What makes a drummer great?

[ElMon]

Where are they place the two and the four.

my favorites can have near perfect metronomic time with their bass drum hits but then somehow make the two and the four snare hits lay back in a juicy way.

Among that group, my ultimate favorites are the ones who are musicians who happen to play drums. Who understand how to set up sections and alter their parts for impact.

 

[Guitalia]

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

And it has nothing to do with how busy they are. Great drummers make the song work - sometimes that calls for visibly impressive technique, sometimes not.

Dino Danelli, drummer of the Rascals, died this week. I hope at least some of the media reports mention the Buddy Rich quote about him: "All rock drummers suck except for Dino Danelli."

Seems appropriate to post a Rascals clip, from an Ed Sullivan Show performance. Controlled power. [Edit: two clips.]

 

[Sjobi 1]

Ask Mr. Weir:

 

[jamro217]

Four things (in no particular order):
1.) The ability to keep time properly (no speeding up or slowing down when it isn't called for).
2.) The ability to play at different volumes without sacrificing the rhythm.
3.) The ability to pick their spots to shine and know when to stay back.
4.) Being a responsible, decent human being as well as a musician.

For extra credit:
5.) Being able to play another instrument, sing or at least understand music theory to some degree. This elevates them above the troglodyte mentality of just bashing things with sticks.

 

[Nebraska]

Meth

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

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

I played with a drummer who had a recoding of a previous drummer doing it and he just didn't get it. "He starts off slow and then goes really fast!". It's an easy and intuitive way to know you are going to get two bars counted off.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

When playing with a drummer I usually judge the good ones by easy they are to follow. If it is work, then there's something missing. If it is smooth and natural, then they're good.

My favourite drummers all have great time and feel. They have amazing chops, but do not have to use them.

 

[MegaSwing]

An unshakeable time feel and a comprehensive sense of every song. Also, the ability to drive different styles of music.

 

[eddybuzzard]

They better not count off a waltz, or a 6/8 with a "One Two Three Four"

No, No, No!

 

[MegaSwing]

They better not count off a waltz, or a 6/8 with a "One Two Three Four"

No, No, No!

I’ve had a BL that did that. He had no idea how it damages his credibility among knowledgeable players.

 

[Eric Wolfe]

A great drummer keeps it simple, and serves the song....like a great bass player.

 

[LBS-bass]

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

1) I hate the opposite of this
2) I have given up on training this out of drummers

I DO NOT NEED YOUR 1-2. If I can't find the tempo in four beats you should fire me. All you're doing holding back the start of this song.

 

[Topkat13]

The only real way to tell is to have a Drummer’s Great-O-Meter. My cousin has one for Kazoo players.

 

[DrBnz]

Tremendous sense of timing... blazing speed... lots of tattoos, crack-head skinny, shows up to shows wearing speedo's (only) ....

 

[Jazzdogg]

Excellent time and polyrhythmic sense, great phrasing, self-discipline with fills, tastefullness and elegant understatement, musicality, maturity, someone who is highly skilled and well-educated - irrespective of the "school."

 

[truand85]

Timing and restraint.

 

[Rib 13]

besides timing, feel, and phat groove? the ability to sing well.........singing drummers who also take vox seriously tend to usually be a little more aware of a tighter stage volume which include not using a lot of washy ringing cymbals..........usually.........

 

[Auspuff]

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.

Timing, Taste, and heart.

If you ever have the privilege to play with a great drummer, you will know what I mean.

 

[Killing Floor]

1) I hate the opposite of this
2) I have given up on training this out of drummers

I DO NOT NEED YOUR 1-2. If I can't find the tempo in four beats you should fire me. All you're doing holding back the start of this song.

Yeah, that’s what I mean. The extra counts are goofy.

 

[Pings Bass]

1. Groove/swing/feel
2. Dynamics/restraint
3. Technical skill