Chad is the most underrated drummer alive. He's a true virtuoso by definition! I had the immense good fortune of studying with Murray Spivack between 1985 and 1986. I still teach his philosophy to my students exclusively with stunning results. Style is truly something you should learn on your own by listening and witnessing different drummers. If you want to be first class though, you first have to be 100% comfortable with a pair of sticks and a snare drum.
While I was studying with Chad, he hipped me to Murray who I went to for about two and a half years. Totally changed my playing and tough as nails. He could barely see anymore but he could actually hear when I was off on my sticking as the two sticks had different resonance and he could hear that even in his late 80's! One of a kind......
I studied with Chad for almost a year. Couldn't meet a more humble and nice guy especially considering who he plays for. In this day of gospel chop drummers people seem think this stuff is irrelevant but it is truly timeless just as Murray was. However if you watch Pridgen teach rudiments and grip he uses almost the same exact fulcrum and grip. Chad saved my drumming by teaching me this grip and being so demanding with rolls (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 stroke), swiss triplets etc. I've been using more french grip now too which might seem contradictory but having learned to use rebound and throw much more efficiently (having the stick do most of the work for me vs muscling it non-surface dependent) I have much more control, dont have to work as hard, and wont get shoulder injuries like a certain young drummer canvassing China, or like Bobby Schayer (Bad Religion) whos injury ended his career. Scoff if you want to but I highly recommend putting some effort into this.
French grip is what I find most natural to me, since I began learning to play the drums almost a year ago, when I was 53 years old. I've managed to apply the Spivack method by watching videos and reading anything I could find on it. I think it is very in line with the Alexander Technique regarding the economy of motion and less tension aspects.
Yes, he did not teach style. He called himself a drum coach. One of the concepts he made clear was that what ever he was having you practice, You didn't bring to the gig, because all that stuff would eventually work its way into your playing. One of the things that was truly remarkable to me was that I originally went to see Murry because of a technique problem I was having with one of my hands, back when I was working two 6 hour shifts a day in Vegas, and it was really turning into a problem. He proved to me that my fulcrum should be the middle finger (more orchestral), Which was weird, because I learned from a great rudimentalist as a kid, that my fulcrum was between the thumb, and forefinger. So I had a lot of work to do, because he proved that his way had four times more control, and dynamics, then the way I was doing it. Furthermore, I never thought I was muting the stick, and I wasn't, but he also proved that changing my fulcrum would affect the sound of my stick, and now they're actually less muted. You can hear it. I was really touched that a 92-year-old Man would care enough to make sure that I knew these details about something that was very important to me, and sent me off into a new direction. Murry Spivak made a big difference in the world to lots of people!
I discovered Chad Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, and Neil Peart live in dramatic fashion, each for the first time between late '82 and early '83. Chad with Holdsworth and Berlin (on mushrooms). Then a friend loaned me King Crimson's Discipline. In thunders Bill Bruford. I've never recovered. I'll always love the explosive power of Bozzio and Peart, but there was something elemental in Chad's approach that was striking and an instructive contrast for this drummer. Like Gadd or DeJohnette.
I Love Chad ....his effortless and musical style of playing drums enhanced everybody’s sound around him. Am an Allan Holdsworth fan, but the only time I saw him live was with Steven Wilson in Chile. Amazing show and drum interpretation of every song.
I sat first row with my Son in Denton Tx to see Allan Holdsworth Chad and Jimmy Johnson play. They were all so kind and down to earth .. I noticed no one was helping they were loading their own gear and I asked to help.. Worried I was real careful with Chads kit he said oh you cant hurt that stuff no worries so I motioned like oh yea and acted like I was gonna hurl things Chad Laughed great guy Allan handed me his Delap after the show and I was floored by that and Jimmy Johnson also just handed me his alembic bass I was quite floored by how down to earth they were and R.I.P. Allan It dawned on me after the show id seen Chad before with Frank Zappa and how could I not ask about FRANK ? DOH they put me right at ease and were GIANTS to my son and I .. So as a father who knows how important a great teacher can be it can make you or break you as a child I think Chad is a great Teacher a kind soul that wants to get the right message across and you see it here in the lesson.. Im watching this to learn and Im a guitar player but im here because Chad was humane to me first off and ive always loved his music with others Zappa Holdsworth Id seen him before with Holdsworth in Houston right before the Hurricane hit we drove in from Austin to see them as they were not coming to Austin.... Great shows...
I saw Wackerman play at a PAS competition back in I think it was '75 at CSUN. The two judges were Carmine Appice and Louie Bellson. My friend was in the competition and I started taking lessons from his teacher who took lessons from Murray Spivack so I learned a little bit about how to hold the sticks and the up-and-down stroke. Wackerman must have been around 14 at the time and easily won the competition. He was the wunderkind back then in Southern California.
So killer to read this. I discovered Wackerman, Bozzio, and Peart for the first time live within six months of each other in late '82/early '83. Chad with Holdsworth and Berlin. During the same stretch a friend loaned me King Crimson's Discipline. In thunders Bill Bruford. I've never recovered. Thanks for sharing that "wunderkind" insight.
I, too took lessons from Cheryl Hall-Sleeth who took lessons from Chuck Flores who took lessons from Murray Spivack. Really helped me out, too. Have seen Chad play drums, too, and he has the goods, no doubt about it.
Surprising because Spivack had to be an old man when he first encountered Zappa music. It is natural for people to be stuck in the music of their youth. Obviously, Spivack was not stuck in the music of his youth. On the flip side, having been listening to Zappa since 1967, it is not surprising that I could start listening to jazz in my old age. I was already listening to jazz, and other genres while listening to Zappa.
My old drummer friend from middle school and I studied with the same teacher, the great Russ Moy (RIP) from Elizabeth, NJ. My friend studied with Russ since he was 5-we are now 63 years old-My friend got his teaching degree and was a high school music director for 38 years. In his last 6 years of teaching he had a very talented 10 year old drum student that he taught privately. His student at age 17-without telling my friend, his teacher-auditioned for The Russ Moy Music Scholarship. Russ Moy's wife was one of the judges. When my friend's student finished his audition, Russ's wife started crying, stood up and said to him, "young man, you sound and play just like my late husband!"
A very humble man and he's a real good well rounded drummer but his little brother is and was at age 8 incredible I believe his name is Zach but I may be wrong on his first name!! Chad be well my friend!! Your truly Jerry Cuccurullo
There's one almost immutable fact common to great drummers; they all sound almost apologetic and super humble. I've had the pleasure recently of attending Drum hangs with the likes of Peter Erskine, Steve Jordan and Ian Thomas; all were very relaxed and level headed about both their undoubted talent and great achievements. Chad Wackerman is no different.
What I like about Chad is he looks like the guy who works in a cubicle 9 to 5 and knits sweaters in his spare time, then he absolutely CRUSHES a drum set. My fantasy is for him to fill in when Lars is sick one night and all the girls are there.
Na ,Bozzio would be the better drummer to blow Metallica fans minds while destroying zipper head Lars ,Bozzio has the same chops but comes off as a much more powerful and dynamic drummer than Chad ,Chad just f-ing swings man .
It is curious how close Chads and Terry (Bozzios) styles are oh so similiar yet completely different. Must have been the zappa experience that created a link in their sound and phrasing
Benny Guillory. A legendary drummer from South Louisiana performing since the age of 6. Also a fantastic drum builder. He now lives somewhere in Southern California.
Louie Bellson Odd Time Reading Text, Podemski's Snare Drum Method, and Langey (I'm unfamiliar with that book and Steve Weiss doesn't carry it, might be out of print). My first teacher was a former student of Murray's, and the snare drum books he used were Stick Control, Syncopation, Bellson 4/4 and Odd Time, Podemski, Portraits in Rhythm, and Wilcoxon Rudimental Swing Solos. Also, there was Murray's list of rudiments, which was slightly different from PAS. My second teacher was also a former student of Murray's. He added Accents & Rebounds and the Lepak etudes to the list.
It's nice to see. Shows he isn't afraid to explore new direction- even though he's a master in his craft. There's a good number of masters who don't step up like that.
Everybody steals but they call it "borrowing." My first few gigs on stage I stole everything Vinnie did from his Zildjian Days concert. People went nuts. My OWN style would come out much, much later.
Chad is the most underrated drummer alive. He's a true virtuoso by definition! I had the immense good fortune of studying with Murray Spivack between 1985 and 1986. I still teach his philosophy to my students exclusively with stunning results. Style is truly something you should learn on your own by listening and witnessing different drummers. If you want to be first class though, you first have to be 100% comfortable with a pair of sticks and a snare drum.
While I was studying with Chad, he hipped me to Murray who I went to for about two and a half years. Totally changed my playing and tough as nails. He could barely see anymore but he could actually hear when I was off on my sticking as the two sticks had different resonance and he could hear that even in his late 80's! One of a kind......
I studied with Chad for almost a year. Couldn't meet a more humble and nice guy especially considering who he plays for. In this day of gospel chop drummers people seem think this stuff is irrelevant but it is truly timeless just as Murray was. However if you watch Pridgen teach rudiments and grip he uses almost the same exact fulcrum and grip. Chad saved my drumming by teaching me this grip and being so demanding with rolls (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 stroke), swiss triplets etc. I've been using more french grip now too which might seem contradictory but having learned to use rebound and throw much more efficiently (having the stick do most of the work for me vs muscling it non-surface dependent) I have much more control, dont have to work as hard, and wont get shoulder injuries like a certain young drummer canvassing China, or like Bobby Schayer (Bad Religion) whos injury ended his career. Scoff if you want to but I highly recommend putting some effort into this.
French grip is what I find most natural to me, since I began learning to play the drums almost a year ago, when I was 53 years old. I've managed to apply the Spivack method by watching videos and reading anything I could find on it. I think it is very in line with the Alexander Technique regarding the economy of motion and less tension aspects.
Holdsworth? Streisand?
Chad is always down to earth humble honest and one of the most musical drummers alive today
Yes, he did not teach style. He called himself a drum coach. One of the concepts he made clear was that what ever he was having you practice,
You didn't bring to the gig, because all that stuff would eventually work its way into your playing. One of the things that was truly remarkable to me was that I originally went to see Murry because of a technique problem I was having with one of my hands, back when I was working two 6 hour shifts a day in Vegas, and it was really turning into a problem. He proved to me that my fulcrum should be the middle finger (more orchestral), Which was weird, because I learned from a great rudimentalist as a kid, that my fulcrum was between the thumb, and forefinger. So I had a lot of work to do, because he proved that his way had four times more control, and dynamics, then the way I was doing it. Furthermore, I never thought I was muting the stick, and I wasn't, but he also proved that changing my fulcrum would affect the sound of my stick, and now they're actually less muted. You can hear it. I was really touched that a 92-year-old Man would care enough to make sure that I knew these details about something that was very important to me, and sent me off into a new direction. Murry Spivak made a big difference in the world to lots of people!
...Richard Wilson.
Awesome.
very interesting story, and that you played in Vegas..
impressive.
This is totally wild. Thanks for sharing this.
Just letting you know a bass player is listening! Thanks for your knowledge, and thanks for Murray Spivack!
All the Wackermans are incredible. I love and admire this family a lot. I wish Drum Channel made some content with Brooks too.
I discovered Chad Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, and Neil Peart live in dramatic fashion, each for the first time between late '82 and early '83. Chad with Holdsworth and Berlin (on mushrooms). Then a friend loaned me King Crimson's Discipline. In thunders Bill Bruford. I've never recovered. I'll always love the explosive power of Bozzio and Peart, but there was something elemental in Chad's approach that was striking and an instructive contrast for this drummer. Like Gadd or DeJohnette.
I Love Chad ....his effortless and musical style of playing drums enhanced everybody’s sound around him. Am an Allan Holdsworth fan, but the only time I saw him live was with Steven Wilson in Chile. Amazing show and drum interpretation of every song.
Chad Is the best! ❤ I love his style, great professionalism, perfectionist and has a great versatility of musical styles! Greetings from Italy! 🇮🇹👍😉
One of my favorite drummers. Saw him with Holdsworth. Power and taste in spades.
I saw them together in '83 and later around 2007.
I sat first row with my Son in Denton Tx to see Allan Holdsworth Chad and Jimmy Johnson play.
They were all so kind and down to earth .. I noticed no one was helping they were loading their own gear and
I asked to help.. Worried I was real careful with Chads kit he said oh you cant hurt that stuff no worries so I motioned like oh yea and acted like I was gonna hurl things Chad Laughed great guy Allan handed me his Delap after the show and I was floored by that and Jimmy Johnson also just handed me his alembic bass I was quite floored by how down to earth they were and R.I.P. Allan It dawned on me after the show id seen Chad before with Frank Zappa and how could I not ask about FRANK ? DOH they put me right at ease and were GIANTS to my son and I .. So as a father who knows how important a great teacher can be it can make you or break you as a child I think Chad is a great Teacher a kind soul that wants to get the right message across and you see it here in the lesson.. Im watching this to learn and Im a guitar player but im here because Chad was humane to me first off and ive always loved his music with others Zappa Holdsworth Id seen him before with Holdsworth in Houston right before the Hurricane hit we drove in from Austin to see them as they were not coming to Austin.... Great shows...
I saw Wackerman play at a PAS competition back in I think it was '75 at CSUN. The two judges were Carmine Appice and Louie Bellson. My friend was in the competition and I started taking lessons from his teacher who took lessons from Murray Spivack so I learned a little bit about how to hold the sticks and the up-and-down stroke. Wackerman must have been around 14 at the time and easily won the competition. He was the wunderkind back then in Southern California.
So killer to read this. I discovered Wackerman, Bozzio, and Peart for the first time live within six months of each other in late '82/early '83. Chad with Holdsworth and Berlin. During the same stretch a friend loaned me King Crimson's Discipline. In thunders Bill Bruford. I've never recovered. Thanks for sharing that "wunderkind" insight.
I, too took lessons from Cheryl Hall-Sleeth who took lessons from Chuck Flores who took lessons from Murray Spivack. Really helped me out, too. Have seen Chad play drums, too, and he has the goods, no doubt about it.
"He [Murray Spivack] was the first person that told me about Frank Zappa."
~ Chad Wackerman (16:31)
Surprising because Spivack had to be an old man when he first encountered Zappa music. It is natural for people to be stuck in the music of their youth.
Obviously, Spivack was not stuck in the music of his youth. On the flip side, having been listening to Zappa since 1967, it is not surprising that I could start
listening to jazz in my old age. I was already listening to jazz, and other genres while listening to Zappa.
A great person first and a great drummer too !
My old drummer friend from middle school and I studied with the same teacher, the great Russ Moy (RIP) from Elizabeth, NJ.
My friend studied with Russ since he was 5-we are now 63 years old-My friend got his teaching degree and was a high school music director for 38 years.
In his last 6 years of teaching he had a very talented 10 year old drum student that he taught privately.
His student at age 17-without telling my friend, his teacher-auditioned for The Russ Moy Music Scholarship.
Russ Moy's wife was one of the judges.
When my friend's student finished his audition, Russ's wife started crying, stood up and said to him, "young man, you sound and play just like my late husband!"
To my opinion: - Very musical and technical drum solo. Highest level!!!!
A very humble man and he's a real good well rounded drummer but his little brother is and was at age 8 incredible I believe his name is Zach but I may be wrong on his first name!! Chad be well my friend!! Your truly Jerry Cuccurullo
Brooks is the name of his younger brother and he plays on the band Avenged Sevenfold today.
He has two younger brothers who play drums, John and Brooks.
Whoever would thumb down this incredible video, should have their thumbs cut off. Wackerman played with Zappa.... cant touch this! Dah-nana-nah
guys, this is too awesome
There's one almost immutable fact common to great drummers; they all sound almost apologetic and super humble. I've had the pleasure recently of attending Drum hangs with the likes of Peter Erskine, Steve Jordan and Ian Thomas; all were very relaxed and level headed about both their undoubted talent and great achievements. Chad Wackerman is no different.
Everything about this is outstanding! 100% truth.
who else is watching in feb 2019?
Mar 1st. 2019
@@mineheadX1 May 16th 2019
BRILLIANT VIDEO!!!BRAVO chad!! thanks for this. Murray was to LA what my teacher, HENRY ADLER, was to NY..greg Venuto NYC
I studied at Henry Adler's as well. My teacher was Charles Tappan, who worked there.
wow,cool
awsome thanks drumchannel
Thanks!
You have to be pretty good to have a method named after you!
What I like about Chad is he looks like the guy who works in a cubicle 9 to 5 and knits sweaters in his spare time, then he absolutely CRUSHES a drum set. My fantasy is for him to fill in when Lars is sick one night and all the girls are there.
Na ,Bozzio would be the better drummer to blow Metallica fans minds while destroying zipper head Lars ,Bozzio has the same chops but comes off as a much more powerful and dynamic drummer than Chad ,Chad just f-ing swings man .
Great drummer!
"Wackerman"...perfect name for a drummer...lol
I bought my very first vintage kit from a guy called Ken Basham!!!
It is curious how close Chads and Terry (Bozzios) styles are oh so similiar yet completely different. Must have been the zappa experience that created a link in their sound and phrasing
Many thanks! Blessings!!!
love your work!!
I got to study with Murray!
Reply to this comment with who would you like to see next on Drum Channel! 🥁
DrumChannel.com more Matt halpern would be nice or Kenny arnoff
Gavin Harrison
Bobby Jarzombek
Vinnie Colaiuta
Tony Royster Jr
Dennis Chambers
Benny Guillory. A legendary drummer from South Louisiana performing since the age of 6. Also a fantastic drum builder. He now lives somewhere in Southern California.
Chris Dave!
Brooks Wackerman!
@ 14:12; " ... I teach your brain and your hands will follow ... "
Or they will fall
Low...
Good channel for all levels of playing 🤙
Met him when he was a teenager, now he looks like someone’s math teacher.
I heard thru the LA drum scene that Murray told Colaiuta his playing was too stiff
Marvelous!!!!
Damn, I want to take lesson with Chad now.
@5:55
《Odd Time Reading》and Linear ?so the second book name is ?anynone could tell please,thx.
Louie Bellson Odd Time Reading Text, Podemski's Snare Drum Method, and Langey (I'm unfamiliar with that book and Steve Weiss doesn't carry it, might be out of print).
My first teacher was a former student of Murray's, and the snare drum books he used were Stick Control, Syncopation, Bellson 4/4 and Odd Time, Podemski, Portraits in Rhythm, and Wilcoxon Rudimental Swing Solos. Also, there was Murray's list of rudiments, which was slightly different from PAS. My second teacher was also a former student of Murray's. He added Accents & Rebounds and the Lepak etudes to the list.
0:00 to 0:35 In the footsteps of Terry Bozzio))?
Павел Гур makes sense since they did shows together
It's nice to see. Shows he isn't afraid to explore new direction- even though he's a master in his craft. There's a good number of masters who don't step up like that.
footsteps?...naw. walking right beside him.
Everybody steals but they call it "borrowing." My first few gigs on stage I stole everything Vinnie did from his Zildjian Days concert. People went nuts. My OWN style would come out much, much later.
@@babyboy3607 I like Vinnie Paul also..!😉
Chad's voice kinda reminds me of a slightly higher pitched James Cromwell.
I'd say a lower pitched John Cramwell
One of Murray Spivack´s Master Students was Josh Freese!
Josh didn’t study with Murray, he studied with Ron Romano and then Roy Burns.
@@JohnTerby Any idea why he left Nine Inch Nails?
Go get Brooks...
Brooks at 7:57
John's there too
@@RJ-ox8on That's what I thought!!
The few of you who clicked thumbs down, please explain.
Is that John Goode on Bass? ;)
If you mean around 8:20, that's Chad's brother Bob.
@@jc3drums916 Aren't all four players brothers?
Good people age very well
Terry Bozzio