Does anyone know why Charlie Watts doesn't hit the hi-hat and the snare at the same time?
Because he knows Watt he is doing?
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Does anyone know why Charlie Watts doesn't hit the hi-hat and the snare at the same time?
Good point, DMC. During Sydney's halcyon pub rock days in the 80s a lot of drummers were peppering their bands' sets with big money beats (eg. Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil), lifting the left hand high and pulling the RH out of the way.
Is it laziness? Is it mental? I don't know what the basis is, but it is still annoying as hell to watch. It really takes away from the visual performance for me. People would call me out in a bar if I did it I'm sure.
One thing that Keltner pointed out to Charlie was his habit of coming off the hi-hat with his right hand whenever he would hit a backbeat with his left. "I was never conscious of it until Jim mentioned it," Charlie comments. "But I do it a lot. I've noticed it on videos, and it actually annoys me to see myself doing it. It really comes, I think, from coming down heavy on the backbeat. I don't use that grip that Ringo uses. I did for a few years, because I thought it was popular. But then I was told to go back to the other way by Ian Stewart, who used to set up my drums. He virtually ordered me to go back to what he called 'the proper way of playing,' " Charlie laughs. "So I went back to the military grip, and I really do prefer it, but because of the amount you ride on the hi-hat, I suppose I got in the habit of pulling the other stick out of the way to get a louder sound."I've never consciously done it, but a lot of times when we make a record I am consciously not doing it......"as quoted from Modern Drummer, Feb. 1990.
I feel bad for not jumping in the bandwagon here, but I have to be honest. I'm not crazy about his 8th note pause on the HH for the back beat, it sounds too tentative and uncontinuous to me. Sorry Charley. I don't dislike his playing, I do like his tone, but his playing just never tripped my trap. He does make the song work however.
He is a gentleman for sure, personally I like him better than his playing.
For simple styled drumming, I'll take Ringo every time. No disrespect to Charley. He's had a helluva ride.