Drummer BOBBY RONDINELLI - "I Think Overusing Double Bass Is Worse Than Not Using It At All"
August 5, 2009, 15 years ago
Drummer Bobby Rondinelli (OVER THE RAINBOW, ex-BLUE OYSTER CULT, ex-BLACK SABBATH) is featured in a new interview with Ludwig Drums. An excerpt from the discussion is available below.
Ludwig HQ: What is the best way to develop double bass chops?
Bobby Rondinelli: "Practice, practice, practice! You have to spend time on the kit, but a lot of my practice is done in my bedroom, no joke, I have a pad set up in front of my TV, Axis X Longboard double pedal and a bass drum pad, and a snare pad, a metronome, and I can go for hours. I think working out on pads is important because it's easier to stay focused, I also use Futz practice pedals, but even when you don't have a kit or pedals tapping on the floor is practice too."
Ludwig HQ: What would you say is the "cardinal sin" of double bass drumming?
Bobby Rondinelli: "I think overusing double bass is worse than not using it at all. Double bass should enhance the complete drummer."
Ludwig HQ: What kind of drum kit exercises do you do off the road to stay loose?
Bobby Rondinelli: "I go through my book (laughs), but seriously I am always working on new ideas and practicing. Trying to get double strokes with my feet more powerful, I teach quite a bit when I am home and that keeps me sharp. I tell my students, ''when you stop getting better, you start getting worse.'"
Go to this location for the complete interview.
