Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett on the iconic drumbeat of “Billie Jean” 🕺

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  • Опубликовано: 21 дек 2024

Комментарии • 1,1 тыс.

  • @DRUMSandBUBS
    @DRUMSandBUBS Год назад +7432

    Playing with conviction and feel is the key to drumming

    • @Chris_Stanley007
      @Chris_Stanley007 Год назад +35

      Hell yea it is. No matter if you're playing soft or loud, conviction is the true test of a good drummer. You gotta own that part you're playing 💯

    • @justadingus1665
      @justadingus1665 Год назад +26

      Absolutely, I think it applies to all of music really. If you’ve ever wrote a melody on a computer with perfect pitch/timing/etc you know how sterile and bad it sounds. Takes that human element

    • @joeymiller3907
      @joeymiller3907 Год назад +4

      It definitely is the key.

    • @Kainebadonmusic
      @Kainebadonmusic Год назад +2

      Bro absolutely

    • @callanc3925
      @callanc3925 Год назад +4

      @@Chris_Stanley007 Ironically, conviction is the reason my groove and feel is smoother when im playing hard. Its way easier to play a note confidently if my sticks are moving with power.

  • @dudeymcduderson
    @dudeymcduderson Год назад +6036

    Fun fact: Atomic clocks are actually set to Sugarfoot's drum beat

  • @AdyStark
    @AdyStark Год назад +524

    Holy crap, it’s so perfect I could hear music that wasn’t there

  • @coolhatadventures8111
    @coolhatadventures8111 Год назад +2667

    Absolutely, a humans sense of time as a musician is portrayed through his or her emotions.

    • @SirNilzey
      @SirNilzey Год назад

      Bullshit he just hit it harder.

    • @zacri9434
      @zacri9434 Год назад +12

      “their emotions” is a better phrase to use :3

    • @justrandomthings8158
      @justrandomthings8158 Год назад +5

      @@zacri9434neither is better. “His or her” is as conventional as “their” here

    • @SantoshKumar-wl7yb
      @SantoshKumar-wl7yb Год назад

      Man I didn't get OP's comment, can someone here simplify it?

    • @robeddy3722
      @robeddy3722 Год назад

      What's really funny is that both versions sounded almost identical. He was trying to pull the emotion out of the first version but just couldn't.

  • @TheGlutenFreemason
    @TheGlutenFreemason Год назад +21

    This man is a treasure. How amazing that we have so much access to the knowledge of these music legends! What a time to be alive.

  • @professorpancakes6545
    @professorpancakes6545 Год назад +1032

    Not just playing a straight groove, he’s playing the song. Sounds great.

  • @sixuk902
    @sixuk902 Год назад +737

    It's weird how for the first one, I hear in my head the counting "1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4", but for the second I hear the bass line. The difference is subtle but strong

    • @dreichert1438
      @dreichert1438 Год назад +33

      Absolutely! I just thought how simple this beat was but how funky it was with the baseline. Then I thought about how it just facilitates the music and nothing else. A drummer myself and he's better than me all day, but sometimes overrated by people. But he shows some real musical intelligence here. Nuance and dynamics always adds the flavor even if you aren't the best drummer, but he knows that's what the music needs here and I just gained more of respect for him

    • @ryzimm2949
      @ryzimm2949 Год назад +2

      Bank. Tryimg

    • @humungushumungus213
      @humungushumungus213 Год назад +3

      I hear it too

    • @blake_mathis
      @blake_mathis Год назад +9

      Tried typing a comment to explain this feeling but couldn’t find the wording. This right here folks! Something about the way he plays it the second time, makes me hear the song. A freakin legend

    • @zfrazier3121
      @zfrazier3121 Год назад +1

      100% this, well put 💯

  • @solomonbisrat4006
    @solomonbisrat4006 Год назад +7

    Jonathan your a legend! I love all your rhythms you’ve played with MJ. You’re highly gifted, talented and blessed. Thank you so much for touching billions of people hearts with your rhymes. Much love ❤️

  • @JoeWhiting-g4d
    @JoeWhiting-g4d Год назад +461

    Some of the best advice ever

  • @jcstevegigs
    @jcstevegigs Год назад +41

    Very profound what he’s saying here. I’ve been in touch with that soul energy and it’s changed everything. Some nights it’s harder to find, but once I do I’m gliding on air.

    • @FusionKush
      @FusionKush Год назад

      I get what you and him mean I also have this on and off connection with my soul when I play my guitar. When I lock in place it's just an Amazing feeling that's quite hard to explain.

    • @memenation9494
      @memenation9494 Год назад

      do a speedball touch the soul and fly high

    • @memenation9494
      @memenation9494 Год назад

      works 60% of the time 100% of the time

  • @DrummerByron69
    @DrummerByron69 Год назад +589

    That was the first song I ever learned on the drums. It was simple, but you have to learn how to emote through the sticks. Sugarfoot is 💯 correct.

    • @ddppbbqq
      @ddppbbqq Год назад +2

      what is emoting through the stick? is that like hitting with accents and dynamics?

    • @ChaosZ8502
      @ChaosZ8502 Год назад +1

      Yes,and Jonathan plays it not.

    • @SaucyOperator
      @SaucyOperator Год назад +9

      ​@@ddppbbqqIt's feel. Like what Steve Gadd has. Just the utmost ability to groove. Even playing diverse and technical parts, the goal is to make it breathe. Back when drumming was a job for me, I often got hired for my "feel". I never really understood it, because if myself and two buddies played from the same page with the same charts, i felt like we played the same thing. You know click involved and notation on the page, etc.... But apparently it made a difference to the artists.
      Side note, I always love Adrian Young's hella good groove vs. Billie Jean.

    • @motophone8794
      @motophone8794 9 месяцев назад

      I am in awe of drummers' skills, keeping the timing throughout the song.

  • @F.87.T
    @F.87.T Год назад +317

    His soul makes his shoulder bounce!

  • @saltykrug
    @saltykrug Год назад +8

    A drum machine can never replicate the feel of great drummers like this guy right here. I've played drums for a long time and when I finally learned to play the easy stuff with the same conviction as everything else, I started getting requested for gigs. Thank God for older drummers that taught me that at a younger age than most.

    • @Heatwave9000
      @Heatwave9000 Год назад +2

      They can't now but don't say never

  • @chadstokes6532
    @chadstokes6532 Год назад +17

    This dude is a master

  • @thomaslazarski3596
    @thomaslazarski3596 Год назад +7

    A master of the art, focused, intense and at peace. That’s a reward when you’ve become one with with the flowing cosmic energy.

  • @Mr.FranciscodeMiranda
    @Mr.FranciscodeMiranda Год назад +10

    God that first kick alone makes me feel the music!

  • @ronwootang537
    @ronwootang537 Год назад +6

    Absolutely on point, play with your soul, and you hear and feel the difference ❤️

  • @jamesmehaffey7611
    @jamesmehaffey7611 Год назад +11

    I felt it brother RIP to the king

    • @charliewilliams8750
      @charliewilliams8750 Год назад

      I share his thoughts his views and grooves and birthday I am also drummer 🥁 a 🔝 one 1⃣ .I hide behind a kit practise makes me feel good it's better to have a dream now Ringo then Steve gadd

  • @pauquintana6345
    @pauquintana6345 Год назад +2

    Pull the bit behind. Simply amazing.

  • @user-uh2cr9so8l
    @user-uh2cr9so8l Год назад +23

    By emoting his soul he means technically being more transient in the hits, e.g. louder hits on some beats of the hats, cracking the snare, "kicking" the kick. And also adding the "groove". On a drum machine, adding a "groove" means to slightly splay the notes off the perfect center of the beat. But its a fine line between being in the groove and just being sloppy.

    • @jzac77
      @jzac77 Год назад +2

      Nah he means getting his brain into alpha wave state. That “technical” stuff happens automatically as a result

    • @user-uh2cr9so8l
      @user-uh2cr9so8l Год назад +2

      @@jzac77 Im not sure about "alpha wave state" but yes, "being" in the groove is what results in a good groove 😁

    • @storm2661
      @storm2661 Год назад +2

      ​@@jzac77these kinda things make me wonder if the technical stuff is indeed needed in these kinda situations. Is it better to have it be these kinda asbtract concepts like soul and feel, or would music evolve more proffeciently by focusing on the technical? Im sure there is fine line to be found but i do think trying to realize these kinda things can help artist choose routes that work best for what they like do. Or whatever idk sorry for bad spelling.

    • @jzac77
      @jzac77 Год назад +1

      @@storm2661 totally! There’s more to life than were told to think

    • @user-uh2cr9so8l
      @user-uh2cr9so8l Год назад +1

      @@storm2661 Behind every tight soulful expression/ groove is however many hundreds or thousands of hours of hard work, drills and practice on technical aspects.

  • @seanleaf3165
    @seanleaf3165 Год назад

    Shout out for the love of music and working on your craft. This guy's a legend

  • @jimmyneutron312
    @jimmyneutron312 Год назад +5

    One of my biggest drumming idols right here 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

  • @ivansargent4481
    @ivansargent4481 Год назад

    Great musical insite, the snare tone is amazing! A soulful groove ❤

  • @Goodpizzaa
    @Goodpizzaa Год назад +84

    there's that little oomph of "im feeling this fucking beat man" the second time

  • @theartofgoldenlily
    @theartofgoldenlily Год назад

    That kick drum sounds like a punch in your soul. Love it.

  • @ElPatron-sw7gb
    @ElPatron-sw7gb 11 месяцев назад +6

    Best drummer ever.

  • @daveedwards1257
    @daveedwards1257 Год назад +1

    🎉☝️😎Yes it's a difference you can feel ... Surely start to hear the song in the mind on the second set ✌️😎🥁💕🎷🎶🎸🤗🙏💙🌎👍🌲🌲🌲
    Bongo Dave - Good Happens Love Shall Prevail

  • @jamesheskey4797
    @jamesheskey4797 Год назад +6

    Every time I hear this guy… he gives me goosebumps… and perhaps only musicians can hear the difference… but man oh man… Sugarfoot is a man of the people let me tell you… probably the most grateful saw to ever truly hit the really large big stages… and let me tell you, every time that guy plays…: he gives his all… I can say this, because I met him… add a clinic in Boston… many years ago…e.u. Wurlitzer… and he put a hell of a show on. Let me tell you… Sugarfoot is the man!!!

  • @Heavyperro
    @Heavyperro Год назад +65

    Groove machine.

  • @lornestein7248
    @lornestein7248 Год назад +2

    Will always fondly remember seeing "Sugarfoot" on the Jackson's Victory tour 1984. A true master..

  • @nashmcbride1541
    @nashmcbride1541 Год назад +92

    the way my head automatically started bouncing when he played with his soul

  • @Ju-ei6zf
    @Ju-ei6zf Месяц назад

    i can even feel the melody. Best song and best drummer!

  • @joshuaschmidinger3993
    @joshuaschmidinger3993 Год назад +3

    This man is a legend and an all around humble and loving human being 😎👌 master of the "soul" groove.

  • @JulesBox
    @JulesBox Год назад

    Tried this last night in a gig, it totally changed the vibe of the song and made it a million times better.

  • @michaelmcglaughlin9383
    @michaelmcglaughlin9383 Год назад +4

    Sooo good. Am I the only one who immediately heard the bassline in my head when he started playing the second time?😆🙏

    • @defaultHandle1110
      @defaultHandle1110 Год назад +1

      Nope. You’re the second commentator to say that, and I’ve just started scrolling. Anyhooo, I didn’t really, but now I do, so I dunno. Does it count ? Who knows.

  • @blurphy
    @blurphy Год назад +1

    The bass is already played in my head once he play that drum❤

  • @carpediem4179
    @carpediem4179 Год назад +42

    The simple the more difficult, the feel is really something

  • @IAMSEYMOURMUSIC
    @IAMSEYMOURMUSIC Год назад

    that tiiiiiiiiny shuffle, that little hint of syncopation, it makes so much difference

  • @baseline_hitchshalhoub2686
    @baseline_hitchshalhoub2686 Год назад +40

    Alright it's simple and all.But not all drummers can make it feel that way!

  • @HulkmanManhulk
    @HulkmanManhulk Год назад

    Wow. So glad you played it. That made the difference!

  • @ballistixwearesilent5576
    @ballistixwearesilent5576 Год назад +5

    Same with all art. As soon as you commit to it, it just gets better.

  • @robfraser33
    @robfraser33 Год назад +1

    You can hear and feel the difference. Greatness

  • @thebodybeatdownDiTi
    @thebodybeatdownDiTi Год назад +12

    great drummer, great King Of POP MJ, Legends,Icons..This will live on 4LIFE..

  • @animenerdlolo8898
    @animenerdlolo8898 Год назад +33

    I can hear the bassline

  • @diegoswaddipong6196
    @diegoswaddipong6196 Год назад +1

    one of the things that makes you hear the bassline is that he's accenting the 1 and 3 the second time around-same beats the emphasis of the bassline is, and by adding that variation it feels more dynamic

  • @kendo5862
    @kendo5862 Год назад +4

    Try listening to this without automatically imagining the bass kicking in! 🕺 🎶

  • @edgarfernandez2848
    @edgarfernandez2848 7 месяцев назад

    I can feel it indeed! What a legend! A true master!

  • @William_Gamez
    @William_Gamez Год назад +6

    The fucking sound of that drum is on point. I wanna know what mics are those

    • @logandutka9256
      @logandutka9256 Год назад +1

      Sm57

    • @William_Gamez
      @William_Gamez Год назад +1

      @@logandutka9256 THX a Lot man

    • @timcummings6581
      @timcummings6581 Год назад

      Yep...like how he lets the snares rattle a bit. I tend to over-tighten mine.

    • @m.vonhollen6673
      @m.vonhollen6673 Год назад +1

      The snare mic does seem to be a Shure SM-57. That’s the snare mic, and guitar amp mic, of choice; and they are only around $100.
      Now if you had more money and wanted to do a full kit then you’d get a kick drum mic (Sennheiser E-902 for $260), 2 condenser mics for overheads (Neumann KM-184’s for $1100 each), say two tom mics (Audix D4 and D2 for $230 each), and a hi-hat mic (CAD e-70 for $260).
      - Those were my choices. -
      Now add in cables and stands… it can get expensive!

    • @William_Gamez
      @William_Gamez Год назад

      @@m.vonhollen6673 i have a 7 piece set but not from any of those series, ill take your advice. i think even the neumann its afforable for me... so, do you have recommen for the left and right air sound mics in specific?

  • @WordToMomsYo
    @WordToMomsYo Год назад +6

    Some drummers will play for 50 years and never quite master putting their soul into it... While others just do it naturally.

    • @Heatwave9000
      @Heatwave9000 Год назад +1

      Lmao soul isn't a real thing

    • @nckhed
      @nckhed Год назад

      ​@@Heatwave9000 You've never seen people play an instrument as if they couldn't be less enthused? Compare that with someone who actually enjoys playing and has fun doing it. You *should* see a difference. 😂

    • @Heatwave9000
      @Heatwave9000 Год назад

      @@nckhed they ain't none its all in ur head mate

  • @ericryckman1559
    @ericryckman1559 4 месяца назад

    The swing he puts into the hi-hat timing is awesome.

  • @hudaif1451
    @hudaif1451 Год назад +10

    I didn't know that Mike Tyson could play like that!!

    • @ihavetubes
      @ihavetubes Год назад +1

      more like dan severn from the UFC

  • @legalizexit
    @legalizexit Год назад

    one of the best advice I ever ear .. respect this sir such along career

  • @rutherfordBHAZED
    @rutherfordBHAZED Год назад +5

    "Sugarfoot"....nice guy too. Got to meet him on a bill when he was with Cameo in Plainfield, NJ.

    • @SaucyOperator
      @SaucyOperator Год назад +1

      Yes he's cool as hell. John Blackwell introduced me to him at NAMM back in the day, and I enjoyed his calm down to earth sensibility immediately.

  • @jonathanmitchell3733
    @jonathanmitchell3733 Год назад

    It’s so hard to teach youngsters that the song or music will only be good if you live your emotion through it.
    And you are absolutely right, you can immediatly hear the difference

  • @EthanHGray
    @EthanHGray Год назад +49

    “I play with soul”
    *plays louder*

    • @shannonstumpf1861
      @shannonstumpf1861 Год назад +11

      And accents

    • @EthanHGray
      @EthanHGray Год назад +5

      @@shannonstumpf1861 lol I know, I was just making a joke. Technically accents ARE just playing louder, but yeah playing with some accents... I.e., playing louder/harder

    • @shannonstumpf1861
      @shannonstumpf1861 Год назад +3

      @@EthanHGray i was just adding to the joke. i don't believe in souls. i do believe you can play with more energy and more creativity and more imagination if you focus. but everyone is acting like soul is magic or something however the reason it sounds better is because he played with intent not because of angels and stuff. lolol. feel free to disagree :)

    • @EthanHGray
      @EthanHGray Год назад +3

      @@shannonstumpf1861 😑

    • @EthanHGray
      @EthanHGray Год назад +2

      😂

  • @YuvalAlonithe
    @YuvalAlonithe Год назад

    That’s amazing. It’s like “there’s no difference”, and then on the other hand there’s a tremendous difference

  • @powerboon2k
    @powerboon2k Год назад +8

    Humble dude.

  • @louiezollman3794
    @louiezollman3794 Год назад +1

    On another level of talent education and ability shown. Keep up the good.

  • @antoninodimalta9202
    @antoninodimalta9202 Год назад +5

    When you just play simple drums, and I can hear the whole ass beat, it's when you did a pretty good job. Music is not only about technique, never tired of saying that

  • @jjrossitee
    @jjrossitee 11 месяцев назад

    This guy is freaking amazing.

  • @MajesticDemonLord
    @MajesticDemonLord Год назад +6

    This is something all Drummers need to hear. Playing to a Click, keeping time, playing the right notes is all required - but to get to the next level, you have to play with feeling.

  • @motownmusicschool1281
    @motownmusicschool1281 Год назад

    Beautiful... So nicely played.

  • @Cybothron
    @Cybothron Год назад +41

    Hardest thing to do is adding soul to your beat.

    • @Altria_not-Yuk0
      @Altria_not-Yuk0 Год назад

      yeah drummer are not playing midi notes

    • @spanzotab
      @spanzotab Год назад

      I established an emotional connection with music very early in my journey, it's just natural for some people.

    • @and-Anthony
      @and-Anthony Год назад

      In my opinion something just as hard is controlling that soul and emotion when you've learned how to add the soul.

    • @Cybothron
      @Cybothron Год назад

      @joenewman4586 The perfect balance between precision and emotion is indeed the hardest skill to master.

  • @charlesmelchiorre4109
    @charlesmelchiorre4109 Год назад

    Drummers are the heart of the band😮

    • @duke_ov_doom
      @duke_ov_doom Год назад

      Literally. They add to the feel and they’re the most important part of the band cause they’re also the metronome.

  • @fraz006
    @fraz006 Год назад +3

    I thought he is always angry, his face.. Voice also sounds like Mike Tyson's.
    Funny ,I have those. He is my idol drummer.

  • @DwayneCreates
    @DwayneCreates 10 месяцев назад

    Sugarfoot is the perfect example of why feel and dynamics in drumming matter. What a masterclass.

  • @satanicconservative1855
    @satanicconservative1855 Год назад +3

    People do not understand this. Musicians are special.

  • @machinesdeguerre
    @machinesdeguerre Год назад

    I don't know if I can hear his soul but I can definitely can feel the emotional vocabulary in the playing. Simple beats played by pros are magic!

  • @stephenkavanagh3560
    @stephenkavanagh3560 Год назад +4

    You , my dear fellow are talking nonsense .. it’s just a simple beat, nothing else 🤓

    • @nckhed
      @nckhed Год назад

      He literally said it was a simple beat, lol. He's just explaining how to hit harder and put more feel and emotion into the drum beat. It's the same thing when I bang on the strings on my guitars. If I play lightly and timidly, it's nowhere near as convincing as when I play with some actual feeling and energy.

  • @judgedredd3568
    @judgedredd3568 Год назад

    1st beat I learned in 1975....so simple...but the application and emotional intent can make it hypnotic

  • @AB-fm2zn
    @AB-fm2zn Год назад

    Love the video of sugarfoot with Madonna singing " dress you up in my love".. He just looks so chilled and mellow, you can tell he loves What he does!!

  • @SpaceSpud96
    @SpaceSpud96 Год назад

    What's great is when he plays it properly you can hear the space for the bass line around it 🔥

  • @InYourDreams-Andia
    @InYourDreams-Andia Год назад

    Emote that beat! Underrated and often overlooked method 💫

  • @manny2092
    @manny2092 Год назад +2

    He lays into it! He's "feeling" it! Right on!

  • @DavyMcWavy
    @DavyMcWavy Год назад

    Snare sound is so good.

  • @owenwaters4318
    @owenwaters4318 Год назад

    So snappy i love it, deffo one the greatest

  • @PurpleRain500
    @PurpleRain500 Год назад

    And for those of you who don’t know, that’s EXACTLY how he played it on the “Victory Tour” with Michael. Pure soul and emotion. 💜

  • @invisiblekid7374
    @invisiblekid7374 Год назад

    Human feel is everything when it comes to keeping a beat!!

  • @davidhurtado2725
    @davidhurtado2725 Год назад

    How this guy gets hate online will always be beyond me. What a monster of a drummer he is 🔥

  • @Meekahel
    @Meekahel Год назад

    I'm a big fan of MJ, and just like MJ, this man is the song. Legends.

  • @HezOmanjo
    @HezOmanjo 3 месяца назад

    This is the best thing ive seen on RUclips today 😊

  • @RazorRikk
    @RazorRikk 3 месяца назад

    Man, did you say that, right hard to explain, but you feel it and it comes out the groove comes from within you just feel it. Then I’ll come from the heart It’s almost like I’m dancing while I’m playing it I’m so feeling it I’m feeling that rhythm. I’m feeling beat this is the best explanation I’ve ever seen for playing drums

  • @garymitchell4291
    @garymitchell4291 Год назад

    Dude❤ I felt that love in that groove

  • @brianlondon5967
    @brianlondon5967 Год назад +1

    I couldn’t hear the difference but I’m supremely convinced that he is right.

  • @sethbrooks9596
    @sethbrooks9596 Год назад

    As a bass player sugarfoot is one of my heros.

  • @deathbreaker06
    @deathbreaker06 11 месяцев назад

    it's crazy we almost hear the beginning of billie jean's song when he plays it in his emotional state - it's unbelievable

  • @RatraceDave
    @RatraceDave Год назад +1

    And there ladies and gentlemen is the paradox of drums. This is by far the most important lesson with any instrument you have to evoke it from the place inside and project it .

  • @gregwickstrom5479
    @gregwickstrom5479 Год назад +2

    Ndugu played drums on Billie Jean and half of the Thriller album. We miss him.🙏🥁

  • @shirelan-voiceofthetrees4492
    @shirelan-voiceofthetrees4492 Год назад

    Soul of the drum is where it's at man!

  • @zaka0781
    @zaka0781 Год назад

    That gives me chills...

  • @rkoistheman
    @rkoistheman 20 дней назад

    The accents and idk if it’s a slight swing touch to it but he’s adding a dynamic to the feel

  • @fluffytail6355
    @fluffytail6355 Год назад

    You can tell when a musician is just doing it to do it and when he’s feeling it

  • @dan082476
    @dan082476 Год назад

    That snare sounds amazing

  • @papapickett7267
    @papapickett7267 Год назад

    Literally sounds the same. Amazing.

  • @Jonodrew1286
    @Jonodrew1286 Год назад

    Love the match sticks - greatest groove ever

  • @tevetorbes456
    @tevetorbes456 Год назад +1

    This is so true. When an entire band gets into that same emotion stage magic happens.

  • @orlandovftw
    @orlandovftw Год назад

    Holy crap, when he started drumming like himself, I swear I could hear the bassline in my head.

  • @uwe2512
    @uwe2512 Год назад

    I can feel it ❤

  • @davidhudson7813
    @davidhudson7813 Год назад

    I knew your cousin ,Sgt.Moffitt CPD MC. He told me about you and others New Orleans funk masters. I really appreciate it. Thanks...

  • @ericroberts117
    @ericroberts117 Год назад

    Ndugu played the recording, you definitely captured the spirit. ❤ love your groove