Remember to LEAVE A COMMENT saying your favorite part of the lesson for a chance to WIN 1 of 3 SIGNED copies of Gavin Harrison's solo album "Cheating the Polygraph". Lesson Index: 0:06 - SONG: "Hatesong/Halo" 7:01 - Introduction 10:00 - What is Rhythmic Design? 14:34 - Gavin's "CPU" Theory 21:58 - How Gavin Creates Drum Parts For A Song 28:21 - SONG: "In Exile" by Pineapple Thief 33:07 - How Gavin Came Up With Drum Parts For "In Exile" 50:50 - Billy Cobham's Tom Lick 57:50 - SONG: "The Start Of Something Beautiful" 1:04:52 - SONG: "Cheating The Polygraph"
I already have one and I wanna say thanks a lot to you Gavin it means a lot to me!. It was from the zildjian contest. It sounds amazing and the 5.1 mix is fantastic.
"It's everybodies job in the band to play in time, but it's the drummers job to make the time interesting." - Gavin Harrison Thank you for this incredible insight of how you approach creation of drum parts.
Depending on the level of players I'm gigging with there are times when I can make the time interesting and other times I have to keep the part pretty basic to hold things together and play a steady groove.
I was also taking notes of his quotes. Here is one 4u "You need to psichologically try to find a way to deal with yourself. This isn´t necessarily about getting over stage fright, This is just dealing with the complexities of playing the drums and still having room left to listen and judge. It´s not necessarily about getting nervous or anything." - Gavin Harrison.
"I'm impressed by the technique, but I´m not moved by it. I wanna be moved , I wanna connect to the performer, I want our souls to have a connection. I wanna feel that person´s personality. I don´t want to be disguised by a gross display of technique." - Gavin Harrison
Almost every one of these greats is humble and kind. Otherwise, they wouldn't be what they are. It's simple - no one likes jerks and doesn't want to play with them. It's one of the things that a lot of young musicians has a problem with, especially when their technique progresses to a certain level, and they start to think that they are so good and therefore have the right to act like jerks. The other thing is overplaying. There is one more thing, and that is that very few of them deal with the tone. Take Gavin for example, one of the things he is known for is his unique tone.
Once you start thinking of yourself as one of the greats, you stop being one. I feel being humble is part of what makes someone truly great. If you let that go, you become stagnant - there is nowhere else to go once you feel like you're on top of the game - and also a narcissistic jerk.
I saw a thing on American Footballer Barry Sanders. They said your style defines your art. All I care now is how much of your character goes into your drumming, eg Stewart Copeland Manu Katche Jimmy Chamberlin and Gavin.
He also embellishes some of his words by making small percussive sounds with his hands, watch from 56:00 - 56:30 every time he says "creative solutions".
That's with any instrument that help me more than anything getting chords right & staying in the right key while performing by practicing in the dark. It's dark on most stages my guitar teacher said the same thing about guitar.
That's a good line. I like to play piano without looking to the keyboard, it's sensual but never tried with the drums, didn't think of it. I'll try today.
My favorite part was this quote: "You put it in the right place, and it's beautiful. You do it every bar, and it's horrible." (14:05) because it's funny, but also really captures the idea of musical playing
To me, this is the best video you guys have ever produced and published! I have been playing for over 50 years and was not familiar with Gavin Harrison until today. I don't know how that could possibly be! Only his humility exceeds his ability! His abilities speak for themselves! I am inspired again! Thank you guys for doing what you do. It's these type of videos that go beyond the egos of incredible drummers that speaks to the hearts of us who never loose their desire to learn! Gavin is humbly a Master of our instrument! Thanks guys, thanks Gavin!
Gavin's CPU analogy couldn't be more accurate. More often than not, we're so overwhelmed by the complexity of the parts we play that it hinders our artistic freedom. Heil Gavin ^_^
It's so true! Gavin put it perfectly. Anytime I practice with my bandmates now, I keep this lesson that Gavin shared in the front of my mind. Gavin Harrison is one of my all time biggest influences and inspirations. Incredible person, musician and teacher, quite honestly.
Gavin Harrison is truly my favorite drummer. I'm a 56 year old jazz and show drummer living in Orlando. Ive been playing professionally for almost 40 years. I was always inspired by the usual drumming suspects you'd expect from a drummer who plays the stuff I do; Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Harvey Mason, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, etc. My rock heroes were of course Neil, Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio, Tommy Aldridge, Rod Morgenstein, and Carl Palmer. However, Gavin has, through countless hours of practice along with supernatural and divine gifting developed a style that none of these aforementioned drum masters have imo. Gavin has all the chops that any of my heroes have. However, he has a special creative artistry, along with a remarkable memory to make drumming not just rhythmic foundation but integral musical enhancement. He plays melody, catches figures in a myriad of colors and for me, has taken drumming to a whole different level. I have seen all of my favs I mentioned play live and it's wonderful and impressive. But with Gavin, it makes me giddy, a bit depressed, lol, and driven to see if I can bring into my playing the same magic Gavin has. A guy like Thomas Lang has mastered the physical execution of playing the instrument, but sticks to a particular style. Gavin can sound as great with a progressive rock band as he does with a jazz big band. Yes, he has great gear, a home studio, lots of time to practice due to his financial freedoms. But he, above anyone else I have seen or heard has amalgamized every style of drumming into an unmistakable identity. He is my new new hero to set my bar against. His approach in this video concerning the multitude of possiblities and thematic choices was very eye opening. His ghosts with his left hand rim shot are now my new practice hurdle. Gavin Harrison, like Steve Gadd never lets his ego get in the way of making music.He plays for the sake of the music, not his own acknowledgements. I watched this and just shook my head. I'd love to study with him. Bravo Maestro!
I'm not even a jazz drummer and knew Gavin through Porcupine Tree because I liked how gloomy it sounded. Since then, I fell in love with him and I stand flabbergasted every time I see him playing or speaking about drums.
Well said! A few albums that have that same immersive musical depth to the drum parts whose names didn't appear on your list, all of which are on par with Gavin Harrison on the Fear of a Blank Planet album. Sean Reinert on Traced in Air, Jon Theodore on Frances the Mute, Danny Carey on Lateralus,
I could not have said that better. I am not a professional drummer, but I have been all my life listening to music, specially prog rock. When I first heard Gavin, he revolutioned my way of understanding drums and beated all my past heroes. I have seen him playing with Porcupine Tree throughout Europe, and also playing with King Crimson. I also attended to a master class performed by him at Sonor Drums factory in Germany. This is one of my best memories ever. I cannot imagine there will ever be a drummer like him.
Favorite moment: "I'm impressed by technique, but I'm not MOVED by it. And I wanna be moved." Absolutely brilliant summary and something all of us drummers should keep in mind when crafting parts or playing live.
@King Brilliant Yep. That's why we have people like Marco Minnemann and Thomas Lang. Every time i hear these guys i'm like "wow, if you are so advanced and have such an unbelievable technique you have, then why the fuck you play these awful and uninteresting parts music-wise?!"
@@yrussq I think it's unfair to say their parts aren't interesting; for instance 'Scavengers' by In Continuum (Minnemann) or 'Time' by Thomas Lang. Perhaps it's not that their playing is robotic, but that it leaves little room for the other instruments to shine
@@yrussq I think it's unfair to say their parts aren't interesting; for instance 'Scavengers' by In Continuum (Minnemann) or 'Time' by Thomas Lang. Perhaps it's not that their playing is robotic, but that it leaves little room for the other instruments to shine
@@yrussq those guys couldn't be further apart. I would expect you to say Thomas lang and Mike mangini, not Marco lol. He's in a whole different league feel wise.
Gavin goes beyond just playing fast or super odd. He finds grooves you can move to in the chaos. He listens to the pitch of the instruments and simulates it with the pitch of the kick up to the Tom's up to the snare up to the hat and cymbals. He is a musician, not just a drummer.
He didn't even have to play the drums. They could've disassembled the whole kit and I'd still watch him talk how he conceptualizes and thinks drums. Thank you guys for bringing him in!
@@OogaB0oga Same here, first time I've watched it my perception of drumming and composition was truly renewed, felt like waking up from childhood. Since that every now and then I come back to oil the engine haha
"I'm impressed by the technique, but I´m not moved by it. I wanna be moved , I wanna connect to the performer, I want our souls to have a connection. I wanna feel that person´s personality. I don´t want to be disguised by a gross display of technique." - Gavin Harrison
50:55 When Gavin breaks down the technique he learned on a Billy Cobham Drum Clinic on the BBC back in 1982, that totally blew my mind. 35 years of playing drums and I had NEVER seen that displayed anywhere before. Then to watch Gavin expand on it and show what experimentation leads to. Having followed Gavin since PT released 'Fear of a Blank Planet', this was one of the best lessons you guys have posted.
Matt Markus nobody likes ppl who share opinion as fact. You don't have to like it, it ISN'T my favorite, but "it's boring" is a subjective view, and makes you look a bit absurd
Hangnail Hangnail, surely you must realize there are certain people out there that have done nothing, accomplished little to nothing, that thumbs down every video, no matter how great it is. I’m guessing it makes them feel a little better, a little more on top. Gavin is very quickly becoming one of my favorite drummers! Everything that guy plays is incredibly tasty. Can’t believe you guys finally got him! Kudos!! Absolutely fantastic sound!
+erikbarrett85 OH but apparently I *do* have to like it- if I don’t want to face the wrath of touchy fanboys. I wonder if you’d be surprised to know that GH is one of my favorite drummers. Does that help? In terms of stating opinion as fact, isn’t it obvious that it’s my opinion? Who can say something in music is boring and speak for anyone else? So it seems redundant to state “to me” or “imo”. But apparently I need to so I don’t offend the bunch who actually get insulted by someone else’s opinion. Honestly , is everything GH does genius? Can anything he does be boring or less than perfect? Or is he an alien? It’s obviously silly and childish to get upset by someone’s opinion of someone else’s work. I could argue that fans who are critical of even their heroes are truer fans because they respect them enough to view and judge them on a real level. I love GH’s playing, but that fusion jazzy stuff with all the goofy chords is just boring TO ME. The best part of that was the PT stuff.
There's so many incredible drummers. Chris Coleman, Benny Greb, Jojo, all in my suggested vids and all incredible.Then you have the old studio greats like Vinnie C., Steve Gadd, etc. I just wish more good bands with average drummers would hire these guys that you usually only hear on instructional videos, solos, or obscure jazz fusion cheese. JoJo and Benny would be great in with The Gorillaz, Beck, anything hip-hoppy really. Such a waste. At least Gavin plays in a worthy band.
My favorite part starts at 35:25 where he explains how he plays the snare ghost notes with his finger tips. I noticed him doing that during the song, and thought it was so cool! Super inspiring lesson this video. His drumming is absolutely gorgeous.
Words cannot describe how this amazing, humble, godliketalented musician as inspired an entire generation of drummers. Thank you for putting such passion and creativity in you're playing and thanks to Drumeo for finally receiving Gavin... Everything this guy touches turn to transending art. God bless you Gavin and keep Proging !!!
I was watching this on my LG TV (in 4K through the TV's RU-vid app).....and the app stopped working halfway through because it needed to "free up more memory". Talk about ironic, even my TV's CPU was fully used up watching Gavin's lesson!!
Dave that was one of the best things I’ve heard about correlating playing with awareness. I hate when I’m jamming with a guitarist who can’t stop noodling while I’m trying to show them a part... like, bro you can’t play it if you won’t listen to what it’s doing.
Even at 64-years of my drumming, I really learned more from his style in a different way not only in technique but also his selection of cymbals and drum tones. Listen to his playing style with a set of good headphones to really hear his ghost notes along with his powerful crescendo as the song progressive. Nice work explaining even to teach an ole dog new tricks as well as the new folks. Thanks Gavin.
Wow! This really made me cry. Such a creative and inspiring drummer, one of the best drummers as in musicallity, AMAZING tom sound y the way, just as he said, sound is the first thing to go for.
I am nowhere near being a drummer but there is sooo much universal truth in everything Gavin is saying for every musician! So many valuable tips and lessons!! Amazing.
yeeeeees finally, I have waited soooo long My favourite part was actually seeing Gavin smile while he plays some of his stuff. Shows that even though he is a technical musical genius he can still enjoy his own playing instead of just being in his mind all the time. Absolutely the most musical drummer around at the moment
Just after watching the whole lesson i'm sitting here, completely shook by what is possible and what has to go on on a drummer's mind while playing drums instead of just picking up the sticks and banging randomly here and there! My favourite part in the video was while he was playing The Start Of Something Beautiful, specially from 1:02:00 - 1:02:30 (thats the ending of the song), I totally fell into thinking why he put all those things in there and just then I realize what he is doing i.e matching his cymbals with the accented notes on the trumpet!!! Absolutely amuzed by this lesson!
One of the best drummers, and very underrated or maybe more unknown to the people I know. My favorite part was when he used the CPU analogy. I’ve seen Dave Weckl talk about being able to hear yourself and how you sound within the band while playing. This is something I’ve struggled with and now I feel like it’s been explained to me in a way where I can build up hearing myself in live sessions more clearly and during more difficult songs.
Gavin is a great example of how he can make something look so easy. That intro track is one that, if you miss a brass hit, it'd be so noticeable, yet he's playing crazy-solid/awesome grooves over it and NEVER misses one important hit.
I’m not sure if I’ve commented on this video before but I’ve watched it several times now and I’m blown away every single time. This guy’s playing invokes emotion on a level that I’ve seldom experienced from any other players. I mean there’s times the guy literally brings tears to my eyes. The sense of purpose within every single stroke is brilliant beyond comprehension. The way he builds parts that so beautifully serve every single detail of the music penetrates the very depths of my soul in such a way that even when he’s playing something relatively simple it often becomes overwhelming emotionally and I can’t help but shed a tear in awe of this man’s talent. That’s when you’re just like, man! to be this great at any one thing in life is almost inconceivable. There has been many brilliant players throughout history and throughout the world but Harrison’s playing just touches me in a rare way emotionally. He’s the kind of cat that just makes you want to be better not only as a musician but better in every aspect of life.
Gavin is a lovely player. We don't give enough credit to our homegrown talent, Mark Mondesir, Neal Wilkinson, Gary Husband, Frankie Tontoh...I could go on...
Finally! Yeah, Gavin Harrison at Drumeo. Excellent work guys. Well, my favourite part start at 0:00 and ends at 1:10:38 :) Gavin is the master. I still have Zildjian Avedis Custom 18" crash signed by Gavin which i won at his Drum Clinic in Swansea, Wales in 2011! Greeting from the Czech Republic. All the best!
The opening track can be enough if you don't know Gavin and get distracted by the music, because it doesn't sound like your everyday radio shit. How could they be aware of denying themselves a big gift..
My favourite part was the first part with Hatesong/Halo. Just seeing how much variety and all the techniques that Gavin pulls off is just simply incredible! It makes me feel like there are endless possibilities when it comes to music! Every time I see Gavin play it makes me jump on my kit in excitement and experiment and have fun straight away which is exactly what this video did! Gavin is my all time favourite and he is the reason where all my inspiration comes from!
Apart from his tech know how and expertise, experience, drumming talent, bla bla, this man is a complete musician, making the drumset a substantial part of the musical piece. I also noticed that even the non-drumming people connect with his performance when they watch his videos and drum plays.
danny is not able to speak more than three words without saying ....you know... - and also to say something insightful about what he does. I think he is better to left him to barbecue and drumming only.
Favorite part is the rim roll groove at 1:00:40 Best hour I've ever spent. Gavin is such an inspiration. Challenges me to really rewire the way I view my role as a drummer.
Reminds me of myself, in my younger days. I could have done this to perfection, had I had the opportunity. Yep, like Dave, I could have sat next to a masterful percussionist and watched for hours. I would have been great at it too ! 😁
I love the bit when Gavin is just like breathing and sitting there and his heart is just like fully beating and his hair is just there and he is just...is
I also love the bit when Gavin has a British accent. And it's a good one. Like the best. Better than the queen. Probably better than anyone ever. Because he is British.
He says 'unique'. He says 'beauty'. He says 'the drums'. Heck he even says 'chop up the bar'. Wait he just said 'pasta'. He had me at pasta. Gee I love pasta and Gavin. Maybe Gavin could lie on a bowl of pasta. Wow. That would be delicious. Don't forget the parmesan though. Hahahahahahaha. Nah he is such a great sounding drummer. Ok he's no colaiuta or donati but he's very unique.
Hello Gavin. Watching this for the first time and am so inspired by not only what you say, but how you explain “why” things work. Drumming is keeping time and, more importantly, conveying feel to the players, the listeners…and to yourself. Your similes and metaphors are brilliant and I for one, fully understanding all that you explain. You’re the smartest drummer out there…and your ability to explain and inspire is unmatched. Will definitely be following for more. Amazing. Thank you Gavin!
Favourite part is the break down of 'in exile ' super interesting and helpful to hear how Gavin writes parts and focuses on what fits and honours the music. Picking things like the guitar pattern and lyrics. Really helpful for adding to a band musically and embellishing tastefully
Him and Jeff Porcaro are my favorite drummers. They have everything. Groove, feel, rhythm, pocket and the amazing and rare talent of playing what the song needs.
I can appreciate that he uses the the other instruments in the arrangement to make the drums sound musical. I think thats my take away from this. Drummers play in a box pattern but it doesn't need to be that way. It drives me to think of the Drums as almost a piano or some other instrument with a voice.
This guy is one of the most humble and wise phenomenal song writing drummers I have ever heard. His tasty grooves and appropriate fills and embellishments are just so perfect; I would go as far as saying that he has flawless feel.
this guy from drumeo has the best job ever. he has to oportuniy to watch Gavin and tons of awesome drummers three feet way. i would give my two eyes to see Gavin that close and of course, have the oportunity to talk with him and learn from him. Just Like Neil he is clever suitle and technical with pure elegance and creativity.
Gavin is a Vic Firth artist and has been for a number of years. His signature stick is wild. Very long, considerably thick, gradual taper but the tip and neck are all continuous. Tree trunks if you're not used to them. They do feature the blue dips on them.
