Correction in the video from the humans that made it: The song is The Spirt of Radio, not Spirit of The Radio. Rush is one of the most iconic rock bands in the world. Neil Peart and his drumming for Rush is a masterclass in prog rock drumming... and that's exactly what we're looking at in this drum lesson. Neil Peart is widely considered one of the best drummers of all time. If you want a drummer that you can bet will appear in the top 10 lists for best drummers of all time, Neil Peart if one of them. But WHY? How Neil Peart composed the drum parts, how Rush recorded them, the sound of the drums in all of Rushs' songs...groundbreaking on every level for music and drumming. I hope you enjoy this deep dive drum lesson on Neil Peart, Rush, and Neil's drumming. Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts! ► Start Your FREE StephensDrumShed Drum School Trial Here: bit.ly/2TpkJmJ Subscribe or I will steal your cymbals: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb Go here to snag the sheet music for this video: bit.ly/34kh0vy
Hey Stephen, love your channel. I made an African song in honor of Neil, my inspiration, love for you to check it out. Kilebu Neil Peart ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Rs8ZlEcOucg.html
Man, I miss Neil a lot. How someone that was so introverted managed to have such an infectious personality through his playing is incredible. Great Vid!
i don't think he was introverted, he just didn't like being crowded by people who knew him for his music. i get the feeling he'd be very social if he was somewhere that he was unknown or at least wasn't being bombarded by rabid fans
A lot needs to be said about a drummer and a band that can take the Morse code cadence of an airport call sign and turn it into a classic, foundational song in progressive rock.
and let's not forget that he incorporate parts of Shakespeare in his works. Rush first live album "All The World A Stage", from there Moving Pictures album song entitle Limelight "All the world's indeed a stage And we are merely players Performers and portrayers", you can see the influence that Neil use in his lyric. plus how many bands or groups would wright a song about "The Trees".
People often forget it was not just that this drumming is bloody hard...he actually composed it! and it is so tasteful and fits so well in the sound of Rush. His drumming still puts a smile on my face and an appreciative shake of my head being a fellow drummer. RIP professor.
Neil was a true philosopher, which he reflected much on his drumming style. Bear in mind that he wrote a lot of lyrics for Rush too. One of a kind. Thanks for this video, you rock!
I think what elevates Rush above other prog groups for me is that their overthetopness never felt over the top. Groups like Tool and Dream Theater feel like they’re showing off how great and how smart they are. Rush never did. RIP Neil. I don’t even drum, but you are a hero.
La Villa Strangiato was the song that broke their old school progressive back - so to speak - their goal was to play it straight through when studio recording it (like they would live) but it was so difficult to play for all 3 that proved impossible (at their level of excellence anyway). That experience is what led to writing songs in more digestible (and recordable) bites.
I agree bands like porcupine tree and dream threatre are that way, all technical and no sense of song, but not Tool. And rush abandoned it's prog flavor when they became a synth based, soft rock band. When Rush was in their height of progressive rock with Hemispheres, one of the reasons for doing it was to show off, and they admitted it, but they were well ahead of dream threatre and others because musical composition was still paramount.
Neil is a giant among giants. The thing that still strikes me about his playing is regardless of how difficult his parts were, they were clean, musically interesting, and had a real groove. Neil played some really difficult stuff, but none of it ever felt like he did it just to show off. It all fit into and substantially added to the music, and he made even the strangest meter changes feel so natural that you often didn't realize it was happening.
I grew up (born in 1993, so it was of my own accord) listening to Rush and at another weird end Nine Inch Nails, two bands who made different time signatures just feel normal - dancey - not show-offy and flashy but to serve the music. As a consequence now, when I do come up with ideas they're just naturally not always in 4/4. I love to trace that subconscious influence in myself, I was listening to these bands as a teen and had no theoretical knowledge. I didn't know they were changing time signatures all over the place, but I learnt to air drum along to them and internalised so many Rush songs specifically that I think, now I am a musician but I don't listen to Rush anymore, those lessons have just embedded themselves in me. I'm very thankful for that.
I was lucky, I got to see Neil Peart and Buddy Rich play. Both great drummers, but Neil might have been able to play jazz but not as good as Buddy. Buddy might be able to play rock, but not as well as Neil.
Thanks for this one Stephen. My first drum teacher played Tom Sawyer for me on my first lesson. That was my “I need to drum” moment. I didn’t look back.
I am not a drummer, But I know what makes a great drummer, and that's courage. Neil had that in spades. And character of being because I just don't know if I could have handled the death of my only child, and my wife of many years shortly thereafter with that much courage. I salute you Professor, You were truly one of a kind and an inspiration to millions...
I'm a 51 year old lifelong Rush fan who just took up drumming about a year before Neil's death. I got talked into teaching basic drums to kids as a music instructor (I'm really a guitar player), so I took up the drums to not feel like a charlatan. And since I had to get as good as I can as fast as I can, who better to try to start to begin to start to begin to imitate than Neil Peart, whom I've been listening to since the age of 8? These drumming videos are a lifesaver for someone like me, and now that I'm 2 or 3 years into it I'm having a blast.
My favorite drummer of all time. thank you for not only mentioning their hits but also mentioning some of their deep cuts like the enemy within. would’ve loved to hear you play One Little Victory but honestly Neil’s catalog of amazing drumming is endless. There’s something to appreciate in every single rush song
I've never viewed Neil Peart as a great rock drummer I viewed him as an incredible drum virtuoso who happened to play rock and roll, not to mention write most of Rush's lyrics, there was so much more to him than meets the eye, there are tons of great drummers out there but few like him...
RUSH is THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of the fluidity of MASTERING TIME SIGNATURES! I play drums and there are a few things that you need to know about Neil Peart’s ( pronounced PEER-T) character: First he writes the lyrics so he knows in advance what TYPE of song it’s meant to be ie ballad, driver, etc. Second he COMPOSES on the drums… like a carpenter who looks at a set of blueprints before building the object. Neil lays out a SKETCH in his mind of the VOICES of the drumset and builds the song from there. He is also a great LISTENER knowing when NOT to step over Geddy’s singing or Alex’s solos! Finally, he had perfect timing and fluidity of time changes. He said himself that it’s not about COUNTING the time signatures as much as fluid motion to change the tempo without counting: in other words it should FLOW! He hates repeating the same drum patterns in the same song meaning if he plays a fill one way the first time around he will play it differently the second time around. IE. Rolls down the toms the first time around and triplets or quads (all four limbs) the second time around. In short there will NEVER be another like him on planet earth 🌍 🌏 🌎! REST IN PEACE PROFESSOR! With heart felt admiration and sincerity! Gary
The note that said he rode his motorcycle to shows and it was a nightmare for the tour manager is vague. He had a trailer of bikes that was towed by his private tour bus. When he wasn't on stage, he was riding. He loved the fans but never understood fame. He considered himself an every man. No better than anyone else, in any way. He would rather ride than be fawned over. For me? A Legend.
That’s why we call him “the Professor”!! Been a loyal RUSH fan since first hearing Caress Of Steel in 1975, at the ripe old age of 15. I am now 63 & I miss Dirk, Lerxst & Pratt so much. I can’t believe it’s been almost 7 years since the beginning of the R40 tour. Great video. I am so glad we have all of these memories to see us through & more importantly to pass the genius of these 3 guys to the next generation. KEEP ON RUSHIN’!!!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
I’ll never reach that level of greatness, and I’m fine with that. I’m happy to be able to play what I can play considering I’m self taught. One day I hope to take a few formal lessons
That's because you have your own level of greatness you're going for. And it will look different than Neil's. And that's ok. Neil was largely self taught as well in the early years if my memory serves me correct.
@@StephenTaylorDrums yip, it wasn't until wayyy later in his career until he took lessons to be more flowy (for lack of a better word). You can definitely see it too, a good example is his solo on "A Show of Hands", he does look kinda stiff while still drumming phenomenally, and his later solos look more relaxed
Us 80's guys... air drumming the fill on the outro of Don't You Forget About Me is just SO satisfying. The wait before the part is murder! Great vid as usual.
Neil never stopped being a student. He didn’t become famous and then get the attitude he was famous because he mastered his instrument. He wisely knew there is ALWAYS more to learn.
Neil Peart was Beyond Human in His approach to Drumming. He implemented Jazz, West African Drum sounds into His Own an made a Drumming Masterpiece. Let's not forget Reggae. Neil Was a Master of his profession. John Bonham an Neil Peart are always going to Remembered for their ability to drive the beat of the song with precision an allow his group members to play to their utmost ability. Miss you Neil.🙏
As someone who knows Neil's drumming inside and out (99% listening, 1% trying to play!), this is a fantastic highlight of his most famous grooves, and you pretty much nailed every one of the demos.
Neil once said in an interview he wrote his music so that it would be challenging even for him to play at any time. He said he never wanted to just be able to play effortlessly so that it was always an experience when he played well. He wrote everyting that way including anything he wrote for the other members as well. This high standard is the reason his music seems hard for others but he said he wanted people to play it, he just wanted them to have to make an effort to do it well.
One of my fav Neil Peart parts is his subtle playing during "A Lerxst In Wonderland" starting ~3;36 mark of "La Villa Strangiato" and then of course as it builds up again
They all had very great taste in dynamics, especially for their studio albums (ok, most of them, a few seemed to be less dynamic than the others :) )...
La Villa Strangiato is a masterpiece of fusion, energy, talent and the will of the greatest 3 man band, imo. Exit Stage Left makes me emotional lol! In an interview,Neil Peart said it took them 3 days to lay it down! Time and tempo changes, beats and syncopations galore. I want Rush songs at my funeral✌️
wow - I always found his playing bar none - none work the cymbals that way he does - he is the only one that brings every cymbal to life in most songs - genius -
I now see that Mike Portnoy adopted the same mindset about what to play. He sticks with his signature fills and beat grooves, of course adding some new tastes here and there, but always coming back home sweet home. I miss Neil so much. He was the second drummer I really appreciated as a kid.
I had never heard of Neil Peart until two months ago (I'm 66years old). My two and a half year old grandson became a fan of Rush, mainly because of Neil. My grandson watches Neil's drum solo at Frankfurt over and over and copies his drumming, he is such a fan, and I thank him for introducing me to such an amazing drummer, and such an amazing band.
Long live The Professor. Gone, but not forgotten. He is desperately missed. The world of drumming is better for his existence. Loved watching the video. Thank you🙏.
Never to be forgotten, and even when we thought he was the greatest, he went back to teachers to improve himself, he was one of a kind. Thank you Neil.
In 1978, I was 16, and there was a moment that changed my life. I was riding in a friend's car and he popped in an 8-track and said, "Man you gotta hear this drum solo". It was Neil's solo on Exit Stage Left. I was completely blown away. At that point in my life I did not know a snare drum from a tom tom, but I soon had every rush album recorded, and became obsessed with drumming, and Neil's lyrics. Though I soon learned that I would never have "it", 40 years later, putting headphones on and hitting stuff has been the main hobby in my life. I don't think you can ever say one person is "The greatest drummer", but I think it could be argued that he was one of the most influential drummers in history. RIP Professor, and thank you Stephen for this spot-on break down (Well-played)
I was 12 in Dec. 74 when i first saw Rush open up for Kiss at the Detroit Palace in Detroit And became an instant fan of Neils and the Band, He hit those drums hard. Kiss put on a good show too but Rush became my favorite only got to see them 12 more times but wow every time. Great video Stephen
Stephen you are a great drummer and nailed the elements with great technique. What separates all the rest of the drummers from Mr Peart is that along with incredible precision there was an amazing amount of feel that nobody can match playing his music. Much like Bonzo. We can all play his music to varying degrees but none have his feel and touch. Thanks again for a great video.
Neil was my main influence as a drummer. Rush was my main influence as a music lover. In all the great musicians we lost in the past few years, neil's in the one that touched me the most, and still does. Oh and great video BTW ;)
I’m a millennial who was introduced to classic rock by way of Guitar hero 2. “YYZ” was in that game and it sounded like nothing I’ve ever heard before so then I went out and bought rush cds and learned from the best. I can tell you the exact day and time I was when Neil passed away. I’ll always be a little sad I never got to see him perform live but his legacy will clearly live on. RIP
Neil was so humble even at his peak he still sought out teachers to learn more , Freddy Grubber and Peter Erskine , p,us when he toured Africa he as much as possible sat and listen to local villagers play with the traditional ways
The "dance-able" weird beat in THE WEAPON was, if I remember correctly, a beat from a drum machine that was programmed by Geddy, and then played backwards, and Neil learnt it and played it in the song. You might want to ask Geddy to confirm this but I'm pretty sure it's what he said a while ago.
That is one of the tunes Neil learned the sequencer part Geddy programmed. Started with The Spirt of Radio, they stopped doing sequenced parts through whole tunes on HYF. Notice Neil's parts on those tunes are usually the most technically locked in, in the whole catalog.
Fun fact: the opening repeating pattern of YYZ is actually the Morse code dots and dashes for the letters YYZ. Peart heard that and thought it had a cool rhythm to it and used it.👍
In "The Weapon", you actually have to reverse your hands so that you play the hi-hat with your LEFT hand and the snare with your right. Give it a try! Neil once said that this song was presented to him with an impossible-to-play drum machine part and this was his interpretation of what Geddy & Alex came up with in their writing sessions.
Good to see the correction of the spirit of radio, which not coincidentally, was the slogan of 102.1 in Toronto, which eschewed Rush. Hence, the unflattering lyrics. And, in Canada, we say YY...ZED. Not zee. 😉
To me another aspect to the beauty of Neil's playing was the musicality of his drumming. Not just being percussive but having the ability to weave a cohesive sound together with his playing. It was a true gift.
I think 2112 is a masterpiece in longer drum work where several times you hear Neil go for some long melodic lines. I was a fan before 2112, but that sure raised my appreciation of drumming by quite a wide margin.
Try to bear in mind Neal was a creative genius working with what is the best little Symphony orchestra in Rock, so he had LOTS of time to create. Just my thoughts. BTW Great job as always
Love it ST! You got the teacher chops! Not many of us can teach and chop it at same time. Thanks for these. I’ve been playing a long time and still learn all the time because of you. Cheers from Maine! 🍻
Huge Rush fan here. Thanks for breaking down some of Neil's incredible fills. I would add something else though....Neil is one of the best at progression. He brilliantly builds and builds throughout different segments of their songs which also makes his style very unique. I still can't believe he is dead!! Miss you Neil!
Given this a thumbs up just for the pronunciation of his name, I thank you. Fantastic video , a total master of time signature changes and is missed by many. RIP Neil "the professor"
Neil was amazing @ "serving the song" . He rarely played over the vocals. His performances were incredibly unique. Of course he would reuse certain things throughout the years ("From the toolbox"). No easy task to come up with fresh ideas over 19 STUDIO A!BUMS ! People say things like "it's not that hard". Well it's easier to reverse engineer than be the engineer
Neil taught me to play essentially. I was 15 and allowed access to a church every week night for nearly two years..I would go with my kit, my headphones, a Cd player and my Rush albums. I spent the first year chasing my own tail, then the second it opened up and made sense at last. Still now I chase the professor's coat tails...Later on though as a session player, his "lessons" gave me the musicality to be hired again. Never has a drummer been so sympathetic to the music whilst driving it at the same time as Neil. God bless ya Elwood.. ride in peace. X
Nice🥲 I miss Neil so very much! Thank you for highlighting some of his best stuff and for breaking it down for us mortals. From the first time I heard the professor play I've been a huge fan and a student of his style. 👍❤🎶🙂
A friend of mine who, quite aside from his own very unique style, can mimic any other drummer ever. He was a percussionist in a renowned symphony orchestra as an early teen. During his mid-teens, having mastered classical, he studied rock, jazz, and swing percussion. He turned down a scholarship to Juliard to study engineering instead - and that’s where he and I became friends. Now in his 40’s, he has practiced and performed percussion between four to eight hours per day (depending on whether he works that day or is off that day) for forty years now. If ever Rush decides to record and perform again then I know the perfect replacement drummer.
Another thing that makes Neil’s playing unique is that he used the force of his arm a lot more than letting the stick bounce on the drum, he really whacked them
Neil's drumming is like learning another language - there are parts that seem easy at first, but it becomes more and more intimidating until you realize 'oh my god, what did i get myself into?'
The bizarre groove from The Weapon was actually originally made up by Alex Lifeson on a drum machine while he and Geddy we're writing the music. Neil describes the process of trying to learn it and how backwards and awkward it was in the tour program from the Signals tour. In it he tells a little story of the genesis of each of the songs on the album. So Alex was the real mad scientist in this case with the pro treatment by the best in the business!
The thing to consider is drums often come later so a lot of credit must be given to Geddy and Alex who created a landscape where Neil could take liberties with the songs.
Common mistake but it is "Spirit of Radio", NOT "Spirit Of Radio". Radio in this instance is the radio broadcasting system, not the little box used to receive the signal. EDIT: Just saw your first comment correcting the mistake. Well done video!
I remember seeing an interview in which Neil was talking about his Mom seeing him perform. She asked him why he didn’t smile more while he’s playing, and exasperated, he said “Mom, this is hard!”
Lifelong Neil Peart fan here. I really appreciate your breakdown and has helped me understand Neal‘s drumming and on a deeper level. Stephen, or anyone else that might know, can you help me understand how he developed these parts exactly? I’m curious about his writing process from coming up with these ideas to tracking them in the studio and replicating button exactly. Do we have any knowledge about that process and how Neal went about it? Was this all done from memory or would he improvise ideas in the studio and then relearn them for tour?
This was so right on, great job and thanks! And for me at least, you're the first to mention his two handed ride cymbal hihat groove near the beginning of Subdivisions. It's very hard to hear and even see on live performances, but he's also doing something with that left hand on the hihat. He's either raising his foot a bit, or hitting a small splash, but wtg loved it.
Amazing video! Not trying to nitpick but the last show was August 1, 2015. Anyhow, love all the breakdowns of all the songs. Very entertaining and enlightening video. :)
The guy who's death inspired me to finally take up the drums at age 48. One of the most unique and creative drummers ever. If I can get to the level where I can play Tom Sawyer decently well, my life will be complete.
