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!

The Top 5 Brands of Drum Kits That Money Can Buy

Looking to get into the drumming scene or just joining a band for the first time There is much to learn about drumming when it comes to keeping rhythm, and some might say even more when it comes to hardware. Drum kits come in all shapes and sizes and are often tailor made to suit a particular genre or style of playing, but by finding the perfect piece for each job you can create the kit of your dreams in no time at all.

Here is a list of the top 5 drum brands that will get you started on the road to drummer’s paradise.

1. Pearl Drum Kits

Pearl is a name synonymous with the drumming world for their glorious history in manufacturing, as well as the iconic kits they have created over the past 60 years. Some of the best drummers in the world have used Pearl kits as their staple touring and studio kits, and with the phenomenal success of the Export Series of drum kit, they are sure to continue on their path of drumming glory.
Check our the Masters Series of Pearl drum kits to see how far drumming has really come in the past 60 years with Pearl. Manufactured using only the finest acoustically matched materials, Pearl drum kits scream quality and acoustic fidelity throughout the kit.

2. Tama Drum Kits

Tama is one of the brands that many touring drummers prefer to use for their versatility in both sound and construction. With a large range of matched kits to choose from such as the Silverstar range that offers versatility throughout the acoustic spectrum, Tama has pushed the bang for buck envelope even further with the Starclassic range that offers sweet fidelity at an even sweeter price.

3. Zildjian Cymbals & Percussion

Zildjian is the foremost authority in the drumming world when it comes to percussion additions and cymbals. With a wide range of cymbals to choose from, you are sure to be able to perfectly match your drumming style and musical tastes with room to spare. Used by just about every professional drummer at some point in their careers, Zildjian carries the excellent ZBT series, A Series and the remarkable sounding K Custom series.

4. Mapex Drum Kits

Mapex is another leader in the drumming industry when it comes to taking advantage of new technologies and materials to create the ultimate sounding kit. With the latest range of Rock Fusion kits becoming the go-to kit for many up-and-coming bands, Mapex is enjoying somewhat of a revival as a professional drum kit manufacturer.

Being specialists in particular hardware, it is best known for the Mapex snare drums, with many pro drummers switching out their standard kit snares for MPML Snare series drums or the rather radical addition of the new ‘Exterminator’ Snare.

6. Sabian Percussion Cymbals & Instruments

Sabian is another big hitter in field of percussive instruments and cymbals. Seemingly just as popular as Zildjian, Sabian has its own range of custom built, hand-made professional cymbal ranges that speak louder than words when it comes to effects. Known for their bright shimmering ride and splash cymbals, Sabian is a mainstay for many a professional drummer on the road.


When it comes to choosing the best equipment money can buy, stick to this list of the top 5 drum kit manufacturers and you cannot go wrong. Mix and match the kits, snares, foot pedals and cymbals to best suit your playing style, and you will find that you can create the individual sound that you are after quicker than Keith Moon’s drumsticks.

New Study Finds Drummers’ Intelligence Linked to Drumming Patterns

In a recent Swedish study conducted on drummers and their abilities to keep a beat, new findings have emerged to show that drummers may no longer be the butt of band jokes. The study revealed that drummers’ brains have an innate ability to see patterns and shapes that allowed the researches to conclude that drummers are on the whole, highly intelligent beings after all.

The study looked at the ways drummers could keep a constant beat whilst being asked questions relating to an intelligence test. The test comprised of over 60 questions and quizzed musicians on a number of cognitive tests designed to test the entire brain.

The drummers were asked to keep a steady beat throughout the quizzing which was aimed to test if outside factors could influence the timing of the drummers or their ability to think cognitively whilst performing a task. The study found a big correlation between the quiz results as well as the ability to keep time during the tests.

In a recent Swedish study conducted on drummers and their abilities to keep a beat, new findings have emerged to show that drummers may no longer be the butt of band jokes. The study revealed that drummers’ brains have an innate ability to see patterns and shapes that allowed the researches to conclude that drummers are on the whole, highly intelligent beings after all.

 

Pattern Spotting and Drum Fills

For those drummers who did well on the intelligence test, and answered the most questions right, they were able to keep the best timing when it came to their drumming ability. Those who kept poor timing did less well. The study concluded that the drummers’ ability to keep a beat was being driven by a part of the brain that associated patterns and shapes and allowed them to concentrate on the questions.

It is often the case that some people feel as though they are on autopilot when performing tasks that they regularly perform, and with no need to truly think about what they are doing. Most of us take for granted the ability to move our arms or legs, but think for a second what it would be like to have to think about moving each muscle to move just one leg.

 

Like Being On Autopilot

This autopilot mode in drumming is controlled in the part of the brain that also recognises shapes and patterns. This gives us, and more specifically drummers, the ability for their brain to take over the majority of the work when it comes to coordination between fills and concentrate on enjoying the music.

This ability to be able to quickly see patterns, adjust and employ a level of sophisticated creativeness to their drumming means drummers have the ability to apply this in other aspects of their lives. Drummers can therefore be great learners, take on tasks and understand them quicker as well as leaving their brain do all the manual work while they can enjoy themselves at the back of the stage.

 

No Longer the Butt of Jokes

Drumming is an essentially learned-skill that takes years to become accomplished and even more to master. This is probably why many drummers feel they are unfairly treated when it comes to jokes about the band.

But the evidence couldn’t be any clearer; drummers are drastically different from the rest of us, and have an innate ability to be able to keep time and could be the smartest member of the band. No longer being the butt of jokes within the band, it won’t be long before everyone turns to the bassist to blame the timing on.

Image:  prlog.org,jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot

Drum Kit 101: The Essentials

So you got your shiny new drum kit delivered and you’re ready to start playing like Keith Moon? Well after the initial moment of wondering how you put this thing together, why not take the time to learn about what each part does, how it works and how best to set it up.

Your standard drum kit usually comes in 5 or 6 pieces. Each of these parts plays an essential role in learning how to play the drums, but also in finding a playing style that fits the music you are in to, as well as allowing you to play in comfort and enjoyment. Each kit should contain instructions on how to assemble the kit, so after you are ready to go, why not take some time to look at each piece and to learn what job it does.

Let’s look at a standard 6-piece drum kit and get to know it a bit more closely.

The Snare

The snare is one of the two main pieces of the kit that allows you to create the beats that will give your band the cues they need to play their music. You are the backbone of the band: don’t let them tell you otherwise! The snare is usually played on the backbeat, and is used as a sort of secondary rhythm tool. It is a simple skin over a wooden shell that will be your main tool in creating rhythm for your music.

The High-Hat Cymbals

These double cymbals are fitted to a pedal which allows you to create a number of different sounds during your drum play. Usually played in eighth patterns as well as sixteenths, this piece of equipment is the key to giving timing to both yourself as well as your other band mates. Create rolling patterns, open crashes and closed muted sounds with the high-hats’ to give colour to any basic pattern.

Zildjian are one of the most popular brands of cymbal manufacturers out there, so if you want to sound like a pro, why not choose a kit that comes with them pre-installed. You can always upgrade your existing kit with Zildjian cymbals to make sure you are sounding the best you can.

The Bass Drum

The bass drum is where the meat of your drumming comes from, as is an important rhythmic timing method for your bass player. Keeping a tight bass drum action will allow you to flow into different rolls and patterns easily, and give your sound a fuller tone is used in a back-beat style. The bass drum is nothing without the snare and vice versa.

The Ride Cymbal

The ride cymbals are used in the same style as the high-hats’ to create a rhythmic cue to the music to keep the tempo up and on time. It is usually the largest cymbal in a kit and is known to have a sustained sound that is used in both eighths and sixteenths timing patterns in many instances and genres of music.

The Toms

Toms are the supplementary sisters of the bass drum and cousins of the snare. They provide a different tone than the snare due to not having the snare wire underneath the bottom skin. They sound deeper with an almost mellow tone to them and allow the drummer to create a mix of rolls, fills and ride patterns in various different styles to complete verses and phrases during a song.

The Crash Cymbal

The crash cymbal is a very loud sounding cymbal that is used to accent drum rolls and fills to finish the end of a phrase in a song. They intensify a drum roll or a fill by providing a full-stop to a drumming pattern and allow the drummer to reset or change pattern mid-song without losing where they are. Zildjian offer a range of crash cymbals that are tailor made to your musical style.

Once you know what these different drums sound like, you will get a clue as to how to use them. You only have to listen to your favourite songs to be able to hear each of these drums being played in various different styles. Try finding a pattern that suits your playing style and finish them off with a simple fill or a roll and you will be drumming like the best of them in no time at all.

What to Look for in a Pro Drum Kit

For both beginners and intermediate drummers wanting to upgrade, choosing the right drum kit is important. With Tama drums or Pearl kits, not only will you be able to fully customise your drums individually with a wider range of options available, you will also be able to upgrade each individual part as you further progress your drumming level.

Pearl drum kits have become synonymous with high quality percussion drums for the past 60 years. The brand and has found its way to become one of the biggest drum company in the world. This Japanese company has pioneered many innovations in the industry such as wood and fiberglass shells, as well as the introduction of “Phenolic” shells combined with roto-toms to create vari-pitch drums. Pearl continues to invent and innovate today.

Pearl Kits, steeped in history

Pearl drums have a long illustrious line of kits to choose from, such as beginner kits through to professional stage percussion instruments. In between these we have a range of shells, skins, cases, stands and pedals for any drummer to create their own kit.

As with any professional level musical instruments, your budget will come in handy in giving you an idea of what you can afford. Creating your own pro Pearl drum kit may come in handy as buying the base level five-piece and later upgrading your heads and pedals make more economic sense.

The Export EXX Range

The Export EXX range of Pearl drum kits is an excellent place to start if you are looking to build your first pro kit. This is the number 1 selling drum kit in the world and benefits from all of the features you have come to know and love from Pearl. Featuring uni-lock booms, REMO coated heads, as well as premium poplar and rich Asian mahogany shells to finish the look.

Every single piece of the kit is upgradable at a later date if you wish. The Export EXX range of Pearl drums give you the options you need to further your drumming technique, as well as honing your tone to perfection. It’s no surprise so many professional drummers are using these kits.

Tama drums

Tama is another famous name in the world of drumming, thanks to their large range of professional percussion instruments at affordable prices. Tama, being one of the most recognisable names in drumming has grown to be a popular choice for intermediate and professional level drummers who wish to add an extra level of customisation to their playing.

Tama drums produce a huge range of hardware options to add to your kit, making it easier than ever to upgrade whilst you save up! Tama drummers include Stuart Copeland of The Police, as well as Metallica Drummer Lars Ulrich. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Tama is a name you can trust to take your drumming to the next level.

The StarClassic Range

The StarClassic series of Tama drums is the ideal choice for anyone looking to buy an intermediate or professional kit. Built using only the finest materials, you have a range of finishing options to choose from, as well as configurations that suit your playing needs best. With a choice of Birch on the performer kit, Maple or Bubinga, you might just find that killer tone you’ve been looking for.

As with Pearl, Tama produces a large range of patented accessories and hardware upgrades, giving you the option to buy the standard kit and then later upgrade at will.

Choose your configuration

Creating your first pro kit is simple with either Pearl or Tama drums, offering you a huge range of options, finishes as well as configuration for your main purchase. When buying, think about what you may upgrade to in the future, and how easy it will be for your kit to accommodate it. Don’t forget to listen to each kit you wish to purchase to ensure it has the tone that suits your music or style best.

Choosing a pro kit from one of the two most popular drum kit manufacturers in the world is simple. Choose a range that best suits your playing style, ensure that you have the right configuration to make your playing easy, and pick the hardware options that suit your music best. Upgrade your kit at a later date to incorporate different tone heads and skins, play around with configurations and you will soon be in drumming heaven with your new pro kit.

Famous Drummers and Their Drum Kits

Over the course of the past 60 years, many famous drummers have chosen a particular brand to accompany their band’s playing style, often endorsing the particular brand throughout their careers. Drummers like Keith Moon, Phil Collins and Ringo Starr have famously endorsed drum kits that they have played on, which in-turn have become a defining feature of their music.

Ringo Starr

Source: drummerworld.com

As far as famous drummers go, Ringo Starr is probably at the top of the list. 

Being one of the first true celebrity drummers, Starr chose Ludwig in the early days. Which is popular set that has gone down in history as probably the most famous drum kit of all time. 

The black oyster pearl kit that was famously used during the Beatles’ hey-day proved a simple yet effective kit for Ringos back-beat drumming style, which is still widely praised and emulated to this day.

Phil Collins

Source: theguardian.com

One of the millions of people Ringo Starr influenced is none other than Phil Collins. 

Collins went with a classic Gretsch kit combined with Sabian cymbals. Not only did the set look great, but it suited the progressive rock style of Genesis and some of the drum-heavy numbers released during his solo career. 

As well as using a classic custom Pearl DLX Birch kit, Collins would occasionally use various electronic kits from the Simmons brand. Yet to this day, he is mainly known for his love of Gretsch drum kits, and various signature product were released including the Phil Collins Special 14” and regular 14x14” snare drums.

Keith Moon

Source: rollingstone.com

Keith Moon is probably more famous for destroying his kits than anyone else!

Despite this apparent recklessness, he could actually be described as a thoughtful drummer with great insight into what was needed to give The Who that distinct sound.  He will always be remembered for his unique style and often self-destructive behavior.

In the early years, Moon employed a Premier outfit 55 kit to bring along to early gigs and rehearsal sessions, while later moving on to a number of Ludwig and Zicko kits to further hone his style of playing.

The most famous of his kits has to include the Premier kits, which were highly customised and personalised to his style. Moon later became a full endorser of Premier kits, and stayed with the brand for the rest of his career. He used a 16-drum kit for recordings of the band’s later albums and took the kit on their final tour. Moon frequently used 14x6” (which were reinforced with steel so he could stand on the kit) and 5 ½” snare drums.

Obviously, when you’re choosing a brand of drums, it can be helpful to think about your own playing style. Take note of what the world’s greatest drummers use and compare your own style to there’s when you’re making your choice. The team at Drummers Paradise can help you out and advise you about the best brand for your requirements, and our great range of kicks, toms and snare drums will ensure you get the sounds you are after, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned drummer!