Unit 7

The drummers that impacted my playing

[Music intro]

[Speaking introduction (Duration:1 minute)]

Notes: Greet listeners

What you'll be talking about

Section I - Mick Fleetwood (Duration: 2 minutes)

Section II - Stewart Copeland (Duration: 2 minutes)

Outro (Duration: 1 minute)

Notes: Slight recap

Thank you for listening

Intro:

Hello my name is Darcie and i play the drums. Today i am going to be talking about Drummers that impacted my playing. The two drummers i will be talking about are Mick Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac, and Stewart Copeland from The Police. The songs that impacted my playing include Message in a bottle, Little Lies, and Go your own way. 

I got inspired from the unique fills in the song Message in the bottle after playing and learning it from the grade 4 rock school drums book, the fills in bars 4, 24, 25, 64, 82 stood out the most for me. I was inspired with how Stewart Copeland plays a syncopated rhythm on the hi-hat, giving the song a reggae feel. I also like adding some reggae feel to my beats similar to Stewart Copelands beat in the verse of Message in a Bottle. I also like the use of ghost notes and rimshots in bars 70, 71, 114, 116 and 119. (Clip of me playing the beats and fills in these bars)

The fills in Little lies also inspired me after i started listening to Fleetwood mac for the first time after hearing them off the radio. The fills in bars 8, 24, 32, 33, stood out the most for me as they sound so simple yet can capture the audience listening. As well as the catchy, drum beat that complements its smooth pop-rock vibe.  (clip of me playing them fills).

 

My favourite thing about the drums in Go you'r own way is the use of toms throughout the song, it's much more exciting than using the hi-hat or ride cymbal.The drumming style is pretty much dynamic, and i like the build up of tension just before and during the chorus. The fill in bar 14 stood out mainly for me because it tricks us into thinking its heading straight into the chorus but then does a repetition of 3 bars in the verse.

Section 1: Mick Fleetwood

Mick Fleetwood is known for his distinctive drumming style, which incorporates a blend of rock, blues, and jazz influences. His range of dynamics and ability to create a strong rhythmic foundation has really had an impact on my playing especially when i write fills and beats for songs. His 4/4 beat in Go your own way really inspired me to start using the toms for beats rather than just using them for fills. We had to figure out that the song is in the key of G minor. The chords are G, G minor, Bb, C

One of the things that influenced my playing and what stood out the most for me with Mick Fleetwood's drumming is his ability to lock in with the bass line, creating a solid groove that captivates Fleetwood Mac's music, this inspired me to focus on matching my sound on the drums with the bass line in my bands own song called Devil in Disguise, where I have also used a variety of fills that sound similar to Mick Fleetwood's in Little Lies. His work on albums like Rumours showcases his skill in maintaining a gripping rhythm while allowing space for other instruments. 

Mick Fleetwood's energetic and expressive drumming in live performances such as The chain live from The dance in 1997 really inspired me to be more bouncy while performing live. His performances often display a combination of technical skill and emotional depth, making him a captivating drummer to watch.

Like me, Mick Fleetwood practices by playing along to Fleetwood Mac songs, or other songs he admires. I tend to play along to Fleetwood mac, The police and Coldplay. He also revealed he experiments with different sounds and playing styles. We both also like jamming sessions to get ideas for beats and experimenting with different genres.

Section 2: Stewart Copeland

One thing that makes Stewart Copeland different from other drummers, is the fact his style combines reggae, jazz, Arabic music, latin, and punk rock, which gives him a variety of rhythmic sounds. For example, unlike most pop or rock drummers, he won't wait till the end of 8 or 16 bars to add in a fill.

Copeland also started drumming at a young age, he was 12 at the time and was self taught. He used to spend hours practicing different techniques mainly.As a ten he'd discovered rock and jazz music. Drummers like Keith Moon and Ginger Baker ignited his passion to becoming the energetic and dynamic style he's known for.

Copeland's drumming often features polyrhythms, which i have only recently learned to do and i use them to practice and in songs. Stewart Copeland practices with a variety of techniques, a few of them being Dynamic control where he sets the metronome to a slow tempo and paying consistent single strokes on the snare and gradually increasing the tempo and volume to focus on maintaining steady control. He also practices by combining different genres into a single groove, this exercise helps expand drumming vocabulary and help discover new combinations.

Thank you for listening.