What makes a drummer great?

[mike buzzetti]

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

FREAKING THANK YOU !!!! I thought NO one was gonna say this.

Let me add BACKBEAT or pocket player , ability to play kik/snare behind the beat in time .

2. It seems that a bunch of you here have never played with a good drummer ?? or maybe I am lucky / picky enough to not play with bad ones ?? if you have a bad drummer its YOUR FAULT , change the crappy drummer with a good one or change bands.
drums and bass ARE the groove/pocket there is no excuse IMO

 

[Dincrest]

Great drummers come from Godsmack.

Think about it... Godsmack's drummer (Shannon Larkin) is next level (video 1) and their singer (Sully Erna) is a better drummer than most bands' drummers (video 2).

 

[retslock]

Must groove first and foremost.
Understanding where and how to use dynamics
Maintaining good time especially through fills
Understanding song form
Ability to support a singer and not fill over vocals
Knowing how to play to a room.
Knowing when to lay back and when to push
Lastly, for me the groove is in the foot. The hands decorate, embellish and maintain timing.

 

[mikewalker]

Musicality.

 

[Marko 1]

Knowing how to lead the band in and out of...

whatever needs led in and out of throughout the song/number.

 

[rodl2005]

All of the above.

And without reading the entire thread....
Keep time, don't stop

 

[taliesin]

They can play really well, they have their own car, and they have a really good dealer.

Not necessarily in that order.

 

[vvvmmm]

W**d.

 

[Patrice B]

Not overplaying.
Volume control.
Bringing something to the song, listening.

 

[BrassedOn]

Sufficient cowbell.

 

[BrassedOn]

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

No, No, No!

Yeah that should be

“One two three you play now”

 

[Bluzeman90]

Ability to count to four is a must, ability to count to 10 is excellent!

 

[retslock]

Yeah that should be

“One two three you play now”

I once heard a young singer count the band in “Ready, set, go”.

 

[retslock]

The kit... definitely the kit.

View attachment 4906373

That’ll do for a start anyway.

 

[klattman]

Lots of things make a good drummer.

A great one however was mentioned above as one who you can hear what song it is just from the drums. A great drummer listens and plays the song not the drums.

they don’t have to be famous either, there are middle school music teachers out there who should be touring with a headliner.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

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

Like these guys:

Vinnie Colaiuta


Bobby Jarzombek


Derrick McKenzie

 

[scuzzy]

When they can captivate you with the simplest of beats. Steve Jordan can do that, as well as JD Blair. It takes a level of skill and confidence to own a simple one/three beat.

And much like acoustic guitar, there is so much nuance in drums, just being able to hit the right component at the right time doesn't necessarily provide that feel and nuance that the greats produce.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

A little off!!

 

[definenredefine]

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.

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

These factors exactly. Also I like "riffy" drumming, which is writing drum riffs rather than straight beats accentuated with fills. That's how I try to play. That and trying not to be too flashy, despite my riffs. Flashy drumming is boring; riffy drumming is awesome.

Meth

Oh so that's the secret. No wonder I'm so terrible...

 

[ezstep]

One who pays attention onstage - is always listening to other members during the show, looking for any visual tips or set-ups from other musicians. It really keeps everything running smoothly. Every time I turn around to look at the drummer, he is already looking at me.