Bill Stewart explains his ride cymbal technique and famous CLICK sound!

There you have it. Now we know a better idea of how he gets that great sound! Make sure to check out Bill's most recent release as a leader, Space Squid. It's killin'!!!
This was just an excerpt from the full interview. If you want to hear him talk more about his influences, practicing, ride cymbal preferences and more, check out the full interview here: • Jazz Drummer Q-Tip Int... .
Make sure you let me know if you LIKED this video and be sure to check out some of my other video lessons:)
You can reach me here on TH-cam or just email me at [e-mail]. .
Thanks for checking the video out!
Quincy
Assistant Professor of Jazz Drum-set
University of North Texas
Vic Firth, Zildjian and Yamaha Artist

[@benmills1837]

Great drummer and a KILLER jaw-line too!

[@CharlesTPrimm]

Bill Stewart is such an incredible drummer. Thanks for posting this interview!

[@nicklangmusic]

Crazy that Houghton gave him that ride cymbal tip! But it totally makes sense!
I studied with Steve for two years at IU, and he absolutely changed my life, especially my relationship with the ride cymbal in relation to the music.

[@adamgoodhue]

One of the most unique, musical and swingingest drummer ever. Who the f%#k would give this a thumbs down?

[@luddy11]

Adam Goodhue the guy who plays with the thumb down I guess

[@luisleolopez1275]

this guy is from another planet. I saw him live and that was it. AMAZING ENERGY.

[@rillloudmother]

agreed he is simply amazing live.

[@soundhaus6404]

Sliiiiick Riiiiiiick on the kit!

[@WestinBDrums]

Yes!!! Thanks Quincy. Love this guy.

[@drumqtips]

Thank you Westin!

[@edsoph4149]

Hold the stick like the stationary clave and you'll get the sound, too.

[@georgecolligan9381]

That’s what worked for me

[@DRUmBEaTTS]

@@georgecolligan9381yup, that’s what I do too.

[@srklgk]

Awesome thanks for posting!

[@CharlesTPrimm]

Love these keen insights. Like Quincy, Bill Stewart's an amazing musician.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks as always Chucky P! Bill is a special once in a lifetime kind of musician. Cheers to the Bill Stewart “click”!

[@bengrosedrums]

Awesome! These videos are so valuable.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks Benjamin.

[@fdasaro1]

I love everything he's ever played on ............

[@niklasneumannmusic]

I heard that actually what Bill is talking about is doing a "Flageolett" with the Stick, that's why he says that the tone comes from the point where he holds the stick. The stick is hold tightly at 1/3 of the stick and thats the way you get the Flageolett (like on a guitar string at the half of the string, at 1/3 of the string and so on... ) and the woody precise "click-sound" on the cymbal.
So it's about the overtones you get out of the stick by doing a flageolett.

[@bombata007]

He's creating a resonance chamber much like clave players do in a salsa setting... the way he grips the drum stick is the same way the claves should be gripped...

[@janknjazovic]

quincy

[@ofdrumsandchords]

If we compare to the tympani, the grip is less important than the way you hit the head. If you put weight in your stroke, you will not obtain a good sound, cause it increases the low frequencies and produces less harmonic. So we pull the sound from the drum, putting the head in vibration without going "into" the drum. But the grip is important, if you play your cymbal with the thumb on top, you'll have less weight on the stick and a clearer ride.

[@pocoloco5160]

interesting how holding the stick can create different sounds. I remember hearing a story about the great drum teacher Murray Spivack and when he was loosing his eyesight in his later years. Without seeing his students strike the drum pads (some which were made by the students themselves) he was able to hear and knew exactly where they were gripping the stick. Also whether their grip was too tight or too loose. And also if the fulcrum was correct or incorrect.

[@templejazz82]

Poco Loco heard the same about Murray. Took a lesson with Joe Morello and he was able to tell that my snare was too low based on my sound. This was a couple years before his passing. Legends.

[@pocoloco5160]

@@templejazz82 Yes,sir. Old School Masters

[@8020drummer]

Yooooooo

[@de-ja-vu]

You're plotting something

[@misslindacjones2392]

hes right....if you turn the hand over just a bit....you knock a little extra clik out of the cymbal .....at any volume...particularily at lower volumes.......Bill is a master

[@drumqtips]

Very true Miss Linda!

[@niklasneumannmusic]

I heard that actually what Bill is talking about is doing a "Flageolett" with the Stick, that's why he says that the tone comes from the point where he holds the stick. The stick is hold tightly at 1/3 and like this you get the Flageolett and the woody precise "click-sound" on the cymbal.

[@de-ja-vu]

With pressure press the stick with The thumb Getting the rebound can make its name inflammation ,

[@drumqtips]

Not too much pressure:)

[@DRUmBEaTTS]

I create a cavity in the palm of my hand, much the way you do when properly holding a Clave.

[@drumqtips]

That’s the technique!

[@richiecomia2547]

Where is the ride cymbal??

[@drumqtips]

It’s in his possession.

[@xbeast666]

French and German, just say it lol

[@Joe-yi8xj]

It's from the back of the hand. No need to grip tight

[@dikbeats2720]

Dialogue TOO QUIET AS USUAL!

[@drumqtips]

We were in Bill‘s apartment and he had his fan turned all the way up so it made it pretty difficult to get the sound decent. And this is way before I started using a separate microphone for voice to make sure you could hear it well. Thanks for watching anyways👍🏾

[@supmet2]

I believe Shelly Manne played German grip.

[@drumqtips]

Oh yeah!? I’ll have to look for some videos of him and check it out. Thnx