Jump to content

The Joy of Simplicity


FitchFY

Recommended Posts

  • Members

My main project is a hard rock situation, but I've always prided myself on having a lot of versatility to back up calling myself "a musician." My band members are continually surprised when I throw in a few bars of straight jazz or a left hand clave pattern; basically stuff I play whenever they're not in the room.

 

So there's a RI-based metal band called Letdown, and I'm sitting in with them at a show on St. Patty's Day. However, we're only playing one metal tune; the rest are from a side project called Sgt. Pepin's Empty Wallet Club Band.

 

There is a distinct JOY to playing stripped down bluesy funky rock music like that! We played for three hours yesterday and it was the most fun I've ever had behind a kit. I went back to my Bonham roots and just went for feel and simplicity... it was total joy, total feel, total groove. I never touched my left bass drum pedal, I hit my china maybe three times... just fun.

 

Sometimes, instead of complicating things, just give it a KISS! (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I sometimes think that the joy comes from being able to pay more attention to everyone else around you vs. having to concentrate on getting your parts correct in more complex music.

 

It also may be a function of age. I used to look down on 'disco' type music when I was a young 'punk', but now that decades have passed, I find that I enjoy playing those beats in the retro bands I play with. Laying the solid foundation that everyone else can build upon is just really satisfying, now that I understand!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I agree completely. I think new drummers today biggest downfall is looking over just playing simple stuff and groovin with it. Every new drummer i meet is always like "o look at how fast I can go and how sweet this is!" But they cant play a straight groove with a band. The biggest improvement in my playing was when I learned that less is more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I couldn't agree more. I'm doing this thing with a friend of mine who plays piano. He was the one that got me into drums three years ago. He tries to make these insanely complicated and unrealistic beats on fruity loops and expects me to play them. I mean I have no problem listening to someone else

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I agree completely. I think new drummers today biggest downfall is looking over just playing simple stuff and groovin with it. Every new drummer i meet is always like "o look at how fast I can go and how sweet this is!" But they cant play a straight groove with a band. The biggest improvement in my playing was when I learned that less is more.

 

that's not really a new phenomenon--remember be-bop?

 

But you're right; many players think that "good" and "can play a whole lot of notes" are the same thing

 

:blah:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I agree completely. I think new drummers today biggest downfall is looking over just playing simple stuff and groovin with it. Every new drummer i meet is always like "o look at how fast I can go and how sweet this is!" But they cant play a straight groove with a band. The biggest improvement in my playing was when I learned that less is more.

 

Amen! If you were here, I'd give ya a hug and buy you a beer! Absolutely Correct! :thu:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

good god Fitch! yer gettin married so ya go all smarmy on us?!?!? Save ur groove 4 ur lady... gimme 128th notes!


Just kidding!
:D

 

Hahahahah! Niiiiiiiice! :D

 

To make this matter funnier, I played with said band again last night. I pride myself on NEVER dropping sticks, and I dropped three in one song last night, playing probably a freakin' Pink Floyd tune.

 

AND I WASN'T EVEN DRUNK!!!! (Maybe that's what the issue was...)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...