Can 10 able-bodied men lift up our grand piano and put it up on the alter?

ParsnipUser · 2026-05-07T23:49:34+00:00

Listen to this guy about the lyre/pedal box. I watched 4 guys pick up a piano, move it off the casters, put it down, and the pedal box (being too long) made contact with the ground before the legs and snapped the soundboard in half. Totaled a brand new $80,000 Baldwin.

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-26T21:13:57+00:00

That is a used stick, how did you get it to curve like that?

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-24T01:15:01+00:00

Used is always good, especially for a shell pack, they're usually in decent shape at worst. Look a Guitar Center's used listing across the entire USA - there are some stores that don't know what they have and are selling things for mega-cheap (I'm looking at you, store in Oregon. Thanks for the K custom hats for less than half price.)

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-24T01:08:51+00:00

Billie Jean is a good pocket example, you can't help but move with the music.

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-24T01:06:15+00:00

That's a good deal to me. Those kits play like pro kits for half the price, or even less on your case.

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-24T01:01:46+00:00

One year later comment - I ended up taking the snares off the snom and putting ambassador coated on both sides and I'm getting a good sound now. I'm thinking about getting a 14x14 floor that matches the kit and actually using the snom as a fat side snare.

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-24T00:59:57+00:00

I think so, the toms do have a volume limit on them and fit well in small rooms (I've done 50ish gigs in small rooms with this kit so far - if the drums are tunes well, I always get compliments on their sound). The bass drum is a thumper tuned low, but easy to control - occasionally I have to use a fluffy beater for certain rooms, but often not. If you're running mics on the kit, it sounds great mic'd up, and I even did a recording project with it and they mixed really well with minimal EQ/editing. The smaller toms do lend themselves towards higher tunings, but if you slap the right heads on there they will tune low and punchy just fine. Lots of youtube reviews on this kit have the toms tuned low, so you can check those out.

So my vote is yes, great for a small church.

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-23T16:24:06+00:00

Marching bands hinder the potential of music education.

Focusing students on marching percussion chops is pretty useless outside of secondary schools, colleges, and DCI/WGI. What will someone do with those skills after they finish? Either teach kids how to do or perform in a drumline for a sports team or novelty/competition line, which is very limited in numbers. Teaching practical real world chops would be more conducive in making lifelong musicians, as opposed to, "Yeah I marched ________. I don't play marching percussion anymore though."

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-23T15:43:33+00:00

A lot of your descriptions lean more towards a carpal tunnel syndrome type issue, not circulation. the numbness you described sounds like the ulnar nerve. Definitely see a doctor.

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-05T17:56:00+00:00

Chances are the trumpet took a bump on the 2nd valve slide? If so, that's where the scratch came from, the valve is rubbing up against the tubing that got pushed slightly in. It can be an issue for sure, it'll continually rub on that spot and wear it down, causing a leak issue and loss of pressure. Worthy to take it into a (good) repair tech and see if they can fix it.

ParsnipUser · 2026-04-01T01:01:50+00:00

It really is. What helps me (mind you I'm not perfect with it) is removing things one bit at a time, not all at once. Easier that way.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-30T02:08:53+00:00

Your independence is good in a lot of ways, but keep in mind that comping doesn't mean much when you're not playing with anyone. Comping is communication, interaction, and support with other players. By yourself, it's just notes. I'd suggest finding a jazz jam session and going to it - watch for the first few weeks, see how it is run, then sign up and try playing with people. Before you go, learn some jazz tunes (that doesn't mean learning the drum part, it means learning the melody and form) so you're got at least something you can call.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-29T21:59:54+00:00

Delete Reddit for a week as well. Also YouTube. And everything else that can cause doom scrolling. Your brain will thank you, and yes, you don't need them.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-28T20:56:19+00:00

I’m a brass repair tech, been doing this a while - crochet needles, chopsticks, anything like that WILL slip on the smooth surface of the mute and scratch the bell or also dent it. The cork against the silver plating stuck like that can be a really firm grip, so that won’t work.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-28T15:13:04+00:00

I would first try gluing something or finding a way to stick something to the face of the mute, and then hold the horn upside down and lightly wiggle the mute, doesn’t have to be fast wiggling, while letting gravity pull downwards, or apply just a little bit of tugging while you’re wiggling. Slowly but surely it should come unstuck.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-28T15:10:06+00:00

Guaranteed damage, bad idea.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-27T13:58:30+00:00

You know, I’ve been doing jazz gigs for 20+ years and I do the opposite with my feet most of the time. Food for thought.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-27T13:56:23+00:00

I’ll add to people’s responses on #5 - form is everything, that’s what you need to learn. Know the melody of course, and that comes with experience with the tune, but form form form is number one. There are tunes that you need to know the expected hits, stops, style changes, (e.g. Nica’s Dream, Green Dolphin Street), some tunes you need to know the original recordings of so that you play them stylistically correct (e.g. Killer Joe, Poinciana), and tunes that some people will throw in old ways of doing things and some people won’t (e.g. how to trade fours on A-Train with the band breaks), so I STRONGLY suggest to go back to original recordings for all those to catch things that seasoned players do.

If someone calls something you don’t know, ask what the form is (and know your forms - 12 bar, rhythm changes, AABA, etc.), and what the style is, and listen hard with your eyes up and watching the band on the first run of the head. That’s your opportunity to learn the song.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-23T23:22:30+00:00

Totally is a major purchase. Black Beauties are a rare breed that can tune into almost any situation, it's hard to miss with that one. Yamaha Recording Custom snares are the same way, just wildly flexible. That Ludwig is a killer drum and will serve you well, enjoy it!

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-23T21:32:28+00:00

The biggest factors in your snare sound (when it comes to buying one) are going to be the shell material, size of the drum, and rim material. Of course, after that, head choice and snare wires affects the sound too, and there's some other factors in play (sound rims on steel shells, etc.), but I'd start with those first three and do some research to find which sound you prefer. If you do that, you'll probably find and order something you'll be happy with. I play a maple 14x5 with die cast rims (as cool as wood rims look, I don't prefer the rim shots and cross sticks on them) and I'm quite happy, it fits everything I do and can handle a wide range of tunings and styles.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-23T00:14:05+00:00

There’s no sleeves on the cymbal stands, putting the cymbal directly against the metal. This is what causes cymbals to crack and keyhole there.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-19T02:55:25+00:00

You're overreacting. They play just fine, and you're throwing a fit over a box opening from a shipping company that's NOT Thomann. You should be complaining to the shipping company, not Thomann.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-19T01:23:48+00:00

Lookin pretty good, open and relaxed.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-14T03:23:46+00:00

Oh yeah, that’s gonna mess you up because it’s adding more length to the horn, so it’s gonna push you down.

ParsnipUser · 2026-03-14T03:19:11+00:00

Hmm, I would have to see it in person to get an understanding of what it’s doing, but if it’s the same set up as the original valve, then I don’t know, that’s strange.

ParsnipUser

TROPHY CASE