An old favorite posted many times but seemed to fit again...

There's a right time and place for both in drumming... drummers should be playing FOR the music; whatever that may require.

Example: I recently saw Marco Minneman with The Aristocrats and it was an AMAZING musical/show experience. That guy is so technically gifted, it is unreal! His playing compliments that type of music so much. But put him, or his style, with say an R&B or Country group.. it just wouldn't work. Could he tone it down and play?? Of course. Would he be able to have fun and add "his" signature sound? I don't believe so.

So.. it all depends on the music. The most important for me is to play for the song and be as musical as possible.

Very well said Riddim-it`s all in the ear of the beholder and the style of music we`re playing.Seems to me that` the evolution of drummimg is going around in circles here,not much new in the technical dept.,just variations,but i guess it`s the long road to new things and that IS evolution in any capacity...

Wayne

Crazy Art?

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXCPVDAE1Ig&feature=related"]Good Rats - Tasty (probably the Best Song in the world....) - YouTube[/ame]

That's funny, he kind of looks like Crazy Art, only he's a righty.

I started drumming at 24. Without any doubt I'm a limited drummer, and due to limited training capacity because of a sensitive left wrist, this will stay that way. With my band I played a few shows. Every time afterwards guys came up to me and complimented my playing; they say its tight and functional, and that there are few fills, but the ones that are there are a little odd and surprising and complement the song.

It's how you think about things. My function is being an energy-pump. That most important. My energy won't flow If I have to do complicated chops, so I won't. If do want to implement something difficult I train it first, so I can be comfortable with it and it won't disturb my flow. Flow=pleasure. Audience (especially when they are not musicians themselves) are most sensitive for pleasure, for flow, for energy. Two weeks ago we played in a pub. The band before us were much much better musician than us, but played pretty dull songs in a pretty dull way. The people were hardly responding. Then we played our simple straight forward rock, and we got into our groove pretty well.... and then the people were applauding, shouting, making bear-sounds, ordering lots of bear etc.

Limitation is not a problem. With a certain minimum of skills there's allways the possibility of creating energy. It's a matter of not letting your ego fool you. At least that's my experience.

On the other hand. Some jazz I know would be utterly meaningless without highly technical skilled drummers showing off! Seems there's a place and time for everything.

Ka ching!

Winner in aisle 3!