Will Eley's posting to yesterday's MMD about the B.A.B. system of using
separate perforations for each of the two snare drum beaters, which in
theory should allow the snare drum to tap out various distinct rhythms,
begs the question whether B.A.B.'s arrangers (mostly consisting of one
arranger, J. Lawrence Cook) ever took advantage of this capability.

In a production mode, with the arranger paid by the running foot of
music turned out, was the extra effort involved ever really expended?
This question could best be answered by examining some original B.A.B.
rolls to see whether any pattern variations can be detected in the two
snare drum perforation channels.

Maybe an accomplished snare drummer among MMD readers could chime in
here with an account of what rhythms are commonly used in playing the
snare drum and which beater patterns are used in achieving those
rhythms.

Matthew Caulfield
Irondequoit, New York

P.S.: As a new MMDigest contributor and one who evidences an interest
in B.A.B., Will Eley owes us a brief introduction of himself and his
interests.  In the early days of the MMD a self-introduction was often
the custom, although not so much any more.