Wishbone Ash Drummer Offers Free Online Lessons
 
Joe Crabtree, drummer for Wishbone Ash, is offering free video drum lessons through his web site, www.joecrabtree.com . The lessons cover a range of topics including his personal method of transcribing, hi-hat flourishes, Weckl-esque licks, and breakdowns of great drum parts.
 
“Every now and again I’ll hear something in drumming that really excites me,” says Joe. “There are so many things that can be difficult to understand at first, but when you figure out what’s going on you can easily apply them to your own playing. I’ve always had a very analytical approach to playing the drums and it’s enjoyable to share the things that I’ve derived so much enjoyment from.”
 
Joe replaced longtime Wishbone Ash drummer Ray Weston in February after teaching at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, U.K.
 
“I’ve taught drums for almost as long as I’ve played; it’s something I’ve always enjoyed,” says Joe. He contacted Mike Sturgis, who heads the drum department at ACM (and is also a former Wishbone Ash drummer), about a position at the school.
 
“Mike was very supportive,” Joe says. “When Ray left Wishbone Ash, Mike was asked if he wanted the gig; but obviously he’s extremely busy at ACM. He recommended me for the gig and I accepted.”
 
With Joe on board, Wishbone Ash went into the studio in March to record a new album, “The Power of Eternity.”
 
“The first time I met the band was at the airport in Finland when they came to pick me up. I’d spent a week learning the set for a one-off gig in Russia which was to happen right in the middle of a week of recording. We spent two days in the studio working on new tracks, took a 13-hour train ride to Russia for the gig and were straight back on the train as soon as we were off stage. It was full on but exciting.”
 
After recording the album, the band embarked on a month-long tour of the United Kingdom.
 
Joe says, “Wishbone Ash tour a lot! Some people are surprised (and pleased) to hear that they’re doing so much, but they have a very loyal following, and people who see the band for the first time tend to really enjoy the show. We just played to 20,000 people at Cropredy in the U.K. and 10,000 at Pink Pop in Amsterdam, both of which went down a storm.”
 
A native of Burnley, U.K., Joe moved to London in 2004 in order to become a full-time drummer.
 
“It was tough at first. I went to countless auditions for bands I found in Loot magazine – most of which were terrible. Then one day I spotted an ad looking for a drummer for ex-King Crimson violinist David Cross’ band. I went down to the rehearsal room and they had me playing grooves in 13/16 and all sorts of weird time signatures – it was right up my street,” recalls Joe. “I joined the band and we went to Japan to do some gigs, which was amazing.”
 
In 2005 Joe joined prog-rockers Pendragon for a European tour; he has since appeared on a couple of the group’s live DVDs and is working with them on a new album.
 
With Wishbone Ash set to begin a U.K. tour in October, followed by a late fall U.S. tour, Joe is a busy guy; but he intends to keep the online lessons coming.
 
“Four hours a day in the back of a van can easily start to seem like a lot longer,” he admits. “I try and come up with ways to work on my drumming away from the kit so I can make those journeys productive. I’m intending to take a camera out on the road and share some of these exercises and ideas. The drums are one of the only instruments that you can practice without the actual instrument. I want to promote the fact that anyone can take it up and get the basics down without needing to buy a drum kit. Even if you’re an advanced player, stepping away from the kit and focusing on some basic coordination and counting can really improve your time and feel.”
 
“The Power of Eternity,” will be released in October. Visit www.wishboneash.com for dates; Joe and his lessons can be found at www.joecrabtree.com .