Steve Gadd’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”….Breakdown and Explanation for Drummers! (2 ways)
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- Post # 2024-107
May 3, 2024
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Steve Gadd’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”….Breakdown and Explanation for Drummers! (2 interpretations)
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Drums By Liz lesson!
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In this week’s Drums By Liz lesson, I demonstrate and explain two different ways to play the iconic drum groove to “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon.
Steve Gadd’s impeccable timing and feel make this groove a timeless classic in the world of drumming.
Gadd’s hi-hat work is distinctive for its precision and subtlety. He employs a tight, crisp sound, often playing a “chick” sound on the hi-hat with the foot pedal.
It’s an unusual pattern that takes some patience to coordinate.
Once you have everything coordinated and consistent, these subtle concepts can be used in other genres/styles of play. Always take the skills you are crafting and find creative ways to express them. Have these skills forefront, at your recall and command, ready to employ.
So diving in, we have two ways to approach and play this iconic groove. The first way I go through requires some patience learning the unusual HH foot pattern. Go slow, be patient and let your body accept the feel of the new coordination.
The second way will be easier and does not require any unusual HH footwork.
When listening back, both patterns will sound almost identical.
So we have some options. I think it would be advantageous to be authentic and try to do it exactly like Steve Gadd does it, along with the easier way. So please challenge yourself to learn the original and authentic, harder way. As you study and learn both ways, you will develop wonderful and unique skills to creatively utilize. It most likely will lead you to more insight, especially when it comes to ways of implementing your HH foot into grooves. Oh boy…. another skill to develop!….lol
Pattern Particulars:🥁⭐️ (X is HH foot)
(K/X) L R X L R L K (K/LTT) RR L R L
(K/X) L R X L R L K K (LTT/LTT) RRLL
Easier Way: (w/o HH intricacy)👇
K L R L L R L K (K/ LTT) RR L R L
K L R L L R L K K (LTT/LTT) RRLL
COUNT:
1 e & a 2 e & a 3 4e& & a
1 e & a 2 e & a 3 4 4e&a
I would also highly recommend Steve Gadd’s challenging book “Gaddiments”.
The book delves into Gadd’s signature style, offering insights, exercises and drumming techniques. I love when a pro writes insightful books and shares their knowledge with us. A wonderful way to leave a legacy and give back!
Thank you Steve Gadd!!😍🥁⭐️💯🙏🏻
Best wishes and please let me know how you made out in the comments!
Thanks again for tuning into another Drums by Liz lesson!
As Always,
Happy 50 Ways of Drumming!😊🥁⭐️💯😍
I've been playing drums for 35 years and have heard this groove countless times. You broke this down very well in a way that anyone can understand. Nice work!
I am so thrilled and happy to hear my explanation worked. I really try to do my best to explain things from different approaches/angles so I can help more people. I realize not everyone has formal training or understands intricate counting etc. So thank you for the inspiring comments and remarks. They are greatly appreciated!
Love your handle … Love conquers all!
Happy 50 Ways of Drumming! 😍🥁🙏🏻
Epic groove, great job! Sweet lesson!
Thank you. You are so right! A real epic iconic groove any serious drummer should learn.
I have great respect for Steve Gadd’s work and his innovative style. SG always makes us “think outside the box” in such cool ways…. for lotsa skillful happy drumming!🤓🥁⭐️🎉
@@DrumsByLiz Yes, he was the first drummer that I heard that blended groove and chops perfectly into infectious grooves and songs that have become favorites for multiple generations.
@@drummermomcjsYes, it’s well deserved, amazing longevity for Steve Gadd. Like you say his grooves/chops and the way he uses them are infectious, great to study and super cool! 😎🥁👍⭐️
Hi Liz, thank you for taking my suggestion to breakdown Steve Gadd's 50 ways to leave your lover on board and thank you for the mention.
As always your beautiful smile shines through just like your playing. As usual an excellent tutorial from you... Thank you again Liz, keep your awsome tutorials coming.... lots of love ❤️ Nick. 🎉
You are very welcome Nick! I want to thank you for the great suggestion!
I really do believe it’s a masterful idea Steve Gadd came up with. The groove is very fitting and accompanies the music with precision in a unique and stylish way.
I’m very happy to hear you liked the breakdown on the two concepts.
Thank you so much for your kind comments and suggestions.
All is greatly appreciated! Much Love and Happy 50 Ways of Drumming!
😍🥁⭐️🙏🏻💯🩵
Another iconic drum groove. Thank you!
Yes it definitely falls into that epic-iconic category! To me, it is super sweet and perfect. My last 4 posts (Rosanna/Purdie Shuffle/Fool in the Rain/50 Ways) have very important technical skills to learn and readily use. Once these concepts are mastered, they absolutely raise a students level of play. Thank you for commenting!
Happy kitdinker Drumming!😍🥁⭐️💯
Thank you very much from Germany. I love this lession to learn this Intro note by note in combination with the right feel.
@@DiegoDee You are very welcome!
Thank you for your nice comments.
I’m glad my breakdown and explanation helped you.
Thank you also for sharing where you live. I think it’s super cool how far reaching all this Happy Drumming Fun can go!
My Dad is 100% German…great heritage…so I’m a little biased too…lol
Thanks Again & Best Wishes DiegoDee from Germany! 😊🌍🥁🎉
Very Inspiring Super Cool, Thanks for your Knowledge, Keep it Coming .....
Well thank you so much Kevin! How kind of you! I’m so so glad you enjoy my content. It’s my pleasure to help!
Best Wishes and Happy 50 Ways of Drumming!😍🥁⭐️💯👍
I think you are wonderful,Liz....I have several young ladies as students, and I follow all the videos.....One word of advice...In your left hand, you should get that forefinger over the stick in the left hand..I see you favor the thumb.You'll get much more control....Good drumming.
Thank Liz…very useful. I am a music teacher, small town. Looking for more challenging stuff to challenge myself and students. Richard’s Music Lesson warehouse International. Happy Sticking !
Thank you Richard! Sorry for late response here. I’m glad you find my content useful for your students and yourself. In my opinion, this is an iconic concept that all serious drummers should study and be familiar with.
Best Wishes and Happy Drumming!😊🥁
Great lesson, triplets on snare," And I thought they were "Ghost notes" It makes more sense now,😊, Floor toms also, "Groovy "🇬🇧🕺
Thank you very much! A definite iconic “groovy groove” to have in the back pocket, so to speak.
I still marvel at Steve Gadd’s unique, creative and innovative style. Ahead of the curve always. His book “ Gaddiments” is challenging. He takes concepts, rudiments and displaces them and it makes you have to shift mentally. A bit of a code to crack.
I’ve found the book to be excellent!
Thanks again Windsurfer!🇬🇧🌊👍😊
Happy 50 Ways of Groovy Drumming!🥁
Thank you. I always missed the hi hat foot before the snare and hat breakdown
You’re welcome David! Yes it’s a sweet little subtlety within the groove. Glad all is good! Happy Drumming!😊🥁⭐️
Great video!
Great teacher!
Thank you for your kind remarks!
Glad the breakdown was helpful.
Happy 50 Ways of Drumming!😊🥁⭐️
This is a better explanation than the "famous video "from 1986
Idk…but I’m flattered and glad my breakdown is helping you and other drummers! Thank you very much Brian! I take it you are a Gretsch artist, perhaps?
Happy 50 Ways of Drumming!😍🥁⭐️👍
You unlocked a door in my mind
I love hearing a comment like this!!
I’m thrilled the breakdown has helped you. It’s a tricky little concept that does take some diligent practice and patience. Thank you for the inspiration James! Happy 50 ways of opening doors and Drumming! 😍🥁⭐️👍💯
THANKSSSSS
You’re very welcome! I’m happy to help!
Happy 50 Ways of Drumming!😊🥁⭐️💯
I think your counting on 2nd measure, beat 4 is misleading. It's an 8th note played on 2 floor toms (if that's an option) on the downbeat of 4, followed by 4 32nd note double strokes on the "and a".
I’m sorry you feel this way. Please take another look at my “pattern particulars” in the description and it explains how I’m counting every single note being played. Your way is fine also. It’s just a different mindset and how you think about this.
If you’re skilled enough (as yourself), you don’t have to count as much, and you can think of it as 16th notes doubled to get your 32nd note feel. However, for less experienced drummers, I always count every single note. So this means learning how to double up your counting system. This also makes you more precise. I’ve learned from all of my teacher/mentors to always count more than we play for this exact reason. 32nd notes become 1e&a1e&a 2e&a2e&a etc, counting every single note.
I also require my students learn these various ways to count. It’s not a one size fits all deal. Some concepts work easier or better than others in different situations. Anytime a student ever struggles we sit click our sticks in 8th note format and count. It rectifies the problem 100% of the time. I hope this helps to clarify things for you and others.
Have a great weekend Ray!
Happy Count-Down Drumming…hey a new one there…lol 😊🥁⭐️💯🎉
😀🥁👍👍
Thank you very much! 😊🥁
I love you
Awe…thank you! Love you too James! There’s even some love left for our drumming….lol 😊🥁😍💯🩵
@@DrumsByLiz really sweet
@@DrumsByLiz really
For "that" sound Stevie has. Most people would be interested to know. His sticks were held backwards. Butt up front
Awesome observation Brian! I did not notice this when watching his tutorial. It definitely affects the sound and changes things. Maybe you know if they are old Promark hickory sticks perhaps? I remember those Promark sticks being super durable, a heavier weight, darker color and a denser feeling stick. Almost looks like what Steve Gadd used back in the day?
Thank you for sharing your observation and knowledge!
Happy “Butt-Ends” Drumming!..lol😊🥁
can you come tune my snare please. thanks!!
Maybe I should do a little video on tuning?
If it helps you at all, I basically get the top and bottom head quite tight. I do prefer a crisp sounding snare. I’m not a huge fan of a “washy” sounding snare. With both heads real tight, ghost notes and dynamics become trickier. So I’ve learned to use the snare tension as a way to obtain more response from my snare drum. By loosening the snare tension it will aid our dynamics/ghost notes in a nice way. If you want a brighter, more staccato sound keep your snare tension tight.
All this being said, I do think it’s important to develop our abilities to play dynamically without relying on snare tension to necessarily do so. Try to continue to craft yourself in these ways. Develop your “touch” and your “feel” as you raise the bar and acquire more skill in this manner. Maybe a little tuning lesson and a ghost note lesson combined, should be in store for some continued Happy Snare Drumming!
Best Wishes for some snap, crackle & pop outta that snare….lol 😊🥁💥⭐️💯👍
fourth beat second bar, four, and e an a,
Thank you Ken! I count it as 4e& &a, with first note doubled into 32nds as RRLRL. I tell students to think of it also as 44 e & a, so they understand exactly which 16th note doubles into a 32nd note. Once that is understood, we count 4e& & a, which seems to roll off the tongue a little better.
Anytime we have various groupings of 16ths and 32nds together the counting can drastically change. We double up the whole system and sometimes there’s multiple ways to count.
I’m curious about how you count it? Can you please explain how you think about it and what works for you?
Thank you Ken and Happy 50 Ways of (counting and) Drumming!😊🥁⭐️👍