[dobbles]

i was going to quote folks, but i am lazy...

carter beauford is a great drummer and has an amazing internal clock. i wouldn't really recommend someone use him as someone to learn from just because he is pretty unique and doesn't follow best practices. (kinda like watching favre play qb. while his style works for him, not something that should be emulated)

dabber - i think we actually agree on the bass issue. i actually have no problem with double bass, but as you note, too many drummers and drummer enthusiasts seem to think that every song needs double bass the whole time. folks these days seem to think that playing fast is playing well. speed has trumped rhythem and groove. its kinda sad.

van - everything i have ever heard about rich was that he was indeed a total jerk. gotta love all the clips you can find of him yelling at his band.

regarding dabber suggesting that a practice pad and rudiments is the way to go, i understand that opinion, but i think if someone is interested in drum set, might as well just go for it. sure, playing a paradiddle is great, but that can come down the road. i think too many kids get turned off of drums because they are stuck learning how to hold a stick and memorizing rudiments. i still suggest that if a person wants to play drum set, they get a cheap crappy set and try it out. (my first set was a really old slingerland that had camber high hats and an avanti crash)