The vibe

I was reading a comic book called “Y: last man standing” (Here, huge spoiler alert, I’m about to make a big revelation. Do not continue if you intend to read this wonderful series)

So, let me start again, since I’ve just been rudely interrupted by myself.

I was reading the comic book. The story is simple: all men die but one. The last man standing embarks on a quest to find out what happened. Great story, great characters, it’s worth reading. Anyway, the reason all men die is the same as the one why the level of technique is rising steadily among drummers: osmosis. Osmosis, for the ones who don’t know, is “the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.” to quote the dictionary. Meaning that we all now have a pretty good idea on how to brush our teeth or what to do with a remote control (Press the buttons: Yes! Throw it against the wall: No!). Those functions among million others have been incorporated in our genes.

Same with our feet.

I explain.

When drum set came about, the only other instrument that used the feet was the organ (Yes, I know there is also the piano, but the pedals do not have as predominant and important functions as in the organ or the drum set). And, if I can be done with those pesky parenthesizes, that was it! Organists played with their feet. Nobody else. Although, dancers, namely Spanish dancers, for example, tapped their feet while moving. And it is in a rhythmic way. But the concept of sitting down and playing with hands and feet AT THE SAME TIME! was not widespread.

Then came the drum set. At first, the right foot was more developed. Eventually the left one caught up with the double bass drum (Gene Krupa put that in place in the 30’s). And there were scores of players, teachers, books, methods, clinics dedicated to the art of moving one’s feet in coordination with the hands. But it was novel for the longest time.

To be continued in “Part 2”.