If you Could be Given Any "4" Drummers playing style who would it be and why?

[keydrummer]

Here's a simple question that I'm hoping to spark a interesting line of discussion,If you could be Given/attain(etc...etc...) any "4" Drummers playing style who would they be and why???????????

[JrDADrumma]

I would like to have Thomas Pridgen, Ron Bruner Jr, Dana Hawkins, Booty Greene. Why? Thomas is my favorite by far, chops, groove, feel, more chops, and he's real different which I appreciate. Ron Bruner is also real unique, insanely fast, and plays with unreal force and power. Dana Hawkins has always been a top 3 for me, and he's even solidified that position with his swift command of jazz/fusion. Reminds me a lot Tony Williams/Elvin Jones whenever I hear his jazz stuff. He's got speed, chops, and now he can groove with the best of them, pretty much the total  package. And finally Booty Greene, who to me is like a combo of Spanky, Chris Dave, and Aaron Spears(crazy I know, but it's just my opinion). I never know what's coming next when he's behind the kit, and his placement is what gets me, a lot of dudes play the licks, but where he puts them is what is amazing to me. How's that for a discussion????? BTW, great post keydrummer. GB

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

I would honestly have to say nobody's.  Because if my style is just like somebody else's, I'll never stand on it's own.  I will constantly be compared.  People would say "he plays just like so-and-so."  I would prefer to have creativity to create my own style which I have done.  I would suggest that you take the influences that you have and make them your own by adding your own twist to it.  This may open up a new topic for dicussion. 

[Audiocr381ve]

I would honestly have to say nobody's.  Because if my style is just like somebody else's, I'll never stand on it's own.  I will constantly be compared.  People would say "he plays just like so-and-so."  I would prefer to have creativity to create my own style which I have done.  I would suggest that you take the influences that you have and make them your own by adding your own twist to it.  This may open up a new topic for dicussion. 

We've ALL thought about it before. Just participate man!

Thomas Pridgen - Because he's Unique
Chris Coleman - His Feel
Zoro - Pocket and a Half
David Garibaldi - Goodness gracious he's funky

[Hotsticks1]

I would honestly have to say nobody's.  Because if my style is just like somebody else's, I'll never stand on it's own.  I will constantly be compared.  People would say "he plays just like so-and-so."  I would prefer to have creativity to create my own style which I have done.  I would suggest that you take the influences that you have and make them your own by adding your own twist to it.  This may open up a new topic for dicussion. 

That is true, you never hear anyone say Aaron spears sounds like...???

Aaron Spears sounds like Aaron Spears because of his placement, but at the same time all he did was learn from other people and make it his own. I guarantee if we search deep enough into the archives we'll find someone that he mimicked...

[dude-on-drums]

Everyone sounds like someone...there is nothing new under the sun. 

For me it would have to be,

Dave Weckl (fusion) for his impeccable timing and musicality.
Will Kennedy (contemp. jazz) for his smooth and easy going attack.
Aaron Spears (pop, r&b, gospel) for his aggressive and super clean behavior!
Chris Dave (experimental) for his unthinkable and impossible and "so against the rules" approach!

There are so many others but I will play by the rules and only name 4!

[bigblackdrummer]

Dave Weckl - Everything Fusion, technique, time, clean
Vinnie Colaiuta - Everything all around
Tony Williams - Everything Traditional Jazz
Paul Liem - Everything studio
Young Gerald Heyward (85-93) Everything Gospel! Yes I gave five!

[JrDADrumma]

That is true, you never hear anyone say Aaron spears sounds like...???

I don't know man, I've heard a lot of cats say Aaron is a SLIGHTLY more advanced Gerald Heyward. Not saying I agree, but I have heard that before.

[dude-on-drums]

Slightly more advanced than Gerald?    Come on now.  Lets not slap Aaron in the face.   

[CJKeyboardPlaya]

Everyone sounds like someone...there is nothing new under the sun. 

hey you rite about that!!!

Tony Royster Jr. -His feet
Calvin Rogers -His creativity (which i have none) 
Gerald Heyward -More of his creativity....
John Blackwell -Hands!!!!


I just wanna be like them all!!!!      

[JrDADrumma]

Slightly more advanced than Gerald?    Come on now.  Lets not slap Aaron in the face.   

Hey man, like I said, I am NOT AT ALL in agreement with that, because I agree with you in that that is a bogus statement, but I was just pointing out that I have heard Aaron compared to Gerald on many occasions, as ludacris as these comparisons may be...

[fretai03]

Slightly off topic, I'm curious as to why gospel drummers have a fascination with wanting to "have my own, unique sound"?

Before coming to LGM & Gospelchops I never experienced this fascination on PDF or other drum forums but ever since I've been here discussions surrounding this are almost as heated as our gospel vs secular threads.

Understandably, I saw a repetitive "generalised" view & thought to question it.

[j_kay]

Why would you not want to sound like yourself?  Why would you not want to be innovative?  At one point, you would want to emulate your influences, but at some point, you would not want to sound just like ____ ____ (insert favorite drummer's name), unless the producer calls for a specific fill from ____ ____. 

The problem with the other forums (and this forum at times) is that we tend to (want) to sound like ____ ____, and generally do not attempt to find their niche. 

What if our drumming heroes never carved their niche?  We would have a lot of Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones in the drumming world, and that my friend would be so plain vanilla. 

Variety is the spice of life (the other is in-school deferment: The other spice of life).   

[fretai03]

I'm not trying to disagree, I definitely agree.

I just felt moved to throw the question out in the open for everyone to discuss because (to me) it "seems" very similar to, e.g. the rap artist who says they bring their own rapping style, original lyrics & original tunes, when realistically... no they didn't.

They took what was relevant (to themselves) from artists before them or those around them & THEN the music became a part of them.

For the pedantic, yes, this is a generalised observation.

[Lildrummaboy66]

Slightly off topic, I'm curious as to why gospel drummers have a fascination with wanting to "have my own, unique sound"?

Before coming to LGM & Gospelchops I never experienced this fascination on PDF or other drum forums but ever since I've been here discussions surrounding this are almost as heated as our gospel vs secular threads.

Understandably, I saw a repetitive "generalised" view & thought to question it.

Co-sign!!! I love to hear all of these brothers play, but God created me to be unique just as He did everyone else!! As much as I love to hear and to watch these "famous" drummers, I also love to watch clips of the brothers from this site who have their own unique style. Indeed I'm sure everyone mimicked someone starting out, but as they learned and grew, they developed their own style.

[Student21]

Wow... I'm really enjoying this topic a lot! And the manner of conversation that's taking place is actually educating and very informative in a way that provokes me to really study and hone my skills as a musician.

Aside from that, I'd begin by saying that I'd like to develop my own unique flavor of drumming.
If I must choose four drummers whose playing style I admired, it would have to be:
1)Dave Weckl ... for his discipline, technique, and understanding of where to place things(timing?). Also, I enjoy his ability to demonstrate and explain techniques/ideas in such an elementary way.
2)DeMiyon Hall ... for his ability to "talk"(phrasing?) and harmoniously compliment other musicians as well as his playing ability that makes you want to hear that song again.
3)Thomas Pridgen ... for his creative ability to piece things together. I respect his technique as well.
4)Asaph Alex Ward ... for his overall flow and his ability to compliment the music in a way that causes the listener to want to hear the songs he plays over and over again.

*There's probably more than these but I kept the author's wishes of just 4 drummers...hehe.

I'd love to hear some more feedback. I enjoy these conversations!
If anyone lives in, lives near, or will be visiting the Kansas City, MO area lets collaborate and create a time when we all can come together and learn from each other... no matter the level of experience!
I'd love to just sit and be educated by you all! This is a great topic! Two thumbs up!

[depondrums]

I would have to say:

1. Calvin Rogers- for his musical way of thinking.
2. Tony Royster- for his speed and feet.
3. Dana Hawkins- for his precision. (And becuz he's my boy and I have had the opportunity to sit with him and experience his way of thinking.) HA!
4. Will Kennedy- Because he is not a joke.

[HEART-BEAT]

My 2 cents!

1. Calvin (placement, discipline)
2. Jeremy haynes (feel)
3. Jo Jo Mayer (technique)
4. Holy Ghost (anointing)

[jtoomer]

Eric Moore- his thinking/placement/ speed is ridiculuos to me
Jo Jo Mayer- jazz/pop/ technique
Dana Hawkins- Amazing/amazing
Jeremy Haynes- rudiments

[WithLuvKay]

Wow, Only Four.