Can You Learn 'Pocket'?! 🤔 - 5 Tips For Better Groovin'
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
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I Would love to see this guy on drumeo 😁👌
Good idea :)
Yes! Why hasn't that happened yet?
Why? You're seeing him here, now.
silas crawford Good point. 😄
Yes thats true but if he was on drumeo too it would be even better to double the fun 😁
Here’s one I’d add: overall fitness as well as energy level when your playing. My worst playing has always been when I didn’t pace myself for the day. And you can’t get in the groove if you’re fighting your own body for whatever reason.
I learned pocket. It was a process of getting over anxiety while playing - particularly grove anxiety. Meditation is a good describer.
I saw chad smith talking about this he said "you have to own every note" comit demonstrated with a basic 2 on the toms 2 on the snare fill kinda half assed it first time and it makes an immense difference when he goes back with energy dum dum ka ka crashes and its just a whole world of difference...think this is to beginner and basic its gonna sound like it. if you look at it like less is more and know its just right for were it sits it will be just that
Great point, B Z. I never previously thought of it as anxiety, but now I agree with that angle. I'm working on relaxing and playing with the song in an intuitive way.
Yes. Best comment I’ve seen so far. There’s a great difference. Some people may just not have timing or coordination. I definitely get that.
But can “pocket” be learned?… to an extent I’d say yes. I feel it’s one of those things that at some point just… clicks. No pun intended… ok a little intended…. A LOT intended. That bad pun was the sole reasoning for this comment 😂😅
Anyway, I’ve had many moments where I’m relaxed and locked in everywhere, just jamming, having fun and confident. Really getting into it.
Then today was a big day. I played for the worship team at church. My first official performance with them. Was fun and awesome! But so highly stressful. I felt like a lot of things went wrong. And it felt bad knowing that most of the feedback I was getting was based on my playing and how it shaped with the click. I love playing with the click. But between that anxiety as far as the feedback and just being in the moment and trying to get my adrenaline and heart rate to slow down… oh it felt like hell on earth. It wasn’t at all terrible. But just not where I want it to be. And I know that stress and anxiety is what caused it all. Aside from that, when I’m just relaxing and playing normally, it feels solid. The more you play and experiment with time and note placement, I really think the better you’re gonna get with the pocket. Cause if you’re in it but there’s stuff you want to lay down that you haven’t tried in timing yet… it’s going to come out questionable and likely going to throw you off.
Pocket is learnable, I've watched enough Benny Greb clinics to believe so lol
Edit: I believe at least 50% of the pocket comes from the face you make. Stank? Pocket
Snare sound is amazing!
Best advice I have ever heard for drummers, 100% on the money,stay loose and relax.
I've found connection makes all the difference. When I'm into a groove and feeling it, it almost plays itself. Love that!
Your videos might be simple and sort of raw, but the information that you give is 1000000% useful, your videos are the truest drum videos I've seen. Cheers man!
The Pocket is when you are locked into a groove and no matter what happens (like crowd clapping, stage blows up, etc) you keep playing and keep everyone in sync. You are simply in control of the musical environment in that moment, and you know it. That's pocket.
Pocket is learnable, that’s why people play along great records: to slowly get the feel of the drummer you like in your own playng
"Tension is the enemy of POCKET"
You are absolutely correct!
Well it is true
However you can "keep tension on the line" while keeping your pocket deep
That's the most essential advice out there!!
That's applies to all instruments.
The key to that is stop caring what people say in general and just have fun playing. Let the music flow through you instead of trying to flow with the music.
You taught this on DRUMEO, learning about pocket, finding the rhythmic foundation, get into the groove, that teaching on DRUMEO is a must watch, it is the basic fundamental to drumming, act on what Rob Beatdown Brown taught on DRUMEO is a must watch.
Being Cuban born and fooling around with percussion I can tell you “feel” (aka pocket) is genetic. I have had drum teachers from Berkeley school of music try to write and play some of my most basic grooves - results - robotic, drum machine, reproductions of what I played.
Mind you - I have NEVER been what I considered to be an “accomplished” percussionist by any stretch.
But - at any time, regardless of practice I can lay down a simple fat grove. I won’t even have the endurance to play it for long - but when I lock it in - it’s in. The feel never leaves you when you are born with it. GREAT JOB ROB! Love your stuff and bought few shirts to support you! 🙏 Groove responsibly. 💪🏼
I feel like pocket has more to do with the ability to dance. If one can dance one usualy will have a good pocket. This is just a theory of mine ive yet to see disproven.
drzflyest4 I have to agree with that one. Maybe dance has to be define for this purpose. “Dance” meaning the ability to rhythmically move to groove - not necessarily be proficient in any one dance style! If not - we are gonna have to learn to hustle and salsa all over again!! LOL
New shirt ROB - “pocket responsibly”
Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste, The Meters. There’s pocket. You know he’s in the pocket before even sitting behind the drums. ‘People Say’, a fine example. Pocket is about you going all in latching into a groove and like a nice piece of mountain bike flow single track, it just flows and you flow with it.
I agree it’s playing around the spaces vs. dividing the spaces with the notes. The ultimate is hearing myself play, and reacting to it at the same time, you know, like you’re leaving your body lol.
Tip #6: Make all kinds of funny faces while wearing a 'Groove Responsibly'-tee.
Yes, by listening
Hey Rob, JJ Judge here.. Been playing 60 years(started at 8) and made a living and didn't make a living.. You said something that rang so true!!! Tension is the enemy of pocket!!!! So simple yet so profound... Love watching.... JJ...
Thanks Rob for some of the best content for drummers on the internet! And it's free!! It was really pleasing to hear you say that maybe pocket can't be learned. I've had disagreements with people for years about whether talent is a thing or not. I've been teaching drums for 40 years and I know without a doubt that we each have a certain level of talent, and that can vary from person to person dramatically. Keep up the great work!
"Pocket" is that feeling and special sauce you bring to the music as a drummer. It's the feeling that you give to the song while laying the foundation for the band. The other musicians feel it and it sparks inspiration in them then it keeps spreading.
I am a beginner drummer but a lover of all music and yes I believe you can learn pocket. As you progress in your skills and play different types of music you can develop a feel for pocket.
I like this dude. He explains everything perfectly. Same language kinda stuff.
I feel like you can learn the technical aspects of “pocket” but it’s something you have to “feel” in order to start grooving. IMO if you’re spirit isn’t in the music your not going to be playing pocket. You have to have an almost emotional type of connection to really be grooving.
Your****
@@seanbattledrums5198 you can edit your comments by clicking the three dots to the right. Hope this helps!
Ted Girvan ayyy good looks I didn’t even know that 😂
Wu wei. Google it
I kinda xheated and listened to what you said after but I think back back to my high school band teacher. He always preached that listening was the key to playing. If you listen closely you feed offf of the music. Even with percussion, you may be the timekeeper but you still have to hear whats going on around you. If you are playing by yourself, its timing. But when you play with a band you have to listen to each other. It's what makes the greats great. Hope I've articulated it properly. You rock Rob.
"Music is the space between the notes." - Debussy
What a quote
Bro stop. I'm on acid. That made too much sense lmao
Wow - never thought of it like that.
Rob Brown you are a superb teacher! Keepin' it loose and relaxed, love your comment: " tension is the enemy of pocket" that is a perfect example of your ryhmatic wisdom
Yes
Right on. Nothing beats that feeling when the rhythm section is laying down the groove and people start dancing to it, even if it's only tapping their toes or bopping their heads. The times where I was relaxed and only thinking about making the music feel good were always the best shows. I remember a New Year's Eve party I played and the whole club was moving to the music and the band was playing Blues, old R&B and rock. I was looking at the smiling people and thought I was so blessed to be allowed to be a small part of what happening there. I think it was the first time I truly felt aware of the awesome communal power of music.
I believe that some people are naturally born with the gift of pocket but for the rest of us mere mortals it is possible to get better at it through practising with a metronome to improve our time, learning how to control our limbs so that we can "self-mix" our dynamics and let the accented notes and back beats really pop out from the unaccented notes and finally learning to relax and pull our selves out of the way to let the music flow through. I agree 100% that being aware of the space between the notes can really help give them their full value and not rush the time. And the other musicians will love you for that because it helps to make what they play feel so good. Thanks for your great videos.
Jake L
Rob, I agree with you throughout this video. And disagree to one thing. I had to learn to play the "Pocket" but only understood it when I did an Open Mic session and I was told in the same night by a few musicians that they appreciated how i created and held space in the music we were playing. My initial response was WTF! Then one of them took me aside and explained and the lightbulb blew up. This sessions slams it to HEART! Great work and much, much love for what you do!
You can overcome anxiety for sure. Once you get out of your own way, you'll find your pocket.
Funny and in the pocket. Gotta love this guy!
You can definitely learn! Especially with a teacher like you , thanks
I'm in the process of learning it. Definitely doable, and it's immediately made me so much aware of the value of what you don't play, and letting the groove breathe, stepping back is as powerful as stomping it down.
Once again, touching the untouchable. Love your channel Rob. I encourage my students to drop in and listen to what the MAN has to say. Also, I can’t get over how many times I hear myself in your videos. Keep up the good work.
Yes, it's learning to listen, and a little bit about feeling it.
Favourite Pocket Player is Nate Smith. He's unreal. Hard to say if it's learnable.To a certain degree it is, but to take that last final step to fully get into the pocket you probably you just gotta find that feeling inside of you and I'm not sure if that's learnable. All the tips you give in this video are important, for me personally 'embrace the space' is most crucial. My drumming significantly improved when I started hearing the space in-between the notes. And now i really love being aware of the space in-between. Makes the beat or groove feel more complete when you hear both, notes and silence in-between.
Good points ...relax and recognize the space.
Yes I can. Big hug to you from Córdoba, Argentina.
mandate unas empanadas para Lisboa,,, : )
Just got both albums! Great stuff with huge variety of rhythms to learn and practice with. Solo comps VOL 1 - FUNCKY CLAVE - my fav!! Get it and support brother Rob!! On the beat down!! 🙏
Thx for the heads-up.
Rob is most definitely my Go-To guy.Just gettin back on the kit after 47 years.
The Rhythmic foundation lasts about the first 10 seconds into the tune for me.
You really appreciate the pocket when you’re the Frontman.Pocket makes a HUGE difference while singing.It’s like daylight and dark when you have one or you don’t. You kinda chase the pocket around vocally.
Yes, pocket relies on a series of skills that relate to how you play with the other musicians. Steady time is part of it, but it also relates to how well the whole band feels the time together.
Right on the money on all points....especially #5!
Thank you. After a little over a year of playing almost every day (I've only missed 4 days in the last 14 months) last week it clicked. The world stopped n time slowed like shootin the gap in football. I immediately went from Mr. Roboto to Cary Grant with sticks and my playing jump to a level I was starting to think I'd never reach. I won't claim to have a pocket but wow when you can 'feel it' it transforms you.
I’m a country drummer in Nashville Tn buddy you’re spot on this subject I love it thanks bro
Teach us up Rob! Thank you for teaching the kids properly and using the correct vernacular, such as “embellishments” as opposed to “fills”.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to emotion. Emotion is what's going to propel you to move at any tempo. Because you can play pocket at 160 bpm as long as you have the emotion. By the same token, you can play a killer sounding groove but if there is no emotion, it will not connect. Emotion is vibration. Music is vibration. You need to be in vibration with the music in order to make connections with the listeners and viewers. You're absolutely right Rob - Tension kills pocket. Tension is a negative vibration which stirs up negative emotion which causes a disconnect with the music and the listeners. Great lesson!!
This is a fantastic comment. Thank you!
You’re right on it man and I’m a bass player but as you know, drums n bass and pocket go hand in hand.
Another excellent video, Rob. Thank you for doing what you do!
I agree with you Rob, I’m on the fence too. As drummers we all learn the sticking to our rudiments. Through practice we develop the muscle memory to be able to execute the various patterns. ‘Pocket’, that might be something different, not really sure. It seems it’s more than a mechanical thing. As you said, it’s a feel. I think we might be able to develop ‘Pocket’ through our own self expression and passion that goes beyond all the rudiment learning. One things for sure, all the great drummers have it. As far as teaching ‘Pocket’, You know Rob, the passion you convey in your teaching motivates us all to be better drummers. In reality it just might be enough for some of us to achieve as they say, “being in the ‘Pocket.” Myself, I’m still working on delivering the punchlines to my jokes.
One of the best snares ever right there beatdown, you're lucky man!
Brother Rob....I'm 64 been playing drums since 1960....."Pocket" "Groove" is a Skill that is Improved by Metronome at different
speeds in addition to Different time signatures...Keeping in mind turning on a recorder to record the session then letting a third party listen.....and Critique the Fast and Slow sections of the music of your drum playing....
Now leads me to How a person Feels...One day your Dead On Deep in the 'Pocket" can Do No Wrong!
The next day Your Struggling...Your Bio-Mechanics in your body aren't quite up to the task...For Me I Have to Mentally
Throw Out All My Garbage of Relationship, Work, Etc. and Focus 150% Each time to Find the "Pocket".
Part comes Naturally but the other half is the Baggage of Life that gets in the Way......
And thinking Drugs and Booze will help you find it...Think Again!!!
'Pocket' 'Groove' it's there when you play...You'll find it if you Pay attention and Put the Effort in to make it the Best you Can!
It'll Never Be 100%! But if you can Consistanly play at a 80 to 95% "Pocket"
Be Happy!
Thank you
Awesome channel!
I'm learning many Great tips!
D. Killingsworth
Thank you D.
I think that you’re right, it’s like being in “the zone”. People always talk about being “in the zone” for many different sports/techniques/etc.
Thanks man, I always pick up something fresh on your videos. Been playing since 94, and never stop learning
Dude, it’s probably the hardest part of playing drums. Without a pocket your just bangin on drums. Get in the pocket and hold on baby🎶❤️🎶
Rob! That is absolutely the best explanation of pocket I have ever heard. Staying in the lane is the difference between a musician and a drummer. Love the get involved attitude also. Great video. Thanks Rob, good stuff! Nuge
It is my belief that you can do anything that you set your mind to do. Talent takes hard Work!
You always have the best, most pertinent videos
Great video. Pocket has always been my ultimate goal.
The Space!!!! You really nailed it with #2 sir
Yes you can and it is correlated with good technique.
Awesome video. Great advice. Relax, dance on the throne, have fun. Yes pocket can be learned but takes a while. A metronome and experience helps.
Great stuff, as usual! Thanks Rob!
Oh my God!! He used Finish what ya started as an example.... that‘s my favorite song to jam on the kit!!
Three more thoughts:
1) Thanks for covering a much-debated topic.
2) My feeling is that pocket is indeed a natural ability, but if you dedicate yourself to learning what is, how it sounds, and why it sounds that way, then you can absolutely learn it.
3) By way of this video, you are responsible for sending me on a two-hour Phil Gould bender. So thanks for that, a well.
I feel like Jim Blackley had a very good system for getting people's playing to a place where they had pocket. A combo of technical, mental and listening exercises that produced a lot of drummers who went on to accompany the highest level of musicians. It can be learned but everyone will have their own voice depending largely on the music they have consumed and the intent they put into their practice and performance. Great video as always Mr. B!!
drums were the first instrument i started playing and i got into when i was like 6. after a few years i fell away from it but my feel for groove always stayed with me. now that i’m older and i’m rediscovering my passion for drumming i still have that natural pocket that i gained as a kid. i think it’s one of those things you learn as a kid and if you don’t it’s way harder to later in life. perfect pitch for example is developed at an early age and if you don’t develop it you simply can’t get it later in life. i think pocket or groove is learnable but i believe it’s one of those things you gotta learn as a kid.
Rob I Love your channel....God bless you!!!
I remember keys players attempting to explain pocket to me. Their definition was essentially not doing fills or rolls excessively.
Throughout my journey, I've learned it's about locking in a groove that allows everyone to gel and feeling all aspects of the track, similar to what Rob was saying about the foundation.
It's being comfortable and adding spice a what would be a basic dish.
Today most of my issues with pocket are trying to minic drummers on tracks instead of relaxing and making the track my own
I really like the 5th tip, Mooove! I've been watching your videos for ages and I see the worn out, splintered sticks all the time. I know their expensive but you're really getting you money's worth on them.
Great vid. Really good tips. And that snare!
Hey Rob man feelin that tune. Ive always been a pocket drummer. To me pocket is way better than being overly flashy with the super complex fills..... Keep it simple. My favorite pocket drummer has got to be Phil Rudd of AC/DC. That man is a pocket king lol. Thanks for all u do man for the music community keep it poppin
Thank You, Rob!
Ty pRob. You are an Amazing teacher
Good insight, man, as always. Thanks.
Can learn. Caveats: some folks are more naturally gifted than others, and some have to work a lot harder, but I yhink with enough of the appropriate effort and honest self appraisal it can be learned and improved over time.
pocket is numero uno for drummers - i have been working on it for 15 years - getting there
I once asked Dan Bailey of Father John Misty if he had specific exercises / techniques that he used to develop his pocket. He told me that his pocket largely just came from lots of gig experience, repetition, listening to lots of music etc. So I'd say yes it can be learned - but its something different than learning a rudiment or a chop in that it takes time, and its cultivated very slowly.
Embrace the space!!!!!! Love it..usually drummers are so caught up in chops and rudimentary stuff..I now play a sloooow Rosanna grove..then incorporate rudiments...
I think so yes, through experience
Yes. By listening to and learning as many different styles of music as you can and playing along with records (showing my age), using a metronome helps
Totally agree with the rhythmic foundation part. I usually have a basic figure in mind to guide my playing, during a tune. Gadd, Purdie, and Porcaro are my favorite pocket guys and that's what I get from listening to their playing, too. Pocket is pretty easy for me to find, but keeping it consistent and precise is where I find the most difficulty.
Jeez, what a good video. Enjoyed every bit of that Rob!
I think you can learn pocket and be good at it......I also think you can also be born with rhythm in your bones and be great at it..........Great video......
Thank you very instructive.👍👍👍
Thanks Rob for your cool vids man. I’m picking up a lot of what you’re throwin’ down, so to speak. Groove on, and God bless 🥁😎
That pocket sounds really good
Thanks so much for the video Rob keep grooving the pocket 👍
I define "pocket" as your drum beat fitting in to the sound of the band like a wallet or cell phone fits in your pocket.
Great video, Rob! I’ve been a latent pocket drummer and it’s bursting out of me now. A sincere pleasure to radiate from the pocket.
Really appreciated all that you shared with the key tips. Well done. And thank you for the Bernard Purdie suggestion. Wow! Loving his vibe. Steve Gadd, Quest Love, come to mind.
Thank you!
Great video. Happy I found your channel. Groove Responsibly and eat more ribs! 🥁🎶🎵🎼
Love your channel Bruh, Coming from an old man. Pocket class note: Always learn the form. aka Intro,verse, chorus etc. of the Song. Blues, Gospel, Jazz and Funk. Before laying it DOWN my friend. The bass player and you will be "THE Pocket".. Peace...
Your hero and mine Phil Gould was born with 'pocket'...just listen to him and you'll know what 'pocket' is. Check out the song Physical Presence from Level 42....
You either have it...or you don't!....sometimes you're "in" the pocket and other times you're not...it's almost a spiritual or Zen thing. I see drummers giving themselves the title of "pocket drummer" or "pocket queen".....the "pocket" ain't no title....it's a state of mind, in harmony, with the body!....Peace!
Pocket queen is really good tho..
a bit of both robbie. once you feel the groove and melt it with it you
just do it you become the beat
"Tension is the enemy of pocket". Dead on!! Cool stuff Rob.
Just picked myself up two new albums! Beatdown style
Examples? VULFPECK man. Even if it’s a guest drummer.
Also, agreed that pocket is a state of mind. I think to say you have it or you don’t is dangerous because I believe some people have it but they haven’t discovered it yet.
For me, after a long hiatus from drumming I feel like I’ve lost touch with pocket, but I’m slowly getting reconnected to it, even if in fleeting moments for now. It would be wrong to let myself believe that “I don’t have it” just because I’ve been struggling with it lately
I believe you have to be aware of the rhythmic foundation of a piece of music in order to "find" a pocket that others would "get." That's what would connect with others. Secondly, without being "captured" within that foundation, you can just feel out intuitively fills. Whenever I find myself anticipating a fill, it is better off not adding it in. Whenever it just happens because it's "what's next," it totally works and everyone else is cool with it. There is definitely an intuitive element to being captured by the rhythm as opposed to attempting to "re- create" it. Great video which really appealed to me.
I think you can learn it, for me, it came when I started to use my left heel on their hat pedal to keep time, and when I started to add ghost notes. Was much easier to sit in a space because the rhythm wasn’t just coming from my hands and feet. It was, the entire body moving as one. Probably the best way I can explain it. my pocket also improved much more when I started to learn reggae beats because you really need to be on top of where the one is at the same time as trying to sit back.
i believe one can learn pocket. for me it' s that feeling of being on the beat, in sync with my bandmates, cool, relaxed, on time, just feeling the beat in connection with my band. slowly but surely my timing and feeling as a drummer, my musicality so to speak, are coming out
A great snare SOUND sweet spot is also a huuuuge thing!!!!!!!