Chris Whitten Presents New Series – Behind the Drums

[Bart Elliott]

Learn how to drum like a pro in this fantastic new multi-part series 'Behind The Drums'. The now Australian residing accomplished British drummer Chris Whitten shares his down to earth musical approach to creating exciting and memorable drum performances using the techniques and ideas he's gathered from playing and recording with some the biggest names in the world including Paul McCartney, Dire Straits, Julian Cope and Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians among many others.

Chris's drumming formed the backbone of Paul McCartney's 'Flowers In The Dirt' album from 1989 which resulted in a world tour with the McCartney band playing the new album but also the first time McCartney had played Beatles songs since the split. Dire Straits were soon to come knocking which lead to Chris hitting the road again for the epic 'On Every Street' tour lasting fourteen months and playing to over seven million people world-wide. The man behind the drums for the Edie Brickell hit 'What I Am', and The Waterboys 'Whole Of The Moon', Chris's playing draws from a wide range of musical styles which has enabled him to work cohesively with such varied artists as Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, The Pretenders, Swing Out Sister, ABC and The The.

Unafraid to simply play what the song requires, Chris is the sort of model drummer many artists would actively seek out as the perfect rhythmic match for their music. In this series of videos, Chris passes on these core ideas and shares some fascinating insights about what it takes to make it as a regular on-call studio drummer and how to become a better all-round musical player even if you're playing the local pub scene on the weekends or having a bash with friends.. No stranger to electronic percussion and synthesis, Chris was using a Roland Octapad with Paul McCartney back in 1989 and has since become heavily involved in creating his own unique sample libraries designed to be triggered from electronic kits. In these videos Chris plays the Roland TD-30KV V-Drums kit connected to V-Drums Friend Jam software to explore all that musical drumming entails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2vNlHVwH2o#ws]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2vNlHVwH2o#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5AwXtgoWzw#ws]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5AwXtgoWzw#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX0ADk3WTV0#ws]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX0ADk3WTV0#ws

[JeepnDrummer]

I've been wondering what Chris has been up to.  And now I know.  I enjoyed watching these and hope more will be forthcoming.

[Mister Acrolite]

Wow, this is great stuff, from a pro who has SO much to offer. Thanks for posting this!

[Chip Donaho]

I made notes to myself all the time for different bands. But in the end, I always wanted to do what the musician intended. That requires communication and knowing how to play simple and not clutter the music. The hardest thing for many drummers is knowing where not to play. Thanks Chris, I like the way you think.  8)

[Tim van de Ven]

Wow, this is great stuff, from a pro who has SO much to offer. Thanks for posting this!

You took the words right out of my mouth, Keith.

(And yes, I snuck a song bomb in there for you, too!)