Hi all,

I've always been a fan of the 1960s band The Association, although - IMO - only their several hits have stood the test of time. And if you want to exercise your brain and voice, try singing lead on "Along Comes Mary!" :-)

More to the point of this - I've always been impressed with the drumming of Ted Bluechel. Very clean and tasteful. Never wastes a note. And although I've read that Hal Blaine actually played on their recordings, Ted was just as good in concert.

I saw them twice, in 1968 and 1969, and he was great! Both times, he played "Requiem for the Masses," with buttery-smooth rolls that left me in awe. The Association even played that song live on "The Smothers Brothers" TV show (available on you-tube).

That is one of the finest anti-war songs that no one has ever heard. No TV host other than the Smothers Brothers, with their political satire-turned-overt-criticism had the balls to feature that song on their show...especially on a comedy show. The ultimate in irony! I'm sure it left the audience very uncomfortable, but an important message about the futility of war, nonetheless.

Anyhow, I always found it odd that Ted played his kit with his elbows out. You could recognize his posture on the drum stool from a mile away! Recently, I think I figured out why he did this. See attached photo.

He positioned his hi-hat well forward of "normal," almost under his crash cymbal. (Note those huge hi-hat cymbals!) This way, he could play his hi-hat and snare without crossing his hands. Consequently, he hit his snare about midway between the edge and the center of the head.

The only comfortable and relaxed way to do this, is to allow your elbows to come away from your ribs. This posture even translated to his use of the ride cymbal. Again, his right elbow was always away from his body.

Anyhow, I wonder if anyone else plays/played this way, or if anyone has ever asked Ted about this technique.

Regards, Marty Black