Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

In a message dated 4/2/2000 4:34:06, scottsman66@... writes:

<<does annyone think that playing e-drums, as different as they are, make you 
form bad
habbits as far as playing real drums? >>

A very interesting question and I would urge anyone who feels there IS a 
negative to comment?

As much as I'd love to play the DTXPress every day and dream about a return 
to my glory days, life has moved on and I know my limits.

While I was once considered a good drummer, I am sure now, I would shape up 
very substandard, but to get to my point...

I did get to play last night and felt a great warmth within that abilities I 
thought had gone forever are returning to me.

With the exception of the cymbals - I still do not like the 'feel' they give 
- nor have I settled on a 'crash' I am happy with yet, but that aside, I 
actually thought last night, this is better than a 'real' kit!

Controversial perhaps, but given my own circumstances, the case is closed 
already!
In no way could I have an acoustic kit. This would be space prohibitive, the 
noise factor is an obvious no no with neighbours, but last night, I was 
playing with my lovely lady just 10 feet away in the next room. No doors were 
shut and I kind of thought, this is pushing my luck.

When I finished and walked in all smiles from the buzz of playing, she said 
"That sounded really good" WOW I thought! 
Remember, all she hears is that wood to rubber / plastic thwack!

As I played, I did so without any inhibitions, I also was able to watch where 
my sticks made contact with the pad and was pleased to see they were landing 
centrally.
I to had feared about sticks flying all around my ears when I collided with 
the side of a small pad, but after just one day where I basically sat down, 
closed my eyes, moved the seat a few times and just felt my way around the 
kit until I was comfortable with the feel, I have not had this problem even 
once.

To look at the kit, all the drum pads ended up angled as my old kit had been, 
so the DTX has not inflicted me with a new approach to playing.

But, I do feel I have a far more subtle style thus far, perhaps even a 
lighter jazzier style?
Why? Don't really know at this time, but at first I thought it was the sheer 
macho power of an acoustic kit which made me play with more force than I seem 
to now, but this theory went out the window last night when playing to a CD.

The track ( by Zucchero ) switched from light ballad to power rock and the 
wonderful sound the toms have, drew raw power out of me and I was switching 
from style to style with ease.

It is not a physical thing either as my arms are still strong as I now do 
endurance Kart racing, which I did not in the old days and this keeps wrist 
and arm muscles toned.

Right now from where I sit, I am not missing the acoustic kit in any way 
shape or form.

Way to go Yamaha!

Cheers

Graham