the Drum thread.

Show pictures of you drums. Write about your favourite drummers here!

I've got so many I've lost count, I will post a list of my favourites shortly.


Also check out http://www.drummerworld.com It's a great website to check out some drummers!

Danny Carey (Tool)



This guy is just an absolutely phenomenal drummer. In fact, i'd go as far as to say that he is the most important member of the Tool. Because their music is uses lots of odd time signatures, he is constantly changing beats, doing small solo's and fill's at random, and all of it fits so perfectly with the music.
He is also an excellent precussionist, playing tabla and bongo's on a lot of Tool records as well. Recently, he's helped create a new set of electronic drums (called Mandala's), which you can hear to great effect on the song "Intension" from Tool's latest album 10,000 days.

Danny Carey's homepage (with a flash demo of his drumkit)

John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)



Its John Bonham......Need I say more? Some of his live solo's are incredibly intense, especially when he throws away his sticks and starts bashing the drums with his hands..
Genius.


Honourable mentions go to Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Qotsa, Killing Joke etc) and Dave Lombardo (Slayer).

Bonham is indeed one of the all-time greats, although I can mostly do without his solos. He really was the driving force behind what made Zeppelin one of the most special bands ever, and one of the drummers worth listening to all on his own (but I don't mean the solos). He played with incredible gusto and passion, amazing rhythmical grooviness, and spectacular technical virtuosity.

What's your opinion on him Prarara? I actually meant to ask you that a while ago, when we were talking about drummers once before; Rhah's post reminded me.

All content taken from Drummerworld. PLEASE SUPPORT THE WEBSITE AND VISIT IT!

For me I have to break drummers (and percussionists thereof) into categories. Starting with Jazz, Rock, etc., I'd break down my favourites as follows:

Buddy Rich




Buddy Rich was a child prodigy. Apparently he could keep a steady beat since he was very little. He had a great humour, and was the driving force of many swing bands. He even allowed himself to diversify from Jazz to Rock, and frequently played the new genre at his clubs. He is the 'Guru' of Western drumming technique; however, he lacked a certain 'musicality' to his solos-they were, IMHO, more self-serving, and showy. Nontheless, the man had chops, and his 'chops' were probably the best in the world.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/buddyrich1970.html

Rich with his Band:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/buddyrare.html


Max Roach



There is a CD called Rich versus Roach where you can listen to the different styles of these two drummers. Roach has, in one way, already won against Rich, he is still alive :tooth: . If you listen to Roach, you will notice a stark difference. The man flows with the music. He is not overtly aggressive, but he can play fast.

What he is famous for is his ability to innovate with sound. His solos are diverse and very well musical.

For instance:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/M...hthirdeye.html

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/maxroachwaltz.html

Listen how he mellifluously floats on the groove. It's really quite brilliant.

{A must practice session on the hi-hat below}

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/MaxRoachhihat.html



From here I will use these two drummers, who are in some ways poles apart to attempt to describe other drummers. They will be innacurate, and are highly subjective to my opinions.

Papa Jo Jones




Papa's influence on drumming cannot be forgotten. He was the first to shift from the base to the hi-hat in time keeping and allowed many drummers to play forcefully and lightly at the same time. Poignant and frenetic momments could be more readily expressed thanks to his technique. Very musical, very powerful, yet despite all his recognition, he is still underrated for playing in an era so long ago.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/papajoejones.html



Art Blakey




Art Blakey! Making a thread on drummers without him is nearly blasphemous. Like Max Roach, he pioneered the Hard Bop era, yet he is more important in certain ways. The ever changing Jazz Messengers that he formed was important in both solidifying early swing and jazz and providing a launching bad for artists such as Freddy Hubbard and Wayne Shorter.

Art Blakey is above all a powerful groover. He has a distinct 'African' feel to his drumming and his solos are extremely musical, but in a very robust powerful sense. Listen to the Jazz Messengers' version of A Night In Tunisia, and then The Quintet's version of the same tune, (Art Blakey the drummer in the first, and Roach in the latter.) The latter is almost a wispy lustry song, whereas the former is enpowered by the force of Blakey. It's demanding, powerful, yet it doesn't detract from what anyone else (the saxaphone or trumpet) has to say on the song. My favourite of his songs has to be Buhaina's Delight (Art Blakey later converted to Islam and changed his name to Buhaina.

Here is a clip from it.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/artblakey.html

IMO, he is the merger between Roach and Rich. If they were to fuse, it would be something like Art Blakey, yet Blakey is greater than the sum of these parts. He is both fast and sound technically, and is musical. His contributions to jazz are great, and to drumming, even more so.


Tony Williams



He began his career at the early age of 17. It was a wonder that a drummer so young could play so maturely, aggressively, musically, and explosively at once. His style was musical, but it is hard to place exactly. His technique was quite good and his solo works have been some of the best ever. Like Roach, he is very innovative in his solos, yet they were explosive and powerful. He never had to sacrifice one for the other, and he always produced an exciting sound. Listen to Miles Davis' In a Silent Way, and then his Quintet recordings. They two are quite different, the former being nearly a Blues Rockish type rhythm, while the latter is more of a cerbral jazz recording. In both his drumming is excellent and fresh. The sounds are different and his style can adapt to numerous different circumstances.

An important note is that Tony Williams, and the next drummer Elvin Jones were the first to use polyrhythms, thereby greatly increasing the way drummers could express themselves.

The only unfortunate is that he died at an early age, thankfully he produced a lifetime's worth of music for as long as he had lived.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/tonywilliams72.html


Elvin Jones



there is a reason John Coltrane chose Elvin Jones when recording A Love Supreme. There is also a reason why Jones was again chosen for Ascension.

Elvin Jones is very aggressive of a drummer. He has musicality, but his musicality is muscle, power, force, and the technique of energy. He pioneered the use of polyrhythms in Jazz along with Tony Williams, but he portrayed it differently. His style is hard to describe; it's almost intangible. The only thing I could say would be that he was a slightly more 'augmented' version of Blakey, though such a simplistic view would disparage both. Rather, what is important to say about him is how he could command and drive in many of the songs he played, and yet at once fall back and provide a guiding hand to the other instrumentalists in quieter sets.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/ElvinJones.html

and my favourite
http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/elvinjones2.html


Roy Haynes




A legend of jazz; thanks to his efforts, jazz could make another 'awakening'. He is both powerful, and musical. His technique is great, and he seems to be able to adapt to all styles as well as incorporate many of the pioneering ideas that made his peers so famous. His focus, however, remains mostly on music, and he refrains from overtly showmanly attitudes.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/royhaynes.html

Steve Gadd



Man can this guy groove! And I mean GROOOOOVE. Rarely am I ever excited for a drummer who purely grooves, but they are all funky. Listening to him play drums by himself, is like listening to a good song. It just keeps flowing so well!

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/S...ddmontuno.html


the most famous lick in drumming history:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/Stevegaddslow.html

Basic Groove:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Clinic/S...addgroove.html


Bernard Purdie



Like the aforementioned, Purdie is a groover. He is also the most recorded drummer in history, and for good reason. He can play the Blues, Funk, Bop, Hip-hop, etc. with eaze. His solos are pointedly musical, to the point of sacrificing 'chops'. This doesn't matter, though, when you can flow so well. Coupled with a winning personality, he is one of my favourite Funk Drummers of all time!

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/B...rdiesamba.html

Singing the Blues!
http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/B...rdieblues.html

JoJo Mayer



At first I thought this guy was excessively cocky. However, he has changed. In addition to becomming more humble, he has spearheaded the Nu Jazz genre with his group called NERVE. It's simply a revolution in music! With the concept of Reverse Engineering, he can break down techno beats and play them live himself. His technique is excellent and musicality, unparalleled. Above all, he is my favourite modern drummer.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayertwirll.html

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/JojomayerMD2005.html

On the Moeller technique (very handy for all drummers!)

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/J...ermoeller.html



Danny Carey



My words on him are in the Lateralis page, and because I'm lazy I don't feel like rewriting them. He is my favourite metal drummer, far better than any other I've heard.
http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/dannycarey.html

Tito Puente



El Rey de Timbales! The King of the Tibales, and quite rightly so. He is, IMHO, the master of Cuban percussion. Listen to Ti Mon Bo (buy it from iTunes or something.) It is perhaps the best musical essay that proves this fact. He is the master and we are transported when listening to him effortlessly transport us to the realm of dance!!!!


Zakir Hussein




And so we have travelled through a cursory, and perhaps rudimentary breakdown of my favourite western drummers; I like to save the best for last, and so I bring to you Zakir Hussein. The master of the tabla, and perhaps percussion by itself!

He is perhaps the greatest in technique, musicality, and innovation; playing in a genre that demands such qualities (like Hindustani Classical), this is hardly surprising. Infact, before he was officially an 'Ustad' (maestro) he had to prove it by playing the tabla for 5-7 days straight. In addition, tabla artists must practice atleast 8 hrs a day. To this drummer there is no better.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Sound/zakirhusseinravi.mp3

Other mensions:

Joe Morello (GREATEST DRUM SOLO OF ALL TIME)
Philly Joe Jones
Clayton Cameron
Rick Latham
Trilok Gurtu
Babatunde
Airto
Ustad Allah Rakha


If you would like to ask more in depth questions of any drummer above ask, and I will try to provide some more information.

updated! All the links are either videos or songs (only on the last one)

That's cool Pra, but I still await your opinion on John Bonham.

I agree about Elvin Jones and Tony Williams. You already introduced me to Bernie Purdie.

John Bonham-meh. He was good for a rock drummer, and his solos were cool. He was very good as a drummer for Led Zeppelin, and he really helped them grow as a band; the way he played suited Jimmy Paige. Other than that, he is too highly overrated when we compare him to other drummers. He was talented, don't get me wrong; but his fame is only because Led Zeppelin was such a huge band.

For instance take his solo on Moby Dick: http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/J...mmobidick.html . You listen to it, and after the first 2 minutes, it's just boring drivel. So what? You can solo for 10-15 minutes straight! Great for you.

Now someone like Zakir Hussein, who is completely in a different Genre, can do the same and flow so effectively that it just takes you off of your feet.

Bonham is a great rock drummer, and for that he will always be remembered, but IMHO he is nothing great.

Originally Posted by Prarara

John Bonham-meh. He was good for a rock drummer, and his solos were cool. He was very good as a drummer for Led Zeppelin, and he really helped them grow as a band; the way he played suited Jimmy Paige. Other than that, he is too highly overrated when we compare him to other drummers. He was talented, don't get me wrong; but his fame is only because Led Zeppelin was such a huge band.

For instance take his solo on Moby Dick: http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/J...mmobidick.html . You listen to it, and after the first 2 minutes, it's just boring drivel. So what? You can solo for 10-15 minutes straight! Great for you.

Now someone like Zakir Hussein, who is completely in a different Gernre, can do the same and flow so effectively that it just takes you off of your feet.

Bonham is a great rock drummer, and for that he will always be remembered, but IMHO he is nothing great.

Bah, you egotistical drummer! Being a great drummer means being a great band member. Which is what he was. He's the epitome of a fourpiece drummer. The solos, as I said, were mediocre. But the only people who actually like drum solos are other drummers...

Indeed.

But as a band member, there are better, and more underappreciated groovers/rockers than him as well. Infact, groovers tend to be less noticed, which is in a way ironic and interesting.

By the way, are you familiar with Bill Bruford? I'd be interested in your opinion, but you probably don't know King Crimson, I fear.

Originally Posted by Nihil

By the way, are you familiar with Bill Bruford? I'd be interested in your opinion, but you probably don't know King Crimson, I fear.

I've heard of Bill Bruford's work with Network of Sparks. It's very exciting in a way that is both melodic and innovative. He uses a combination of the tabla and an electronic set to synthesize a core melody to which he innovates to.

It really is great!

Also, his work (funk) with YES, is really groovalicious as well.



Sample:


http://www.drummerworld.com/Sound/pe...fordfullon.mp3

Well this isnt a normal drum but a one from India , called "Tabla" .
A very beautiful instrument u play wid the ur palms and nails .

Are you famliar with the Mridhangham and Ghatam as well? They're great!

Well this isnt a normal drum but a one from India , called "Tabla" .
A very beautiful instrument u play wid the ur palms and nails .

It produces a very unique and wonderful sound . One drum creates a low , the other one a high sound .

Here's a pic .




And my fav Tabla player is Zakir Hussain , a very talented Tabla master again from India

Could you recommend a record or album?

Originally Posted by Prarara

Could you recommend a record or album?

Red, Starless and Bibleblack, Larks Tongues in Aspic.

I've always had a fascination with drums and one of these days I will attempt to learn to play them ... it seems to sort of come naturally to me, horsing around with friend's drums and such.

Favorite drummers? Eh...

Dave Grohl


He doesn't exactly have an orthodox way of playing ... but his drumming for Nirvana was so energetic and blended so well with the music, but was so noticeable. Take Dave Grohl out of Nirvana and you would have had a boring old rock band, not a cultural phenomenon.

my godfather is a drum player for the last 40 years. although he only plays in local bars with his band, playing old classics.

on the other hand, watch this :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGKrORo60fw

Originally Posted by Justinian

I've always had a fascination with drums and one of these days I will attempt to learn to play them ... it seems to sort of come naturally to me, horsing around with friend's drums and such.

Favorite drummers? Eh...

Dave Grohl


He doesn't exactly have an orthodox way of playing ... but his drumming for Nirvana was so energetic and blended so well with the music, but was so noticeable. Take Dave Grohl out of Nirvana and you would have had a boring old rock band, not a cultural phenomenon.

Almost countless punk drummers pwn him.

Dave Grohl has always been a favourite of mine. Like you said he was quite an important part of Nirvana. I like his work a lot, but his energy is astounding. An organized Keith Moon if you will!

Also, if you are thinking about getting drums, go get 'em. Try guitarcenter.com it's slightly more pricey, but it's definately worth every penny.

Almost countless punk drummers pwn him.

The key word here being punk, music I despise with every fiber of my being. But do show me some punk drummers and I shall compare them to Dave Grohl, I am always open to new music ... if it is music.

Originally Posted by Justinian

The key word here being punk, music I despise with every fiber of my being. But do show me some punk drummers and I shall compare them to Dave Grohl, I am always open to new music ... if it is music.

why exactly do you hate punk so much? (try to give the rael reason, pleas )