MikeM
Platinum Member
We drummers like to yammer on and on about playing for the song, listening, staying out of the way of singers and soloists, not overplaying or showboating, etc… as we should.
I was remembering a quote I heard (that may have been uttered by Buddy Rich) that went: “Don’t play fills unless it will sound bad if you don’t.”
Recently, I got thinking about a couple big name arena-rock drummers who’s playing I don’t much care for (despite that their tempos are fine and the parts aren't necessarily wrong) and I think it’s because they refuse to add anything with personality to the music; as if they’re so afraid of overplaying or stealing any limelight, that they’ve done a complete 180 and stripped away anything interesting.
It seems to me like there are often ways (not always) to make drum parts come alive without detracting from the music, even if that music is really simple. One drummer that comes to mind for me is Stan Lynch (original Tom Petty drummer for those too young to have known, or too old to remember!). I’ve never heard anyone mumble anything resembling a mere suggestion that he’s ever overplayed anything, yet I can listen to him all day long. He just sounds like he’s having fun.
I like the laid-back Steve Gadds of the world as much as the next drummer - but he can, and will, deliver the goodies when the time is right.
I would argue that just as there are drummers who overplay and showboat, there are also drummers who hold back too much when the music is begging for more -- and that it's not uncommon.
I was remembering a quote I heard (that may have been uttered by Buddy Rich) that went: “Don’t play fills unless it will sound bad if you don’t.”
Recently, I got thinking about a couple big name arena-rock drummers who’s playing I don’t much care for (despite that their tempos are fine and the parts aren't necessarily wrong) and I think it’s because they refuse to add anything with personality to the music; as if they’re so afraid of overplaying or stealing any limelight, that they’ve done a complete 180 and stripped away anything interesting.
It seems to me like there are often ways (not always) to make drum parts come alive without detracting from the music, even if that music is really simple. One drummer that comes to mind for me is Stan Lynch (original Tom Petty drummer for those too young to have known, or too old to remember!). I’ve never heard anyone mumble anything resembling a mere suggestion that he’s ever overplayed anything, yet I can listen to him all day long. He just sounds like he’s having fun.
I like the laid-back Steve Gadds of the world as much as the next drummer - but he can, and will, deliver the goodies when the time is right.
I would argue that just as there are drummers who overplay and showboat, there are also drummers who hold back too much when the music is begging for more -- and that it's not uncommon.