Originally published in Modern Drummer magazine 188 · July 1995
Ask A Pro: Mike Portnoy
ArticleMike Portnoy2 min read
Q: I recently purchased Dream Theater’s Awake CD, and I congratulate you on another incredible drumming performance. Ever since I read your interview in MD, and heard Images And Words I’ve been a fan. You are a relative “newcomer,” but you’ve been a big inspiration and influence on me. I’d like to know what your current setup is, since you mentioned in MD’s “Metal Drummers Round Table” that you had recently doubled the size of your kit. Was it the ever-expanding music of Dream Theater that possessed you to expand, or the growth and maturation of your own playing? You seem to be bumble and soft-spoken, but your playing is absolutely mind-blowing. Do you find that drumming changes your personality, or is it an outlet for you? I know that Neil Peart was a big influence on you (as he is for so many); who were some of your other influences? And finally, can you recommend any books or exercises that could help my left hand and foot get up to par with my right?
Kris Fleming
Eastchester, NY
A: Thank you very much for the kind words. I’ve included a diagram of my latest setup. It was used in the studio to record Awake and is currently on tour with me (giving my drum tech Jose nightly headaches!). The basic reason for expanding the setup was ‘to give myself as many options as possible in creating my parts in the eclectic world of Dream Theater. (We’re one of the few bands these days that subscribe to the theory that “more is more.”) And yes, every drum and cymbal is used on Awake.
Remaining humble and modest is something I always try to keep in mind. (However, I don’t think I’ve ever been described as “soft-spoken” before.) I actually have a personality that is always trying to steal attention, and I think that it probably comes through in my playing.
My influences cover the whole spectrum of music. Some early ones for me were classic rock drummers like Keith Moon, and John Bonham, along with more progressive drummers like Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Simon Phillips. Frank Zappa’s music probably had the biggest influence of all, and was what introduced me to odd time signatures, polyrhythms, and diverse styles. These days I listen to everything from Jellyfish to the Beastie Boys to Machine Head. It’s very important to keep an open mind about what you listen to and what you play.
Finally (do you still think I’m soft-spoken?), my suggestion for developing your left hand and foot would be to practice patterns that you normally would play with your right side and do them with your left. Use your left kick as the primary one and try hi-hat or ride patterns with your left hand. This should help develop your independence and also enable you to play more ambidextrously. (You’ll notice that I use a “mirror image” setup with my cymbals so that everything is accessible from both sides of the kit.) Use a metronome and slowly work the tempos up. Thanks again for your questions!