Velcro™ And Paper Clips Are Your Friends

Just a thought that came up this week, as I'm busy recording a new album for release in early 2017. Over the years I've used a lot of Velcro™/hook & eye fastener tape. I think it's one of the greatest inventions. 


Most of you are probably familiar with using it on the bottoms of your foot pedals so they grab on to carpeting under your drums. A lot of my snares and toms have a strip of Velcro™ on the outside of the top rim, or even on the top drum head itself. This allows me to attach various noise makers, like tambourine jingles, small bells, or bit's & pieces of mostly metal stuff to my drum head to act as an additional noisemaker when I play. 
Tambourine jingles attached with Velcro™

 I also have strips of Velcro™ across some bass drum heads so I can attach various sound makers. It's easy to attach and remove them in an instant. This is such a great thing for experimental/improv percussionists (and even regular drummers wanting to add sounds to their snare drum).

I've also use the humble paper clip, bent and looped around a tension screw, to make a hook to hang things off of. Cheap. Easy. Why not?
Small Gongs hung from paper clips

Don't be afraid to experiment. It doesn't always have to cost a lot of money, or be some intricate clamp or attachment. Use your creativity and imagination to add things to your drums and sounds.

 ~ MB
Deconstruct Yourself™


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