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Bill Powelson's School of Drums
Drummers!
Discover How to Overcome Bad Gigs, Forever.

What makes a drummer 'HOT'?

What makes a band 'HOT'?

What Causes a Bad Gig?

I think we can sum up everything in three words. Tempo! Tempo! Tempo!

Who gets the blame for bad tempo?
The drummer, OF COURSE!

Never mind that the Bass player is asleep, dragging every song into the pit of doom. Never mind that the lead player is high on who knows what and rushing every beat. We drummers get caught in a headlong war between the two, and the resulting mess is our fault! After all, tempo IS the drummers responsibility. RIGHT? Our jobs may depend on an ability to pull the band together and force them to function as a unit. What is a drummer to do?

GOOD NEWS! There is a solution!

Yes! There is now a 'high tech' answer to this problem and it works better than anyone could ever imagine.

A fellow in New York has developed a very small, tempo measuring device that attaches on top of the snare (batter) head. This device measures the time lapse between each accented snare beat played by the drummer. The (name deleted), as it is called, is equipped with a digital LED that gives an extremely accurate numerical reading of the tempo being played. This little miracle gadget will also help a drummer lock onto the best tempos for every song, every night. No more guessing! No more intimidating glares from the band members! No more arguments about tempo! We drummers now have the decisive word in all tempo disputes. Even the most arrogant members of the band will not argue with the accuracy of this little masterpiece. They will quickly learn to rely on it instead, and the war will be over before any shots are fired! It works perfectly every time!

Another Interesting Feature:

It is easy to remember the best tempos for every song. By playing along with original recordings, it is easy to get the true tempo, then remember that tempo when the song is played by the band in a live performance. This allows us to put the song into the same 'groove' or 'pocket' every time it is played. We simply learn to lock onto the correct tempo and hold. It is that easy! The intimidating glares will become nods of approval every night.

THIS IS NOT A METRONOME!

It follows the tempo set by the drummer. It monitors and displays the current tempo as it is being played, like the speedometer in an automobile. Can you imagine driving an automobile without a speedometer? I personally feel that all drumsets in the future should come equipped with the fabulous item. It is great for both professional or novice drummers.

"I have been using one since 1991 and it has been a lifesaver to say the least! It stops all tempo disputes and it is a superb confidence builder." Mine has helped me build a team-thing with all my band-members, and it has become the unshakeable driving force in our band." _Bill Powelson

Here is an illustration of the (name deleted):

As you can see in the photo, a sensor rests flat on the snare batter head and only uses about one square inch of the (snare batter head) surface.

As we play, the sensor picks up and measures the durations between each backbeat in our rhythm pattern, then gives us a digital reading, just like a speedometer. The actual unit can be attached anywhere on the drum set using the supplied Velcro strips. It is a good idea to keep it within reach for easy access when making tempo and sensitivity adjustments.

IT'S THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY DRUMMER!

SORRY! THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED . . .

NOTICE! This is an OLD web page. I no longer sell this item, though I still believe every WORKING drummer should have one. Since this page was written, this specific item has disappeared from the marketplace (as far as I know.) Other variations on the product have also appeared and disappeared. Newer, better versions of this item are now available, but I have no connection with them. You'll hear about 'Groove Guides', 'Tempo-Refs', 'Draggin-Russian', and possibily other product names that accomplish the same tasks. Do a web search for any of those names. You'll probably find them out here somewhere. I do recommend them, though I will no longer support any of the companies that produce them at this time. I wish a reputable company would emerge and approach me with a 'reasonable offer' to promote them again. We all need such a product. Thanks.

If you would like to know more about such a device and how to get one. Simply mention it in an e-mail note OR . . . visit this page! See a copy of the pamphlet that came with every (name deleted). It explains in explicit detail exactly how this wondrous little jewel worked. All newer, better, products of this type tend to work on the same principle.

MORE ABOUT THIS and other 'similar' products . . .

OTHER DRUM LESSONS . . .

Copyright Bill Powelson 1994 all rights reserved.