MINT CONDITION-MINT FACTORY , hand yeah you cant classify chris as a pocket player because he's def. not straight pocket
Incorrect...
Pocket is the comfortable tempo of a song period generally slightly behind the beat. You are actually speaking about groove which can be "straight" but are not required to be and Chris is booth a pocket player and a groove player. Chris Dave plays complex polyrhthmic grooves which means multi-layered grooves. The have a heavy West African influence.
Church/rnb/funk/rock/pop grooves tend to be predominatley 4/4 time signature with the back beat on 2 & 4. Jazz has a less dominant/pronounced backbeat and it is not always on the snare.
No offence to flamtapz or others BUT, you really need to learn the terminology and foundations of music and your instruments. The better you understand the notational values and how pocket (time) and groove (feel) interact the better you can prepare to SERVE the music. These mis-informed statements do more harm than good. There are 16 sixty-fourth notes that fit into the space of 1 quarter note. When you master that placement you will not disturb the time (pocket) your proper musical application thereof will show how much groove (feel) you have. You have to find the right rhythmic combination and dynamic for anything you play.
Most drummers cannot play straight time of quarter note hihat, half note 1 & 3 on the kick and 2 and 4 on the snare and hold it rock steady and make it feel good with NO FILLS for 1-2 minutes let alone 4-5 minutes. If you cannot do that then you should not be trying any fancy feels because you don't understand the subdivision well enough to keep the basic time groove rock groove together.
Fundamentals.
Having the ability to apply to a song and maintain the groove (feel) and solid pocket (time) is the mark of a true drumset musician and it should be practiced and evolve continually. This is how you grow as a musician and avoid getting boxed in. Remember 4/4 quarter note pulse is the acid test for western music. If you can can line all the subs up you have pocket. If the music causes the listener to move, feel good and other musicans want to play wit hyou then you have groove. If they can forget that you are even playing because you are so transparent in your support while at the same time elevate the other player to gretater heights then you are a musician.
