350 - [Daniel Glass Show]: 5 Reasons Why Every Drummer Should Learn "Classic" Styles - Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros.
January 5, 2018

350 – [Daniel Glass Show]: 5 Reasons Why Every Drummer Should Learn “Classic” Styles

In this podcast, Daniel explains why it’s absolutely vital for every drummer in the 21st Century to learn about musical styles from the past. The reason is simple. Knowing more about the nuts and bolts of “classic styles” will help you become more creative, turn you into a better listener, and (best of all) make you more EMPLOYABLE.

What’s covered in this session:

  • A definition of what Daniel means by “classic styles” of music and drumming.
  • Reason 1: Every style of music we play today grew directly out of classic styles. Therefore, learning about these styles will give you a deeper understand of what you do today.
  • Reason 2: If your goal is to make money in music, knowing classic styles will make you much more employable.
  • Reason 3: Classic styles offer a unique set of creative tools that will make your music stand out from everyone else’s.
  • Reason 4: In the often dehumanizing musical world of YouTube and social media, understanding more about your past as a drummer will help you feel more connected to “the big picture,” and give you strength to pursue your own goals and dreams.
  • Reason 5: Listening to classic recordings will make you a more highly developed and proactive LISTENER, one of the hallmarks of great musicians.

Resources/Links/People Mentioned:

  • In Daniel’s “Drum History Minute” audio segment, you can hear  how Led Zeppelin’s classic intro to
    “Rock And Roll” (from 1971), was directly influenced by Little Richard’s “Keep A’ Knockin’” (from 1956), which was in turn directly influenced by Louis Jordan’s version of the same song (from 1937).
  • While many think that double bass drumming evolved during the rock era, Louie Bellson had been perfecting and pioneering the concept since the late 1930s. In this double bass solo from 1957, you can see how the technique was originally used by Bellson.
  • In his clinics, Daniel talks about how learning classic styles can make you more employable. Here’s how Daniel breaks down a song and shows how it is made up of a variety of different shuffles.