Neil peart tom technique.

[fijjibo]

Hey.

I searched this, but didnt find anything, so here goes.


Neil Peart has his kit as a Bonham setup, with four more toms going up from the hi-hat in a staircase type pattern.

Is there a specific technique that lead him to come up with that setup?

The toms over the hi-hat idea is not new (Nicko McBrain, Dave Lombardo) But what about the staircase type arrangement?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/peart/images/pic_kit.jpg

[Alesi]

I can recommend you to watch Neil DVD "Test For Echo: A Work in Progress", Specially on the first tune "Test For Echo" he does a groove with the toms, and you can see that the toms positioning is meant for incorporating the toms into his grooves and also his fills.

Hope that this helps.

[fijjibo]

Cool, ill check it out.





(Twenty of the finest characters, sir.)

[Alesi]

Being an hispanic native makes me doing things like repeating the word "toms" 1000 times a line XD.
Add a "them" or "em" where you find it indispensable for your reading

[fijjibo]

Being an hispanic native makes me doing things like repeating the word "toms" 1000 times a line XD.
Add a "them" or "em" where you find it indispensable for your reading

Huh?


I checked out the video, and he only uses the basic four piece of the kit.

I noticed he switches between trad and matched, so maybe thats why he has the toms that way?

[bighaibigdrums]

Neil has always had toms like that. I guess he just likes it.

[cjl71178]

Neil hasn't always had his toms setup like that. Here are a couple of his old setups:
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/afarewelltokings-9.jpg
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/movingpictures-8.jpg
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/holdyourfire-8.jpg
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/counterparts-21.jpg

He started using the new tom setup at the beginning of "Test For Echo" (although that's already 10 years now!) It's been a while since I've watched the Work in Progress video, but from what I remember he made some changes into his setup and playing. He started playing matched grip, raised his snare drum higher and he studied for a year with Freddie Gruber. I believe his new tom setup had to do with it being "symmetrically" asier....starting up high, and swooping down low (he talks about it in the beginning of the WIP video.

[fijjibo]

Cool man, thats what I was looking for.

I like it when players evolve, it shows that even seasoned pro's are still learning.

[Drummer30]

My best guess has to do with morphing him old drum kit and the natural movement of the arms. As you can see in the pics, he used to have four small concert toms on the left, high than the rack toms. So he probably changed this when he had less drums to have the same sweep down he has always had. Now take your arms and try the motion that would go with the flow of the toms. It is the most natural motion for the right arm to go from upper left to lower right dropping you arm from the elbow. As for his left, his traditional grip in the left, hold your arm like you would be in traditional and make the contour of the sweep, then as you would when in match grip. As you can quickly notice, this setup is friendly to the human anatomy which allows him to make the most comfortable and natural movements, while arranging his enormous set into a practical arrangment that encorporates all the drums he feels are necessary.

Hope that helps you out, thats what I have gathered from looking at it.

Drummer30

[bighaibigdrums]

Neil hasn't always had his toms setup like that. Here are a couple of his old setups:
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/afarewelltokings-9.jpg
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/movingpictures-8.jpg
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/holdyourfire-8.jpg
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images/tourbooks/counterparts-21.jpg

He started using the new tom setup at the beginning of "Test For Echo" (although that's already 10 years now!) It's been a while since I've watched the Work in Progress video, but from what I remember he made some changes into his setup and playing. He started playing matched grip, raised his snare drum higher and he studied for a year with Freddie Gruber. I believe his new tom setup had to do with it being "symmetrically" asier....starting up high, and swooping down low (he talks about it in the beginning of the WIP video.

Everyone of those pics are the same basic setup. Toms over the hats, two racks. The only difference is loosing the 8" 10" and14" racks and going to a single kick.

[cjl71178]

Everyone of those pics are the same basic setup. Toms over the hats, two racks. The only difference is loosing the 8" 10" and14" racks and going to a single kick.

Yes, they pretty much are the basic setup...but I believe fijjibo was referring to how he has them set up in comparison to his DW's.

[fijjibo]

Yes, they pretty much are the basic setup...but I believe fijjibo was referring to how he has them set up in comparison to his DW's.

Good guess.

Im refering to how his setup changed when he switched from Tama to DW.

Thanks for the replies by the way, keep them coming as I work it out....

[cjl71178]

Good guess.
Im refering to how his setup changed when he switched from Tama to DW.
Thanks for the replies by the way, keep them coming as I work it out....

Don't forget...he was a Ludwig guy in between Tama & DW. :)

[fijjibo]

Don't forget...he was a Ludwig guy in between Tama & DW. :)

REALLY?!

I didnt know that....

Say, you seem to know alot about Peart, what caused him to change through all these brands?

[Just Drums]

He changed his tom set up like that to be more "traditional grip" friendly. If you play all traditional grip then this makes sense. Personally, I think it looks really uncomfortable but hey....I'm not Neil.

[fusssion]

he got this idea after studying with Freddie Gruber .....

Also...just for clarification....NP never had a 14" tom....ever

[d.c.drummer]

Huh?




He's saying he doesnt use pronouns. \

[cjl71178]

REALLY?!
I didnt know that....
Say, you seem to know alot about Peart, what caused him to change through all these brands?

Yes, he used Ludwig between the "Hold Your Fire" and "Counterparts" albums. I honestly don't know why he switched, but he stuck with each drum company for a while (Slingerland, Tama, Ludwig, and now DW). I'm just really shocked that he's not using Zildjians anymore.

[bighaibigdrums]

REALLY?!

I didnt know that....

Say, you seem to know alot about Peart, what caused him to change through all these brands?

Same as most big name endrsees, MONEY.

[rockinrider]

Same as most big name endrsees, MONEY.

I toured the Ludwig factory in Monroe, NC back when Neil was playing Ludwigs. The production manager told me that Ludwig has NEVER paid their endorsors. However, all the other drum companies did. Makes you wonder!

[bighaibigdrums]

I toured the Ludwig factory in Monroe, NC back when Neil was playing Ludwigs. The production manager told me that Ludwig has NEVER paid their endorsors. However, all the other drum companies did. Makes you wonder!

Me thinks he lied to you.

[fijjibo]

He's saying he doesnt use pronouns. \

Oh, ok.

Yes, he used Ludwig between the "Hold Your Fire" and "Counterparts" albums. I honestly don't know why he switched, but he stuck with each drum company for a while (Slingerland, Tama, Ludwig, and now DW). I'm just really shocked that he's not using Zildjians anymore.

Cheers man.

He made a video thats on youtube about his change to Sabian.


I dont think that Ludwig would have paid Peart.
Thats not how endorsements work......

[cjl71178]

Thats not how endorsements work......

I agree about the endorsements, the companies don't pay the players to use their equipment.

[bighaibigdrums]

I agree about the endorsements, the companies don't pay the players to use their equipment.

With a name like Peart yes they do. You think Neil doesnt get paid for all the photoshoots and what not?

[fijjibo]

With a name like Peart yes they do. You think Neil doesnt get paid for all the photoshoots and what not?

I for one dont think so....

Read what Billy Ward says in the endorsements thread.....

[bighaibigdrums]

I for one dont think so....

Read what Billy Ward says in the endorsements thread.....

I just did, and he mentions that some people get paid.

Many who play them could perhaps get money in addition to the drums and support,

[cjl71178]

With a name like Peart yes they do. You think Neil doesnt get paid for all the photoshoots and what not?

Not to sound like a jerk, but, do you have proof that he does?

I find it hard to believe that drum companies would actually pay someone to use their gear. I would believe more along the lines that Neil would definately get free drumkits.

Then again, his 30th anniversary kit is going for 30 grand.....

[michael drums]

Well...I think we ALL can agree that Neil Peart does NOT need to be paid by an endorser! He can play ANY drums he wants to REGARDLESS whether he's monatarily compensated or not! He needs NOT the money, though he probably DOES get free drums and stuff from DW...Play On! ;-)

[bighaibigdrums]

Well...I think we ALL can agree that Neil Peart does NOT need to be paid by an endorser! He can play ANY drums he wants to REGARDLESS whether he's monatarily compensated or not! He needs NOT the money, though he probably DOES get free drums and stuff from DW...Play On! ;-)

First Neil is the endorser, DW would be the endorsee.
Sure he can play any brand he wants, but he's a businessman, go with the best deal.
Does he need the money? No, but Im sure he likes it, otherwise why isnt every Rush concert, and cd free?
Yes he does get free stuff.

[ZDrums24]

I can tell you for sure that the sweeping layout of the toms was a decision made as a result from his time with gruber. if you notice, the ride cymbal placement is different. instead of being off to the right and out of the way of the toms, he has it right smack between the racks and the floor toms, like every the majority of jazzers and the majority of guys who play four piece kits. i'm pretty sure he mentions that the changes to his kit layout are because of gruber in his Work In Progress dvd, but if you spend sometime researching outside of drummerworld, im sure youll find an explaination somewhere.

as for the new ride cymbal location, i recomend it. I did it (well, sorta). i cant stand to have something between my toms, so i have it up above them and severely angled, but once you get used to it, it works great. thats one thing ive learned over the years: constantly experiment. youll never know what works for you.

[Pocketman]

he got this idea after studying with Freddie Gruber .....

Also...just for clarification....NP never had a 14" tom....ever

Sorry man, he had a 14" rack on all of his kits until the Test For Echo Kit. Just look at all of those images.

[IDDrummer]

Sorry man, he had a 14" rack on all of his kits until the Test For Echo Kit. Just look at all of those images.

No, he didn't. He had 12, 13, and 15 rack toms in front. For Roll the Bones, when he switched from double bass to a double pedal, he used the same sizes but shifted the 15" rack to the floor. I'm sure of this - I've studied his setups since about 1978 and read specs for every kit from the 1970's chrome Slingerland to present.

fusssion is correct.

And yes, I'm a Rush geek!

To the original poster - Neil started using the stairstep tom configuration to accomodate traditional grip after studying with Freddie Gruber. He felt that this setup was more ergonomically correct. (From the "Work in Progress" video.)

[billy ward]

hi guys - did a search and found this debate. I have nothing to contribute about Neil's tom setup. sorry.
but to clarify what I was saying about endorsements. and this is a FACT.
DW does not pay any of it's artists to play their drums. They don't even pursue artists. It is their policy that artists have to ask THEM if they can play their drums.
I have heard that some other companies maybe do pay - it has been "implied" to me. So I'm not sure if that rumour is true or not. But neil is getting free drums and they are free DW drums - but no cash/check/photo shoot/babysitting/you name it kind of charges... whatever.
I hope this helps.

[IDDrummer]

hi guys - did a search and found this debate. I have nothing to contribute about Neil's tom setup. sorry.
but to clarify what I was saying about endorsements. and this is a FACT.
DW does not pay any of it's artists to play their drums. They don't even pursue artists. It is their policy that artists have to ask THEM if they can play their drums.
I have heard that some other companies maybe do pay - it has been "implied" to me. So I'm not sure if that rumour is true or not. But neil is getting free drums and they are free DW drums - but no cash/check/photo shoot/babysitting/you name it kind of charges... whatever.
I hope this helps.

Thanks for the clarification, Billy. I know sometimes in this (or any) business you have to take things with a grain of salt, but I've always gotten the impression that Neil played the drums he liked best at a given time. The endorsements are the icing on the cake...

[michael drums]

hi guys - did a search and found this debate. I have nothing to contribute about Neil's tom setup. sorry.
but to clarify what I was saying about endorsements. and this is a FACT.
DW does not pay any of it's artists to play their drums. They don't even pursue artists. It is their policy that artists have to ask THEM if they can play their drums.
I have heard that some other companies maybe do pay - it has been "implied" to me. So I'm not sure if that rumour is true or not. But neil is getting free drums and they are free DW drums - but no cash/check/photo shoot/babysitting/you name it kind of charges... whatever.
I hope this helps.

Big UPS to you, Billy!! Thanks for that "truthful" clarification! That's the point I was making about Neil Peart and why he can play "any" manufactures' drums he wants, as you can also, and you both choose DW!

Your explanation of this is "spot-on", as are your abilities and teaching methods, and a HUGE Thank You goes out to you, Mr. Ward...Play On! ;-)

[Legacyrik]

Not to sound like a jerk, but, do you have proof that he does?

I find it hard to believe that drum companies would actually pay someone to use their gear. I would believe more along the lines that Neil would definately get free drumkits.

Then again, his 30th anniversary kit is going for 30 grand.....

Why wouldn't he get paid??? They use him to sell their drums! That's how it works in any other line of business.

[fusssion]

No, he didn't. He had 12, 13, and 15 rack toms in front. For Roll the Bones, when he switched from double bass to a double pedal, he used the same sizes but shifted the 15" rack to the floor. I'm sure of this - I've studied his setups since about 1978 and read specs for every kit from the 1970's chrome Slingerland to present.

fusssion is correct.

And yes, I'm a Rush geek!

To the original poster - Neil started using the stairstep tom configuration to accomodate traditional grip after studying with Freddie Gruber. He felt that this setup was more ergonomically correct. (From the "Work in Progress" video.)

Thank you IDDRUMMER! :)