Jojo Mayer is a guy whom I consider to be one of the most skilled drummers I have ever seen. He has mastered nearly all styles of hitting the drums with just a pair of sticks. Many of you might think that sounds like an easy thing to do but you'd be so wrong to think that. His hand/finger technique is truly amazing, it is nothing I have ever seen before. He is able to gain extreme speeds that have been considered impossible, and he can do it smoothly in a relaxed manner.
Jojo Mayer has the reputation of being extremely skilled with his technique and I find that to be 100% true. It is really a jaw dropping moment for many if not, all drummers who have seen him play the drums either on video or in person.
The method which he uses a lot is call the "moeller" method, it is one of my favorite methods to apply when I drum but I haven't fully mastered it yet. I only know this method through Jojo Mayer's videos. (thanks Jojo Mayer, if there is a possible chance that you're reading this)
If anyone can master his hand technique and apply it like the way Jojo Mayer does. It would be an amazing achievement, I've tried.... and failed... Nevertheless, it is guys like him that keeps me practicing more... to become an even better drummer that I ever was.
One awesome drummer... really love his style and skills.
Now this is a guy you just gotta love. Mike Johnston falls under no. 8 of my list for being so awesome at drums, not to mention his comedic act while performing and teaching. For those of you who do not know who Mike Johnston is, I'll give you a short back story. He was the drummer of a rock band called Simon Says, "Here is the third guy walking in the beginning of the video."
Years later, he opened his own drum school called "The Drum Lab" in Sacramento and started to post some cool drum licks, rudiments, beats on Youtube and that is when his fame started to shoot off the roof (Also that was when I discovered of his existence).
He is one awesome dude and I also love watching whatever new stuff he has on Youtube. Just recently, he posted a video on youtube to challenge other drummers to become better in doing some drum shedding... so I tried it out myself and ofcourse, I got thrashed by the man himself...
But even so, Mike Johnston was humble enough to leave a comment on the video...
From Mike Johnston: RAYMOND! That was great. Your style is incredible, such a smooth flow to everything. It's a true pleasure to play with you bro. Thank you for doing this and showing drummers that we can have fun when we shed, even if we are many miles apart.
Great Job Raymond, Mike Johnston MIKESLESSONS COM
He is one awesome dude and worthy to be called as one the greatest drummers the world has ever seen...
O man, Billy Ward. The ultimate "groovemeister". This dude land on my no.9 spot in my all time favorite drummers because not only does he have the most amazing grooves but also he has so much creativity with so little drums. He can use a simple 4 piece drum kit and make it sound so full... it is really amazing.
Besides such an awesome jazz drummer, he is very versatile, once you put him with a bassist, crazy things happen... I kid you not... when I saw him playing with a bassist from his "Big Time" DVD, I was blown away by the awesomeness of the music they made. It was really cool.... here's a short clip of it on Youtube...
What I like most about Billy Ward is that he just gives the oomph in every style he plays. An extremely versatile dude... and also a hilarious man...
___________________________________________________________________
I was doing a recording at Ps. Jonathan Tse's studio... I thought it'd be nice to jam to his song... a moment later, Ps. Jonathan decided to record me so I'm like..oh crap... gotta do something cool...and this is what happened! >.<
As we are closing in to the drummers that I really like, I would like to name the top 10 in my list of all time favorite drummers whom I can never get tired of. From the beginning of the list. No. 10 is none other then the man who made The Art of Drumming. "Benny Greb."
His groove and style is probably one of the best of the best. He can take a simple backbeat and make it sound so inspiring! I first saw his performance on Youtube. His soloing with grooves was really simple yet jaw dropping... the groove is so awesome that you can almost taste it. I think this video speaks for itself.
Up until today, for some reason, his face just reminds me of Jesus Christ. The one that Hollywood always keeps on portraying. I see a lot of facial resemblance in him. Dont you think so...
Anyways, despite his facial figure. I really love his grooves, it just satisfies my ears very much! Benny drumming with Johnny Rabb. Although I like Benny's groove, this video of him snare soloing with Johnny Rabb, I think Johnny Rabb thrashed Benny but it is really cool.
P/S. For those of you who know me very well. This video on O:45. Does it sound familiar?
This song is call Flavor of The Week by an old band American Hi Fi, which is one of my favorite bands.
Now, when you have seen that video, watch this
Alright... so what does American Hi-Fi have anything to do with Miley Cyrus?
Well... look closely at the drummer for Miley.... Now look closely at the lead singer of American Hi-Fi.
NO way??? YES WAY! It turns out, the reason why American Hi Fi has not had anything new is because the lead singer now plays the drums for Miley Cyrus!!!!!
I know that some people already knew this a long time ago, but I just found out and I think the majority of my readers did not know that either! This is just mind-blowingly shocking! I didn't know he played drums and he's really good at it!
For those who have been asking what I've been practicing on the drums lately. This is what I've just been recently working on...
This is a composition made by a composer called Steve Reich. This is a 12/16 (similar to 6/8 or 3/4) clapping rhythm performed by two people. 1st, both clappers will clap the rhythm in unison. 1 will keep on playing the same rhythm throughout the entire time while the 2nd clapper moves 1 quarter of a note back every 4th, 8th, or 12th bar. They will keep this up all the way until the 2nd clapper comes back into unison with the 1st clapper.
Steve Reich in 2006
This is one of Steve Reich's early pieces of simple "phasing."He has done alot more other types of composition that does even more complicated phasing. For those who do not know what is phasing in a musical term; " it just means that two instruments playing the same thing in steady but not identical tempo. Slowly making them out of sync... all the way until the 2nd instruments comes back in unison with the 1st instrument."
I first got the idea to do this when I saw Glenn Kotche's interview at the Modern Drummer Festival 2006 DVD. I was so fascinating that I've tried to mimic it by ear by for a whole year couldn't find it possible until I finally sat down and spent an entire hour writing out the entire notation for clapping music. Surprisingly it is only 12 bars.
You can see Mr. Kotche talking about the Clapping Music around 0:40 in the video. In it, he also demonstrated how he did the Clapping Music with two different drum surface. One on the floor tom and one on the rack tom. The rhythm he did on the floor tom doesn't change (mimicking the 1st clapper) while the rhythm on the rack tom does the phasing (mimicking the 2nd clapper).
So what have I been practicing?... This is it. Trying to do Clapping Music on the drums like how Glen Kotche did. I have to say..this is not an easy task to accomplish. I might post a video of myself doing the Clapping music piece once I have mastered the piece. Which will probably take a while.
For the past few drummers that I have talked about in my post, I haven't really gotten to the ones that I've always wanted to talk about. The drummers that are doing what I want to do in my life. Being a drummer for Christ and winning souls! The ones that you already know are of course Teddy Campbell from American Idol and Marvin McQuitty of Israel & New Breed. But there are many others that did not come from such Gospel Church backgrounds. Many of them were lost somewhere in their life as drummer but soon became saved.
So here is my salutation and respect towards all these great drummers that I have come to enjoy seeing them drumming.
Gregg Bissonette. The drummer that I have come to realize as being one of the most versatile drummers I have ever seen. He has performed with such musicians like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Santana, and Duran Duran.
Here's an old video of him drumming in the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert.
This is him now, which kind of shows his variety of drumming styles as being both a soloist and a sideman.
Luis Conte. First thing that come to my mind is not just an amazing percussionist, but also a really humble a nice person. I've seen some of his drumming and listened to him being interviewed and I have got to say, he is a very humble and nice guy. Which is hard to find people like him especially when he has performed with such great artists like Phil Collins, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Elton John and even a rock band like Goo Goo Dolls.
Here's Luis Conte drumming along with Phil Collins and Chester Thompson
Zoro the drummer. Do not be fooled by his looks, he is one powerhouse drummer for Christ! He was interviewed by Joyce Meyer last year and to what it is like being a drummer for the Lord. I have the interview video so if anybody wants the video, you can e-mail me.
Sheila E. There is only one thing I can tell you. Dont judge a book by its cover. She will kick your butt if you think you can drum better than her. As being both drummer/singer...she has worked with many famous people like Prince, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.
Long ago while still working with Prince. Powerhouse drumming!!!
A video excerpt from the "Sisters in Spirit" Tour. Man, if I had a girlfriend like that, I would be considered the luckiest man in the world. (laughs)
Last but not the very least, the one and only living legend, Vinnie Colaiuta. I have to say, a poly rhythmic master like him being a drummer for Christ is truly a huge win for drummers everywhere and he is one of the most respected musicians among many drummers. I would say he has reached to a status equivalent to Steve Gadd!
To all these amazing drummers, I salute and respect you all!
Okay, the fact the my Lady Gaga drum cover has been deleted off youtube due to copyright reasons I guess was fair, but when I uploaded the video again, I have made it clear that what I did was not meant to surpass any copyright law and meant it for leisure only. Despite that, the video was once again deleted... So I made a third attempt, this time I have stated
(Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.)
guess what happened... it worked...for a day and then it was deleted again. Right now, to show my response, I have uploaded another video to in a way show them my feelings and to substitute my Lady Gaga Drum cover. Hopefully this does not have the copyright law protection nonsense. (I will post the Lady Gaga Drum Cover video on blogger if it doesn't have any copyright law protection.)
So here's Waking the Demon by Bullet for My Valentine. Enjoy!
____________________________________________________ Now, what kind of diabolical drumming style of music do you think he would be doing?
I finally got the time to upload my drumming on Youtube.
Now, I know that many of you are thinking, why this song? It's so easy to play! or Anyone can do that...
All that is true, the reason I did a drum cover to this is not because of the technicality of the song, but rather how the fact that you can have all the riffs and fills you want. Yet, something so simple can be so catchy. And as a drummer, the beat is very simple and consistent, leaving alot of room for more flowering on the drums. Thus, this cover is made.
Hope you all enjoy this and dont forget to leave a comment on YouTube.
Something else in mind...
This is a really nice song, and I just felt the need to do a drum cover for it. Despite the fact that tons of ppl have already done it. I just want to do it for the sake of enjoyment.
Alright, this drummer is one of the most unique ones I have ever seen. The style of drumming is ofcourse nothing short of excellence but Andrea Vadrucci has really caught the attention of many Youtubers as the Super Mario drummer. And what I mean by that is that he did a drum cover for The Super Mario Bros. game. Sounds strange? At first I also thought of the same thing but when I saw the video, I was really stumped. It was like what if Mike Portnoy had nothing to do and just started playing nostalgic video games... and this is what you'll get.
Basically, in this post I really dont need to say much cause the videos themselves will truly get your attention even for non-musicians, they'll find it very entertaining...
This was the first video that grabbed my attention of Andrea Vadrucci and the rest they say, is history.
Other than the Super Mario stuff, he has also approach the Classical Music realm and add the progressive rock element into them. Now for many Classically trained musicians esp the pianist might probably find the next few videos as an insult because they dont like it when their music gets tampered with. It was for me a very subjective matter because you cant please everyone. But nevertheless, I find it to be something new and awesome. Also, hats off, it has made me a believer that he truly really is a musical genius!
Out of all of these drum covers/arrangements that he did. This one takes the cake as bringing back much fond memories of my favorite cartoon.
The Simpsons!
To Andrea Vadrucci, the most awesome/coolest drummer on YouTube.
When these two names come to my ears, I have to say holy #@$!. You will all now why once I show you their drums, especially Terry Bozzio's kit.
The major thing about these guys' playing is that it is not your ordinary, "fast drumming" or extreme drum solos. In fact, they have made something that is really out of the ordinary; making melody on the drums! (I am serious). And that is really not what you would expect to see or let alone hear from a non-melodic instrument. And because of that, they require drum sets that are massive and having each tom, and bass drum tuned differently.
First off, let's talk about Chad Wackerman, he was the first one that really brought to my attention that drums can be melodic! And this was the video that really opened up my mind to having new ideas to be more creative "in a melodic" sense besides just making rhythm.
In this video, his right hand and both feet are providing a 7/4 time signature rhythm, while his left hand is free to lead a melodic fill all around. Soon after at 1:40, he lets his feet to do the rhythm and his hands continue with a solo that is a mixture of rhythm and melody which is one of the coolest thing I have ever seen.
F.Y.I. yes, he composed that melody. Now, the man with the biggest arsenal of drums known to man. Terry Bozzio. Although he has been ridiculed by alot of people because of his unnatural approach to playing the drums, I believe he brings out something new, original and not just having a big drum set just for the sake of having it.
He has played in numerous bands such as Frank Zappa, Steve Vai and his latest project with KoRn. His drum set is what I would consider as the biggest drum set in the world.
This is his current set-up. (Excerpted from Wikipedia)
Drums
Vertical Low Timbre drums in olive ash burl finish with satin chrome lugs and black powdercoat rims. All heads are Terry Bozzio Attack signature in clear mylar
10" snare tuned to D
13 - 8" x 3" piccolo toms - tuned from high C to a low C
12" solid craviotto snare tuned to B
8" x 3" piccolo tom tuned to Bb
8" x 6" tom tuned to A
4 - 10"x 6" toms G-F-E-D
10" x 8" tuned to C
12" x 6" tuned to B
12" x 8" tuned to A
13" x 9" tuned to G
14" x 10" tuned to F
16" x 12" tuned to E
Cymbals
All cymbals are Sabian Radia Terry Bozzio signatures.
21" ride
16" china below 8"china
18" china below 10"china
14" china w/12"crash stack below 7"china w/6"crash stack
16" china w/14"crash stack below 8"china w/7"crash stack
18" china w/16"crash stack below 10"china w/8"crash stack
20" china w/18"crash stack below 12"china w/10"crash stack
20" china below 12"china
22" china below 14"china
36" Chinese gong (behind right w/beater on cym boom)
10" hihats
left remote china hi hat 16" over 18"
spoxe hi hat
12" hi hats
lp tambourine
12" heavy bell under 8" cup chime
11" heavy bell under 7 1/2" cup chime
10" heavy bell under 7" cup chime
9" heavy bell under 6 1/2" cup chime
20" flat ride w/20"china stack, under closed14" flat bottom hi hats, under factory metal , under pete englehardt ribbon crasher
26" B-20 radia gong on dw custom 3 point gong holder designed by Terry
20" x 16" main left kick drum (muffled) tuned to Bb
Metal tambourine shaker or tb special tambourine foot plate jingle device
20" x 16" main right kick drum (muffled) tuned to G
24" x 14" bd tuned to A (w/ akg d-112 may mic)
right remote hi hats 16" over 20"
18" x bd tuned to D
18" x bd tuned to E
20" x 8" bd tuned to B
Other
Glockenspiel
36" wuhan Chinese gong
One octave set of wuhan Chinese bossed gongs
Now when you put these two monsters together, you'll get probably one of the most amazing site to behold for not just drummers but also all musicians.
Up until today, this video is one of my personal favourite drum solo and also can be considered as my favourite drum song! Keep on drumming and rock on Chad Wackerman and Terry Bozzio.
Okay, so the title in itself will probably explain to you the two drummers are definitely famous, good, and without a doubt overrated. Reason why I am doing this is because many have given false information about these drummers and have exaggerated their talents on the drums to a point where it is unrealistic!
Now this post is not meant with any intention to rip on these two drummers but to really help many young drummers and non-drummers to open up their mind in showing them that there are many other "unknown drummers" who are either just as good and (in my opinion), better then the ones that I am about to mention...
Famous, good and overrated drummer no.1 Travis Barker
Now many of you will probably know him from the band Blink 182 with his speed and ridiculously famous showmanship in literally whacking on the drums. But he is in no way the only "good" punk drummers in this world. In my opinion, he is a good drummer, but I would strongly recommend that no one should try and copy his style of showmanship and drum setting because it is unethical.
Watch this video first before reading on...
As you have noticed, it may look cool to drum like that, but it will definitely increase your chances of having nerve and wrist damage in your hands. Other than that, if you set your drums similar to Travis' set up, it makes it extremely hard and challenging to play around the drums with ease. Plus, without any proper technique, setting up the drums like that will probably cause any drummer to have back injury if they are required to play songs like these or songs that are much faster....
In conclusion, Travis Barker is a great drummer, but not reasonable to follow his style of drumming and drum set-up. But here are the few drummers that I would recommend to follow and see for yourself if they are of equivalent to Mr. Barker.
Tre Cool from the band Green Day. Who is probably one o the craziest punk drummers I have ever seen.
Mike Johnston former drummer of the band Simon Says. Currently a drum teacher. One who is more than just a punk drummer but also extremely versatile in many other styles.
Famous, good and overrated drummer no.2 Joey Jordison
In the music genre of Metal, the drummer that is on every one's lips is a Slipknot member by the name of Joey Jordison.
This Metal drummer is pretty much known for being a member of Slipknot. His drumming has many licks that includes double pedaling and fast singles around the drums. But probably one of his most well known drumming is not in any of the songs but this particular drum solo that he performed infront of a huge crowd with a li'l element of surprise in his performance that got everyone up on their feet screaming for more.
Overall, Joey Jordison is an okay drummer and can pass as a heavy metalist but by far cannot surpass to the metal drummer that I am about to show. These heavy metal drummers do not need any introduction and any words. The videos that I'm going to show you says it all.
The drummers are Derek Roddy and George Kollias!
Derek Roddy
George Kollias
So there you have it my fellow readers. The drummers whom I consider you all to put into your knowledge as being amazing and no longer "unknown" drummers.
When it comes to powerhouse drumming and extreme showmanship; no one can match up to the amazing drummer by the name of John Blackwell...
John was raised in a very musical family and started his playing since the age of three when got his first drum kit. He studied in one of the most prestigious music college (Berklee College of Music) soon after, his career kicked off and was playing for big Pop, R&B, and Rap artist like Prince, P. Diddy, Utada Hikaru, and Justin Timberlake.
John Blackwell drumming for Justin Timberlake at the Grammys.
He has made a trademark of himself with his kung-fu like stick twirls when he drums which is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. He does it so fast that at times I though the video was being fast forward...it's that fast!
You can see him doing it at 0:52 in this video...
Not only is John Blackwell good in his showmanships, but also in his amazing groove and style of playing which really nice to hear...
Rock on John Blackwell!
This concludes my series of my favorite gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop drummers. My next post will be about drummers that the majority of readers will know and recognize as famous, good, cliche and extremely overrated. Although not alot of drummers like them, they have truly caught the attention of many non-drummers and non-musicians. Causing an effect that made many people want to play drums. So for that, I would have to thank them by mentioning them in my posts. But to clarify things, I do not like those drummers but I respect them.
Possibly one of the most admired drummers among many aspired Christians is what Teddy Campbell calls "Marvin- the Magnificent- McQuitty." And the word magnificent is just a small word for man this talented!
It began when he just 3 years old, mimicking his father playing the drums, soon it became what Marvin was destined to do. His drumming is very well known for his groove and uncanny musicality, also not forget to mention an amazing versatility! Because of his amazing ability to change and adapt in music, he has worked with many of today's big artist like Destiny's Child, Stevie Wonder, Mary Mary, Israel & New Breed etc.
Marvin McQuitty was brought into my attention when he performed at one of the most prestigious drumming event known to man. The Modern Drummer Festival! where he play along to one of his compositions called "Get Your Life Back". In which he performed flawlessly with tremendous fill and groove that made my eyes glued to the TV screen!
Marvin is and I quote from www.drumemrworld.com that "Marvin is living his dreams, walking in his purpose and affecting the lives of thousands with his spiritual inspiration and affinity for God."
I have got to say amen to that! Currently, Marvin is now working with grammy award winner Israel Houghton in his group "Israel & New Breed".
you can catch Marvin worshipping with Israel & New Breed and Hillsong's Darlene Zschech in that video... the camera catches Marvin at 1:19/ 2:22 My salutes goes out to Marvin McQuitty, an amazing drummer for God! Amen!
Ever since his appearance on the Modern Drummer Festival 2006. He has been one of the most talked about drummers in the Gospel arena. He has also won the award for being the "Up & Coming" drummer in the Modern Drummer readers' poll. Aaron Spears is definitely one of the most impressive drummers I have ever seen. His licks, groove, and linear fills are unbelievable!
Here is a video of him drumming to "Usher - Caught Up" at the Modern Drummer Fest 2006. It will blow your mind at how awesome his fills/licks are...
For your information... he is the official drummer for Usher.
You can catch Aaron in this video drumming for Usher & James Brown at 4:18. Which was also one of the coolest fills I have ever heard. To Aaron Spears...one of the most breath-taking gospel drummers I have ever seen.
Teddy Campbell... as for as gospel drumming goes, he is probably one of the most sought after drummer! He is particularly famous for being the drummer of American Idol. He is one of my personal favorites not just because of his amazing drum fills and gospel chops, but for his amazing ability to groove to any type of music. He proves it very well on the American Idol show, when the contestants wants rock, he'll sound like a rock drummer, when it's jazz, he sounds like he has been playing jazz for all his life, and it goes on and on...
His resume is super impressive too! Since he's the drummer for American Idol, there's no need to mention that he has performed with Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Hudson Taylor, Fantasia etc. but he also performed with Britney Spears (back when she was at the top), Backstreet Boys and Christina Aguilera
In 2006, he was invited to perform at the Modern Drummer Festival with many other goespel drummers like Aaron Spears (drummer for Usher), Gerald Heyward (drummer for Mary J. Blige), and Marvin McQuitty(drummer for Israel & New Breed).
Teddy at the Modern Drummer Festival.
I personally had the opportunity to meet with Teddy Campbell at the Singapore Drum Festival, and he is one of the nicest guys you'll ever see and very humble. I not only respect him for his amazing drumming but also for his faith, during the festival said "When I play the drums, I am only ushering people into the presence of God." When he said that out loud just like that, I really wanted to shout amen! (laughs)...
watch this video at 1:47
God bless you Teddy Campbell and may the Lord shine upon you.
photos and info courtesy of www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Teddy_Campbell.html video courtesy of www.youtube.com
Jojo Mayer is a guy whom I consider to be one of the most skilled drummers I have ever seen. He has mastered nearly all styles of hitting the drums with just a pair of sticks. Many of you might think that sounds like an easy thing to do but you'd be so wrong to think that. His hand/finger technique is truly amazing, it is nothing I have ever seen before. He is able to gain extreme speeds that have been considered impossible, and he can do it smoothly in a relaxed manner.
