> I have no idea what brought this on,

Sure you do. My response to your nasty, paranoid pm, really gotcha. It was intended to. I don't take being insulted very well. So now, you figure you'll just play innocent in front of the boys. Well, there's a "reason" alright. If you like, I'll post a copy of that nasty pm you sent me along with my response. I have no problem letting my friends decide who did what to who.

Grow up dude. This stuff from you is right out of Jr. High. People who are stuck at childhood growth states are 'emotional cripples.' You'll have to play your game with someone else. I have no candy for you.

I'm trying to conduct a conversation about drums with my fellow players. Why don't you just back -off. Better yet, go do what I suggested in my response to your pm.

John

Here's the PM in question. It was sent in response to the behavior you have been demonstrating on this forum towards me. It started with a PM you sent me out of the blue. You accused me of saying some horrible things about your son. I had never spoken with you and I don't know your son. Nothing paranoid and nothing insulting about any of this. I'm just tired of being singled out by you and harassed.

Read away.

Hey

Just a quick word ...

So far, you've managed to misinterpret most everything I've posted. You've also accused me of some bizarre attack on your son. You've obviously formulated a strange and very skewed opinion of me, for whatever reason ... which is well beyond my interest.

I never crossed you. I have never said a negative word against you.

So, I'm left with a few choices. I can continue unabated and deal with each and every stupid thing that comes up from your direction.

I can let you know - again - that I respect you and have never thought negatively of you.

or

I can tell you to pack sand and pee off.

My flesh leans towards round-filing you and walking away (that means "to throw into the trash" lest there be yet another misunderstanding).

But, I cannot allow the flesh to lead.

That leaves the other two.

I will state again ...

I bear no ill will towards you.

You really do need to understand that I'm a joker and a giggler. I've been a member on this forum for over five years. I've changed my handle periodically as new members tend to react negatively to "know-it-alls" and will stir it up from time to time.

Next time you see a post of mine, STOP ... read it ... read it again ... read it with a humorous tone and a happy joking tone ... then you will most likely understand the intent with which it was written.

I will continue to joke around and have fun. I will continue to post practical jokes on people. TommyP and the gang have enjoyed them for quite a while. This site can be fun and we can laugh ... if we allow ourselves.

I'm asking from the heart ... please ... stop the nonsense.

michael

Other than the responses to your bizarre PM about your son (explaining that I didn't have a clue what you were talking about), here's the only other PM I've ever sent you. Hopefully, it will shine a light on just exactly what has been going on here. I reported your harassment to the powers that be here. Hopefully, this will cease.

You are a very mean man.

Hey

Just wanted to send you a note of thanks. Drumhack is a forum friend from several years back and we do cool things for each other. I recently shot him out a couple of snares as a surprise gift. One of them was a supra that was missing a few parts. You graciously jumped in and shot him a missing item.

Thank you for continuing to be such a strong member of this place. It does my heart good to see this. I've been a member here much longer than my current handle states and I've seen some good and some bad fly through. You are a very positive addition. I'm honored. Take care and God bless ya.

Michael

Guys.. guys, guys, guys... guys!

Sounds like a giantile.. ( not really a word, but I thought it appropriate! ) .. MISUNDERSTANDING here, especially between two well known/liked members of our fine "not so little anymore" vintage drum community. You are both excellent contributing members what with OVER 2,000 and almost 2,000 posts respectively! So...

This probably shouldn't have been a public type discussion. It should have remained PRIVATE. Still... you have both practiced restraint in the "ugliness department", so points for that! Otherwise, perhaps you can come to an understanding of what again seems like a big misunderstanding... but privately please. THANKS!!

Tommyp

Elle Macpherson...........x-mas3

As always, thanks Tommy. Not sure what to add. Just totally confused about the whole thing. That's why I contacted you. I sincerely appreciate the words. Take care. I'm glad you continue to hover above.

giggles...

That us funny!

Unfortunately, I am not keeping my hands up these days. When I did, it was a similar process to what Purdie described. I also used Joe Morello's single, double, paradiddle exercise, but us added a section of inverted double strokes because that made it more fun for me.

One thing I would do to strengthen my finger control was a little silly thing I made up to demonstrate using finger control to young kids. I would hold the sticks with my fulcrum near the tips with my forearm near vertical. The stick then hangs down parallel to my forearm with the butt of the stick near my elbow. (I know, it's weird) In this position, the only reasonable way to propel the stick is with your fingers. You would be playing the underside of your forearm at this point.

For young students, it was a demonstration to understand basic finger control for matched grip. There may be some guys on this forum that have never really developed any finger control and this MIGHT be a helpful way to start. It becomes pretty clear pretty fast.

i for one thank all of you for the info as we get older we need all the help we can get

peace be with all of you

I may have mentioned this before but, I bounce a kids kick ball with the sticks sitt`n down or standing up. It works wonders for the reflexes. It`s impossible when you first start but then it becomes fun and challenging.

Reason I say this is because I don`t tend to do the Drum Core snare much. I hit my drums. Wack `em good and mostly without looking at them now. I can see why people would want a certain exersise to tone the muscles, but it`s in the mind more than body. I swing a hammer for a live`n and the wrist gets more than a workout. I started drumming for about a year without the snare, had a cookie sheet on the stool and how much duct tape holding it would set the tune !!

There`s more to drumming than just a good snare sound. With toms all around it`s hard to play one drum the most except the kick. But that`s ankle, and I got a totally different workout for them, climbing the ladders at work with weight on your shoulders and the occassional bee fly`n around ya head will test your ankle strength and endorence.

Rog. and Purdie, I have no clue from reading what the heck you two are salvo`n at each other for but I suggest you give up your current methods and spank the monkey instead. It`s vigorous and please`n both at once. Alternate hands durring or at each set change. It`s embarrassing and forces you not to talk about it, it has a great pay-off, you can work the hand inverted or upright. no lube nessecarry, just squeeze harder and work the wrist. When you get to the climax, that`s the challenge for the cymbals , point it and shoot, if you can hit all three in one try, you`re almost as good as me cuz i can get it between the hats !!

Rock on dudes` !!

Thanks for putting this thing back on topic, gents. The Band

Note: I pretty much mind my own business. In the name of maintaining the peace here, I plan to go out of my way not to cross paths in the forums with RS and I hope he shows me the same respect. This is a big place, no need for -any- run-ins or further contact. Agreed?

BTW, TommyP - There is no "misunderstanding" at all. I know exactly what I'm dealing with here. Not the first time in my life that I've run into someone like this. Nope, no misunderstanding at all. My eyes are wide open.

Peace in the valley...

John