"Back in Time: Charleston Pedal" - Cymbal Series, Part 3

A series on the cymbal's incorporation into modern drum sets with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs. The history-rich videos discuss the transition of cymbals to their current-day use, starting with the orchestral and ceremonial use of cymbals and the inventions and innovations that helped in the transition from orchestral pieces to modern music.
Part 3 addresses the advent of an early foot sock cymbal - the Charleston pedal.
Prior to the rise of the foot sock cymbal, bass drum pedals equipped with a device called a clanger allowed the drummer to perform on the bass drum, pedal cymbal, and snare drum simultaneously. The clanger could be engaged and disengaged, however it disrupted the flow of music and most pedals did not allow the performing of the pedal cymbal independently from the bass drum. This created a march-like feel to the music that was performed and, with early jazz becoming very popular, drummers needed a sound that would keep audiences dancing.
In 1925, a jazz drummer from Chicago, Victor Berton, filed a patent application for a foot sock cymbal he called an “orchestral apparatus,” which was known as the Charleston pedal and, in more familiar terms, the snowshoe pedal.
The application Berton filed described his orchestral apparatus as having a footboard and a treadle, along with a mechanical linkage that would prevent a springed hinge from opening completely-the drummer could control the cymbals better using their free foot.
It was bulky and heavy. It was the easiest piece of equipment to transport, especially for touring musicians. Another foot sock cymbal design quickly became popular that made travel for the professional musician much easier.
In the next segment, we will learn about the foot sock cymbal that took its place, the lowboy.
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ABOUT THE HOST || Kelli Rae Tubbs is a singing drummer and percussionist, as well as a bandleader specializing in 1920s jazz based Minnesota -- the Twin Cities to be more specific.
As a clinician/educator, she has delivered clinics covering the topics of keyboard percussion, improvisation, and the drumming techniques used in early American jazz.
She is a member of the Sabian Education Network and the D'Addario Education Collective and, in July 2016, was appointed to the Scholarly Research Committee of the Percussive Arts Society. She was a preliminary judge in the 2017 "Hit Like a Girl" drumming contest.
Kelli is a regular contributor to "Tom Tom Magazine" and, as an historian, is working to preserve our unique American musical heritage through the restoration of antique drums dating back to 1887 and the performance of early American jazz.
She has received four grants to study classic American drumming styles with drummer, educator, author, and historian, Daniel Glass, her co-author in the upcoming book entitled "The Postcard Project: A Snapshot of Drumming Life, 1900-1930" being released in 2017. She has received a grant to study silent film sound effects with William F. Ludwig III, owner of WFLIII Drums. In addition to engaging young audiences in several clinics, she has several speaking engagements in the summer of 2017, including the Chicago Drum Show and the National Women’s Music Festival, and will be on the She Rock She Rock Girls’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Retreat staff in July and August 2017.
For more information about Kelli, her other projects, upcoming clinics and appearances, or to sign up for newsletter, visit www.KelliRaeTubbs.com and connect with her on Facebook at KelliRaeTubbsDrums or on Twitter at @KelliRaeTubbs.
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ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR || Nicholas Barr, founder of Northome Films, is an independent film maker and musician with a unique perspective for matching landscape and soundscape with human emotion. The advent of high-definition video-capable digital single lens reflex cameras opened up a new world of shooting for him.
ABOUT NORTHOME FILMS || Northome Films is a Minnesota-based video production company which had its start in creating music videos and "behind the scenes" documentaries with footage from recording sessions and live performances. What began as a personal passion for founder, Nicholas Barr, has become a way to communicate others' passions to their audiences, telling their authentic story. For more information, visit www.NorthomeFilms.com.
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ABOUT THE RHYTHM CLUB ALL-STARS || Led by internationally-renown drummer, Daniel Glass, this all-star line-up specializes in jazz of the 1920s-1940s. The Rhythm Club All-Stars features some of the top professionals on the Southern California scene, including Daniel Glass (Brian Setzer Orchestra, Royal Crown Revue, Bette Midler), John Reynolds (Cab Calloway), John Hatton (Brian Setzer Orchestra), and Corey Gemme (Johnny Crawford, High Sierra Jazz Band). Purchase CDs at www.DanielGlass.com/portfolio/rhythm-club-all-stars/.