Glad to see I'm not the only one obsessed with that list of recordings from the mid to late 60s (your highlight reel.) It's a mind-blowing body of work. That Hill/Hutcherson/Chambers axis is incredible.
Yesterday I was looking at YouTube videos of military bands playing “beat to quarters” (aka “general quarters” aka “battle stations”) and had a “duh” moment: if you have a drum slung over your shoulder, it’s very hard to play matched grip if the drum is on your left hip: traditional grip is easier.
A lot of the OG drummers would have studied military rudiments, I imagine?
Yes, the OG drummers and quite a few drummers playing today; all my peeps in NYC have put in the time with the rudiments and 'traditional' grip. Thanks for the comment!
I had Chambers on my podcast in 2021; some of what he had to say about free jazz drummers in particular is fascinating: http://www.osirispod.com/episode/burning-ambulance-joe-chambers/
Thank you Phil!!! That’s what I’m looking for…much appreciated!
Glad to see I'm not the only one obsessed with that list of recordings from the mid to late 60s (your highlight reel.) It's a mind-blowing body of work. That Hill/Hutcherson/Chambers axis is incredible.
It really is— and I hear it referenced or implied everywhere…
And none of it sounds dated, it's still all incredibly modern.
Traditional grip!!!
Did you read that old essay of mine??? Hope it was ok!!
Haha yes I loved it! I was too cryptically saying that when I think “trad” the face that pops into my head is Joe Chambers!
That’s interesting, and I’d guess you’re one of a small number that first think of Joe Chambers for that! Great comment, thanks for reading!
Follow up on “trad grip”
Yesterday I was looking at YouTube videos of military bands playing “beat to quarters” (aka “general quarters” aka “battle stations”) and had a “duh” moment: if you have a drum slung over your shoulder, it’s very hard to play matched grip if the drum is on your left hip: traditional grip is easier.
A lot of the OG drummers would have studied military rudiments, I imagine?
Yes, the OG drummers and quite a few drummers playing today; all my peeps in NYC have put in the time with the rudiments and 'traditional' grip. Thanks for the comment!