It's not an either/or thing. You *can* have one without the other, sure, but they're not mutually exclusive. That's a narrative that "groove" drummers with limited vocabulary like to tout to make them feel better about themselves. Its similar to how your average singer/songwriter refuses to learn music theory because it would "stunt their creativity." That's not how that works.
Groove IS a technique and often lost in the shuffle to impress. I do admit that sitting there on that throne constantly :in the pocket" is equivalent to being a human metronome, so what you do is learn how to add flourish that compliments the musical flow. If however the vocalist OR guitarist is not very adept at their performance, PLAY AS LOUD AND FLOURISHY AS POSSIBLE AND GRAB AS MUCH ATTENTION AS YOU CAN MUSTER. Ha Ha
you can't have one without the other....
There you go getting "technical" on us. Daniel Webster.....purveyor of "hair splitting".This comment made me realize maybe technique is the wrong word for the cartoon. I wonder if it should be "technicality" instead. Because without technique a groove won't groove like a groove should. Technically speaking.
Tech ni cal i ty - the state of being technical; the use of technical terms or methods. (would apply to complex playing)
Tech nique - a skillful or efficient way of doing or achieving something. (would apply to a groove)
There you go getting "technical" on us. Daniel Webster.....purveyor of "hair splitting".
BTW, I watched a documentary last night called "No Maps on my Taps" from 1978 About 3 tap dancers in their late 60s. When asked who taught him to tap, one of the men laughed and said "nobody taught me nothin'. There ain't no school 'cept the soul. Everything I do is what I feel and what my body says do. It comes off workin' the streets and people reaction. Only school is for white folks and that don't teach you nothin' but countin' 1-2-3-4. Shit, dancin' comes from the inside." I feel that way about playing music. You get some help learning to "operate" your instrument and then let your soul take over.
Gentlemen and Gentleladies, start your rebuttals.
Conceptual immateriality becoming material through action is a rather avant garde way of putting it. I agree that experimentation based on experience is essential to bring forth potentially new ways of expression and performance. Probably why I look to Keith Moon, Steve Moore and Mike Terrana for guidance in expanding the paradigm of playing drums. All three know the rudiments/technique of drumming, but each presents them differently and in a way that smashes "the norm". In doing so it makes me think "why didn't I think of that?" Now that I've intellectualized this thread I'm going to rest my brain by listening to Emmylou Harris album "Ballad of Sally Rose". (which by the way.....if I could have only one piece of music to hear ever again in my life, it would be that)I agree with this account overall, John. My only addition would be that, while rhythm, feel, and so on do come from "inside," you need a well-functioning "outside" to give form to them. The immaterial is only a concept until acted upon by the material. In that regard, technique, whether it stems from formal training or self-taught exploration, is essential to the implementation of a groove. One reason (not the only reason) all drummers groove a bit differently is that no two drummers have identical technique.
Conceptual immateriality becoming material through action is a rather avant garde way of putting it. I agree that experimentation based on experience is essential to bring forth potentially new ways of expression and performance. Probably why I look to Keith Moon, Steve Moore and Mike Terrana for guidance in expanding the paradigm of playing drums. All three know the rudiments/technique of drumming, but each presents them differently and in a way that smashes "the norm". In doing so it makes me think "why didn't I think of that?" Now that I've intellectualized this thread I'm going to rest my brain by listening to Emmylou Harris album "Ballad of Sally Rose". (which by the way.....if I could have only one piece of music to hear ever again in my life, it would be that)
Dont we work on chops to develop technique so we can groove?No no, this is all wrong.
It's supposed to be "CHOPS VS. GROOVE". Geez.