Have we had Best Drummer yet?
Discussion
RobM77 said:
I can't believe I'm the only one to mention Jimmy Chamberlain. All these other drummers are great, and I'm fans of most of their music, but Jimmy's won more 'best drummer' votes in music magazines than anyone that I know, and his musical ability is absolutely outstanding.
a few posts above you thekirbyfake said:
As a drummer myself I'm most impressed by jazz drumming which is a far more technical discipline than just keeping beat behind the band.
IMHO the best cross over drummer was Jimmy Chamberlin ex of the Smashing Pumkins.
AND I spelt his name right! IMHO the best cross over drummer was Jimmy Chamberlin ex of the Smashing Pumkins.
I went to Pumpkins gig back in 1993 and stood there in awe just watching him. About half and hour into the set I realised Bjork had been standing next to me all along.
thekirbyfake said:
RobM77 said:
I can't believe I'm the only one to mention Jimmy Chamberlain. All these other drummers are great, and I'm fans of most of their music, but Jimmy's won more 'best drummer' votes in music magazines than anyone that I know, and his musical ability is absolutely outstanding.
a few posts above you thekirbyfake said:
As a drummer myself I'm most impressed by jazz drumming which is a far more technical discipline than just keeping beat behind the band.
IMHO the best cross over drummer was Jimmy Chamberlin ex of the Smashing Pumkins.
AND I spelt his name right! IMHO the best cross over drummer was Jimmy Chamberlin ex of the Smashing Pumkins.
I went to Pumpkins gig back in 1993 and stood there in awe just watching him. About half and hour into the set I realised Bjork had been standing next to me all along.
I think you sum it up there. The thing about JC is that he doesn't just keep the beat or go incredibly fast really accurately, he actually adds structure and interest to the song. In a song like Mayonnaise off Siamese Dream for instance, he actually provides the main riff. I adore the sound of his snare drum too
Sounds like a gun shot!GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
I've no idea, sorry. Being an established rock and jazz musician, I'd have thought he'd stand an equal if not better chance than the other guys here.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
I'd like to suggest that being the rhythmic equivalent of a player piano does not make you a 'great' on any instrument
Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 7th November 16:49
GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Actually yes he can. He was taught to play a number of disciplines including jazz and big band.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Drumming is a funny thing. Everyone can tap their feet to the beat. Given a day behind the skins with a good teacher and they'll be able to knock out a simple 4-beat by tea time.
Taking it to the next level can be done simply with practice and no sheet music involved. Again, anyone with rhythm and decent hand/foot co-ordination should be able to get here with practice. The same couldn't be said for the piano, guitar, trumpet etc.
The next level is a huge, huge jump and there are only a tiny handful of drummers in the most famous bands who would even be able to decipher a beat written down.
I tried it but failed spectacularly. When I played live or in the studio I was pretty much jamming and just remembering what sounded right for that part of the song.
But then again not being able to read sheet music never hurt Paul McCartney
Edited by thekirbyfake on Wednesday 7th November 17:09
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Actually yes he can. He was taught to play a number of disciplines including jazz and big band.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Drumming is a funny thing. Everyone can tap their feet to the beat. Given a day behind the skins with a good teacher and they'll be able to knock out a simple 4-beat by tea time.
Taking it to the next level can be done simply with practice and no sheet music involved. Again, anyone with rhythm and decent hand/foot co-ordination should be able to get here with practice. The same couldn't be said for the piano, guitar, trumpet etc.
The next level is a huge, huge jump and there are only a tiny handful of drummers in the most famous bands who would even be able to decipher a beat written down.
I tried it but failed spectacularly. When I played live or in the studio I was pretty much jamming and just remembering what sounded right for that part of the song.
But then again not being able to read sheet music never hurt Paul McCartney
You're right, most guitarists probably couldn't even recognise a C major chord if it was written on a stave - certainly most of those in the 'best guitarist' thread. This brings us round to an interesting question of what "best" actually means...thekirbyfake said:
As a drummer myself I'm most impressed by jazz drumming which is a far more technical discipline than just keeping beat behind the band.
IMHO the best cross over drummer was Jimmy Chamberlin ex of the Smashing Pumkins.
I agree, and he was the highlight of seeing them (Jimmy, Billy, and two other people) perform at Leeds Festival this year. IMHO the best cross over drummer was Jimmy Chamberlin ex of the Smashing Pumkins.
I've recently taken a liking to We Are Scientists, mainly because of the drumming. It really hits the spot for me, but it's a pity that the drummer has now left the band, I went to see them last night and the new drummer missed out a lot of important little bits that should have been there....
Buddy Rich...
and our very own, late great Ronnie Verrell. As well as being Animal in the Muppet Show (where he had a "Drum Battle" with Buddy Rich), Ron was famously drummer with the Ted Heath Band, Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Jack Parnells ATV Orchestra playing more TV shows than I care to remember. I was lucky enough to play with Ron on a number of occasions and even in his 70's and with severe back problems he swung like no-one I've ever met. He had a story for every occasion (as long as you weren't in polite company!). A thoroughly lovely old git who I'm proud to have worked with and called my friend! As one of the original line-up of the Skinnerettes, Frank Skinner paid a great tribute to Ron when he died in 2002 with a montage of his career.
and our very own, late great Ronnie Verrell. As well as being Animal in the Muppet Show (where he had a "Drum Battle" with Buddy Rich), Ron was famously drummer with the Ted Heath Band, Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Jack Parnells ATV Orchestra playing more TV shows than I care to remember. I was lucky enough to play with Ron on a number of occasions and even in his 70's and with severe back problems he swung like no-one I've ever met. He had a story for every occasion (as long as you weren't in polite company!). A thoroughly lovely old git who I'm proud to have worked with and called my friend! As one of the original line-up of the Skinnerettes, Frank Skinner paid a great tribute to Ron when he died in 2002 with a montage of his career.
Edited by TheMighty on Tuesday 13th November 15:28
Edited by TheMighty on Tuesday 13th November 15:58
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Actually yes he can. He was taught to play a number of disciplines including jazz and big band.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Drumming is a funny thing. Everyone can tap their feet to the beat. Given a day behind the skins with a good teacher and they'll be able to knock out a simple 4-beat by tea time.
Taking it to the next level can be done simply with practice and no sheet music involved. Again, anyone with rhythm and decent hand/foot co-ordination should be able to get here with practice. The same couldn't be said for the piano, guitar, trumpet etc.
The next level is a huge, huge jump and there are only a tiny handful of drummers in the most famous bands who would even be able to decipher a beat written down.
I tried it but failed spectacularly. When I played live or in the studio I was pretty much jamming and just remembering what sounded right for that part of the song.
But then again not being able to read sheet music never hurt Paul McCartney
Edited by thekirbyfake on Wednesday 7th November 17:09
As I say... horses for courses - the more great drummers the better in my book. But just because one loves Harry Potter, it doesn't mean it's the best book ever written.
Edit to add... "Everyone can tap their feet to the beat" ... Not most string players I work with! But FYI, I book and record drummers every few months, and I need players that are as good as the best rock drummers, but can also play Jazz (which is far more difficult). And I'm happy to say that most are based in the UK
(bar Neil)Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 13th November 15:59
GetCarter said:
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Actually yes he can. He was taught to play a number of disciplines including jazz and big band.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Drumming is a funny thing. Everyone can tap their feet to the beat. Given a day behind the skins with a good teacher and they'll be able to knock out a simple 4-beat by tea time.
Taking it to the next level can be done simply with practice and no sheet music involved. Again, anyone with rhythm and decent hand/foot co-ordination should be able to get here with practice. The same couldn't be said for the piano, guitar, trumpet etc.
The next level is a huge, huge jump and there are only a tiny handful of drummers in the most famous bands who would even be able to decipher a beat written down.
I tried it but failed spectacularly. When I played live or in the studio I was pretty much jamming and just remembering what sounded right for that part of the song.
But then again not being able to read sheet music never hurt Paul McCartney
Edited by thekirbyfake on Wednesday 7th November 17:09
As I say... horses for courses - the more great drummers the better in my book. But just because one loves Harry Potter, it doesn't mean it's the best book ever written.
GetCarter said:
Edit to add... "Everyone can tap their feet to the beat" ... Not most string players I work with!
There needs to be a greater emphasis on musicality in classical playing IMHO. I learnt the clarinet at school, but didn't truly develop musically until I learnt the guitar to play rock music. Now I've come back to learning the cello the shortfallings in the RSM syllabus and teaching methods are very clear to me. Classical training should include more: playing with others, playing by ear and improvising.GetCarter said:
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Actually yes he can. He was taught to play a number of disciplines including jazz and big band.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Jimmy is a trained technical drummer. Give him a sheet of drum music be it rock, jazz or big band and he'll knock you out a first take recording.
He's also a maestro for knowing what sounds "right" in each song. His pieces has proper structure, not just a metronomic rhythm. As Rob says I'd love to be able to easily link you to some of his work however being in the music biz I'm sure you'd be able to lay your hands on a copy of Siamese Dream to see what we mean.
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Actually yes he can. He was taught to play a number of disciplines including jazz and big band.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Jimmy is a trained technical drummer. Give him a sheet of drum music be it rock, jazz or big band and he'll knock you out a first take recording.
He's also a maestro for knowing what sounds "right" in each song. His pieces has proper structure, not just a metronomic rhythm. As Rob says I'd love to be able to easily link you to some of his work however being in the music biz I'm sure you'd be able to lay your hands on a copy of Siamese Dream to see what we mean.
GetCarter said:
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
thekirbyfake said:
GetCarter said:
The thing is - can he read and play to record first take? (drum music)
If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Actually yes he can. He was taught to play a number of disciplines including jazz and big band.If not... he's a chocolate teapot.
Jimmy is a trained technical drummer. Give him a sheet of drum music be it rock, jazz or big band and he'll knock you out a first take recording.
He's also a maestro for knowing what sounds "right" in each song. His pieces has proper structure, not just a metronomic rhythm. As Rob says I'd love to be able to easily link you to some of his work however being in the music biz I'm sure you'd be able to lay your hands on a copy of Siamese Dream to see what we mean.
I have absolutely no idea why the video goes with the audio here, but here's Jimmy drumming on the Pumpkins song Geek USA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ygn9MIpVq8
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