Modern Drummer - Ask a Pro
From 1982 to 1993, Neil Peart answered Modern Drummer readers' questions in the Ask a Pro column. These questions and answers are an interesting dialogue between Neil and his fans. Taken as a whole, they represent snapshots of Neil's opinions, knowledge, and priorities as a drummer.
Click any link to go to any Ask a Pro column or click the thumbnail to go to slideshow view.
- What is the significance of the (Starman) logo on the front of your bass drums?
- What is the odd-looking, single tom holder mounted to the side of your left bass drum. What make is this tom holder and where can I get one?
A response from Neil Peart (about another Ask a Pro column)
How did you learn to use double bass so well?
How much was Keith Moon's drumming an influence on your style?
- What is that strange piece of hardware located directly below your concert toms and hi-hat?
- Can you elaborate on the size and weights of your cymbals?
- What kind of shells do you use?
- What is meant by a custom finish?
- What is the reason for having the shells coated with the Vibra-Fibing treatment?
- What is the reason for brass-plated hardware?
- What color drumset would you recommend?
- How do I maintain my style when I have to change my setup size due to stage restrictions?
- How did you learn to play so hard on the drums and not lose your technique?
Why do you use single heads on your smaller drums and double heads on the larger drums?
Can you give me any exercises or suggestions to build up my left hand?
Do you have any tips or exercises to improve playing in odd-time situations?
Can you elaborate on the idea of using a triplet to begin a single-stroke roll, which in turn shifts the downbeat to the opposite hand?
How do you play double bass while keeping the rhythm on a hi-hat that remains at an unvarying opening? Is there an auxiliary hi-hat hidden in your massive drum kit?
- What kind of microphones do you use and where do you use them?
- Is your studio microphone setup the same as your live setup?
- Do you still use a PZM mic?
What is the "double-hand crossover?"
How do you play songs onstage that are identical, note-for-note, to what's on the records?
On tracks such as “Jacob’s Ladder” and “New World Man,” the ride and the China cymbal are played together. I have heard other artists do this, but not as cleanly as you do. How is it done?
I have noticed in some of your songs that your 12” concert tom seems to be tuned lower than your 12” closed torn. Is this the case, and if so, why? In fact, why do you have two 12” toms and no 14” tom?
I have noticed a big change in your bass drum sound since the Moving Pictures album. How would you describe the difference between that sound and the sound you have now? And why the change?
During the Hold Your Fire tour, at a point
in the solo where you were playing more or less in a “big band" fashion, you
triggered your Simmons pads to make a somewhat trumpet-sounding section. Is that
a pre-programmed sound that comes standard with your set, or did you create it
yourself?
During the Hold Your Fire concert, you would hit your cymbals and a
synthesizer sound would be heard. It was a great technique, but how in the world
was it done? Also, did you use triggers on your acoustic toms?
Where do you hold your sticks, and please explain hazards and advantages of a proper grip.
Do you have advice about leading with your left or right hand?
With Rush you play matched grip, but when you played at the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert you played with traditional grip. Why did you do this?