Virgil Donati clinic in S.F. last Tuesday

Fantastic drum clinic!

I thoroughly enjoyed his left side-right side, layered grouping concept where he plays a figure with his left and and left foot and then play an opposing figure with the right hand and right foot at the same time. This is no doubt one of the major reasons for those outrageous poly-rhythms he pulls off.

Example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2Ut3heVKU

And here he is using this concept in an actual solo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVFYQaD7mSQ



The clinic was very long as Virgil gave us FAR more than the $5.00 we paid for this. He opened with two play along tunes from Planet X that was followed by at least a 20 minute drum solo onslaught! He then took us through 4 pages of notational exercises that included triplets phrases in 3, 4 and 5. Layered groups of 3 and 4, 4 and 5 and various paradiddle layer exercises, all with demonstrations of course. He then answered some questions ( An interesting answer to one that I asked him. More on that later) after which he played three more play alongs and even took requests! All that followed with a meet and greet.

But the final highlight of my evening was winning the grand prize in the free raffle. Virgil's signature 16" Vault crash that he actually used in the clinic that night. Virgil was gracious enough to sign it for me... ebay here I come! Baby needs a new pair of shoes!.... Just kidding!

Check out the pics I took!

https://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm8/D-Slam/Virgil%20Donati%20San%20Francisco%20clinic/?albumview=slideshow

A fantastic, unforgettable night!!!! Thanks, Virgil... Please come back soon!

Don.

thanks Don for the great photos and story of your experience with Virgil. And I'm so glad you won that cymbal - what a great thing to happen ! The Lord gives to those who deserve so you must have been being real good lately ! hahahahaha

and that double paradiddle clip along with the solo were great too. wish I could even remotely attempt to get some of that into my playing .

I still have yet to see him live - he doesn't come East very often. But looking forward to one day in the future.


What a great day for you !


Peace, TED

Wow...... lucky Don!!!

Thanks for the review and the pictures, Don.

What was the question you asked him????

What music store was this held at?
Great photos and nice report of the event, thanks!

Can't wait to see what your post for Billy's shows.

Thank you Don for your review and for sharing your photos with us! The cymbal went to the right person Virgil Donati is a unique drummer.

Kind regards,

Anders

Woody wrote:Wow...... lucky Don!!!

Thanks for the review and the pictures, Don.

What was the question you asked him????

You're welcome, Woody.

I asked Virgil that considering the music he plays and the intensity n which he plays it, why he stuck with traditional grip as opposed to matched...

He said that at the time he started, he didn't know any better and that trad was really all he knew. the interesting part is when he said: "I probably should have switched. I don't think one grip is better than the other but I do think that matched grip is more natural and more accommodating. I really struggled with making the trad grip work with what I was playing and considered switching at one point. But then it became personal and I didn't want it to beat me, so I worked with it until I figured it out. After that, I just stuck with it."