What makes a drummer great?

[Dr. Cheese]

I think I have asked this question before, but what makes a drummer great? There are lot of drummers I like, but I’m not sure I can totally put into words why I like them. Some drummer I like are Terry Lynne Carrington, Narada Michael Walden, Steve Arrington, Jerome Brailey, JD Beck, Billy Cobham, Manu Cache’, Questlove, Steve Ferrone, Steve Jordan.

 

[Jeff Scott]

What makes a drummer great?

When they bring the pizza to band rehearsal?

 

[Spidey2112]

Attention to detail.

 

[SBassman]

When they look like me.
No, when they approach it as Music and Rhythm, not other stuff. [My primary/strongest instrument is: drums]

 

[johnh89]

Personal hygiene and an ability to tell the time .

 

[pepj]

I can tell if I'm not going to like them when they first hit the skin.

 

[Levent]

How they emphasize the form and changes I believe.
I love It when you can tell which jazz standard they are playing and which bar they are at just from listening to the drummer, crazy. Otherwise It's random shuffling for 4 bars repeating untill the end no matter how good they are.
Edit: Oh ofcourse.. they should shut It during others soundcheck and communication between band.

 

[5StringBlues]

I love when a drummer uses his fills to propel or set up the next change or series of hits that is coming up. As opposed to throwing in the craziest flashy fill they can just because they can.

 

[Ostie]

When they have their own transportation and they’re not dating the LS.

 

[roller]

The kit... definitely the kit.

 

[Altitude]

Some drummers own the tune. Others are along for the ride. You know it when you hear it.

 

[Altitude]

Some drummers own the tune. Others are along for the ride. You know it when you hear it.

Dennis Chambers is my favorite.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Dennis Chambers is my favorite.

https://youtu.be/59MdiE1IsBY

Dennis Chambers’ double bass drum fills on this song are unreal.

 

[Killing Floor]

When they start the song with 1-2-3-4 instead of 1-2-1-2-3-4.

Seriously a good drummer plays in time and a great drummer can lock a whole band in time. Makaya McCraven, Blakey, for example.

 

[frankie5string]

When they start the song with 1-2-3-4 instead of 1-2-1-2-3-4.

Seriously a good drummer plays in time and a great drummer can lock a whole band in time. Makaya McCraven, Blakey, for example.

Haha... Keith Carlock does that with Steely Dan. It sounds like every song is about to be a punk rocker... and he yells out the timing. ONNE... TWOOO, ONE TWO THREE FOUR... <intro to Peg> lol

 

[ole Jason]

A few things I look for in a good drummer:

1. Volume control: A good drummer can play quiet, both hands and feet, regardless of tempo. I also like a drummer who doesn't pedal the hats obnoxiously loud on the 2 & 4.
2. Listening: A good drummer listens and reacts to the other musicians. That includes allowing the bass or keys to dictate the kick pattern.
3. Intelligent count-ins: People always sleep on how a count-in can dictate the feel and intensity of a tune, not just the tempo. It's a hugely important skill to have if you're going to lead a band that observes dynamics.
4. Bass solos: Nothing grinds my gears more than drummers who completely check out or stop playing altogether during the bass solo. It's a conversation bro, keep playing and if you're listening to me I'm listening to you.

 

[ole Jason]

Haha... Keith Carlock does that with Steely Dan. It sounds like every song is about to be a punk rocker... and he yells out the timing. ONNE... TWOOO, ONE TWO THREE FOUR... <intro to Peg> lol

That's definitely a thing in the jazz world. Almost everyone I've ever played jazz with counts tunes in subdivided like that. Personallly, I like it.

 

[frankie5string]

That's definitely a thing in the jazz world. Almost everyone I've ever played jazz with counts tunes in subdivided like that. Personallly, I like it.

I know that, but Keith screams it out like The Ramones... ;-)

 

[JRA]

'feel'.


you sorta expect them to have good time and dynamics.

 

[slagbass]

When they bring the pizza to band rehearsal?

That makes a drummer good. Pizza AND beer...... now we're talking greatness.