Pocket Funk Drumming /Tama Starclassic / Apogee Ensemble / Michael Curtis Jr

[TdrumsRHCP]

That kit is beautiful.

[fnkdrmr86]

awesome playing bro

[prikitiuw]

love your snare.

[norjansonjoe]

Awesome!

[MLplayer78]

those hats and snare sound sooo good. really great stuff too

[BabyStaff93]

Where can i get instrumental sound tracks? Perferbly ones with drums in them. thanks.

[iwreckriots]

Your drums sound like sex <3



[michaelcurtisjr]

@iwreckriots Sweet!

[harvestsoulfly]

Again, good recording. But How the hell did you get a good sound from the c1000 mic? It's gotta be the TC-30's for OH's. We use the akg c1000 as door stopers and find that's all there good for.

Although We did use them once on a HH to achieve a trash can effect, no eq and it worked!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@harvestsoulfly It's totally the earthworks... I'm to the point now where im down to 3 mics and getting the best drum sound.... go figure

[gbengaaaa]

do you have a click in you ear?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@gbengaaaa Yeah I was tracking in Logic while I recorded the video :)

[mrmonteland]

LOL, "Play dat funky music!" you know what I'm talking about. This is tight bruh, keep up the good work.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@mrmonteland Thank you

[fika5050501]

nice

[michaelcurtisjr]

@fika5050501 Thank you

[KlaudiaWorld]

Hey ! Great playing !

I about to buy a microphone, which one would you recommend ? SENNHEISER E604 or SHURE SM57 ?

Thanks !

[michaelcurtisjr]

@KlaudiaWorld They are very similar in sonic characteristics, but the e604 has an integrated clip for the drums and when not used for the drums it needs no clip as it attaches directly to the mic stand!

[1Daddoz1]

The UFIP splash is the shit! Best cymbals in the world... IMHO

[Primus789]

Damn, they pockets is deep!

[dadragon148]

awsome!!!!

[TheXrythmicXtongue]

so simple yet soooo smooth......

less really is more in your case....

(but I bet you tear it up when you do use more)

[paynebabes123]

that HHX is perfection.

[h2odrums1]

what hi hat are you using?

nice groove!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@h2odrums1 Thank you. Top is a 1930's K bottom a 50's A 13"

[TheQuigonjohn]

Are you doing ghost notes on the hi-hats? That's pretty cool.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@TheQuigonjohn I guess so :) thanks for watching!

[frodog19]

hey love this vid man thanks for reminding us of the most important part of drumming "the groove"

[michaelcurtisjr]

@frodog19 That's very kind man, Thank you

[tama906]

What HHX sabian is that exactly? It sounds really nice!!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@tama906 HHXtreme 16" I haven't found anything like it and I've been looking...

[Apoktite]

sick. damn. ur kit sounds real good.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Apoktite Thank you bro!

[cobywatkins]

man i wish you could train me. Dont get me wrong I can play, but there's nothing like having someone coaching you. I taught myself and there's a lot that I need to learn to be on the professional level. Nice pocket

[michaelcurtisjr]

@cobywatkins Everytime I sit at my kit I learn something new. I'm self taught as well. I did play in school and connected groups as I was growing up. Being a professional imo is mostly about knowing where you fit in, in any given situation. I really apperciate your kind words and be sure to let me know if there is anything I can do to help out. seriously I do enjoy being able to share my experiences.

[cobywatkins]

@michaelcurtisjr hey thanks man. what brand ride cymbal is that?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@cobywatkins they are both K Constantinoples the left ride is thinner and a 20" the right is a 22" larger bell thicker...

[michaelcurtisjr]

@21ShanoMac Thank you very much!

[noconfig]

Nice to see a (great) american drummer with an UFIP Cymbal! God bless the Funk!

Greetings from Italy

[michaelcurtisjr]

@noconfig I LOVE UFIP! ( and Italy) I must have tried out 50 splash cymbals the day I bought that UFIP and nothing sounded even close :) Thank you very much!

[noconfig]

@michaelcurtisjr Do you use Fiberskin Ambassador on snare?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@noconfig normally I use evans genera dry, But I was trying out a remo skyntone. I liked it ...but it did stretch a lot and I don't consider myself A hard hitter. cool tone though.

[LxCOUTURE]

what kind of snare do you have ?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@LxCOUTURE In this video a Toca Legend 13x5 Maple Free Floater. They haven't made them for years.

[mrg232]

very nice man....what kind of ride dou you use?????

[michaelcurtisjr]

@mrg232 Thank you. I have several Rides. I mostly use K Constantinople though. I have a list in the more info on this video.

[raserex]

Good job! Loved the off hits. Kept the groove fresh!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@raserex Thanks brother!

[DARIOskajazza]

great soundddddddd!!!!!!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@DARIOskajazza Thank you!

[cuetip1212]

i think we have the same set =] gretsch? silver and black?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@cuetip1212 Go Gretsch!

[cuetip1212]

@michaelcurtisjr nice! dude i cant believe u replied lol ur my latest inspiration keep up the good work ur blessed!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@cuetip1212 I always do my best to reply. Thanks for your support!

[babyb46]

A lot of people don't realize less is more when it comes to drumming, and obviously you have mastered that! This sounds amazing. Your kit sounds great too. Lovin the cymbals. keep it up man

[michaelcurtisjr]

@babyb46 Thank you! I agree Less IS More. I feel like why give them the farm, when all they wanted was a ride in the field? lol Thanks again!

[flyingcows547]

i must say if i had to pick one genre, i would be a metal guy.. but this.. this was some freakin good stuff. love it. super awesome dude :D

[michaelcurtisjr]

@flyingcows547 I grew up in the 80's so I would be a liar if I said metal didn't play an important role in my musical upbringings, and thank you very much!

[Suprkn1]

what heads are you using. Nice job.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Suprkn1 Thanks! Evans G2 coated on the toms, Emad on the Kick, Remo Skyntone on the snare on this video. Usually I run an Evans Genera Dry on the Snare.

[SaltyPenguinAHT]

That is so amazing. Where did you find 30's hats??!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@SaltyPenguinAHT They were passed down to me from a band director I toured in Japan with waaaay back in 1989! :) He promised them to me when I was 13. I showed up at his house when I was 18.... I was Like where are those Hi Hats you promised me... ? He went to the garage......I've had them ever since! :)

[mattdeloff33]

Hey....What kind of hats are you using. Those are some bad ass hats man. Nice groove bro!!!!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@mattdeloff33 Thank man! They are vintage 1930's Zildjian K from Istanbul!

[insand]

wow, one pretty amazing 3:40 i just listend to!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@insand Thank you very much!

[FlamSalad]

Intercontinental Breakfast has been stuck in my head for 3 days. This tune is TOO funky

[michaelcurtisjr]

@FlamSalad That means alot seriously thanks !

[JoeJacari]

Nice, deep dish, fat, funky, greasy drum slaps.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@JoeJacari Mmm you are making me hungry!!!! thank man!

[teundrumhead]

wow. finally somebody who knows what he's doing.

like u men. =)

[michaelcurtisjr]

@teundrumhead Thanks bro! Please don't tell anyone... Let's keep it our little secret :)

[BrionLynch]

very good!:) really liked the whole thing. :)

[michaelcurtisjr]

@BrionLynch Thank you. I enjoyed writing/ and playing it!

[brdrummer0115]

Sweet!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@brdrummer0115 Thanks!

[DylanBurke]

Which set is your favorite? The Tama or the Gretsch?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@DylanBurke Sorry for the slow reply man we moved....things have been slow going.... Honestly I cant say that I like one better or worse. The Gretsch is what I drag around to clubs. It always sounds great and is very very easy to tune. Nothing has ever broken on the kit and I've done several hundred gigs with it since 2004. The Tama is mainly what I use in the studio. It records beautifully tunes up nice, and most importantly stays in tune. I was never a huge Tama fan until the starclassic kits

[athansauc]

now thats what im talking about right there! great playing dude!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@athansauc Thank you !

[Crusada54]

That's some serious pocket playing

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Crusada54 It's all about the groove :) thank you!

[jambonitoz]

solid .. love your set !!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@jambonitoz thanks much! I love this kit too!

[colininvic]

Extremely groovy!!! Its like you're just flowing with the groove, love it, thanks!!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@colininvic no, thank you :)

[josesflames]

sounds better than the drummers that play sloppy but have crazy unnecasary roles

[michaelcurtisjr]

@josesflames thanks bro I'll take simple over sloppy anytime!

[Fr3ddieJ0nes]

Delicious! I can taste your feeling in the air! Delicous!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Fr3ddieJ0nes Nice! thank you!

[Fisherman12100]

The Cymbals sound awesome. Very nice playing, too. What cymbals do you play? I like the ride and the hats.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Fisherman12100 Thank you! I put my gear list in the info! let me know you you have any more specific questions

[dvision23]

Really good playing. You snare sounds great. Whatever happened to the adage that you shouldn't play in the center of the head?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@dvision23 Hmmm I have never heard that one? If I am playing a groove with a backbeat I go for a consistent sound, also if the drum is tuned right and you hit it in just the right spot you can reduce almost all of the overtones of the drum. Of coarse playing Jazz I play all over the drum for some varying color! Thanks for your kind words. Much appreciation!

[Mforsstedt]

Superb dynamics in your chopsy fills :) makes them groovy, rly nice listening to this m8! Keep up the good work!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Mforsstedt Thank you I appreciate it!

[BryanNhisLP]

omg you have such good feel . :D I LOVE THIS

[michaelcurtisjr]

@BryanNhisLP Thanks man.... To me its all about the feel :)

[rcdelfino772]

man there isnt much u cant play great playing !keep em coming! hey where can i buy a snare like that? cheers!!!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@rcdelfino772 Thanks bro! The snare is discontinued, I've had mine for 13 years or so :)

[rcdelfino772]

wow 13 years! thats why i havnt heard of that brand before! its prob one of the best iv heard,have you heard of max sansalone on you tube? He just purchased a "fidock " 61/2x14 bubinga snare drum wooden hoops, when i heard it i had to get 1, which i did its very nice check it out if you can or just type in fidock!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@rcdelfino772 I'll check out those vids! Honestly i think heads and tuning are most important. I do love this drum though :)

[jazzdrummerb]

Dude this is SWEET. Very tasty playing. Please share more.

This is a great groove, with just enough chops to push it along without being too much for the song. I dug it immensely. Thanks man keep it up.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@jazzdrummerb Thank you! As soon as I get unpacked from our move...im back at it :)

[bigclint55]

I can't get over how awesome this is. I'm not much of a funk listener, but this really got me. Beautiful playing, beautiful kit. You're the man!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@bigclint55 thanks man really!

[bigclint55]

I don't even know where to begin complimenting you lol. That is a hell of a kit man. Beautiful snare sound too. I don't listen to a whole lot of funk, but this is a great funk song. Your drumming is perfect for it as well. You're the man!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@bigclint55 You are too kind. Thanks man. I find funk is about as close as you can get to jazz without turning a bunch of people off. Really glad you enjoyed it. I'm in the middle of moving and can't wait to get my setup back up and running! Take care and thanks again.

[bigclint55]

Yeah man, and what I really like about this as well is the fact you did the rest of the instruments on the track too. Sometimes, I wish I had the put in time to practice other instruments too, but drums will always be my main thing. I look forward to seeing more videos of yours after you get everything back up. Your other videos are great too!

[sotirissugahgalore]

Great job man!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

[tyrannicalreign]

Your kit is so beautiful. Nice playing man. Finally someone on youtube who doesn't overplay ahah.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@tyrannicalreign Thanks bro that means a lot! Less is more ...no?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@stake101 thanks? :)

[SuperDrummerJoe]

you snare sounds quite thin with that fibre on it, but in the mix with the music it sounds awesome :)

[michaelcurtisjr]

@SuperDrummerJoe Not my first choice of batter head for more modern funk. It does cut through tho! Thank man!

[suntrvlr]

Nice groove! would like to get my kit to sound as deep. Any ideas. Pearl Master MMX. I can't feel the notes when I'm playing.

Daryll

[michaelcurtisjr]

@suntrvlr take the time to tune your drums and they will sing!

[SdrummerR]

good work man! :D

[michaelcurtisjr]

@SdrummerR Thank you!

[NostalgicProcrast]

Gives me vibes reminding of Billy Cobham - Spectrum! Great sound and playing. Beautiful drums!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@NostalgicProcrast yeah I dig Billy he was an innovator!

[will87045]

great groove. is that an 18x14 bass drum?

[michaelcurtisjr]

@will87045 22"x18" thanks man!

[adamtuminaro89]

love the fill at 3:23

[michaelcurtisjr]

@adamtuminaro89 Thank you!

[a1gold174]

This is amazing, but youtube is distorting your bass drum.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@a1gold174 Yes you tube has a funny way of doing that... Thanks man!

[Zlafti]

I really like your drumming. Great controlled technique and a smooth sound. I like the Sennheisers and the AKG hihat mic. Also nice snare.

[michaelcurtisjr]

I appreciate the feedback! Thanks for watching!

[mmastrtfghtr]

so what is the snare drum head you are using and what cymbals are those?

[michaelcurtisjr]

Remo skyntone and the cymbals are listed in more info! thanks

[twjewett]

Amazing playing. Could you give me a rough idea on how you play the fill @3:22 like what rudiments or any particular technique you use to play it? It sounds so good and i'd love to know how to play it

[Avantisis]

I was blown away by how tight your drumming is, then to find out you're a multi- instrumentalist. Dude I really hope you're doing this for a living somewhere because you have loads of talent.

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thank you! I make a good percentage of my living doing music / production. It's a rough business out there for musicians.. Thanks again for your very kind words!

[FWRSfilms510]

holy balls you've got amazing cymbals.

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thanks bro! cymbals and snare....everything else you can get by with IMO

[derekdizzle]

what kind of hi-hats and ride are you using? kit sounds great. bubinga?

[michaelcurtisjr]

13" 1930's K and a 22" Constaniople Soundlab Prototype #14 left side is a 20" Constantinople med thin low bell! The kit is the Birch/ Bubinga flavor

[Drummer27565]

did you record the drums straight from ensemble into the computer, im trying to figure out to record my drum kit

[michaelcurtisjr]

I listed all of my gear in the more info let me know if you have any other questions!

[myjizzureye]

Nice casio there. AAHhh crappy 80's synth making people roll in their graves all over (^.o)

[superhumanmusic]

Who likes Herbie then??? :)

[michaelcurtisjr]

@superhumanmusic Isn't the real question who doesn't like Herbie? LOL

[superhumanmusic]

Ha! Props Dude... the bass playing and that Arp Odyssey sounding synth solo are spot on. AND, definitely more Mike Clarke than Harvey Mason going on there... great stuff.

[NikeDrums]

Awesome drumming!!!Groove for 5!!!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@NikeDrums Thanks for watching and your comment!

[bbarnes32]

This is very nice, could not stop watching......

[michaelcurtisjr]

@bbarnes32 Thank you very much!

[Blofeldrummer]

I love your groove!!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Blofeldrummer thanks bro!

[robjdrum]

bro this is wonderful.. loved every second of it... the brashy warmth of your cymbals cant be better.. and the fill @ 1:48 makes my pants tight.. :) most excellent.

Rob J

[michaelcurtisjr]

@robjdrum Nice! Thanks for your comments!

[bobo123a]

Great drumming dude! and some beautiful cymbals too

[michaelcurtisjr]

@bobo123a Thank you !

[GedStan]

Yea man! Love it! Very funky and smooth track

[michaelcurtisjr]

@GedStan Thanks!

[JCJ9114]

I really like the sound of the hihats and I'm looking to find something like it. Is it like a K constantinople? By the way, that left K constantinople, is that the 20'' medium thin low? I like that one aswell.

thanks,

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thanks! I have taken my hats in and compared them to the newer K cons and they are pretty similar in sound. When you figure out what you want I would check out Guitar Centers website and look at the USED cymbals and hats. I just picked up some 13 in mastersound hats for 100 dollars! and yes it is a 20"med thin low bell! the 22" is a K Con prototype!

[PortofEntryStudio]

Awesome man! At 3:10 to about 3:15 i loved it. i just got like a big smile on my face as i heard it. i prob looked like an idiot cuz i was just sitting in the lounge at my school with a big grin lol. awesome playing! and good work writing and playing everything else too!

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thanks! I'm workin on some more stuff, but sadly I have some other people projects happening too so my stuff gets put on hold! Thanks again your words are very inspiring!

[viTelTo]

Hi! My English is very poor, hope you understand me. First of all, your drumming is more than excellent, you have a beatiful musical approach, and this video is the definition of groove, should be on the dictionary.

I also have a free floating maple snare but mine is a pearl 5 1/4 x 14. I`m trying to achieve this dry funky sound that yours have, could you tell me which drumhead did you use?? thank`s!

Lucio, from Argentina

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thank you very much! You words are very kind! On this video the snare has a remo skyntone batter its a bit more jazzy or I should say has some overtones. If you want a dry sound that still has some body try the Evans Genera dry it has vent holes around the edge. I love that snare head!

[TheJkirsch]

this is the type of pocket presence that only comes from having music in your veins and practice practice practice. good stuff

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thanks J I will only add one thing! Listening! you gotta listen too!

[tomdrum2x]

dude that is some grimmey funk! im down with the feel... it feels like your pulling the track... very nice....

[michaelcurtisjr]

@tomdrum2x right on man appreciate it!

[alexbyardcookedrums]

youre awesome! i like your relaxed playing style.. im gunner try work on tht!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@alexbyardcookedrums Thanks very much!

[mollyrules83]

great drumming! love the groove, not too complicated but just right, love set and the cymbals too!

[michaelcurtisjr]

@mollyrules83 Thank you very much!

[Noa4h]

Damn man, this is inspirational!

I am starting to delve into other genres such as jazz (been learning for the past few months), latin, and I want to start some soft funk and move up. This video is favorited and it will serve as a reference to expand on my drumming.

Great tune, it's catchy, and very defined drumming. Thanks.

[michaelcurtisjr]

@Noa4h thanks man! I would say learning as many styles as possible creates unlimited possibilities! I really enjoy hearing drummers incorporating elements across genres. It really allows you to define your own sound. Funk is a great stepping stone to playing swing and be-bop. Let me know if I can help. Feel free to hit me up if you have questions! And again thanks for your kind words!

[Danielcrspo]

Where do you find songs like this to play along to?

[michaelcurtisjr]

I don't know? I wrote the song! You can find play-along material at most music stores and I think you can still get it from jamey abersold.

[orappaarg]

Hi... great drumming !

but just one question... where do you get this snare drum ?

sound really good but I don't find any information on the net about it.

Thanks

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thanks! I don't believe they make this drum anymore. You may be able to find one used. I bought mine used in Seattle in the mid 90's I think I paid 300

[nrcalsound]

Now that's the Funk Bro!

Great job on these Mike.

[michaelcurtisjr]

Thanks Dave great to see you the other day keep in touch!