Drummer

A drummer is a Musician who plays the Drums , particularly the Drum Kit , marching percussion, or hand drums. The term Percussionist usually refers to a person who plays classical or Latin Percussion .

MUSICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A good drummer requires an ear for Rhythm and Musical Form , and must act as the rhythmic driving force for an entire ensemble, despite many Jokes that hint they are not true musicians. A drummer's main contributions are keeping a steady Tempo and providing a "feel" to the music (such as a Shuffle pattern, a Swing pattern, a Blast Beat and others). Other contributions include playing Fill s to transition between Phrase s and tempo changes, emphasizing ensemble hits (notes played by most of the other musicians in the ensemble), and providing melodic and rhythmic tension.

Pocket Drummer

In the most general sense, a pocket drummer plays within the bounds (pocket connoting a defined boundary) of the music. The most important elements of staying in the pocket are keeping solid time, playing the appropriate groove, and putting fills where they are supposed to be without over or underplaying.

Three well-known contemporary examples of this playing style are Ringo Starr of Beatles fame, Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, and Phil Rudd of AC/DC.

Studio Drummer

Ideally, a studio drummer is a drummer who can play well in any musical genre (or combination of genres) asked of them. In the studio setting, a drummer will often be given a sheet of music to read with one or two words describing the style. From this basic information, an accomplished drummer will understand the groove and feel of the song. Some of today's most famous drummers, such as Steve Gadd , Vinnie Colaiuta , Dave Weckl , Dennis Chambers , Jimmy Cobb , Gary Chester , and David Garibaldi , have spent extensive time as professional studio drummers. Though other talented drummers, such as Phill Collins, Louis Cardoon-Noote, Andrew M. Cole and many others have acheived considerable notoriety withouht spending much time as a studio drummer.

MILITARY USE

Drummers have played a key role in the Military in past conflicts, such as the American Revolution , and the American Civil War , before motorized transport became widespread. Drums provided a steady beat to set the marching pace, even more then often accompanying wind instruments suchs as flutes ( Signal Instrument s such as bugles have another primary function), and kept Morale up through Music . Naturally they were employed in various ceremonies, including ominous Drum Roll s accompanying formal floggings on board ships or in penal colonies. Typically the buglers and drummers belonging to the companies (which often have one of each) are generally massed under the Sergeant-drummer and on the march play alternately with the band of a regiment or batallion.

A curious Army tradition in the British Empire was to have but probably aiming at the buttocks), under threat, if not hitting hard enough, to be lashed themselves by the ''drum major'' (their own senior), who was also charged with Branding deserters and 'bad characters'.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

(incomplete)

Information About ™

Drummer

Information About ^{^™}