General Music Chat

I play VERY busy. I use a lot of ghosting - accented and unaccented notes. I play in the pocket - groove is where I live. I do not solo much but I rather prefer songs where I can mix solos with the music.

With that said I once took a lesson from a nasty funk drummer named Herman Matthews (Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Tom Jones, Tower of Power, Bob James, etc) and he gave some really good advice.

"When playing in a band approach drumming, not with the mind set of a drummer but the mind set of a producer."

I feel dynamics are everything. There is a time to shine and a time to just be in the background. Drummers need to be sensitive to the music. Like it was said above - it depends on the genre.

jason

the most important thing too me about a drummer is that he holds the tempo...I often play fairly fast (guitar), unfortunately some drummers allow me to lead them and they speed up with me instead of keeping me in time...if given the chance I'll keep playing faster and faster until I explode to make matters worse I'm very use to drum machines (computer now) and that never varies, so it makes it more obvious when a live drummer ramps up.

I play VERY busy. I use a lot of ghosting - accented and unaccented notes. I play in the pocket - groove is where I live. I do not solo much but I rather prefer songs where I can mix solos with the music.

With that said I once took a lesson from a nasty funk drummer named Herman Matthews (Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Tom Jones, Tower of Power, Bob James, etc) and he gave some really good advice.

"When playing in a band approach drumming, not with the mind set of a drummer but the mind set of a producer."

I feel dynamics are everything. There is a time to shine and a time to just be in the background. Drummers need to be sensitive to the music. Like it was said above - it depends on the genre.

jason

Said like a Pro "Tower Nut"! I too believe that 'Dynamics are one of the main ingredients for a good Live Band. Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, etc. {Dynamics} This is one of the more important subjects I've seen addressed "Tower Nut". [Carry It! Brother.]

Hey Gang,

Yeah , Id like to have heard what that drummer did to "sunspot baby"
That tune has a specific feel..Gotta really be aware of that gtr riff and bass pattern...Over the years doing session work vrs road work my mood and feel differ...In the studio less was more most of the time...Had to fight the temptation of wanting to "funk"it up or fill it up...I go back and listen to my playin a tune like "Evil Ways" in 77 and have to laugh...All the garbage I used to put in...g made a great point...Simple drumming with good dynamics playin on the top or back of the beat (what ever the tune calls for) can speak volumes...I only have 5 toms now , used to have 7.. Alot of the CR I play has the big melodic fills...A good drummer has to be a musician first , very arrangment oriented, a drummer second...

John in WV.

Well Alright Kidd! {Dynamics} Brother I think I've played Sunspot Baby every different way imagined, Except the right way for years. Maybe since in the late 70s, To the early 80s. If I only had a dollar for every time I've performed Sunspot Baby, Turn the Page, & Mainstreet, with a cover band? I could at least be able to buy a new low end Bass guitar. Good point! Maybe Its time to adjust more close to Segers original format. Yeah, Hard song not to resist added funk, etc. though! Great post KIDD.

Brilliance in the basics.