Hello Drummers
Is there anyone who knows how to do the vintage style newspaper bass drum muffling. In an interview John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin said that John Bonham would put newspapers into his Bass drum. I heard that this muffling technique was quite popular in the 50s but I don't have any details on how to do it. If anyone could tell me the steps to it I would really appreciate it ( photos would be even better ).
Thank you
Hercules
I know that this type of muffling was done many years ago. Drummers simply crumpled up old sheets of newspaper into round wads and filled the drum cavity with them until reaching the desired effect, using two intact (non-ported) heads. I tried it once but was off put by the fact that during travel the wads would shift and roll around, making it somewhat difficult getting them positioned again for a good sound during setup. Also spent quite a lot of trial and error time having to remove a head and take out/add more newspaper wads for desired effect. Worth a try for sure!
Should the newspapers touch the batter head or the reso ??
Sometimes, the newspapers found inside bass drums can help date them...
Cheers
Before full rubber practice kits became available many players would stuff a kit full of "Rolled Up" newspapers to muffle the sound down. Yes the paper would be in contact with both heads. The end result was usually something that sounded like cardboard boxes, but the neighbours were often much happier.
Cheers John
I use party balloons. Clear head with a port. Easy to take in or out or just pop one or two if there`s too many. One time I had the red M&M balloon in there, he was a great sound.
They do bounce around the drum when played too.
Not to mention the element of surprise as one bursts during a quite passage of "Old Shep".. :D
