Phrasing/feel-a lightbulb moment for me

[Jim Richman]

It's about being musical and dynamic. Owning the song. Gadd has a career and does not need to justify anything to the haters. He plays music that HE wants to play, and surrounds himself with the musicians HE wants to play with. And I heard he is taking Danny Carey's job in Tool. (not really)

[Josiah]

not hating or bashing. just pointing out the flaw in comparisons.

Gadd has been inspirational to millions, over decades. there is no doubt.

however this no evolution either. you go to his clinics today, its the same licks as the 70's. is that a false statement?

on the other hand, Vinnie has been continuously evolving and is constantly pulling out new and interesting things, his playing is vastly different from 5, 10, 15 and 20 years ago. some will argue it was better in the 80's or 90's, but nobody will argue it hasn't changed.

when you talk about musicality and phrasing, reacting to the music, I think you should always be evolving and changing. that is the essence of growth. gadd has long ago stagnated while others have continued to progress and evolve.

like i told a student today "why work on what you already can play? push your boundaries and explore what you can't"

gadd doesn't do that. vinnie does. as do many others. I just don't think it is fair to compare stagnated players to evolving ones. particularly when it comes to talking about phrasing and reacting to the music.

look at weckls evolution, wasnt one of his dvds even named that?


gadd may play with what HE wants to play. but HE doesnt play anything new. that's a fact that is hard to dispute.

[Gaddabout]

I'd hate to see Josiah's critique of Max Roach or Jo Jones.

[Old Pit Guy]

"Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting his thumb on the scales."
– Byron J. Langenfield

[Josiah]

well its only my lowly opinion.

but people are crazy about vinnie footage, clinics, etc... not gadd's.

and i do remember reading a review on this forum of Gadd's last clinic tour that wasnt exactly nice.

just saying, if you want to talk about reacting to the music, reaction is an active thing. not a passive one.

[tobiasralph]

Yes, it's true that Vinnie is always evolving, but one must realize that Gadd was such an inspiration to drummers like Vinnie and Weckl. Honestly, I still get goose bumps listening to Gadd's drum solo in "Aja" just as much as when I listen to Vinnie play "I'm Tweaked". Again, how much heart and soul do you feel coming from the performances?

I'm highly influenced by both of these incredible drummers, but I have had to find my own voice and be comfortable with it, yet still be willing to evolve as a player and push myself that much harder.

Phrasing coincides with the feel of whatever type of music that you are playing. You're not going to try and use all of your "tricks" when you are playing a standard blues tune. It requires a different skillset. It's what makes drummers like Vinnie and Gadd the players that they are. It's knowing what to play and when. That's ultimately what makes a great drummer and musician. Again, this is just my opinion...