Drum Jam: Taste (Phish)

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Taste is a top tier Phish song. I love this version from the Island Tour (a legendary run of shows from April 2-5, 1998) because Jon Fishman is a true master of clave and it’s fully on display for this entire run. Any musician who wants to dig further into clave should check out Billy Martin’s book on the subject.

Phish is a master of layering complex rhythms, and you can feel this song in so many ways: 6/8, 3/4, and 4/4, primarily. I highly recommend hearing the full version of this song, as each of the four instrumentalists are expertly laying. it. down! Here’s the link (Taste starts around 22:44). Enjoy!

August Work

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The last few weeks have been a busy blur, so I thought I would give a little update as to what I've been up to.

Two years ago, I helped develop the drum book for Pryor Rendering, a new musical by Frank Schiro. We did a reading and recorded a few tracks in the studio. The show is about to receive its world premiere in Oklahoma and I have been working hard to prepare the drum book for the percussionist. Here is the smallest of previews:

Keeping with the music notation theme, I was contacted by a fellow drummer and Phish fan who came across my transcription of Limb by Limb and asked me to write out three more Phish songs -  It's Ice, Twist, and Mike's Song.  On the surface, I thought these would be easy. They were not. The intricacies of Jon Fishman's playing are unparalleled and I have even more respect for him now than I ever did before. If you are in need of transcription services, please get in touch. Here's LXL in case you missed it the first time around:

In recording news, I tracked 6 songs for Craig Miller with engineer and guitarist extraordinaire Chris Takita. We recorded in my apartment and the drums sound incredible. If you are in need of some drum tracks at studio fee free prices, let us know. Here are a few pics Chris took from the session:

After three years of hard work, Trumpet Grrrl's EP Just Listen is now out. We played a live show at Silvana in Harlem to celebrate. Christina wore a space suit and I smiled a lot. Grab this disc now! 

In PitchBlak news, we recently signed with Hoplite Booking Agency and have a slew of upcoming dates, including two this weekend in Western Massachusetts and Burlington, VT. Last night was the 8th installment of the 2016 PitchBlak Playlist and as usual, it was a blast. JusMoni killed it and I am obsessed as ever with her track Axela. 

Is that it? I think that's about it. Hope to see you in the city or somewhere on the road!

xoxo,

Ashley 

Drum Jam: Sugar Shack

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Last night, I didn't have a gig so I hit the practice room instead. I had a good time jamming along to an underplayed Phish song, Sugar Shack, from their 2009 album, Joy. It has some fun latin grooves and alternates between 4/4 and 9/4 (or 9/8, 4/4+5/4, etc... depending on how you want to look at it). I decided to come up with my own part rather than recreate what Jon Fishman plays. Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Me jamming along with Sugar Shack, from 2009's "Joy" by Phish. Clearly, I'm not imitating Jon Fishman's part, but rather creating my own.