STEVE GADD CHANGED THE DRUMMING WORLD WITH THIS DRUM FILL & SOLO Broken down & explained in Detail
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Powerful Steve Gadd Drum Fill and SOLO Lick EVERY DRUMMER SHOULD LEARN and KNOW.
This fill is a re-do of a previous post from last year however this audio is much better here and
This will be the first of 4 Steve Gadd fill solo licks that are should be in every drummer's bag of solo and fill ideas.
You will hear every drummer including Dave Weckl - Vinnie Colaiuta and so many others play these
RLLRRLRKLLRRLRKLLRRLRK
Follow up Video Just Posted
• STEVE GADD'S RATAMAQUE...
Jesus, your tubs sounds OUTSTANDING here!
Happy to see a match-grip drummer teaching Gaddery! You were far better than the views/sub-count would suggest. FARRRR better. Great stuff, guy! 👌
WOW, Thanks for the great compliment.
I was battling with you tube's compression in the low end but the most recent posts are much better.
This is one of those comments that inspires.
I like my toms to sound livelier. Never cared for the "oil-filled heads" sound.
Sometimes its a matter of preference but sometimes its a matter of the track I am cutting however for practice I like using the double head because I dimple and go through the more resonant single heard much quicker and being that I dont endorse remo anymore I try to play budget oriented for now.
Thanks for checking the channel out.@@U2WB
I like how you hit the drums like they owe you money.
LOL, You know,.. I actually do think they owe me money and a lot of it!...lol
Thanks for making me laugh.
Really glad my algorithm showed you, you're a great teacher! I loved the applicable uses at the end and your ability to seamlessly change the temp on this fill shows how much time you have spent working on this!
Hi Captain,
Thanks so much for not only taking the time to check the video but the huge compliment.
It's folks like you who make doing the work on these vids worth it.
I liked it too. But why algorythm picked it for me, Im no drummer 8]
I miss the times with my buddy playing drums, he always listened wtf I were goofing with the guitar. I could half the beat or change the groove and he picked it up immediately when jamming.
You explain this very nicely, thanks for the content sir.
One of my favourite drummers. A simple drum kit and a lot of good taste into fills and grooves.
Im right there with you.
Enjoying the history lesson behind this Steve Gadd style fill, Great Video, Thanks!🤘
Appreciate it Tommy.
Hello Gravity. This is the vid that I subbed 2U. I've worked on Gadd's ratamacue for years. When I looked at this pattern , I pulled out what I thought was juicy part & oddly enough (ha-silly pun) I got group of 7- RRLRKLL. I've always played this lick as groups of 6. Your rendition (sticking) for this is amazing and now I'm using it. Thankyou for the great idea.
Hi Glen...
I actually did a much more descriptive follow up if you want to check that out.
Thanks for the support. Hope you keep watching.
Aja was one of the songs that woke me up to Steve Gadd. The dynamics, versatility, creativity.. it mesmerized me.
Absolutely.
I just met a girl named Aja at the hardware store, I began telling her about Steve Gadd but her Dad had already Schooled her on Steely Dan.
Do you know the album Believe It from Tony Williams?
I always loved Tony Williams' Playing, especially with Miles Davis...
I think I remember that album but would love to hear some of it again..@@frankmeenzen787
@@gravitydrums1391 AS a drummer I love this album and especially the song Fred from Allan Holdsworth!
Thanks for checking it. I do as well.@@frankmeenzen787
I remember first hearing Gadd on Chick Corea's My Spanish Heart his solos on Spanish Fantasy, Part 2 were game changing, then Steely Dan's Aja which nobody had done till then and he read the drum part off charts, there will never be another such as Gadd. And we should not forget Paul Simon's 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.
Well Said.
Dickie Harrell No. 1 , no thinking involved just drumming brilliance and excitement all the way , i love being a skinsman 👍 enjoyed the vid thanks
Wow, Roy... Great comment.
Thanks for the support.
Steve's god man, and that was a really great lesson. Saved!
Excellent video/lesson my man!
As a guitarist, I watch drum lessons to learn new/better ways to count and feel. I found this video most helpful and I love clarity and tone of your playing. I know how hard it can be to get the nuances to translate for a UA-cam piece.
Feel free to come to Australia and make my crappy videos sound that much better.
I’m general, just thanks. 👍👌
You know, I have been all around the world EXCEPT Australia.. If I ever come there I will for sure try to look you up. Thanks for the channel support as well.
Always wanted to see a breakdown of that lick. Thanks. I didn’t realize it’s basically septuplets, not that he’s thinking in that way, but it is a 7 note grouping. I was missing a note when I tried to copy it, which explains why I had a hard time making it sound full like his.
So happy to stumble across your video, great sounding drums and i'm in the right place in my drumming to be able to learn from you. Thankyou!
Glad to help Jordan... Thanks for the support
Every one has said informative things, I want to say your drums sound Fantastic 😮
Thank you Bonzo.. I was having issues with you tubes compression at that time but my newer drum posts sound much better.
Thanks so much for checkin this out.
I tried to put this cheat code into GTA, a drum kit appeared...
Awesome tutorial! Easy to understand and the snare sounds great. The toms are a bit bottom heavy, but maybe thats my desk top set up. Thank You!!
Thanks George..
No you are correct, I was having problems with You tube compression but it has been corrected as you can hear in the newer videos.
Thanks for the support.
Very well done. Keep them coming.
THX and will do
Kit sounds kick ass. Thanks for the upload. Awesome
The newer posts sound much better but thanks.
Appreciate you.
Steve is the benchmark for others to follow
isn't that the point of the video?
Awesome, totally fantastical melodious sticks dude!
Thank you Charles. Creative comment as well. Cheers.
Your drums sound amazing!
Thank you Ken... and thanks for watching.
Here is another fun video i just posted if you wanna check it out.
ua-cam.com/video/mi5O1IaDaZ0/v-deo.html
Thanks a Bunch, take care.
If I practice this I will nail it in about 50 years.
I grew up with Gadd, so I’m probably biased, but he was my guru. Everybody has different influences, but I can’t help thinking Gadd influenced more than most. Apart from his drumming skills, let’s not forget the work he done with Yamaha to develop the Recording Custom drums. They were the go to drums for decades among working drummers. Again, everyone will have their favourite drum company, but it cannot be denied the Recording Customs were special, pro, working drums that were around for years.
Absolutely agree with every word you stated here.
Thanks for watching and supporting this channel and being supporting of the influence Steve has provided through the years.
Ive seen some fabulous players in the 80's & 90's live including Virgil Donati, Dave Weckle & Simon Phillips, but Steve Gadd was a great feel drummer.
Can't agree with you more.. Thanks for the support.
Very well done instructional video, thank you
Great lesson. I've got a lot of work to do!
John, Just take it slow.. The speed and flow comes in time..
Let me know if I can help in the future.
Relaxing and sitting back when your time to flourish comes is so important in laying down and keeping in that groove. Gadd was a master at it. Think of your wrists hands and forearms as hummingbird wings in suspended flight as opposed to its almost still centered body. Its like a dance when you add your feet.
_was...?_
Excellent! Thank you.
Very Nice.
Thank You a lot for this one!!
I can’t believe Pete Rose plays drums. Ha ha. Great video!
lol. Do I really look like Pete Rose..?
That's a new one on me... Most people say I look like McGuyver... Don't know which one is better?.. lol
It's a blend of McGuyver and Pete Rose, haha. You've definitely got the forearms and hands of a baseball player (many drummers do). @@gravitydrums1391
I heard Steve first pull this lick off back in 77 or 78 on Al Dimeola’s 1st solo album and it was like: WTF! What is the sticking and foot pattern on this? This is the 1st time I have heard it broken down.
Brilliant lesson, been at it for days, definitely getting there, cheers🍻
Very Nice.
Just subscribed. Thanks for breaking this down.
Thanks for the Support RC.
*nice video..there is something funky happening with the floortom mic though*
Thanks and yes, Definitely..
I battled with you youtube's compression early on.. I changes some settings and my most recent posts are much more cleaner...
Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, and Vinnie Colaiuta doing a trio in Buddy Rich Memorial Concert. Look it up. Just an awesome time
For sure.. That is a great concert and is definitely one that should be viewed by every drummer..
Thanks for the comment.
Breaking up rudiments around the skins n tins had been done for years. Gadd was an unbelievable musician with incredible ears and a great imagination so took it up because of it. I look at Copeland and Willams as real game changers as far as the drums interacting with music during that time. But Gadds my favorite of all time so i ain't hating trust me.
Was?
It is only my opinion but Jimmy Chamberlin belongs in the realm of Gadd, Bonham and Purdie. (edited for this) Liked and subscribed.
Thanks for Weighing in and thanks for the support
Nice playing, great lick.....but surely the starting point of the lesson should be to state which note value the lick is played in? It feels like 16th note triplets, but there arent enough notes for it to cycle evenly in either 16th note trips or 32nd notes.
Would you be able to say if its to be played in 16th note triplnd ets or in 32nd notes please?
Hey Nick,
I'm doing a follow up video along with another Great Gadd tomorrow to help explain this a little better.
Thanks for the support and being patient. I hope to make it worth it for you and many others.
Hey thanks man, appreciate the reply
Absolutely. @@nickrails
There are seven notes in each of the two patterns: RLLRRLR and KLLRRLR, so it has to be septuplets. When they are played fast, it's impossible to tell that there is an extra stroke compared to 16th-note triplets aka sextuplets. Fast 7s explain why this is so hard to figure out and recreate, haha.
Nice job.
Thanks a ton.
That stuff is very difficult. You can’t do it intellectually, you must develop the feel for speed.
Great job.
Thanks for watching Paul and thanks for the support.
@@gravitydrums1391
Test reply
@@gravitydrums1391
Hi. That test was to see if UA-cam gave me an error.
I tried to send you a long reply but it failed. Now I can’t remember what I said.
Have you seen Steve Gad play in the Marine’s band? Yes, he was a Marine.
I love the way he sits low and throws his whole body into each stroke. I could watch him for hours.
I started playing at age 9, just before the Beatles hit the US. I was never able to master the matched grip though.
My teacher taught me a good one that I’ll pass along to you.
You have 4/4 beat, and rotate between snare, tom and kick with the accent on one.
So hit hard on snare, followed by light tom, kick and snare. Then hard on tom, followed by light kick, snare and tom. Then hard kick, followed by light snare, tom and kick. The accent rotates around from one to the next but since it’s 4/4 time and only three drums, it sounds cool. I’m sure you can master it. Might make a good video.
Thanks,
Paul
Hey Paul,
Yes, I have see the video of Gadd's days in the Marines... as well as his early stuff with Chuck Mangione..
You are so right on the money with how he puts his weight into it.....
Just so you know... I actually have a video of the very thing you are speaking about..
Its three over 4 accenting the downbeat.. It's great that you know it...@@paulmanhart4481
Test reply to your test reply...lol
@@paulmanhart4481
Good stuff
Thank You PJ.
This is great stuff, what are you thinking rhythmically? Septuplets? The repeated pattern breaks down into groups of seven and I don't notice a rest after the kick.
The very first starts off with the 7 but then resolves with six.
I apologize for any confusion.
I actually did a follow up to this video explaining in simpler detail.
Thanks for checkin it out.
@@gravitydrums1391 Brilliant thanks for the reply!
Ottimo bravissimo è difficile arrivare in velocità ma molto bello ma ci devo riuscire grazie.!! ❤
Thanks for watching Luigi.
Here's another fun video I just posted if you wanna check it out.
ua-cam.com/video/mi5O1IaDaZ0/v-deo.html
I can hear a 7 note group: Kllrr+ lr but starting with a R... 👏really clean and fluid execution
Thanks and Blessings! I enjoyed it and I subscribed!
Thanks for the support.
Nice break down of an advanced level fill. I would not have imagined I would be able to even try on a Steve Gadd fill. Are we doing 64ths here? So when you do note rates do you "think" the count, or the sticking? Do you think in terms of the 1/4 note while playing the 64ths? Curious, because I cannot count out lout 32ds at 110bpm let alone play and count 64ths. So i kind of try to stay on the 1/4 note count or 8th, and make 5's and 7's just fit it.
Nice!
Thanks R T
Hey man, sincerely, you should start using a spectrum analyzer on your master when you do your videos. The treble on your mix is INSANE, I worry your ears might not hear it but it's pretty hot. I think if you see it in a spectrum analyzer you'll see what your ears/speaker aren't telling you.
Truly appreciate the input and yes you are correct in these earlier videos as I was having serious gear issues. The newer posts have that problem solved.
Still, Thanks for the input, knowledge and support.
Nice Video. Long ago a worked out another approach, playing KLLRLKLLRL etc. Worked out pretty fine for shorter rolls, due to the fact you have to play less strokes it sounds a bit "slower"
In the Morning I am going to check out this sticking... Thanks for the input and support.
Good work man! Love the channel!
Thank you Steve and thanks for checking the videos.
Great stuff! I've often wondered how he did that, thank you for explaining and great playing.
Loved this video ! Thanks 🎉
Yeah, well now I know why I used double kick fills 35 years ago…to compensate for not having the creative, rudiment-savvy, expressive chops that the master Gadd exhibited, which filled the room! (no pun intended). Time to go back to the drawing board. 😊 one of the best…and check out the Beato interview as well, it’s damn impressive.
sometimes its good to just go with what you know but learning should be fun too so dont stress....
Nice one. Thanks !😁
Thanks Fred for the support.
For me Gadd is untouchable
The odd thing here is that the first sticking is group of 7; those after are groups of 6. What's up with that ?
Many have asked about this so a couple weeks ago I posted a follow up to this video.
Here is the link if you want to check it out.
studio.ua-cam.com/users/videoa2nKD2qECEc/edit
Thanks again For the channel support.
Dang you are so good it makes me want to give up lol
Thanks Rich but there is always someone better at everything we do.. The key is to just enjoy playing.
Nice drumminf...it seems that i have a long way to go...subbed
Thanks for the sub.
If there is ever anything I can do to help you advance earier and quicker let me know.
Thanks for watching.
BYW, I just posted this fun video of a tune I used to play with Jaco Pastorius who at that time was the worlds greatest bass player.
ua-cam.com/video/mi5O1IaDaZ0/v-deo.html
I think Bernard Purdie is the most recorded? It could be Gadd, I've just never heard that said. Love them both
Yep, When I spoke to Bernard he said he was and some believe it to be true.. HOWEVER...HAving said that I actually know of more recordings Gadd has been on but yes, Both are great in the drumming world and have contributed a ton.
Great excerpt. Thank you Sir. I do find the breakdown extremely confusing. In my opinion gadd just plays a paradiddlediddle with the addition of a kick and to make it a bit more of his own (been played alot by then) he displaces everything by one note. R + left dominant paradiddlediddle + kick et voila.
Anytime we can se rudiments in action in a misical since is when we get motivated to get to know them.
Cheers and thanks again
Earlier today I posted my version of a video of a Jay Oliver and Dave Weckl tune where I incorporated this fill a few times.
I will also be doing a follow up to this video soon and doing a better breakdown and then leading into another great Steve Gadd fill.
@@gravitydrums1391can I check, so you’re saying this is not played as a sixtuplet?? But it’s 7 notes per quarter note ?
Hey Johnny,
I am about to do a follow up of this video but for now... I usually begin on the right hand as a six stroke roll and resolving on the kick which ends up being the downbeat from that point.. Then it changes up playing the kick on the down beat of the quarter notes and then change it up starting the lick on quarter note triplets and so on..
The next video will show this in more detail.
@@johnnychannarong5484
@@gravitydrums1391 thank you ! I look forward to it
I just posted the follow up that should break it down a little better for you.
Hope that helps.
He’s a better musician than all other drummers, period.
ok, ok...
what are some songs as examples to the things you mentioned? e.g solo that stays in the pocket
Its ironic that you ask this because I was working on something earlier that I decided to do that very thing...
Stay tuned. I will do my best to make this happen.
I'm a guitarist and you lost me after the first four hits. Drummers are worth their weight in money.
I couldn’t agree more!
Been guitaring for 40 years or more now, but I am still baffled by how drummers count and keep track of where they are. I guess it’s the same as how we (guitarists) know where we are, but drummers deserve a lot more credit from other musicians.
I've always thought a good nickname for him would be E...as in e-gad!
Nice lesson and playing. Subscribed!
Thanks Chris...
Great lesson, can I buy you some new heads? Sweetwater has the Evans on sale right now!
Hey Patrick. Thanks for checkin out the channel...
I always suggest buying heads when they are on sale... even when you might not need them right away.
If you have a chance here is a new post to check out.
ua-cam.com/video/mi5O1IaDaZ0/v-deo.html
Do you offer one-off lessons?
Hey Daniel, I decided two weeks ago I would begin private lessons again.
I spent quite a few years in the Philippines and was teaching privately both online and in person. The students from China were amazing..
Having said this, Yes to answer your question however only to a handful of students.
Hey Daniel, If you are serious I will set up the lesson format for you.
@@gravitydrums1391 do you have an email i might reach you at? just curious if our schedules would even line up if you live in Asia. Thanks!
I was on stage with Steve Gadd, James Taylor concerts, Baltimore Symphony, 3rd chair Viola, about year 2000. His toms did not sound like wet socks.
Thats funny... He definitely had his own way of tuning.
@@gravitydrums1391 Not wet socks tuning, that's for sure. Your drinks sound terrible.
@@gravitydrums1391 Right right left right right left left, kick, wet sock, rim shot, crash cymbal, wacka wacka Fozzie Bear, Statler and Waldorf comment. Then Animal goes mental on the kit.
That is hilarious... What a visual!..lol@@hhhorb
Yes they did.
I was having issues for a while .. If you listen to some of my latest posts you will hear a much better tone structure
For instance check out the Latest Joscho Stefan video I did...
Thanks for the input. @@hhhorb
Its funny how you can tell from just the setup of the drums that this is fusion style from "those days"
ARe you implying that Im old??? lol
@@gravitydrums1391 hahaha Id never do that just saying that your setup emulates the gods of those days!
LOL @@neonblack211
Steve Gadd is a master, but for me, there’s something about Jim Keltner - there, I’ve said it..! 😁
Well Said.
Me too! Jim Keltner just seems to melt into the song every time. Also a humble fella.
cool!!
Gadd could fall down the stairs, break his arm, bloody his nose, sprain his ankle, and if it was recorded on audio, it would still be perfect for some song. Every Single Stroke he hits is PERFECT. Regardless.
Great Comment.. Thanks.
I can’t work this out
Coz you’re playing the whole 7 note loop within a quarter note click of hi hat
So it’s not sextuplets
I think it’s sextuplets until the very last right single which is a 32nd note triplet
Try play slowly to the quarter note pulse
Amazing fill I really wanna know how to do this
I will be doing a follow up here in the next day or so about this to explain better and move into another one of Steve Gadd's great fills.
Steve sightread Aja with a bad bad hangover.
Nice...
Thanks for the support.
I had to lower my sub for those deeper toms. lol Awesome stuff.
LOL, Thanks Andrew for watching and the support
Regarding most recorded I would say Jeff Porcaro and John "JR" Robinson.
King, You know what.. I actually forgot about JR.
I absolutely luuuv his playing on the Chaka Khan album Stompin at the Savoy... JR was so crazy in the pocket. All three are up there but I still think Gadd has the edge and is definitely the most recognizeable... Still all three added so much.
Fuego 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥
Toro, Thanks for the great Compliment.
Wow
Thank ya!
Steve Gadd is still alive, correct? M
Very Much So...
You are the second person who let me know I referred to him as in the past...lol
I am about to do a follow up to this video and hope to explain myself better next time..
Thanks for watching...
nice, seems though your rack tom mic saturates
It was UA-cam;s compresion. I have since fixed the issue.
Thanks for checkin it.
Im sure thats what Danny Carrey plays at the start of Jambi on the 10000 days album.. probably because its 22 beats.
Thanks so much for sharing this classic/awesome Gadd lick and two variations! I must ask, are these licks interpreted as 16th triplets or a mixture of rhythms?
If grouped as 16th triplets, it would be written: RLLRRL RKLLRR LRKLLR RLRK which leaves two 16th triplets unaccounted for.
Should it be interpreted as: RLLRRLR KLLRRLR KLLRRLR etc. where the last two single strokes (sometimes orchestrated on the rack and floor tom respectively) should be played as 32nd note triplets? That would make the K the new beginning of the phrase after starting with the paradiddle-diddle.
Thanks again so much for this great content! You've earned my sub!
Correct, When you play the variation it has a different resolution. I probably should have played the variation slower. Extremely intuitive of you to get it.. Thanks for the sub and support.
Do you play this pattern with a 16th feel or triplet or both?
Hey Bill,
The most common way Steve Gadd played it was accenting on the downbeat which is the best place to start... However I find myself changing it up quite a bit and accenting on the quarter note triplet.
Rules are made to be broken so sometimes its just what feels best to you as long as it is kept in the pocket.
Hope this helps.
I give you buddy number 1, but number 2 is Neil Peart
Thanks Tim
Great video, except for the fact you're talking like Steve has left us? He may be knocking on, but not gone to sit in with Buddy Rich et al just yet.
I wasn't thinking that when I put this together but I will pay more attention to that in the next follow up.
Thanks for the heads up.
That first RLLRRLRK is 7 notes then kick, then 6 notes kick??
Yes Correct.. I posted a more explainatory video after this one but yes you are correct.
@@gravitydrums1391 Thanks.
@@MultiSkyman1 Absolutely
Great drumming! However, I think you are over complexifying the lick. It's based on a ratamacue and it's all triplets. RllRLR - KllRLR KllRLR KllRLR KllRLR and so on. If you get a chance, check the video UP CLOSE. You see all his trademark licks.
Hey mate sounds great! Your toms are clipping though! 😅
Hey Davey, Yes you are correct.. This issue has been resolved. Good ear though.
@@gravitydrums1391nice! So is this an 8 stroke roll for the first round and then a 7 stroke roll after then?
Thanks, that a great explanation. But your Bassdrum sounds funny. 😅
Correct,
I was having problems with youtube's compression for a time... That issue is fixed.
I appreciate the good ear and thanks for watching.
RLLRRLRKJJRRLRKLLRRLRK
j?
LOL, Thanks... The same would most likes be the case if you were trying to explain a cool guitar lick as well... lol
Gadd is Badd
You are pretty badd yourself!
🎉
It was "meant" to be a complete sentence.
You are correct.
Some footage of Steve Gadd playing this track, after all this commentary on it, would really help, mate ! Video half done. 😢
For sure, I should have done that.. I will definitely do that on the next Gadd cover video.
Thanks for Checkin' it.
I think your tom mix is off,cool drum parts though
Hmm, well, you have made it way more complex than it needs to be. FIRST!! That lick starts with the bass drum on the down beat. The only flam is the first down beat on the snare, then 2 TRIPLET ghost notes, and then the the John Bonham lick of snare, rack, floor, (as the next triplet) bass, landing on the downbeat again, fill in the extra 2 triplets with ghost notes, etc....when you demonstrate, your bass doesn't always land separately, because it can't, if you are doing an eight stroke combo, as you suggest. FLLRLR is the combo. ua-cam.com/video/HTn3M0vPd-Q/v-deo.html @5:20 @7:25
Can't play the link - says it's "private"
my bad, it's now unlisted. I got copywrite flagged.
Great drumming but that floor Tom sounds really weird to me.
Good ear Brian.. I had a problem for a while with some of the low end.. The newer videos shouldnt be so overdriven.
@@gravitydrums1391Saturation.
If u really wanna funk it up, add a 2nd kick note to each phrase