Sunday, 2 April 2017

4 Of The Best Drum Solos Of All Time


No matter what genre you’re listening to, live music played well is truly special. It’s one thing to listen to recorded music but going and watching them perform live can show you another side to musician and their craft. Great live performances can be the true measure of the skill of a musician, whether it be a guitarist, vocalist or a drummer. Drum solos aren’t quite as common, but there have been some unforgettable throughout the history of rock music, and we’ve decided to compile a shortlist of some of our favourites.



Buddy Rich

 


Buddy Rich is often considered one of the greatest drummers of all time, and his performance in the Dominican Republic in 1982 stands as a testament to his. There are many different Rich performances that may have made the list, but this particular performance takes the cake given that it is steeped in drumming lore.
Not only is it rumoured to have been the main inspiration for the final drum solo in the Academy Award winning film Whiplash, but the story goes that the famous Jazz drummer actually experienced a heart attack mid solo. Even someone that has never played the drums can appreciate the skill on display here.

Keith Moon

 


The Who´s drummer was known for destroying instruments for time to time, and interestingly the fact that he wasn’t a big fan of the drum solo. The Who´s style has been described as one where every musician takes the lead, so in many ways if you went to see them play you were going to see Keith Moon put on a performance.
As was his and the band’s trademark, this solo in 1967 resulted in the instruments being destroyed, but boy did Moon put on a show beforehand. This particular solo is rumoured to have left him deaf in one ear.

Joe Morello

 


Another legend that belongs on the Mount Rushmore of drumming, Joe Morello had an understated style compared to some of the others you'll find on this list. This particular solo from 'Take Five' in 1959 showed off Morello's full repertoire, which was smooth, sophisticated and filled with complexity. He even played with his hands at one point, which was quite a surprise for the crowd. Interestingly, Joe Morello was born with very poor sight, which encouraged him to stay indoors and practice the drums, which could be played well on feel alone. 

John Bonham

 


Led Zeppelin's Moby Dick included one of the more memorable drum solo in the recorded version, and when the band played it live it became even more impressive. John Bonham cemented himself in the drumming hall of fame with this performance in 1970, where the drummer's fierce and accurate playing style was on display like never before. Bonham was often praised for his ability to play aggressively and very quickly, but with great precision. In actual fact, it is said that in some renditions of this he would play so hard that the stick would break, and he's be forced to finish the solo with his hands.


So there you have it, some of the greatest drum solos of all time that won't be soon forgotten. If you're looking to start out on the drums or upgrade your set, speak to the team at Drummer's Paradise. We have a great range of electronic drum kits available and a knowledgeable team that can help you find what you're looking for. Who knows, you might find yourself on this list one day!


Tuesday, 27 September 2016

4 Important Tips for Beginners while Choosing Cymbals



Those who are unacquainted with the delicate details of drums and drum kits such as cymbals may feel surprised about the differences among the different shapes and types of the cymbals. Besides sizes that can shift between basically CD estimated, and sufficiently enormous to be utilized as a shield, if you are included in sword-based battle, there are differences in material, development method. the rundown goes on. Often for the beginners, choosing the right drum kit specifically choosing Cymbal is so confusing that sometimes the confusion leads them to choose the wrong one.

Cymbals generally add flavoring and tonal shading to drumming. So carrying that much importance, Cymbals are worthy of some good research before buying the set for the people who are new to the arena. Here are some basic tips for choosing the best possible options for the beginners.



Right Compliment of Cymbals 


There is no specific quick response for this specific area, but then again thinking about the budget and level of music you are targeting to practice should be the basic configuration. For example, Jazz drummers prefer different cymbal arrays, but hard rock bands do not prefer the types that Jazz bands do. The music quality, types and choice of music should be reconsidered when you are starting and buying a new Drum set for that particular music type. So if we think about right compliment of the Cymbals you use, you should have the perfect set of Drum set which you are comfortable with


Sorting Out Your Choice 


Sorting your choice out as a beginner is the hardest hurdle you have to pass. Best practice is to get started by checking the setup of cymbals used by your favorite iconic Drummers. Every element may not be mirrored as per cymbals choices concern, but you will find some very significant clues about what does and does not imply in the context of your choice.


Types of Cymbal 


Before starting and being a full-fledged drummer yourself, you should have an enriched idea about the types of Cymbals and other drum kits you are proceeding to buy. Types and placements of Cymbals like Ride Cymbals, Hi-Hat Cymbals, Crash Cymbals, Splash Cymbals, China and Effect Cymbals etc. should be significantly studied by you before approaching to get a specific one.







Cost Vs. Quality 


By now you should be well known about the criteria that you should be looking for while choosing your drums set. But one thing you should be pretty careful of that whether you want the set to be budget or a quality one. You should be aware of that you just get what you are paying for when you are buying Cymbals. Premium Cymbals are made of costlier materials and need more hand work. The lower-priced cymbals can at present convey shockingly satisfactory sound but there are some tough 
deals to be found among budget cymbals.



So if you are sure enough to explore your interest as a drummer and of course if you have gone through the basic tips at the same time checked the all possible criteria, this is the time to go for a quality, branded and best-suited drum set along with excellent quality cymbals.

In Drummers Paradise, we offer the best quality cymbals available in Melbourne. Check out our massive collection of Cymbals from some of the world’s leading Cymbals Brand. We also offer Cymbal Packs with pre-matched sets including Hi Hats, Crashes, and Rides which is an easy and comfortable way to acquire the Cymbal you want.


Monday, 1 August 2016

The Origins of 4 Popular Drum Kit Brands

 

If you are a drummer yourself or at least have interest in this particular musical instrument you are well aware of the few leading drum brands around the world. There are indeed a large number of high quality drum kit brands in the market these days, with many having stories that date back a century or more. 

In this month’s blog article, we’re having a look at the histories of just a couple of these great brands.



Pearl



Pearl, arguably the most recognisable brand name in drumming industry, was founded in Tokyo just after the Second World War. The company started out as a manufacturer of music stands - which seems like quite a specific niche industry - but soon branched out. In 1950, 4-5 years after the founding of the company, he started producing drums and by 1953 all manner of percussion instruments and accessories including kits, cymbals, stands and timpani. 

The rock n’ roll era in the 1960s saw Pearl start selling and distributing products worldwide.




Tama Drums



Tama Drums also originates from Japan, and was originally marketed as ‘Star Drums’. The products were manufactured in the same building as products of the Ibanez brand were in the early days. From its founding in 1965 until the late 1970s, the brand found success in the US selling lower-cost drums that measured up favourably compared to more expensive and arguably lower quality American brands at the time. 

From the 80s till today, the brand has focused on delivering quality and distributes some of the most dependable drums available in the market.




DW Drums



DW Drums has quite an interesting story, dating back to 1972 and coming out of Santa Monica, California. Don Lombardi is the founder however he originally started the company as a teaching studio - true to its name Drum Workshop was just that, with Don offering private lessons and workshopping too. To cover overheads, management was forced into selling some equipment on the side. They struck gold when they put together the height adjustable trap seat, which allows for easier transportation of drums and cymbals. 

The demand for this product took off and DW Drums became a full-time manufacturer of drum equipment.




Gretsch 

 


One of the oldest musical instrument manufacturers, Gretsch started out as a small shop in Brooklyn and was founded in 1883 by a German immigrant of the same name. It was his son, Friedrich Jr. that took the company to greater heights as he moved the shop to a large, 10-story building soon after he took over. In the early 1900s, Gretsch became one of the most trusted names in musical instruments and was producing everything from banjos and guitars to drums and percussion instruments.

Until 1967, the company was run by the Gretsch family - at this time i was sold to a larger music company called Baldwin. Unfortunately, the company faltered over the years that followed and was eventually reacquired by Fred W. Getsch in 1985. Today, the company stands as one of the leaders in the guitars and drums.


These brands certainly have some interesting stories! If you’re in the market for a drum kit, check out the range from these manufacturers and others at Drummers Paradise.

Sunday, 10 April 2016

Top 5 Metal Drummers of All Time

Metal has stood the test of time as a sub-genre of music that continues to enthral it’s listeners with heavy guitars, subtle, precision rhythm playing and unmistakeable drum beats that have spawned a host of instrument technologies to push the limits of this genre. The true leaders of this style of music has relied on the drummers to keep up with the influential and tight style that metal has provided millions of fans with.


Whether you are a musician or not, there are certain characters and names of drummers in the metal scene that either spark you with inspiration, or fill you with wonder about how on earth they can play the beats they do. Some, more than others have influenced more people, brought new techniques and have had a hand in creating customised drum kits to bring the world of music a new dimension altogether. Here is a top 5 list of the world’s best metal drummers of all time.




Dave Lombardo – Slayer

Source: www.drummerworld.com
What can be said about Dave Lombardo other than total legend? How about the fact that pretty much nobody could drum at the speed that this guy does- but when you add in the precision needed to keep that Slayer beat is nothing but staggering.  Dave is an aggressive player that takes both a precision and feedback from his kit to really feel the music, highlighting his passion and depth in his playing that has inspired thousands of people to pick up the sticks.



Nicholas Barker – Cradle of Filth, Exodus

Source: www.flickriver.com
This British extreme metal drummer is well known for his collaborations with Cradle of Filth, Exodus, Lock Up and Borknagar as well as a host of other modern bands over the past 25 years. With a thrashing style that has influenced many others, Nicholas Barker has cornered the market for his very own extreme metal style of his own, with a huge range of styles when it comes to Symphonic to Grind Core.




Chris Adler - Lamb of God


Chris Adler from Lamb of God has filled in the metal scene where Cradle of Filth left of to give us a new edge in metal drumming that combined groove beats and thrash into an unmistakable style of his own. Influenced by both progressive rock and thrash metal, Chris has continued to excite fellow drummers with an increasingly more extreme drumming technique that has featured on Lamb of God’s more recent albums.  



Lars Ulrich – Metallica

Source: www.drummerworld.com
Lars Ulrich often appears on many top drummers list more to do with his influential style, other than his actual competency when it comes to method and style. Many people are divided on whether Lars is a good drummer or a great drummer, but they cannot deny that the music he has created with Metallica, along with the drumming techniques and styles that he has brought into metal and made his own, you cannot argue with that fact that he is probably the most influential drummer that ascends the genre.



Joey Jordison – Slipknot, Korn, Marilyn Manson

Source: www.drummerworld.com
Joey Jordison is one of very few metal drummers to have played in some of the most commercially successful bands over the past 20 years. Playing with an extreme death metal and nu-metal style, he helped taking his first band Slipknot into the stratosphere in terms of recognition and commercial success. He is probably best known for his outrageous pyrotechnic and light show that included him and his drum kit rotating in all directions to add to the effect of the show-stopping beats he was playing.



There is a ton of tricks, techniques and lessons to be learned from these influential metal drummers who are widely considered as the best metal drummers of all time. With a hint of natural skill, adamant dedication, and inspired by any of these legends, you too can create a drumming style of your own. It won't be very dramatic if your name ends up in a list just like this one! And if you in Australia, there's one brand that can help you to achieve greatness, Drummers Paradise, Melbourne's #1 drum store, if not Australia's!


Tuesday, 8 March 2016

4 Most Admired Drumming Styles in Modern Era

modern drumming style
Image Credit: pixabay.com


May be a little less focused than the lead, but a drummer certainly is one of the most important pieces of the band. While the lead and vocalist are always the centre of attention, and no doubt the most recognisable when you think of a particular musical group, the drummer takes a back seat and quietly (or not so quietly) holds everything together.


But this role is usually more difficult than it seems and crucial in just about any music genre. Drumming is classed into a number of different styles, and the way the drums are played depends greatly on the genre of music that is being played. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular styles and why it’s beneficial to be fluent in all of them.



Jazz Drumming

Playing drums in a jazz band takes arguably the most skill of any drumming style out there. It is characterised by the tendency of the drummer to mix up the beat and almost play off the beat in some respects, all the while keeping the rhythm and holding it all together. Swing-time and complex arrangements make jazz drumming one of the toughest drumming gigs going around.

Jazz drumming
Image Credit: www.drummerworld.com


R&B Drumming

R&B and even funk drumming is much more relaxed and slower than other styles, with the main focus of the drumming being to keep the rhythm and groove. R&B is focused less on the fast paced, head banging style of modern genre, more on the music and the groove itself. Chris Columbo, Bernard Purdie, Nat Kendrick, Al Jackson Jr., Roger Hawkins, Earl Palmer, if one listens to these greats from the soul era, he will clearly see the difference between R&B and other drumming styles. This style has arguably the least variety of any of the others and can be frustrating at times for drummers who used to play rock or jazz, mainly due to the slower pace and decreased difficulty.

R&B drumming
Image Credit: www.drummerworld.com



Rock Drumming

The influence of rock n’ roll is enormous and has genres of music within itself, so you can imagine that there are also a wide variety of drumming styles under this umbrella term. By and large, rock and punk employ a more aggressive, louder style with the drummer keeping the rhythm and adding in fills between beats. Heavy metal turns this up a notch and along with heavy guitar the drums are important characteristics of the genre.

Rock drumming
Image Credit: www.drummerworld.com



Latin Drumming

Latin music is heavy on percussion and is known for utilising additional instruments to the conventional drum kit. Listen to this genre of music and you’re likely to hear everything from claves and bongo drums to cowbells and just about everything in between. In terms of the style, it borrows a lot from those already mentioned with energetic, complicated rhythms, meaning a talented drummer is generally required.


Like with all instruments, it’s a sign of true skill if you’re able to turn your hand to any drumming playing style. Practiing as many as possible will develop more skills on your part, so keep that in mind if you’re currently getting into the drums! Also, if you need a new drum kit, check out Drummers Paradise’s  amazing range of drum kits online today or pop into our Richmond store.

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Necessary Fitness Issues for Drummers to Improve Drumming Techniques

Drumming Exercise
Image by Pixabay







We all know that drum is one of the most energy-consuming instruments to play, with large arm and hand movements making up most of your technique, but many people don’t realise that drumming can actually help improve your health if used as part of a regular exercise regimen. Many people who are new to drumming will quickly feel tired with all of the work involved, but seasoned drummers know that keeping fit is key to boosting your stamina to keep going.

Drummers, more than any other musician need to keep healthy and exercise as part of their playing to minimise the risks of causing injury whilst playing. Many drummers suffer from the same kind of injuries such as wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries that could not only ruin your day, but also your playing ability.

Elbow Injury
Image by 123RF








At Drummers Paradise customers often share many thoughts such as this kind of injuries, and we always encourage them to stay fit and keep drumming to avoid any major injury. But truly we thought we are obliged to share these important message to everyone involved in drumming, so bear with us with an open mind and courage.



Fitness is the Key for Your Technique

Drummers fitness and musicians fitness isn’t really talked about as a problem or an issue within the musicians circles, but it is a key aspect in any instrument playing that to stay fit and healthy will only benefit your playing in terms of having the perfect posture for playing, as well as having the perfect technique to give you stamina throughout playing.



Warm Up and Take Some Preparations

Warming up and staying supple in your arms is key to improve your drumming stamina, and with a few simple exercises you can stay in shape and improve your stamina for longer periods of drumming time. Not warming up or not staying in shape can result in injuries, which can be avoided if you follow a few simple warm up exercise tips before you start playing.

Upper Body Exercise
Image by 123RF




One of the best ways to warm up is to move your arms and wrists in their full range of motion for few minutes to allow your muscles to warm up and be prepared for extended use whilst drumming. Standing toe touches are a great way to stretch the muscles in your arms, as well as keeping your back supple and ready to play.

Holding your drum sticks in your hands and turning your wrists also play an important role in making sure that your wrist muscles and hand tendons are nicely relaxed and aren’t too stiff before playing. If you feel any sharp pain then you should call it a day for now, and stop playing your drums if you continue to feel pain in your shoulder, elbows, wrists, and fingers.



Don’t Forget Your Lower Body!

It is also important to stretch your calf muscles in your lower legs if you are going to be using the bass drum and high-hats for extended periods of time. It is easy for a drummer to start playing from cold and get cramp in the lower leg muscles – something that can be avoided with a little warm-up!

Lower Body Exercise
Image by 123RF

Drumming itself can be a great tool for exercise on its own due to the muscles involved and the length of time in which you drum. Using your large muscles in their full range of movement is the best way to burn calories and work your heart and lungs for great cardio-vascular exercise. Your upper body uses more energy than your lower body, and so with a well-positioned back and posture, you could be doing great work for your body when drumming on a regular basis.



Don’t Push Yourself, Know Your Limits!

Drummers often push themselves when it comes to stamina, and whilst pushing the limit on how long you can comfortably play for has an argument that stamina is built using ever lengthy stretches of time playing, it is important to know when to stop. Over-doing it and playing for extended periods of time will only increase the damage you may be doing to your ligaments, tendons and muscles. So if you feel any twitches, cramps or pain, just pause playing and take some time before you make the situation worse.


Warm up gently and slowly work into your regular playing rhythm. Use the full motion of movement of your muscles when warming up and ensure that you are sat in a comfortable and upright position to give you the best purchase on your kit, as well as ensuring that you aren’t going to feel tired sooner. Take breaks every now and again to get a rest, and ensure that your playing technique isn’t hindered by pain or cramps that regular exercise will be able to eliminate over time to become a fit drummer, ready for anything!

Thursday, 7 January 2016

Find Your Beat at One of This Summers’ Beach Party Festivals in Sydney

Beach Party Percussion


The summer will be the perfect occasion for a beach party this year in Sydney, with a whole host of public events such as summer fest being hosted on Sydney beaches. You will be able to find your groove thanks to the many variations of drumming that perfectly accompanies a beach party, with percussion instruments such as bongos, congas and djembes to set the party atmosphere as the sun sets.


Bongo Bongos!

Percussion instruments such as the bongos are the perfect idea for a beach party, due to their relaxing sounds which add to the groove of the type of music being played. Derived from Central Africa and the Congo, these soothing backing beat makers are both relaxing and dance-inducing when it comes to party atmospheres, and perform great with all kinds of traditional and modern music.

Bongos Percussion
Image by Garry Knight / CC BY 2.0

Bongos keep the beat perfectly and with the addition of a few acoustic guitars and a little wind instrument will set a perfect tone for your Australian beach party.



Congas Percussion
Image by 4028mdk09 / CC BY 3.0

Latin Conga Percussion Grooves

Congas are used in many forms of music, from west-African beat-driven songs, Latin American and Cuban music that also features many other percussion instruments to the music of the South Sea Islands such as Tonga, Polynesia and other ethnic groups.


For any South American themed party, the congas are an absolute must! They work great with all kinds of music and can even turn modern acoustic music into a special atmosphere with their additional rhythmic power.




Relaxing Rhythm of the Djembes

Drums such as Djembes are the perfect accompaniment for African beat-themed music, as well as world music which makes a great theme for your beach party. For the best beach party, pounding dance music and modern rock music may be a little too much, so toning it down with a few instruments and some Djembes will add a personal touch to your music, and let the rhythm take your guests.

Djembe Percussion
Image by Pumpmeup via Wikipedia / CC BY 2.0

Being a simplified percussion instrument which is used in music that demands the simplicity of a rhythmic beat, friends and family can turn their hand to the drum skin to join in and enjoy the music.



Looking for the Perfect Beach Party Sounds?

Like many people who take a group of friends or family down to the beach, you will understand that the music sets the mood perfectly. So if you are an instrument enthusiast and love to take a guitar to all of your parties, why not find turn your hand to a percussive instrument?

Drummers Paradise is having a collection of the top names in drumming equipment such as Pearl in their drum store in Melbourne. You can pick up many different modern kits, as well as ethnic and world music instruments such as congas, bongos and djembes to highlight your own personal musical touch.

So if your next get-together is a traditional Australian beach party why not pick up one of these atmosphere-setting percussion instruments and add a little rhythm to your celebration. Being the backbeat of a summers’ evening at the beach is one experience you won’t want to miss this summer!

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

4 of the Most Crowd-Pleasing Street Drummers with Absolute Talent

It is not uncommon that genius musicians started out performing on the street. Bruce Springsteen, Bono and Arcade Fire are some hugely influential artists that got it all started busking. Street drummers are a different breed - drumming is not something that can entertain easily as a solo act. But some of the artists below made a name for themselves doing just that!



Larry Wright


This New York drummer is the quintessential street performer. Based in New York, Wright is known for being one of the first street performers to use buckets as drums, using what you might call a home-made drum kit.


This busker rose to fame decades ago and has appeared in documentaries, commercials and music videos throughout his career and still plays in various locations around New York. Most recently he appeared in the short film The Yellow Card, a documentary based on subway performers in New York City, where Larry Wright and his wife Sonia Wright are one of the main acts in the film as they play their music and are being interviewed.




Dario Rossi


This Italian sensation is one of the most famous street drummers of modern times, having toured various cities through Europe including Amsterdam, Berlin and London and has appeared on numerous television programs. At only 12, he started an intense concert activity with some local bands mainly the Lost Angels, with whom he was interviewed during an episode of the radio programme Demo from Radio Rai, Italian National broadcaster. Being popular as a drummer, he is also a percussionist as well as a composer. Despite many busker-style performers coming from lowly beginnings, Rossi is a musician with technical training as well as street-cred. He teaches drums and rhythmic solfège in his own studio in Genzano and at the Arte Musica School in Frattocchie. Find out more about his work in his official site.








Baard Kolstad


This 17-year old artist plays a traditional drum set and has been getting a lot of press and hits online after appearing on the Norse Talenter, Norway's version of America's Got Talent, before he was eliminated. Having posted a bunch of videos online, Kolstad is generating a lot of buzz and has apparently got the attention of the music industry. With more and more artists emerging in unique ways (YouTube, Facebook, etc.), it’s not out of the realm of possibility that this teen will make it big someday!




Joe Buckets


35 years old and originally from Rhode Island, Joe Buckets living in Seattle is one of the popular street performers in his area. Joe also plays the harmonica and a small keyboard at his side. When the energy is just right, he says people spontaneously break into dance and sing along. He gained popularity by performing in Oxford Circus and London Waterloo Bridge. Recently Joe, had his drum kit confiscated by police after noise complaints when playing late into the night. After the incident, the drummer left a message behind for passers-by expressing his distaste for the police department.




Larry Wright was one of the pioneers who popularised street drumming in the streets of New York city with a few buckets and drummers like Dario Rossi and Baard Kolstad has completely smacked it out! Being the icons in the field of street drumming, they have become the trend setter to the young talents with their amazing skills. Hopefully they will become the inspiration for a new breed of drummers in coming days.


Image Source: [1] [2] [3] [4]

Sunday, 25 October 2015

Just Beat it with World's Top 10 Female Drummers who Inspired Generations

Top 10 female drummers


The world of drumming is often thought to be dominated by men, especially in the smaller niches of heavy metal and rock. But many female drummers have emerged in recent years and they were inspired by some of the greatest female drummers on this list. These artists have pioneered their art and shown the guys a thing or two about what it takes to be a truly great drummer. So if you are just getting into drumming, take a look at these top 10 female drummers who would surely inspire your dream.



Sheila E.

Sheila E.
Source: theguardian.com
Sheila E is one of the most influential female drummers of the past 30 years, offering drumming on albums and studio records by Prince, Jennifer Lopez and Kanye West, she received a Grammy nomination for her successful career that spans as many years as styles of music she is accomplished in and with a back catalogue featuring recording on Prince’s Purple Rain, she remains the iconic figure she deserves in the world today.



Meg White

Meg White
Source: richardhartog.photoshelter.com
Meg White is one part of the duo The White Stripes and has a made a name for herself as a no-frills drummer that keeps things simple and basic. The White Stripes have achieve critical success and acclaim around the world and being the backing beat for a band with only two members, her influential style truly made the sound of the band.



Karen Carpenter

Karen Carpenter
Source: photofeatures.com
One of the greatest successes of female drumming has to be Karen Carpenter of the Carpenters. Her influence spanned many instruments, but starting out drumming is where she made her name. Not only an accomplished drummer, pianist, musician and singer, she is regarded as one of the greats of modern song writing and will go down in history as being an influencing factor for many of the women on this list.



Moe Tucker

Moe Tucker
Source: rollingstone.com
Maureen Tucker was the famous drummer for The Velvet Underground, a truly influential group that went on to spawn a revolution in song writing and new rock and roll music as the punk scene emerged. “Moe” would often use mallets to beat the toms and stood up to get into the spirit and created a band of followers who loved her timing and her insistence on never using cymbals.



Kate Schallenback

Kate Schallenback
Source: pinterest.com
As drummer for the Beastie Boys in the early years, Kate spawned many fans for her energetic style that was sure to influence many female Beastie Boys fans into taking up drumming. Later moving on to join Luscious Jackson on tour for many years, she also drummed in the punk band the Lunachicks to relative success.



Janet Weiss

Janet Weiss
Source: npr.org
Janet Weiss is one of the most energetic drummers of the modern age, using all of her kit with flair and talent that make many professionals jealous of her skills. She has drummed for Stephan Malkmus, The Go Betweens as well as Bright Eyes. She is in demand for a reason, and just one of those reasons is pure natural talent alone.



Sandy West

Sandy West
Source: fanpop.com
Sandy West was a fantastic female drumming talent that started her career in the 70s. Drumming for the Runaways, she toured for almost a decade before working on a solo career after the band split up. She continued to influence a new generation of drummers in the late 70s and 80s, yet sadly succumbed to cancer in 2006, though her influence and sound still lives on to be enjoyed by so many today.



Cindy Blackman-Santana

Cindy Blackman-Santana
Source: sfjazz.org
Cindy Blackman-Santana is a modern jazz and rock drummer that has such an amazing natural talent that it is little wonder why so many artists have used her tracks as the backbeat of their music. Having starred on the drums for Lenny Kravitz and a host of well-known superstars, she has recorded several jazz albums under her own name and is also known for being married to Carlos Santana.



Patty Schemel

Patty Schemel
Source: zimbio.com
Patty Schemel is better known for being the part of the Courtney Love-led rock band Hole. She rose to fames during her early 2000s and drummed alongside Love during her solo career. Time did fly quickly for Patty and after living in the fast lane for a year or two she met producer David Ebersole; who was fascinated when Schemel showed him those vintage home movies and backstage footage which was personally accounted by her. It helped David to make a biographical documentary called Hit So Hard, which accounts Schemel's close association with Kurt Cobain, the ascent and fall of Hole, and the hard road confronted by ladies in the music business.



Elaine Bradley

Elaine Bradley
Source: diffuser.fm
This accomplished drummer is the backbone of the American Rock band The Neon Trees. Widely regarded as one of the best drummers of her generation the 30 year old is a multi-instrument musician, playing the drums, guitar and vocals to add to her talents. Elaine is one of the drummers to look out for in the future and one of the most influential drummers of the past 10 years.




If you want to become a great drummer in the world, why not start today? There are plenty of ways to get into drumming and being at the back of the band doesn’t mean you aren’t less important. Be the beat of your band and be inspired by these great women drummers of recent years. You never know, you could be an addition to the list one day!