Dennis Chambers - Ottawa 2007

[ddrums001]

Ok Dennis can't read. What's everybody's point? There is something called natural ability and Dennis Chambers is loaded with it! He's arguably one of the greatest in my book wether he can read or not

[paulwall1981]

What is that huge looking tom to the left of the main kit. Cause I have never seen Chambers use that before? I think it could be a large floor tom on a mout. But I am not sure. Gr8 drummer also.

[triviumrule666]

20" gong drum

[paulwall1981]

Thanks for this I know what it is now.

[mrthundaboots]

Gong bass drum.

[THEREIZNOGOD]

just beautiful

[blica1]

he looks like he's playing in some high school cafeteria..he deserves a better venue to play in !!

[nunnynunn123]

Alot of session work is done with producers ideas and your own ear...i know of 4 professional drummers who cant read music to anywhere near a pro level.

[mtownking88]

da truth

[Simonefunkydrummer]

Just ENJOY

[RATAFLAFLA]

ninja drummer!!!

[givedrummersome]

his ride sounds like china

[scorpion2155]

All my camera mic could pick up was the wash buildup.

[funkrock94]

pearl drums are the best drums, dennis chambers is a great drummer, a monument of the music

[whydontyoutry]

whtas the song called anyway?

[bucatinox]

great dennis he don't read music .....natural talent

[jb60587]

you know he has a doctorate right?? he does read.

[rhythmosyncopath]

really!!

[WillWatson23]

just because your mainly self taght doesn't mean you can't read

i tought myself to read music

you CAN'T be a session drummer without knowing hwo to read music, it's like bieng an illiterate librarian

[bourgeoisbrats]

The truth is that he doesn't read music well enough to play strictly from it, in a session or on stage:-) He does however have "total recall" for tunes, and can "pull up" any song he's ever played, simple of complex. That said, I don't know any "reading drummers" that could read one of his drum charts, anyway! DC is a master time-keeper (and super-imposer), with some pretty unbelievable "split-brain" control over his extremities :-)

[drummer4christians]

Thank You

[nunnynunn123]

Of course you can..bloody idiot.

[WillWatson23]

can you please explain how you can be a professional session drummer without being able to read the music they ask you to play.

[Jay435]

I can't answer that but can you or anyone else explain to me how in the heck Bela Fleck can play all that stuff on banjo & do a recording with Chic Corea without being able to read at all? BTW Buddy Rich's reading was atrocious.

[Moog167]

Dennis is one of the few lucky musicians that has not only a awesome ear and sensitivity to music but he has a awesome memory of what he has to learn in the music he has to play....

[jimborani]

Can you read then ? I think DC has had quite a few more gigs than you or are you saying he's no good because he can't read, you're on a hiding to nothing there my friend. My drum teacher insists on all hs pupils reading and I can read but I'm still a crap drummer!!

[WillWatson23]

DC is one of my favorite drummers, im just saying that im sure he can read and in order to be a high level professional you need to know how to read music.

[mrthundaboots]

No he can't. But proffessors from all around the world come to hear HIM play.

[WillWatson23]

Dennis chambers can read music, just because he's apparently not amazing at it doesn't me hes not a phenomenal drummer. You guys think im bashing on him when all I was trying to say is that he can read music and it's impossible to be a session drummer without knowing how to read somewhat

[mrthundaboots]

i know for a fact he can't read. He said it on one of his videos! Must of the time people send him a track w/o drums and he learns it. Another non reader, Steve Lukather. The reason people were so knocked out by him is because he doesn't read and still plays his ass off....and he doesn't have a doctorate either.Maybe an honorary one from Berkleley

[Phrase]

Hey, I don't want to reopen an old thread but there is an interview posted where Dennis says he "doesn't read music at all" and he also says Buddy Rich and Lenny White didn't read and Billy Sheehan (bassist) and Carlos Santana don't read either. So lots of virtuosos then!

He prefers to memorise the music. Reading is a great thing to learn though but I've never needed to do it in my 15 years or so playing drums. I did need to read for keyboard / piano lessons however...

[mkw30]

I disagree Will. I've been playing drums professionally for 25yrs. or so & other instruments (clarinet, keys, violin) for almost another 16yrs on top & I Don't Read Music! Over all those years, though, without realizing it, I was developing my ear. By the time my folks got my 1st drumset @ age 18, I could tune a BAD DRUMSET & make it sound GREAT! And on drumming, I like Dennis Got to see Buddy & other great drummers @ a very young age. You remember what you see & hear we ALL do it differently.

[cesaralexis73]

if he can't read drum parts, then his playing and ability makes him more awesome as a drummer. he's perhaps the best inspiring drummer right now, along with Weckl, but if he can't read, then he'll be my inspiration even more now for the grade of professionalism that he uses on his style of playing.

[grooveboi78]

I like the sound of that ride cymbal, really trashy. Nice Dennis, you one of my great influences.

[dantro78]

Yeah! I like the stuff Dennis did with Tom Coster. This may be one of the tracks from Tom's record "Forbidden Zone" but I honestly can't remember. If it is, then it includes Dennis. Tom on keys, Jeff Andrews on bass, Bob Berg on sax and Jimi Tunnell on guitar.

[dalenorris]

i saw this clinic in calgary, dennis kills!!!

[pancho050988]

great drumming

[junglelord]

Thanks for the video.

I was sitting right in front of you.

Thats my shoulder your looking over and my sweater.

You can see me clap at the end of the song

Dennis is the man