In this episode, Dave talks about: • the purpose of this video series • the drum as the human race's' earliest communication device • the importance of using music as a vehicle to tell your own unique story.
In this episode, Dave talks about: • how to interact with your audience while playing, and how to handle mistakes • the importance of establishing your personal brand and separating yourself from the pack • boosting your chops with one-handed snare drum rolls
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the call & response tradition in music • the dark sexual chasms of New Orleans • celery & peanut butter
In this episode, Dave talks about: • infusing music with an artisanal human spirit • how to make an assertive entrance in the studio • dimensions of emoting from behind the kit
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the importance of musical individuality • the power of abstraction and discomfort • playing with brushes
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the artistic significance of STOMP • how to incorporate military drumming concepts into your soloing
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the secrets behind 1990s rap-rock • how drummers can also be writers, producers, etc. • drawing inspiration from classic adages
In this episode, Dave talks about: • how to make yourself the only drummer for the job • the art of "multi-tasking" behind the kit • rhythmic meter and marital finances
In this episode, Dave talks about: • childhood drumming aspirations • exploring rhythm with kitchen tools • wood vs. metal/plastic
In this episode, Dave talks about: • warm-up techniques • rhythmic independence • shredding at music stores • exerting dominance at sound check • transcription of "Renegade"
In this episode, Dave talks about: • finding inspiration away from the drum kit • his tenuous friendship with Joe • the elusive science of improvisation • prop comedy
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the influence of "The Professor" • pectoral paradiddles • getting your mind right
In this episode, Dave talks about: • respecting audience conversations • the one-handed 9-stroke snare roll • how to handle it when you hit a mic mid-gig
In this episode, Dave talks about: • mining the past for musical influences • audition strategy for The Black Crowes • auxiliary drum tropes in the sphere of independent rock 'n' roll music
In this episode, Dave talks about: • distinctive approaches to the act of drum soloing • blowing over ZZ Top's "Legs" • branding yourself above any/all other creative priorities
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the deeply sophisticated rhythms of Dr. Seuss • proper understanding of the cowbell • the importance of major U.S. coastal cities as purveyors of culture
In this episode, Dave talks about: • finding fresh inspiration in your physical surroundings • the Mississippi River • Guy Fieri • not being intimidated by electronic drums
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the drums as a melodic instrument • ignorance in 1970s America • Bret Michaels
In this episode, Dave talks about: • complexity and why it is important • "Back in Black" and why it is important • Schoenberg • Tom Petty
In this episode, Dave talks about: • keeping your kit clean • a Bruno Mars audition scenario • professional Do's & Don'ts
In this episode, Dave talks about: • making an audition memorable • the paradoxical relationship between image and music in the work of Lady Gaga • using a laptop to raise your game behind the kit
In this episode, Dave talks about: • productive visualization • playing rhythm with your hands • ham
In this episode, Dave talks about: • keeping Ron Miles on schedule • extended technique • abstract expressionism • the spiritual cost of child-rearing • purity and the avant garde
In this episode, Dave talks about: • Ron Miles' ongoing difficulty in staying on schedule • metal drumming technique • use of a muted floor tom as an alternative to a double kick drum • drinking wine at 1:00 in the afternoon
In this episode, Dave talks about: • Ron Miles' uncanny penchant for tardiness • how to get the gig with Rascal Flatts • proper jazz technique as captured in the Academy Award-winning motion picture "Whiplash"
In this episode, Dave talks about: • Ron Miles' vacation being totally over • how to get the gig with a major international hip-hop artist • Jay-Z and American capitalism • being yourself and taking compliments (or not)
In this episode, Dave talks about: • Kendrick Lamar • additional tips on how to handle yourself at a big hip-hop audition • the evolution of hip-hop time feel • how to "meta" the s***
In this episode, Dave talks about: • supporting your fellow musicians • another person who plays the drums • Super Bowl ads
In this episode, Dave talks about: • John Williams (again) • riffs • the act of charting the aforementioned riffs (or not)
In this episode, Dave talks about: • thanking all the supporters • Rat Rod drums • cheddar cheese potato canoes
In this episode, Dave talks about: • readiness for survival in the animal kingdom • Dr. Oz • how to handle distractions when playing a gig
In this episode, Dave talks about: • owning mistakes • testing your cognitive independence • state capitals • making a delicious home-cooked meal for Joe
In this episode, Dave talks about: • playing with mallets • Christopher Lloyd • division of 18th-century land holdings in the United States
In this episode, Dave talks about: • playing with brushes • warming down (as opposed to warming up ... right?) • the significance of on-demand video streaming services for the touring musician
In this episode, Dave talks about: • booking your own gigs • proper attire for working the phones • pizza toppings
In this episode, Dave talks about: • smart approaches to tuning your drum kit • the mysterious disappearance of his father • modern travesties in the mobile deployment of frozen treats
In this episode, Dave talks about: • pharmaceutical abundance in the United States • knowing and befriending your ride cymbal • the fractured nature of cultural education on male intimacy
In this episode, Dave's mom talks about: • Dave • feeding teenage boys • bandleaders
In this episode, Dave uses very strong language while talking about: • the music of the natural world • guys who get off on absurdly loud motorcycles • the long-term efficacy of broadcast advertising on a leading salsa brand • the Italians
In this episode, Dave talks about: • assertive juxtaposition of "high" and "low" art • avant-garde contingencies of "The Family Feud" • viewer Q&A In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • quarks
In this episode, Dave talks about: • his vintage Earl Campbell rookie card • practicing the time-honored jazz tradition of "trading 8s" • subverting the time-honored jazz tradition of "trading 8s" In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • memes
In this episode, Dave talks about: • metronomes • human evolution and the avant-grade • the video for Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • Social Security
In this episode, Dave talks about: • athletics and vulnerability • getting beaned • the need for ball to go far In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • classic cinema
In this episode, Dave talks about: • taking inventory in your personal identity • Sting • Guy Fieri • the cultural and meteorological legacy of Minneapolis • dead birds • the turn signal as metronome In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • neutrinos
In this episode, Dave talks about: • modern applications of auxiliary percussion • his thick neck • fast food In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • the "base 13" mathematical construct
In this episode, Dave talks about: • Phil Collins • Joe Johnson • Joshua Redman • Spider Hopkins In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • gravitational lensing
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the vacuous comedic tradition of drummer jokes • his anger • Neil Peart's limitations In this episode, Dave's dad talks about: • "event horizon" phenomena
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the ubiquity of abstraction in our shared culture • David Lynch • medication and sexual readiness
In this episode, Dave and the acclaimed Jewish drummer "Dave Elitch" talk about: • their lack of competitive feelings toward each other • nailing an authentic gentile feel • heavings of Christmas joy
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the needless complexity of modern drum hardware • his children • filling on bar 5
In this episode, Dave talks about: • playing the drum kit while seated • playing the drum kit while standing • functional and symbolic implications thereof
This highlight reel celebrates a full year of RATIONAL FUNK. If you've been watching, thanks! If you're new to the series, check out all the episodes on this YouTube channel.
In this episode, Dave talks with avant garde drum icon "Jim Black" about: • dead painters • playing without cymbals • not being threatened by "Jim Black"
In this episode, Dave talks about: • technology • blop blops and blip blops • native arboreal specimens of Northern California
In this episode, Dave talks about: • day drinking • Dr. Kalstrup • Tim Berne
In this episode, Dave talks about: • a presumed Eastern European perspective on American rhythmic consciousness • Promark Hot Rods • art creatures from other galaxies
In this episode, Dave talks about: • cultural dissonance in furniture design • the genesis of "ba-dat-ding" • the critical importance of tightly controlled drum rudiments and punitive ruler tactics
In this episode, Dave talks about: • that marching band s*** • "Lemon Laws" • roasting marshmallows
In this episode, Dave and a bassist (Reid Anderson) talk about: • The Engine Room® • not needing to express yourself all the time • 30+ years
RATIONAL FUNK was a complete instructional program for musicians of all skill levels, featuring tips, tricks, inspiration, and industry secrets from acclaimed drum professional Dave King (The Bad Plus).
In this episode, Dave talks about: • triumphant celebrations of jazz in contemporary cinema • credit cards • the new web series "Lights Cameron Jackson," created by Dave and available to download now at lightscameronjackson.com for the cost of a hemp milk latte
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the familial essence of cymbals • the fatalist-realist continuum of checked baggage • Paul Celan
In this episode, Dave talks about: • Charts • Radiohead • The principal cast of TV's "Too Close For Comfort"
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the uncharted frontiers of plywood-based percussion • fake minimalism • Tom Waits
In this episode, Dave talks about: • sartorial muffling techniques • the Laurel Canyon rock 'n' roll • chewing tobacco
In this episode, Dave talks about: • getting hooked on Beaver Harris and Rashied Ali when you're growing up in New Canaan, CT • coaxing tones • John Mayer's watch collection
In this episode, Dave talks about: • maximalism • self-promotion in the age of false humility • "Kokomo"
In this episode, Dave talks about: • E.T.'s glycemic index • rhythmic displacement • the intergalactic valuation of foraged truffles
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the metaphysical intertwining of color and sound • the prototypical grayness of Eastern European capitals • Joe's groove
In this episode, Dave talks about: • trombone players • rhythmic nuance in latter-day denominational worship music • barn-raising
In this episode, Dave talks about: • "Two Princes" (a little jam from the '90s) • the intersectionality of John Popper and Lucky Charms™ • middle-shelf port wine
In this episode, Dave talks about: • Buddy Rich • the purpose of great art • sautéed Chiclets®
In this episode, Dave talks about: • constructive utilization of performance impediments • signature series antlers • Fishbone
In this episode, Dave talks about: • humankind's innate sense of play • the Ark of the Covenant • posable figures of the late 20th century
In this episode, Dave talks about: • the irresistible puzzle of drumming • something really incredibly cool...sort of...maybe not • the groove on "Funky Cold Medina"
In this episode, Dave talks about: • "puzzles" • Johnny Cougar • Johnny Hagstrom
In this episode, Dave talks about: • love and gratitude • the Whole Foods bag • Mister Rogers