Studio Drummer – What Do I Bring? … One More Time!
*And I have to say one more time!…THE SONG ALWAYS COMES FIRST… ALWAYS!*
Within the parameters that are laid down by the material and production direction you have to make your mark in a truly musical and artistic fashion.
And this comes from learning to really and truly listen.
Learn to listen in a new way, in much more depth to the subtleties of texture and musicality!
This takes time and experience and it also takes a true desire to learn and deepen your musicality. Start listening to all the greats. Take something from each player. If you can’t find something unique about their playing you probably either haven’t listened closely enough or you haven’t listened to enough material.
I also mention Stuart Copeland again in this same fashion. He’s such a highly distinctive player that he’s immediately recognizable. One can only imagine the amount of time and attention that went into his hi hat abilities.
You need to look for and develop the same distinctive uniqueness in aspects of your own playing.
Listen, Listen, Listen! Make notes of the individually unique features that your ear discerns from different players and work at integrating these qualities into your own playing style.