Ahhh the original Blushda vid. A little history for those interested: This was filmed originally for Houseofdrumming and provided as a Windows Media file before youtube was around. My friend Jon Thibault was the camera guy, we shot 3 lessons that day. The other 2 were The Gadd lick, and the "alternating hand/foot roll" aka "The Ladder" ( Rh Lf Lh Rf ). I neglected to mention the guy that taught ME the blushda. His name is Gary Garbitini, He's an amazing teacher at Musicians Institute in LA.
I remember those videos Steve! I used to watch them in the computer room at college, before we even had a computer at home! Those were the days. Before that it was all DCI videos, I still have them all. I've often tried searching for the other two videos you mentioned, you should upload them. It took me a while to get comfortable with the alternating hand/foot roll, I found out in the end it's more natural for me to play it Thomas Lang's way of Rh Rf Lh Lf. But I leant it from you so thanks for those videos! Much respect.
a couple years later I'm joining this party. I am watching an interview about a Mexican band La Firma and the beginning of a song "Para Olvidarte" he does something that was never heard before and he said "Steve Holmes, I learned it from him since he explained it so eloquently". So many inspired by your work.
Dude, it’s 2023, and I’m a 48 year old drum geek that’s just now discovering this video. I could’ve used this video when you first posted it. Ha ha This lick is still very useable today. …the fill that keeps on giving. Fantastic job explaining. The Swiss army triplet with a super open flam is the key.
You know, their are Drummers who are great at teaching, and drummer who are great at playing, this Steve Holmes does both. This dude is under rated.🤙👍🙏
Great lesson! I've heard this title being thrown around and never what people meant. Nor did I pay it much attention till I saw Todd sucherman do it. So I just got on the band wagon. I guess in marching perc they would call this a left handed one hand flam drag with malf taps (or right handed). Great chops by the way!
@76steve76 I definitely agree with you, and that's because they're both 3 sixteenth notes long. Anything that's three sixteenth notes long has that irregular timing feel to it. The cool thing is that if you don't know what else to do with it, you can play the pattern for 12 notes (all the way to four) and then just make something up on 4 to come out of it.
stewie copeland nails this one on an Oyster Head song with Les Claypool, song is called rubber neck lion,,, great 6/8 track... i love using this beast of a thing also in rock/ funk songs...
@sweetfly66 I do listen to a lot of players, but the most important thing for me is is the song worthwhile in the first place? example. when I first heard Mahavishnu, I was 12 or 13 back in 72, I didn't understand it, and it was VERY difficult to know what they were doing due to the complexity, speed, etc., and it took years of diligent listening and trying to figure it out. But know, it is something I understand and appreciate. Same thing with Weather Report, RTF, etc.
Been trying to learn this lick for a while, I couldn't figure out where I was going wrong.. Its that the second note is doubled! I didn't realise. thanks for that info.
@76steve76 That's what I was thinking. But it's cool he explains it this way, I wouldn't have thought of playing the grace note with the right, and then keeping the swiss triplet sticking.
And now with this youtube speed up feature you can give Steve Holmes 1.25x coffee and its a comedy skit! I HIGHly recomend this speed up slow down feature, BUT ITS NOT A TOY DONT GO HURTN ANYONE
@sweetfly66 what I am trying to figure is why do some people think that an imitation is as good or better than the original? I've seen some people think that some of imitators are actually better than the original. I can't quite get behind that mentality. I like to get behind the innovators.
Well played and taught! I have only messed around with a similar combination, a flam accent with a diddle on the second triplet, on the practice pad. Does the BlushDa have any advantage over what I've practiced? Maybe the speed of the Swiss sticking? Thanks!
@BurrenSHdrums yes... it flams left to right, this flams right to left. I did check before I commented to make sure I was right. (L)RRL is a swiss army triplet. (R)LRL is what this is.
Obviously just a fantastic rudiment, sounds killing and everything - but isnt a swiss triplet: lR R L - lR R L Which leads to the Blushda being: lR RR L - lR RR L That's the way I've seen it done before, and that little difference in sticking makes a big difference in sound. Also if you can sneak a bass drum in that tiny little space between the last left and the first flam it sounds unreal!
@Quadasaurus Looking at the legs, his position seems quite good: most methods give 90-95 degree angle at the knee as correct. He could prolly sit a little bit higher, but just a little bit. What's making you "wrong" imho is the snare, really high-placed. I do almost the same, it makes to me rim-shots more comfortable. In fact it doesn't matter a lot, expecially when one's playing that good ; ) Apologize for my english
The only person I've heard apply it properly is Tony Williams. Others might be able to play it, but they were done in a manner for which it reminded me of listening to Mickey Mouse perform Hip Hop music. Aside from learning the lick, is more important to play it so it doesn't sound cliche, overused, or at the wrong time for the wrong song. The same thing happens with triplets between the toms and kick drum. Know how to play it, but WHEN to play it.
@therealshugjr im only discovering hybrid rudiments and like everything drumwise i anaylse the shit out of it(like to know what im doin and why) do you know much about hertas, and although i know they are diff sticking, would u agree at speed the sound a lot like blushdas? is what i can hear when i play both. This is the only reason i curse ireland being a neutral country,had i been in the army in another country im sure id know all this matching shit inside out!
@sweetfly66 I checked out. Decent player. I didn't see him do the Blcuhda, don you have a link of what you are talking about? In term of Vinnie doing Tony licks, sorry, but I've seen him and heard his trying to play like Tony. Too sterile and not musical. Smith does a better job, IMO. weckl is a very smooth player, but I think he needs to dig in a little more and try not to fill every single hole with a drum or cymbal. I see a lot of drummers fall into the trap of not leaving enough air.
@sweetfly66 People that redo someone else's lick is not always doing it with the same intensity or heart. When someone plays one of his "licks", they many times put it in a song or a solo and many times it is done to the point where it becomes a cliche. I think Cindy Blackman does decent job sounding like Tony. but some of the later gen drummers aren't that original. Sorry, but I disqree. I've heard plenty of big name drummers play the lick, but they often time sound too sterile/technical.
It IS essentially a flam drag, but repeated with the same leading hand rather than switching hands. The notation you gave (rL rr L) is the first half of a flam drag. Todd Sucherman has a great explanation of the blushda as well.
Ahhh the original Blushda vid. A little history for those interested:
This was filmed originally for Houseofdrumming and provided as a Windows Media file before youtube was around. My friend Jon Thibault was the camera guy, we shot 3 lessons that day. The other 2 were The Gadd lick, and the "alternating hand/foot roll" aka "The Ladder" ( Rh Lf Lh Rf ). I neglected to mention the guy that taught ME the blushda. His name is Gary Garbitini, He's an amazing teacher at Musicians Institute in LA.
Wow I remember learning this in my youth thank you!!
I remember those videos Steve! I used to watch them in the computer room at college, before we even had a computer at home! Those were the days. Before that it was all DCI videos, I still have them all. I've often tried searching for the other two videos you mentioned, you should upload them. It took me a while to get comfortable with the alternating hand/foot roll, I found out in the end it's more natural for me to play it Thomas Lang's way of Rh Rf Lh Lf. But I leant it from you so thanks for those videos! Much respect.
I remember downloading this file and watching this incessantly! Felt inspired to find it on youtube today.
One of the nicest drums video ever, I studied it a lot as it is not easy to reach your speed and precision. Thank you Steve. Greetings from Italy
a couple years later I'm joining this party. I am watching an interview about a Mexican band La Firma and the beginning of a song "Para Olvidarte" he does something that was never heard before and he said "Steve Holmes, I learned it from him since he explained it so eloquently". So many inspired by your work.
Dude, it’s 2023, and I’m a 48 year old drum geek that’s just now discovering this video. I could’ve used this video when you first posted it. Ha ha
This lick is still very useable today. …the fill that keeps on giving.
Fantastic job explaining. The Swiss army triplet with a super open flam is the key.
You know, their are Drummers who are great at teaching, and drummer who are great at playing, this Steve Holmes does both. This dude is under rated.🤙👍🙏
where has this guy been hiding ? his hands are INCREDIBLE !!!!!
been killing it with his tuts for the past decade n a half on the net!!
Que excelente técnica, explicada a la perfección por este gran maestro!! Muy bueno!!
Great lesson! I've heard this title being thrown around and never what people meant. Nor did I pay it much attention till I saw Todd sucherman do it. So I just got on the band wagon. I guess in marching perc they would call this a left handed one hand flam drag with malf taps (or right handed). Great chops by the way!
The original, and still the best, online lesson on this brilliant lick. And the reverse 'Blushdas' Steve plays at 3:50 are sick!
Steve, love your playing. Great fluidity with the Moeller technique. Your flams are super open, bro. Nice.
@76steve76
I definitely agree with you, and that's because they're both 3 sixteenth notes long. Anything that's three sixteenth notes long has that irregular timing feel to it. The cool thing is that if you don't know what else to do with it, you can play the pattern for 12 notes (all the way to four) and then just make something up on 4 to come out of it.
Steve, love your playing. Great fluidity with the Moeller technique.
shows years of playing
Good lesson. Once the muscle memory is burned in, the sky's the limit on playing around the kit. I like the way you demonstrate variations.
Great explanation of this classic lick.
stewie copeland nails this one on an Oyster Head song with Les Claypool, song is called rubber neck lion,,, great 6/8 track... i love using this beast of a thing also in rock/ funk songs...
damn what a combo .. copeland n claypool lol
Superior technique,i've been looking for this lick for a few months now finally i found it!
Thanks man!
lol great vid was kept entertained by the voice cracks
ohhhh man that halo sound track brought back some serious memorys...
Love the music in the beginning
So weird to see a drumset player with his fulcrum in the correct place, lol
Amazing drummer! New favorite.
he mighta been in a marching band before
Thank you for explaining this odd stroke, seriously!
Time for a modern update! More BlushDa Steve...
Great little vid mate, thanks for this.
@76steve76 Yes, he is playing the swiss triplet backwards. I am wondering if everyone does the blushda with the rL flam???
@sweetfly66 I do listen to a lot of players, but the most important thing for me is is the song worthwhile in the first place? example. when I first heard Mahavishnu, I was 12 or 13 back in 72, I didn't understand it, and it was VERY difficult to know what they were doing due to the complexity, speed, etc., and it took years of diligent listening and trying to figure it out. But know, it is something I understand and appreciate. Same thing with Weather Report, RTF, etc.
Been trying to learn this lick for a while, I couldn't figure out where I was going wrong.. Its that the second note is doubled! I didn't realise. thanks for that info.
@76steve76
That's what I was thinking. But it's cool he explains it this way, I wouldn't have thought of playing the grace note with the right, and then keeping the swiss triplet sticking.
And now with this youtube speed up feature you can give Steve Holmes 1.25x coffee and its a comedy skit! I HIGHly recomend this speed up slow down feature, BUT ITS NOT A TOY DONT GO HURTN ANYONE
@chrisgr00ver swiss army triplet is flamRRL, this is based on is flamLRL. Different sticking pattern.
@sweetfly66 what I am trying to figure is why do some people think that an imitation is as good or better than the original? I've seen some people think that some of imitators are actually better than the original. I can't quite get behind that mentality. I like to get behind the innovators.
Well played and taught!
I have only messed around with a similar combination, a flam accent with a diddle on the second triplet, on the practice pad. Does the BlushDa have any advantage over what I've practiced? Maybe the speed of the Swiss sticking?
Thanks!
@BurrenSHdrums yes... it flams left to right, this flams right to left. I did check before I commented to make sure I was right. (L)RRL is a swiss army triplet. (R)LRL is what this is.
Obviously just a fantastic rudiment, sounds killing and everything - but isnt a swiss triplet:
lR R L - lR R L
Which leads to the Blushda being:
lR RR L - lR RR L
That's the way I've seen it done before, and that little difference in sticking makes a big difference in sound.
Also if you can sneak a bass drum in that tiny little space between the last left and the first flam it sounds unreal!
Finally!!! Thank you!
Great!!!
brilliant..........thanks
Your left hand is like Vinnie's!
@Quadasaurus Looking at the legs, his position seems quite good: most methods give 90-95 degree angle at the knee as correct. He could prolly sit a little bit higher, but just a little bit. What's making you "wrong" imho is the snare, really high-placed. I do almost the same, it makes to me rim-shots more comfortable.
In fact it doesn't matter a lot, expecially when one's playing that good ; )
Apologize for my english
The only person I've heard apply it properly is Tony Williams. Others might be able to play it, but they were done in a manner for which it reminded me of listening to Mickey Mouse perform Hip Hop music. Aside from learning the lick, is more important to play it so it doesn't sound cliche, overused, or at the wrong time for the wrong song. The same thing happens with triplets between the toms and kick drum. Know how to play it, but WHEN to play it.
@therealshugjr im only discovering hybrid rudiments and like everything drumwise i anaylse the shit out of it(like to know what im doin and why)
do you know much about hertas, and although i know they are diff sticking, would u agree at speed the sound a lot like blushdas?
is what i can hear when i play both.
This is the only reason i curse ireland being a neutral country,had i been in the army in another country im sure id know all this matching shit inside out!
nice!
Never heard of any fisendon, buy I'll check it out.
Yes.
amazing speed.
But isnt the swizz triplet, played with a lR flam(if your playing right handed)
but hes playing a rL flam.??
flam is backwards
@sweetfly66 I checked out. Decent player. I didn't see him do the Blcuhda, don you have a link of what you are talking about? In term of Vinnie doing Tony licks, sorry, but I've seen him and heard his trying to play like Tony. Too sterile and not musical. Smith does a better job, IMO. weckl is a very smooth player, but I think he needs to dig in a little more and try not to fill every single hole with a drum or cymbal. I see a lot of drummers fall into the trap of not leaving enough air.
is a swiss flam the same thing as a swiss army triplet or no?
is the first right hand note the grace note?
Great hands, Steve. Are you a Moeller practitioner?
@Xynok111 Swiss Army Trplet IS Flam RL
@kerripace so it took you 10 years? o.o
how would you count it ?
5:40 on, focus on the snare it sounds like a passing train on the tracks...in a good way of course
a simple groove.....
Thats a half time shuffle. Yeah, not the easiest groove I know
@sweetfly66 People that redo someone else's lick is not always doing it with the same intensity or heart. When someone plays one of his "licks", they many times put it in a song or a solo and many times it is done to the point where it becomes a cliche. I think Cindy Blackman does decent job sounding like Tony. but some of the later gen drummers aren't that original. Sorry, but I disqree. I've heard plenty of big name drummers play the lick, but they often time sound too sterile/technical.
flamdrag
Isn't it quite clearly explained right here? :E
0:38 #LOL
WOOT HALO3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ahhh 240p, we meet again
Good drumming. However this guy looks like Don't Mess with the Zohan LOL
Sounds like a flam drag to me.
It's not. It's a swiss flam triplet but you double the second note. Did you even watch the video? He explained it well.
The notation is:
rL rr L
It IS essentially a flam drag, but repeated with the same leading hand rather than switching hands. The notation you gave (rL rr L) is the first half of a flam drag. Todd Sucherman has a great explanation of the blushda as well.
nice voice crack 129
Dude, are you in the back of a truck?
houseofdrrumming /vids/HOD_handfeet.wmv
so... FRRLFFRRL?
Couldn´t really understand it my dumb mind I was given ,going to google it´ s notation.
haha
hungover much?