I was young, taking lessons at a music store in downtown Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He just walked in visiting the place. He talked with my teacher who wasn't really that good. Frank showed me (and the teacher) what the rudiments were supposed to sound like--slow to fast. The paradiddles got fast and smooth. The open roll was like a machine gun--both hands sounded exactly the same. His closed roll was like a bumblebee buzz. Then, he did it with one hand. My teacher said he must be the only person in the world who can do a one-handed closed roll and Frank shrugged his shoulders and said nonchalantly any good drummer can do it. That was about 60 years ago and that exchange and visit was never forgotten. That 1/2 hr visit changed my life by changing my perspective on what people (and myself) can accomplish when dedicated and motivated.
When I was a high school student I saw Mr. Arsenault in a drum clinic. To this day it is one of the most impressive drumming demonstrations I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing!!
Rory Bray I don't think you have and i haven't either..that's a level of playing clean and perfection that is freaking awesome to hear and a level i can't ever imagine achieving myself or to be even close. but i hope too. That was a master right there no doubt~
Arsenault was from the Connecticut River Valley. Like Jack Tenzsa, Eric Perriloux, and Bob Redican, who many say was the greatest snare drummer of all times. They and many others studied with the master, Earl Sturtze. The truth is, they all played like this...high, fast and amazingly clean.
@@drm53 you did not mention, Bobby Thompson, John Dowling, and there were many other great, drum instructors. John Dowling, may he rest in peace. Was a good friend of mine, we started American Spirits in your alumni drum and bugle Corps in the Tampa Bay Florida area, back in 1992. He is also the man who developed back sticking, still being used today.
I've got that LP, On that record he also plays a couple solos from the Camp Duty as well as Burns Moore's version of The Connecticut Half Time. Incredibly precise player. Cool LP, thanks for sharing!
I had his book, rudiments, and learn to play them open and closed. This was required when you competed, in individual competition. You had a required rudiment to open and close, that you would find out the day of the competition, plus the one that you choose yourself, along with your competition piece. And we used to have drum quartet competitions as well. Former member of the, Floyd Bennett golden eagles 1960 and 1961 we were from Brooklyn New York, and former member of the Long Island Sunrisers 1964 through 1968.
They should put this on a CD. I had the record and later the cassette tape. Only "bad" thing is it sounds like it was recorded in a subway restroom! Still a classic piece of drumming history
We used to practice, three camps all the time. Also played oh, hell on Wabash. Brings back great memories. Very nice open lesson 25 at the end. John Dowling, and myself talked about that numerous times. Some drummers would close the Grace notes on the lesson 25. I forgot to mention, John Dowling, he is the person who developed backsticking. We became good friends in 1992 when we both organized and started the American Spirit senior alumni, drum and bugle c o RPS, in 1992. He made a similar recording on the, Fleetwood label, I believe? On the recording he Illustrated various rudiments open and close, also there were drum solos, one drum solo, referred to as a, easy, solo, and the second solo referred to as a more difficult or hard drum solo. Today's date is October 18th 2022, when I posted this, edit.
I was young, taking lessons at a music store in downtown Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He just walked in visiting the place. He talked with my teacher who wasn't really that good. Frank showed me (and the teacher) what the rudiments were supposed to sound like--slow to fast. The paradiddles got fast and smooth. The open roll was like a machine gun--both hands sounded exactly the same. His closed roll was like a bumblebee buzz. Then, he did it with one hand. My teacher said he must be the only person in the world who can do a one-handed closed roll and Frank shrugged his shoulders and said nonchalantly any good drummer can do it. That was about 60 years ago and that exchange and visit was never forgotten. That 1/2 hr visit changed my life by changing my perspective on what people (and myself) can accomplish when dedicated and motivated.
That’s awesome man !!
Love that story, love those life changing encounters !!
When I was a high school student I saw Mr. Arsenault in a drum clinic. To this day it is one of the most impressive drumming demonstrations I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing!!
That's music to my ears! I saw his clinic when I was in high school too. He can do fancy stick tricks too. Very impressive.
I dont think I've heard it executed so flawlessly as that.
Rory Bray I don't think you have and i haven't either..that's a level of playing clean and perfection that is freaking awesome to hear and a level i can't ever imagine achieving myself or to be even close. but i hope too. That was a master right there no doubt~
Arsenault was from the Connecticut River Valley. Like Jack Tenzsa, Eric Perriloux, and Bob Redican, who many say was the greatest snare drummer of all times. They and many others studied with the master, Earl Sturtze. The truth is, they all played like this...high, fast and amazingly clean.
@@drm53 you did not mention, Bobby Thompson, John Dowling, and there were many other great, drum instructors. John Dowling, may he rest in peace. Was a good friend of mine, we started American Spirits in your alumni drum and bugle Corps in the Tampa Bay Florida area, back in 1992. He is also the man who developed back sticking, still being used today.
I've got that LP, On that record he also plays a couple solos from the Camp Duty as well as Burns Moore's version of The Connecticut Half Time. Incredibly precise player. Cool LP, thanks for sharing!
I had his book, rudiments, and learn to play them open and closed. This was required when you competed, in individual competition. You had a required rudiment to open and close, that you would find out the day of the competition, plus the one that you choose yourself, along with your competition piece. And we used to have drum quartet competitions as well. Former member of the, Floyd Bennett golden eagles 1960 and 1961 we were from Brooklyn New York, and former member of the Long Island Sunrisers 1964 through 1968.
Fascinatingly Fantastic! It just beats me as to how he can keep the beat....Syncopated Perfection!!!!!
They should put this on a CD. I had the record and later the cassette tape. Only "bad" thing is it sounds like it was recorded in a subway restroom! Still a classic piece of drumming history
Very interesting.
beautiful!
one of my first Albums, it came with the Ludwig Drum Method book no. 1. He is so clean with the sticking. Left and Right sound the same.
clean execution and powerful playing.
what a piece of history
We used to practice, three camps all the time. Also played oh, hell on Wabash. Brings back great memories.
Very nice open lesson 25 at the end. John Dowling, and myself talked about that numerous times. Some drummers would close the Grace notes on the lesson 25.
I forgot to mention, John Dowling, he is the person who developed backsticking. We became good friends in 1992 when we both organized and started the American Spirit senior alumni, drum and bugle c o RPS, in 1992. He made a similar recording on the, Fleetwood label, I believe? On the recording he Illustrated various rudiments open and close, also there were drum solos, one drum solo, referred to as a, easy, solo, and the second solo referred to as a more difficult or hard drum solo. Today's date is October 18th 2022, when I posted this, edit.
Thanks for sharing this! I hope someday the entire LP is transferred to CD or something.
this is my great uncle!!!!!! im not lying
Surgical! I had this one in 1964.
He was in a league of his own. Still is.
he was one of their first drum instructors
Poetry!
Shannon is your niece (Jim's daughter), sis.
He was a Cavalier right?