Welcome back to the Chops blog. We’re busy gearing up for the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships, held right here next week in Indianapolis! It takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium and surrounding areas. The competition inside Lucas Oil stadium isn’t the only thing to see. There are many events throughout the week, most of which are free and open to the public!
Here’s our basic guide to help you take in some of the action.
Welcome back to the Chops blog. Today we’re going to cover the different options available for stick and mallet packs. There are great options for starting a young percussionist, as well as expanded packs for the intermediate student. These sticks and mallets should last for many years and can be used at every level (beginner, intermediate, high school, college and beyond). Our most popular packs requested by schools are from Vic Firth and Innovative Percussion. Both make great quality products you can trust. A young percussionist should start with one of these packs, then add to it as they progress through their percussion education.
I’ve broken the packs down into four categories: Basic packs, Core packs, Intermediate packs, and Expanded Core packs. The quality is the same with each pack. The difference is what is included in the different levels of packs. The more you get now, the less you’ll need to add on later.
We just got back from Summer NAMM, where Yamaha reintroduced their Tour Custom Maple series, available in five satin finishes and two shell pack configurations. This mid-level maple kit combines the projection and expressive capability of all-maple shells with the beautiful grain of US maple.
– 6-ply, 5.6mm thin all-maple shells for a warm, bright tone
– 45 degree bearing edges for tonal depth and quick response
– YESS mounts to minimize contact between the shell and mount
– Inverse (stick saver) Dyna Hoops to control the natural overtones of maple shells
– Absolute lugs
We sent this request out last year and heard back from many of you. We’re asking again this year just in case you’ve made changes to your list of required items for 2017.
For parents with kids in band for the first time, back to school can be quite confusing (especially with a young percussionist at home). Do you, the teacher, have a required list of sticks and mallets for your percussionists to get? We would love to have an updated copy of that here at Chops. A list of all of your required implements would be a huge help to us and would ensure that your student gets exactly what they need before their first day of band class.
This also helps us with keeping your required implements in stock, so that no child is waiting on sticks or mallets when school starts. I know it’s hard to believe, but the first day of school isn’t that far away. Let’s work together and make sure your student is 100% prepared before they walk into your band room.
Please e-mail your list to chops@chopspercussion.com and we’ll do our very best to make sure we have what your student needs in stock. Thanks for the help and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Our demo list has been refreshed for July. Follow the link below to view what’s been added and sold!
Todd Sucherman was in the store last year for a clinic and it was incredible. And, so was the gear that he played. All that’s left is a Pearl Reference series shell pack in Black Cherry. We have it priced below school bid. It’s a 4 piece shell pack (10-12-16-22)
Click on over to see pictures from the clinic to see the price and how he had it integreated within his setup.
We had no idea, but July is apparently a good month to be born if you’re a drummer. Check out the partial list of legendary timekeepers below!
July 1 – Ndugu Chancler (Drummer on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”)
July 4 – Butch Miles (Mel Tormé, Count Basie Orchestra)
July 6 – Louie Bellson (Jazz Legend)
July 7 – Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
July 8 – Jaimoe Johanson (The Allman Brothers Band)
July 9 – Stanton Moore (Galactic) & Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix)
July 15 – Philly Joe Jones (Miles Davis)
July 16 – Stewart Copeland (The Police)
July 17 – Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck)
July 22 – Don Henley (Eagles)
July 23 – Jim Chapin (Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey)
July 26 – Roger Taylor (Queen)
July 31 – Bill Berry (R.E.M.)
If you’re a drummer and celebrate a birthday in July, you’re obviously in great company! Happy Birthday from all of us at Chops Percussion.