A great question from one of the listeners of the BD101 Podcast:
Hey Clayton,
Just wanted to reach out and say how much I’m enjoying your broadway 101 podcast. Playing musicals is a big passion of mine, and I played many shows back in New Zealand. I’m now freelancing and subbing in Las Vegas.
I have a question I was hoping you could answer. Have you ever changed any part of a setup if you were subbing, or have you ever let one of your subs change your setup?
Have you ever changed any part of a setup if you were subbing, or have you ever let one of your subs change your setup?
I’m a lefty who plays a right-handed kit. So I play open-handed 'à la' Simon Philips, Carter Beauford, and many others. I play with my ride cymbal on my left side between the hi-hat and rack tom. I’m working on getting more comfortable with playing the ride cymbal on my right side for future subbing situations.
Curious to get your thoughts on this. I appreciate your time and great podcast.
Many thanks,
Tim
Good question, Tim!
The drummer going on the tour of Ain’t Too Proud plays with his ride on the left side. Since he was coming into sub just a few times as an “audition” for the tour, we allowed him to switch the cymbals.
Situations like that require coordination with the sound person, so there aren’t any sound disasters.
Generally, when subs go to another drummer’s show, they are allowed to change the height of the snare, hi-hat (maybe), and the throne. Other than that, everything else should remain the same. It matters for consistency as well as sound issues. Plus, subbing is temporary. The chair holder will be returning the next show most likely.
Playing open-handed is how I taught new students of mine, even though I play cross-handed. I never thought that playing the way I do make sense, but after 40 years of doing it, it’s hard to re-learn how to play.
Thanks for listening!
For more, check out the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast, Youtube, and Instagram Pages!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/broadway-drumming-101/id1575847517
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsy8a_FzODGfGpfMtfYnpwA?app=desktop
https://www.instagram.com/broadwaydrumming101/
Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene.
He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM! Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.
Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com