Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Future of Drumming?...
Perhaps............?..............
It's an interesting idea, if a little strange. But I often wonder what else us drummers can do to evolve our playing. I suppose using your face is a unique concept and could, once developed further, be a standard that we all use one day. Or perhaps not... You never know, there could be a drummer out there one day playing 4 limb independence on a kit as well as an electro-percussion groove using their face. Now that would be a talent!
Song of the Day - Foo Fighters 'Statues'
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Groove...
Have you ever heard the term 'The Groove is King'?
It kind of means that the Groove is the most important thing to focus on when we play the drums. Don't get me wrong, I love listening to drummers who are playing 300mph around the kit playing polyrhythms and crazy odd time patterns, but ultimately, the drummers that just focus on a Groove and play what's needed are the most in demand players. I've always thought that it is super important to listen to as much music as you can. I've got to admit though, I was and still am a metal head and so focus mainly on them. Classic Rock and Heavy Metal are my forms of music, I love them both, but you really should listen to as much music in all the different genres to get a great idea of where your musical path is and to enhance your playing.
One of my favourite Groove players is Steve Jordan. He has played for many different artists and appeared on hundreds of albums. His work especially with John Mayer is outstanding! Check out 'Continuum'. It is an awesome album, each song is great. One of the tracks is 'Vultures'. It's such a simple pattern to be playing, but the way Steve Jordan Grooves on the track is kind of hypnotic. Incredible!
Ideally, you want to be a 'happy medium' drummer. The ability to throw in what you want on the drums, but also have a great groove.
A couple of drummers that I feel have the best of both worlds right now are Gavin Harrison from Porcupine Tree and session/clinic ace Benny Greb. They have all the chops you could ever want but still keep an incredible Groove happening.
I think Chad Smith can really be called 'One of Every Drummer's Favourites'. I've never met a drummer who doesn't like his playing with the Chili Peppers. During Modern Drummer's Festival in 2005 he showed perfectly what I'm trying to sum up in this post. While all the other drummers during the weekend were all over their kits, showing off their undoubtable rhythmical talents, he just got on his drums and did this -
So folks, start really focussing on your Groove! Make sure whenever you play a track with feel, move a little. If you aren't moving, how do you expect your audience to move? If you are a bit of a loose cannon on the kit, just take a few minutes to just play a basic beat making sure that you get the Groove going.
I hope this helps some people and that you enjoy the tracks on this post. Try some of the artists albums, you never know, you just might like them!
See you soon!
CT
It kind of means that the Groove is the most important thing to focus on when we play the drums. Don't get me wrong, I love listening to drummers who are playing 300mph around the kit playing polyrhythms and crazy odd time patterns, but ultimately, the drummers that just focus on a Groove and play what's needed are the most in demand players. I've always thought that it is super important to listen to as much music as you can. I've got to admit though, I was and still am a metal head and so focus mainly on them. Classic Rock and Heavy Metal are my forms of music, I love them both, but you really should listen to as much music in all the different genres to get a great idea of where your musical path is and to enhance your playing.
One of my favourite Groove players is Steve Jordan. He has played for many different artists and appeared on hundreds of albums. His work especially with John Mayer is outstanding! Check out 'Continuum'. It is an awesome album, each song is great. One of the tracks is 'Vultures'. It's such a simple pattern to be playing, but the way Steve Jordan Grooves on the track is kind of hypnotic. Incredible!
Ideally, you want to be a 'happy medium' drummer. The ability to throw in what you want on the drums, but also have a great groove.
A couple of drummers that I feel have the best of both worlds right now are Gavin Harrison from Porcupine Tree and session/clinic ace Benny Greb. They have all the chops you could ever want but still keep an incredible Groove happening.
I think Chad Smith can really be called 'One of Every Drummer's Favourites'. I've never met a drummer who doesn't like his playing with the Chili Peppers. During Modern Drummer's Festival in 2005 he showed perfectly what I'm trying to sum up in this post. While all the other drummers during the weekend were all over their kits, showing off their undoubtable rhythmical talents, he just got on his drums and did this -
So folks, start really focussing on your Groove! Make sure whenever you play a track with feel, move a little. If you aren't moving, how do you expect your audience to move? If you are a bit of a loose cannon on the kit, just take a few minutes to just play a basic beat making sure that you get the Groove going.
I hope this helps some people and that you enjoy the tracks on this post. Try some of the artists albums, you never know, you just might like them!
See you soon!
CT
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Inspiration...
What better way to start all this off than to look for inspirational people. Musically, I am always looking back to the drummers that first inspired my own playing.
Last night I watched two documentaries about a couple of my favourite bands, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Collectively, these 8 guys transformed music, inspiring millions to change the way they would look at and play music forever. Being a drummer of course I am immediately drawn to John Bonham and Bill Ward's playing. Both had their own unique feel and groove, enhancing the music that the band collectively was making. To this day I still hear many different things that I hadn't heard before listening back to their albums and you can also notice how many drummers have been inspired by their playing too. A great website to check out is Bonham's out-takes from the recording of Led Zeppelin's 'In Through the Out Door'. You can hear the master play with such great power but also finesse that truly makes him perhaps Rock's greatest drummer. The link for the site is - www.saladrecords.com/bonhamfiles.htm
From a truly inspirational way to look not just at music but also life, I thoroughly reccomend you check out Jason Gerling. His story is one that should inspire us to always keep playing no matter what!
So now for a small update. I am working hard to get the website up and running as soon as possible, very shortly there will be a Mini Site up with a taster of what's to soon be released from SCD. Bear with me, it will all be worth it!
Speak soon and keep grooving!
CT
Song of the Day - Systematic 'Breakable'
Last night I watched two documentaries about a couple of my favourite bands, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Collectively, these 8 guys transformed music, inspiring millions to change the way they would look at and play music forever. Being a drummer of course I am immediately drawn to John Bonham and Bill Ward's playing. Both had their own unique feel and groove, enhancing the music that the band collectively was making. To this day I still hear many different things that I hadn't heard before listening back to their albums and you can also notice how many drummers have been inspired by their playing too. A great website to check out is Bonham's out-takes from the recording of Led Zeppelin's 'In Through the Out Door'. You can hear the master play with such great power but also finesse that truly makes him perhaps Rock's greatest drummer. The link for the site is - www.saladrecords.com/bonhamfiles.htm
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| John Bonham |
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| Bill Ward |
But it is also important to find new people to inspire you. Musically, most recently I have really been listening to a lot of Alter Bridge, Devildriver and Karnivool. Each of them fantastic bands with amazing drummers worth checking out.
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| Drummer - Scott Philips |
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| Drummer - John Boecklin |
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| Drummer - Steve Judd |
From a truly inspirational way to look not just at music but also life, I thoroughly reccomend you check out Jason Gerling. His story is one that should inspire us to always keep playing no matter what!
So now for a small update. I am working hard to get the website up and running as soon as possible, very shortly there will be a Mini Site up with a taster of what's to soon be released from SCD. Bear with me, it will all be worth it!
Speak soon and keep grooving!
CT
Song of the Day - Systematic 'Breakable'
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