The Pocket Queen - 5 Songs That Changed My Drumming

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As musicians, we’re all influenced by the music we listen to, even if we aren’t consciously trying to learn a drum part. Taylor Gordon – aka “The Pocket Queen” – talks about five songs that changed her drumming, and demonstrates her favorite sections of each song.

0:30 - “Where Are You Going?” – Dave Matthews Band
2:32 - “What A Fool Believes” – Doobie Brothers
3:54 - “Cissy Strut” – The Meters
6:37 - “777-9311” – Morris Day and the Time
10:33 - “Message In A Bottle” – The Police

What are your top five songs and how have they influenced your drumming?

Follow Taylor:

[patrickfoster]

Damn! Anyone who can play that LinnDrum pattern from 777-9311 has my respect. Lots of people do a faulty version of it but the Queen has it down perfectly! Incredible!

[cranstonlumpkin]

The Pocket Queen is an excellent musician. I wish her the best.

[waterjack]

I love this young lady's talent and dedication to her craft!!!

[AllenIverson]

Cissy Strut is the song that got me into funk. First time I listened to it I could'nt believe how catchy it was.

[vlove]

1 Earth, Wind&Fire = in the stone
2 Steela Dan = Black Cow
3 Heat Wave = Boogie nights
4 Thelonious Monk= Epistrophy
5 Earth, Wind &Fire = Runnin

[jessejohnson]

Hello PQ, You are an incredibly musician. 777-9311 Is actually a stock drum beat that came in the LM 1 Linn Drum Machine ($4000 )The beat was programmed by Tower Of Power’s drummer David Garibaldi for Roger Linn who’s a guitar player. Hope this helps. LovePeace, Jesse Johnson

[vitormd]

please invite more drummers for this question! Very nice!

[Jason-vnxj]

That was so tasty, my mom asked for the recipe. Holy shit, that was fun to watch.

[tmbcmn]

My favorite drum beats are Good to your Earhole (Funkadelic), Do that Stuff (Parliament). What about it (Eddie Hazel) Soulmate(Funkadelic) I've been watchin' you (Parliament).
I have many others but I just mentioned these because I would take up the page. You go GIRL!!!

[officialjfuzion]

*777" was programmed into the Linn prototype by David Garibaldi of Tower of Power. That prototype was given personally to Prince. Prince took that preset, added a clap and tweaked the hi-hats some and used it for the basis of "777" while writing the album for the Time.

[arsonne]

Holy bejeezus that kit sounds amazing.

[ivankaspeadsforquincyjones]

Great drumming pocket Queen ! Your passion for what you do is contagious, and what a great personality.

[MouleMcCreath]

Great drummer & from what I hear a lovely person.
Songs:
1. Aja - Steely Dan - [Aja] - not for the obvious solo stuff by Steve, but the overall feel/groove & particularly for the dynamics which so many drummers have no concept of
2. Third Wind - Pat Metheny - [Still Life Talking] - Paul Wertico just makes this bounce along, almost effortlessly (though it's obviously not!)
3. Says - Al Jarreau - [Lis for Lover} - Steve Ferrone showing how to make something funky essentially with hh/snare/bd. The syncopation is just magic.
4. Fred - Tony Williams - [Believe It] - a great example of fusion playing (from 1975). Tony's ability to take 60's jazz sensibilities & apply them to a rock setting - my goodness!
5. Frenchman's Flat - Larry Carlton - [Sleepwalk] - Jeff Porcaro's shuffle beats are unparalleled (as we know from 'Rosanna'). This is a doozie.

(Can I add a 6? - well, hell, I'm going to!)
6. Blame it on my youth - Keith Jarrett - [The Cure] - Jack DeJohnette proves the Pocket Queen's point that drummers aren't just timekeepers, they're composers, integral to the piece. Jack does so little in many ways but it's vital to the overall feel/sonic soundscape & it's just wonderful. The space he leaves for everything else to happen is an art - one I try to replicate when doing similar jazz gigs & as my mother would say "light & shade" - meaning dynamics - couldn't be better illustrated here.

[lucasjacks]

One of the best smiles on YouTube! She's great! Also I need a table like that.

[Constantijn]

Keep on Growing (Jim Gordon, Derek and the Dominos), Dead on Time (Roger Taylor, Queen), For Your Precious Love (Al Jackson, Otis Redding), Holy Diver (Vinny Appice, Dio), Mushanga (Jeff Porcaro, Toto)

[ManelRuivo]

holy shit, what a drummer. and what a speaker!

[tictocbang]

Great clip!
5 songs that heavily influenced my drumming over the years:
"Knocks Me Off My Feet" - Stevie Wonder
"Do It Again" - Steely Dan
"Wishing Well" - Bob Mould
"Fallen Angel" - Robbie Robertson
"Mandjou" - Salif Keita


And "Clockworks" by Meshuggah. Not that I'll ever be able to play along. :)

[samuelswinney]

You are a inspiration to all drummers in the music world! I really love listening to your music. You are a professional.

[fnk]

She broke down 7779311 in four hours. Shit it took me several day to perfect that groove. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[LimpBizkit]

She adds flavor to very simple grooves 🥁