Phil Rudd: Master of Minimalism
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- Опубліковано 7 бер 2014
- Drumhead and Modern Drummer magazine writer and Question Everything drummer Michael Aubrecht talks about the brilliance of AC-DC drummer Phil Rudd and "Let There Be Rock"
Reference links:
Original Track: • Let There Be Rock by A...
Live Version: • AC/DC - Let There Be R...
He doesn’t “almost have a swing feel”, he DOES have a swing, that’s what creates the “roll” of rock n roll.
Word.
Phil Rudd has some of the most gratifying drumming in rock. John "Mutt" Lange understood this in the way the drums sound on the AC/DC records he produced.
Phil's high hat technique is the key to his groove. He leaves the high hat more open than most drummers, which reduces the mechanical "click click" stiffness that some drummers fall into when playing the high hat.
And also, as the video mentions, he puts increased emphasis on the 1 and 3 high hat beats, which creates this awesome push/pull feel with the back beat.
Anyone who says Rudd's playing is easy or too simple really needs to re-listen and appreciate how smooth and groovy his beats are and how essential they are to AC/DC's overall sound.
I am a super-huge AC/DC fan, a Drummer...and a Phil Rudd fan, and I think you've done an awesome job articulating the exact reasons as to why Phil Rudd is such a great drummer, without all the extra hoopla and unnecessary fills. For a very long time, I have not only felt the way you do about his drumming, but I've also expressed many of the same sentiments as you. Phil was a master of just being in the pocket, laying down the standard 4x4 style of drumming, and basically doing his job, by keeping the timing straight throughout a whole album, or an entire live show. He is a human metronome!
I'm a guitarist not a drummer, but good video-I can appreciate Phil's style as his drumming, combined with Cliff William's bass and Malcolm Young's rhythm guitar creates a rock solid foundation for Angus to solo over. For me, the greatest drummer of all time was John Bonham because while he could go all out with his drumming, he also knew when to pull back and play with a minimalist style as well.
Phil is a monster of musical playing, his use of crashes is simply amazing.
I've always said that Rudd is the best drummer for dc ever since powerage he's what the band are about.
Dave Lympany facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
AC/DC's success as a band speaks for itself and Phil Rudd plays a big part in it! People who don't realize this don't understand the subtle qualities in musicianship that transform a good band into a timeless world phenomenon. The proof is in the fact that there still only is but one AC/DC...and without Phil Rudd the chemistry was never quite the same, and that was reflected in their album sales. No wonder they took him back!
Nabs Ludwig facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
Rudd....the ultimate time keeper. At the end of the day....that's what a drummer is.
firstmusic00 facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
Oath
The Razor's Edge and Live at Donington were a huge part of my teen years. When Phil came back in '96, I really went back and listened to more of their old stuff. It seems like Malcolm had to work hard to fit with Chris Slade's more crisp, straight eighths live. In live versions of older tracks, as you mention here, Malcolm and Cliff are totally locked in with Phil. "Rocker" is another track that evolved into a long jam live- I've thought of the Live in Paris version like someone firing up a diesel engine- it really takes off notch-by-notch, and is unstoppable once Angus starts the trek through the crowd.
They didn't sound as good with Chris, he plays right on top and his hihat feel is staccato and rather stiff on razors edge on that tour he rushed the time a lot but that's how they were playing then, the tour before that was even faster with Simon Wright but Simon was a little closer to phils style, when they toured ballbreaker they were swinging soo good and the next 2 tours were the same, phils pocket and .late backbeat creates a perfect lope 6:56 all 3 of them are just locked tight
Right on with this video! Phil is very much a true time keeper and more drummers can learn from him. I know I did. He just never seems to mess up or miss a beet. Great job on this explanation and I agree with you!
man, this guy hit the hammer on the head, Phil f'n rocks
Nice video 👌🏼 phill is a legend that's right as u said he don't use fills but if u are a good listener u notice that his a living metronome with a massive style ..his just holding back and make it dead simple, the simplicity and making the song rich is not easy thing to do and that's very rare honestly, he make the drums speak .. I tip my hat off to him .. And thx for the video dude
Yes indeed, my good man, 78% of being an excellent drummer is knowing what NOT to play.
I completely agree with you, I'm a guitar player myself but I can appreciate what Phil does. I have seen the Live at River Plate performance of Let There Be Rock and not many people realize how hard it is to keep a beat for over 17 minutes without losing your time. I like his "keep it simple and rock it hard" style of playing. That is why I am a pretty big AC/DC fan, they just make good solid rock and roll, nothing fancy. They are also about the most down to earth "rockstars" you would ever meet. Great video.
I agree, AC/DC have their own sound and style and they haven't changed their music since the beginning. I think that's why people like them, not only because they do have great rock n' roll songs but you know what to expect from them and they never disappoint. You can always tell when you're listening to an AC/DC song. I also feel that Malcolm is an underrated rhythm guitar player because of his timing and groove. I also agree when you say "it's not good rock when you don't want to move with it". AC/DC may not have many slow ballads or anything like that but if you just want a good song to get your feet tapping then there are none better than AC/DC.
677moonpie That's 100% fuckin true...I love them because of their simplicity...not only but it's one of the reason
1000% agree! Nice job!
Absolutely brilliant.
Phil Rudd does kick ass!
Phil Rudd - the swinging metronome. Thanks for doing this video. Phil gets lots of undeserved flak.
First Time, I hear someone explaining the way Phil Rudd plays the 8th on the HiHat on "Let There Be Rock"...and the changing to 4th with the age. Thank you.
Right on bro.... Phil is absolutely one of the all-time greats and you nailed it: he is THE master of minimalism. I met him in '82 in LA and when I asked him 'Who did you study with?', he looked at me like I was crazy. I complimented him on his simplicity and musicality and he said 'Never took lessons, this is all I know how to do."
jonsilence facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
My music teacher always gave me positive feedback on my groove while playing drums so I think I channeled some of Phil's spirit. Wish I had drums! :)
Hopefully you'll get some soon!
I've watched this video before and really enjoyed it. This is the first time I followed the links though. In the live version he does do the high hat straight without the swing in the vocal only parts I believe he does go back to full swing mode when everyone is playing. Take another look/listen. If I am right that speaks even more about his capability even as he gets older. Thanks for pointing out the less is more aspect. Other drummers have referred to Phil as a human metronome in interviews. There's even a story about him picking up seamlessly in the middle of a song in the studio after a technical issue when Mutt Lange said not to bother because no one can do that, Phil did.
MAN WHAT A GREAT VIDEO PATRIOT. I NOW APPRECIATE PHIL RUDD EVEN MORE.
BEST DRUMMER AND BEST BAND EVER!!
caixotegamer l facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
Great 👍🏻 video 📷 very informative about legend Phil ..powerhouse
The latest version with Phil still swings. The tempo is just faster. He always swings in his lilting perfection.
Man, what a fucking great video!!. All the best from the UK !!
Michael Aubrecht, superb lecture there, it is whats left out upfront that counts !!
NOO claudio !! THIS is the only video i have ever seen someone really shows, describes HOW Phil plays !!!! its a great video !!! thanks for it
Egyszerüen zseniális! utánozhatatlan!
For 11 minutes Phil has to keep that groove and it's amazing....................
Although I really prefer Phil over Chris, mr Slade on Donnington 1991 playing Let There Be Rock is just insane. Its 8ths and according to people that saw it live they played it twice as long as the footage is, so at least 17 minutes if not more. Dont understand how the hell Chris could keep that up for such a long time.
Was that the one where he had to stretch because Angus got held up getting back to the main stage from the raising stage at the back of the crowd?
That was fucking rad dude. U just amped me up.
Great stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Totally agree mate, I suscribe every single word. Phil is a machine. Someone had to say it, and you said it great.
Im a drummer who was in an ACDC band for many years. I got most of my jobs in bands because of my simplicity , and especially my METER ! I love Neil Peart , Nico Mcbrain , Mike Mangini , all those guys. But give me Phil Rudd , John Bonham , Tommie lee , and im Home !! Theres power in the Groove !
Off the top, listening to the first bit of your video, the other one that came to mind is Charlie Watts. Phil is the NEXT-GEN after the 60's-Charlie-factor. The front-end of those bands over-shadows the SOLID drumming of first Charlie and the Phil !!! I'm a guitarist, and I appreciate your draw of attention to SOLID drummers that most all of us have ignored due to the headend. A HELL-YEAH to Charlie and Philly !!!!!!!
Now think about Chris Slade, almost 70 and is banging out that 17 minute Let There be Rock anthem on the current Rock or Bust tour!
chris slade couldn't find the groove on a record...
There's an old Bon era LTBR filmed by the BBC that shows Phil just swinging away like a metronome.
Great song.
Just loved it xD. Is my biggest inspiration. Got an entire Sonor. Got his signature snare and it really rocks.
This video kicks ass!! Love it bro!
he..:-) thanks for posting this... phil rudd"s groove is amazing and one of my fav'drummers ..just this message to recomand you the very minimalist way krautrock drummers play and especially Neu! with klaus dinger(rip) in a number called hallogallo from '71 and many others outstanding bands at that time may be phil rudd was a lil' influenced by that ...which i doubt finally ;-)))
Phil is awesome
Phil Rudd is a beast
Низкий поклон Вам, за Ваши слова в адрес Фила Рада!!! 🙇♂️🙇♂️🙇♂️Мне кажется, что успех группы на 60%(если ни 70%), заслуга Фила Рада!!! Многие обожают группу из-за Фила, хотя и не подозревают об этом!!! Все остальные тоже тянут этот воз изо-всех сил, Ангус конечно в первых рядах, а Фила и не видно, он там, где то у телеги, напрягает жилы!!! Но сердца у всех бьются в одном ритме, из-за Фила!!! (Как Вы правильно заметили☝🏼)👍🤝🙋♂️
I agree with you about Phil's drumming Michael.A lot of Drummers just don't get it about Phil Rudd! I tell young rock drummers to listen and soak yourselves in Phil Rudd's style and power.He also uses a lot of four on the floor with the kick!
spot on comments.
It s all true what you say Brother !
Well said.
Very well done.
that comment about drummers doing the crazy over play is that its easier to play like that ,simply because the more countering of the limbs (it helps other parts to sync) the better especially for a beginner phill is the master of his style with total power, wrist control,etc he can separate his body parts in other words his core is relaxed.
+DAWSLAMMER NZ yes. count 1 2 3 4 on a given bpm. now count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and on that same bpm. which one is easier? the more divisions and the more stuff, up to a point, the easier it is to keep it
Phil Rudd is The MAN .
good insights!
I saw a little homemade video by Marky Ramone recently and he did a similar thing with the Hi hat those 8th notes accents against the quarter beats on the bass drum. Maybe you've seen that but it's a subtle thing that makes a huge difference I love it, thanks for pointing that out to people. Phil Rudd was a monster, he knew he was too ha. Marky pointed out that over the years The Ramones got even faster to then there recordings On live things and it almost felt like they were twice as fast by the time they retired. The differences AC/DC would do a 2 hour set and The Ramones about 45 minutes total..
you are an awesome drummer
Very well said and demonstrated sir. I'm a long time guitar player, but bought a set of Sonor Drums way back because I always loved Phil's style. On the live album, "If You Want Blood, You've Got It", you can really hear his high hat technique...Let There Be Rock comes to mind as well...especially near the end, you can really hear him hammering away at it. I think the big album for me with his drumming was on, "For Those About To Rock"...his snare sound is just exploding on every song. Other songs that comes to mind are "Down Payment Blues" and "Shoot To Thrill"...the rack and floor tom work in the middle of both songs are well played and a reason why these tunes are so good. I was so glad when he came back in '95! I did not care for Simon Wright...he tried to imitate Phil and it just came out wrong. Chris Slade came close, but his technique of having the high hat where the ride cymbal usually is and having a shaved head in AC/DC (especially at the time) just didn't work for me...lol.
Interesting. I don't mind some of Simon Wright's stuff. More variation than King Phil and, altbo I love him loke all those commenter here, I don't think Phil does all of Simon's songs as well as Simon does ... eg heatseeker. Re Chris Slade, I flowed him for many years on mannfred man's earth band and loved his manicured sound and feel but thought his style or sound was a bit thin on acdc. Right drummer in the wrong band sort of thing.
Oh by the way Jerry Allison's in his late 70s....and only plays 4-4wahen he teaches his great grandkids drums...check out his drumming on peggysue and I fought the law....awesome.
I always laugh when I hear drummers mouth off saying “Anybody can play what Phil Rudd plays”, well maybe with years of practice, but that goes for anything.
I find what is absolutely amazing about Phil’s playing is it is deceptively simple sounding. His patterns are so unique. If you listen you’ll hear that he will subtly change the placement of a note just enough to make the rhythm so much stronger. Most of us have started playing AC/DC tunes thinking, well..I’ve got this down, only to realize that it doesn’t “feel” as good as Phil’s version. Also, if you’ve played along, guaranteed you’ve suddenly heard something Phil plays that doesn’t match up with what you’re playing. You can’t switch on auto pilot and play precisely what Phil Rudd plays.
Phil Rudd doesn’t just play simply. There are volumes of rhythmic information in his playing, if you listen.
you are so right! there is a huge difference, he has confidence and arrogance :) I love you till the day you die Babe
phill rudd was simplistic on the outside but if you really listen there are a lot of little things he adds like ghost notes and things with the hi hat .you know you can get five drummers to play the exact same beat and it will sound differant from drummer to drummer some are heavy on the kick or hi hat some are on top of beat some on bottom . thats what makes a drummer a good drummer. everyone has a different feel.
Can you show some of Phil's snare work and triplet
oh yes........ it's the groove that matters!.
i have played in four acdc tribute bands , and in one band alone we went through 17 drummers all good great at doing all sorts of rolls and what not ,,, but just keep the beat , seems to be impossible for most drummers , WTF! 17 fucking drummers i started to feel phil was impossible to play like ,,, singer could do his part bass player no problem , rythim guitar no problem , i did my leads , no problem ,, drummers what to fuck ?
nice
"Hard as a rock" is a better example.
Haha, Brian Williams. World News with Brian Williams would never be the same again.
You're right, it may not! Quite prophetic of you..
I don't think I've ever heard Phil play a roll
But what does Phil do in the back there?
Phil sure ain't playing this one anymore. It's sad.
ENJOY THE SILENCE Depeche Mode cover by the MINDBENDER
One thing I HATE about AC/DC covers is that nobody can play the hi hat like Phil does. I swear he uses every last part of his arm to get that groove and that swing that nobody else can seem to replicate. His hi hat playing style is what has always stood out to me and it honestly gets on my nerves how so many people fail to play the hi hat with so much groove like he does. Most people that play AC/DC songs end up sounding more like Chris Slade whom imo had a very generic playing style that lacked the swing and groove of Phil’s style. And borderline robotic sounding
Exactly, you hit the nail on the head!
Phil actually slows a few beats on most chorus s natually , if you dont slow it it will sound wrong
Your fucking right...
Phils just mmmmph
I wished Chris Slade would watch your Video. on all Videos I sag from the 2015 tour....Chris Hihat work was so bad or lets say there was NO feel....there no acent or swing feel like Phil plays.......for me my ACDC Tickets for the Cologne gig are only half worth since I know thas Chris will play the tour. I am playin in an ACDC Coverband (Malcolm part) and for me the drums are the most important for playin ACDC in the right feel. Chris plays as if he is a pro and didn´t learned the songs right because he thinks Hey man I am a Pro drummer....I can do that" but he CAN´T ;-)
Holger G. facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
Holger G. facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
+Holger G.
I don't know if you seen AC/DC this past year, but Chris is actually playing with way more groove this time around, but overall I agree with your point.
If you listen to AC/DC Live, recorded back during the Razor's Edge tour of '90-'91, he is SO stiff and mechanical. His high hat is clamped too tightly and he puts hardly any variation on the eighth notes, leading to a very robotic feel.
He's an awesome drummer and has far better technical chops than Rudd, but that doesn't matter in a band like AC/DC. It's all about the groove, and Rudd has it in spades.
sure if have seen ACDC . And Chris really played very bad...no groove.....for me it was the worst ACDC concert ever
pink Drums???
Let there be rock is 90-100bpm u say? Mmm. Try double that. And the album version isn't 2 and a half minutes, its near 6 and a half.
Thanks for clarification. I actually believe it's around 180 bpm and I misspoke. Improv you know. I think my point was still made. Thanks again.
ma9252 no worries, didn't mean to sound so blunt!
+djrmonix The "new" version sounds like crap. To fast, and Phil Rudd is taking the easy way on this one to not play it like on the record. I really like Phil Rudd and AC/DC but this version sucks.
+Michael Aubrecht some tab (like songsterr) says 162 bpm
I always knew Rudd was very basic and there was something real great about his playing. Now i know why !
what hi hat is that???
Tone down the bass drum if you can; or might it be the sound recording ...
Four year olds learn how to play drums by listening to Phil Rudd. It's hard to be "the master" of anything that anyone can do.
niloc1ful And yet nobody does. Hard to explain, really.
Its quite obvious from some comments here that you people know fuckall about drumming. A band with a shit drummer doesn't sell 200 million albums. It's about feel and playing for the song. Phil does that better than anyone.
2002bonzo facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
gotta be honest, I much prefer Chris as a drummer. Guess its just a personal thing. Have been playing for around 25 years myself, think I just prefer the way chris plays.
If Phil Rudd is the master of minimalism Charlie Watts must be catatonic!!
+ThePaybak what in the hell charlie watts got to do here.. he s a dinosaur.. except for a 4-4 standard beat and his pathetic swing he does nt do anything new ..mind you phil is not that much superior but at least he s got volume... wattsis a basic drummer at best.neither have ever made a decent solo or brought anything new to drumming
+sylvain gauthier My point was not all supergroups have great drummers.
+sylvain gauthier Watt's isn't a great drummer, but I'd say he is a good minimalist drummer. That fits the Rolling Stones basic blues sound far better than a more expansive drummer like Keith Moon would have. At the end of the day, the amount of records he's played on that have sold in the millions and the number of arenas his band have sold out speaks for itself.
new world 9
Well...thats nine minutes I'll never get back...Just some bloke saying "Phill Rudd has the balls to just at the back and plays (insert same beat again)"..We know that..we know the song...
This guy gets more viewers than the a lot of good bands?$%@*&#!! Mmmm I might put up a video with me showing how Elvis wiggled his hips and sent the girls crazy, it would be horrible but should get a 1,000,000 or so lookers!
Well, Mike, a forced "master of minimalism" is what Rudd is. Pretty much limited to his 4/4 and that;s that within the confines of AC/DC.
I completely disagree the hes the best rock drummer if your judging by talent. Jonh bonhams, Ian Paice and a lot more hard rock drummers use way more complicated techniques than Phil Rudd. Phil Rudd is excellent at fitting to acdc's style though, cool drummer. But every slightly experienced drummer can keep a solid tempo.
Thanks for the comment but I think you're missing the entire point. The title of 'minimalism' means no "complicated techniques" are being considered here. Its all about saying the most by playing the least. Groove over "complicated techniques". Rudd has mastered simplicity. Hope that clarifies.
Phil is ok but Chris Slade is a much more energetic & precision drummer who added a lot more to their music.
Greatest rock drummer? Well thats your opinion. I wonder why dont they just fire him and get a drum machine so they dont have to share the money lol
it’s called rock n roll
not the same as rock or hard rock
The most elementary of drummers can play straight time 4/4 rock beats as good as Phil Rudd. They can even play the accent on the 1/4 note in an 1/8th note groove! Nothing spectacular about that. My definition of "good" is far more narrow and much deeper than anything Phil Rudd ever demonstrated with AC/DC. Good attempt to blow some smoke about Phil Rudd - but like Phil Rudd himself, not good enough!
Fred Rogers "not good enough!" is kind of amusing, since the AC/DC catalog shares the all-time highest selling spot with The Beatles. That speaks to longevity, the timelessness of the sound, the verdict of history and all of that jazz.
Beside, your belief that if someone plays a 4/4 rock beat, that's the limit of their ability, or that musicians are required to play the most technically complicated parts that they are capable of is bizarre, and thankfully rare. Honestly, I can play a rough, "not good enough" approximation of Phil Rudd's basic beat, and I'm not even a drummer. Rudd himself is without a doubt capable of playing a much more technically complex part, but chooses not to. As someone who discovered them relatively late in life - after I started appreciating Mahler to give you an idea of how late - and for whom the drums were the most striking element, his choice probably has a tremendous amount aesthetic judgement behind it. But it's subtle and not everyone gets that.
Look - there's no law that says you have to like AC/DC, but in a video that's designed as an instructional for a certain style, what are you doing here? Go listen to some narrow(?), deep drum solos and congratulate yourself on your refined taste. I'm sure whatever you listen to is much better than it sounds.
Jesse Jordache ---- You have over analyzed my statement. Let me simplify even more for you.... there is nothing special about Phil Rudd's drum playing. Period. Just because you have a fetish for the guy doesn't make him great. Sorry to rain on your parade.
Master of minimalism is right......this vid is about 9 mins too long!
ho mister don t talk too much but just PLAY !!!!
Phill Rudd is not forgoten drummer...only for fools is forgoten..
Douglas Openheimer facebook.com/wewantphilruddback
verbal dia.........
strip tease is bad boogie not let there be rock