Video Tutorial: Raymond King Talks About Bucket Drumming and Techniques

Raymond King recently talked about the bucket drums and here’s what he had to say.
This is the Street drum that was created well it was more like the reinvention of the bucket by Larry Wright and Jared Crawford.

We were kids maybe around 8, 13 and 14. This was our means of making money and to pay our bills and keep out of trouble and was just something that we learned and explored with.

We took up more items and found more different ways to make different sounds on walls and floors and ceilings doors anything that made a sound like pots. But there are different sounds and I'll let you know what they are.

There are different ways to make different sounds too using the bucket drum. It Is different from using a normal drum because when you hit drums they all make the same sound as the center of the drum and make the same sound every time.

Not so with the bucket you have to hit the bucket in the right place to make a certain sound. The center which makes a specific sound, you have the rim which makes a different sound, you can also have a bucket that facing upwards and use the inside to stir the drumsticks inside makes a different sound. You can also Use the floors the walls ceilings and also to make a deep bass sound. To make that sound what you do is while you're drumming on the bucket drum you lift up the bucket with your foot at the same time as you hit the bucket and then you drop the bucket back down to the floor with your foot all in one motion makes a nice deep bass sound. With buckets you have to have a little slight of the hand a little trickery with your skills when you perform your rhythms like flipping your sticks with the likeness of a magician and to make it harder, you continue with the bucket beats while flipping the sticks. It makes it more entertaining for people as they come by.

Bucket & Random Object Drumming

Top 10 Bucket Drummers of the United States - Bucket Drumming at its Best.

Here is my list of top 10 bucket drummers in no particular order and where you can see them in action.

1. Jared Crawford : New York,Ny

Jared Crawford “Choclatt”, is a musician, producer, singer, and songwriter who began performing at the formative age of three. He first gained recognition as one of the original, world-renowned Bucket Drummers, performing in the subway stations and on the sidewalks of the New York City streets. He has great drum beats and drum patterns.




2. Larry Wright: New York,Ny

Larry Wright born c. 1975 is a well-known New York City busker.He's credited as the first major drummer to use five gallon plastic buckets instead of a normal drum kit. One of his drum techniques is that he uses his foot to lift the bucket changing the sound patterns.He has appeared in commercials, Mariah Carey's "Some Day" video, as well as the movie Green Card.




3. Jermaine Carter : Boston,Ma

Jermaine Carter has played buckets in Boston, Ma ever since I can remember. He has also played in Baltimore, Philly, New York. His sound of tribal rhythms resonate through Downtown Crossing, he is a 26-year-old from Dorchester with a face like Sammy Davis Jr. People that are interested in bucket drumming should take some drum lessons from this guy. He is the man.




4. Tommy Buckets : Baltimore Md

He travels all over the place. Beating the drums and having a good time.




5. Raymond King : New York,Ny

Ray King has been a drummer all his life. This Bronx, New York native started making music in church. About 10 years ago, he began "bucket & random object drumming" in Times Square with some friends. Now he can be seen playing regularly in New York City Subway system, parties, with bands, opening shows and on the street. Ray also showcased his unique drumming abilities at New York City's Joseph Papp Theater, in "Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk". Ray enjoys playing in public for the practice and the advertisement. His influences are Buddy Rich, Dave Reku, Max Roach, Jared Crawford, & Larry Wright.





6. Larry "Bucketman" Hunt : San Fransisco,Ca

Larry "Bucketman" Hunt is a contemporary landmark of the city of San Francisco. His music sets the rhythm of the city and his smile lifts the mood of many people who happen to attend his public performances throughout San Francisco. The past years he has been giving performances solo and with his band "New Funk Generation" which is an interesting combination of Jazz and Funk, putting the "fun" back to Funk.




7-10. The Chicago Bucket Drummers : Chicago, Il

The Bucket Boys are an extremely talented group of teens from Chicago’s South Side who have been putting their percussive skills on display throughout the city for years. Performing synchronized drumming routines on plastic buckets, these kids were everywhere – along the Magnificent Mile and, during baseball season, outside of Wrigley Field – any spot where their performance would draw heavy crowds.

The happiest and coolest Kid drummer EVER!

This has to be the happiest and coolest picture of a kid bucket drummer ever. As you look at this young street drummer smile and having a good time don't you wish you were a kid again? Street drumming puts a smile on a lot of peoples faces everyday around the world.



Pictures from: Two itinerate street musicians trying to make a few bucks!

Thanks to Stan Lunetta for the pics.

http://stang.donnerparty.net/pictures/dits/

Bucketbeats.com Presents 100 Images of Bucket Drummers

Here are 100 images of the best bucket drummers from around the world. Enjoy.