Sabian.com Virgil Donati Chat Transcript
- June 6th, 2003
All questions are marked in YELLOW.
Virgil's answers are right below in white bold.
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Virgil Donati: Hi everyone....I'm here
Rik: hey
Rik: whats up?
FrankT: hey virgil!
nathaniel: Hello Virg
virgil21: hello mr. Donati!!
JodY2K: Welcome Virgil
phil465: HEY VIRGIL
psx00: Welcome Mr. Donati
justlikerock: hell virgil how are you today..
ProgMania: Heloo Mr.Donatti
DrumHead1: Howdy Virgil
Drumskull: Hi Virgil
Virgil Donati: I'm fine...just drove home in L.A. traffic
jeppe: How is the book coming along?
Virgil Donati: I'm working on several projects at the the
moment. But right now, I've been writing some tunes for the next
ROF record
ProgMania: Hi Virgil.I'm Agah from
Iran.would you please explain about Planet X theory for odd time
signatures and poly rythms.and also i wonder to know how you choose
the main Mode for each album,'cause i think that Planet X has Main
mode for each album(Lydian at Moonbabies in my opinion).is it right?thanx
alot for makes our dreams come true.
Virgil Donati: I don't write in terms of modes...more in terms of
what I feel at the time.
nathaniel: Thanks for being here Virgil,
are you excited about the new Joel Hoekstra disc, is it real different
than the last?
Virgil Donati: Yes it's different....I need to hear it again
phil465: HEY VIRGIL? U KNOW HOW
MR GRATTON DOES DOUBLE BASS GROOVES WITH TWO FFET ON ONE PEDAL I
WAS WONDERING HOW SUCESSFULL U WERE WITH USING 2 FEET ON ONE PEDAL
Virgil Donati: Not very successful
moex0135: MR. Donati, do u feel it
is important to practice something everyday diligently or sit down
and practice it until you feel you get it nailed?
Virgil Donati: I'll work on something everyday, until i get it right
montaukproject: virgil, when is
your birthday?
Virgil Donati: October 22
newbeat: if this has been covered
somewhere else ignore this, but could you explain why you prefer
having the toms in your untraditional line-up instead of just descending
by size?
Virgil Donati: I'm now descending by size again....just like change
FrankT: Virgil, are there any plans
for coming to EUROPE in the near future?
Virgil Donati: No plans for Europe right now...maybe September
psx00: Quit the caps, Phil
phil465: WHO ME?
phil465: ME?
Virgil Donati: Yes...no caps!
kyrah: hi, mr. donati... will there
be a studio-version available of the track "quantum factor"?
Virgil Donati: Yes there will be.
kyrah: ok thx
ProgMania: More jazzy than Moonbabies
(about next PX album)?
Virgil Donati: No It won't be more Jazzy...
phil465: mr donati are you doing
the montreal drum festival this year?
Virgil Donati: I don't think I'm appearing at the Montreal fest
this year
Virgil Donati: I'll try to answer
as many as possible...a bit overwhelmed right now!!
phil465: lol ur just too famous virgil
FrankT: can't you type as fast as you play drums, Virgil? ;) LOL
virgil21: virgil, do you think traditional
grip makes your single hand strokes be faster than if you played
match grip?
Virgil Donati: No... i think it would be faster with matched grip
ProgMania: what's your Favourite
bass player for Planet X?
Virgil Donati: Tom kennedy and Ricc Fierrabracci
Drumskull: Robi (P), from Drumtek,
and I have spent many hours talking about trad and matched. I still
love trad myself
Virgil Donati: I've devoted alifetime to traditional...the debate
will always go on...but the mechanics of it are simple - matched
is easier to develop and maintain
Rik: Mr Donati, how do you feel
behind a drumset playing?
Virgil Donati: I feel at home behind a drumset
FrankT: Virgil, in which band do
you like playing most? Planet X, CAB, Freakhouse, or any other..??
Virgil Donati: Weve been doing a few FreakHouse gigs lately, and
I'm feeling pumped about playing some good old hard hitting rock....the
record comes out in August
virgil21: virgil, the reason i asked
about your single strke speed is because i love the sound of fast
singles
Virgil Donati: I'm more into the sound of how you distribute singles...that's
when creativity comes into it
jeppe: How is life in L.A. my friend?
It´s been some time now since the Hamburg show.
Virgil Donati: Life is hectic here...how is Denmark Jeppe?
Rik: Mr Donati, how many hours a
day do you practice in average? And what are your most effective
exercises/patterns?
Virgil Donati: I average about 4 hours a day...then I spend time
on the piano
Murdoc: virgil,how long you have
been playing double bass?
Virgil Donati: I've played double bass for about 20 years
virgil21: virgil, how fast can you
do doubles on the bass drum, 210-20?
virgil21: no, i mean tempo wise, im sorry
virgil21: 210-20 bpm?
Virgil Donati: Doubles about 210...but still 200 for any lenght
of time and power...like the live Dog Boots
ProgMania: What's your favourite players
Mr.Donati?
Virgil Donati: My favourite players include Chambers, Phillips,
Colaiuta, Mangini, Minneman, Lang, Weckl, and more
virgil21: virgil, i hate to keep
talkin double bass, but what about singles? any faster?
Virgil Donati: My singles are average
FrankT: Virgil, which band do you
prefer playing/working with? Freakhouse, Planet X, Cab........?
Virgil Donati: I work with them all, because they all enable me
to expand my horizons as a player...no preferences other than the
fact I'd rather play my own music (ofcourse)
Virgil Donati: I'm learning things on the drums everyday!! It never
ends...there is always something left uncovered.
montaukproject: by the way, great
performance on saturday
Virgil Donati: Thanks
ProgMania: Mr.Donati,would you please
tell us your opinion about Dream Theater
Virgil Donati: I like Dream Theatre. I think they have contributed
a great deal to prog music
Rik: Do you like the Max Stax?
Virgil Donati: I actually used a Max Stax at a clinic, and liked
it very much...I'm thinking about adding one to the set up
Robb283DT: What do you suggest for
someone who wants to be a sucessful session drummer?
Virgil Donati: To be a successful session drummer, you must have
a lot of control...the ability to change parts at a request, and
great sense of time
ProgMania: Mr.Donati,how many takes
you do for average on Planet X recordings?
Virgil Donati: anywhere from 2-8 takes on average
Virgil Donati: Hi all the Aussies!!!
Virgil Donati: How are the pies doing??!!
Drumskull: Hi Virgil.....haha..Pies are doing ok, but the tigers
are the top Vic team in 6th
bryguy: Virgil, do you use the heel/toe
method for executing alternating single strokes on the bass drums
?
Virgil Donati: No, I'm not an exponent of the heel toe method.
Virgil Donati: Have you guys been up all night, or did you wet the
alarm??
Rik: 22:47
Rik: up all night
Rik: lol
justlikerock: i set the alarm
FrankT: no i've been up all night
kyrah: up all nite!!
newbeat: it's only 10 PM here
ProgMania: i was up all night
newbeat: :)
Virgil Donati: I feel very honoured...thanks guys
jeppe: UP all night...How is the book coming
mate? Did you ever see my pix of you on drummerworld.com?
Virgil Donati: The book is coming along...I didn't see the pics..send
the link please!
JodY2K: Virgil are you going to TUDW?
Virgil Donati: No TUDW this year.
bryguy: Virgil, I heard that you play into
the drums as opposed to the "Weckl" idea of drawing sound
out of the drum.... can you expand on this??
Virgil Donati: I believe in playing through the drum allowing the
energy to follow through, rather than pull it out (which I have
tried)
FrankT: Virgil, what do you think about Terry
Bozzio? Do you think he's as great as Weckl, Phillips, Vinnie C.,
and you? Or do you think his equipment makes him so famous..?
Virgil Donati: I think Bozzio brought a lot of fire and passion
in performance. He was also a major influence when I was younger.
He was amazing to me when he was with Zappa and Brecker Bros.
bryguy: another question.... do you ever get
nervous before any performances? If so, what did you do to prevent
the nerves from affecting your coordination and performance ability?
Virgil Donati: Not much you can do about nerves, but just remind
yourself that you've prepared to the best of your abilities, and
you really can get out there and do it!
montaukproject: virgil, do you like Tool?
Virgil Donati: I do like Tool...Danny is a good friend
ProgMania: Does Planet X will release any
DVD Mr.Donati?
Virgil Donati: No PX DVD at the moment
bryguy: Virgil, were you ever a match grip
player?
Virgil Donati: No...I've always played traditional
virgil21: is there a planet x live cd coming
out soo virgil?
Virgil Donati: No...we've shelved the live record for now. The record
company want another studio record before we do that
erock2112: Virgil, any advice for
a beginner/intermediate drummer of about 7-8 months?
Virgil Donati: Advice for beginner...patience, practice, and commitment.
Use all the resources available to develop your skills
newbeat: do you prefer two bass drums or a
double pedal?
Virgil Donati: I'm still undecided ...probably double pedal
jeppe: Any new projects we should know of
besides Joels album, Freakhouse, the new rof and the Vai dvd?
Virgil Donati: Nothing apart from those you mentioned
kyrah: Mr. Donati, in your opinion, what is
the essence of a good song/track?
Virgil Donati: Honestly...I've been practicing piano, and trying
to write material...that's why it's been a little quite on the news
front
Murdoc: have you tried axis pedals? what do
you think about them?
Virgil Donati: Axis are strange animals...would have to tame them
ProgMania: Mr.Sherinian said that you tested
some guitar players before Tony MacAlpine,would you please tell
us the name of that players?
Virgil Donati: I don't remember who we auditioned...that was a few
years ago. No one of note I suppose - I think Vai - gilbert - Van
Halen (hee hee)
FrankT: What do you think of Derek's newest
solo cd, Black Utopia?
Virgil Donati: I haven't heard it ! but I'm going to his first show
tomorrow night at the Viper Room
newbeat: virgil; how much do you think actual practice time matters
vs. motivation and talent? and what about drummers starting at really
young
Virgil Donati: I think talent is a blessing, but you still have
to do the hard work to harness it. Age is not important
FrankT: will there ever be a 2nd OTV recording
or a Virgil Donati: solo recording?
Virgil Donati: There is a small chance of another OTV...those guys
are great.
Virgil Donati: sorry if I haven't kept up with all the questions...doing
my best...phones ringing too!!
newbeat: hehe, we understand
FrankT: we all thank you for your answers anyway virgil! :)
nathaniel: no problem Virg just glad your here!
Virgil Donati: I'm getting hungry!
jeppe: im getting tired
Virgil Donati: I love technology...amazing that we can all sit here
and chat from different corners of the world.
bryguy: Virgil, what do you think of the whole
Drumometer thing? (again, I am not working for them! Just want your
opinion!!!!)
Virgil Donati: The drumometer is an acurate gauge for speed, and
may help inspire one to improve speed and endurance...nothing wrong
with that...
bryguy: do you use a drumometer at all??
Virgil Donati: No I haven't used one...they sent me one, but I keep
forgetting to use it!...it's somewhere in my closet
FrankT: virgil, when will you be starting
to write the next PX album (so that after that, you can release
a live CD/DVD... ;))
Virgil Donati: We'd like to have it in the can by year's end.
virgil21: hey virgil, if Mike Mangini can
do around 1100 strokes with hands in one minute on the drumometer,
what do you think you can do?
Virgil Donati: less than 1100 probably...I'm not really a speed
freak...I just like to make it sound that way.
bryguy: Virgil, can you shed some light onto
what you do to ensure a successful practise session? Do you have
a list of ideas to work out/develope??
Virgil Donati: I have ideas I'm trying to develop which I'll practice
on a daily basis, then I like to get together with and jam with
some guys, and be experimental, try to work on developing new ideas
virgil21: virgil, have you ever tried to do
the famous "one handed roll"?
Virgil Donati: I can do the one hander...but I need to work on it
some more. Rabb is the king of that technique
FrankT: Virgil, why wasn't "Origin And
The End" ever released on CD? It sounds like a typical PX or
OTV song! I just LOVE it!!!!!
Virgil Donati: I just thought it had been done, and I'd rather write
new material
virgil21: virgil, i know this is a dumb question,
but do you think with your trad. girp style that u could play in
a speed metal band? (not that u would want to)
Virgil Donati: Yes I could play but won't (speed metal)
FrankT: did you help Derek, Tony, Ric, Philip
(Bynoe) and the rest to learn to play and COUNT Quantum Factor or
did they just study and learn it by themselves?
Virgil Donati: I gave them a chart to Quantum...and we rehearsed
it after they learnt it
bryguy: Virgil... Premier to Pearl???
Virgil Donati: Pearl are by far the best drums I've ever played.
Lets leave it at that
montaukproject: any plans for virgil saturation
ride and hit hats?
Virgil Donati: I have prototypes of Saturation rides and hats, but
no talk about production at the minute.
virgil21: virgil, what do you think
of the drummer for slipknot, Joey Jordison (i just love to hear
what a great mind has to say , sorry for the dumb questions!)
Virgil Donati: I don't know what I think of JJ...I'd have to hear
more of his stuff (JJ)
FrankT: Virgil, I heard the demo's of Midnight
Bell (#9 from PX-MoonBabies)... there are some REALLY cool parts!
why did you leave them out?
Virgil Donati: Midnight Bell was fine as it was, then the others
decided to take a knife to it...and butcherd it!!
montaukproject: virgil do you like
cats?
Virgil Donati: I don't like cats..they smell, and they are arrogant
Virgil Donati: I love dogs...
virgil21: virgil what are u using
on the song, the ninth insight and ths ninth insight solo, hot rods?
Virgil Donati: Yes hot rods
HarryL: What is your favorite time signature
to play in and why?
Virgil Donati: 4/4 is my favourite, because you can keep it straight,
or maniipulate it to be whatever you want!
Virgil Donati: Thanks for chating guys, and girls....I'll sign off
now.
Virgil Donati: See you all!!!!
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