Renee Lobel is a 48 year old drummer living in the Ft. Lauderdale area of Florida. Music has always been her hobby. Her main instrument is the piano, but she has dabbled in guitar, bass and other delightful musical adventures. Renee says that her A#1 music influence and love are the Beatles. Other music likes are , Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Elton John and her favorite group that she says should have gone further than they did - Jellyfish.
Renee has always been fascinated by the drums, but she figured there was no point in dreaming about it due to the problem of living in apartments. She comments; "playing drums, seems to be asking for trouble at best, and being kicked out of your living quarters at worst." Seven months ago, Renee threw caution to the wind and started drum lessons. She took 4 years of classical piano lessons and thought that required the height of technique, but learning to drum has been a surprise and an education.
"IT'S NOT EASY... I had an easier time mastering the fingering for Bach fugue than teaching my fingers and mind the intricacies and coordination for double strokes, parradiddles and flams, "she exclaims. "I've actually managed to conquer a simple rock beat using three limbs but worry about the day when that left foot comes into the picture. I well know that learning a musical instrument takes mucho hours of practice and dedication but never dreamed there would be so much to learn and such a diversity of techniques to acquire . I guess I was as guilty as others who watch drummers in bands and videos and think, I can do that!"
Renee quickly adds, "there are probably a lot of naturally talented men and women who can sit down at the drums and play away, but for those of us not so blessed it's hard work. Please don't get the wrong impression, I am not complaining, quite the contrary- it's great... I look forward to all of my lessons and I look forward to getting better and better. It's quite different than I expected."
Renee is currently using a Gibraltar practice pad set which consists of five hard rubber pads set up in the configuration of a five piece drum set, which makes for a good way to practice but obviously leaves much to be desired when it comes to hearing and playing real drums. Since starting lessons 7 months ago, Renee has relentlessly tried to come up with a solution to this problem. "I want to play acoustic drums but live in a condominium and do not want to disturb others with my practicing and playing."
Renee has contemplated every possible solution: HQ Sound-off pads, other sound dampening devices, hanging blankets on her walls. "I was so desperate at one time , I thought of putting a shed on my deck and putting my drums inside, but with the Florida heat and humidity , I don't think either the drums or I would last very long."
Another avenue Renee is exploring is electronic drums, but after trying all models currently available, she has found, they are certainly not the same as playing acoustic drums - by a long shot. Renee adds, "If I cannot eventually come up with a solution ,I guess I will have to go the electronic route, but they are twice as expensive acoustics which is not good. (and there is always the question: what to do with these devices for dampening when you aren't using them?)"
A possible solution to the noise/ practicing/ playing problem; some areas of the country have a large musical community consisting of bands , colleges, large music stores and recording studios that may have a room available. Sometimes , there will also be rehearsal studios. For anyone not familiar with these - these are places that you can rent for 2 hours or 4 hours or on a monthly basis , the rates are usually $5.00/hour up to $12.00/hour and you usually have a minimum of a 2 hour block. These are the price ranges in the Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Florida area.
These are small/medium sized rooms that are set up in a warehouse building and they are sound - proofed (or almost sound- proofed). You rent the room for a given amount of time and you go in and bang away till your heart's content. Most of the rehearsal studios come equipped with a functional five piece drum kit, amps and other assorted goodies. "I had my first experience in a drum rehearsal studio about 2 months ago and was in drum heaven." Renee remembers that after practicing on a rubber pad set for 5 months, to be in a sound-proofed room where she could practice to her heart's delight was just too wonderful. The cost was $20.00 for 2 hours and was a thrill and she couldn't wait to do it again."
Renee adds, "unfortunately, it is not really a practical solution to someone in my circumstance because I certainly can't afford to go there and practice for 2 hours every day. The cost would just be prohibitive. I might be able to wing once a month but not every week or every other day. So I'm back to my noise/practice problem." Renee suggest that it might be a great way for a band to practice since they could split the cost. If there is anyone in the Ft. Lauderdale area interested in a rehearsal studio , you can write in and she'll pass on the information she's gathered. Likewise, if there is anyone in her area who's had a good experience with a rehearsal studio, please let her know. -RB -
Dear
FDN:
My life has really
taken a turn from the path I lived for 23 years as the wife of a Navel
Officer. My late husband and I were college sweethearts at ST. John's University
in New York. Never would I have thought, that "till death do us part" would
have been in our 40's. It was devastating for me and our three children,
and our lives would never be the same. But that doesn't mean that your
life won't be as good as / or even better, with time.
It was at that time that I heard, "The Dance" and became interested in "new country" music. An interest was surfacing in what would be my latent talent, drumming. My son, then 20, was a drummer. I don't think we ever decided which came first, his talent or mine. One day I happened to walk into one of my favorite music stores, "A,L&M". Russell, who later became one of my drum instructors, had just marked down a vintage four piece set of Roger's ; White and gleaming. With some new heads ,they looked new. They sounded "cherry", so at the age of 47, I became a female drummer and my world changed.
In a pawn shop, I
found a Roger's snare, who's original gold sparkle was preserved under
what looked like tattered ugly blue contact paper.
I practiced to Mary
Chapin Carpenter a lot, much to my family's dismay. (I'm still the only
one in my home who likes country). I explain that "new" country is much
like the rock and roll songs of when I was growing up. To make a long story
short , in October of last year I met the most wonderful man, and in November
we decided to spend the rest of our lives together.
My new husband is one of the best drummers in our area and teases me about who's the real drummer. He's playing regularly and I am still practicing in our drum room. He's very encouraging about me "just getting out there". I do pick up quickly, and am just content for the time being to keep the status quo. Larry and I practice together and have fun. I learn a lot from him. I've been to some terrific drum clinics-- most recently, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater. He gave me his purple sticks and I have since acquired their 3 CD's to practice with to.
Well, I have not
a second guess as to what the future may bring, but I expect it will be
at least as good as it is now. I couldn't be happier!
Victoria L. Rizzy Branham Virginia Beach, Virginia
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or someone you know has overcome the odds to "Beat the Snares and Keep The Pulse" -FDN- |
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