Steve Gadd: 'This Idea Has Really Improved My Playing”

In this clip, Steve Gadd breaks down his warmup routine and how he came up with a fresh approach to rudimental drumming after 40 years as a session musician.

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[DougDrums]

I have played drums for fifty years now, and I admire a lot of drummers. But few inspire me like Steve Gadd. His relaxed, yet precise playing is truly amazing and it actually makes me feel relaxed when I hear him play, which doesn’t happen often with me. Mr. Gadd is a treasure to the drumming world. Definitely one of a kind!

[criscomp]

His hands are so relaxed as he plays. Killer example

[BaconIsNotBiceps]

If non-drummers knew how hard some of these rudiments are, they'd be as blown away as drummers. Steve is one of the all-time greats.

[fortissimoX]

It's so inspiring to see someone as accomplished as Steve to still be so willing to learn and try new things.
Thank you Steve and I wish you many more years of sharing your music with us!

[TomTeasley]

Such an elegant technique combined with a curious mind. That's why he is the Maestro!

[damianbroderick]

Bloody hell you could pay a fortune for that kind of knowledge - this is GOLD DUST!

[musicianscolab]

This is an amazing story! Especially, because of the sticks he is using here. I first met Steve in Orlando FL. When he was playing a venu with Chick, & Stanley C. many years ago. A return to Return for Forever Gig ? I paid extra for the (Meet & Greet) to meet Steve
before there performance. So, I was first in line, waiting at the door to open for me to meet him. Strangly ? there was only two other people waiting also. The door opens, Whala!! out walks Steve first. He asked me where was every else was to meet him? Not sue I said, I was the only drummer, because of poor prees about him playing this venue.? I introduced myself to him in amazement ! He was very nice. I asked him, if could sign one of my drum sticks. Ready ? As I handed him one of the new rubber style round ended sticks, I bought for myself to practice with. He asked me where did I get such an unique stick like this? He had never seen one like this before. The same similar style he's using here in your video. I said at the local music store near by. He asked me if I could get him a pair ? I said for sure Steve. I said I'll be back quickly. Then he said OK, I'll tell the stage guards to let you come back stage after the show. So, I was in shock ! Then quickly I was driving to local SA music store to buy him 2 pairs of these same sticks. It felt like I was in a some bizare dream? When I arrived, and went to buy the sticks for him, I told the manager / employee of the drum department who these were for. The guy said What ? He didn't know anything about this gig? So, after, I drove back quickly to the gig before they started.
I waited till after the show, walked up to the stage front, told the guard who I was, and he escorted me back stage. Steve was waiting for me. I handed him the new two pair of the round rubber ended type sticks. He replied, you bought two pairs? Yes Steve, here. He was so appreciative! We talk a little, then he asked me if I'd like to sit behind his kit on stage. Great, ! I said . He even let me play on his kit for a few minutes. I still thought I was in some sort of a sureal dream. So, he thanked me again for the new sticks, we took some pictures together, and exchanged emails. I said goodbye, it was a honor to meet you. Thank you again for you time, and kindness with me ! So, here he is in your video interview, talking a little about, and using these same type of stick all because of our meeting each other years ago. Wow! What a incredibly, and wonderful memory. 😊 Thank you so much for your interview Rick. You're always so Great too. G

[andypalmieri]

The first time I heard Steve Gadd play drums back in the 70’s, I said he has the BEST FEEL I’ve ever heard from a drummer, he’s one of a kind, and when he plays his signature grooves, only he can make the feel come across like it should sound 👏👏👏👍👌❤️

[TheHouseofKushTV]

This is fascinating, because in my mind Steve has been displacing otherwise-familiar rhythms (especially paradiddles and their variants) since the mid-70's, along with Cobham and Colaiuta and a few other players that married crazy technical precision with a sweet feel. But in his mind, it's new to him. So it goes!

[glengamble]

I met Mr. Gadd one year, at NAMM-it was a private party that Zildjian threw for him, maybe 25 people in a hotel suite. I took a chance and approached him, saying ‘Mr. Gadd…when I watch you play, I can’t believe we play the same instrument!’ He chuckled and clapped my shoulder, saying ‘I’m sure you’re a fine drummer, son’. Made my year.

Chatted a bit after that and he couldn’t have been sweeter or more accessible. Plus, I think he’s a viper-his eyes were VERY red😂

[johnz]

A master of rudimental drumming, combined with wonderful creativity we've heard on so many popular songs.

[stevewillaert]

I had the honour to work with him on a recording session and it was everything I could have dreamed of: a true master who lives and breathes music, putting all his talent and technique in function of the artist and the music. The moment he started playing and showed us his idea, the magic happened ( feel free to check his playing on 'reckless heart' by CAPPAERT, the song we offered him to play on besides a few others ). I've never heard anybody play drums as gracefully and musically as he does.

[HansMagnusNedreberg]

I can’t believe there is something new for Gadd! 🤯 Mind blown.

[readthebibleinayearwithCarl]

Such a brilliant artist!! Gadd has inspired me as a musician/drummer my whole life!! HE inspires us to keep growing... NEVER settling on your current level. ... Keep reaching! Thank you Mr. Gadd!!!

[ryanmustain]

He got the gift very early on in life, and he had spent his entire life trying to teach and show the gift he has. Such a great human being

[shalaq]

Displacement. Such a simple but powerful concept. Another is taking a phrase and substracking a note or adding a bass drum before or after the phrase to lenghten or shorten it. Best to all of you ❤

[anthonywhite]

You actually spoke to Steve Gadd. Nice. A true super hero.

[mamajuke]

This was a great full interview. The broader lesson from this clip to me is how endless musical possibilities are, and how no matter how advanced you are there are always new challenges to explore.

[gregrice]

This talk by Steve Gadd may sound boring to many viewers, but this process he describes, of reviewing basics, in practice, body, and in one's ear, mind, has produced amazing material from musicians.

I've come from some young experience in playing drums, then cello in elementary school through high school. I learned some popular music and records from older siblings - loving Rolling Stones, then Jeff Beck, Bowie, Wendy Carlos, Beatles, Sly & Family Stone. In 1980 I started to hear about Philip Glass. I soon started to listen. I couldn't get my head around what he was doing with the seeming "simple" arpeggio sounding compositions.

My interest grew. I slowly learned the difference between my intuitive level of grasping music and the distance from my mental grasp of theory. I only learned recently that Glass wanted to get back to practicing music performance skills on piano, and decided to compose some etudes for developing his own skills. Those etudes clearly motivated positive experience and response from himself and others, and became bases for entire new compositions.

That's how I explain the few facts I learned about Glass' composition, to myself anyway. Gadd, and many great players and composers seem to keep sharing these similar stories - I guess they help explain why elder musicians encourage "practicing" of younger musicians. I'm starting to grasp the "why".

[AeroDude]

I won tickets to see Eric Clapton on his ‘94 Blues Only tour and Steve was his drummer. Phenomenal show as you’d expect. I spent most of the show with my head down and eyes closed, just Listening and Focusing on the Music and Steve of course. It was a pretty basic lighting show so no screens, no crazy effects anywhere, just a tremendous atmosphere with amazing musicians doing what they do best. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen.