference, Anaheim CA (2016). 
• Jackie Myers Band, "Too Close". Stay Gold, Austin TX (2015).
• "Oleo" (Sonny Rollins). NKU Senior Recital, Highland Heights KY (2011).

5) Additional Books & Media Recommendations

• Jim Riley, "Song Charting Made Easy". 

An excellent method book for learning the Nashville Number System and creating shorthand song charts. Includes example songs and play-along tracks.

• Tommy Igoe, "Groove Essentials, Volume One & Volume Two".

A total encyclopedia of drum grooves and variations, covering an expansive range of genres. Includes many variations on chart forms one might encounter on a gig, as well as play-along tracks for each groove. 

• "The Working Drummer" and "180 Drums" Podcasts

Interviews with pro drummers/percussionists working at all levels of the industry, from touring to studio to film/tv. Excellent perspectives on the ups and downs of various career paths. 180 Drums website also include free lessons.

• ​"Walking The Floor" and "The Working Songwriter" Podcasts

Interviews with songwriters and bandleaders, mostly from the Country/Americana genre. The former is hosted by Chris Shiflett from the Foo Fighters, the latter by TX songwriter Joe Pug. While neither are specifically drum related, both are extremely well produced, informative, and offer insight in to each writer's process.

• "Cocaine and Rhinestones" Podcast

An absolutely incredible series by Tyler Mahan Coe (son of David Alan Coe) on the stories and history of classic country music stars. In-depth and very well researched, and the stories are crazy interesting. One of my favorites.


​