Drum Teacher Reacts to Neil Peart - Drum Solo 

The only "teacher/drummer reacts channel" that actually has a great teacher/drummer commenting.

R.I.P Neil Peart, I was privileged to see him 18 times in concert.

Hey Garey, I've seen a lot of reactions to Neil's drumming, and many of them are drummers. You are the first to point out his styles, like, paradiddles, triplets, quads, two-up-two-down, and so on. I'm not a drummer, I am a piano player, classically trained, but your approach is fascinating. Thank you.

I am a guitar player, and Neil was my favorite musician of all time. His finesse, his power, his constant striving to be the best he could be. A monster musician! RIP to the greatest. Tears in my eyes watching this.

Just a minor historical correction: Test for Echo was the last album *before* Neil's wife and daughter died (his daughter the month after the T4E tour ended, and his wife the following year), leading to the band's 5-year hiatus. Vapor Trails was the first album after that break. Very enjoyable reaction / analysis - thanks!

Got my respect right away when he pronounced Neil's last name correctly.

I'm just a few years younger than the guys from Rush and went to the same high school as Geddy Lee so as a teenager I idolized these guys. It's still hard to believe Neil Peart is gone as he was only 67 and he will be remembered as one of the best drummer/percussionists ever!

There is absolutely nothing more enjoyable than watching one drum enthusiast/talent praise another on his skills..

I've see Rush 13 times but still the only rock concerts ive been to that when the drum solo starts Nobody leaves the arena RIP Professor

This one.....Neil Peart's death hit me DEEP....Obviously, it has struck many deeply....This is a man whose work caused MANY fifteen year-olds, who had up to then not considered the drums, but upon hearing him play, to go out and spend hard-earned lawn-mowing money on their very FIRST set of drumsticks...R.I.P. Maestro

The death of his daughter and wife back-to-back was something most of us couldn't of dealt with; Neil's ability to rebound was beyond anything I could of done.

Vapor Trails was Rush's first album after the death of his daughter and wife. Test for echo was the first album after he studied with Gruber, His wife and daughter passed after the Test for Echo album.

I loved the joy on your face while critiquing. RIP, Neil

R.I.P Neil, not only a brilliant drummer, but what a fantastic lyricist and story teller. Thank you for your music. Going to have a weekend dedicated listening to Rush albums I have loved for 40 years.

There will never be another like Neil. R.I.P and thank you for decades of amazing music!

Artists like Neil Peart can never really die. Their influence on young musicians makes sure their spirit continues on.

This man has been my hero since 1978. I saw him (and Rush) live 13 times (twice up close!) and it was never anything short of amazing and spectacular. Neil was definitely one of the very best and there will never be anyone like him. RIP Professor, you are greatly missed. Thanks Garey! 👍

He died today so very sad battling cancer.He was in my opinion one fo the greatest drummers ever lived

I LOVE that you pronounce his last name correctly. I liked this video for that alone. Rush is my all time favorite group, thank you for recognized Neil Peart's talent.

Thank you for doing this video , AND , pronouncing his name correctly . May the Professor continue to rest in peace . He may be gone , but the original GOAT will live on in the hearts of the fans worldwide . ❤️🇨🇦

You honestly have the best reactions. We can literally see you playing the drums while watching. We usually watch the videos twice once we watch the drummer the second time we watch you react. We wanted to do videos of us reacting to your reactions lol keep it up

I think Peart's greatness lies in his composition and musicality more than anything else

I love your enthusiasm over his solo. Lucky enough to see Rush since 1979 and Peart still stands heads and shoulders above other rock drummers.

A great, knowledgeable and enthusiastic reaction to arguably Neil Peart’s greatest drum solo.

Neil was the picture of musical brilliance. He was already one of the greatest drummers then stepped backed, dissected his playing and took the time to learn how to do it even better. He never stopped learning ways to take his craft to new levels.

We lost a absolute legend today. Rush in Peace.

Easily the best reaction video I've seen to this solo. You hit every point on the nose. Great ear.

I’m glad you pointed out his work with Freddie. You can see it in the circular motion. The “dance” happening in the air. 🥁

R.I.P. the Professor Neil Peart. We shall not see his like again.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Neil Peart 5 times live (of course with RUSH) but I barely noticed Geddy and Alex because I was so fixated on Neil .. this man is a God and there will never be another like him ever!

I grew up a lucky child as my father owned and operated big jazz clubs in Boston. The musical influence in my home held no boundaries. Although following Neil Peart with my drumming far to much was a partial problem. They recognized his skills. As I got older Max Roach Art Blakey buddy Gene Krupa I could go on for days really caught my ear. Ty for this. You taught me alot today. This was fun!!!

Saluting a master - perhaps THE master - while mourning and celebrating a percussive prince. RIP to a drummer I saw several times since the "Signals" tour. Thanks for the analysis, Garey!

Love your real-time analysis of these great rock drummers. Gives me even more appreciation and understanding of my favorite bands/musicians. I've seen Rush several times over the past 40 years and they never fail to deliver. (As a youthful bass player Geddy was one of my influences.) I knew NP was a great drummer, but when I watched this DVD several years ago my appreciation jumped 10 fold. Loved the sync with the old musical clips at the end.....

Bravo to the drum tech who sets up Neil's kit

Your enjoyment is contagious Your comment insightful for a drum nono like me

First time I saw Rush was the Subdivisions tour at Cobo in Detriot. I grew up wanting to play like Neil but my mom got me a guitar instead of drums. I think Neil Peart is the rock drummer all guitar players wanted to be. So melodic and memorable. What a treasure.

Sooooo informative! Best reaction to this solo, I've seen by far! Thank you!

As a huge Rush fan, I always knew that Neil Peart was awesome. However, after watching this I now understand how much technique went into his solos. The mere fact that he can play his hands and feet at the same time, but at different times is amazing!!!

My father had the privilege to go see these guys a plethora of times. I didn't have the opportunity to see them but man, watching appreciation videos like these makes me feel closer to Peart's art.

Neil Peart, the reason I started drumming. Love your breakdown of this solo. Well done. Thank you.

My favorite drummer. Inspired, uplifted, and awed me into getting my own set way back in 1989.

The last name pronunciation was correct, and thus my favorite pastime has been rendered null and void.

Always the Professional. Even though the majority of people could not hear the difference. Rush went into retirement, because Neil felt he would soon not be able to play the complexity of Rush songs up to his standards. Neil felt the fans deserved perfection. He would except nothing less from himself.. Nor would he allow the fan to receive anything less.

RIP. What an extraordinary talent. A true titan on the drums.

RIP Neil Peart, I am glad I got to see 11 Rush concerts. I have recent ones on DVD. Legends never die.

Funny, listening to you describe the patterns as he was playing, I realized there were names for things I’d learned only by ear years ago. Never got good enough to pull off a solo like Neil, but I could play short stints fairly well. Forty years ago, i played to most of the hard rock bands, but when I discovered Neil Peart, I became obsessed with learning Rush songs. When I picked up a cheap set a couple years ago and started banging around again, after a few weeks of getting my feel back, I began doing freeform “drum solos” for my own amusement. Coming on youtube and watching videos like this one is a pleasant eye opener. While I’m no Neil Peart, using what limited skill I do have, I definitely sound “Neil Peartish”. Never realized how much his particular style rubbed off on me. Thanks for the interesting analysis!

Great review. Neil was a huge inspiration to me. Thank you for doing this. He was our hero.

Never got much off his drum solos to be honest but an absolute treasure of an artist and man.

Honestly I started out playing drums as a kid in the 70's I could play the kiss solos which was fantastic as a 11 year old then I started listening to rush I realized at that point at an early age that I couldn't play better than guy like Neil so I learned to play harmonica. Love your videos

Less than 2 months later, we would loose this great man. Neil is now an angel and we have a huge hole here on earth.

It's not easy programming yourself to produce "superman's a drumer" Thank you "Professor" for sharing your phenominal expression through hard work, ability and talent. Every time I ever heard you speak, interviews etc., I heard nothing but positive energy and how much it ment to you to share. For this reason you will be surely be missed and never forgotten. Signed Your student.

RIP Garey! May your journey be smooth. Thank you for the constant inspiration! 12.06.21

Huge Rush fan and Neil fan here. I love their music and his drumming. Your reactions and excitement make it an even better listen!!!

Sadly after today we have to say the great LATE Neil Peart. :(

As a Rush fan since the Moving Pictures tour, this analysis gave me the same thrill as I felt seeing them live. Thanks for triggering a flood of memories from the many concerts I attended to see the three guys from Canada tear it up. 👍😁

Rest In Peace Neil. You’re finally with your wife and daughter. #devastated 😓✝️

That's what I like about teacher's reactions. They point out things that I would have never notice and appreciate Neil 's study into his art :-)

I’ve watched this drum solo by Neil so many times I can anticipate what the next section will bring. I had the pleasure of seeing the great Buddy Rich perform waaay back in the day on my high school auditorium stage. Although I’m not familiar with the language of drum techniques, I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis. And now it’s on to Ginger Baker and John Bonham! Thanks!

RIP JANUARY 7, 2019 ♥️

This seems to have become Peart's best known solo and it's not hard to see why. In his early years he, like most rock drummers, sought simply to dazzle the audience with power and speed in his solos. Over time his soloing became more nuanced and musical, until he was constructing what can only be called drum concertos, and this is probably the finest example of that approach. The way it ebbs and flows between movements, the variety of styles and techniques, and the sheer athleticism of it are a wonder to behold.

ta for that. A lot of understanding, interpretation and history that would not have been at all visible to me....plus the smile on your face says a lot :)

Thank you for the reaction! I love the way Neil composes his drum parts... Fun and exciting

That, my friends, is the greatest drummer the world has ever produced! RIP, Neil Peart! Now he's with his daughter and first wife!

There are people who react to songs because the like it and then there are people who react because they actually know what's going on musically. You know what's going on musically and I truly appreciate it.

Peart released a breakdown of this solo after the R30 tour was finished, and I applaud you in continuing the tradition of analysis, Garey. In the video, at about 5:15 in your video, his hands moved to play in 7/8 for a couple measures, while his feet maintained a waltz groove. It absolutely blew my mind! Peart indeed earned the nickname "The Professor"!

Everything he does on the drums is amazing, I was lucky enough to see them live for the Permanent Waves tour when I was 15

Thank you for being dedicated to this particular thing we call music, without it I wouldn't be commenting today

That snare drum blast at 11:45 always gives me an eargasm!!!! RIP Neil, and thank you for everything.

This was great fun to watch with you. I don't play any instrument (sadly), but I've always been a big Rush/Neil Peart fan. Loved hearing your insights on what the man is actually doing musically - other than pounding on those skins!😉

Hey Garey, great great informative piece.. I'd only comment that at 7:40 you mentioned that Test for Echo was Rush's 1st album back after Neil's family tragedies. It was actual the last album beforehand in '96. Vapor Trails in '02 was Rush's comeback album(and one of the best). Fantastic job breaking down what Neil's doing, and helping us continue to enjoy his genius.

The younger generation will never be able to see a true master of the kit in concert ever again, thankfully we have youtube these days, Neil was an inspiration to so many musicians around the world, and his passing is felt by all. R.I.P. "Professor" your time came way too soon.

RIP Neal! I love the way you review videos. It's honest and so refreshing!

Thank you for the explanation of the odd sounding hand/foot independence section. I'm no drummer but this reaction was wonderful I really appreciate it :)

Can't believe he's gone I'm so glad I saw him live

I've seen a lot of videos on youtube. As a soon to be 53 year old drummer I enjoyed this video about as much as anything I've seen to date. It's not just the great narrative of what's happening it's watching the sheer joy he has when watching it. As a lifelong Rush fan, 18 times total in concert, I obviously habla the Neil Peart. I patterned myself after Neil and John Bonham. I probably watched "The Song Remains the Same" about 20 times before I was sixteen. Keep up the good work brosef.

I love seeing a teacher analyze a drummer with such excitement!

I don't normally watch "reaction" videos, but decided to since you are a drum teacher and you're reacting to a drum solo. It was both entertaining and informative. My suggestions for future "react" videos are Terry Bozzio (Solo Drum Music or Bozzio Levin Stevens) and Carl Palmer (his solo on ELP's Welcome Back My Friends to The Show That Never Ends). Carl has done some great solos since, but that one is amazing!

What an absolute artist behind the kit. Always seeking perfection in so many diff styles/players. RIP GOAT. Not many drummers caught your ear like Neil did. Temple of Syrinx was wore out on that 2112 album

Fascinating to hear the background history and what a amazing drum solo from the master Neil Peart ❤❤❤

Nice video brother, great insights!! 👍 It’s no wonder Neil finally retired, I can’t imagine keeping that level of precision and intensity, LIVE, for 40 years!!

When you see a drummer and a massive kit, and then that drummer uses all of it!

I'm transitioning more into producing and midi writing now (bad knees getting worse making kicks and hats painful) but Neil Peart and Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) have always been my absolute favorites. There are two ways to play, in my humble opinion: as a metronome to help the band keep time or as a musical instrument. Those two did the latter with SO much style!

52 years young here. Usually the skills fade over time. He's like a fine wine and refined his work.

Great video! I love how you break down all of the different stickings that he uses throughout the solo. This is one of my favorite solos from Neil. Subscribed.!

I enjoyed your excitement and fervor.

Props to you for pronouncing his name correctly

Dude I love your energy!!!!! Great solo from the wizard

Neil is the teacher. R.I.P. Sir. And thank you for all the memories.

want to know a cool thing? The Rush: 30 Kit was Neils smaller kit. During new album tours he used a bigger kit, which iirc was 3 set of basics, 2 electric sets, electric xylophone, 2 rows of cow bells, 2 rows of bell chimes. I saw them During snakes and arrows tour, and clockwork angels tour. During the snakes and arrows he broke a cymbal mid song, and just used a different one. Kept tempo and never missed a beat while the stage hand fixed it. Was a cool thing to see as most people would pause the song for tech issues, then start over. Unless u was close to the stage, you wouldnt have known it happen.

Neils drum solos got better over the years for sure.

Does anyone else want to see Garey Williams behind the kit? Always loved watching my teacher play.

RIP Neil,the way he plays , he makes it look easy.

I once read an article that described the size of Neil Peart's touring drum kit over the years as ranging from "gigantic to merely very large."

The fact he could play great with conventional, and traditional, amazes me. Just trying to keep his feet on a completely separate tempo than your hands is so difficult. He makes the most difficult things seem easy.

💜💜💜 Great Reaction, helping us to heal the loss of Peart. RIP Brother 💜💜💜

Thank you for such an informed reaction. Really nice to hear from a drum teacher as Neil plays this epic and entertaining solo. I'm a guitar player but absolutely love and respect all things percussion. The limb independence portion is baffling to me (much like Neil's bandmate Geddy' ability to sing, play bass and Taurus pedals/keys simultaneously). How one develops that is amazing! Neil has always said he is not particularly coordinated outside of drumming, but man did he make up for it in this particular area/craft. RIP Neil. So happy to experienced some form of his drum solo live 31 times from 1980 thru 2015.

It was actually their release "Vapor Trails" that marked Neil's return to his buddies from the tragedy. "Test For Echo" was recorded entirely using the traditional grip. I didn't know he originally used that grip. I guess I assumed he he used match grip,being rooted in Rock Loved the video By the way, I forget his name, but this new kid, Black kid, I seen him over on a instructional channel, he's KILLING it. I mean I thought Neil was fast and crisp, this guy I saw a couple of months ago was just fantastic. I'll try to find that channel and find that video with thaty guy in it. He's really good

Neil pert the GREATEST!! Love your honest comments

Great insight and professional percussionist insight. I like other reviews but to hear a fellow percussionist break down what I’m hearing was superb. Respect to you sire

I like how you did your homework to explain what Neil was trying to “say”, as well as your technical knowledge