A Journey Into Jazz & Rock Drumming | Steve Smith

Steve Smith, drummer of Vital Information and the former drummer of Journey, has played with a variety of artists like Steps Ahead, Jean-Luc Ponty and Mike Stern. He’s known for writing tasteful drum solos and musical drum parts, and for incorporating different styles into his playing.

In this full lesson, not only will you see Steve break out the original 24″ Zildjian Ping ride from the Journey records he played on (after 30 years in storage), you’ll learn:

- What Steve means when he says “everyone is self taught” when it comes to music
- An easier way to count in 15
- How Steve orchestrates Indian rhythm systems on the kit
- How you’ve been playing “Don’t Stop Believin’” wrong
- How Steve became an open-handed player just to be able to play parts he was hearing in his head

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Chapters:

0:00 – SONG: “Separate Ways” by Journey
5:29 – Introduction and counting in 15
8:41 – SONG: “Seven And A Half” by Vital Information
15:15 – Breaking down Indian rhythms/konnakol
20:26 – SONG: “Interwoven Rhythms – Synchronous” by Vital Information
23:49 – Continuing the konnakol story
29:34 – Solo excerpt from Journey’s “La Do Da” (full solo available inside Drumeo)
36:00 – Introducing the legendary ride cymbal
38:56 – SONG: “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
43:10 – Breaking down “Don’t Stop Believin'”
47:29 – Final thoughts
49:23 – SOLO: “Choreography Of Sound”

About Steve:
Steve Smith is a treasure to drumming culture. He was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” and voted “Best All-Around Drummer” five years in a row by Modern Drummer’s readers poll. Steve is perhaps best known as the drummer for Journey. He would end up recording six albums, including Journey’s most popular album Escape, during his tenure with them. However, Steve is a jazz drummer at heart. He has been the bandleader of his group Vital Information since the early 1970s and has been a sideman for artists such as Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead, Dweezil Zappa, Bryan Adams and Savage Garden, among many others.

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[jimflys]

I've been watching Steve for the last 40 years and he is always evolving. I remember him when he held traditional grip and WAY back on the stick in the left hand. Like ridiculously way back. Now his traditional grip is more traditional. His rock drummer is WAY lighter than it used to be. More deliberate looking. Less bombastic, thought I would never have thought of him as bombastic. Many rock drummers are only bombastic. Steve's jazz work is so inspirational and cutting edge. His implied metric modulation has taking this to a whole new level with Vital Info. What a great guy.

[fireyourrocketts]

An absolute legend. Steve musically is like good wine; the oldest it gets, the better, not that he looks old at all, he looks fresh and on point.

[ppaul]

Man I love his drumming! Always have. I think he is a great example of "more is less". And what I mean by that here is that he has all of the gifts of a top notch drummer who uses his skills very tastefully. No overplaying and using crazy chops sparingly . Brilliant drummer who knows how to best serve a song. Great post!

[donaldbradbury]

The thing that really made me sit up and listen to Steve Smith was when I was watching hi talk about creating the drum part to "Don't Stop Believing". He talked about the drum as a musical instrument with melodies. I was hooked. That changed my whole outlook on drumming.

[tonyblackmore]

I'm suffering through a rut in my life.And just before he started playing , he spoke of music, I just grabbed my guitar.To me it sounded so motivational for someone down and out.

[ultrakool]

He did a clinic at Scott AFB Illinois about twenty years ago. I sat in front of him about 6 ft away and was amazed. During his solo he had his hi hats teeter tottering about 6" high, side to side, up and down at one point. Mesmerizing!

[geethamalavaratharajan]

I am a Tamil speaking
South Indian
I know nothing about playing drums but my Dad was a drummer.
Just like Gods signs
Something made me watch this video and Steve sir got into my heart beats
With my eyes blooming with tears
Virtual hug to sir🙏🙌

[Captain-Mayday]

Hear this, Steve Smith goes from ta ki ki da to this, without having to change his drums, his style, even his shirt. That's a versatile drummer. From swinging on the ride to smashing on the hi-hats in a straight four beat.

That. Few can do.

[flameslingeralex]

He is so laid back. I always love to listen and watch his playing :)

[DonII]

Greatest technician on the planet, period!!! Look how easy he makes it look, damn!! Steve you are the MAN! Love your playing and creativity, it has been, and still is, an inspiration to me to be better on the drums! Thank you Steve!!

[scootpittmantv]

Most musical drummer ever. Been a fan since the 70’s when he was with Jean Luc Ponty.

[ppfd]

Just fantastic. Never been a huge Zildjian fan but, those cymbals are magic.
Thank you Steve if you read this

[ranadrums]

A master! Amazing technique, timing and an endless vocabulary.

[DesignRhythm]

Damm the "7 & Half" was incredible!! Epic performance

[tommysonnier]

I have always loved Steve's playing but now, It's so much more. The rudiments masterly showcased in a musical way, the various overlapped rhythms, and study into Indian music being brought forth in a modern way just blows me away.

[Dan-hcow]

A true master and one of the nicest people I've ever met.

[paulbentley]

Whatever he does he makes it look so damn easy. Encyclopedic knowledge of his art. Fair play to the host he's able to keep up and comprehend, very cool dude. And OMG, that solo in the middle. Off the scale.

[RAMusic]

I am very proud to say that Steve and I studied with the same amazing teacher, the great Gary Chaffee. Gary would often speak about how Steve not only learned from him but took that information and made it uniquely his own. As Steve said, we are all self taught to actually make music. Thanks you Steve for bringing your talent and insight to this far reaching musical platform.

[D.rinenji]

I've always seen Steve Smith and Steve gadd as magicians of complex simplicity. They inspires me, in Young age to understand that drumming is not about show off, being fast, being pois, but to shut the ego and the need for attention trying to be good. I havent yet reached that level of course. Recently i found Ash Soan which happen to be their version moderno version. This is how i feel this drummers. They are amazing

[Sheepstealer]

His feel and economy of motion is unreal. Master musician.