What makes a drummer great?

[outoftune]

1. Time and tempo
2. Leading the band from part to part (Actual transitions)
3. Having a good foot

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Feel/groove and employing dynamics.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Thank you. I’d never heard that song before.

Here he is with Sco and Gary Willis. I don’t normally use the word “sick” to describe music, maybe I’m the wrong age. But this is sick.

Chambers is really driving the bus on that tune with Scofield and Willis.

 

[DirtDog]

Have a groove a mile wide. And a place for us to rehearse!

 

[Jay2U]

Not speeding and not being too loud at small venues.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Listen to the isolated drums on “Day in the Life” by The Beatles.

Doing a lot with a little.
Building drama.
Knowing how to tune drums and get them to fit in a mix on a gig-by-gig basis.
Knowing the difference between playing with authority and just playing loud.

 

[Snarf]

Absolute crushing time. The guys that are actually able to make you feel the timing of the song in your chest are few and far between, and they are the best to work with.

 

[MrLenny1]

When he helps schlep the PA system. lol

 

[BassDad1964]

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.

THIS.

 

[Jefenator]

+1 feel.

There's a lot of drummers out there who have plenty of dexterity & power, but somehow manage to scratch everywhere but the itch.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Outright ownership of at least one flared, fire-retardant, fluorescent glitter jumpsuit with tassels and a good pair of Elton John-style safety specs makes a drummer great. Rare as rocking-horse berries they are, but they are out there, always in the shadows, and scouring craiglist daily, for a promising opening. Get your ads out there.

Well, that, and a deep, practical awareness of expressive, seamless, musical time, that fits the targeted groove like a glove and never falters.​

 

[EatS1stBassist]

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 then there’s timing and don’t forget about timing!

 

[prowla]

I think there are two great first-generation 60s-70s rock drummers: Keith Moon and Bill Ward, who had just a seemless naturalness about them.
My standout from the next generation 70s-80s would be Neil Peart, who seemed to have studied every beat and the theory behind it.
Then from the 90s, Paul Hester, whose playing had something of Bill Bruford about it and a generally joy to it (which is somewhat ironic and tragic, since he suffered from depression).
So: technical ability, spontaneity, and a certain spark is what makes a drummer great, IMHO.

 

[Patrice B]

A name above all?

Bernard “pretty” Purdie ..

Why? Impeccable timing and sense of groove ..

Example:

I love his drumming but not so much the guy… since he stays on his position that Ringo didn’t drummed on any of the Beatles songs and that, he, Mr Pretty, overdubbed all of them…

Proof had been made that he indeed overdubbed the 1st record where Pete Best was the drummer. The record that The Beatles made as accompanying band with Tony Sheridan.

 

[mark107]

Good time, good feel, and the ability to make the song better instead of making it worse.

Chet Baker put it well "It takes a really good drummer for it to be better than no drummer at all".

 

[Patrice B]

My hero is Ringo… even if non-drummers like to portray him as a mediocre drummer. He is an human metronome and just plays what is needed for the song. His fills are amongst the most personal ones I’ve ever heard. He was always listening and hated drum solos…

 

[drumvsbass]

Time.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

Watts' playing wasn't flashy but he was a major contributor to the sound of his band.

His qualities:

• rock-solid time
• the man's playing swings
• his shuffles are great due to his familiarity with jazz music - he was a jazz fanatic who also played with his own jazz band

 

[ebo]

I’d say versatility. I’ve played with really good drummers but some are one trick ponies. They can drive a rock song all day but throw out a shuffle or reggae or jazz tune at them? Can’t do it. Versatility and communication. Can they interact live and adapt and make a performance a fantastic collaborative event? Drummers can be in their own world behind a kit, the great ones are listening and interacting.

 

[cymbop]

Then from the 90s, Paul Hester, whose playing had something of Bill Bruford about it and a generally joy to it (which is somewhat ironic and tragic, since he suffered from depression).

Wow, Crowded House is one of my favorite bands of all time, and I've never really zeroed in in Paul's drumming. He serves the songs so well that I've never thought to listen to him in particular.