0:04... I have heard both him and Rick Marotta play that lick. Is that the rock n roll paradiddle "rlrrlrrlr l"? I think I've heard one of them do it as a paradiddle-diddle as well. Anybody that can shed some light on this?
@NerfLad its a lick from a tune called Dirty Old man or something, Rick Moratta covered it at a zildjian hosted tribute show for steve gadd. Marotta and Vinnie Colaiuta played some classic gadd drumtracks with an awesome live band (i think it was james taylors backing band which actually íncludes steve gadd as well sometims)
im not sure whether the sticking for the one at 0:04 is rllrrllrL - or rlrlrrllrL - they sound quite familiar and theyre both vintage gadd! you can play both, actually theyare both included in the Dirty old man groove since gadd plays a variation,,....
to me in the pocket means that you listen to something and part of your brain senses that it's a tiny bit off the beat...but the other part of your brain is thinking, this is fucking SWINGING!
@herbandsarah ...Well, it's really the fact that each beat has a small amount of latitude either side (i.e.early or late), and if you play OUTSIDE that pocket, the groove will turn to mush.
@violinbloke so would it be safe to say that drummers with excellent time keeping capabilities have a strong pocket? and what about off-time beats, would those be "out of pocket?"
@herbandsarah ...Mmmmm, OK, if a metronome gives an exact beat, with no variation at all, there is no groove really. If a drummer then establishes some kind of variation, for instance a jazz swing or a shuffle, the groove starts to happen. If he then plays outside of the variation he's established, it will sound wrong, even if he happens to coincide with the metronome, which is technically 'right'.
Incidentally, many classical players don't really understand this.
@violinbloke I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what you mean with your definition. It sounds to me like what you are saying is that if a drummer plays in straight time with the metronome, then there is no groove, until the drummer changes meter. A traditional rock beat does in fact have groove; the point to a groove is to have a backbeat and well structured accents placed around it. If you would, please elaborate on that a little bit.
@XxStrongDrums1996xX .. OK, Take your example of a traditional rock beat. How many drummers have come and gone since John Bonham. Aside from dynamics (obviously important, but not really to do with the pocket), to me, JB stands head and shoulders above the rest because he would stretch the pocket (normally on the late side) to make a great groove. Someone like Keith Moon would sometimes kill the groove by rushing, and say Charlie Watts would sometimes mess up by unintentionally speeding up . IMO
@violinbloke OK, but I still don't quite understand what you mean. The impression that I'm getting from you is that in order for a groove to be groove, it must exist in a different meter than the metronome. I.E. If the metronome is playing duplets then the musician must play triplets, which is obviously incorrect. I'd just like you to elaborate a little bit on your definition of the pocket.
@XxStrongDrums1996xX All I mean is that a metronome doesn't groove. A groove only happens when SUBTLE variations happen, but the meter stays solid. Take Russ Miller's groove on 'I'm Like a Bird' by Nelly Furtado. In the verses, the snare hangs back to create a laid back feel, then in the chorus the snare is in the middle or slightly at the front of the pocket. The meter is solid all the way through. Russ Miller apparently got loads of session work as a result.
@violinbloke You know, I respect your explanations, but I just simply can't agree with you. "Pocket" isn't a real music definition, and therefore shouldn't be treated as one. Groove happens when you can feel it IMO. It doesn't matter if you are putting variations in the meter or changing the feel, as long as you can feel it, it's a groove. Earlier, I brought up a rock beat, and you said that Bonham had done most everything with that beat, therefore invalidating everyone else's
@violinbloke take on it, but it is my personal belief that a rock beat can be easily turned into a groove when you add in some dynamics. It's not to be over thought dude.
@violinbloke I think you're slightly off on this, the whole idea of pocket (imo) is that you can vary what you're playing without breaking the groove, it's bad for a drummer to think they should play out of time with a metronome... the point is to vary everything, without affecting the flow of the music, Gadd's fast paradiddle does that here, huge variation in what he's playing, without breaking the groove or the overall feel of the music.
@violinbloke playing good time with the metronome gets you gigs in the real world. and anyways all grooves are based off the constant quarter note beat of the metronome. no tempo consistency= thrown off instrumentalists and no groove
Playing "in the pocket" has nothing to do with fills. It is, like has been said, playing within the envelope , or pocket, of a given tempo with a consistent feel of push/lag/ center.
@herbandsarah Best advice and description is "make the metronome swing." So, fire up the metronome and then play along with it, if you're swinging and in the pocket, the metronome will start to sound like it's swinging, even though of course it's not.
@peterv1973 It's his Yamaha signature, based on ludwig design (400 I think.) His snare sound's legendary - some "secret" thing going on with the wires, but it's a powerstroke head tuned REAL low.
@colourfulwithaU@Edwardo1993 nope playing the pocket means grooving and playing the song while properly placing the right amount of chops properly while keeping the groove thus creating a super solid foundation for the band/artist.
people may find this stuff boring, cause he's not doing a gazillion things at once or not doing enough stick stricks, but in all honesty, his "artists-worked-with" list will be bigger and larger than any of us will achieve in our lifetimes. his pocket, groove, and sense of timing and feel has made him the fist-call guyfor a LOT of bands and artists, he's very rarely, if EVER out of work. to me steve gadd is a master and one of the best ever. hell, he even made a good impression on buddy rich!!
is it just me or does anyone else think those flammy fills/ solos (e.g. at the end of this video) are so boring? otherwise a good video showing the pocket lol
@bowiemott the start is a pretty good technical display but it descends into "stirring the sh*t" as Zappa might have said. i guess i just prefer nice grooves to those solos
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Yeah, well ... it better be in the pocket. He's playing the same licks here he's been playing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over for the last 30+ years. Virtually unchanged.
Gadd does Gadd very well, no doubt about it. As an improviser, he is absolutely dreadful. No surprises. Ever. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz ....
@gretschjazzer Yeah, I know ... He's just SO BORING that NO ONE EVER WANTS HIM AS THEIR DRUMMER!!! Fagan, Clapton, Simon, Crusaders... all have no respect for him because he's just so "dreadful"....
@rlubell don't remember anyone saying he was a bad drummer. i agree with gretschjazzer that while he's a fine player, there isn't a lot of variation to his style. you can watch gadd playing 20+ years ago, it'll sound eerily similar to this.
@livedinlegend 20 years ago or now it still sounds "eerily" good, funky, and demonstrates a brilliant command of the groove, which is something that younger drummers simply don't have because they are chasing the double kick speed or think that hitting hard is the secret. Gadd is a master - not the only one of course but I'd rather take his "20+ year old" licks any day over some hyperactive double-kick dude.
@gretschjazzer Truth. But he even said himself he doesn't believe he's ever done anything great. He considers his sound "Boring". But hell he is still The Man. That's people have listened to the same old Steve Gadd licks for the past 30+ years. You listen and expect greatness. He doesn't bring any surprises.
@gretschjazzer you are half right. but the thing is, what Gadd is trying to demonstrate is something new drummers overlook and that is the discipline to play the same lick through out the song and complementing the band not to out sound or out play (if there is such a phrase) the rest of the band. yes its kinda boring but for me its much tiring to listen to a 5 min speed sticking bass thumping solo compared to a 5 min pocket playing. You are true and honest and i commend that. PEACE
@gretschjazzer that's precisely why he is the groovemaster dipshit. ive seen his kit in person, there is literally a quarter sized circle in the middle of his drumheads that's been worn down and the rest of the head is pristine still. same with his cymbals. he never misses. never loses the beat. ever.
@gretschjazzer O Wise One, thank you for explaining to us that the drummer's role is to surprise, and not to groove. And how to tastefully criticize one as dreadful and boring as Steve Gadd. We venerate and respect you, and not Gadd. Teach us more, O Wise, Wise One. We await, with bated breath, more pearls of wise wisdom from your flowing fount of foundational., fantastic funk fundamentals. We fail, once again, to snatch the pebble from your hand.
@Panufo Amen, brother. Truely we are privileged to be in the presence of such a great master, may he show us the error of our ways and cast Gadd into the firey depths.
@Panufo I can actually do that stone in hand thing, I place a large coin in a persons open palm, set my arm and take the large coin before they close their hand, at the same time I replace the large coin with a smaller concealed one, the person can still feel a coin and opens their hand as if I didn't get the large coin and sees that it has been swapped for a smaller coin. I am a drummer and I think that helps, hard to do. Sorry for my english.
@Panufo Dunno why 9 people liked you ignorant comment. Someone asked what the pocket was, he described it. Also, if you think Steve Gadd is dreadful and boring, you clearly lack any extent of an education on the instrument, therefore invalidating your ideas.
@XxStrongDrums1996xX I WAS KIDDING. You couldn't tell? I make all my drum students listen to Gadd. The problem with satire is that some people don't get it. Go back and read my comment again. I guess I overestimated the average drummer's sense of humor. Sorry.
@XxStrongDrums1996xX I'm dying to hear your reply. You seriously couldn't see the sarcasm dripping from my shaft at the gretschjazzer guy who was dissin' Gadd? People 'liked' my 'ignorant comment' because THEY had a sense of humor. Get one - it's not too late. We clearly like the same drummers (i.e., Bonzo); now let's both make fun of people who think Gadd's job is to reinvent the wheel.
@superugly75 Then maybe YOU could help me explain to XxStrongDrums1996xX the concept of "sarcasm"! He thought I was serious. No wonder people think drummers are stupid...
@gretschjazzer your name kind of suggests that improvising is very important to you - steve gadd does not need licks to lay down the perfect take for someones record which is what he does for a living. he is not trying to be elvin or tony williams! when he needs to do a solo he just lays in the pocket and grooves to his hearts content - a lot more refreshing than people thinking they have to play something different every time they play for fear of being repetitive
@gretschjazzer while I might agree with you, as he admitted himself when I saw a class he did, that he doesn't have much of a repertoire that has changed significantly over the years, it only speaks to the power of groove, and the idea that it is the ONLY function of a drummer that is of practical importance, and doing it well, will always put you on top. His groove is as good as anybody's that has ever played the drums... hence, this really can get old! Rhythm is too primal.
I dont get this comment, "rhythm is too primal". That's very much like saying sound is too dependent on vibration. How could you distinguish the two? Aside from the voice percussion was the second instrument known to man. Rhythm is infused in percussion my friend. How can you even say this as a self-respecting musician? Rhythm is everything my friend. It is the foundation. The spectrum of rhythm is vast. It can be virtually non existent or deathly intricate all at once
to the new beees hes one of the Great drummers that open the doors to all the new stuff that is now out there. let see you come up with something like that..he plays it all and he plays it all great..... if you know anything about drums then you understand Mr. Gadd
Quite possibly the most musical drummer alive!! I have to think that the negative comments are due to a lack of understanding.If not, and you really dont think that Gadd is a one in a million drummer, and that you can play easily just like him....by all means post a video...if its true I will be your biggest fan!!
I try every now and then but its really just what your comfortable with, most of the older guys were taught originally with the traditional style so I guess thats why those guys use it mostly. There still are modern musicians that use it just its not taught as much.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I'm gonna have to agree with joe on this one, this is crap!! Especially toward the end, it was almost as of he was mocking drumming itself.... I wonder if he was being serious, or having a little fun at our expense? I hope so, otherwise this was just bad drumming. Simply grooving for half an hour doesn't constitute greatness I can groove like this guy all night too. Perhaps Vic Firth should produce a line of drumsticks with my signature on them!!!
Only explanation is you have don't have a sense of groove. You need to understand the technique and musicianship this guy has. He is one of the best drummers alive right now balancing technique and musicianship.
Jesus fucking christ. I say I'm not a fan, and I get 4 thumbs down plus a person saying I have no sense of groove.
I understand the technique. I appreciate that. But to say that I don't have a sense of groove just because I think the playing sounds too stuttered for my taste?
Fuck you. Learn to understand different people have different tastes. I don't like the guy? The fuck does that have to do with you? I didn't say he was bad in any sense, did I?
@Markolore, you are a stupid, arrogant dumbass. why don't you read the description of the video? he is accelerating and decelerating on purpose, to show that you can play behind and in front of the beat. that is why his timing "stutters" as you say....you can't even groove when you jerk off with your right hand, never mind appreciating one of the greatest drummers ever!
@Markolore I agree with you dude. He's really good but it's not my favorite style of playing. I think kids just need to chill out. You were just voicing your opinion, that's kinda what these comment boxes are for LOL :)
OK. First, I'll apologize for my "no sense of groove" comment because it was totally unwarranted. However, you need to chill the fuck out; it's not a big deal. All your "fuck yous" were unnecessary, and like my groove comment, unwarranted.
saw this guy playing with steve a while back, epic.
Griffferg 4 days ago
Search Buddy Rich for a legend drummer and to see his speed watch impossible drum solo !!!
DiamondGamers 1 week ago
His snare sounds like dogs barking in an alley. Seriously listen...
samuelmichaud 1 week ago
7 people dislike themselves because Steve Gadd is better than them.
torylelandkirgiss 2 weeks ago
@torylelandkirgiss
Dude Steve 'is' better than everybody!
Remorules23 1 week ago
BOOM. Very muscular, hits you right down through to your marrow. A gem, thanks for sharing!
mtflick 2 weeks ago
Man that is TASTY.
If you don't "get" this as a drummer, then you never will.
keefriff99 1 month ago
is that billy joel?
dylbar 1 month ago
can someone explain to me the reason why Gadd tilts his snare that way?
PercPhreak 1 month ago
0:04... I have heard both him and Rick Marotta play that lick. Is that the rock n roll paradiddle "rlrrlrrlr l"? I think I've heard one of them do it as a paradiddle-diddle as well. Anybody that can shed some light on this?
NerfLad 1 month ago
@NerfLad ...not sure about rllrrlrrlr l, but I do like a paradiddle-diddle...it's a nice 3/4 excersise.
violinbloke 1 month ago
@violinbloke and really nice if you break it up between your feet and hands :)
groopysack 2 weeks ago
@NerfLad watch?v=RE4FAjqDGJM&feature=relmfu
zerethro 1 month ago
@NerfLad its a lick from a tune called Dirty Old man or something, Rick Moratta covered it at a zildjian hosted tribute show for steve gadd. Marotta and Vinnie Colaiuta played some classic gadd drumtracks with an awesome live band (i think it was james taylors backing band which actually íncludes steve gadd as well sometims)
MMMuller 2 days ago
im not sure whether the sticking for the one at 0:04 is rllrrllrL - or rlrlrrllrL - they sound quite familiar and theyre both vintage gadd! you can play both, actually theyare both included in the Dirty old man groove since gadd plays a variation,,....
MMMuller 2 days ago
i second thejoneslewis!!!!!!!!
MUZICKALL1 1 month ago
1:49 what the fuck steve!!!
thejoneslewis 1 month ago
I personally like Steve Jordan's playing better.....
MrSabian123 1 month ago
This guy's a freakin' wallet.
Jibbuns 2 months ago
to me in the pocket means that you listen to something and part of your brain senses that it's a tiny bit off the beat...but the other part of your brain is thinking, this is fucking SWINGING!
matthewhanhauser 2 months ago
Cool. BUT there's no way those 32's will fit in ANY pocket.
ppetracco 2 months ago
That is one of the hottest grooves for sure- nicely done!!
jeff78rr 2 months ago
what are those hats?..custom , no doubt ! they look to be 16 or even 17 inch !
blica1 2 months ago
0:07
Look at Hi Hat !
JazzBlues12 2 months ago
Well rehearsed Steve. "Earth"
H3s3lt1n3 2 months ago
Wow!!!!! Sure wish I could do something extraordinary like this.
babytaylorm 3 months ago
amazing
MrRyanSams 3 months ago
seven freaks
MrRyanSams 3 months ago
He's incredible! I understand playing in the pocket. I've heard people praise his drum lick too. Exactly what is that. Thanks for this great video.
babytaylorm 3 months ago
i hit disslike becuase i cant even look at my drumset anymore becuase of this video
Jontron2012 3 months ago
alright, yes im news at the drums, which will be totally obvious to you after my question. what exactly is playing in "the pocket?"
herbandsarah 3 months ago
@herbandsarah ...Well, it's really the fact that each beat has a small amount of latitude either side (i.e.early or late), and if you play OUTSIDE that pocket, the groove will turn to mush.
violinbloke 3 months ago
@violinbloke so would it be safe to say that drummers with excellent time keeping capabilities have a strong pocket? and what about off-time beats, would those be "out of pocket?"
herbandsarah 3 months ago
@herbandsarah ...Mmmmm, OK, if a metronome gives an exact beat, with no variation at all, there is no groove really. If a drummer then establishes some kind of variation, for instance a jazz swing or a shuffle, the groove starts to happen. If he then plays outside of the variation he's established, it will sound wrong, even if he happens to coincide with the metronome, which is technically 'right'.
Incidentally, many classical players don't really understand this.
violinbloke 3 months ago 18
@violinbloke GREAT explanation. Very well said.
USMC4341 3 months ago 2
@USMC4341 ..... Thanks Man!
violinbloke 3 months ago
@violinbloke Damn man, I just say that a drummer is playing a tasty pocket if it sounds groovy LOL.
XxStrongDrums1996xX 1 month ago
@XxStrongDrums1996xX Well said! Some people want to analyse it though.
violinbloke 1 month ago
@violinbloke I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what you mean with your definition. It sounds to me like what you are saying is that if a drummer plays in straight time with the metronome, then there is no groove, until the drummer changes meter. A traditional rock beat does in fact have groove; the point to a groove is to have a backbeat and well structured accents placed around it. If you would, please elaborate on that a little bit.
XxStrongDrums1996xX 1 month ago
@XxStrongDrums1996xX .. OK, Take your example of a traditional rock beat. How many drummers have come and gone since John Bonham. Aside from dynamics (obviously important, but not really to do with the pocket), to me, JB stands head and shoulders above the rest because he would stretch the pocket (normally on the late side) to make a great groove. Someone like Keith Moon would sometimes kill the groove by rushing, and say Charlie Watts would sometimes mess up by unintentionally speeding up . IMO
violinbloke 1 month ago
@violinbloke OK, but I still don't quite understand what you mean. The impression that I'm getting from you is that in order for a groove to be groove, it must exist in a different meter than the metronome. I.E. If the metronome is playing duplets then the musician must play triplets, which is obviously incorrect. I'd just like you to elaborate a little bit on your definition of the pocket.
XxStrongDrums1996xX 1 month ago
@XxStrongDrums1996xX All I mean is that a metronome doesn't groove. A groove only happens when SUBTLE variations happen, but the meter stays solid. Take Russ Miller's groove on 'I'm Like a Bird' by Nelly Furtado. In the verses, the snare hangs back to create a laid back feel, then in the chorus the snare is in the middle or slightly at the front of the pocket. The meter is solid all the way through. Russ Miller apparently got loads of session work as a result.
violinbloke 1 month ago
@violinbloke You know, I respect your explanations, but I just simply can't agree with you. "Pocket" isn't a real music definition, and therefore shouldn't be treated as one. Groove happens when you can feel it IMO. It doesn't matter if you are putting variations in the meter or changing the feel, as long as you can feel it, it's a groove. Earlier, I brought up a rock beat, and you said that Bonham had done most everything with that beat, therefore invalidating everyone else's
XxStrongDrums1996xX 1 month ago
@violinbloke take on it, but it is my personal belief that a rock beat can be easily turned into a groove when you add in some dynamics. It's not to be over thought dude.
XxStrongDrums1996xX 1 month ago
@violinbloke I think you're slightly off on this, the whole idea of pocket (imo) is that you can vary what you're playing without breaking the groove, it's bad for a drummer to think they should play out of time with a metronome... the point is to vary everything, without affecting the flow of the music, Gadd's fast paradiddle does that here, huge variation in what he's playing, without breaking the groove or the overall feel of the music.
pietzsche 1 month ago 5
@violinbloke Groove is all about keeping a pulse, like a metronome
DillingerEscapeMan 2 weeks ago
@violinbloke playing good time with the metronome gets you gigs in the real world. and anyways all grooves are based off the constant quarter note beat of the metronome. no tempo consistency= thrown off instrumentalists and no groove
JumpShotDude 2 weeks ago
@herbandsarah Pocket means staying within the feel
draktsunami 3 months ago
@herbandsarah
playing in the pocket is not only playing in time (on beat) but it has to do with feel.
you gotta know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it all on beat.
i mean if you playing a mellow song and you do a crazy ass fill, even though its ON TIME, it doesnt go with the song so its not in the pocket.
BowDownMufasa 3 months ago
@BowDownMufasa
Playing "in the pocket" has nothing to do with fills. It is, like has been said, playing within the envelope , or pocket, of a given tempo with a consistent feel of push/lag/ center.
PositivelyBored 2 months ago
@BowDownMufasa
i wasnt only referring to fills. i just simply gave an example.
and you just said what i said. it has to do with feel.
BowDownMufasa 2 months ago
@herbandsarah Best advice and description is "make the metronome swing." So, fire up the metronome and then play along with it, if you're swinging and in the pocket, the metronome will start to sound like it's swinging, even though of course it's not.
vargaso 2 months ago
the master!
brandonkristi 3 months ago
Is it just me or is his head quite large in proportion to his body (Camera illusion)? It would make sense, as he is a drumming genius!
graduator08 3 months ago
Does anybody know what snaredrum that is sounds sooooooooooooo cool
peterv1973 3 months ago
@peterv1973 It's his Yamaha signature, based on ludwig design (400 I think.) His snare sound's legendary - some "secret" thing going on with the wires, but it's a powerstroke head tuned REAL low.
EltonBear 3 months ago
tan sensillo como usar pura tecnica!!! no ma q chingon
drumsbaterista 4 months ago
WAIT A SECOND!! We've all been had - that's George Clooney on the drums for Gawd sakes!!
Jay435 4 months ago
372" hi hats FTW!
HardHouseMan1 4 months ago
just doodled a bassline to this....his timing is absolutely perfect even though it sounds like it's all over the place. Amazing.
groovei 4 months ago
It sounds like there are 4 guys playing :) Go Steve !!!
SuperStig23 4 months ago
All of Gadd's stuff is paradiddles,,,just a variation on a theme
ChuckaXr 4 months ago
This is why Mick Morrello at the Drum Shop Newcastle (Australia) calls this guy Steve God
thefigure13 4 months ago
Steve Grebb lol no...Benny Gadd!
DrumRehab 5 months ago
Steve is good.
FurlanPaolo 5 months ago
Steve Gadd, Roger Guth and Kenny Aronoff are my favorite.
jonfrattasio 5 months ago
Comment removed
Vicfirth5bb 6 months ago
His Majesty Of The Drumming Kingdom
Hail To The King
Steve Gadd
accurate18 6 months ago
Steve Gadd great drummer great sticks.
EricSJan10 6 months ago
Maybe he is not the fastest drummer of the world, but his feeling is incredible. You can tell he means every hit he does!
avegai92 7 months ago
who are the lamers the thumb's down ?
must be giutar players lol ;)
gruzina 7 months ago
@gruzina no, retards. i dont know what guitarist wouldn't want to play with this dude.
fbskier20 5 months ago
Comment removed
Vicfirth5bb 7 months ago
hes so deep in the pocket we needed a winch to pull him out =D
aukent 8 months ago
Just simply perfect!
igypsy 8 months ago
Holy fuck at 1:00 I nearly shit myself with that beat
vrdrums 8 months ago
@vrdrums Yeahhhhhhhhh man same here
louiemalvessi 6 months ago
Man he must have some bigggggggggg trousers o.o
Silenceap88 9 months ago
What is playing in the pocket? :/
nomezy101 9 months ago
Its nit that impressive if you want to see someone strecthing the pocket watch bill bruford playing indiscipline
MasterRolston 9 months ago
What does playing in the pocket mean?
Edwardo1993 10 months ago
@Edwardo1993
'The pocket' refers to playing grooves with the bass, snare, and hihat, and maybe sometimes ride.
colourfulwithaU 8 months ago
@colourfulwithaU Ah i get it. Thanks :)
Edwardo1993 8 months ago
@colourfulwithaU @Edwardo1993 nope playing the pocket means grooving and playing the song while properly placing the right amount of chops properly while keeping the groove thus creating a super solid foundation for the band/artist.
Moog168 5 months ago
people may find this stuff boring, cause he's not doing a gazillion things at once or not doing enough stick stricks, but in all honesty, his "artists-worked-with" list will be bigger and larger than any of us will achieve in our lifetimes. his pocket, groove, and sense of timing and feel has made him the fist-call guyfor a LOT of bands and artists, he's very rarely, if EVER out of work. to me steve gadd is a master and one of the best ever. hell, he even made a good impression on buddy rich!!
gabbalabbawoop 10 months ago
Steve Gadd is the man! I wanna jam with this dude.
nhbassistbry 10 months ago
what an enormous swing and pressure!
alexanderkrampe 1 year ago
Gadd has such a great meter in his head. Outside his incredible ability, he has the greatest sounding snare, ever.
polyrhythms7 1 year ago
1:44 wholly shit he froze time, moves and started time again! ...wish I was that good
PRDrum5 1 year ago
Good shit. I like it.
DarkestSidesoftheSun 1 year ago
the pocket is soo cool to listen to
murdok620 1 year ago
if i was way better i'd play this groove all day
dinelawd 1 year ago
most drummers end up playing the same thing anyway its very hard to move out of your comfot zone and play something you dont know
alexakaseme1 1 year ago
Those hats are crispy - nice!
boombamthump 1 year ago
wow......so cool
TheJiggy990 1 year ago
OMG IT'S GROOVY
UNORIGINALdot3x 1 year ago
is it just me or does anyone else think those flammy fills/ solos (e.g. at the end of this video) are so boring? otherwise a good video showing the pocket lol
siphuncle 1 year ago
@siphuncle Its just you....
bowiemott 1 year ago
@bowiemott the start is a pretty good technical display but it descends into "stirring the sh*t" as Zappa might have said. i guess i just prefer nice grooves to those solos
siphuncle 1 year ago
@siphuncle Fair enough....
bowiemott 1 year ago
Word.
21centurydaydream 1 year ago
@youenjoy00myself....He's showing just how far you can stretch the pocket and still be in it.
violinbloke 1 year ago 9
@violinbloke I think when you're Steve Gadd, the pocket tries to stay in you.
BadTanLines 1 year ago 2
why would you title this video "Steve Gadd Playing in the Pocket"? It should just be called "Steve Gadd" since he always plays in the pocket
youenjoy00myself 1 year ago
this guy is tight
cuetip1212 1 year ago
Tic Tac Tic Tac Clockwork Orange!
francoroxo 1 year ago
What video is this clip from?
chungiemunchin 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
It's not what Steve plays as much as how he plays it. Incomparable.
Duvalco 1 year ago
It's not what Steve plays as much as how he plays it. Incomparable.
Duvalco 1 year ago
Amorphic drum............what technique is this??
youtube.com/watch?v=aKWQRYdYggY
willforty2 1 year ago
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Yeah, well ... it better be in the pocket. He's playing the same licks here he's been playing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over for the last 30+ years. Virtually unchanged.
Gadd does Gadd very well, no doubt about it. As an improviser, he is absolutely dreadful. No surprises. Ever. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz ....
gretschjazzer 1 year ago
@gretschjazzer ....how refreshing....honesty.
violinbloke 1 year ago 20
@violinbloke And they're right too...
skiddlecrumms 3 months ago
@gretschjazzer hey man i've checked out your music, its great man. keep doing what your doing.
soursourapples 1 year ago
@gretschjazzer hahaha ignorant ! sorry bro dont know what your talking about!
cabsam32592 1 year ago
@gretschjazzer Yeah, I know ... He's just SO BORING that NO ONE EVER WANTS HIM AS THEIR DRUMMER!!! Fagan, Clapton, Simon, Crusaders... all have no respect for him because he's just so "dreadful"....
rlubell 1 year ago
@rlubell don't remember anyone saying he was a bad drummer. i agree with gretschjazzer that while he's a fine player, there isn't a lot of variation to his style. you can watch gadd playing 20+ years ago, it'll sound eerily similar to this.
livedinlegend 1 year ago
@livedinlegend 20 years ago or now it still sounds "eerily" good, funky, and demonstrates a brilliant command of the groove, which is something that younger drummers simply don't have because they are chasing the double kick speed or think that hitting hard is the secret. Gadd is a master - not the only one of course but I'd rather take his "20+ year old" licks any day over some hyperactive double-kick dude.
bowiemott 1 year ago
@gretschjazzer lol yeah true in a way, but that's not really what he's about.
samm1809 1 year ago
@gretschjazzer Truth. But he even said himself he doesn't believe he's ever done anything great. He considers his sound "Boring". But hell he is still The Man. That's people have listened to the same old Steve Gadd licks for the past 30+ years. You listen and expect greatness. He doesn't bring any surprises.
Maninamask726 1 year ago
@gretschjazzer And who are you, that is able to claim to have seen him play for those 30 years you're talking about???
Student4Life89 11 months ago
@gretschjazzer you are half right. but the thing is, what Gadd is trying to demonstrate is something new drummers overlook and that is the discipline to play the same lick through out the song and complementing the band not to out sound or out play (if there is such a phrase) the rest of the band. yes its kinda boring but for me its much tiring to listen to a 5 min speed sticking bass thumping solo compared to a 5 min pocket playing. You are true and honest and i commend that. PEACE
p3rcval 11 months ago
@gretschjazzer you must suck dick for a living.
MadDrummerBoy5 10 months ago
@gretschjazzer He gets way better gigs than you do.
six2112 8 months ago
@gretschjazzer that's precisely why he is the groovemaster dipshit. ive seen his kit in person, there is literally a quarter sized circle in the middle of his drumheads that's been worn down and the rest of the head is pristine still. same with his cymbals. he never misses. never loses the beat. ever.
blueoystercultmember 7 months ago
@gretschjazzer O Wise One, thank you for explaining to us that the drummer's role is to surprise, and not to groove. And how to tastefully criticize one as dreadful and boring as Steve Gadd. We venerate and respect you, and not Gadd. Teach us more, O Wise, Wise One. We await, with bated breath, more pearls of wise wisdom from your flowing fount of foundational., fantastic funk fundamentals. We fail, once again, to snatch the pebble from your hand.
Panufo 5 months ago 15
@Panufo Amen, brother. Truely we are privileged to be in the presence of such a great master, may he show us the error of our ways and cast Gadd into the firey depths.
AeroAstro 5 months ago
@Panufo I can actually do that stone in hand thing, I place a large coin in a persons open palm, set my arm and take the large coin before they close their hand, at the same time I replace the large coin with a smaller concealed one, the person can still feel a coin and opens their hand as if I didn't get the large coin and sees that it has been swapped for a smaller coin. I am a drummer and I think that helps, hard to do. Sorry for my english.
drabhand 2 months ago
Respond to this video... I believe that to be a very luscious drum solo near his finish.
drabhand 2 months ago
@Panufo Dunno why 9 people liked you ignorant comment. Someone asked what the pocket was, he described it. Also, if you think Steve Gadd is dreadful and boring, you clearly lack any extent of an education on the instrument, therefore invalidating your ideas.
XxStrongDrums1996xX 1 month ago
@XxStrongDrums1996xX I WAS KIDDING. You couldn't tell? I make all my drum students listen to Gadd. The problem with satire is that some people don't get it. Go back and read my comment again. I guess I overestimated the average drummer's sense of humor. Sorry.
Panufo 1 month ago
@XxStrongDrums1996xX I'm dying to hear your reply. You seriously couldn't see the sarcasm dripping from my shaft at the gretschjazzer guy who was dissin' Gadd? People 'liked' my 'ignorant comment' because THEY had a sense of humor. Get one - it's not too late. We clearly like the same drummers (i.e., Bonzo); now let's both make fun of people who think Gadd's job is to reinvent the wheel.
Panufo 1 month ago
@Panufo "Dude,this is hilarious...." Lmao
superugly75 1 month ago
Comment removed
Panufo 1 month ago
@superugly75 Then maybe YOU could help me explain to XxStrongDrums1996xX the concept of "sarcasm"! He thought I was serious. No wonder people think drummers are stupid...
Panufo 1 month ago
@gretschjazzer go fuck urself
hcf23445 5 months ago
@gretschjazzer Look at me I can swing.
FRIESENZA 4 months ago
@gretschjazzer your name kind of suggests that improvising is very important to you - steve gadd does not need licks to lay down the perfect take for someones record which is what he does for a living. he is not trying to be elvin or tony williams! when he needs to do a solo he just lays in the pocket and grooves to his hearts content - a lot more refreshing than people thinking they have to play something different every time they play for fear of being repetitive
bish789123 4 months ago
@gretschjazzer while I might agree with you, as he admitted himself when I saw a class he did, that he doesn't have much of a repertoire that has changed significantly over the years, it only speaks to the power of groove, and the idea that it is the ONLY function of a drummer that is of practical importance, and doing it well, will always put you on top. His groove is as good as anybody's that has ever played the drums... hence, this really can get old! Rhythm is too primal.
SuperAnimalDrummer 4 months ago
@SuperAnimalDrummer
I dont get this comment, "rhythm is too primal". That's very much like saying sound is too dependent on vibration. How could you distinguish the two? Aside from the voice percussion was the second instrument known to man. Rhythm is infused in percussion my friend. How can you even say this as a self-respecting musician? Rhythm is everything my friend. It is the foundation. The spectrum of rhythm is vast. It can be virtually non existent or deathly intricate all at once
dblockbass 4 months ago
@dblockbass I agree with you. You misunderstood my comment.
SuperAnimalDrummer 4 months ago
@gretschjazzer well considering how much work he gets maybe the rest of us should take the hint.
samm1809 4 months ago
Just awesome.
This has me laughing at how good it is. While banging my head with a screwface on.
DJTouche 1 year ago
1:46 lol:D
rusamene 1 year ago
The only one, the best, the unique. No doubt
RudiFerCa 1 year ago
what's "pocket groove" anyway?
r3ck0rd 1 year ago
@r3ck0rd I d want to know same thing
RudiFerCa 1 year ago
I heard they're adjusting clocks to his timing...
bintangtheater1 1 year ago 38
Well, guess what? You heard wrong!
theepolishprince 5 months ago
it was paul simon that talked about steve gadd coming up with drum parts that had never been played before.
pgonzo98 1 year ago
because it's inefficient. It's a throwback.
ajcox1986 1 year ago
to the new beees hes one of the Great drummers that open the doors to all the new stuff that is now out there. let see you come up with something like that..he plays it all and he plays it all great..... if you know anything about drums then you understand Mr. Gadd
gypsydrummer1 1 year ago 4
He's a LEGEND!
tgeucihtnairk 1 year ago
i think utube is famous for ufc... as in
unique and funny comments ahahha =D
jhonliver 2 years ago
Quite possibly the most musical drummer alive!! I have to think that the negative comments are due to a lack of understanding.If not, and you really dont think that Gadd is a one in a million drummer, and that you can play easily just like him....by all means post a video...if its true I will be your biggest fan!!
bobbystockerdrums 2 years ago 4
I try every now and then but its really just what your comfortable with, most of the older guys were taught originally with the traditional style so I guess thats why those guys use it mostly. There still are modern musicians that use it just its not taught as much.
SkatesforJerseyDude 2 years ago
Wouldn't make much difference man
benbottle 2 years ago
to a non-drummer this sounds pointless
joeglimmix 2 years ago
I take it your not a composer either.
Khallmegalodon 2 years ago
well, i am not someone who will pretend something sounds awesome based on an artist's reputation alone. this is crap
joeglimmix 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm gonna have to agree with joe on this one, this is crap!! Especially toward the end, it was almost as of he was mocking drumming itself.... I wonder if he was being serious, or having a little fun at our expense? I hope so, otherwise this was just bad drumming. Simply grooving for half an hour doesn't constitute greatness I can groove like this guy all night too. Perhaps Vic Firth should produce a line of drumsticks with my signature on them!!!
DanLetts97 2 years ago
Way to stick the ending! Haha.
xpad3 2 years ago
one of my favourite drummers out there!!GO STEVE!!!!!
black656656 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I can't say I'm a big fan of Steve Gadd. During certain parts of the piece it sounds too broken, like the groove is gone.
Markolore 2 years ago
Read the description.
General9313 2 years ago
Only explanation is you have don't have a sense of groove. You need to understand the technique and musicianship this guy has. He is one of the best drummers alive right now balancing technique and musicianship.
ZachusN 2 years ago 4
Jesus fucking christ. I say I'm not a fan, and I get 4 thumbs down plus a person saying I have no sense of groove.
I understand the technique. I appreciate that. But to say that I don't have a sense of groove just because I think the playing sounds too stuttered for my taste?
Fuck you. Learn to understand different people have different tastes. I don't like the guy? The fuck does that have to do with you? I didn't say he was bad in any sense, did I?
So, all I can say is "Fuck off."
Markolore 2 years ago
@Markolore, you are a stupid, arrogant dumbass. why don't you read the description of the video? he is accelerating and decelerating on purpose, to show that you can play behind and in front of the beat. that is why his timing "stutters" as you say....you can't even groove when you jerk off with your right hand, never mind appreciating one of the greatest drummers ever!
bohigasss 2 years ago
Okay, I say I understand what he's doing, I just don't like it, therefore I'm stupid and arrogant?
God damn you're a fucking moron.
It's called Appreciating something without liking it. I can do this, apparently it's far beyond your brain's ability.
Why the fuck is YouTube filled with such dimwitted fools?
Markolore 2 years ago
@Markolore I agree with you dude. He's really good but it's not my favorite style of playing. I think kids just need to chill out. You were just voicing your opinion, that's kinda what these comment boxes are for LOL :)
Tencor09 2 years ago
OK. First, I'll apologize for my "no sense of groove" comment because it was totally unwarranted. However, you need to chill the fuck out; it's not a big deal. All your "fuck yous" were unnecessary, and like my groove comment, unwarranted.
ZachusN 2 years ago 3
I like it .....Sounds great............
bcwdrums 2 years ago
I've always been amazed by Gadd's uncanny sense of timing. Legend. Effortless. Musical. Awesome.
polyrhythms7 2 years ago 2
PLEASE NOTE THAT I THINK STEVE GADD IS TOTALLY LEGENDARY
his technique is seems a bit odd to me.....
samm1809 2 years ago
That echo coming from the room makes it that much better!
MDisaster 2 years ago 21
Yes.....like 'When the Levee Breaks'....
violinbloke 2 years ago 28
@violinbloke thats exactly what i thought
poncho2211 1 year ago
@violinbloke the drums for when the levee breaks where recorded in a stairwell
Crusada54 1 year ago