WHY is it, that on some rock videos, bands like Rush have a drummer, with what looks like TWENTY drums, all around him!! One drummer can only play so many drums, so why does Neil Perat(sp) need all of those drums for?

Many drummers have like a signature set. They just carry them all around as a package as if they were doing a live show. Eventually, drummers will use all of those drums during a real performance, at least good ones will. Others do it just for show.

Each drum is tuned to a different frequency, so a drummer will have more choices from which to construct a series of notes, if more drums are available.

Each drum is tuned to a different frequency, so a drummer will have more choices from which to construct a series of notes, if more drums are available.

Oh yeah, That too!!!!!! LOL

sometimes a part of the kit is only used for a particular part of a song.

There is a whole school of thought on this subject, and many purists believe that less is more. Ultimately, it comes down to what the style of music requires.

I know I started out with a seven piece kit with stuff everywhere because I thought it was cool. then I went through a phase where I would only play on a three piece.

Now I use a standard 5 piece setup that will always get the job done. What I'd like to see is Neal Peart being forced to play an entire Rush gig with only a kick, snare, and hi hat. Oh, I suppose we could let him have a ride and one crash cymbal too.

Ever see Rush live? Neil uses everything he has with him. He sits on a rotating base and has 2 complete kits with him and switches between them depending on the song. I could watch him bang those things all day! He's quite a remarkable drummer.

Ever see Rush live? Neil uses everything he has with him. He sits on a rotating base and has 2 complete kits with him and switches between them depending on the song. I could watch him bang those things all day! He's quite a remarkable drummer.

I've seen Rush live 5 times. My point is that more drummers should focus on their main job: Keeping time.

Any drummer who's seen Rush's "Rush in RIO" knows what I'm talking about.

Gotta give him credit though, Considering the time he took off prior to that show, he does a great job of getting back in the saddle.

Ha! 2 of the 6 times i've seen them were in your fair city, last time in Novemeber 2002 (I live about 5.5hrs drive from you). Great show! I was surprised they came back at all which would be a sad sad day for me. I live eat and breath those guys.

Exit... Stage Left, I'm guessin' :scratch2: :D

Exit... Stage Left, I'm guessin' :scratch2: :D

:scratch2:

BroonsBane, your Custom User Title is a song from that LP. :yes:

BroonsBane, your Custom User Title is a song from that LP. :yes:

Yup, it is. It's actually the name of the classical guitar intro to The Trees that Alex does on that album.

On the opposite end of Neil Peart is Moe Tucker, of the Velvet Underground. MAYBE two cymbals and two drums! Each drummer is every bit a master as the other.

On the opposite end of Neil Peart is Moe Tucker, of the Velvet Underground. MAYBE two cymbals and two drums! Each drummer is every bit a master as the other.


Precisely! :thmbsp:

Victor De Lorenzo, of The Violent Femmes, now there's a drummer. :yes: Two drums and perhaps a cymbal, that's all one needs -- Foe

If you can't get your ideas across on a basic drum set, whatever your trying to say isn't much.

It's the whole big dick thing cropping up.

One of the funniest damned things I ever saw (granted this is coming from a drummer's perspective) was the video for Foreigner's "Feels Like the First Time" where the drummer has 2 basses, about 7 or 8 toms, 2 floor toms, 10 cymbals, and for the entire tune he cranks out a simple beat in 4/4 time and never even hits more than one tom or more than two cymbals. TA, it is entirely the "big dick" or perhaps "little dick" think popping up.

On the other hand, I had a drum teacher who could do more with a standard 3 piece (bass, snare tom) or 4 piece (bass, snare, tom, floor tom) kit with two cymbals than most every rock drummer with a 9-100 piece kit from 70's, 80's, and 90's. For him, it all comes down to creativity. Playing the same lick 7 times on a different pitched drum makes it seem different but when you only have two toms, you had better learn to be creative. That is what I have taken to heart and I still play a 4 piece. Lastly, without an entourage, try lugging all that crap to a local bar gig. Suddenly, a 4 piece looks awfully nice.

Jay

Eloquently put, and right on the money Jay.

Some of these posers have drumsets so large there is no way they could reach all the stuff without standing up and walking around to it.

Another thing I am curious about- do those "electronic" drums-- the ones about 2"high, connectoed to a preamp,, or processor-- do they sound anywhere near as good as a real, acoustical drum?

Springsteen's drummer Max can really pound out a lot on a four or five piece.

Another thing I am curious about- do those "electronic" drums-- the ones about 2"high, connectoed to a preamp,, or processor-- do they sound anywhere near as good as a real, acoustical drum?

From a very biased point of view, I would have to say no. However, I will admit electronic drums are much better than they used to be with regards to sound and even more importantly, feel. I just scored a set of Slingerland drums from the late 60's/early 70's this weekend for $50 and looking at the clear coated insides of the wooden shells you know that will have an effect on the sound. I am not convinced any computer can imitate exactly the idiosyncrasies of wood. They need a good scrubbing and some new heads but they are going to sound great.

Jay