Absolutely, I think it applies to all of music really. If you’ve ever wrote a melody on a computer with perfect pitch/timing/etc you know how sterile and bad it sounds. Takes that human element
@@Chris_Stanley007 Ironically, conviction is the reason my groove and feel is smoother when im playing hard. Its way easier to play a note confidently if my sticks are moving with power.
It's weird how for the first one, I hear in my head the counting "1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4", but for the second I hear the bass line. The difference is subtle but strong
Absolutely! I just thought how simple this beat was but how funky it was with the baseline. Then I thought about how it just facilitates the music and nothing else. A drummer myself and he's better than me all day, but sometimes overrated by people. But he shows some real musical intelligence here. Nuance and dynamics always adds the flavor even if you aren't the best drummer, but he knows that's what the music needs here and I just gained more of respect for him
Tried typing a comment to explain this feeling but couldn’t find the wording. This right here folks! Something about the way he plays it the second time, makes me hear the song. A freakin legend
Jonathan your a legend! I love all your rhythms you’ve played with MJ. You’re highly gifted, talented and blessed. Thank you so much for touching billions of people hearts with your rhymes. Much love ❤️
@@ddppbbqqIt's feel. Like what Steve Gadd has. Just the utmost ability to groove. Even playing diverse and technical parts, the goal is to make it breathe. Back when drumming was a job for me, I often got hired for my "feel". I never really understood it, because if myself and two buddies played from the same page with the same charts, i felt like we played the same thing. You know click involved and notation on the page, etc.... But apparently it made a difference to the artists. Side note, I always love Adrian Young's hella good groove vs. Billie Jean.
Very profound what he’s saying here. I’ve been in touch with that soul energy and it’s changed everything. Some nights it’s harder to find, but once I do I’m gliding on air.
I get what you and him mean I also have this on and off connection with my soul when I play my guitar. When I lock in place it's just an Amazing feeling that's quite hard to explain.
A drum machine can never replicate the feel of great drummers like this guy right here. I've played drums for a long time and when I finally learned to play the easy stuff with the same conviction as everything else, I started getting requested for gigs. Thank God for older drummers that taught me that at a younger age than most.
By emoting his soul he means technically being more transient in the hits, e.g. louder hits on some beats of the hats, cracking the snare, "kicking" the kick. And also adding the "groove". On a drum machine, adding a "groove" means to slightly splay the notes off the perfect center of the beat. But its a fine line between being in the groove and just being sloppy.
@@jzac77these kinda things make me wonder if the technical stuff is indeed needed in these kinda situations. Is it better to have it be these kinda asbtract concepts like soul and feel, or would music evolve more proffeciently by focusing on the technical? Im sure there is fine line to be found but i do think trying to realize these kinda things can help artist choose routes that work best for what they like do. Or whatever idk sorry for bad spelling.
@@storm2661 Behind every tight soulful expression/ groove is however many hundreds or thousands of hours of hard work, drills and practice on technical aspects.
Every time I hear this guy… he gives me goosebumps… and perhaps only musicians can hear the difference… but man oh man… Sugarfoot is a man of the people let me tell you… probably the most grateful saw to ever truly hit the really large big stages… and let me tell you, every time that guy plays…: he gives his all… I can say this, because I met him… add a clinic in Boston… many years ago…e.u. Wurlitzer… and he put a hell of a show on. Let me tell you… Sugarfoot is the man!!!
I share his thoughts his views and grooves and birthday I am also drummer 🥁 a 🔝 one 1⃣ .I hide behind a kit practise makes me feel good it's better to have a dream now Ringo then Steve gadd
It’s so hard to teach youngsters that the song or music will only be good if you live your emotion through it. And you are absolutely right, you can immediatly hear the difference
Nope. You’re the second commentator to say that, and I’ve just started scrolling. Anyhooo, I didn’t really, but now I do, so I dunno. Does it count ? Who knows.
@@shannonstumpf1861 lol I know, I was just making a joke. Technically accents ARE just playing louder, but yeah playing with some accents... I.e., playing louder/harder
@@EthanHGray i was just adding to the joke. i don't believe in souls. i do believe you can play with more energy and more creativity and more imagination if you focus. but everyone is acting like soul is magic or something however the reason it sounds better is because he played with intent not because of angels and stuff. lolol. feel free to disagree :)
one of the things that makes you hear the bassline is that he's accenting the 1 and 3 the second time around-same beats the emphasis of the bassline is, and by adding that variation it feels more dynamic
This is something all Drummers need to hear. Playing to a Click, keeping time, playing the right notes is all required - but to get to the next level, you have to play with feeling.
@@Heatwave9000 You've never seen people play an instrument as if they couldn't be less enthused? Compare that with someone who actually enjoys playing and has fun doing it. You *should* see a difference. 😂
The snare mic does seem to be a Shure SM-57. That’s the snare mic, and guitar amp mic, of choice; and they are only around $100. Now if you had more money and wanted to do a full kit then you’d get a kick drum mic (Sennheiser E-902 for $260), 2 condenser mics for overheads (Neumann KM-184’s for $1100 each), say two tom mics (Audix D4 and D2 for $230 each), and a hi-hat mic (CAD e-70 for $260). - Those were my choices. - Now add in cables and stands… it can get expensive!
@@m.vonhollen6673 i have a 7 piece set but not from any of those series, ill take your advice. i think even the neumann its afforable for me... so, do you have recommen for the left and right air sound mics in specific?
When you just play simple drums, and I can hear the whole ass beat, it's when you did a pretty good job. Music is not only about technique, never tired of saying that
What's remarkable about this is that when he plays the beat first time, like a machine, it's just a beat. When he plays it the second time, with his feel, you can actually hear the rest of the song around it.
He literally said it was a simple beat, lol. He's just explaining how to hit harder and put more feel and emotion into the drum beat. It's the same thing when I bang on the strings on my guitars. If I play lightly and timidly, it's nowhere near as convincing as when I play with some actual feeling and energy.
Love the video of sugarfoot with Madonna singing " dress you up in my love".. He just looks so chilled and mellow, you can tell he loves What he does!!
Best thing I ever heard was when in an interview a drummer was asked how is it possible that you keep count when playing off time music. Hus answer was: "I dont count it would be impossible to do.. I just play the riff on the drums." - Neil Peart
Man, did you say that, right hard to explain, but you feel it and it comes out the groove comes from within you just feel it. Then I’ll come from the heart It’s almost like I’m dancing while I’m playing it I’m so feeling it I’m feeling that rhythm. I’m feeling beat this is the best explanation I’ve ever seen for playing drums
It's true. I been a drummer since. I was 10yrs old. But when you. Play. Your into thr Grove. You put. Your heart. And soul. Into and he knows what he is talking about. Because you feel it
And there ladies and gentlemen is the paradox of drums. This is by far the most important lesson with any instrument you have to evoke it from the place inside and project it .
If anyone is left out there that can really understand what he is saying and can relate, spread the word. Because it's lost on most and even fewer people get it nowadays than it used to
Playing with conviction and feel is the key to drumming
Hell yea it is. No matter if you're playing soft or loud, conviction is the true test of a good drummer. You gotta own that part you're playing 💯
Absolutely, I think it applies to all of music really. If you’ve ever wrote a melody on a computer with perfect pitch/timing/etc you know how sterile and bad it sounds. Takes that human element
It definitely is the key.
Bro absolutely
@@Chris_Stanley007 Ironically, conviction is the reason my groove and feel is smoother when im playing hard. Its way easier to play a note confidently if my sticks are moving with power.
Fun fact: Atomic clocks are actually set to Sugarfoot's drum beat
Sounds the same
Underated comment, and yes, the man is a natural clock!
no it's Gene Hoglan
@@BassRacerx This is the right answer here
lol that's actually very funny
Holy crap, it’s so perfect I could hear music that wasn’t there
Yeah for real! I swear I thought I heard that classic bass line kick in 😂
Same😂😂
Not just me then
Absolutely, a humans sense of time as a musician is portrayed through his or her emotions.
Bullshit he just hit it harder.
“their emotions” is a better phrase to use :3
@@zacri9434neither is better. “His or her” is as conventional as “their” here
Man I didn't get OP's comment, can someone here simplify it?
What's really funny is that both versions sounded almost identical. He was trying to pull the emotion out of the first version but just couldn't.
This man is a treasure. How amazing that we have so much access to the knowledge of these music legends! What a time to be alive.
Not just playing a straight groove, he’s playing the song. Sounds great.
So there's no groove
It's weird how for the first one, I hear in my head the counting "1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4", but for the second I hear the bass line. The difference is subtle but strong
Absolutely! I just thought how simple this beat was but how funky it was with the baseline. Then I thought about how it just facilitates the music and nothing else. A drummer myself and he's better than me all day, but sometimes overrated by people. But he shows some real musical intelligence here. Nuance and dynamics always adds the flavor even if you aren't the best drummer, but he knows that's what the music needs here and I just gained more of respect for him
Bank. Tryimg
I hear it too
Tried typing a comment to explain this feeling but couldn’t find the wording. This right here folks! Something about the way he plays it the second time, makes me hear the song. A freakin legend
100% this, well put 💯
Jonathan your a legend! I love all your rhythms you’ve played with MJ. You’re highly gifted, talented and blessed. Thank you so much for touching billions of people hearts with your rhymes. Much love ❤️
Some of the best advice ever
That was the first song I ever learned on the drums. It was simple, but you have to learn how to emote through the sticks. Sugarfoot is 💯 correct.
what is emoting through the stick? is that like hitting with accents and dynamics?
Yes,and Jonathan plays it not.
@@ddppbbqqIt's feel. Like what Steve Gadd has. Just the utmost ability to groove. Even playing diverse and technical parts, the goal is to make it breathe. Back when drumming was a job for me, I often got hired for my "feel". I never really understood it, because if myself and two buddies played from the same page with the same charts, i felt like we played the same thing. You know click involved and notation on the page, etc.... But apparently it made a difference to the artists.
Side note, I always love Adrian Young's hella good groove vs. Billie Jean.
I am in awe of drummers' skills, keeping the timing throughout the song.
Very profound what he’s saying here. I’ve been in touch with that soul energy and it’s changed everything. Some nights it’s harder to find, but once I do I’m gliding on air.
I get what you and him mean I also have this on and off connection with my soul when I play my guitar. When I lock in place it's just an Amazing feeling that's quite hard to explain.
do a speedball touch the soul and fly high
works 60% of the time 100% of the time
A master of the art, focused, intense and at peace. That’s a reward when you’ve become one with with the flowing cosmic energy.
This dude is a master
Shout out for the love of music and working on your craft. This guy's a legend
A drum machine can never replicate the feel of great drummers like this guy right here. I've played drums for a long time and when I finally learned to play the easy stuff with the same conviction as everything else, I started getting requested for gigs. Thank God for older drummers that taught me that at a younger age than most.
They can't now but don't say never
His soul makes his shoulder bounce!
His "soulder"
😂😂😂
That kick drum sounds like a punch in your soul. Love it.
Absolutely on point, play with your soul, and you hear and feel the difference ❤️
there's that little oomph of "im feeling this fucking beat man" the second time
By emoting his soul he means technically being more transient in the hits, e.g. louder hits on some beats of the hats, cracking the snare, "kicking" the kick. And also adding the "groove". On a drum machine, adding a "groove" means to slightly splay the notes off the perfect center of the beat. But its a fine line between being in the groove and just being sloppy.
Nah he means getting his brain into alpha wave state. That “technical” stuff happens automatically as a result
@@jzac77 Im not sure about "alpha wave state" but yes, "being" in the groove is what results in a good groove 😁
@@jzac77these kinda things make me wonder if the technical stuff is indeed needed in these kinda situations. Is it better to have it be these kinda asbtract concepts like soul and feel, or would music evolve more proffeciently by focusing on the technical? Im sure there is fine line to be found but i do think trying to realize these kinda things can help artist choose routes that work best for what they like do. Or whatever idk sorry for bad spelling.
@@storm2661 totally! There’s more to life than were told to think
@@storm2661 Behind every tight soulful expression/ groove is however many hundreds or thousands of hours of hard work, drills and practice on technical aspects.
Pull the bit behind. Simply amazing.
One of my biggest drumming idols right here 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Great musical insite, the snare tone is amazing! A soulful groove ❤
God that first kick alone makes me feel the music!
Wow. So glad you played it. That made the difference!
Every time I hear this guy… he gives me goosebumps… and perhaps only musicians can hear the difference… but man oh man… Sugarfoot is a man of the people let me tell you… probably the most grateful saw to ever truly hit the really large big stages… and let me tell you, every time that guy plays…: he gives his all… I can say this, because I met him… add a clinic in Boston… many years ago…e.u. Wurlitzer… and he put a hell of a show on. Let me tell you… Sugarfoot is the man!!!
Alright it's simple and all.But not all drummers can make it feel that way!
I can feel it indeed! What a legend! A true master!
This man is a legend and an all around humble and loving human being 😎👌 master of the "soul" groove.
Tried this last night in a gig, it totally changed the vibe of the song and made it a million times better.
The simple the more difficult, the feel is really something
that tiiiiiiiiny shuffle, that little hint of syncopation, it makes so much difference
I felt it brother RIP to the king
I share his thoughts his views and grooves and birthday I am also drummer 🥁 a 🔝 one 1⃣ .I hide behind a kit practise makes me feel good it's better to have a dream now Ringo then Steve gadd
It’s so hard to teach youngsters that the song or music will only be good if you live your emotion through it.
And you are absolutely right, you can immediatly hear the difference
Same with all art. As soon as you commit to it, it just gets better.
And for those of you who don’t know, that’s EXACTLY how he played it on the “Victory Tour” with Michael. Pure soul and emotion. 💜
Best drummer ever.
Beautiful... So nicely played.
Groove machine.
This guy is freaking amazing.
the way my head automatically started bouncing when he played with his soul
That’s amazing. It’s like “there’s no difference”, and then on the other hand there’s a tremendous difference
Sooo good. Am I the only one who immediately heard the bassline in my head when he started playing the second time?😆🙏
Nope. You’re the second commentator to say that, and I’ve just started scrolling. Anyhooo, I didn’t really, but now I do, so I dunno. Does it count ? Who knows.
one of the best advice I ever ear .. respect this sir such along career
I can hear the bassline
Sugarfoot is the perfect example of why feel and dynamics in drumming matter. What a masterclass.
great drummer, great King Of POP MJ, Legends,Icons..This will live on 4LIFE..
“I play with soul”
*plays louder*
And accents
@@shannonstumpf1861 lol I know, I was just making a joke. Technically accents ARE just playing louder, but yeah playing with some accents... I.e., playing louder/harder
@@EthanHGray i was just adding to the joke. i don't believe in souls. i do believe you can play with more energy and more creativity and more imagination if you focus. but everyone is acting like soul is magic or something however the reason it sounds better is because he played with intent not because of angels and stuff. lolol. feel free to disagree :)
@@shannonstumpf1861 😑
😂
How this guy gets hate online will always be beyond me. What a monster of a drummer he is 🔥
"Sugarfoot"....nice guy too. Got to meet him on a bill when he was with Cameo in Plainfield, NJ.
Yes he's cool as hell. John Blackwell introduced me to him at NAMM back in the day, and I enjoyed his calm down to earth sensibility immediately.
I don't know if I can hear his soul but I can definitely can feel the emotional vocabulary in the playing. Simple beats played by pros are magic!
Try listening to this without automatically imagining the bass kicking in! 🕺 🎶
You can hear and feel the difference. Greatness
I didn't know that Mike Tyson could play like that!!
more like dan severn from the UFC
one of the things that makes you hear the bassline is that he's accenting the 1 and 3 the second time around-same beats the emphasis of the bassline is, and by adding that variation it feels more dynamic
This is something all Drummers need to hear. Playing to a Click, keeping time, playing the right notes is all required - but to get to the next level, you have to play with feeling.
On another level of talent education and ability shown. Keep up the good.
Some drummers will play for 50 years and never quite master putting their soul into it... While others just do it naturally.
Lmao soul isn't a real thing
@@Heatwave9000 You've never seen people play an instrument as if they couldn't be less enthused? Compare that with someone who actually enjoys playing and has fun doing it. You *should* see a difference. 😂
@@nckhed they ain't none its all in ur head mate
Hardest thing to do is adding soul to your beat.
yeah drummer are not playing midi notes
I established an emotional connection with music very early in my journey, it's just natural for some people.
In my opinion something just as hard is controlling that soul and emotion when you've learned how to add the soul.
@joenewman4586 The perfect balance between precision and emotion is indeed the hardest skill to master.
So snappy i love it, deffo one the greatest
The fucking sound of that drum is on point. I wanna know what mics are those
Sm57
@@logandutka9256 THX a Lot man
Yep...like how he lets the snares rattle a bit. I tend to over-tighten mine.
The snare mic does seem to be a Shure SM-57. That’s the snare mic, and guitar amp mic, of choice; and they are only around $100.
Now if you had more money and wanted to do a full kit then you’d get a kick drum mic (Sennheiser E-902 for $260), 2 condenser mics for overheads (Neumann KM-184’s for $1100 each), say two tom mics (Audix D4 and D2 for $230 each), and a hi-hat mic (CAD e-70 for $260).
- Those were my choices. -
Now add in cables and stands… it can get expensive!
@@m.vonhollen6673 i have a 7 piece set but not from any of those series, ill take your advice. i think even the neumann its afforable for me... so, do you have recommen for the left and right air sound mics in specific?
Humble dude.
Snare sound is so good.
When you just play simple drums, and I can hear the whole ass beat, it's when you did a pretty good job. Music is not only about technique, never tired of saying that
The swing he puts into the hi-hat timing is awesome.
People do not understand this. Musicians are special.
What's remarkable about this is that when he plays the beat first time, like a machine, it's just a beat. When he plays it the second time, with his feel, you can actually hear the rest of the song around it.
Thats called Groove!!!!!
it's crazy we almost hear the beginning of billie jean's song when he plays it in his emotional state - it's unbelievable
I thought he is always angry, his face.. Voice also sounds like Mike Tyson's.
Funny ,I have those. He is my idol drummer.
This is the first beat any aspiring drummer should learn, Once you master this you can do everything else.
You , my dear fellow are talking nonsense .. it’s just a simple beat, nothing else 🤓
He literally said it was a simple beat, lol. He's just explaining how to hit harder and put more feel and emotion into the drum beat. It's the same thing when I bang on the strings on my guitars. If I play lightly and timidly, it's nowhere near as convincing as when I play with some actual feeling and energy.
Will always fondly remember seeing "Sugarfoot" on the Jackson's Victory tour 1984. A true master..
1st beat I learned in 1975....so simple...but the application and emotional intent can make it hypnotic
Love the video of sugarfoot with Madonna singing " dress you up in my love".. He just looks so chilled and mellow, you can tell he loves What he does!!
Drummers look like they have the most fun on stage.
What's great is when he plays it properly you can hear the space for the bass line around it 🔥
Drummers are the heart of the band😮
Literally. They add to the feel and they’re the most important part of the band cause they’re also the metronome.
Best thing I ever heard was when in an interview a drummer was asked how is it possible that you keep count when playing off time music. Hus answer was: "I dont count it would be impossible to do.. I just play the riff on the drums." - Neil Peart
Man, did you say that, right hard to explain, but you feel it and it comes out the groove comes from within you just feel it. Then I’ll come from the heart It’s almost like I’m dancing while I’m playing it I’m so feeling it I’m feeling that rhythm. I’m feeling beat this is the best explanation I’ve ever seen for playing drums
You can hear his soul coming through both ways. I don’t know if this guy can play without his soul being fully naked for everyone to hear.
HUGE difference. Such a good point.
It's true. I been a drummer since. I was 10yrs old. But when you. Play. Your into thr Grove. You put. Your heart. And soul. Into and he knows what he is talking about. Because you feel it
The way he put the “❗️” on the 2 note (snare) is how every groove should be played. Everyone should feel you.
I couldn’t hear the difference but I’m supremely convinced that he is right.
The bass is already played in my head once he play that drum❤
Literally sounds the same. Amazing.
You can tell when a musician is just doing it to do it and when he’s feeling it
This is deep mindblowing
Love the match sticks - greatest groove ever
I'm a big fan of MJ, and just like MJ, this man is the song. Legends.
This is so true. When an entire band gets into that same emotion stage magic happens.
Emote that beat! Underrated and often overlooked method 💫
And there ladies and gentlemen is the paradox of drums. This is by far the most important lesson with any instrument you have to evoke it from the place inside and project it .
Human feel is everything when it comes to keeping a beat!!
That gives me chills...
If anyone is left out there that can really understand what he is saying and can relate, spread the word. Because it's lost on most and even fewer people get it nowadays than it used to
Soul of the drum is where it's at man!
As a bass player sugarfoot is one of my heros.
when that "this is how I play billie jean with michael" beat comes in, I immediately saw MJ dancing. what a beat