Learn Your Favorite Drum Licks

Darren talks about learning your favorite drum licks using the intro to Led Zeppelin's "Rock n' Roll" as an example. Visit drumcast.tv/asd to try the Amazing Slow Downer, software that allows you to slow down music without changing the pitch.

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Rock and roll intro

Submitted by Terry (visitor) on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 5:17pm.

Hey, Darren. I really love your podcasts, and I've learned some good stuff. I like your approach, like we're friends just talking in your room about drums - even if what you're talking about isn't something I need, I just like listening to you!

But - you've got that intro wrong, Darren. You got it way too complicated and the entry into the groove isn't quite right.

If I could send you my transcript, you'll see what I mean. It's all in 4/4, and the first stroke is on the & after a count of 3 - like,
1 & 2 & 3 BambambamBam etc. That's where most people go wrong, cos they think it starts on the downbeat and goes funny near the end!!

Did you know Bonzo based this on the intro to Keep a Knocking, by Little Richard? I could send you an mp3 of that if you like.

Keep up the good work, Darren, God bless.

Terry

Re: Rock and roll intro

Submitted by Darren on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 7:36pm.

Hi Terry: Nice work! I tried it your way, starting on the & of 3, and it works out just as you said, of course. I wrote in your counting on top of my transcription (see below).

I was wondering if someone was going to have an easier way to transcribe it. You're right, I was transcribing it with the first note on 1 in mind.

Thanks for the insightful information! I didn't know it was based on the intro to "Keep a Knocking" by Little Richard. I'd be interested in hearing that. It's amazing where things a person considers original come from sometimes. Where did you learn that? Thanks again!

Rock and roll intro

Submitted by Terry (visitor) on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 1:53pm.

Hi Darren! Quick reply!!!

Yep, you've got it.

Don't feel too bad, I made the same mistake at first! Took me ages to figure it out, all those years ago. I just couldn't figure out where it was going just by listening, so this is what I did -

I wrote the whole thing out as it sounded to me, marking the accents, but no bar lines, and I knew could safely assume the crash at the end was a 1. So then I worked backwards counting the bars, until I arrived at that & of 3 !! And then I tried playing it from that point, and it worked!!!!

Not sure where I heard about the origin, it was on the internet somewhere recently. I just happened to have Keep a Knockin on a compilation cd, so I had a listen - I'll send you the intro if I've got your email addie right.

The thing is, "originality" is usually putting old things together in a new way, hmm? There is nothing new under the sun . . . :o)

By the way, I'm in England, a town called Rugby.

Drum intro to rock and roll

Submitted by Anonymous (visitor) on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 12:58am.

There are several ways to trancscribe this. It could also be thought of as 4 bars of 4/4 time and a bar of 3/8 at the end, very simple, in fact easier then trying to count from beat 1. \Then again,what do I know, I am just a musician with a Bachelor in Jazz Music.

Oops I meant easier than

Submitted by Visitor (visitor) on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 12:59am.

Oops I meant easier than counting from the & of beat 3.

Rock and roll intro

Submitted by Terry (visitor) on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 5:24pm.

Why complicate things? :o)

-Terry

Rock and Roll Intro

Submitted by Slade (visitor) on Fri, 02/08/2008 - 5:30pm.

The Little Richard's song has the sound but the timing as described as starting on the 3& beat is the standard Chuck Berry guitar break on songs like Johnny B. Goode, and there were a good number of songs from that period that had the same intro or break. A lot of times if you hear a band do Johnny B. Goode, the guitar player will play the intro the way the guitar break is later in the song and this is the same timing as the Rock&Roll intro (second accent note is actually the one beat)- it is like pretending you are playing the lead guitar riff on drums. I think both Chuck Berry's Roll Over Beethoven and Back In The USA have intros or breakdowns that are the basis for the same timing. For some strange reason, most all drummers hear that intro and assume the first lick is on the 1 beat which causes the idea that something is strange at the tail end as described by Darren's first assessment.