Chops, feel, or both?

[dum-dum-soc]

It has been a while since I have tirated on the forum about something philosphical, so here we go.

WHY DO YOU PLAY DRUMS..... That is not a simple ansewr. Some play because it relieves stress and is a break from a 9 to 5 life. Others play for the intrinsic value. That is to say that they play for the sheer joy of playing. Whatever your reason for playing, what are you motivated to become...... Do you want to be a pocket player, flashy lick and chop player or an all around player with a little of everything. Here is the dilema. We all for the most part want to be well rounded when in all actuallity we wont. Some will be better at jazz, others at pop, rock. But that's one of the things that makes us unique. My question to the HOD is this. What do you want to be. Would you want to be like Dave Weckl with amazing facitly and technique but (sorry to say) no groove. Not that he can't, it's just not as deep as others. Dennis Chambers who is 70's parlimentaly funky with a great groove, but limited by lack of technique and fills can only do so much. Or Vinnie who can do it all but is still not as funky as some other drummers (Dennis). There is no right or wrong answer just looking for opinions. As for me I want the imagination of Vinnie, facility of Dave, and the funk and raw playing joy of Dennis. As you can see I have enough material to work on until I am 92. Better get to work.

[FuseU1]

Both/all.

Sheer joy of music, AWA I'm sure almost-if-not-everyone's ego has played a part at 1 time or another [img]wink.gif[/img] .

NTM the high of that "Zen of Time" [pocket] when the whole band is LOCKING IN to that "special super-Zone"...

[BTW - Weck may not groove for 1 person AOT another, but I can't deny that his timing, technique, & musicality are spot-on...& Dennis has LOADS of chops & patterns, & is very musical & groovy...all IMHO [img]wink.gif[/img] ]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 02, 2004 05:44 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[dum-dum-soc]

Very true Fuse. Not saying that Weck has bad time or isn't musical hell I would give up three girlfriends to have his talent for a day, but If you were doing a funk gig, who would you call, Dennis or Weckl...

[peter c]

Both and anything I'm not that excites me.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

[hanayalator]

I'd wanna be a groove player first, and then have chops and shit after... How many calls did Porcaro and Gadd and Purdie get for tearing it up around the kit?

[Derek DeFields]

Good topic.

What excites me is stuff that makes ME feel something. That can come from seeing someone raise the bar on a technical level, playing a groove deeper than I've ever heard, writing a song I really love etc etc. I think the question is why do you love MUSIC? For a lot of us, I think it's virtually one and the same. I couldn't listen to a song without paying special attention to the drumming, nor could I hear or play a "beat" and not hear music. (at least in my own head)

As far as what kind of drummer, I just want to be able to play any idea I hear in my head; simple as that. (and I am a LONG way from that place)

[five eight]

On the other hand, how many calls did Vinnie and Weckl and Virgil get after tearing it up around the kit? [img]wink.gif[/img]

[Manos]

I try not to even think about these things because I know I will never be satisfied, or even content, with where I'm at in with my playing. But, my eyes are on being as good as Vinnie, so I guess that's who I'd like to be like. However, Vinnie IS the end-all be-all to me - I think he's as funky as Chambers, as solid/creative as Porcaro/Gadd, and as technically proficient as Weckl. So, in my eyes, Vinnie CAN do absoLUTEly everything... that's why I feel I'll never be there.

And while I'd like to say I wish I could be as good as Chambers/Weckl, I don't. I don't like them at all, really, the more I listen to them. I like the music they play with, but I just can't get into their drumming - there's just no feeling.

I guess that this means I'd rather have feel than chops, because anyone, and I mean ANYone, can and will develop chops over the years. However, not just anyone can ever learn to feel music in a way that Gadd, Porcaro, and Colaiuta do.

[ladanny]

For me, feel is more important than chops, because I know without feel, chops don't matter. However, I think I work on chops MORE than feel because I think that's where I need more work. I tend to work on feel when I'm jamming with other players making music, because it's hard to work on feel alone, unless I want to record myself playing to a track.

My 2 cents

[beat Hit]

So "WHY DO YOU PLAY DRUMS"...

Since I know myself I love the drums, there is this passion inside of me that I just can't override. I simply LOVE the drums... Born that way, not my fault... [img]wink.gif[/img]

As far as "What do you want to be"

When I play, I look for groove, feel and musicality. I just wish I had more time bringing it all in a band context though... Playing with others being the greatest School there is IMO.

Unconsciously, bits and pieces of what some of my favorite drummers do on the kit can be heard in my playing, that's FOR SURE. Those favorites being Vinnie with his fire and odd-licks, Dennis' feel and pocket, Paul Brochu's musical ears, flare and taste, Erskine's touch and colorful cymbal work... Etc.

BTW... Dennis Chambers' musicality is verrry much underestimated IMO. He makes things happen with everyone he's been with... His Resume speaks for itself...