Ringo tries to teach Matt Lauer a simple rock beat...

[MaryO]

This aired this morning on the Today Show. I love that when asked why he keeps doing what he does he simply says, "I'm a musician." Also watching him trying to teach Matt to play is classic but what I wouldn't give to have shot behind that kit!

Hope you enjoy :)

MaryO

http://todayentertainment.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12355543-fifth-best-drummer-in-america-ringo-starr-is-71-and-still-improving#.T-R8i4T8R_E.email

[Midnite Zephyr]

Cool clip. Thanks Mary. Guitars are for people who can't play drums.

[larryz]

Wow, thanks MaryO for the heads up. Just gotta love Ringo. He looks fab at 71 too! I bet if he wanted to he could blow the pants off 98% of so-called better drummers/

[Dr_Watso]

Shouldn't he learn to play a basic rock beat himself before he teaches others?

[JimmyTheMonkey]

GREAT video. It is always funny trying to teach people the basic rock beat. It seems so simple to a drummer, but it's like scaling Mt. Everest to a non-musician.

[gregcon]

Gotta love RINGO!!!!!!!!!

[SergiuM]

Shouldn't he learn to play a basic rock beat himself before he teaches others?

Troll Alert.


It is always funny trying to teach people the basic rock beat. It seems so simple to a drummer, but it's like scaling Mt. Everest to a non-musician.

Haha, so true!!

[MaryO]

GREAT video. It is always funny trying to teach people the basic rock beat. It seems so simple to a drummer, but it's like scaling Mt. Everest to a non-musician.

I wonder how long Ringo actually spent trying to teach him....it sounds as if at one point Ringo's getting a little frustrated...."C'mon, think!" lol.

[keep it simple]

Nice clip, decent grounded guy, & looking very fresh for his years. Man, he looks younger than me, & I'm 20 years his junior!

[Anon La Ply]

I wonder how long Ringo actually spent trying to teach him....it sounds as if at one point Ringo's getting a little frustrated...."C'mon, think!" lol.

Haha I'm showing the rock beat to relative and I exactly know how Ringo feels! I'm sure the trick is to start 'em off slower, maybe quarters at 60bpm, just to get the action going.

Always liked Ringo - his playing and easygoing ways. Can't believe how good he looks for 71 or the perfection of his hair tinting.

[Mad About Drums]

Very cool clip Mary, I still love the old man, and he still love getting up there on stage, after all this time, it's saying a lot about him :)

Yep, showing a basic beat looks simple, at least for us, I'm always amazed when someone really struggle to lay it down, we're just taking for granted that it's easy to do, but for some... there will be no hope :)

[Anon La Ply]

... for some... there will be no hope :)

Seems that way.

But if someone can't get that kind of basic coordination going, even after repeated efforts with decent coaching, surely there's something wrong that ideally should be fixed? I think having at least a basic mind body connection is of great benefit in life. Isn't that what hatha yoga is about in essence?

[Mad About Drums]

Seems that way.

But if someone can't get that kind of basic coordination going, even after repeated efforts with decent coaching, surely there's something wrong that ideally should be fixed? I think having at least a basic mind body connection is of great benefit in life. Isn't that what hatha yoga is about in essence?

Yes absolutely, hatha yoga is an ideal approach to master body postures and brain coordination, it will help developping basic limbs coordination.

Poor maths is another struggle, subdivisions of note values are essential for a drummer, someone with both a lack of coordination and bad maths are in for some serious battle indeed :)

Have you ever tried this one? turn your index finger in a clockwise circular motion in the air with your forearm, lift the whole leg from the ground and do an anti-clockwise circular motion with the lower leg, I have to think about it when I'm doing it :)

[dmacc]

Very cool clip Mary, I still love the old man, and he still love getting up there on stage, after all this time, it's saying a lot about him :)

Yep, showing a basic beat looks simple, at least for us, I'm always amazed when someone really struggle to lay it down, we're just taking for granted that it's easy to do, but for some... there will be no hope :)

Agreed. We take so much for granted, especially the simple/not-so-simple rock beat. It's all too easy to forget the challenges and struggles we've all been through to get to where we are. This is why I can't participate in the "this person doesn't play well" stuff.

I for one enjoyed the video and am glad to see Ringo still at it after all these years. There are some popular drummers who completely self destructed and never made it to that age to enjoy playing.

[Skulmoski]

He's the man. Peace and Love Ringo.

GJS

[Dr_Watso]

Troll Alert.

Sheesh! It's bad enough that Ringo can't play the drums, you don't have to say he looks like a troll, too!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

...and you will be on with Matt Lauer when?

[Jeremy Bender]

...and you will be on with Matt Lauer when?

Zing!
But I agree with the talk show hosts, he does look good at 71. I hope to be still aive at 71, but also still playing the drums!

[drumdevil9]

Can't have a thread about Ringo without someone insulting his playing, eh? Oh well.

I don't want to start a flame war but saying he can't play a rock beat is asinine. I won't argue about it though. End of rant.

[sbowman128675]

Man, Ringo is awesome. Not a crazy drummer, just does whats needed. :)

[RockNGrohl]

One and TWO! and three and FOUR! and ONE and Two AND THREE AND FOUR!!! and one..... and two.. no two's on the snare! lol.. Ringo had his work cut out for him..

And enough with the Ringo bashing already! Jeez! I know he's the polar opposite of Mike Portnoy and Neil Peart. But doesn't Mike have his own Beatles tribute band, Yellow Matter Custard? Plus he's recorded numerous Dream Theater tracks on a four piece just as a challenge. He gets the "less is more" idea. Why can't you guys? Some music calls for busy technical drums and some is more simple and catchy and timeless. I hate "more is more" snobbishness. Can you dance to a 16/11 beat? You sure can groove to Ringo's 4/4 and he gets a whole crowd moving!

[inneedofgrace]

thanks for that awesome video and how can you not love Ringo?

[MaryO]

It just baffles me that people bash Ringo so vehemently. Even if you don't like his style of playing, I can't imagine not at least respecting his accomplishments and fortitude, not to mention his genuine love of music. You know, I'm not personally a Jimi Hendrix fan but I also realize the unmatchable contributions he made and the unbelievable talent he possesed. I would never "dis" him or his music just because it's not my thing. If there's a thread about someone I don't like...I just don't comment on it. It's that simple.

I for one find much joy in watching Ringo, in so many ways. Less than 2 weeks until I see him again in Nashville on the All-Starr tour! Wonder if I could convince him that I need a money beat lesson? :)

[inneedofgrace]

It just baffles me that people bash Ringo so vehemently. Even if you don't like his style of playing, I can't imagine not at least respecting his accomplishments and fortitude, not to mention his genuine love of music. You know, I'm not personally a Jimi Hendrix fan but I also realize the unmatchable contributions he made and the unbelievable talent he possesed. I would never "dis" him or his music just because it's not my thing. If there's a thread about someone I don't like...I just don't comment on it. It's that simple.

I for one find much joy in watching Ringo, in so many ways. Less than 2 weeks until I see him again in Nashville on the All-Starr tour! Wonder if I could convince him that I need a money beat lesson? :)

Ringo gets some incredible talent to tour with him.

[Ian Williams]

Cleverly written...I like it!

Guitars are for people who can't play drums.

[Deathmetalconga]

Shouldn't he learn to play a basic rock beat himself before he teaches others?

HA! At least now Matt Lauer can honestly say Ringo influenced him. But everyone says that.

[Deathmetalconga]

And enough with the Ringo bashing already!

Um, no. A ratio of 1 unfavorable to 50 favorable is just fine with me.

[nickg]

Shouldn't he learn to play a basic rock beat himself before he teaches others?

yeah....those drum parts on "Rain" and "She Said She Said" really suck, don't they???

(idiot)

[markdrum]

I remember people bashing Charlie Watts as well. He also plays in a very simple style. If he hadn't the Rolling Stones probably would have come off of the tracks. He and Bill Wyman kept the whole thing together. I'm not a huge fan of Ringo's playing but he gets the job done in a tasteful, competent fashion. He's a musician who plays drums not a drummer who plays music.

[johnnylaw]

Guitar is for people who can't play drums?

Not to hijack the thread, but I'm STILL mystified by the number of "guitar players" who will never be "rhythm guitar players".

He should do us all a favor and suggest to these to kids take up snowmobiling or stamp collecting.

Other than this, Ringo will always be Fab!

[scothut]

I can't believe Ringo's 71 and still rocking. Very cool.

[stramming]

Just more reasons why Ringo's my favorite drummer.

[tsimp2]

Ringo is one of the greatest rock drummers I've ever heard and seen play. He has style and nerves of steel. Ringo can do what he wants especially teach rock beats. After all he is one if the masters of solid back beats that many young drummers today would fizzle out on. When it comes to laying down a drum track to a song he kicks ass. His ability to serve the song and be creative is amazingly cool. Ringo is the master at fills. I could go on but you drummers who respect and admire Ringo already know this. It's the Ringo bashers that tickle me.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I can't believe Ringo's 71 and still rocking. Very cool.

And 72 on July 7th. Here is my daily reminder.

[MaryO]

And 72 on July 7th. Here is my daily reminder.

Oh my, I want me one of those!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

You have to register your car in Florida and buy the John Lennon Plate, which supports food banks, and then change it slightly since only one can read as mine does.

[MaryO]

You have to register your car in Florida and buy the John Lennon Plate, which supports food banks, and then change it slightly since only one can read as mine does.

They should make a Ringo plate that says "peace and love"

Hmmmm...PCENLUV....might make a good plate, wonder how many people would get it tho?

[Odd-Arne Oseberg]

Ringo is cool.

On the instruction though, a beat like that is definetly where you start when the student has no musical experience. Someone can have great talent no matter if they can play a basic 8th note rock beat at once. Put on some music and play quarters on the hi-hat. If they can feel the music that's worth a million times more than being able to play that rock beat on the first lesson. If not then it's best to start with just the snare, as is traditional and learn rhythms in context.