S
Want
to send Todd a letter? You can write him here Send
Todd a Question and
his response will be posted along with your question. Please
do not request backstage passes, ask to meet the band, request
autographed items, ask for rides to the airport, free stuff,
stock tips, drumheads, secret recipes, bail bonds, etc. as
Todd is unable to fulfill them. Any
request asking for special favors, autographs, meet and greets
with Styx will not be met with any response. Please
keep your questions to a musical/drumming nature. Thank you!
January 2009
Hey Todd,
I wanted you to know how incredibly inspiring and useful your DVD is! I've watched it over and over again. It gives you a great bag full of technique, tips and useful playing styles that you can use anywhere within the music business. Great job!
I have another question. Could you explain for me how your snare is build up? I know it has 20 plies, with African Bubinga on the inside and outside. But what are the other plies made of? Only Maple, or Birch? Or another combination?
Thanks in advance!
Greetings from The Netherlands!
Frank
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Hi Frank,
Thanks for your kind words on the DVD. They are truly appreciated!
The 20 ply snare drum I use live was not on the DVD, but I've been using it on the road since October 2007. It's all Maple with Bubinga on the inside and outside---like the old Sonor Signatures--and this drum has a lot of crack AND body.
Thanks again for writing and I hope the DVD continues to spur creativity in your playing.
Cheers!
Todd
Hey Todd,
I just finished watching your methods & mechanics dvd and all I have to say is,……….wow! I have been playing for 38 years and you brought several things to the table. From the hi hat swinging stick movements to create a new feel to reading the lyrics on a charts so you know how to approach the tune. Man that blew me away. I also love the song anything. A first class well produced drum visual aid that I will watch time and time again.
Thanks,
Alan Walker
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Hi Alan,
Thanks for your positive feedback. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know that you have enjoyed my efforts! I hope it continues to entertain you---and thanks for getting it in the first place!
My best to you--
Cheers,
Todd
Todd,
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I am very inspired by your DVD which I recently purchased. I had the opportunity to meet you briefly at one point in 1993 as I was a finalist in the Guitar Center Drum Off competition at the China Club in Chicago and you were a judge. I recall hearing you warm up on a kit before the event and was impressed with your technical and musical abilities. After seeing the DVD I am even more inspired by your progress and mastery of the instrument. It is also great to see a local guy that is rising in a crowded and competitive space and achieving success in a difficult profession.
I am a weekend warrior playing in a cover band - Hooked on Sonics in Chicago. Sometimes I regret having not chosen drumming as a full time profession. However, I realize that there are reasons that I made decisions at certain points in life and choose a certain path. I am just happy that I am able to still enjoy playing and performing in my mid forties. I have the utmost respect for you and other drummers that have chosen their passion as their profession and have exercised a disciplined approach to master their craft. The most inspiring segment of your DVD for me was your discussion on your career where you were humbled by the opportunities you have had and said "All I wanted to be was a working musician".
Thank you for the inspiration, keep rockin and I wish you continued success as a "working musician".
Regards,
Rich Lavin
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Hi Rich,
Thanks for the beautiful heartfelt note. I'm touched by your sentiments and I'm really happy that the DVD had a positive effect on you, and that you shared your thoughts with me. We all have our own paths for whatever reason, but you still have the drums in your blood and you ARE playing a lot. That's what matters. One can still play golf as a hobby and still deeply love it as much as a guy who's touring the pro tournaments, you know? As long as we have fun and honor the music, we'll be in the right place.
Thanks again and happy drumming to you!
Todd
Hey Todd,
I have purchased your new DVD and I might ad it was done in very good taste. I have gained a lot by watching it over and over again. My question is your left hand, I also play traditional grip but can not seem to get the same control as I have with my right nor the speed as I do with my right. I have been playing drums for over 30 years but unfortunately only got serious the last 10. I have been and still taken private lessons to enhance my playing. I try playing paradiddles at a decent speed but the left hand just does not want to cooperate with the right. I understand the concepts of finger control and the moeller methods and have read numerous books but no one seems to be letting out the secret to fingers in the left hand.
I am a jazz head at heart, listen to a lot of Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Vinnie and now you are on that list as well.
Can you offer any suggestions or secrets to get the fingers working so I can move to the next level of my playing?
I would appreciate any help you can offer.
Thanks in advance
Mike Yacovelli
------------------------
Hi Mike,
Thanks for getting the DVD. I hope it's helping and I'm sorry you're having a left hand issue. I wish I could've addressed your problem in the DVD but apparently didn't. It's important to watch your hands and play while looking in a mirror. When I was younger I would slow down (on old timey VHS tapes) the speed of different drummers. I'd watch the strokes of Vinnie, Smith, Buddy, and do my best to replicate the look of the stroke. But it's impossible to diagnose your problem without seeing you play. My best suggestion is to get Jojo Mayer's DVD which is over 3 hours of just hand technique. Hopefully something will be revealed to you to help you over that hump. For right handed drummers, the issue of "the left hand" is eternal and ongoing. You are not alone!
I wish you the best and hope you figure it out. Be patient and work hard.
Cheers,
Todd
Todd,
I happened to be trolling the Styx site after many years away and landed on your site. Years ago, you gave an interview about your audition with Styx when Chuck mentioned that you were only the second drummer he had ever played with. That must have been such a heavy moment, and a truly hard one to make it through in one piece. I can't even imagine how I would have reacted if I (as a bass player) were in the opposite section of the choir. I have total respect for you for not running out of the room in a half
panic on that (or did you? lol) As a bass player, I wanted to also tell you that I, occasionally, keep the
fingers warm while listening to Heavy Water or Fallen Angel. You drumming is as solid as any bassist would ever want. One quick question, though:
What is it you are looking for in a bassist? I am a bit long in the tooth (being older than you by a couple of miles) to not have learned how to work with drummers by now; however, a young friend of mine feels that I have been away from the record/tour/record/tour/record/tour/pass oatmeal to remember. Your advice to him?
Thanks again for the years of entertainment.
Bradly Stott
--------------------
Hi Bradly,
Thanks for your note. You know, the Chuck thing you mention really wasn't a heavy moment at all. It (for me) was just more a dumbfounded and amazed moment to realize he'd never even jammed with anyone else for a second. "How does that happen?", I asked myself. So there was no intimidation or anything like that---just pure amazement.
As far as what I look for in a bass player? Team work. Musicality. Feeling the pocket and subdivisions in the same place....and if we don't, "feeling it out" to a common ground. I like a bass player who's not afraid to leave a little space for the drums. I don't need to be "followed" (during fills and improvisational moments) constantly, nor do I need to follow anyone else in that same regard. There are certain bass players with whom I've had near out of body experiences with, and some who have been a fight. It's really a fine line!
I hope I've shed some light on your question.
Thanks again, and I wish you the best.
Cheers!
Todd
Hello Todd,
i bought your dvd the day it was released. truly inspiring! your playing is so fluid and natural! and that is what i enjoy the most when watching a drummer play. when someone looks like they are struggling to play i don't enjoy that so much, so i really work at being fluent. you can teach licks, but you can't teach someone to have a natural feel! my question to you is, I played in a cover band for several years and we played 5 to 6 nites a week and everything was to click. we played from Rush to Styx to Kansas and so on. it was really difficult to relearn those songs which i think you do to adjust to playing with a click. after watching the dvd several times and i really feel that you have a very solid way of explaining things and you really make a lot of tough subjects easy to understand! and that is RARE! so do you have any plans on putting another dvd out anytime in the near future and would you consider really addressing the subject of playing live and in the studio with a click in a much more expanded way? i really think that is something a lot of the up and coming drummers really need to be focused on! especially if they want to play on their own originals in the studio and play with sequences live! i would like to know what you think on the subject? and i canceled a gig on the 13th of this month so i could go to a Christmas party that you guys will be playing in San Antonio. can't wait to see you guys in that setting! i would like to meet you sometime and talk and i would really like to get in touch with you for a few lessons on jazz when ever you have some time off! and mark at pro mark is a buddy here in Houston of mine! thanks and see ya soon!
John
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Hey John,
Well, that was a hell of a Christmas party if you made it---at the Alamo Dome. That place was huge! Anyway, hope you had fun that night.
Thanks for your kind words and I'm so happy that you dug the DVD. You know, that was so much work (and money) that I won't be jumping into another project like that anytime soon. But perhaps way down the road. Addressing click issues would be a good idea. I haven't developed any grand ideas about it as I'm very comfortable with a click. I don't even think about it until I listen to play back and then notice little things here and there within the given track where I may make adjustments.
As far as lessons on time off goes, perhaps down the road. I'll need some time off first!
OK, John. Thanks again for writing and take care!
Todd
Hey Todd
I hope this e-mail reaches you....I don't care about being placed on the site, just as long as You get a chance to read this. Thank you.
Just wanted to say I've been a fan of you and your drumming for several years now. I went to the Montreal Drum Fest in 2006 (check out the pic from 06) and got a chance to see your playing and to meet you. As I was struck by your drumming abilities and mastery of the instrument, I also remember of how humble, honest and personal you were. I Respect you for that as well. I find that It is rare for some amazing drummers in this world to be not only great on the drumset, but great as a person. You inspire me to play, discover new things about myself and what I can do.... as a person and as a drummer.......Thanks.
Again when we spoke in Montreal we noticed that we both have a great friend in common Pete Stanbridge. He is also a great friend of mine and he lives closer to me that you ha ha. He made me a 10" snare and 2 sets of hoops - Beech and Hickory/White Japanese oak on the top rim. Just a great guy. Maybe later on if you ever get a chance to visit Newfoundland you, Pete and myself should go for a coffee etc. That would be great.
I just gotta say your DVD is just top notch, all the way Great..I got lots of drumming ideas from it.
Todd, I Thank you ever so much for Autographing your DVD for me and a pair of your sticks. It was a Great Surprise.
I really appreciate it.
Thanks for everything & have a good one
Happy Drum n
Brant
--------------------
Hi Brant,
Thanks for your kind note. I'm glad to have left you with a positive impression when we met and I really appreciate all of your sentiments very much. Thank you!
Pete is a great friend, and a true genius. If I ever make it out to Newfoundland, we will be having more than coffee! It'll be a party. He really is a stellar guy and the Stradivarius of wood snare builders.
Brant, thanks for your kindness and I hope our paths cross again.
Cheers!
Todd
HI Todd,
Hi from sunny South Africa.I have just received your DVD which I watched this morning and felt compelled to send you a short note. The Quality of the DVD is fantastic HD. I have reached a bit if a flat spot in my playing and your DVD ignited the passion to play once more, so much so that I was up at 6.00 wood shedding.I found the presentation exciting and down to earth. Great chops and the explanations were enlightening. Thanks Buckets
I ordered the Taylor CD from CD Baby and can't wait for it to arrive.
Have an amazing festive season. Keep the family Tight.
Best wishes,
Dennis Donnelly
-----------
Hi Dennis,
Greetings to you in South Africa!
Thanks for your great note. It's great to get feedback like this, and to know drummers all over the world are excited to get to the drum set and play. I'm flattered that my efforts inspired you--and hope that your flame continues to burn, and that passion exudes from your playing. Thanks for getting Taylor's CD too. I hope you dig the music. It's cool to know that Taylor and I are kickin' it with you in South Africa.
Happy drumming, and thanks for the note!
Cheers,
Todd
____________________________________________________________________________________
Todd-
Hi, my name is Dyami (dee-aah-mee). LOVE your drumming! I was wondering if you give any private lessons? I'm 26 and have been playing percussion all my life and drumset for about 12 years now. I realize you're probably extremely busy, but I was wondering if you would even do a one time lesson. Thanks a lot, congrats on the MD cover! -Dyami
----------------------
Hi Dyami,
I have given lessons before but it's been a while. If Styx ever takes a break long enough, I suppose I will. It'll be posted on the site.
I'm flattered that you enjoy my playing and thanks for writing me.
Thanks and take care!
Todd
Hi Todd,
It was great to see you again at SSE Music. A big thank you also to SSE for having you in. I am the dude that was selling the Dyna-sonic snare drum if you recall, but have decided not to sell. I played it a few days
ago and fell in love with it once again.
At the clinic I wanted to ask some questions but didn't. I told my wife that and she asked if I might have been star struck, well to be honest I suppose I was, nevertheless I will ask them now.
Is there anything in the air or in the near future for you and Taylor to put a second CD together?
On your DVD you played a Styx song “Together” and made mention that is was play only the one time at the studio and not performed again. I was just wondering why that was, it seems to be a good song.
The Styx CD “Brave New World” the song “Great Expectations” How did you come to use that groove? Was it something you wanted to play for a while or maybe something the band did to make you say “Hey this groove would work great on this” and maybe give a brief break down of the groove.
I would like to leave you with this little note, I'm a proud grandparent of a 18 month old grandson Brayden. The other day he sat on my lap and we watched you play "Tears of Joy” from your DVD, now keep in mind this is a 18 month old toddler they don't sit still for very long at a time to be sure, but he sat on my lap and watch you play the full almost 7 minutes and didn't take his eye off the screen not once. And midway through the song I leaned over and whispered “that's Todd”. At the end of the song it was met with great unprovoked applause and a big smile. So there you have it, a whole new generation of Todd Sucherman fans. He will come to know you and your music one day!
Here's wishing you and Taylor the very best of the Holidays and an awesome New Year!
Take care and God bless Todd.
Neil
-----------------------------
Hi Neil,
Thanks a lot for your note. I should mention that even you are asking questions now, don't be shy when asking questions at a clinic. That's why you're there....and that's why I'm there! Nonetheless, thanks for coming out to SSE again.
To answer your questions:
Yes, I hope to get to work on another Taylor record. It might be a couple of years until it would be finished but we're in the embryonic stages of discussion now.
I'm not sure why we never played "Together" after the recording of it. I suppose you can only inject a few new tunes at best into a set list and this one never made the cut. That's just the way it happened.
The groove on "Great Expectations" came about fairly organically. I remember a demo with a cheesy drum pattern with the snare accent on the "a" of "1." I tried to hippen it up a bit. There are ghost note elements (ala Purdie/Porcaro/Bonham shuffle) and a touch of a New Orleans swampy type things....but not "full on" New Orleans. More of a bastardized thing. I can't remember exactly what I played as it's been years since I've heard that track....but that's what I remember anyway.
Thanks for sharing the story about your grandson. Pretty cool.....and I'm flattered by your sentiments, so thank you!
OK, Neil. Thanks for the note and I wish you the best!
Cheers,
Todd
Hey Todd -
First off - I'm a huge fan of yours and I though your new DVD was great!
I play a Sunrise Fade MMX Masters kit and, since you have the same set and seem to be a well-informed Pearl guy, I was wondering if you knew how to track down additional pieces for this kit. I am looking to
buy a matching snare, a smaller bass drum, and maybe an extra tom or two. If you could point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
gar4ett
---------------------
Hi Gar4ett,
Thanks for the compliments and thanks for picking up the dvd!
As far as picking up "singles" for your Sunrise fade kit goes, I'm pretty sure those are still in production from Pearl. Simply check with your local Pearl dealer (or catalogue retailer) and order the exact drums/sizes you want. Or you can always wait until something pops up on Ebay or Craig's List. But your Pearl dealer is the best bet.
OK, man. Hope I've helped!
Take care and thanks again,
Todd
Todd,
This may not be the proper forum for this. I've been trying to order some of the Styx wrist sweatbands orm the Styx website store and there are never any in stock. I called the number shown at the bottom of the web; page but the person on the other end really couldn't tell me anything except that they were out. Any idea how I could buy a pair? Sorry to trouble you. I know you getting ready to go on tour again.
I'm planning on catching Styx at Salinas next Feb.
Best Regards,
Bill M
Santa Clara, CA
-------------------------
Hi Bill,
Sorry, man. I haven't the foggiest idea. I have absolutely nothing to do with the merchandise end of things.
Hope you find 'em out there somewhere.
Cheers-
Todd
Dear Todd,
I’ve had two old Slingerland sets for a long time and I am in the market for new drums. Leaning towards Pearl, but struggling with where to buy them. Any great places to purchase drums in southern California? Guitar center just doesn't seem right and you appear to be stuck with the configurations they sell online.
Thanks!
Will
-----------------------------------
Hi Will,
I'm not the aficionado of southern Cali drum shops. I've never built a relationship with any one shop, and southern California is quite a large territory---I'm not sure where you are. But a few places that you can find with some internet searching are:
Hollywood Pro Drum
Drum City in North Hollywood
Robin's Drums in Redondo Beach
West Coast Drums in Santa Anna
Ontario Music in Ontario
Take your time, check out the drums at various shops and make the right decision based on what you're looking for and what you're looking to spend.
Good luck and have fun with the hunt!
Todd
Hi Todd,
I have a few questions that I would really like to ask you regarding my playing. I am an older guy (44) that doesn't have formal training (basically self taught) through EAR,DVD,INTERNET etc. I do not play in a band currently, and though I feel I have the ability, I lack the desire. I have developed to the point that I feel my entry level kit no longer performs to my expectations. I have been told that the best heads in the world wont make a cheap kit perform, and I have tried them all. Currently using Evans control ring coated. It sounds decent, but again lack's. The market is saturated with Drums, and aside from the variation in price from entry to professional how in the world can I make a smart purchase. I am not brand loyal, and I have heard great kits from all manufactures. My main concerns are "bang for the buck", I dont want to outgrow another kit, I need versitality across the genre of rock / jazz. I want it to have a wide tuning range even though I prefer to tune really low. I dont like to muffle with dampers or studio rings..I feel a good drum should perform and sound good without trickery. I feel these are the things most Drummers want. When I ask the "pro"s at the box stores they always have a kit that meets this criteria right on the show room that I can take home that very day....I am a bit skeptical. Todd, I want and need to do my homework, but dont have the access to some of the kits I want to hear. I am going to Chicago in May and plan to go to some of the Percussion stores to look / see. but until then is there any advice you can lend me to make a smart purchase....after all were in a recession but, Good for me Drums do grow on tree's. Who knew? Todd thanks for letting me draw off your knowledge and experience, Sometimes you just need straight answers. I really admire your work. Happy holidays Todd. hope to see you here in Iowa this year.
Regards,
Russ Peterson
-------------------------
Hi Russ,
You're asking a guy with expensive tastes here. My answer is: you get what you pay for. Period the end! I can't speak knowledgeably about "bang for the buck". You know, every company makes good drums. But a Mercedes is gonna beat a Pinto every time---even if they both get you to the supermarket. Know what I mean? You seem to be preoccupied with a "smart purchase," but what is that? Good drums at a great price? Well, to me a smart purchase means spending the dough on a kit that you won't out grow or grow tired of---that means sound and looks. A smart purchase is making the right choice the first time and using an instrument for years. That means dropping the cash on a killer kit. Again, my opinion only.
I hope I've helped in some way. Have fun with the hunt and have fun finding your sound.
Cheers,
Todd
Hi Todd
I am enjoying your "Methods and Mechanics" DVD.
I am glad you did not spoon feed us with transcriptions of all of your licks. I have enjoyed watching and rewinding the DVD and writing out my own transcription versions. I feel it helps to better understand the material.
I hope to catch you live one day. I also live in SO.CA. Do you ever teach out of your home studio?
John Z
Murrieta, CA
----------------------
Hi John,
Thanks for getting the DVD and for letting me know you're enjoying it. I'm glad that you "got it" insofar as enjoying doing some work yourself. Rewinding, "peeling" off ideas or transcribing for one's self. That's a better way to learn. It means more because YOU put in some work---and it means more in the end. Thanks for that compliment.
I'm in Austin now, and I teach from time to time but it's been awhile. I'll do more if we ever have a long break. We'll be doing a run of some small House Of Blues type places in SoCal in February. Hope you can catch a show.
Thanks again and take care!
Todd
Todd,
I think your drumming is inspiring!!!! I was just curious if you give drum lessons when you are home?
Regards,
Matthew Samm
----------------------------
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for the compliment! I teach from time to time, but it's been well over a year since I've had anyone out to the house. If we ever have a long break, I will again. For now, the "Methods and Mechanics" DVD will have to do---and will hopefully keep you busy.
Take care, Matthew!
Todd
Hi Todd:
Just to let you know how much I enjoy and admire your playing. It shows a true strength of musical character that you can play in such a restrained fashion in songs like Just Be off the live DVD, and then explode in songs like Manic Depression. It's great.
Keep up the fantabulous work!
Mark Karjaluoto
-----------------------------
Hey Mark,
Thanks for the note. I'm flattered you enjoy my playing and appreciate your kind words very much. Hope you check out the "Methods and Mechanics" DVD too, available at Altitudedigital.com
Thanks again--
Cheers,
Todd
Hey Todd,
My name is Eddie Grant and I'm from Baltimore,MD. One day I was on drummerworld.com and I was watching videos and I clicked your name and watched "Tears of Joy" my jaw hit the floor especially when the song breathed and you went down all the toms with the crash cymbal....talk about EPIC! So I clicked your name on the drummers list and I learned that you played for STYX and you were releasing a DVD. I got your DVD as soon as I could get some money and now I love it (I switch between JoJo Mayer's and your DVD BTW)! Now the only questions that I have (yeah you know I GOTS QUESTIONS!!!!).....when you gave a tour of your drum room on the second disc who made your snare drum shelf and, that house you recorded your project in, was that your house and.....WHO KEPT ON YELLING "QUICK TIP" and "BACKAWWW!!!!" throughout the DVD and Bloopers? One last question....how can I say that Brazilian groove that your crew failed at singing(lol)
Anyway.....If you're near MD please put it on your site. I haven't been to a clinic in years I think the last good clinics I've been to was when I saw Akira Jimbo in '98 and Sonny Emory in '03 (lol)
I can't wait for the modern drummer '09 DVD BTW,
Eddie
-----------------------------
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for all the compliments, and thanks for getting the DVD!
To answer your questions........
The snare shelves are actually book cases from Ikea. Fairly inexpensive and the display looks great. I got the idea from Steve Maxwell at Maxwell's drum shop in Chicago. The Quick Tip voice overs were done myself....and the animal sounds in the Blooper section was to cover up the swear words. Those were done by yours truly. I certainly didn't want to offend anyone! As far as clinics go, I always post them on right here on the website. I have yet to be invited by a shop in your area, so perhaps you can bug your local shop to bring me in!
OK, thanks again and I wish you the best.
Cheers!
Todd
Dear Todd:
I sent you a e-mail before when I lived in Las Vegas which you graciously answered. Now I have "retired" in Waldport, OR. I still receive House of Blues notices from Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas and saw that you and STYX would be there on the 15th of Feb. So I went on the website (STYX) and found out you were playing at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grande Ronde OR on the 6th. I'll be there dude. Got seats in the middle second row. I'll be the "old" guy with a Todd "hands" t-shirt rocking out. I also bought your dvd and am looking forward to watching it. I usually have to get my STYX fix every week or so by listening to the STYX live album which you are on. I also enjoy older Styx albums but am pleased with the direction that the band has taken since the departure of DD. You are living my dream but you are so much better at it then I would be. Here's wishing you a great set at Spirit Mountain.
Mike B.
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Hey Mike,
Thanks for your support and kind words. They are appreciated! I hope you enjoy the DVD and I hope you have fun at the upcoming gig in Oregon too.
Thanks, Mike! See you there.
Take care,
Todd
