What are you doing to improve your musicality?

[tmc]

Hi Everyone.

The term musicality is one that I've had a bit of a hard time with. Assuming that it means to be more in touch with the music and what the music is doing, I decided that I better take a stab at bettering mine. Afterall, one really needs to know what the drums should be doing to fit into the music, right?

I've tried immersing myself in a particular genre or band and listening to them exclusively. That was fun and is something that I still do to some degree. It has helped a little, but I still needed more...

Even though most people would think I was a bit insane to try picking up the drums at my tender young age (Glynes is NOT old enough to be my Mom... older sister, maybe :)), they'd know for sure that I had lost it when they found out that I just went out and bought myself a bass guitar (I wonder what it will be next Summer). At first I wasn't sure this would be a good idea... I don't have enough time to learn/play/practice the drums, let alone the bass guitar. It's kinda cool, though, because I can practice at times (late at night, for example) when playing the drums isn't really practical. And I will say this, it has made me listen to music in a different way and it does actually help me understand better where the drums fit in. Extra bonus... I believe playing the bass guitar will help strengthen my weaker left hand.

What have you done/plan to do to increase your "musicality"?

-Michael

[funked_up]

Well, EVERYONE should be using dynamics in their playing. This really makes everythign sound more musical. Space is also very important. Not playing, is just as important as playing. The space adds a sense of easyness and lets everything flow more smoothly, doesn't sound too rushed to get somewhere, know what I mean?

Probably the biggest thing, is dynamics. It brings the whole thing to life. If something is at one constant volume, it is no where near as exciting, in my opinion, as something which you can actually journey through.

Tim

[Stu_Strib]

funked up is spot on!

Instead of just going through the mechanics of hitting a surface to a predetermined beat, think of the subtle possibilities afforded by dynamics.

Texture: think of layering the notes you play as music progressively builds. A single stroke note at the start of a song might build into fat flams, or a tight closed hi-hat becomes a slightly opened hi-hat sizzle which builds to a gentle ride pattern which builds to vigorous ride/crashing (or bell patterns).

Space helps to texture your playing as well. Knowing when to leave space and when to fill it up with notes is key. CONTRAST is very important to musicality. This is why the constant barrage of running 32nd notes found in certain types of music becomes so cliche. After a while, there is no contrast, and all the musical possibilities are lost. Prog rock is kind of notorious for this as well; the so-called self-indulgent drumming. Drumming to play something hard can be impressive, but if it isn't musical, then so what?

Reflecting on what I just wrote, I think this is why I consider Steve Gadd to be the best drummer alive (better than Weckl and Vinnie C., for example). Gadd CAN play the impressive spaced crammed licks, but he chooses musicality over technique better than anyone I've ever heard play. For example, take a random Steve Gadd track and focus on the hi hat. Count how many times he plays the hi hat with his foot and note when he does it. Think about that, and how it applies to the music, and you'll start to see some brilliant, and overlooked ways to play more musically.

Too many young players box themselves in to learning "beats" and "fills" instead of learning how to express themselves musically on the kit. No matter how cool your latest fill is, you can' t just force feed it into a song where it doesn't fit.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Well, EVERYONE should be using dynamics in their playing. This really makes everythign sound more musical. Space is also very important. Not playing, is just as important as playing. The space adds a sense of easyness and lets everything flow more smoothly, doesn't sound too rushed to get somewhere, know what I mean?

Probably the biggest thing, is dynamics. It brings the whole thing to life. If something is at one constant volume, it is no where near as exciting, in my opinion, as something which you can actually journey through.

Tim
Yes, dynamics is a good thing to take into acount, but I think there's much more to it.
Think in phrases, not in rudiments. Think about something to tell, not something that shows up automatically.
Playing a melodical instrument (the bass is ok!!) will help you to think in a different way.
And play every single stroke with a reason and a meaning. And yes, take your time (SPACE) between phrasings, as if you were talking! Don't forget that music is a language, and just saying words doesn't make a beautiful sentence. It's the meaning that's important.
And the most important, listen to every kind of music you can think about.

[Jay.B.]

Quite simply, I call all that "getting in the groove" you have to feel the music then the music just kinda takes over and you find yourself immersed in it, then things just tend to flow and come naturally.

Some of the best drummers aren't necessarilly the best technically, but are great "musical" drummers

Okay, maybe I'm talking crap to most people, but IMO that's more important than busting licks

[Paul Quin]

Sometimes a thread is posted in an area which promises great discussion. This is clearly one of those cases. Unfortunately Funked Up, to a degree, and Stu Strib, definitively, have early on made such intelligent posts that there is little else to say on the matter. Great stuff!! I couldn't agree more! Way to go on effectively terminating such a great potential post!!

Paul

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Damn. Heh.

I've actually found taking up another instrument really gives me a good musical understanding. I've been playing the guitar solidly for over a month now (and before that I knew some basic chords and songs) and it really helps me get into the head of other musicians. I now understand why some guitarists can rush, or play at awkward tempi. As a result I've become a more sympathetic drummer. It also lets me appreciate musical phrasing and groove more and generally exploring another voice gives you a solid foundation in a few of the axioms of drumming. The approach to Melody vs. Rhythm vs. Harmony is completely different on the guitar, but also shares a lot of the same features. The physical movements of rhythm can be explored well on either instrument for instance.

But most of all, it has given me empathy with other instruments and helps me understand why guitarists and other musicians who emphasise on melody and harmony have such a difficult time understanding the needs of the drummer.

[smoggrocks]

i guess to me playing musically means being creative and appropriate in how you support and enhance the music. it involves using the aforementioned techniques, but also listening to the music and what the composer is trying to express, then doing what you can to support that, and express your own thing.

i think the best way to develop that ability is to expand your vocabulary and strengthen your overall technique, so you have a variety of things to choose from to make your musical point. also listening to the music as a whole and in its components, be it melody, harmony, etc., so you can respond to them.

i also agree that phrasing is a huge thing. it creates a mood and serves to push the music in a certain direction. people who are good at phrasing help establish the tune. i agree that steve gadd is very gifted, especially in this aspect. he is very sensitive to what is happening musically, and very good at putting together memorable ideas that enhance what is going on around him. one example of this is his cymbal and bass work on that tune 'peg.'

it takes a lot of working, listening and thinking to be a more musical player. but i think people with innate ability and sensitivity get there more often than not.

as for what i'm doing to improve my own musicality, i'm listening a lot and talking to a lot of musicians whose musicality and ability i admire and respect. also just shedding to improve my touch, facility, speed, meter, vocabulary, etc, etc, etc.

[MEL]

Sometimes a thread is posted in an area which promises great discussion. This is clearly one of those cases. Unfortunately Funked Up, to a degree, and Stu Strib, definitively, have early on made such intelligent posts that there is little else to say on the matter. Great stuff!! I couldn't agree more! Way to go on effectively terminating such a great potential post!!

Paul

I agree, props to Stu and Funked Up. What I'd like are some more specific listening suggestions: What drummer, what song, what album, and why do you think the drum part enhances the song musically?

I find that singing the melody to myself while playing (probably look like an idiot as I'm moving my lips) and thinking about call and response in Afro-Latin music (how is this drum "talking" to that drum) helps me to be a little more musical and play with more "feel". That and avoiding dynamic "creep" -- I tend to just start hitting harder and harder as I get into a groove, until I start getting dirty looks, or realize that I'm deafening myself or can't play much of an accent because I'm already so loud.

[aahznightsky]

I think the ideas such as dynamics and contrast are more of a given when it comes to musicality. The most important thing to me when it comes to musicality, is awareness and taste. To me that means the ability to be aware of your musical situation and be able to contribute appropriately.

[gringo998]

like said above, picking up another instrument is also a big thing. ive been playing bass and guitar for two yearsish ago, and that has helped soo much with my playing, especially bass for obvious reasons. expanding your genre tolerance is also a given. not much else than whats been said.

[That Guy]

I'm just listening to music that I never gave a chance previously.

[aydee]

I'm just listening to music that I never gave a chance previously.

Thats the ticket! mah ears are wide, wide, open..