The Demonization Of Chops ...

[ikickset]

Over the past few years, I've heard an over-abundance of musicians speak of 'the pocket'. Now, I'm fully aware of the SUPREME importance of the groove, however - I think many musicians are now, with this narrow-minded approach to music,  taking some of the thrill and joy out of being a musician.

Their is definitely a musical elitist club out there among, mostly, older musicians. How does one get in? Think of the groove as the end-all, and be-all, and you've officially become a member of said club. The, often times, younger musicians aren't as enthusiastic about being human metronomes, and so they're deemed immature, until they're willin' to changed their views on what music is about, and how it should be played. Yet, I find it interesting .. that they seem to be the ones having the most fun, and don't have that sour look on their faces while they're playing. It's not a job to them, it's the thing that brings them joy.

Where do I stand personally?

I believe in balance. I look at it like a meal. The groove is the actual meal itself, yet unseasoned. Each person's taste differs from the next, but many can agree on when food is under-seasoned, seasoned perfectly, or over-seasoned.

As I've aged, I've become less and less impressed with drummers who feel the need to try every chop they know, in every song they play. I'm also weary of those musicians who claim to love playing, but they take it sooo seriously, that they never crack a smile, and they verbally assault any musician who isn't indifferent to chops.

I understand what will get you work. However, that's kind of the issue ... music has become 'work'. When it becomes 'work' ... that's when, in my opinion, you begin to lose the thrill. We become so hypnotized into thinking 'groove only' by musicians that we respect ... that we fail to see that we're too concerned by what other musicians think, to loosen up, and have SOME fun, like we did when we were younger musicians.

I think, both the older musicians, and the younger musicians could learn a thing or two from each other. Anybody can hold down the groove, and every should/must learn to do so. However, I feel that, chops are where we really begin to explore the limitless possibilities that music have to over. It's where we begin to tap into our creative Selves, and establish our own musical identities.

Gerald Heyward, Chris Dave, Dennis Chambers .. can all play the same song, but how do we REALLY tell the one from the other? What they do in those 'empty spaces'.

Discipline & Fun, friends.  Don't take music to seriously, but don't take it too lightly, either. That's something I think many of us can stand to learn.

~OD

i totally feel where dude is coming from.

[EricT]

I know one thing...chops are good and they have their place but ain't nothing like

A straight "dirty draws pocket"
A Straight "Funky sock" Pocket
A Straight "Badd Breath" Pocket

One that makes you Hold your nose...One that makes you say EWWWW That is stinky!!!!
One that makes you wanna go and sit on the toilet.....
One that makes you get dyharhia....


I'm sorry I got carried away thinking about them old James B, Gap Band, Chuck Brown......I can go on and on...

But Sabian no could have said it better. I totally agree with your post. IMO it's not that the older guys are jealous or envious, it's just that It seems like the younger generation doesn't respect history, nor the thnigs and people who got them where they are...and IMO that's in society as a whole. I know many of you respect those that came before you. But a good majority of you as young musicians don't even know how to handle yourselves in a Church setting....Playing, leaving while the WORD is going forth, and most of all not being a musician along with the BAND....not You...THE BAND.....