I learned linear playing out of Gary Chaffee books back in the 80’s and have occasionally used it throughout the years, it’s fun to do during some solos. I don’t think it’s necessarily bad but if it’s all your doing it does get old. I’ve found it fun to play at slower tempos and funk style things.
Blake Kole you took the words are of my hands...i actually hate this type of drumming, but i do respect the guys who are masters at doing it. because after all it is a skill
Sidebar: I had a friend who didn't agree that you should relax and even stop playing at all sometimes, let the other players take over. You'd jam a 5 minute song - him on guitar - and he'd be noodling the ENTIRE FUCKING TIME
NOW we're talking. Question: Why are Ringo and Charlie Watts so great? . . . . A really great musician leaves some space that the listener (YOU!) can fill. They trust your fantasy. They let you come into the music.
I gotta say though, the few drummers that can incorporate linear drumming ARTISTICALLY into their playing create a whole new level of musicality. But I still agree with you Rob (like always)!
I agree... it’s like anything in drumming. If it’s done well and in the right moment it’s incredible and CATHARTIC. That’s the point. Look at Eric Harland, Mike Mitchell, Justin Tyson, Thomas Pridgen, Justin Brown. What they’re doing is innovative and musical as hell
Excellent points that you made. I like the fact that you didn’t shut down “G-Chops”, but made it relevant and gave understanding to how to utilize the style within the concept of MUSIC👍🏾
Gary Chaffee's linear concept is very easy to understand - always lead with the right hand, play an even number of notes with the hands, and then play one or two notes on the bass drum before starting with the right hand again. So for example, you could play 8 notes as 4+BD+2+BD, and it's grouped as 5+3. Combinations of longer phrases that avoid downbeats (or beats in general), and how you orchestrate and accent the notes around the drumset, is what makes it cool and difficult. David Garibaldi's concept is mostly linear, but he also plays two notes at the same time. As he described, the Soul Vaccination groove was based on the Swiss triplet sticking. You'll find that flam/double stop "note overlap" all over his playing - for example, two 16th notes on the snare and two on the hi-hat, with the 2nd snare note and the 1st hi-hat note played at the same time, in the aforementioned Soul Vaccination. One person who doesn't seem to get mentioned much is Terry Bozzio (even though I think most of us are familiar with U.S. Drag). His concept really is anything in any order, not structured like Chaffee's. His was based on Dahlgren & Fine's 4-Way Coordination. He sounds amazing, but you have to really know what you're doing - musically, not technically - to make it work, as there aren't really any limitations to keep you from going off the rails. These guys are musical as hell with linear drumming. G chops is a travesty. I don't even think it's that big a deal. If you want to show off technique, something like improvising over left foot clave is much more impressive than a super-fast linear chops-fest IMHO.
Hello Rob. I'm a self taught drummer and I think there are many traps to fall as a self taught drummer! Would like to see a video that has some must know and must avoid things for us self taught drummers. Thanks brother!
You nailed it this video. I fell into the "linear trap" when I was younger as well. My first time playing Sunday service at church is a great example of this. I can remember having 16th note fill ins and was playing more than less. At the time I thought it was cool, but down the line I definitely started to really listen to the music, and not focus so much on my drumming and came up with a term I call "Musically correct" (I know it sounds silly on paper). I still like busting out chops and play technical, But listening to the music and starting with the back beat and building off of that helped my drumming and my musicianship over the years.
I’ve just spent the last six months getting some g-chops, I now have a bunch of fills I’ll never use - or worse still, that I will use. Great advice Rob. It has been useful for independence and grouping though
@@mathias841 Just that, I went through the combinations finding phases that I liked and flowed. Different groupings, starting at different points in the bar. Keep it simple, flow, dynamics
@jarroncobb.... Nope, pretty sure it still sounds like a defective washing machine/dish washer. I'm sure you can play it, just like all the rest of us here....
Rob, I completely agree with you. Its as if its become a spectator sport rather than anything musical. Even the great Buddy Rich himself who always played like he had something to prove was keenly aware that there is a time and place for that kind of stuff. Its called a solo. Love the channel! Thanks Man!
I am still a young drummer myself(23) and mostly into metal music (one of my fav drummers is Brann Dailor from the band Mastodon). But I always recognized the importance of the „classical“ drumming like Jazz etc. I find it alot harder to play because of the complex structure and thats why I want to learn it, like you explained to extend my drum vocabulary and to get in more variety in my playing. It helps so much for almost every aspect and expands the creativity to play. I find you on youtube due to searching how to get the best sound of a basedrum. Eversince I sticked to your channel cause its so helpful and you seem to be such a genuine and honest person who can give you the tips and tricks to become a better classical and overall good drummer. Thank you and keep the great and instructive videos on. Sry for my grammar mistakes, greetings from Switzerland.
About time about time. Big Shoutout Mr. Rob Brown thank you thank you. I've waited a very longtime for someone to step up and represent about this Linear Trap style. And I agree witn you 100%. There's so much to drumming vs linear Trap Gchops. I've played over 30 years. Soca,Calypso,R&B,Soul,HipHop mostly. The linear style I used for practicing not showcasing it on stage. I like to keep the crowd moving.
While Linear Drumming is an extremely efficient chops, endurance and metronomic time exercise, to many it has become an 'end-all be-all' thing. It's a string of rudiments are drumming katas to a musical metronome. The drum performance trends to dull homogenization that isn't readily apparent to a lot of people.
Many years ago I had a couple jam sessions where everyone was playing like this (drummer, other guitarist, cello player). I found it rather frustrating, as it just creates a bunch of noise in the end, rather than a coherent musical piece. Used sparingly, a little can add some spice, but if that's all you do, no one's going to want to listen. Kind of like blast beats in metal.
Beginner drummer here, (got my kit less then a week ago.) I've just started listening to the Japanese band called "Toe" and the drummer Kashikura Takashi, in my opinion makes the drums sound super beautiful and poetic. After reading some comments I heard it was called "Linear drumming" and that's how I got here. This video was great and will help me keep on track thanks.
I was 17 years old (59) today... I was studying with Jim Blackley in Toronto... He told me, be careful you don't fall into that trap As long as you use it in a musical way, and try to think about it as a musical phrase, not muscle memory phrase... Rob! I am so glad you brought this up...
I been playing guitar for almost 20 years and have decided to take up the drums to record my own pieces. The advice here is taken so much appreciated, bud. Thank you
I love your playing and teaching Rob. I’m an Elementary School Music Teacher and composer and can say that you have a beautiful talent in presenting applicable concepts and drumming technique.
As has been said, if one incorporates some linear playing into their own personal style, cool. If one's style is predominantly "linear", then it might get to be like bad wallpaper.
Over focusing on “G chops” makes using high quality samples with midi files much more attractive to producers and other musicians. BUT, right ON with the Gary Chafee style. So musical! Bottom line, you need more than technical chops to avoid getting replaced by software. Great video!
Really appreciate this video Rob. I am a younger drummer and I’m guilty of falling into this linear “rut” so to speak. Really helpful. I think everyone should expand their musical vocabulary, and not stick to just one style.
I'm not quite an old guy yet, but I'm certainly not young anymore either. I want to learn this stuff, but I don't ever want to stop being a musical/groove type player. I appreciate your opinion on this, and I'm glad to hear so many others feel the same way.
I actually agree with you, because as a drummer who utilizes the linear style primarily, as I matured I’ve always admired those who’ve mastered, or has a wide vocabulary of non linear beats. So, I built those muscles up to play non linear as well. It’s what separates the boys from the men. Drummers that don’t stay trapped in one specific style. “Liked”
Rob... making this video is so brave and so smart of you! Thank you!! I hope as a drumming community we can continue to embrace the power of linear drumming, while still remembering all of the incredible things that have been done without it. I love seeing super balanced drummers that know how to do all of the "new" and all of the "old"! Those are the best ones!! 😉
Amen. Four way independence and feel are 100x more difficult to master in imho. Agreed with the Chaffee comment. His books are intense. Years of work are required to really absorb the material. Don't get me wrong. I love g chops and many of the up and coming drummers that play in the linear style. But I agree it is limiting. Love your channel. You are one the most on point,lucid and poignant presenters on ytube. Great stuff!!
Hm I'm kind of confused about what linear drumming is. I always thought of it as just not hitting two drums simultaneously, and it’s something that I think of as an "old school" style - like a Cissy Strut kind of groove. I'm thinking of David Garibaldi, Steve Gadd, etc. Anyway love your videos Rob!
As a fusion guitarist, I appaud this video. This goes for every instrument. It’s about sonic real estate and songs need balance. There is a time and place for everything, including fast chops. But it’s about balance and the song.
Hi Rob, Great video. I studied with Gary Chaffee in West Roxbury Boston, Ma. at his house, downstairs in 1997-98? and it was nice to see you mention him. You are spot on. His books on linear time functioning patterns kicked my ass. He is the master at this and the drumming patterns I've learned to this day are still with me. He kicked my ass for 6-8months back then as I was and still am a huge Dave Weckl fan but couldn't figure out his styles and it was worth every penny. Great instructor. This style in Moderation with Dynamics is great.
today's chops are a modern version of buddy rich's chops... i don't recall ever hearing anybody saying that he was chopping all over the place 🤔 he played for the song, and he also got showy 🤷♂️ any decent drummer should know that the instrument is about balance, creativity and creating interesting musical events, not noodling and vomiting all over everything, especially if they're playing with other musicians.
Love jazz from all eras, and I never actually found Rich's drumming that enjoyable, or as musical as its reputation might let on. Incredible no doubt, and very musical witbout question, but he makes me think of the times equivalent of a sporting, skilled and musical blast beat drummer. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I dont think it negates the point of the video. Or suggests that Rich made any particularly moving music.
Gospel chops and linear playing are great tools but they are rarely "musical" when you are actually playing songs that involve actually keeping time and supporting the rest of the band
Haha, ain't that the truth. Although I haven't worked on playing like that, it would leave a trail of struggling reeds in most seeing bands. Rhythm must match the music.
I'm 68 and just discovered these fills. A lot of fun to play and practice. Gives a good feeling of accomplishment when you finally get it. But for gawd sake keep the groove and don't overdo them!
Just seen this video for the First time today, its been out for 4 years & This video was RIGHT ON!✅️ Now today more than Ever. EVERY Video is a Linear phrase to practice. It's fun but does get old.
Some of my all time favorite licks from the Fusion in the 70’s were linear but always done SUPER musically. It’s some of the coolest stuff but a person can also pick up a guitar and get tab and shred with no regard for music, it just makes them sound competent and cool.
Hey Rob One of your most important video's to date. A voice of reason in a cacophany of ultra fast 32's. There's a place for it in drumming, but increasingly that place looks more and more to be at the Olympics rather than anything musical. Kudo's to those that can do it through a 5 minute solo. Technically tough for me. But I'd much rather drop in a beat or two of 32's to embelish a phrase in a solo, rather than chop 32's all the way through. But what do l know? Thanks Rob.
Totally dig this. I started drumming on funk grooves. They're not hard... but absolutely non-linear. When jamming with my band, i tease the guitar player with fills he calls bubble bursts. Thanks for this video
A really useful topic choice. I have sometimes felt too many drummers rely upon blazing speed and fast blast beats with blistering double bass playing and I don't hear musicality, so it is great the approach that you took in this video. I completely agree that linear drumming has a place and is useful but not at the expense of the music.
Some genres do benefit from this style though. Math rock and IDM especially get a lot of their energy and style from their over the top blistering drum tracks
"The whole G-Chops thing, all sounds the same" - Thank You!!! Remember when so-called Modern Drummer magazine ran an article entitled "Drum'n'Bass: The Next Frontier" around 2000? Yes, I heard the term "Gospel Chops" a week ago and realized, hadn't heard it in a while already! :)
I wish I had another set of hands....so I could give this video 4 thumbs up!! The fact that you touched on the "pros and cons" of this type of linear drumming made it digestible. Again thank you man!
I thought linear drumming was just the practice of not playing any 2 voices at the same time. It isn’t necessarily fast or flashy. Can even be a slower, more musical, repeating beat one voice at a time. like an arpeggios is to a chord
Whether you like the music or not, listen to Wolfgang Dziony of the Scorpions. He anchors the rhythm and beat, but he only plays what fits, nothing more. He plays what the songs require, but no more. He's part of the band, not a soloist.
Back in the day there was a guy with tons of chops in my town , but I always got the call with half the chops because I made the music feel good first and foremost.
This is exactly what i tell my students. The whole Linear thing is a tool in your bag of tricks. It's not about -Not having it..it's about using it in moderation and with musicality. Great lesson Rob.
I've always said G-Chops are like The Globetrotters. Cool to watch, but nobody really wants to watch an 82 game season of it. People want to groove and dance. I'd rather catch somebody in a head nod groove than their jaw on the floor standing still due to chops. Let's not forget what drums are for.
This is how I look at people like Bucket Head yeah he can play faster than anyone, but it doesn't really do much for me and it gets annoying to me after a few minutes.
@@JM-ll6hd must be because everyone who tries to impress me with him it's always videos of him playing so fast it's sounds like a blender and anything else I've heard doesn't do much for me ...if you like it more power to ya
Bill Bruford's "Beelzebub" has a 9/8 linear groove. Of course, it is dynamic and musical. I do agree with you that a constant bombardment of linear fills lacks some musicality. Used tastefully and or dynamically, it can be wicked.
There are so many rabbit holes and very deep wells in drumming , take any variation to it's limits . And it gets deep quick !! Great message as always Rob !!
I studied with Gary for a periode - Check out the patterns series books. Linear playing is just a string of notes distributed around your hand and feet using singles doubles and stickking´s and that is great. The busyness that the concept facilitates - makes it easy to keep focus when your are executing the system- that is why it in a sense is easy. When you play "simple stuff" and with a lot of space, there is more room between the notes to loose focus (also because there is less body input for you brain to compute:) Sticking is an articulation because doubles and singles do not sound the same- not just a thing for speed facility -uset it with a lot more space and fantasy. For me overlapping strokes is much harder and in a sense more interesitng because you are playing polyphonic - the first rock rhythm you learn is polyphonic flam like wise:)
I found the whole "G-chops" thing interesting for a couple of months about 12 or so years ago when I started seeing it pop up on TH-cam, but it was mostly drum solo videos. It wasn't until recently that I really heard it start invading music, and in a musical context, I think it sounds like someone throwing a drum kit down a stairwell.
"Its actually harder to hit less notes" is so true. A simple way to prove that statement is to play single strokes and accent the ah of 3. Not to hard. Now, without playing any notes hit the ah of 3. Its definitely harder and requires a good internal sense of the subdivision.
I grew up playing in church and just about all of my drum fills are linear. I do like to explore playing latin music and i do like the fills that metal drummers are able to do.
Chaffee has been teaching ''linear'' drumming for decades; which largely means, to examine any particular pattern, and then to learn to play it in its 'elements' - its parts, and to use it in all of its flexible ways . . . Gary used to call it 'vertical drumming', which is taking any pattern and using all 4 limbs, vertically, as well as linearly.
I love g-chops, and as a young drummer its appealing to me because I feel like it can be really expressive. I know it gets a lot of hate, but in my opinion it feels so freeing and therapeutic to play like that. Obviously its not for every audience or situation. Grooving is badass too. Idk all drumming is cool theres no rules.
ive never liked linear solos or linear playing, its not something I learn, but I have naturally picked up some of its stuff and incorporated it into my play, for me chops and drum solos are akin to what tony royster and chambers did on common ground, its tasteful, it has touch, space and everything else.
You are spot on sir. Lately I've been sensing the beginnings of a backlash against this type of playing. I've been trying to learn about it for all the reasons you stated in the video, but I'm starting to think there's enough people doing it already. I also think there's a right and a wrong way to do it. You have to do what the music needs. In the real life of a working musician, the number of contexts that G-chops work in is small. And if you bust that stuff out on music that doesn't need it you probably won't have a job for very long
Spot on Rob!!! I’ve had this conversation with a very well known drummer that actually stopped doing clinics for a while because he felt his playing was being misinterpreted as the very thing you speak of. The sad truth is it’s very rare to hear anything new with a lot of the younger players. Not that they aren’t great technicians but most of them sound alike. It’s like the difference between someone constantly yelling and a decent conversation.
I've never understood the whole linear drumming craze either, it seems like the sort of thing that is it wasn't the "cool thing" right now, it would just be lumped in as a sort of rudiments exercise. It's not too interesting, and it's not too musical either, but people seem to love it.
It's a great focus for progressive music that is based on linearity, intended to push and swell towards a climactic section in a song/track. But most of the time a basic groove is all that is needed (and wanted) from the drummer. Taking a step back is usually more musical than going bombastic behind the kit. Great video!
This is the same movement in guitar. We now see the videos of Paul Gilbert , Steve Vai talk about the art of going to to the basic blues verses the speed runs of scales and arpeggios that all young guitarist aspire after the 80's. Gilbert is here on you tube saying, I did speed chops , it has its place but now I going back to the simple structure to make music.Space allows me to be creative. Its not as easy as one thinks.
I’ve been using this as an exercise to be fluid on the drum set. If you add the quarter note, off beat or eight note in the hi hat (with foot) it turns in to a life long coordination exercise. When you’ve worked up a little capacity with this, instead of just blowing note, try to create musical phrases with accents and repetitive combinations so you give the listener something to latch on to.
Loved this. The point about that style of drumming lacking musicality is the biggest issue I have with it. So much of what makes cool ideas / grooves is the space in between notes. That space doesn't really exist within G chops. As you say, Rob, learn it, utilise it by all means, but don't become *dependent* on it.
Hey Rob! I love your videos man. I hear a lot of people talking bad about "linear playing", but I think what they are really talking about is the G Chops thing. Almost every single rudiment or pattern in stick control is linear, so it can't be that bad. I think the "trap" to avoid is trying to play a million notes per bar as loud as you possible can.
@@JM-ll6hd Right? It’s funny because a lot of grooves that I’ve loved to feel and hear for a long time (some from 10+ years ago to 2 years ago) could be described as a linear barrage of notes. They still remind me of how I felt during a given period in my life and I just don’t think I’m going to find the sound of those instrumentals shallow in another 10 years. I think they way Rob Brown approaches it was the most reasonable I’ve heard, but there’s this wildly popular school of thought in musicians now who like to prescribe a generalized disgust for musical expressions that they deem overly technical. These musical ideas are then stuffed in a box and labeled “has no feeling”. It’s assumed that the person only decided to express themselves in this insolent way “to show off”, and then it’s preached everywhere that instrument parts like these are necessarily unbefitting of the music by nature, disingenuous, hollow, prideful, and that they are something to be stopped. Like it’s the enemy of music. everyone must know that complicated music like that is to be denounced by any true player, who knows that human emotions are to be expressed in simple, unimposing phrases only. This is such a popular way of thinking about and commenting on music. They usually say “there’s a time and place” often when the musical part is already at a time in place that it wanted to do something more and does complement the music and add to the experience. Luckily I think there will always be small but sufficient amount of people who do appreciate very involved music. It doesn’t threaten simplicity. It’s just hear you be enjoyed if ya want to lol.
*HEY Y'ALL! CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT THEN CHIME IN WITH YOUR THOUGHTS* 🤔
Great video! Thanks👍
Completely agree Rob, great to have the linear chops when needed but having a solid groove and feel pays the bills
I learned linear playing out of Gary Chaffee books back in the 80’s and have occasionally used it throughout the years, it’s fun to do during some solos. I don’t think it’s necessarily bad but if it’s all your doing it does get old. I’ve found it fun to play at slower tempos and funk style things.
Man, u are a master teacher. Great drummer also. Ive learned a lot from your videos. Peace, on the 1
Rob Brown appreciate this video my guy 💯👍🏽
"Skills give chills, but groove pays the bills" - Steve Gadd
I'm not even old, and I felt what you were saying.
Love it
In Gadd we trust!
Its about damn time someone said this.
Blake Kole you took the words are of my hands...i actually hate this type of drumming, but i do respect the guys who are masters at doing it. because after all it is a skill
Lol so why hes always speaking so much...
Amen
Fricken right! :-)
ABOUT. DAMN.TIME.
"G-chops" is the pentatonic sweep of drums.
gokblok hahaha 😂
Yeah.
Van Allen most professionals auditioning drummers don’t want a wall of crap. They want space and professional playing with thought and groove
Lol, nice one!!
Here’s the question we should always ask ourselves... “Does what we’re playing support the music?”
It's all about the groove!
Sidebar: I had a friend who didn't agree that you should relax and even stop playing at all sometimes, let the other players take over. You'd jam a 5 minute song - him on guitar - and he'd be noodling the ENTIRE FUCKING TIME
What music?
Gospel chops drummer
Well said.
@@thebrad2136 yea screw that guy I hate guitar players and especially drum players that just play whatever comes to mind
Honestly drum channels make drums seem like a martial art more than music expression.
Lol so true
They are my man.
Wow I agree with you!
.....you still called it art though. Haha.
Well said 👍
You are by far the most balanced cat on TH-cam
Thanks, man 🙂
"12 year olds wildin' out on the kit" had me dying 😂😂
In other words, don’t throw a solo over the whole damn song.
Phil Collins said something to the effect of "It's the notes you don't play.".
That goes with any instrument, conversation or interaction in life, too. Also: what are you saying when you aren't saying anything? Powerful concept.
NOW we're talking.
Question: Why are Ringo and Charlie Watts so great?
. . . .
A really great musician leaves some space that the listener (YOU!) can fill.
They trust your fantasy.
They let you come into the music.
@@Frank1979Zappa while giving nothing to think about. Why is your screen name Frank Zappa with that opinion?
@@JM-ll6hd I don't understand your question.
Because Zappa (my all-time favorite) doesn’t have many empty spaces.
This guy just gave FOR FREE an invaluable lesson for EVERY young and up and coming drummer. This message is spot on and should NOT be taken lightly.
when we are young we cant afford anything so makes sense
I gotta say though, the few drummers that can incorporate linear drumming ARTISTICALLY into their playing create a whole new level of musicality. But I still agree with you Rob (like always)!
Martin who are they? Haha.
DavidBcg Bro. Robert Sput Searight. Larnell Lewis. Mike Mitchell. So many more. Look em up!!
I agree... it’s like anything in drumming. If it’s done well and in the right moment it’s incredible and CATHARTIC. That’s the point. Look at Eric Harland, Mike Mitchell, Justin Tyson, Thomas Pridgen, Justin Brown. What they’re doing is innovative and musical as hell
DavidBcg Also matt garstka
It’s still way too much and Unnecessary
Excellent points that you made. I like the fact that you didn’t shut down “G-Chops”, but made it relevant and gave understanding to how to utilize the style within the concept of MUSIC👍🏾
Stuart, Jr Barrett true dat. Good balance
Gary Chaffee's linear concept is very easy to understand - always lead with the right hand, play an even number of notes with the hands, and then play one or two notes on the bass drum before starting with the right hand again. So for example, you could play 8 notes as 4+BD+2+BD, and it's grouped as 5+3. Combinations of longer phrases that avoid downbeats (or beats in general), and how you orchestrate and accent the notes around the drumset, is what makes it cool and difficult.
David Garibaldi's concept is mostly linear, but he also plays two notes at the same time. As he described, the Soul Vaccination groove was based on the Swiss triplet sticking. You'll find that flam/double stop "note overlap" all over his playing - for example, two 16th notes on the snare and two on the hi-hat, with the 2nd snare note and the 1st hi-hat note played at the same time, in the aforementioned Soul Vaccination.
One person who doesn't seem to get mentioned much is Terry Bozzio (even though I think most of us are familiar with U.S. Drag). His concept really is anything in any order, not structured like Chaffee's. His was based on Dahlgren & Fine's 4-Way Coordination. He sounds amazing, but you have to really know what you're doing - musically, not technically - to make it work, as there aren't really any limitations to keep you from going off the rails.
These guys are musical as hell with linear drumming. G chops is a travesty. I don't even think it's that big a deal. If you want to show off technique, something like improvising over left foot clave is much more impressive than a super-fast linear chops-fest IMHO.
Linear Trap is equivalent to a lead guitar player that never stops playing leads during a song and loses the groove. The groove is what matters :)
Hello Rob. I'm a self taught drummer and I think there are many traps to fall as a self taught drummer! Would like to see a video that has some must know and must avoid things for us self taught drummers. Thanks brother!
Try drumeo or somewhere else.
Jaakko T Stephen Taylor just put out a great video about this
This!!!!!
Very good suggestion
Jaakko T look up Peter Erskine instructional videos, especially swing. Erskine is one of the most musical drummers ever and a great teacher.
You nailed it this video.
I fell into the "linear trap" when I was younger as well.
My first time playing Sunday service at church is a great example of this.
I can remember having 16th note fill ins and was playing more than less.
At the time I thought it was cool, but down the line I definitely started to really listen to the music, and not focus so much on my drumming and came up with a term I call "Musically correct" (I know it sounds silly on paper).
I still like busting out chops and play technical,
But listening to the music and starting with the back beat and building off of that helped my drumming and my musicianship over the years.
I’ve just spent the last six months getting some g-chops, I now have a bunch of fills I’ll never use - or worse still, that I will use.
Great advice Rob.
It has been useful for independence and grouping though
how did you learn it ? I'm considering buying Gary Chaffee's book but maybe I just need to work RKRK LKLK RLKK and combining them
@@mathias841 Just that, I went through the combinations finding phases that I liked and flowed. Different groupings, starting at different points in the bar. Keep it simple, flow, dynamics
5:35 "It's not so you can get up on stage and pull your pants down." Hahaha. That's a great way to put it. So true though.
G chops sound like a washing machine that has issues.
lol well said.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
jpritch 2 lol to people who can’t do it
@jarroncobb.... Nope, pretty sure it still sounds like a defective washing machine/dish washer. I'm sure you can play it, just like all the rest of us here....
J Argero to each it’s own!
Rob, I completely agree with you. Its as if its become a spectator sport rather than anything musical. Even the great Buddy Rich himself who always played like he had something to prove was keenly aware that there is a time and place for that kind of stuff. Its called a solo. Love the channel! Thanks Man!
I am still a young drummer myself(23) and mostly into metal music (one of my fav drummers is Brann Dailor from the band Mastodon). But I always recognized the importance of the „classical“ drumming like Jazz etc. I find it alot harder to play because of the complex structure and thats why I want to learn it, like you explained to extend my drum vocabulary and to get in more variety in my playing. It helps so much for almost every aspect and expands the creativity to play.
I find you on youtube due to searching how to get the best sound of a basedrum. Eversince I sticked to your channel cause its so helpful and you seem to be such a genuine and honest person who can give you the tips and tricks to become a better classical and overall good drummer.
Thank you and keep the great and instructive videos on.
Sry for my grammar mistakes, greetings from Switzerland.
Respect ... young friend.
(& your grammar was fine)
Trust me. Your grammar is a good 8 times better than a lot of North Americans out here these days ✅Shout out to Switzerland 🇨🇭
About time about time. Big Shoutout Mr. Rob Brown thank you thank you. I've waited a very longtime for someone to step up and represent about this Linear Trap style. And I agree witn you 100%. There's so much to drumming vs linear Trap Gchops. I've played over 30 years. Soca,Calypso,R&B,Soul,HipHop mostly. The linear style I used for practicing not showcasing it on stage. I like to keep the crowd moving.
Yup. Nothin' will clear a dance floor faster than a string of 32nd notes
While Linear Drumming is an extremely efficient chops, endurance and metronomic time exercise, to many it has become an 'end-all be-all' thing. It's a string of rudiments are drumming katas to a musical metronome. The drum performance trends to dull homogenization that isn't readily apparent to a lot of people.
my man! bonzoleum. love your vids
"Dull homogenization". Exactly.
Metal breakdowns are similar.
Cliche'.
Many years ago I had a couple jam sessions where everyone was playing like this (drummer, other guitarist, cello player). I found it rather frustrating, as it just creates a bunch of noise in the end, rather than a coherent musical piece. Used sparingly, a little can add some spice, but if that's all you do, no one's going to want to listen. Kind of like blast beats in metal.
Beginner drummer here, (got my kit less then a week ago.) I've just started listening to the Japanese band called "Toe" and the drummer Kashikura Takashi, in my opinion makes the drums sound super beautiful and poetic. After reading some comments I heard it was called "Linear drumming" and that's how I got here. This video was great and will help me keep on track thanks.
I was 17 years old (59) today...
I was studying with Jim Blackley in Toronto...
He told me, be careful you don't fall into that trap
As long as you use it in a musical way, and try to think about it as a musical phrase, not muscle memory phrase...
Rob!
I am so glad you brought this up...
I been playing guitar for almost 20 years and have decided to take up the drums to record my own pieces. The advice here is taken so much appreciated, bud. Thank you
If you want to hear musical linear playing, you need to check out Mike Clark.
good luck not listening to this 1000 times......
dethronedb Mike is actually a jazz guy.
"Linear" is just ONE style of his.
Which proves the whole point of this discussion.
I love your playing and teaching Rob. I’m an Elementary School Music Teacher and composer and can say that you have a beautiful talent in presenting applicable concepts and drumming technique.
Man chops are great but if you don't have any groove then there just ain't no point in playing.
As has been said, if one incorporates some linear playing into their own personal style, cool. If one's style is predominantly "linear", then it might get to be like bad wallpaper.
Over focusing on “G chops” makes using high quality samples with midi files much more attractive to producers and other musicians. BUT, right ON with the Gary Chafee style. So musical! Bottom line, you need more than technical chops to avoid getting replaced by software. Great video!
I love linear playing, you just need to know where and when to use it.
agreed
It's great for a pickup INTO certain section
Yep. You need to know when to add that extra salsa.
Really appreciate this video Rob. I am a younger drummer and I’m guilty of falling into this linear “rut” so to speak. Really helpful. I think everyone should expand their musical vocabulary, and not stick to just one style.
I'm not quite an old guy yet, but I'm certainly not young anymore either. I want to learn this stuff, but I don't ever want to stop being a musical/groove type player. I appreciate your opinion on this, and I'm glad to hear so many others feel the same way.
I actually agree with you, because as a drummer who utilizes the linear style primarily, as I matured I’ve always admired those who’ve mastered, or has a wide vocabulary of non linear beats.
So, I built those muscles up to play non linear as well. It’s what separates the boys from the men.
Drummers that don’t stay trapped in one specific style. “Liked”
Rob... making this video is so brave and so smart of you! Thank you!! I hope as a drumming community we can continue to embrace the power of linear drumming, while still remembering all of the incredible things that have been done without it. I love seeing super balanced drummers that know how to do all of the "new" and all of the "old"! Those are the best ones!! 😉
Amen. Four way independence and feel are 100x more difficult to master in imho. Agreed with the Chaffee comment. His books are intense. Years of work are required to really absorb the material. Don't get me wrong. I love g chops and many of the up and coming drummers that play in the linear style. But I agree it is limiting. Love your channel. You are one the most on point,lucid and poignant presenters on ytube. Great stuff!!
It annoys me that I cant give you more than one "like" per video.
Hm I'm kind of confused about what linear drumming is. I always thought of it as just not hitting two drums simultaneously, and it’s something that I think of as an "old school" style - like a Cissy Strut kind of groove. I'm thinking of David Garibaldi, Steve Gadd, etc. Anyway love your videos Rob!
As a fusion guitarist, I appaud this video. This goes for every instrument. It’s about sonic real estate and songs need balance. There is a time and place for everything, including fast chops. But it’s about balance and the song.
100% agree with the Gary Chaffee recommendation. His books (especially Linear Time Playing and Time Functioning Patterns) opened up my playing a lot.
Sometimes I think there's a key distinction between making 'content' and making 'music.'
Man. That’s a word.
I don’t care for it myself but I salute those who can do it
Hi Rob, Great video. I studied with Gary Chaffee in West Roxbury Boston, Ma. at his house, downstairs in 1997-98? and it was nice to see you mention him. You are spot on. His books on linear time functioning patterns kicked my ass. He is the master at this and the drumming patterns I've learned to this day are still with me. He kicked my ass for 6-8months back then as I was and still am a huge Dave Weckl fan but couldn't figure out his styles and it was worth every penny. Great instructor. This style in Moderation with Dynamics is great.
today's chops are a modern version of buddy rich's chops... i don't recall ever hearing anybody saying that he was chopping all over the place 🤔 he played for the song, and he also got showy 🤷♂️ any decent drummer should know that the instrument is about balance, creativity and creating interesting musical events, not noodling and vomiting all over everything, especially if they're playing with other musicians.
Love jazz from all eras, and I never actually found Rich's drumming that enjoyable, or as musical as its reputation might let on. Incredible no doubt, and very musical witbout question, but he makes me think of the times equivalent of a sporting, skilled and musical blast beat drummer. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I dont think it negates the point of the video. Or suggests that Rich made any particularly moving music.
Gospel chops and linear playing are great tools but they are rarely "musical" when you are actually playing songs that involve actually keeping time and supporting the rest of the band
Haha, ain't that the truth. Although I haven't worked on playing like that, it would leave a trail of struggling reeds in most seeing bands. Rhythm must match the music.
I'm 68 and just discovered these fills.
A lot of fun to play and practice.
Gives a good feeling of accomplishment when you finally get it.
But for gawd sake keep the groove and don't overdo them!
Just seen this video for the First time today, its been out for 4 years & This video was RIGHT ON!✅️ Now today more than Ever. EVERY Video is a Linear phrase to practice. It's fun but does get old.
Bless you Rob, I dig the way you present this whole topic! Been getting tired of hearing that same style all over the place.
Some of my all time favorite licks from the Fusion in the 70’s were linear but always done SUPER musically.
It’s some of the coolest stuff but a person can also pick up a guitar and get tab and shred with no regard for music, it just makes them sound competent and cool.
Hey Rob
One of your most important video's to date. A voice of reason in a cacophany of ultra fast 32's. There's a place for it in drumming, but increasingly that place looks more and more to be at the Olympics rather than anything musical. Kudo's to those that can do it through a 5 minute solo. Technically tough for me. But I'd much rather drop in a beat or two of 32's to embelish a phrase in a solo, rather than chop 32's all the way through. But what do l know? Thanks Rob.
Totally dig this. I started drumming on funk grooves. They're not hard... but absolutely non-linear. When jamming with my band, i tease the guitar player with fills he calls bubble bursts. Thanks for this video
A really useful topic choice. I have sometimes felt too many drummers rely upon blazing speed and fast blast beats with blistering double bass playing and I don't hear musicality, so it is great the approach that you took in this video. I completely agree that linear drumming has a place and is useful but not at the expense of the music.
Linear combined with layered. texture, tone, colors, space and all the rest to play MUSIC.. Great video. well said!!!
Bruce Becker uses to say "it's not what you do, but how you do what you do". Great video Rob!!
Some genres do benefit from this style though. Math rock and IDM especially get a lot of their energy and style from their over the top blistering drum tracks
According to the thumbnail.....the Linear Trap is the 10" rack tom.
"The whole G-Chops thing, all sounds the same" - Thank You!!!
Remember when so-called Modern Drummer magazine ran an article entitled "Drum'n'Bass: The Next Frontier" around 2000? Yes, I heard the term "Gospel Chops" a week ago and realized, hadn't heard it in a while already! :)
Balanced and fair. So, each drummer has to make his choices for his personal way of drumming. Cool.
I wish I had another set of hands....so I could give this video 4 thumbs up!! The fact that you touched on the "pros and cons" of this type of linear drumming made it digestible. Again thank you man!
G chops helped my hand and my feet to be linked
I thought linear drumming was just the practice of not playing any 2 voices at the same time. It isn’t necessarily fast or flashy. Can even be a slower, more musical, repeating beat one voice at a time. like an arpeggios is to a chord
Whether you like the music or not, listen to Wolfgang Dziony of the Scorpions. He anchors the rhythm and beat, but he only plays what fits, nothing more. He plays what the songs require, but no more. He's part of the band, not a soloist.
i agree
Back in the day there was a guy with tons of chops in my town , but I always got the call with half the chops because I made the music feel good first and foremost.
Thanks bro! I agree, one should bring their entire toolbox to work on your plumbing.
This is exactly what i tell my students.
The whole Linear thing is a tool in your bag of tricks. It's not about -Not having it..it's about using it in moderation and with musicality.
Great lesson Rob.
I've always said G-Chops are like The Globetrotters. Cool to watch, but nobody really wants to watch an 82 game season of it. People want to groove and dance. I'd rather catch somebody in a head nod groove than their jaw on the floor standing still due to chops. Let's not forget what drums are for.
This is how I look at people like Bucket Head yeah he can play faster than anyone, but it doesn't really do much for me and it gets annoying to me after a few minutes.
Great comparison
Speak for yourself.
@@EHiggins he usually doesnt play super fast and has loads of melody and long passages. You cant be actually familiar with his music.
@@JM-ll6hd must be because everyone who tries to impress me with him it's always videos of him playing so fast it's sounds like a blender and anything else I've heard doesn't do much for me ...if you like it more power to ya
Bill Bruford's "Beelzebub" has a 9/8 linear groove. Of course, it is dynamic and musical. I do agree with you that a constant bombardment of linear fills lacks some musicality. Used tastefully and or dynamically, it can be wicked.
100% agree! I’ve never really thought about it but you’re spot on!
There are so many rabbit holes and very deep wells in drumming , take any variation to it's limits . And it gets deep quick !! Great message as always Rob !!
I studied with Gary for a periode - Check out the patterns series books. Linear playing is just a string of notes distributed around your hand and feet using singles doubles and stickking´s and that is great. The busyness that the concept facilitates - makes it easy to keep focus when your are executing the system- that is why it in a sense is easy. When you play "simple stuff" and with a lot of space, there is more room between the notes to loose focus (also because there is less body input for you brain to compute:) Sticking is an articulation because doubles and singles do not sound the same- not just a thing for speed facility -uset it with a lot more space and fantasy. For me overlapping strokes is much harder and in a sense more interesitng because you are playing polyphonic - the first rock rhythm you learn is polyphonic flam like wise:)
I found the whole "G-chops" thing interesting for a couple of months about 12 or so years ago when I started seeing it pop up on TH-cam, but it was mostly drum solo videos. It wasn't until recently that I really heard it start invading music, and in a musical context, I think it sounds like someone throwing a drum kit down a stairwell.
That's probably the most common comparison.
Awesome Rob. I thought I was the only one feeling this way. Thanks for expressing it so artfully.
"Its actually harder to hit less notes" is so true. A simple way to prove that statement is to play single strokes and accent the ah of 3. Not to hard. Now, without playing any notes hit the ah of 3. Its definitely harder and requires a good internal sense of the subdivision.
Rob's videos help out a lot and that's an understatement. I'd highly recommend for anyone new here to take a look at every video he's done.
I grew up playing in church and just about all of my drum fills are linear. I do like to explore playing latin music and i do like the fills that metal drummers are able to do.
Chaffee has been teaching ''linear'' drumming for decades; which largely means, to examine any particular pattern, and then to learn to play it in its 'elements' - its parts, and to use it in all of its flexible ways . . . Gary used to call it 'vertical drumming', which is taking any pattern and using all 4 limbs, vertically, as well as linearly.
I love g-chops, and as a young drummer its appealing to me because I feel like it can be really expressive. I know it gets a lot of hate, but in my opinion it feels so freeing and therapeutic to play like that. Obviously its not for every audience or situation. Grooving is badass too. Idk all drumming is cool theres no rules.
ive never liked linear solos or linear playing, its not something I learn, but I have naturally picked up some of its stuff and incorporated it into my play, for me chops and drum solos are akin to what tony royster and chambers did on common ground, its tasteful, it has touch, space and everything else.
You are spot on sir. Lately I've been sensing the beginnings of a backlash against this type of playing. I've been trying to learn about it for all the reasons you stated in the video, but I'm starting to think there's enough people doing it already. I also think there's a right and a wrong way to do it. You have to do what the music needs. In the real life of a working musician, the number of contexts that G-chops work in is small. And if you bust that stuff out on music that doesn't need it you probably won't have a job for very long
Spot on Rob!!! I’ve had this conversation with a very well known drummer that actually stopped doing clinics for a while because he felt his playing was being misinterpreted as the very thing you speak of. The sad truth is it’s very rare to hear anything new with a lot of the younger players. Not that they aren’t great technicians but most of them sound alike. It’s like the difference between someone constantly yelling and a decent conversation.
I've never understood the whole linear drumming craze either, it seems like the sort of thing that is it wasn't the "cool thing" right now, it would just be lumped in as a sort of rudiments exercise. It's not too interesting, and it's not too musical either, but people seem to love it.
Them fireworks 🙄
People like blast beats too so go figure. I’ll never understand that one.
It's a great focus for progressive music that is based on linearity, intended to push and swell towards a climactic section in a song/track. But most of the time a basic groove is all that is needed (and wanted) from the drummer. Taking a step back is usually more musical than going bombastic behind the kit. Great video!
Excellent explanation, Rob. I’m a former Chaffee student and teach his (& Gary Chester’s systems). Well done, man!
Thanks, man. I’m sure it was cool studying with Gary.
This is the same movement in guitar. We now see the videos of Paul Gilbert , Steve Vai talk about the art of going to to the basic blues verses the speed runs of scales and arpeggios that all young guitarist aspire after the 80's. Gilbert is here on you tube saying, I did speed chops , it has its place but now I going back to the simple structure to make music.Space allows me to be creative. Its not as easy as one thinks.
I’ve been using this as an exercise to be fluid on the drum set. If you add the quarter note, off beat or eight note in the hi hat (with foot) it turns in to a life long coordination exercise. When you’ve worked up a little capacity with this, instead of just blowing note, try to create musical phrases with accents and repetitive combinations so you give the listener something to latch on to.
Loved this. The point about that style of drumming lacking musicality is the biggest issue I have with it. So much of what makes cool ideas / grooves is the space in between notes. That space doesn't really exist within G chops. As you say, Rob, learn it, utilise it by all means, but don't become *dependent* on it.
Haha, speaking the truth. I totally thought I was the only one being tired of the whole linear fill stuff. Great video as usual!
You'd be surprised
I like how you think, and also how you teach.. thanks for this video.. young drummers must see this...
cheers from Manila
-Teacher BLue
Amen Brother Rob!! There is a time and a place for everything. Word ☝️👊
Great advice man. Not gonna lie I have been doing this. Gonna keep an eye on it.
Hey Rob!
I love your videos man. I hear a lot of people talking bad about "linear playing", but I think what they are really talking about is the G Chops thing. Almost every single rudiment or pattern in stick control is linear, so it can't be that bad. I think the "trap" to avoid is trying to play a million notes per bar as loud as you possible can.
G-Chops sounds like our warmups in DCI. It sounds fast and melodic, which is interesting for non-musician onlookers in the parking lot.
G chops 🤣🤣🤣
I knew you’d see this eventually 😁
Mike Johnston is a good linear drum guy, who balances the fun and fireworks with the groove and musicality.
Bernard Purdie has recorded some of the greatest albums Of. All. Time. with a simple and deep pocket.
Linear drumming is fun but not too exiting to play. Doing a smooth shuffle well, I am working on that still. Love your vids and great instruction!
This is to drums what sweep picking is to guitar. A barrage of notes that loses meaning over time.
Thats an incredibly reductive viewpoint.
Well said brother
@@JM-ll6hd Right? It’s funny because a lot of grooves that I’ve loved to feel and hear for a long time (some from 10+ years ago to 2 years ago) could be described as a linear barrage of notes. They still remind me of how I felt during a given period in my life and I just don’t think I’m going to find the sound of those instrumentals shallow in another 10 years. I think they way Rob Brown approaches it was the most reasonable I’ve heard, but there’s this wildly popular school of thought in musicians now who like to prescribe a generalized disgust for musical expressions that they deem overly technical. These musical ideas are then stuffed in a box and labeled “has no feeling”. It’s assumed that the person only decided to express themselves in this insolent way “to show off”, and then it’s preached everywhere that instrument parts like these are necessarily unbefitting of the music by nature, disingenuous, hollow, prideful, and that they are something to be stopped. Like it’s the enemy of music. everyone must know that complicated music like that is to be denounced by any true player, who knows that human emotions are to be expressed in simple, unimposing phrases only.
This is such a popular way of thinking about and commenting on music. They usually say “there’s a time and place” often when the musical part is already at a time in place that it wanted to do something more and does complement the music and add to the experience. Luckily I think there will always be small but sufficient amount of people who do appreciate very involved music. It doesn’t threaten simplicity. It’s just hear you be enjoyed if ya want to lol.