Advice from Audio

[Audiocr381ve]

This weekend I was playing with some incredible musicians I never played with before. Every accent was on, every not was correct, but there was something missing. You could feel that each of us was playing for ourselves, only listening to ourselves. It wasn't fun, it wasn't what it could have been.

When every musician in a group is completely selfless, and not so proud of what they know, and what they can do, magic happens! We call it the anointing. haha 

I just want to encourage all of you up and coming drummers to make absolutely sure that you are playing to and for the song and the song alone. Go listen to some Tower of Power, maybe the Soul Vaccination album.

David Garibaldi is a PERFECT example of playing for the tune, and at the same time having his own individual unique sound, and at the same time being completely creative.

Don't feel like you are losing something by not overplaying. Over time as you practice you'll soon feel that everything you do that is "cool" is completely natural.

We have to be natural when we play. A good way to START is to STOP listening to ourselves all the time. If we as drummers ever distract from the song, we aren't doing our job. If we have to ask ourselves "is that a big much right there?" ....IT IS!

I have mad love for ya'll! Peace!

[j_kay]

A good way to START is to STOP listening to ourselves all the time. If we as drummers ever distract from the song, we aren't doing our job.

QFT.

[fretai03]

Respect.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

I agree with you.  I just hope the ones that need to be reached by this post really read the words and not just look at them.

[JFunky]

I agree with you.  I just hope the ones that need to be reached by this post really read the words and not just look at them.

...truth.  Usually if there isn't a dumb Youtube clip it gets overlooked.



...by the way, I have the last Tower of Power DVD.  David G. is amazing with all of those Ghost Notes and killer grooves.  That dude's feel is just soooo ridiculous.

...anyway, good post Audio.  Russ Miller stated the exact same thing in his MD Article a few months back.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

  Russ Miller stated the exact same thing in his MD Article a few months back.

Russ Miller is so tight with his playing that he has played on stuff and it was knocking so hard that you thought it was programmed.  Pefect example is Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird.  I got to see him play that live at a clinic.  That's why he may not be as "famous" as some other names, but he is constantly working.  His resume is phenomenal.

[dude-on-drums]

...truth.  Usually if there isn't a dumb Youtube clip it gets overlooked.

Amen.  And Amen.  "This guy is tight"..."Check this out"..."Blazing"   

[yamahaboy]

Amen.  And Amen.  "This guy is tight"..."Check this out"..."Blazing"  

You forgot" "This guy is nice" .. " Dude in this clip is Killin" .. or the clips that people post and say "I hope this hasn't been posted already"

[juSe]

Selflessness=Musicality.  I say that because if you're playing 100% for the music, you're not thinking about playing the cool lick.  You're existing in the moment.  Everyone is carying their weight and contributing to the best of their abilities in that moment.  

The music is made in what you DONT play a lot of times.  Meshell said this in the Berklee clinic that is on youtube.  If you emply certain things musically, but don't actually play them, the music can feel and shap a lot better.  

Another thing that cats forsake is the necessity of playing with other cats.  Not "shedding" but actually making music with other musicians.  Picking a set of songs and honoring what those songs are.  Cats get "basement chops" a lot of times.  Playing the lick that they heard or thought of in the practice room.  But when they get on stage and try to pull it out it doesn't fit.  There is no substitute to playing with live musicians.  At all.

[dude-on-drums]

You forgot" "This guy is nice" .. " Dude in this clip is Killin" .. or the clips that people post and say "I hope this hasn't been posted already"

 

[JFunky]

Russ Miller is so tight with his playing that he has played on stuff and it was knocking so hard that you thought it was programmed.  Pefect example is Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird.  I got to see him play that live at a clinic.  That's why he may not be as "famous" as some other names, but he is constantly working.  His resume is phenomenal.

...oh yeah, another dude that is known for what to play and what not to play is my man Zoro and in the Gospel Scene, Calvin Napper.  These guys are true musicians.  They're not recognized by drummers but they are by musicians.

[Audiocr381ve]

^
^
^
^
^
EXACTLY

[dude-on-drums]

...oh yeah, another dude that is known for what to play and what not to play is my man Zoro and in the Gospel Scene, Calvin Napper.  These guys are true musicians.  They're not recognized by drummers but they are by musicians.

True dat!

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

...oh yeah, another dude that is known for what to play and what not to play is my man Zoro and in the Gospel Scene, Calvin Napper.  These guys are true musicians.  They're not recognized by drummers but they are by musicians.

I met Zoro back in 1989 during the load-in/set-up of a show when he played for Bobby Brown.  I aksed him for a few tips.  He was more than willing to share some of his secrets.  He(and Jonathan Moffett) molded my foot.   He was very personable and took the time to talk to me and chill for a second.  I then ran into him again about 2003-2004 and he remembered me from that day.  I told him how those tips he gave me really helped me become a better drummer and I thanked him for just being real with me and not getting caught up in the fame side of things(unlike other members of the band).  He was very appreciative of me saying that.  That dude is about as real as they come.  If you ever get to meet him(if you have met him, you already know) you will see what I mean.   

[dude-on-drums]

I met Zoro back in 1989 during the load-in/set-up of a show when he played for Bobby Brown.  I aksed him for a few tips.  He was more than willing to share some of his secrets.  He(and Jonathan Moffett) molded my foot.   He was very personable and took the time to talk to me and chill for a second.  I then ran into him again about 2003-2004 and he remembered me from that day.  I told him how those tips he gave me really helped me become a better drummer and I thanked him for just being real with me and not getting caught up in the fame side of things(unlike other members of the band).  He was very appreciative of me saying that.  That dude is about as real as they come.  If you ever get to meet him(if you have met him, you already know) you will see what I mean.   

Man thats cool.  Im glad dude was humble and down to earth.  It sucks when someone you really admire takes a boo boo on you.  I cant imagine someone like Dave Weckl dissin me after all these years of support.  Man I would throw away every cd I own with his name on it!     I know a few cats who regreted meeting their favorite player.  Im glad you had a good memorable experience.

[juSe]

Man thats cool.  Im glad dude was humble and down to earth.  It sucks when someone you really admire takes a boo boo on you.  I cant imagine someone like Dave Weckl dissin me after all these years of support.  Man I would throw away every cd I own with his name on it!     I know a few cats who regreted meeting their favorite player.  Im glad you had a good memorable experience.

I'll save you the heart ache and disappointment.

Just deposit your cd's in here....

[JFunky]

I met Zoro back in 1989 during the load-in/set-up of a show when he played for Bobby Brown.  I aksed him for a few tips.  He was more than willing to share some of his secrets.  He(and Jonathan Moffett) molded my foot.   He was very personable and took the time to talk to me and chill for a second.  I then ran into him again about 2003-2004 and he remembered me from that day.  I told him how those tips he gave me really helped me become a better drummer and I thanked him for just being real with me and not getting caught up in the fame side of things(unlike other members of the band).  He was very appreciative of me saying that.  That dude is about as real as they come.  If you ever get to meet him(if you have met him, you already know) you will see what I mean.   

...wow man.  That's a great experience.  Thanks for sharing.

[Audiocr381ve]

You're right, he's a great dude. I met him about a year ago after a clinic type thing.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

Man thats cool.  Im glad dude was humble and down to earth.  It sucks when someone you really admire takes a boo boo on you.  I cant imagine someone like Dave Weckl dissin me after all these years of support.  Man I would throw away every cd I own with his name on it!     I know a few cats who regreted meeting their favorite player.  Im glad you had a good memorable experience.

I've been lucky.  I've met John Blackwell, Dennis Chambers, Steve Jordan(David Letterman's first drummer), Chester Thompson(I've since met his son and become very cool with him), Will Kennedy, Bernard Purdie, Gerald Heyward, and a few more.  I can say they have all been cool people.  Sometimes, approach makes all the difference with certain people.   

[edough]

Emphasis added...

" If someone desires to gain ( drumming ) for self, he will lose, but if someone loses ( drumming ) for MY SAKE, he will gain.

hope this makes sense.. If not, refer to scripture reference..