DRUMMER CAFE

I found this transcription a long time ago of Jeff Beck's "Led Boots", and finally got around to learning it. It's a cool piece! Check it out here:

http://www.jonmattox.com/drums/images/Narada%20Michael%20Walden%20-%20Led%20Boots%20Transcription%20by%20Jon%20Mattox-www.jonmattox.com.pdf

Anyway, I'm having trouble with certain things. Mainly,

1) Counting. I've tried counting regularly... "1 e & a 2 e & a," etc.. but without success because the 32nd notes throw me off. Instead, I try counting as though the peice were written in cut-time; "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &," and counting 32nd notes as sixteenth notes. This works when I'm slowly working through it; however, when I play along to the song, it's too fast for me to count through. Which brings me to point 2...

2) Measure 7. The fill with offset 32nd notes. I've tried counting the 32nd notes as 16th's, but it's too fast to keep up. If I DON'T count, I can "feel" it okay, but I'm not satisfied; I don't always get it right either.

This is advanced for my skill level, but I'm looking for perfection. Any suggestions?

The 32nd notes on the bass drum are giving me trouble also.

Silly question: Have you listened to it?

If you're just playing it off the page, it won't make as much sense as if you already know how it sounded on the recording. Michael Walden is a great drummer. One of the "chops" guys who still has an undeniable feel.

Try to count the 32nd notes without counting 1e+a...sometimes all that counting can be hard.  Try counting 1 + 2 + and playing the 32nds inbetween that.  once you get the feel you wont have to count every single note.  As others suggested, start it off slow and when you feel comfortable raise the tempo.  Also, play the bars that give you the most troubles over and over...even break them up into halfs or 4ths until you get the first part of 1 + and then work on 2 + and then 3 + and then 4 + and put them together.  

I was at Best Buy the other day and saw a CD 3-pack by Jeff Beck including Blow by Blow and Wired (I can't remember the other one). I was so tempted to buy it! I'll have to go back and pick it up one of these days.