After too many years of endless strict disciplined practice routines, I made the right choice to focus a big portion of my practice time on learning some of my favorite songs note for note. I have come to learn the full value and knowledge that is obtained from this process. In doing so, you gain the true insight into the mind of the drummer, and their musical approach to song writing. You also gain the reward of having a finished video to capture and give closure to all your hard work in learning the song to a performance level. I recommend this to all drummers and musicians! Thank you for watching my vids!
10) TesseracT/ Dystopia
An awesome song! Very tasteful and musical from start to finish. The premise of the song groove is the classic broken up 4 against 4 concept that largely categorizes this style of song writing (modern prog/djent).The middle section off beat/up beat groove is my favorite part. It's all about the perfect balance between fully intentional beat placements, and the intentional right spacing between notes. A clear sign of intelligent and experienced song writing (Acle Kayney).
9) Animals As Leaders/ Tooth and Claw
This song is fairly up beat. It took some time to get some of the parts up to tempo. The song changes tempo a couple times. Although it has a section in 7/4 and a riff in 6/4, it is otherwise a great example of a driving 4/4 song with a lot of action. The use of the half time feel is very called for in what can be considered the second half of the chorus section.
8) Tool/ The Pot
I love this song! It is a prime example to good drum writing. The drumming is very climatic and progressive. Though this song only really explores common 4 and 3 time, maintaining the strong flow and grove of the song had its challenges at first. Excellent tom work, as always expected from Danny Carey!!
7) Periphery/ Ragnarok
This is one on my favourite songs. From beginning to end, it is simply very tastefully musical. From the opening tasty 4 against 3 groove, to crazy solo like stuff, to pretty outro. This song has it all!..This video also showcases my home studio drum room project. It took a lot of work and over $16,000.00 of supplies to build.
5) Meshuggah/ Stengah
Stengah is the first song on the album titled "Nothing". This song has a infamous 4 against 3 based groove during the verses that is clever in blurring the line between downbeat and upbeat. It also contains patterns of 11, 5, and 7's. There are several examples of shifting backbeats over top of these odd grouping patterns. A true progressive masterpiece!
1) Animals as Leaders/ Physical Education
This song has quite a catchy groove and melody to it. That's why I chose it as my first release. I hope many can appreciate the polyrhythmic groove parts and syncopations that make this band so awesome!
2) TesseracT/ Nocturne
Tesseract does a great job of mixing strong vocals with ambient soundscapes and technical rhythms. The metric modulation in the middle section grabbed my attention upon first listen.The outro is my favorite part. A very tasteful 11/4 ostinato pattern, with shifting 2 against 3 cymbal work and backbeats overtop of it.
3) Meshuggah/ Rational Gaze
This was one of my first Meshuggah songs that I listened to and got addicted to many years ago. The main intro riff is bars of 15/16 underneath a 4/4 groove. Once you can hear the rhythmic pattern and how it works, it becomes quite musical to listen to. I also like the brilliant lyrics, as well as the catchy outro, with its tasty 6/6/4 kick pattern over top your basic 4/4 backbeat.
(Note: This was actually the first drum cover I ever recorded back in 2017. I had to re-upload it though years later because the audio was off from the original time I uploaded it, and I final got around to fixing it.)
4) Tool/ 46 and 2
A most classic song by Tool. This song nicely demonstrates the full dynamic range of this bands sound. It progresses from an ambient spacious intro, to a very powerful 7/8 drum solo, and energetic ending. The song also grooves hard. A true work of art!
5) Improv Drum Solo1
I wanted to capture a short dynamic solo that demonstrates techniques of various playing styles, as well as some fun flashy fills. Here you can get a taste of my personal groove!!