Good Drummers And Bad Solos

[Aviator42009]

Too often do I go to watch a video of one of the "greats" or a personal favorite drummer of mine play a solo, and find it just to be a speed and technique presentation, and not a musical solo. Don't get me wrong, speed when used wisely and in small amounts. A good example is Kenny, (I believe that's the correct name) who put up a video the other day that's still up. Sure, he plays fast at some parts, but it still sounds like music. Honestly, I'd rather here some kid play a simple groove with some fills thrown in there as a solo instead of some prog or metal drummer repeat the same pattern at 500 BPM for 3 minutes. Its not even all completely metal and prog drummers too, a lot of drummers just don't get it.

How about you guys post some good, musical drum solos to prove me wrong?

[rickthedrummer]

Too often do I go to watch a video of one of the "greats" or a personal favorite drummer of mine play a solo, and find it just to be a speed and technique presentation, and not a musical solo. Don't get me wrong, speed when used wisely and in small amounts. A good example is Kenny, (I believe that's the correct name) who put up a video the other day that's still up. Sure, he plays fast at some parts, but it still sounds like music. Honestly, I'd rather here some kid play a simple groove with some fills thrown in there as a solo instead of some prog or metal drummer repeat the same pattern at 500 BPM for 3 minutes. Its not even all completely metal and prog drummers too, a lot of drummers just don't get it.

How about you guys post some good, musical drum solos to prove me wrong?

I understand what you are saying, but, in my better than 40 years of playing gigs (if I count my teen years), what I've found out is that most people want to see a drummer move around the set, hit everything, and throw the fast stuff in for good measure.

As a drummer, you want to see or hear certain things in a solo. The average person in a club usually isn't a musician (a lot of wannabees), they want to see a drummer play.

I got my best reactions when I went to the wall. For the most part, only drummers appreciate the type of solo you are talking about. The people (non musicians) want to see all the bells and whistles.

[slinglander]

+1 I'm with rickthedrummer on this. But Most guitar players don't know the difference either!

[Constinator25]

I hate that. People say joey Jordison is the best drummer ever, only because of his speed. (no offense to jordison515 lol)

[Aviator42009]

You know, I never even thought of it that way. Usually the advice is don't overplay during a song because you just need a good back-beat to keep the song going and the crowd enjoying the song. Now that I think about it I guess the crowd really just wants to see a drummer play as fast as he can and showoff.

I guess the best solo is a showoff solo that still sounds good and musical.

[rickthedrummer]

+1 I'm with rickthedrummer on this. But Most guitar players don't know the difference either!

What do you expect, they are guitar players. They know how the singer should sing, how the bass player should play, same with the keyboard player, but, if you say something about their playing, look out.

[Lucius-Borich-JR]

I hate that. People say joey Jordison is the best drummer ever, only because of his speed. (no offense to jordison515 lol)

Don't get me wrong but he is a REALLY good drummer, his double bass speed is impeccable, but I see what you mean

[rickthedrummer]

You know, I never even thought of it that way. Usually the advice is don't overplay during a song because you just need a good back-beat to keep the song going and the crowd enjoying the song. Now that I think about it I guess the crowd really just wants to see a drummer play as fast as he can and showoff.

I guess the best solo is a showoff solo that still sounds good and musical.

When the band is playing, your job is to keep it tight and not overplay. Solo time is your turn to do your stuff. I just tried to make it different from night to night.

[Larrysperf]

When the band is playing, your job is to keep it tight and not overplay. Solo time is your turn to do your stuff. I just tried to make it different from night to night.

Ditto

[atomcorr2]

the world needs different drummers . we are all good in someones eyes . be glad we dont all play the same . im not a jazz or country lover , but there are some great drummers in both , just because they dont play the stuff that you like doesnt mean that they dont get it . they are all good..

[rickthedrummer]

I hate that. People say joey Jordison is the best drummer ever, only because of his speed. (no offense to jordison515 lol)

There isn't a drummer out there who will be called the best drummer ever, because the best drummer ever died 24 years ago. His influence on drumming still carries over to this day.

Fast is just that, fast. Doesn't mean you are a "good drummer", just means you are fast. Some are quicker than others, but, when is the last time you saw a slow drummer.

If you work on speed to the exclusion of other things, it means, obviously, that you are bypassing other things. Between the speed freaks and the stick twirlers, things are missing that were a normal part of playing not all that long ago. Taste and touch have fallen by the wayside.

I know that this won't sit well with the younger drummers, but there is more to playing drums than being super fast and throwing sticks all over the place.

[Cliff5550]

IMO, dynamics and taste should be the rule. Not speed and tricks. Too many drummers I hear, or in YouTube videos, don't seem to know a thing about dynamics. Pound'em hard and pound'em fast straight through to the finish. No thanks.

[Aviator42009]

Honestly, I think some people seem to stereotype beginners way too much. I always here everyone rant and rant about drummers who only want speed, and guys who know nothing about dynamics.. but how often do you see people like that? The only time I've ever seen people with major dynamic issues is people who haven't been playing long and are just getting into the song. Out of all the drummers I know (Only a few) they are all pretty good and know what they are doing, I've yet to meet any speed-demons who break their sticks and cymbals every other week, or hear any personal stories about them. Most of it seems like hype.

[Drumbledore]

Yeah, playing a solo to an audience of drummers has got to be a different experience than playing to average punters. I still enjoy watching solos that display speed, stick tricks and other things, but I have to admit that over the two decades and more of playing and practice, that my tastes have changed and matured over time and I appreciate and listen to a wide range of players. Young players and older ones, professionals or amateurs, we have to listen and take in things with an open mind. That's what I do at least.

[Aviator42009]

Yeah, playing a solo to an audience of drummers has got to be a different experience than playing to average punters. I still enjoy watching solos that display speed, stick tricks and other things, but I have to admit that over the two decades and more of playing and practice, that my tastes have changed and matured over time and I appreciate and listen to a wide range of players. Young players and older ones, professionals or amateurs, we have to listen and take in things with an open mind. That's what I do at least.

In my opinion, if a solo keeps a solid groove, and is something the audience can tap their feet to, but also throws in some fills with tricks and fast stuff, and then ends with a super-fast-crazy-drum-explosion-o***** its a great solo.

[rickthedrummer]

Honestly, I think some people seem to stereotype beginners way too much. I always here everyone rant and rant about drummers who only want speed, and guys who know nothing about dynamics.. but how often do you see people like that? The only time I've ever seen people with major dynamic issues is people who haven't been playing long and are just getting into the song. Out of all the drummers I know (Only a few) they are all pretty good and know what they are doing, I've yet to meet any speed-demons who break their sticks and cymbals every other week, or hear any personal stories about them. Most of it seems like hype.

"but how often do you see people like that?"

More often then you might think.

[drummer]

Something else to think about. If there's a crowded dance floor, I play my drum solos in time and around the groove. This way, they get the best of both.

[Northern Redneck]

In a bar or club, nothing loses a crowd faster than a drum solo. I prefer to show off chops in a song, like Wont Get Fooled or Radar Love.

[xweasel]

I know that this won't sit well with the younger drummers, but there is more to playing drums than being super fast and throwing sticks all over the place.

I'm a 17 year old drummer in a power metal band. I like speed. I like stick tricks. I also agree with everything you've said.

When I'm playing a metal gig in a bar, my solos are generally very simple patterns like RLKK RLRL KK, at very high speeds, across the kit, with stick tricks thrown in. It's what the audience likes to see (note the word "see"). I also keep it fairly short. I hate playing those kind of solos though, lol!

[rickthedrummer]

Aviator, first, I am not trying to argue with you. I'm just pointing out things that I have seen.

I look at drummers from all eras. The thing I see with a lot of the younger drummers is that they seem to have a "one size fits all" solo.

All drummers have certain things they do that they fall back on during a solo, but you should use that to get you to the next pattern you are going to do. What I see with the younger guys, and by younger guys, I mean drummers of the last 15-20 years, especially since the double pedal made it easy to play double bass without lugging the extra BD around. (I'm not knocking it, I have one. I suck with it mainly because I played a hi-hat for 54 years and don't have the foot strenght yet). The thing is, you know that no matter what the drummer is doing, that he is going into that 250 BPM BD roll.

I don't see that much individuality between most, not all, of the drummers. 30-40 years ago, you could hear a Rich, Roach, Morello, Elvin Jones, Louis Belson and each had a distinctive sound. I don't hear that anymore, with a few rare exceptions.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is be your own man. Don't fix on one drummer to listen to. I was (and still am) a Buddy Rich fan, but I didn't let it stop me from listening to as many other drummers as I could, because every drummer, good or bad, has something to offer. I've said this before, that one of the best beats I ever heard was played by one of the worst drummers I ever saw.

Drums are a passion. No matter what anybody else in a band might think, the drums are the heart and soul of any band. A good drummer can take a decent band and make it better, a bad drummer can take a great band, and make it .......bad.

[rickthedrummer]

In a bar or club, nothing loses a crowd faster than a drum solo. I prefer to show off chops in a song, like Wont Get Fooled or Radar Love.

Sorry, I disagree with that. I've played too many solos to know that isn't accurate.

[Northern Redneck]

Im talking cover bar bands, were the crowd is there to dance. You want to loose the crowd start a solo.

[rickthedrummer]

Im talking cover bar bands, were the crowd is there to dance. You want to loose the crowd start a solo.

Been there, and I still respectfully disagree.

[Cliff5550]

im talking cover bar bands, were the crowd is there to dance. You want to loose the crowd start a solo.

+1

[inthpktplayer]

In a bar or club, nothing loses a crowd faster than a drum solo.

Agree. The majority of people at local bars watching a cover band want to hear stuff that they are familiar with (done the way they are used to hearing it) and can dance to. Start a long intricate syncopated drum solo (even if its executed well) and people start heading to the pisser or going outside for a smoke. There are plenty of spots in songs that you can show off your chops without doing a solo and short runs within songs that keep the groove go over well. Solos are fun and you can really get creative with them, but, in this context they aren't needed or appreciated.