Too Much Pocket

[stiksnmypocket]

whats up fam I haven't posted in awhile but chek this out. I'm interested in getting opinions on this subject, it mite be old but oh well, here goes, the situation is one of my homeys landed 2 gigs, secular, one with Anthony Hamilton and the other with K-ci and JoJo, however he got fired from the both of them because he was so pocket, trust me the dude got skills but I don't know what his problem was, he's very clean and precise, I do know with the Hamilton gig, Anthony's wife wanted her cousin on the drums so that pushed him out the door fo sho", and with K-ci they flew him out to Japan an within a week he was bak, so I would like to get feedbak from all yall greatdrummers on here is there a such thing as" TOO MUCH POCKET", me personally I think it is, I mite get crucified for this but, I call it being a boring drummer with no flava and taste, oh yeah he's like around 30-32 so that mite be it he's jus old and stubborn...haha, hit me bak with OPINIONS

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

That is a very good and legitimate question. and to give you my answer. Yes. There can be too much pocket. There has to be a point in the song that you accentuate and bring it to life. Dont get me wrong pocket is important. Groove is important. and time is even more important. But if you dont bring your own flavor and inspiration to the song...then whats the point of drumming?

God Bless.

[Da_Drumma]

That is a very good and legitimate question. and to give you my answer. Yes. There can be too much pocket. There has to be a point in the song that you accentuate and bring it to life. Dont get me wrong pocket is important. Groove is important. and time is even more important. But if you dont bring your own flavor and inspiration to the song...then whats the point of drumming?

God Bless.

Greatly Said!!!! Don't forget as Drummers it is our job to bring the song to life. God uses us to help minister thru song to the people of his kingdom. He blessed us with the knowledge to do so, so with the knowledge and creativity he has blessed us with, it is up to us to create music that will catch the heart of people. So basically I think it's okay to be creative !!!! It's the creativity that we have thats makes the music come to life !!!! Just don't over do it!!!!!!

[corbro007]

I've never heard from anyone that's good commenting on how well that person kept it in the pocket throughout the whole song.  Its important that we keep it balanced and make it stand for something.  Big names and endorsers don't want anyone that can strictly play pocket, but you have to have originality, flash, timing, tricks, feel, and emotion all in the song to distinguish yourself from the rest.  My homie plays only pocket and it really bores me and I told him, but he's not willing to advance to the next level.  There are some that are just happy with playing pocket and I can respect that.  Singers don't make big gigs by only singing the lyrics that are on the page, they put their own, their heart and soul into it.  So any musician need to expand their horizons and think outside the box.

[MODERN_DRUMMER]

there is nothin wrong wit tooo much pocket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!esspecially if ya fills wont be on point! look @ questlove

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

there is nothin wrong wit tooo much pocket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!esspecially if ya fills wont be on point! look @ questlove

So if someone is just holding down the 2 and 4 for the whole song, is that good drumming? Then almost anyone can do that. There has to be more...I believe a true Master Drummer, will have the knowledge and creativity to know where to play pocket and where to use creativity to bring the song out. I am definitely against showboating and overdoing a song with tons of fills that are off.

But if you handicap a drummer to just pocket, then he becomes just a time keeper.

To me there has to be a balance. Too much of anything is never good.

God Bless.

[LuckeeDuckets]

questlove is a great example. however he has his own band. depending on the song, you will need to have some fills, to bring the break back in or take the song to the next level. things of that nature. its not a bad thing but you have to put some stank on it also.

[corbro007]

I don't want everyone to take this off on a tangent, it is just a commment, but Questlove is different, yes he do strictly pocket from the work that we hear, but for what he plays, he plays for HipHOp and R&B and when I listen to it I'm not worrying about his fills...and yes I said I cause I"m talking about only myself, I just wanted to blast myself before someone else do....its dance music and not listening music.  Q/love job is only to be a time keeper, but I've heard him when he didn't have to be a time keeper and he is good with being a total package.  And his best quality is that he knows his place.   Questlove might get mad if you told him he is Only a pocket drummer.  He can do groove, pocket, fills, improvisation, tell the story, etc.....so guys please don't beat me down, please

[MODERN_DRUMMER]

but bein a pocket drummer does'nt mean you never do fills.....................now someone i would'nt consider a pocket drummer is someone that wants to do a fill every  or everyother measure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its all a matter of opinion, there is no wrong answer

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

but bein a pocket drummer does'nt mean you never do fills.....................now someone i would'nt consider a pocket drummer is someone that wants to do a fill every  or everyother measure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its all a matter of opinion, there is no wrong answer

Absolutely! and I agree 100%. I love Pocket. I love Groove. and I love Creative well Accentuated on Point Fills.

God Bless.

[corbro007]

yeah...someone that has their own band can do whatever they want....he can play snare drum ONLY if he wanted....lol

[Seven]

A lot of pocket playing get ya you many gigs.

Seven,

[min_amw]

We have to capture the essence of the song in our playing. Sometimes playing super-straight won't capture the entire feel of the song. It's about how the song is supposed to feel.

[Seven]

True!!!  Good point.

Seven,

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

We have to capture the essence of the song in our playing. Sometimes playing super-straight won't capture the entire feel of the song. It's about how the song is supposed to feel.

Umm...I thought thats what I was saying??? thats exactly right....

we have to be good enough to know what that song needs...Not every song needs just pocket...not every song needs just fills.

God Bless.

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

I have to add... thats what makes an artist so great. Everyone can go buy a paint pallete, and paint colors, Red Blue Green Orange Yellow Purple Brown Black White.....

BUT KNOWING WHEN AND HOW TO USE THOSE COLORS AND WHERE TO PLACE THEM IS WHAT MAKES THE ARTIST INCREDIBLE.

Same applies for drumming.

God Bless.

[rjthakid]

Pocket?  WHO NEEDS POCKET?!?!  Let's just make every song one long fill!  All while playing 32nds on a double-bass!!!!!    

Nah.  But finding that balance is key to being a great drummer.  I don't care WHAT that bass player says, WE control the flow of every song.  When we start a crescendo, the music MUST go with us.  when we play loud, the musicians MUST follow, and whatever speed we play at, determines the speed of the song.  We have a tremendous resposibility.  You know why?
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Because you KNOW if the tempo of the music isn't right, all the musicians are gonna look at us like   ???

    

[djdrummer]

I feel the same about just playing the beat.  Most drummers starting out can do that.
But also most I see want to fill in all the spaces with runs, and cymbals.  I think as a musician
matures, he or she, learns when and how much "color" to add to the song.
Being able to play the pocket with feeling, and then when the time comes, and God is moving
be able to raise the intensity, and let the "Spirit" take over.  For me that's when I have
the best time playing.  During those times I play things that If I tried on my own couldn't.
Being able to to add just what the song and mood calls for is what I'm striving for.
To me, there needs to be a balance.

For Him, DJ
 

[SabianKnight]

One word. VOCABULARY

One peice of advice..... Serve the Music first and foremost.

[hendoo]

THAT'S WILD, I NEVER HEARD OF TOO MUCH POCKET & GETTING THE AX ON A GIG B/C OF THAT, THAT'S WILD