--Start of Rant--
OK,
here is a question for all you drummers out there. I play in a band that covers a wide range of material. When we want to add a new tune, we all get copies of the original material and learn our parts. The Bass player learns the bass line, the Guitarist learns the Guitar line and sometimes the solo. I learn the Keyboard line and within the limitations (only having two hands and not using sequences) learn any brass or strings.
Why is it that Drummers think they can quote: "do my own version". I dont think I can improve on a stevie Wonder keyboard line, the very best I can do is reproduce it. The guitatist doesn't think that he can improve on a Nile Rogers or Larry Carlton guitar line, the Bass player understands the necessity to LEARN THE LINE! when covering a Nathan Watts or Bernard Edwards. So why do drummers think they can do a better version than Steve Gadd or Tony Thompson or J R Robinson???
Dont get me wrong, unlike some instrumentalists I fully appreciate the contribution of a great drum track. I find it all the more perplexing therefore when I can see the value in scoring out and playing a line but the vast majority of drummers I work with cannot.
Is this some kind of blind spot which only afflicts drummers, or do all those Durmmer jokes have some truth behind them, you know what they say, 'No smoke without fire' or is that; 'what sticks do you use then...' ???
--End of Rant---
OK,
here is a question for all you drummers out there. I play in a band that covers a wide range of material. When we want to add a new tune, we all get copies of the original material and learn our parts. The Bass player learns the bass line, the Guitarist learns the Guitar line and sometimes the solo. I learn the Keyboard line and within the limitations (only having two hands and not using sequences) learn any brass or strings.
Why is it that Drummers think they can quote: "do my own version". I dont think I can improve on a stevie Wonder keyboard line, the very best I can do is reproduce it. The guitatist doesn't think that he can improve on a Nile Rogers or Larry Carlton guitar line, the Bass player understands the necessity to LEARN THE LINE! when covering a Nathan Watts or Bernard Edwards. So why do drummers think they can do a better version than Steve Gadd or Tony Thompson or J R Robinson???
Dont get me wrong, unlike some instrumentalists I fully appreciate the contribution of a great drum track. I find it all the more perplexing therefore when I can see the value in scoring out and playing a line but the vast majority of drummers I work with cannot.
Is this some kind of blind spot which only afflicts drummers, or do all those Durmmer jokes have some truth behind them, you know what they say, 'No smoke without fire' or is that; 'what sticks do you use then...' ???
--End of Rant---