DRUMMER CAFE

I tend to think that drummers, more than any other instrumentalist, should be knowledgeable [sp?] about different styles of music. it just gives us more playing options and forces us to build our skills.

I grew up listening to a lot of different types of music as a kid, so nothing really felt like a stretch for me except country music, but that was probably b/c you didn't really hear country music in ny, unless maybe you lived upstate. I'm still not a big fan of that style, nor certain folk music, but I'll listen to it. it helps if someone with knowledge points me in the direction of something they think is really good.

lately I've been listening to some jeff buckley and I think the other dude's name is steve elliot? something like that. kinda moody, irreverent singer-songwriter stuff. something about that kind of music grates on my nerves, but I'm still finding things in it I like, particularly when there's some percussion or keys added to give it that extra element of moodiness. I just have to turn on metallica after the fact to refresh myself coz a lot of that music brings me down.

but yah--you should check out everything. you'll always have a preference, but ain't no reason ya can't be a hard-rockin, fusion-luvin', funk-playing jazz snob. 


okay, kohei--that last phrase was a JOKE!

**ducks**


 

"....but ain't no reason ya can't be a hard-rockin, fusion-luvin', funk-playing jazz snob."

Hey, that's exactly what I'm shootin' for  . I'm with you about music you really don't care for but still can find something in the percussion to latch onto as something good. That's actually how I first came round to Neil Peart. No offense to any of you Rush lovers here, but I've never gotten into their music very much, but I at least began to tune my ears in to hear his drumming and keyed in on it enough to start to appreciate at least that much and I think he's great, though I prefer his drumming on the earlier Rush stuff than of late. Maybe it's an age thing and I'm maturing enough to pay more attention. 20+ years ago I could care a whumph about anything other than rock n roll drumming, but there are great rock drummers who themselves show fairly obvious signs of influence from other genere's in their own playing, Bonham comes to mind first in that regard. I love the way some of the Funk and Fusion drummers work their kick drums into the mix very very much and I can HEAR IT, as opposed to most rock drummers today, even the very good ones, I can't hear hardly a thing they are doing most of them are so buried in the mix it becomes nearly a wash to my ears. I want to hear what the guy is doing on the drums. What bits I've heard, I like the guy from Tool, (Danny Carey?) but can't always get a good grip on his drumming either because, there again, more often than not too buried in the mix to really appreciate.  As I mentioned, I heard what turns out to be an old tune recently, Brand 'X'-"Running on Three" with Phil Collins on drums and not too too long ago also heard an oldie by the Meters called "Cissy Strut" and for different reasons between the 2 tunes, was happily surprised. Really like Ziggy Modeliste's kick and hi-hat playing on that and am finding myself more and more attracted to that style of drumming. In an odd way feel like a kid with a new toy as far as discovering some 'new' percussion sounds I like enough to start working on learning.

Not true. Outside of the Stones, Charlie recorded jazz albums with small groups and big bands, as well as some techno. He has always been a major champion of jazz music, and frankly seems more interested in it than rock n' roll.

I'm having a great time with a new band I'm playing with. They're doing fairly poppy rock music with a lot of tunes in a bouncy 150-160 BPM range. On ships I did so little of that kind of thing (outside of a Beatles tribute I backed for several months a couple of years ago) that my body has forgotten how to an extent. It's a blast learning to play that kind of music all over again. Just straight-ahead, no-nonsense Rock 'n' Roll. I grew up on jazz and did a lot of show work, and it's funny that mainstream pop could be "stretching", but it is. It's given me a whole new fuel for my fire.

Perhaps, but irrelevant and unimportant if the person is happy.

(btw, that was a 'wink' at the end of the Charlie Watts comment)

I find there is a fine line between being happy and being happier.

It's easy to assume you are happy, but if you don't explore the great big world out there, you'll never know just how much happier you could be.
In these circumstances the person is required to take advice from someone older and wiser.
If that's not possible, well that's the individuals decision. But I always sought to learn from people ahead of me, both in age/experience and in their career success.
They would often say they liked my drumming, but I should check out such and such.
Of course the easy option is to find your niche, get good at it and announce you are happy with that.
My opinion is the better option is to ocassionally challenge yourself.
What's the worse thing that can happen? You decide it's too difficult and go back to what you do best, but at least you tried.
As for myself, I think I've been somewhat of a one trick pony - basic rock drums.
However, I've always loved listening to funk, disco, fusion, contemporary jazz, classical music, film music, electronica, RnB, Hip-Hop. I force myself to listen to mainstream pop so I can keep abreast of what's going on.
I've tried to play these genre's on my own time.
No one has yet hired me to play on a contemporary jazz, funk or hip-hop album. I wish they would.
In the meantime, I feel my drumming has matured and improved out of sight as a result of my open ears. Even if I couldn't play those styles, I've impressed other artists and record producers with my knowledge of a wide diversity of styles.
I also think I've been able to incorporate influences from a wide range of styles in to my 'basic rock drumming'. To me it's a win-win, with very little pain endured and just a little more effort than sitting on my butt back in the 80's when I first tasted some success, saying I'm happy just the way I am.

I think, at least in part, what initially clicked with me personally insofar as trying some new stuff in earnest is a discussion I had about Led Zeppelin's last album and how, at that time, I was disappointed in all but a couple tunes from it. But looking back it showed, if nothing else, a change or progression along in their musical interests. No "Dazed And Confused" on that album that's for sure. Bonham's drumming was MUCH different. My feelings about that album are alot different now and that perspective goes hand in hand about incorporating different drum styles into your foundation, whether that be a rock foundation or whatever it may be. I know I certainly enjoy listening, for example, to a hard hitting rock drummer who also at times tosses in some funky stuff and when it all works, it sounds fantastic.

For sure. I wonder if Ringo knew what he was getting himself into. Whew! What a challenge would be in store for him. Well done ol' chap!

No that was not humour. In fact, I would vote Ringo as not only an intersting example but as The Yardstick in the context of this topic. Imagine having to support the evolution of Lennon & McCartney. Modern drummer did a cool analysis/appreciation article on him back in an '87 issue.

In my youth, while my peers were into the Stones and Beatles, I was into Bach, Beethoven and Brubeck. I could tolerate a bit of Pink Floyd. So you can imagine the challenge at my time of life learning to play rock, reggae, blues and (God forbid) country! My introduction to the world of percussion was at a youthful 53 when a djembe was thrust into my hands at a party and I joined in the jam. That was it. Sold! So I purchased a Turkish darabouka (I didn't know the difference then) and soon discovered the world of middle eastern rhythms. Then I discovered belly dancers! Next thing I was in a bellydance band!
When the drum kit came along, together with lots of hair and an unruly set of face fungus, my almost total lack of interest in the world of rock music was a definite minus. Mind you, I can swing anything! My fills and frills echo the mystic east which totally confuses straight 4/4 players but fits jazzy stuff, and most rock numbers are totally new to me.
So I was a one trick pony, but in order to play the tubs I have had to open my mind and take on board all sorts of stuff. I listen to music with different ears now, and appreciate the musicianship which goes into the various forms of music. And some of those muso's are really good...
It's an interesting journey.

Many moons ago ( 1977 actually ), I started taking lessons for 5 years from a big band drummer who specialized in Marching.  He immediately started pounding rudiments and jazz continuously for those 5 years.  I - of course - moonlighted as rock-n-roll drummer, but have always nourished my rudiment and jazz skills ( more rudiment ).  I still continue to record jazz songs with prepared MIDI songs and am trying to get my bass player brother and my killer piano playing father in law involved for some jazz recordings.  I find my rock-n-roll playing is dripping with a jazz flavor.