What Exactly is "Influence"?????

[CrunchyB]

I've been reading quite a few post about "Who is your favorite drummer" or "Which drummer has the most influence on you?"  But what exactly are you taking from each artist?  Are you just performing their "licks" or is it their approach to that particular style of music. 
For instance:

I've been listening to a lot of Terreon Gully (Stefon Harris, Chris McBride Band) and what I take from him is his mastery of each style (Funk, Jazz, Rock, Swing/Bebop, Latin, etc) so instead of playing his licks, I try to get his grooves.  In jazz, he makes me change my approach from being so academic(meaning, sticking to what I learned in school)

So the question is... What are you getting from the Big name artist?  How EXACTLY are they an influence on you?

[j_kay]

Wowza - now this is a good topic!  I'll be back later. 

[fretai03]

Welcome to LGM CB!

... I'll be back later.

[drummin4JC]

this is really making me think!!!

[baldeagle]

This may make me sound like a bit of a nerd, but I actually think about this a lot. Okay, take Dennis Chambers. . . I realized how much faster my hands could be. I also learned about accents and polyrhythms.
Chris Coleman -- moving around the kit
Mark Simmons -- perfection, just playing perfectly (I'm still working on this one) and being authentic in every style; sidesticking
Terry Baker -- the SOUND of the drums; loose phrasing
Calvin Rodgers -- excitement level/stage presence/showmanship; triplets/polyrhythms
Chris Dave -- polyrhythms
Li'l John Roberts -- perfection, ghost notes
Marvin McQuitty -- ghost notes

I can count on one hand how many licks I've stolen from anybody. But each of these guys have made a profound difference in my playing because of what I've picked up from their playing. I don't waste my time learning licks, God gave me my own creativity, but he also gave me the wisdom to use the CONCEPTS that these guys have to offer.

Here are some other fellas (personal friends) who inspire me to play better:
Sylvan Hamilton
Edwin Hamilton
Chris Harris
Li'l Ced Smith

[JFunky]

...well, when I was younger I wanted to blaze like Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl and Alvaro Lopez (Latin Drummer)

...when I started getting into other musicians such as Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Robby Ameen and Marvin McQuitty, I quickly found out that I had to get serious about music and not just try to do the same things as they do. 

...now, listening to Chris Dave and his music made me go into the "Woodshed" and figure out "who I am" and "what my voice is" and "what lil' piece can I add to this huge puzzle" instead of listening to his licks and stealing them.  Seriously.  I feel like these guys' music is honest so therefore I want to be honest and add my voice to the music instead of spending time working on someone elses voice when I have one of my own.

...it's funny but, Akira Jimbo's favorite drummer and biggest influence is Steve Gadd and he plays nothing like him.  I mean, you would never know.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

For me it was learning from their technique, taking it, adding to it, and making it my own.  For instance, Clyde Stubblefeld(James Brown) strongly influenced my playing style.  He played ghost notes on the snare.  I had never heard that before as a child.  I grabbed it.  Now I unconciously play them whenever I play.

All drummers are influenced by other drummers in one way or another.  From technique to simply making you want to be a better player.

[JFunky]

For me it was learning from their technique, taking it, adding to it, and making it my own.  For instance, Clyde Stubblefeld(James Brown) strongly influenced my playing style.  He played ghost notes on the snare.  I had never heard that before as a child.  I grabbed it.  Now I unconciously play them whenever I play.

All drummers are influenced by other drummers in one way or another.  From technique to simply making you want to be a better player.

...yeah, that's what happened to me through Dennis.  I wanted to play ghost notes and keep my left hand moving like he did.  I also wanted to use my hihat foot like he did so yeah, Dennis pointed me in the right direction.

[SabianKnight]

For me it is their approach... voicing and phrasing, their thought process as well as their technique.
Serving the music. I look for guys whom elevate their instrument by giving it the voice of storyteller.

[bigblackdrummer]

Nothing more then freaking out over some kid who is learning and doing a crazy lick and not even knowing he/shes doing it!!! The word is everyone!!!! Listen to everyone!!!! You can even learn from a beginer!!!!! Instead of trashing shut up and listen!!!!

[baldeagle]

Nothing more then freaking out over some kid who is learning and doing a crazy lick and not even knowing he/shes doing it!!! The word is everyone!!!! Listen to everyone!!!! You can even learn from a beginer!!!!! Instead of trashing shut up and listen!!!!

Maybe I missed something, but you seem a little agitated in your response. I don't think I read anyone trash anyone else. Are you still angry about the Los Cabos scandal? I understand your hostility, but why are you yelling at us (note: by using all of the exclamation points)?

Using the hi-hat was also something that I got from Dennis. Whether it's staying on it with my left foot (basic independence) during a groove or a solo, or enhancing the groove with 32nd and 64th double strokes on it. . . Dennis showed me that in my den one day. Plus, I love nice hi-hat work in a groove.

He played ghost notes on the snare.  I had never heard that before as a child.  I grabbed it.  Now I unconciously play them whenever I play.

Nothing like 'em. They just add a whole new dimension to the groove when used appropriately.

[JFunky]

....

Using the hi-hat was also something that I got from Dennis. Whether it's staying on it with my left foot (basic independence) during a groove or a solo, or enhancing the groove with 32nd and 64th double strokes on it. . . Dennis showed me that in my den one day. Plus, I love nice hi-hat work in a groove.

    Good God Almighty in Heaven.  Did you say 32nd and 64th note hihat work???

....do you have video of this???

[bigblackdrummer]

baldeagle dont be a punk and suck it up!!!! Im just to the point!! Maybe I should write it all nice and fluffy so I dont hurt your feelings!!! As for being mad, NO, no, no!!!!!!! Ive been in talks with other companies for a month!!! Im a business man, you really think Id just let the floor fall out from under my feet!!!! Please!

[fretai03]

Found this interesting...

Influence \In"flu*ence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Influenced; p. pr. & vb. n. Influencing.]

To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to move; to persuade; to induce.

These experiments succeed after the same manner in vacuo as in the open air,and therefore are not influenced by the weight or pressure of the atmosphere. --Sir I. Newton.

This standing revelation . . . is sufficient to influence their faith and practice, if they attend. --Attebury.

The principle which influenced their obedience has lost its efficacy. --Rogers.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Link here.

[CousinCracker]

Influence can also be considered as Peer Pressure.....


Just look at my Avatar

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[Kevykev388]

For me it was learning from their technique, taking it, adding to it, and making it my own.  For instance, Clyde Stubblefeld(James Brown) strongly influenced my playing style.  He played ghost notes on the snare.  I had never heard that before as a child.  I grabbed it.  Now I unconciously play them whenever I play.

All drummers are influenced by other drummers in one way or another.  From technique to simply making you want to be a better player.

What are ghost notes?!?

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

What are ghost notes?!?

Ghost notes are rebounds. They are unaccented notes.
on something like this: 1 e and a 2 e and a 3 e and a 4 e and a
2 and 4 would be an Accent note on the snare, e and a would be softly played as Ghost notes. they are very subtle. Reference Bernard Purdie. He explains them nicely. 

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

What are ghost notes?!?

Ghost notes are prevelent on most of James Brown's songs.  If you've heard of the tune "Funky Drummer" which has been sampled countless times, that's the best example of it.  Study some James Brown if you have it.  If you don't have any James Brown, get some.  It should be mandatory that all drummers listen to some James Brown.

Here's a clip I found from Clyde himself.  Listen real close to the snare.


 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hGBCAKDZNA&mode=related&search=

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

I also found some Bernard Purdie.  I met him at NAMM in 2002.  I was so in awe of meeting this man, all I could do was shake his hand and keep walking. 

This is a really good example. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pclpe8dT7cY&mode=related&search=

[MENDOZA]

BBD is hilarious!!!!  However, he is right and I'm with him.  Everyone should influence you.  Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Thomas Lang LOL!!! Na, but seriously.  You can take anything from anyone.  I've seen guys who are not as good as others, but they have that ONE thing that sticks out.  That makes their playing THEIRS and not a replica of someone else.  I am not saying that your playing will be TOTALLY yours because it's virtually impossible.  The people you listen (drumming wise) will influence your playing in one way or another.  However, it would be ignorant not to listen to everyone play vs. listening to something because it "sounds" good to your ear.  Being different, isn't always a bad thing, just ask Chris Dave, Vinnie, Dennis, Gadd, El Negro??? They made their playing theirs, but all have influenced  each other.  What you do with it is on you and IMHO that's what you should strive for. Take care and God Bless.

Carlito