"JUST for FUN" FREE IMPROVISATION PT.1 (of 2-parts)

[harawitz]

Terrific! Thank you for sharing that.

[bobgatzen]

@harawitz My pleasure hara!

[MrCsman16]

I like the first video the best because anything with double bass drums is awesome. Using all four of your limbs in coordination is cool to me!

[bobgatzen]

@MrCsman16 Hi MC, Thanks for listening and especially writing!

[TamboresDeJaykub]

haha i like how at the end you just stop and you just look like, "what now?" haha

[bobgatzen]

@TamboresDeJaykub I'm laughing!! I'm saying to myself as I'm playing... how do I get out of this? Ok... I'll try this... I never sure what gonna happen. Guess that's the fun of it huh?

[drummerdude08ful]

you should do a give away

[bobgatzen]

@drummerdude08ful Forgot about that... next time...thanks for the reminder d

[bobgatzen]

@NoSCopes My pleasure...let's stay in touch

[bobgatzen]

@NoSCopes Both...for instance the Evans G-1 claer is a great reso head but functions as a batter as well. However, the EC-reso is a designated reso head. You want to pay attention the film thickness. A 10mil film will deliver more sustain compared to a 7mil film which shortens sustain, delivering more "punch". Best to experiment with both on the 12" drum before investing into a complete set of heads.

Hope this helps

[Informatisse]

My food is cooking. I decide go listening a Bob piece. I take my headset, and as usual, something strange happens : goose-flesh and pervasive feeling, like a medicine browsing my veins. I'm smiling and very excited.

A thought : you tuned your drums and adapted your style to produce pure and medical sounds, as people use harps to heal people (currently used in some hospitals, it's called therapeutic harp).

You (un)consciously went back to the nature, to the essential.

[bobgatzen]

@Informatisse Can't thank you enough for the kind words! It's always been my mission to tell a story through improvisation and hopefully, with enough skill to execute it.

[ebanodrummer]

Wow!!!Music for my ears!!!!

God bless you Bob!!

From Brazil....

[bobgatzen]

@ebanodrummer BIG thanks ebano!!

[hiimtucker]

nice! did i hear some double bass? :P

[bobgatzen]

@hiimtucker Oh yeah... I've been a double bass/ pedal player from the very beginning of my career.

[thebrokedrummer]

yo hey bob i just wanted to say that love all your tuning videos and i love your kit too! The playing is really unique too but where's the funky groove you know? Every drummer has his own style but the point of a drummer is to keep tempo and you can really do that without a groove. But great playing though man!

[bobgatzen]

@thebrokedrummer Thanks for the reminder b. The improvised solos are driven more by tonal relationship versus grooves. Perhaps it's time to play on some music for variation. I'll work on that... when it's uploaded take a listen and please... remind me of your reminder!

[bobgatzen]

@thebrokedrummer Thanks so much b. Acyaully, there are a few videos on the channel where I'm playing tunes. But you're suggestion is on point...I've received quite a few requests for tune oriented playing. Thanks for the reminder.

[Aheaddrummer15]

Man i love your drumming! I really can see that you feel your drumming (:!

I'm always so motivated after watching your videos :D

[bobgatzen]

@Aheaddrummer15 Thanks AD... that means more to me than you know. It's difficult to convince listeners that besides tuning... I can actually play the drums. I hope my message to fellow drums is clear... we're in an era of DIVERSIFICATION, it's OK to be multi-talented. In fact... it's necessary if you want to make a living at it!

[ajmonster1]

love the sound!!!!!

[bobgatzen]

@ajmonster1 thanks AJ!

[madamejam]

Wow !!!! Your drum kit sounds amazing. The drums and the cymbals great. I love how melodic that solo was. I wish I could express myself on the drums like that... I have subscribed to your channel. I love your studio too.

Audree D

[bobgatzen]

@madamejam Welcome aboard Audree...Thank you. Please stay in touch.

[bobgatzen]

10" custom-made Zildjian protoypes

[3x10E8]

Part 2!

Which hi-hats are those?

The flames are awesome :)

[canonfreak123]

hands down the nr 1 was best!! i love the cybal and tom combo you have there

[bobgatzen]

@canonfreak123 thanks for listening C! #1 came out of the shoot ahead of #2. However, #1 is the overall winner. It's funny and interesting how we humans interpret sound. One of those mysteries we'll never solve.

[TUBEORATER]

1:20-1:45 uh huh.

#2 takes it on my ballot.

Both are great but #2 has more stuff that grabs me and makes me go "that sounded cool"

[bobgatzen]

#1 was ahead at first, now #2 is way ahead. I guess our first takes are a form warm-up but there are times when the first is the best, by virtue of not "over thinking" the improvisation.

[me8t4ec]

Love your drums!!

[bobgatzen]

Me too... don't tell my wife!!

[RageMaru]

both solos are awesome i especially like 1:49 - 1:55 on solo #1

[bobgatzen]

Thanks for listening and voting rage. BTW... so far... #2 is the winner

[crazy8sdrums]

Both of these solos are wonderful! Lots of color and flavor! Thank you!

I am curious of your not using the drum frame that you have been using for a long while. Have you been exploring other options?

[bobgatzen]

You're welcome and thanks for taking the time to listen.

The DF kit is right next to me. I'm preparing to do some clinics for Evans and I'll have to play on "traditional" kits on the road. Just re-orienting myself to feel totally comfortable. It's a good thing to do every so often. The DF is still my baby!

[danvranic]

great video bob! i that a new power center evans head on the 12?

[bobgatzen]

Yes... thanks for taking the time dan!

[bobgatzen]

They're wonderful! Nice improvements over the 1st Generation EC's

[gbengston14]

Bob, #1 is my favorite of the two but both are a lot of fun. Wow, the drums sound amazing with headphones! Is that a different configuration than we're used to seeing from you? Looks like a 12" tom, 16" to your right, 14" to your left? With a 13" secondary snare (3x13 piccolo? hard to tell from the angle) to the left of the 12" tom? Is that correct? This really makes me want to go downstairs & rock out right now but my wife and 2 year old son are asleep, haha. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

[bobgatzen]

Thanks for voting g! Actually the right side rack is a 10", the left side is a 12" solid-shell snare drum and yes...the 14 & 16" are to my left and right.

"This really makes me want to go downstairs & rock out" is exactly what I want to hear...cooleo!!

[snakeeyes5641]

I liked your old drum set better

[bobgatzen]

This kit only has 5 mics on it while the Black Flamed kit has 12 mics. Big difference in "recorded" sound. I understand how you feel. It's the difference in sound between "close" miking and "Room" miking techniques.

[CalTamaDrummer]

both are great solos but im gonna say #1. its an almost 6 min video but it never gets boring. something new around every corner. i especially like that burst at around 4:20. Keep going Bob!

[bobgatzen]

thanks for taking the time to listen & vote Cal!

[D33v0]

Gonna have to say #1, Bob!

[bobgatzen]

I is in the lead...hmmmm Thanks D!

[AntMessC1]

i like both but i would pick #1 as my fav

[kjbest3339]

I love both, but #1 is my fav of the two. Keep'em coming Bob!

[bobgatzen]

thanks kj!

[DarkmanFlow]

Great stuff! I like Number 1 better than 2, but I guess that´s just personal preference : ]

Keep up the great videos!

[bobgatzen]

one more for 1 thanks DF

[Dragonwatcher2008]

Wow thats eccelent!!!

And very Cool finish of the drums too :-)

[bobgatzen]

Thanks D... #1 or #2?

[Dragonwatcher2008]

I really like them both :-)

[mans911]

Bob, you are so refreshing to watch play!

[bobgatzen]

Big thanks Bob... must come natural when you "enjoying" what your doing.

[Superfro2]

They both sound Awesome! I'm leaning towards number 1.

[bobgatzen]

I knew I was going to here from you...thanks Skeeb. Trying to get back into the video saddle... at the moment...seems like time & energy is what life is all about!

[rekiem723]

well, i watched first the pt2 but i definitively had time to watch this one too, I like more the pt2, but I must admit that both are really interesting ;)

and again, I love your ride ;:)

[bobgatzen]

Thanks for listening and voting rekiem...me too on the ride...it's a custom made 19" Breakbeat ride from Zildjian

[dhsc19]

My mind is BLOWN! That was freaking amazing! True musician! Big time respect. This wasn't a performance, but a song. Man, you've got the skills to make MUSIC out of them drums! I must learn! I'm bracing myself for the next one.

[bobgatzen]

Wow, I don't know what to say except... thank you!! You hit the nail on the head. The next 2-part series focuses on how solo ideas at the drums turns into a musical composition.

[hazzathebest]

yehay your back !!!!! woooooooooohooooooooo

[bobgatzen]

and it feels greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat! Thanks!

[DrummersRock23]

Awesome! And I love your kit too! 500/5

[bobgatzen]

Thanks D...I love it too!

[coduo0415]

Unbelievable. Nice one Bob!!

[bobgatzen]

Thank you Cod

[eliaswalch]

great.

[bobgatzen]

Thanks eli

[dbull78]

IMO Bob is one of the most dynamic players out there! To try to learn half of his style would be a goal of mine.

[bobgatzen]

Thanks d! I try my best simplify the creative process. I'm going to center on this very topic in the next wave of YT vids. It's quite simple... can't wait to share it with our community. I just need to find the time.

[ThunderHeads69]

Fantastic stuff! I love this, another fabby vid, Bob

[bobgatzen]

Thanks T....U da best!

[Arod006enforcer]

Amazing like always Bob!! never fail to suprise me =D

[bobgatzen]

Thanks Arod... it surprises me as well!!

[quibb666]

i like this one more :D

[bobgatzen]

#1 is in the lead...thanks for listening & voting quib

[frietjericcardo]

No, Thank YOU for making this video!!

[kramhoogness]

BOB!

It is so awesome to have you doing videos again. I definitely like solo 2 way better that solo 1. Solo 2 has a little more groove to it and I like that kind of playing better. I have to get a video up of me drumming sometime! You asked for it. Thanks again Bob!

[bobgatzen]

Thanks K... it feels good to be back. I have a host of new video ideas that I'd like to share. Hope I can find the time!!

[kramhoogness]

I need to get set up for some videos soon. It's just difficult at the moment...I don't have my own cymbals (or the cymbals I'd like for that matter) I need some hardware and stands so I can get the toms off of the bass drum. Money is the biggest thing holding me back at the moment. Hopefully I can get a video up with my current set up soon. Thanks again for your inspiration and tips!

[bobgatzen]

My pleasure kram

[0815Psycho]

that floor tom just sounds awesome!!!!

i want mine to sound at least a bit like that... :'-(

[bobgatzen]

Thanks for lsitening P. Small, tiny drum key turns is most important. Large diameter drums need to be baby'd

[kkepaja]

hey Bob,

question: what kind of small chinas are those 3 on top of the cymbals?

cheers.

Lee

[bobgatzen]

They are Zildjian prototypes that Paul Francis sent me. Pretty cool set-up...Tri-Sounds! Thanks for writing Lee

[dgarreis]

Same here we waited way to long for this but not complaining! I can not make up my mind which one is better so I am voting for both are GREAT!! Please oh please keep them coming!!

[bobgatzen]

I'll do best. It felt really good to post something new. I have a new series in play...just need to find the time to do it. Thanks D!

[xtreme0204]

I dont think Ive EVER been so EXCITED to log on youtube and see a subscription vid as I was today! Great to see you back, and great vid as usual! Your playing has so much soul and its awesome to see you back at your Youtube game.

[bobgatzen]

"your" YouTube game....gotta love it! Thanks so much for listening and especially taking the time to write. Letters like yours are pure inspiration!

[Raulinc]

i like this solo better... i do like the cymbal work at the end of the other video.

[bobgatzen]

Hmmm hard choice. Maybe we should cut the two performances into 1. Thanks for the comment Raul

[ameliorate2695]

wow. i missed you. ur vids are all so helpful. glad ur back man

[bobgatzen]

Gald to be back...I'm completely floored on the response these videos are getting. Simplicity...it's a beautiful thing! thanks amel

[basicdrummerman]

man, you are my insperation for drumming. i would have stoped playing a long time ago if it wern't for your videos. I want to get to the point you're at, where you can just play! I want to get to that point where skill just becomes a thing in the backround, where its all for enjoyment of playing. where there is a deeper value in it that just sitting behind the drums. but rather letting your soul dump out into the playing. I will be like you some day man! Thanks so much for the videos!

[rootvalue]

@basicdrummerman There's never a point you reach when it becomes like that. It's a state of mind. :)

Once you feel comfort in your abilities, then you will feel the enjoyment you're talking about. It's natural for us humans to unceasingly want to be better than we currently are, but that's a vicious, neverending cycle. Think about how much better you've gotten since you started drumming. :)

[bobgatzen]

Great words of wisdom my friend. Can't agree more. It's so good to hear your analysis and letting people know that we drummers are not bunch of idiots. The wonderful thing about expression is the many ways you can communicate to others.

[bobgatzen]

Essentially that's what every serious drummers is after...well put B! Are you by chance a philosophy major? If not, you should be. Hey everyone!!! listen to this guy!!!

Thanks so much!

[basicdrummerman]

haha wouldn't that be something if i was? im only 17, but there never an age too young to strive for goals and analyze others that have reached it! take what you've learned from others and combine it with your own ambition. You'll find your own path there, and i can only imagine it will feel infinitely better than you could ever have expected. just do what you do, but do it in a sense of mind that you know you're accomplishing what you love. oops my bad for rambling. keep doing what you love man

[bobgatzen]

There's a direct correlation between Expression and DNA. Each and everyone of us has a unique way of communicating. I remind myself of that everyday!

[stewybonzo]

UNREAL sound great video

[bobgatzen]

Thanks Stew!

[remedyz0802]

Good to see you back! As usual, your drums sound so good they make me want to cry... and then go do some tuning, haha. Thanks for sharing these videos, your playing is awesome and kit sounds first rate!

[bobgatzen]

Good to be back...thanks rem

[xthexemoxmuffinx]

he's using evens ec snare

[bobgatzen]

This is true. The 13" heads is the ECS-RD and the 14" the PowerCenter/RD

[XxKurt247Xx]

Your bass drum is awesome!

[bobgatzen]

Thanks Xx...it better sound good...it's the heartbeat of the kit!

[JeffrayFiset]

WELCOME BACK BOB!!!! I've been waiting for new vids from you for a looong time.... (I already watched all of your videos). Very cool Ideas in here and again... your kit sounds AWESOME.

Small things make big differences... ;-)

Jeff-Ray

[bobgatzen]

Thanks Jeff-Ray BTW...very original name spelling!

[zackman86]

I'm diggin' the kick in this...that's good stuff

[sarokas12]

Hey, I missed your videos, I thought you had quit youtube.

[bobgatzen]

Never! Just been too busy. Feels good to be back. Thanks s!!

[FlamEffect]

Good to see you back Bob!!!! its been way to long

[bobgatzen]

I agree...thanks Flam...more on the way soon.

[FlamEffect]

O thats great news!!!! I need some fuel for my drumming fire!!!!

[bobgatzen]

The fuel is in sharing... it's powerful and positive epidemic!

[mushrmhd6661]

bob and tomas haake should do a duet!!!

[bobgatzen]

I'm up for it!!

[mushrmhd6661]

I think it would be a great show!! two of the best drummers on one stage! id pay 1million to see that!!

youre the best bob! Cheers!

[bobgatzen]

Thanks again!!

[anarcy7777u]

what snare heads do u use?

[bobgatzen]

It varies on these videos 13" is the ECS-RD & the 14" the Powercenter/RD

[colinhammond2k7]

im loving the mini chinas

[bobgatzen]

Yeah...me too. Tri-Sounds are pretty cool.

[JacamusMaximus]

amazing as always mr bob! so glad to see you back on the scene

[bobgatzen]

Thank you so much Jac!

[paeris168]

Well worth the wait :)

[bobgatzen]

Thanks paeris!

[johnbleek]

YEAH BOB!! How iäve been waiting for this!!! Thanks a ton bud!

[bobgatzen]

Everyone's comments are pure Inspo!! Thanks John

[forzaitalia5910]

hey bob. what kind of ride is that?

[bobgatzen]

It's a 19" Breakbeat Zildjian protoype

[DrummerGS]

That was very Terry Bozzio-influenced.

[bobgatzen]

That's a compliment...thank you D

[daoli1994]

good !! :D

[bobgatzen]

thanks daoli!

[GCCBytor]

Nice Job!

[bobgatzen]

Thanks G

[Fr3ddieJ0nes]

yay

[bobgatzen]

From me too!

[w9jon]

i'm using headphones. Your kit sounds phenomenal!!! Best bass drum sound ive ever heard... seriously... your the man Mr Gatzen-

PS- prior art is amazing

[bobgatzen]

Call me Mr gatzen again and I'll have to kill you!...only kidddin'!! ...but please... call me Bob. Mr Gatzen gives me the willies~Thanks for the compliment w

[teamsleepnine]

you are back posting........

thanks mr gatzen!!!

[LOGonover]

that was amasing, well done

[SolidSnake1162]

Great to finally see a new video up!

Awesome job Bob!

[bobgatzen]

Thanks S...good to be back!

[frietjericcardo]

great

5/5

Nice kit!!!!!

[bobgatzen]

Thanks for taking the time to listen and vote

[Dragonwatcher2008]

first :-)

Awesome Job!!!

[bobgatzen]

My pleasure...Thanks Dragon!