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What makes a drummer great?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
A good drummer to me is one that:
1. Doesn't speed up, or slow down during a tune too often.
2. Is willing to use dynamics, and not put fills, or slam the cymbals where (or when) it is not needed.
3. Starts the song at the correct speed.
4. Has a good strong kick.
5. Has a good attitude, open minded, and willing is to listen to suggestions from the band concerning the first 3.
If a drummer has these qualities, I'm a happy camper. I don't look for fancy chops, just a good, consistent, steady beat to lock into.
1. Doesn't speed up, or slow down during a tune too often.
2. Is willing to use dynamics, and not put fills, or slam the cymbals where (or when) it is not needed.
3. Starts the song at the correct speed.
4. Has a good strong kick.
5. Has a good attitude, open minded, and willing is to listen to suggestions from the band concerning the first 3.
If a drummer has these qualities, I'm a happy camper. I don't look for fancy chops, just a good, consistent, steady beat to lock into.
Timing and control of dynamics also taste or restraint.
+1 from me. I'll listen to anything he's on.
To OP's question, I like drummers that can do more than one genre or style, and are usually a bit understated - I don't like pyrotechnics (on ANY instrument, really) - that stuff has its place, and has to be done tastefully for me to enjoy it: if the whole album is that way, it wears me down (i.e. prog metal). Chambers has his moments where he does pyrotechnics (like the band Niacin), but he knows when to step forward and take a step back.
A lot of the 60’s - 70’s drummers had their root in old Rock’n’roll and jazz. John Bonham, Danny Seraphine, Bill Bruford, Ringo, Michael Giles, Mike Shrieve, Mitch Mitchell.
They used a lot the foot chick-chick hi-hat. These days, lot of drummers uses only the hi-hat with the sticks or the ride. I could be wrong so as usual, feel free to correct me.
BTW, I use the Jazz grip for my left hand since I learnt (self-taught in 2014) and I’m completely unable to switch to matched grip! Probably a couple of weeks of steady practice… but I hate practice
They used a lot the foot chick-chick hi-hat. These days, lot of drummers uses only the hi-hat with the sticks or the ride. I could be wrong so as usual, feel free to correct me.
BTW, I use the Jazz grip for my left hand since I learnt (self-taught in 2014) and I’m completely unable to switch to matched grip! Probably a couple of weeks of steady practice… but I hate practice
Nick Seymour is one of my favourite bass players too.
This video shows you only need a snare and a symbol to sound great.
Might depend on the genre of music, but generally, keeping the 1.
TB bass players tend to ask a lot of drummers.
A minimalist playing bass drum, snare and hi-hat is my kind of drummer or someone that grooves with just brushes and a snare. But if Jack DeJohnette is the one in my gig then that's a different story. In a jazz combo, a dry clicky ride (this is a function of technique not the cymbal ) is very welcome and in pop/funk, someone who has tasty and killer hi-hat chops.
I like also really "greasy" drummers NOLA drummers, for funk, blues and Zydeco (I do not play that style but love it) African - Afro pop drummers Latin guys -- high on my list and anyone who has played that can spice most styles.
A minimalist playing bass drum, snare and hi-hat is my kind of drummer or someone that grooves with just brushes and a snare. But if Jack DeJohnette is the one in my gig then that's a different story. In a jazz combo, a dry clicky ride (this is a function of technique not the cymbal ) is very welcome and in pop/funk, someone who has tasty and killer hi-hat chops.
I like also really "greasy" drummers NOLA drummers, for funk, blues and Zydeco (I do not play that style but love it) African - Afro pop drummers Latin guys -- high on my list and anyone who has played that can spice most styles.
Time-keeping
Groove
Big Ears
And (most importantly)
Ability to actually function in society and be a responsible friend/bandmate!
Groove
Big Ears
And (most importantly)
Ability to actually function in society and be a responsible friend/bandmate!
The best musicians I've played with are comfortable with and can play all different styles of music. ... Music is a language.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
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- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
my favorite drummer I've worked with is Kenny Aronoff. His feel, groove and ideas regarding what parts to play make him one of the best in the world. He also possesses the ability to flawlessly play to a click without sounding like a drum machine
Great drummer indeed. He's a seasoned and highly in-demand session drummer who's worked with high profile artists for decades. He was also featured in the documentary Hired Gun.
I have played with a lot of drummers of various skill levels and to me, the thing that makes a drummer great (and fun and easy to play with) is, in no particular order:
* consistency: playing the same patterns at the same points in a tune when you play it. Especially important if you want to lock in with the kick.
* musicianship: to me, this means playing tastefully. Playing patterns and fills that fit the tune.
* personality: it really helps all around if they are a good person and fun to jam with. I have, for the most part, been lucky on this front and in some cases, personality makes up for lacking in the other two qualities.
* consistency: playing the same patterns at the same points in a tune when you play it. Especially important if you want to lock in with the kick.
* musicianship: to me, this means playing tastefully. Playing patterns and fills that fit the tune.
* personality: it really helps all around if they are a good person and fun to jam with. I have, for the most part, been lucky on this front and in some cases, personality makes up for lacking in the other two qualities.
Agreed on all these but would add the ability to maintain tempo.
* Able to influence the quality and style of the music in a positive way
* Makes it enjoyable to play with them
* Makes your own playing sound better
* Technically up to those tasks (including sounding great at any volume)
* Makes it enjoyable to play with them
* Makes your own playing sound better
* Technically up to those tasks (including sounding great at any volume)
Dynamic control, impeccable timing, deep pocket game, understanding of melody and harmony and its relevance to drum tuning and cymbal choice, responsive improvisational skills, good communication.
