In 2 full sets I probably only use the hats as the main timekeeping device on 1 song (Jet Stream), but I use them for accents, secondary foot timekeeping & certain parts of other songs routinely.

Could I play a show without them? sure - would I want to? no.

Chris
The Tritons
6topher

Last edited: Feb 19, 2013 20:59:17

Yes I would. Get rid of the stupid G string.

IMO.

I see we are really rehashing the same kind of back and forth from my old thread that websurfer mentioned:
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/145/?page=1
It's even down to brandonio saying how silly the whole issue is.

I think that thread (especially the first few pages) really shows a progression where many of us (drummers and guitarists) kind of tried to see what kind of Hi Hat use works well for TRAD surf, and where does it start to be less suitable.

And regarding the "don't use a specific guitar string":
While I don't consider myself a real guitar player - I am not a fan of how plain strings sound, and will work around to play them as little as possible. As ridiculous as it may sound.

But the whole "hi hat" issue is from experiencing drummers "chopping steaks" on the high hat 80% of the performance.

Ran

The Scimitars

OF COURSE!! Are you kidding? Hi-Hat is a must, as well as a ride.

I hate when surf drummers play with so much gear. THE SURF DRUM SET is:

• Hi-Hat
• Ride (also used as a crash)
• Bass drum
• Snare drum
• Hi Tom
• Floor Tom.

Period. Can't go wrong with that set up.

Juan Manuel Peraita
Licuadoras Playeras (surf terror) on YOUTUBE
Licuadoras Playeras (surf terror) on FACEBOOK

Last edited: Feb 20, 2013 00:37:43

I just don't understand how anyone can believe there are any rules to playing a form of music. Now if you said "Does Hi Hat have a place in surf song 'A'" then I would understand. But to make a broad generalization is both ridiculous and implies that there is no room for growth and innovation in this genre. Guess what! One of my favorite instro albums of the past few years is the first This Machine Kills Robots. It features double kick drums heavily throughout the album. It also rocks beyond belief. It also exists within our great genre with little doubt.

With all of that said, if a particular artist, group, individual wants to put strict guidelines on themself in order to create a challenge then so be it. I belive the Raveonettes had a strict set of rules regarding what pieces could be in their drum kit and what key they had to write in for their first few releases. It was an experiement that yielded fantastic results.

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Last edited: Feb 20, 2013 08:56:29

Speaking of double kicks i see a lot of bands cheating themselves because their drummer ignores the hihat and fiddles around on the bass drum for most of the songs

Jetpack wrote:

Someone please get a Les Paul paired with a solid-state amp, a headless Steinberger bass, and an electric drum pad set and play a surf show with great musicianship. I'll be at that show before I see a some struggling-with-three-chords band who has "proper" surf amps, drums, and guitars.
Musicianship is what it is about- not worrying if SG101 members approve of your gear. Next, someone will have an opinion which BRAND of hi-hat is proper for surf.
And then I'll have to invent a technology to reach though the internet to slap them.
And I'm not too tech savvy, so just...stop.

I LOVE IT!

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No, websurfer. I really wouldn't say so. I believe that is called evolution. My favorite modern surf artists are the ones that really thumbed their noses at any sort of 'rules' regarding the genre. Granted, there are exceptions. There was a thread recently where a new member had posted a bunch of bands, calling them 'surf'. Of course it set off a debate. The reason was that these bands weren't an honest evolution of the genre. The term 'surf' was simply tacked on. Throwing in a hi-hat, double kick, wah pedal and such isn't going to destroy what we all love. It is just going to help it grow, just as rock'n roll has done since 55.

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websurfer wrote:

But wouldn't you agree that bounds of conformity can be stretched to the point where the music can no longer be considered surf? There is a genre of rock and roll that still conforms to standards set forth by the original artists....rockabilly. It's still popular as a sub genre today, more popular than surf, and way more conformist.

While technically true, I can't stand more than 2 or 3 songs in a row of Rockabilly, while I've been known to sit through certain 7 band surf music extravaganzas. Extravaganzas that contain diverse bands as Daikaiju and Stan's Pilgrims, not to mention a certain jewish surf group...

Seriously though, I think the original poster's intent was mainly to proclaim how great the ride cymbal sounds, how perfect it is for the surf beat, and how other genre's don't take full advantage of it's greatness. Though I'd say Jazz makes pretty awesome use of it.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

I think it's funny that on the same forum that so many love to proclaim that it's a downright sin to use a reverb pedal instead of a tank, no one bats an eye at using a double bass pedal or other very non-surf gear like Les Pauls and such. F#ckin' Crackup!!! I'm no surf music gear Nazi but play that crap, I'm out the door, suckers! Who's with me???

And BTW, the hihat is on tons of 60's surf recordings. It's also used for keeping "time" not just swishing away.

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Last edited: Feb 20, 2013 23:24:55