I, Drummer
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A guy says to his buddy, "Hey did hear that band last night? They were great!" Oh ya? answers the buddy. "Ya, there were four musicians and a drummer."
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My musician friends have been known to razz me with that joke and, I admit, if the worm were on the other foot, I'd be right there with 'em.
It's a good one!
An audience member said to me once, "Drummers always look so pleased with themselves." I suppose that's true. After you've pounded the shit out of drums and cymbals for five hours, any pent up anger you may have had is gone.
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Drummers are quadri dexterous: able to move all four limbs independently in an organized fashion. A trait learned early on as we learn our craft. So don't try any of those bet-you-can't-pat-your-belly-and-move-your-foot-in-a-circle-at-the-same-time tricks on us. They're actually quite easy!
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Bonham or Peart
I have a cousin who will argue, very authoritatively, that John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) is a better drummer than Neil Peart (Rush). Before any drummers reading start throwing things at their computer screens, let me explain. My cousin is not a musician, or even a drummer... but she has a friend who is married to a guitarist. What my cousin means, in layman's/non-musician speak, is she loves Led Zeppelin and hates Rush. So, therefore, by her logic, the musicians in Zep must be better than the musicians in Rush.
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A drummer can learn a song, from beginning to end, riff for riff, without ever touching his drums. He can "see" what the drummer is doing when hearing a song and instantly commit it to mental and physical memory. Because of this ability, a drummer is learning every time he hears music. This is why he sometimes looks dazed when listening to music. He's visualizing ...and learning!
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Most non-musicians don't like Rush. The music is complicated and has a lot of timing changes. It's very much progressive-rock. Music made for other musicians. But, as for the above argument, I can tell you (for any of those who might agree with my cousin), I've played both Zeppelin and Rush songs. When I learn a song, I learn it exactly the way it is played on the recording I'm learning from. It's my little way of paying homage to the drummer who originated the part in the first place, and it's an excellent learning tool. I can learn any John Bonham part in a day or two, but a Neil Peart part takes about a week or more. When a band I was in during the 80s decided to play Rush's "Hemispheres" (an album side-long movement), it took us about a month to get it down pat.
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"Percussion" is the act of hitting one object with another object to create sounds and music.
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With that being said, the above argument is, to most drummers, silly and moot. After a musician reaches a certain level of musicianship it stops being about who's the fastest, who's got the most fingers on the fretboard, who's got the smoothest triplets, etc, etc, blah-blah-blah, and the field becomes equal, with musicians appreciating and enjoying the wide diversity of style. While a drummer, for example, may not like Neil Peart's busy style, he will always appreciate and respect the talent.
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"Creationists literally believe every word that Genesis says... I don't even think Phil Collins is that good a drummer..."
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So, is John Bonham a better drummer than Neil Peart? No. No more than Neil Peart is better than John Bonham. Both drummers are equally talented formidable forces, with very different styles. Just because a drummer can learn a Bonham part fairly quickly, he'd better be good if he (or she) wants to pull it off. When learning another drummer's drum part, he needs to basically channel that drummer's feel and style. Bad Company's Simon Kirke taught me that playing a simplistic part, and doing it justice, can be every bit as challenging as playing a complicated one. Subtlety can be just as affective as a long, impressive-sounding roll.
Respect and appreciation
As I said before, it's all about respecting talent. Abba are better singers than most non-singers... and many musicians! The Wiggles are better singers and dancers than your average Joe-Blow on the street. Very few musicians will actually like The Wiggles, but they'll respect the talent.
So, the next time you hear someone who calls them self a musician devoting a lot of time and air to talking trash about other acts and musicians, smile to yourself. They've just given you a pretty good idea of how good a musician they are... or aren't.
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Music is technically defined as a group or groups of organized sounds. So, alas, that crap your teenager listens to is, indeed, music.
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On a completely different subject: I've been asked a few times (Marisuewrites, Ann Smith, Mighty Mom and someone else, I think) to post an image of my tattoo, so I've finally done this. It's posted below, after the comments. The "sick ink" is on the outside of my right calf. It's my family crest (designed by me) representing my lineage: Iroquois, Scottish, German, English. The roses represent my immediate family.
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Percussionism - to the Nth
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The two videos below are live performances by Blue Man Group and Stomp. The best examples of gifted and creative percussion I know of.
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Blue Man Group - "How To Be A Rock Star" Tour
Stomp - "Stomp Out Loud"
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New WOOD TUNABLE BONGO DRUM bongos drums percussion ! !
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Blue Man Group - The Complex Rock Tour Live
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Electronic Teaching Drum Set
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Stomp Out Loud
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Sacred Earth Drums
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Comments
Thanks for commenting, Chef. A bassist, ay? Many of my very closest friends are bassists.
I guess Ringo was great for his time, but I've never been a big fan. I know that's sacrilege for a drummer to say. But he's definitely the famous drummer in the world, ay? Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad) was my biggest influence during my early learning years.
Did you know that "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" came from the guitarist trying to say "In the Garden of Eden" (which is what the song was supposed to be titled) while he drunk?
Yes, I did - and I am not saying Ringo was a great drummer, he was good at what he did - melodic, or whatever one wants to call it.
I remember the Simpson's episode where Bart puts the FULL version of Gadda-da-Vida for the church organist to play and after she eeks out the FULL version of it, everyone lights up their lighters in response! Man I rolled on the floor after that one!
Constant, another reason to be your fan. As a fellow musician (guitarist), I grew up a gihugical (is this a word?) Rush fan. I knew every word to every song; up until the mid 90s when I sort of strayed into other musical genres. I can honestly say that no band is as good as its drummer. You can have the greatest bassist, guiarist, singer,... whatever. But if your drummer can't nail a pocket 2/4 beat at any given time, well, your done. I've sort of left the Rush camp for awhile. I don't own their last two albums. I'm bad here for sure. You have given me a reason to check them out all over again. --- On another note, it took me weeks to play YYZ halfway decent. I've never met a drummer who could pull it off. Cheers! --- "Hemispheres" I still have that album on picture disc. Awesome!
Chef, I've seen that episode, and loved it!
Thanks, Rob. Don't you love "Red Barchetta," and "Trees"? But, don't feel bad, I lost interest in Rush about the 90s, too. They're still just as good, of course, I just didn't like the direction they went in. Yes, I've played YYZ - it was a bitch (for all of us!), but I did eventually nail it. ...So, now you have.
I love the drums as I love rhythm and one can hardly listen to dance music without the drums. I love music period. I've tried to drum sometimes and I thoroughly respect those who can move in multiple directions at once, sing or talk at the same time. I can not imagine how you do it. It's a gift.
I played the piano for a number of years....never was able to sing and play at the same time, but I can dance and talk at the same time, who knew?
I played a mean Fur Elise, and Flight of the Bumblebee. And then I found boys at 16 so there went the piano.
My aunts all played by ear, god gave that talent to someone else when I came along and I would have killed to just say Hum a few bars...and then sit down and play it as they did. I could sing like them, but not play like them.
Very enlightening hub, Constant. Keep drumming....do you at all now?
bytheway....the videos 'WIPED ME OUT!'
Good for you. If you lived a bit closer we'd have to jam on it. I have a bass playin' buddy who could pull it off with practice. --- The most difficult thing about Rush songs is the timing cahnges and oddball phrasing. I think YYZ was in 12/8 in the beginning, moved to a 5/8 with some 4/4 mixed in, and then back to the 12/8. I could be wrong. It's been nearly 15 years since I tried to tackle that tune. And yes, Red Barchelleta and the Trees are 2 great songs. -- One of my favorite Rush oddities is off Grace Under Pressure, "Kid Gloves." That song is great and the guitar solo tough to play well. Keep on hittin' them.
Marisue, thanks. And I caught the reference. Pretty slick! ;) Any drummer who's ever worked in a country/rock bar has had to play "Wipe-Out" many times. Sometimes, if the audience was right, I'd put a solo in it.
I'm not playing for a living any more, but I go jam with friends who are still doing it once in a while. I could not see myself growing old and still playing in bars. I do have something I'd like to do, musically, but it would be very expensive to get off the ground.
Thanks again. Glad you liked it.
Thanks Rob. That would be fun. There's not many musicians who can play Rush, anywhere! Kansas, a bit far, unfortunately.
Impressive knowing all time signatures like that... I couldn't tell you unless I sat down and actually figured it out. I just played what I heard, you know? Ha-ha! It was all those time changes that was the fun/challenging part, right?
I'm sorry, I don't know "Kid Gloves." Grace Under Pressure was right about the time I was turning to other bands. I might be able to find it on Last.fm, though.
Very enlightening. A quick peek into the minds of musicians ( you see that I acknowledge drummers as musicians too!).
My love of drumming came from the Sandy Nelson and the Shadows (the Cliff Richards support band) more particularly the "I'll see you in my drums" solo. So I guess that era of mind blowing drum solos was some time back. By sheer co-incidence I went to mini concert last week It featured a band called the Bats. These guys were a top band in South Africa in the sixties. So by deduction ( I don't suck at math) all of the guys ( Eddie Ecksteen, Paul Ditchfield et al) are between sixty and seventy years old. Eddie actually played that Sandy Nelson solo and despite his age and weight ( he is a short, round man) he did it incredibly well.
Their famous hit was a song callled "In a shabby little Hut" circa 1964.
PS you can tell I'm not a musician, but I did sing in the choir as a kid.
Thank you, Sixty, for reading and commenting. I'm glad you liked it. I was a pre-teen during the 60s but wasn't exposed to "The Bats." They sound great. You certainly don't have to ba a musician to have a fine appreciation of music.
One of my favorite live recordings is "Cheap Trick: Live at Budakan." A bassist friend introduced me to it. It's one of those rare live recordings in which the magic of the show comes through. Anyways, the drummer is one of those "round" guys and his performance is really impressive.
I love the visuals too, but I have no ear for music...can't tell the difference what drum sounds better than the other. I'd been trying to convince my husband to do some blogging himself...no go yet. I showed him this--don't know though when he's going to succumbed to my Constant Manipulation...let me rephrase Constant Persuasion. Light bulb moment...Constant Percussion is not bad. Call me crazy!
Hi Chef up there...if you remembered you had that question...what's my music like? This is as far as my music goes. It's my husband that has music in him; I'm just the looney tune wife. Sorry CW,...this is just an opportune time I can't pass. Thanks!
No problem. I'm just the voyer peeking in. Is your husband a musician? A drummer? Another drummer would be cool! More hubs from musicians would be great. There ARE other musicians here (as you can see - above) but we don't usually write about oursleves or, ironically, music. We're afraid of looking arrogant, because deep down we're all very full of ourselves... OK, sorry! I'm actually just antagonizing the other musicians. It's fun!
I wouldn't have written one myself but, when I went looking for music discussions, didn't really find anything that interested me... so, here I am.
Thanks for dropping by, Zylla.
I to am a drummer only I sit on a Native American drum. My drum has played a few Pow Wows and was even the head drum for the very first Sandusky Pow Wow. I love it more than any other hobby that I have. My drum leader even gave me a Native name (he calls me White Boy). I don't mind because I am a white boy but I love the Native American culture. The songs are in languages that I can not understand but I have learned what they mean and what they are used for. I know every word and sound because in Native music there are a lot of sounds. Oh and don't forget that the drummer from Def Leapord only has one arm. That is in itself very impressive.
He certainly does. I saw Def Lep at Anaheim Stadium, the tour after he lost the arm. He's incredible.
I'm part Iraquois, an Eastern nation. From what I've learned they were very prominent in the whole 13 colonies era - apparently fighting with the French. They gave the English hell! They were -and still are, I think- the largest Native American Nation.
Thanks for reading, Agro. Hope you liked it.
I love the "four musicians and a drummer" quote, very good!!
The thing i like about drumming is anyone can do it anywhere on anything with anything, (preferably a stick of some sort) and anyone can do)....maybe not as good the pros!:D
I understand. At the Country Fair (a three-day "hippy fair" in Veneta, Oregon) - which is starting in a few days - one of the most populer attractions is the "Drum Circle." It's a small amphitheatre filled with hundreds people, all playing conga drums of various types. It sounds incredible! You'd love it.
I was going to sit this one out......but marisue HAD to mention Wipe Out!
For many years I was associated with a country rock band. The Dumbest Drummer Award has to go to the otherwise sweet guy who was theirs.
"Wipe Out" was the break song for every band member BUT him. Every night, one by one, they'd do their solos, then introduce Tom...then go to the parking lot to smoke a joint. Poor Tom would keep drumming away, and after 10 minutes or so, people on the dance floor would be wilting and wondering if the song was EVER going to end. Finally, the other guys would reappear and start winding down the song like they'd never left, and Tom would ALWAYS hiss "Where the hell WERE you?".
Now you'd think after a few nights (and years) of this routine he'd catch on, but he NEVER did. It was NOT an act. He really DID NOT "get" that he was intentionally left to do a 20-minute solo so the rest of the guys could have the parking lot to themselves. ("Wichita, is that you?") :)
Jama, that's pretty sad. Most drummers (including me) now won't even play the song any more. Many people think it's a really difficult, impressive thing to play, but really it's just boringly easy. Songs are more fun to play than solos.
Thanks for reading. And that drummer?... Wow! Don't know what to say.
I had a show the other night and my drummer was in the bathroom taking a piss and a patron from the venue saddled up next to him to piss also. As they were "draining the dragon" the guy says to my drummer, "Did you hear that band, they are phenomenal." My drummer says, "Yeah, I am actually the drummer." The guys says back..."Yeah the drummer is good, that band kick's ass." Again, my friend says, "Yeah I AM the drummer." The man looks at him puzzled and then smiles before saying..."well good job man, you rock."
Funny shit.
Here is something you can say back the rest of your band.
What is the difference between a dead raccoon and a Guitarist (you can sub instruments) lying on the side of the road?
The Raccoon was probably on it's way to a job interview.
Adam, thanks for reading. I have had that happen to me! Of course, I also heard once, "Jesus, doesn't that band suck?" It would have been easy for me to agree and not own up to being the drummer, but since the band in question was really good, but playing progressive-rock which most non-players hate, I simply told him I was the drummer and sorry he didn't like the music.
Thank you VERY much for the raccoon joke! I'm emailing it to a guitarist friend in SoCal. I know he'll hate it! (Insert evil laugh here!)
Cheers for this post, loved reading it! I would agree technically Peart is the better drummer but is also it possible that the majority of people love Bonham/Zep more because their real talant was knowing how to write great songs that had huge mass appeal (whether they liked that or not). The impact they still have today on both the media and young kids getting into rock music still amazes me. Perhaps that is where their true genius lies?
Glad I found this hub thanks!
Bonham or Peart
Hi Drum, glad you liked this piece. Undoubtedly Zep has had a huge musical impact. They were one of my favorite bands. And yeah, they did more commercially-friendly songs than Rush.
Rush are still together; making CDs and touring!
Just came to see the crest, but of course I had to stop for the videos! I can't really decide, but I thing I like the Stomp best tonight! I love the crest!!
I prefer Blue Man Group, myself, but that's just me. The show-factor always gets me ...
Thanks about the tattoo. It appeals to a wide age-range of people. I've gotten compliments ranging from "My, isn't that beautiful," to "Dude, that's some sick ink."
It was worked on by two of Oregon's master tattoo artists, Wolff and Rusty Savage, and one novice (the roses and the purple field - which isn't as solid as I would have liked). Kids these days, hu?
Chef Jeff says:
2 years ago
I'm a bassist - electric, fingered, plucked, stand up, doesn't matter, I've pretty much played them all. I have tons of respect for what a drummer does, and then if on top of all that if he or she can sing! WOW!
It takes all members of a band to make music - no one is more important - musically - than the next. Let one member be out of sync, out of tune (drummers too! many people do not realize those heads need to be tuned!) and the whole thing smells like crap on a stick.
Whose the best drummer? Ringo Star was often considered a bland drummer, but he has a feel for the music, and in later etherical songs, his drumming melodically follows the mood of the music in a way that many of the smash-'em up drummers will never comprehend. Was he the best? At what he did, I'd say most likely.
Others simply provided a steady beat that made us want to dance. Others led the way with huge solos (Gadda-da-Vida style) that made us contemplate our souls and belly buttons.
I can proudly say that some of my best friends are drummers (but don't tell the lead guitarist that!). Now how's that for a confession?