If I have already asked this question of you, please forgive me. I can't recall asking it--only thinking about, but that doesn't mean I haven't already asked this, please bear with me.
Could you tell me how long you usually practice on your drums when you practice, and, what sort of excersizes or things do you do when you practice? I noticed, way back when, in solo on the Get Ready album, that you featured some of the rudiments in that solo( your use of the flams always intrigued me, because flams are difficult!), and some of the ideas that you came up with throughout that and your other solos are unbelievable.
Also, when you do solo's, are they spontaneous, or did you sort of construct a solo that you want to do, using some of the ideas you came up with, then ad-lib throughout it?
One other things...what ever happened to your white pearl Slingerland drum set? That, along with Ray's Fender, should be placed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with you guys!
Well where do I begin. First of all I don't have a practice routine. I usually just go for it. I warm up my hands and feet and voice a little and then I play. As far as solo's go I never contrived any solo. I just go for it. I don't know what I play when it's my turn. I try to stay within the feel of the tempo but it's all random. I didn't even know that some of the stuff was flams or whatever..... I wish I could be a little more dramatic with this answer but..... that's the way I've always done it. When it's time ...........go for it............
Such a pleasure to receive such a detailed answer to my question, from you, Peter. Thanks.
Buddy Rich often said he wasn't into the labels of drumming. He once stated, during an interview: " I'm not really into the technical aspect of drumming--ratamacues and and all that. If I hit the drum and it sounds good, that's all that matters". What you just said about the flams, reminded me of that statement.
I've always thought of you as a musical drummer. Your solos, to me, are rhythmic, for example. I'm the opposite, as I'm into the technical aspect of drumming, and, when I listen to a solo, I listen for the rhythmic patterns. I wish I wasn't, but, I guess I am stuck with it, because it's always there. It is amazing that you play what you play spontaneously, because it's alwaysso creative.
That reminds me of what Neil Young's friend/producer the late David Briggs used to say in regards to Neil tinkering with sonmgs to much: "The more you think, the more you stink."
I like to think that the best musical things come out of spontaneity...off the cuff...improvisation.
Do you still play "double bass", by using one of the dual pedals for one bass drum?
With the speed you have in your feet, which I am quite confident was the envy of many, many professional drummers, I can't imagine you not utilizing both feet on the bass.
I only use one bass drum and I don't use dual pedals. I don't have much use for them lately. Most of the time they were just for effect.... single rolls etc. on big endings. Maybe some solo work but hardly ever used.. Peter
I know for a fact that your double bass drum work was/is the cause of many drummers out there being awestruck, as you were one of the earliest to use two bass drums, without ever over playing them, and using them as part of your breathtaking drum solos. No one else as doing that stuff back then, because they didn't have your speed. I listened to them all. Ginger Baker, Clive Bunker, Carmine Appice, et al--none of them could touch you.
It rips my heart out to hear you say this, although at the same time, I can understand what you are saying. When I listen to the audience going nuts when you are doing the double bass drum solo on your "In Concert" album, I'd get the goosebumps, just trying to imagine what it must have been like seeing you play live, and witnessing that. I remember seeing you guys on TV's "In Concert", and, you were playing those bass drums so fast and so hard that they started to move on your drum riser. I sat on the sofa with my jaw on the floor. How did you do that????????? I tried, and tried, and practiced and practiced, and it just wasn't something I could get, and I still can't, because I have tried, using those dual pedals. I have a 28x20 inch bass drum, even, and I still couldnt do it, so I gave up.
Can you still do it? I would really like to know how you did that, and how you practiced doing that, and for how long. I practice anywhere from an hour two 2 hours a day, depending on how I feel, then, I practice on my timpani after that for a shorter period of time, since there really isn't too much involved in it.
Do you think you would ever try the dual pedals? I know its a pain in the neck having 2 bass drums. I gave that up back in the mid 70's, myself, and have never tried it again, for reasons already stated. I just wondered if you'd ever consider trying the dual pedals, since you've already got that gift of having control of both pedals.
Thanks so much for your responses to my questions.
I suppose I could find a way to use them again. You have to know that currently the shows I do don't really have room to warrant using 2 base drums. Oddly enough the only song I solo on is "Inna Gadda Da Vida" with Mike Pinera. It's not my favorite groove to solo on but it seems the crowd expects it on that song. I give it to them although I don't follow the original. Get Ready is always our opening song and I don't solo on that. Back in the days of Rare Earth I used to take my liberty with solo's and it was fun but now it just isn't something I use. Can I still do it? I think so. We may never know but I do think so. In order to sound like the record singing or playing I have to do what I did on the night I recorded the song so that's how I approach all songs. I don't allow myself to lower keys or take short cuts. If the day comes when I can't do what I've always done then I will put myself out to pasture. As of now God wants me to keep going ....... so that's what I will do. Thank you for asking. Good luck with your practice. BTW: Most of the time I used my feet it was just single strokes faster and faster.... Peter
Thanks so much for your response, which took me by surprise.
You wouldn't really have to add the second bass drum, unless you wanted to. You could always use one of the many different brands of those pedals made to eliminate the second bass drum. I don't like them, but you may find them comfortable.
I know that when you did your solos, and you built up your single strokes on the bass drums, "faster and faster", that was what I was referring to. You would get them going so fast it was absolutely shocking, to say the least. I left out names of other drummers who also played double bass( and may, still), and I know for a fact that they still can't do what you are capable of. Not even Carl Palmer, or Neil Peart can touch you, as far as your feet go. I know this for a fact. I keep up with what Palmer does, on a weekly basis.
Back in the 80's and 90's, Palmer had become very fast with his feet, but, over the past 10 years, he seems to have lost what he had. You can view him on You Tube. Neil Peart never had fast feet to begin with, but utilized the double bass in a different way, and over played. But, the way you featured the double bass sound was perfect. PERFECT.
Here you are, in this clip on You Tube doing what I am talking about, at 3:39/40-3:41 into the clip. Then, of ourse you are doing it again with the ending of the song. Pete, that ain't human! LOL! I don't know how you do this. I have been playing for 43 years, and it blows me away, to put it mildly. But, that is what I'm talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFBLYuM7y4g&fmt=18
Here is a segment of a clip that features me, from 1988, that is on You Tube, that someone has put up. (That's Walter Cronkite introducing me). This will give you an idea of how I play, I hope, and I hope I'm not "ringing my own bell" as they say. I come on at 5:53 into the clip. I owe this all to you, Peter.
Thanks again, for responding. You are one of the greatest drummers/singers in this whole, wide world we live in. I know that I am speaking for a LOT of fans, drummers, and singers a out there!
I REALLY enjoyed your moment of fame. You really can do the business when it comes to analysing sound. You're a pretty mean drummer too by the looks of it!!
By the way, Peter...I made the mistake of going from the orthodox grip, like you use. I could kick myself 20 times over for doing that. For one thing, you have more stick control using your grip, and, it looks much, much cooler and more professional. I try hard to play like that, but I just can't get the strength and control I need to hit the drums in the right manner.
In the comment sections of You Tube videos of you playing, I've read comments from people who note that you use the orthodox grip, and they think it's cool! They're right!
Ya know, as a teenager I thought the faster, flashier players were better. Nowadays, I don't think so. I liek the drummers who can lay down a solid groove and stay in the pocket. And if the drummer can sing while keeping a good groove, even better.
In my opinion, Peter is in the same league as drummers like Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, the late Jeff Porcaro, Hal Blaine, Jim Keltner, etc. He doesn't over do it. But there is proof that he could solo and let loose like nobody's business.
EEEEwwwwwww...Ian Paice? LOLOL!!! I never got into that guy, and actually couldn't get into that band. I couldnt take the singing( screaming) vocalist. Which part sounds like him? I'll have to stop doing that LOLOLOL!!!!
You know when I read all the nice comments you all write about me I am humbled. All my life I have struggled with confidence and after all these years, reading your comments makes me feel so good. I really can't thank all of you enough. It's a great feeling and I hope I can continue to live up to your expectations. God, please bless Urel, he was a very big inspiration to me. He was my groove thang....!
WHEN OUR CAL JAM VIDEOS CAME OUT ON YOUTUBE,I SENT A COUPLE TO URIEL. HE REALLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GREAT!! HIS FIRST COMMENT WAS........"PETE'S ONE HELL OF A DRUMMER" !!
REST IN PEACE URIEL.......ONE OF THE GREATEST,IN MANY WAYS.
My condolences to his friends, family and everyone in The Funk Brothers band. I don't have to say it but what a loss! I spent last night working on putting together a cd of nothing but songs with Uriel on drums. Here's what I have so far:
Cloud Nine I Can't Get Next to You Ain't Too Proud To Beg The Tracks of My Tears What Becomes of the Brokenhearted For Once In My Life * (Stevie Wonder) Ain't That Peculiar I Heard it Through the Grapevine *Marvin Gaye's rendition Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell 1967 & Diana Ross' remake in 1970) Come See About Me I Can't Get Next To You * That song has one hell of a backbeat.
Hey Ray: Thank you for telling me that. You know how much I loved the groove that was invented by Uriel. I never met him personally but I still feel like I knew him. Thank you again.... Peter
You're welcome. The joy that you and the band have brought to so many people in this whole, wide, world, is astronomical.
Also, I know all about struggling with confidence. Coming from a small town, I was always up againts a kid whose parents had all kinds of money to send him to Florida, to take lessons from Carmine Appice, and attend a Buddy Rich clinic, and he was a popular kid in school. Any other kid who played drums were always ridiculed and picked on. Because we were poor and I had a used drum set, and so forth it really took a toll on the confidence, and I, to this day, have never shaken that. It is because of it that I stopped playing in bands in 1981. All I do now is play in my spare bedroom. Doubtful, at this age, (54) that I'll ever go back out again.
As far as living up to people's expectations, Peter... With your fantastic voice and your drumming abilities, and the fact that you are such a humble man, you haven't a thing to worry about. You're the greatest!
I have to tell you, it blew me away when the producer told me that Cronkite was going to host the program. You guys can probably tell that I was scared to death. I was! And... I wish I still had that much hair! LOL!!!
I'm so sad and sorry to hear that Uriel passed away.
I'll never, ever forget the first time I heard the drums he did in Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard it through the Grapevine", playing the beat on the tom instead of the snare. It was so cool sounding, and made the song unique. Mike thanks for that list of the songs he recorded. I have many of them in my collection. The one that still rips my heart out, after all these years, is "What becomes of the broken hearted". What a moving song it is.
Yep, definitely heard you over here Steve. Screaming like a banshee you were!!
Co-incidentally I'm the same age as you and my hair has gone the same way as yours. When they talked about having a "parting" I didn't realise they actually meant "parting company". Still, if its good enough for Peter it's good enough for us don't you think?
Hey, never rule out playing again!! You're never too old to Rock n Roll (even if it feels like it some days)!
Of all of your solos, I tell my friends to listen to Get Ready and I know I'm losing you to get afeel of the talent you have and then I have them listen to I Couldn't Believe What Happened Last Night [Willie Rememembers album]. In that song, the flow of the whole song goes right into the solo which may not be your most technical as to speed and flash but the sound is amazing as to how it fits. Why do you never do this song with the Classic Rock All Stars? It would be a perfect song to display your talents and people and fans deserve to hear it. I hope you add it to your line up of songs. I did see and meet you in SLC, Utah a number of years back and you explained your last name to me.
