In Regards to Myself | Drum Lesson | Aaron Gillespie of Underoath

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Aaron Gillespie breaks down Underoath's song 'In Regards to Myself' from their album 'Define the Great Line'.
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► Paramore, Underøath, The Almost and now, his own solo album. Aaron wears more hats than we can keep track of and he wears all of them extremely well. Currently the touring drummer for Paramore, Aaron offers a unique perspective on what it means to be a working drummer and an artist at the same time. He’s all-in and his drum lessons reflect that.
Aaron uses:
Meinl Cymbals: www.meinl.com
Vater Drumsticks: www.vater.com
Remo: www.Remo.com
Gretsch Drums : www.GretschDrum...

[@zach_jaxon]

Imagine being the one who wrote the drum part for the song, being invited to showcase that drum beat and then being doubted that you know the time signature.

[@BarbinRottweiler]

Thats exactly what I thought too. Im not sure he was trying to be malicious about it. I think he just doesn't have much of a filter when he interviews other drummers.

[@aross5234]

Yeah I think with this song, since the guitar riff itself is 3 BARS long before it repeats, it feels likes it not in 4/4

[@Lifezabrees]

Yeah f this dude

[@Lifezabrees]

Aaron is a legend Levon helm

[@LeUnifrog]

The interviewer isn’t a drummer, and quite a terrible actor. You can tell by the way he answered the question “I uhh, was young when it came out so uhhh, yeah I was young” like bro this is a drumming channel. Looks real bad

[@nickwick35]

Dude is such a creative drummer with some memorable parts. I love Aaron

[@tronswanson4999]

Hard to believe he wrote songs that are heavy as fuck on a single pedal

[@JuanFlores-be8sl]

Fax bro no one ever talks about this

[@HapticNoise]

Hard to imagine him slaying his kit this hard AND singing, but he definitely did it

[@summeronio9751]

HapticNoise present tense. Does

[@HapticNoise]

Wait, are they actually back together for good now?

[@JAWNIEAPPLETREE]

HapticNoise they're on tour i think

[@180drums]

Yep. More dates to come.

[@bryanfoster7684]

I once saw this man go through 3 different snare heads at a concert. Aaron beats the hell out of his kit. Shit was amazing, lol.

[@acatheriner]

Are you kidding me oh my gosh

[@peanutbutterisfu]

I love how tasteful he is..the band has that heavy vibe but he doesn’t play the typical way all the other drummers of the time sounded you know the guitars just in sync with the kick drum for half the song or more, also the guitars are so different than anything going on back then and even now the music is so tasteful.

[@KevinMcAssaler]

He grew up listening to Nirvana. He reminds me of Dave Grohl in that way.

[@Themarshmillowface]

it'd be cool to hear him break down something from Lost in The Sound of Separation.

[@180drums]

We have 3 or 4 tracks off that record on our site. Aaron slays.

[@JeserNoob]

180 DRUMS desolate earth the end is near has the best drum tracks with Daniel and aaron

[@trevorchamberlain1635]

Crazy drums throughout the album.

[@gafandahalf]

Lame

[@natedizzle87]

I cant help but sing spencers screams in my head while he's playing . UO4L

[@180drums]

for rizzle, natedizzle!

[@Richard_Garza]

Badass drumming style. Love UnderOath, unlike any band I've seen.

[@Richard_Garza]

He does play hard af though lol. Fits his style however.

[@180drums]

When you see them live it definitely makes sense. Amazing energy.

[@LiveTheDream24]

When I was growing up Aaron was one of my favorite drummers, not because he was Neil Peart but because the parts he created sounded great, he hit incredibly hard, and he rocked out with a true passion. Sometimes you don't need to be voted drummer of the year to be FUCKING AMAZING at what you do and leave an lifelong impression on people. Underoath was just one of those bands that rocked harder than everybody else and put on an insane show above and beyond the bands they were playing with. They're Only Chasing Safety and Define The Great Line occupied my listening devices for many an hour in my late teens and early 20's.

[@anbublackops5213]

so stoked to see my favorite drummer play again,hes the reason i picked up a drum stick to begin with,glad to see him playing still and dang he's still amazing!

[@WoodrowMcDougall]

definitely knows how to switch it up alot and keep it fresh!

[@Shaunholton]

Nah. I get it. To play on the records he played on, you'd have to hit that hard and that dynamically consistent to pull the right tone. It sounds silly out of context to hit that hard, but in context with the music, it would sound really wussy to play it any softer.

[@Shaunholton]

For sure. Sometimes they like to have a blend of the live and triggered samples. So these guys (to pull the right tone from the skins) in the studio will hit the things harrrd.

[@1missing]

Daniel Davison played in the same band and didnt beat his drumset like it owed him money. He played with actual dynamics, and it resulted in Underoaths most atmospheric and dynamic album to date

[@icanhasforcepush]

Sorry man, I see what you're trying to say, but Underoath won't be remembered for Disambiguation. Gillespie is good at making memorable drum lines, easy to tap away to and fun. Love it or hate it, the albums he's on are the ones Underoath will be remembered for and the ones that made them who they are.

[@eats4cheaps305]

@@icanhasforcepush you are absolutely correct. I don't even listen to underoath without Aaron... He was a lot of their soul and energy.

[@seemlesslies]

@@icanhasforcepush agreed so tired of arm chair experts coming into music to ruin the legacy of an amazing drummer.

[@donut_lyfe]

I’m a bass player, but I love his drumming. It’s his signature. He definitely has his own sound and it is magnificent.

[@1missing]

The confusion surrounding the time signatures comes from the fact that the length of the riff in question is three measures of 4 beats long. So the pattern repeats every 12 beats instead of the usual 8 or 16

[@uonadtehrrocks]

So 4:3????

[@micahortman6888]

Loving the vids keep them coming

[@180drums]

You got it Micah.

[@Staypuffxo]

Fantastic drummer.

[@Moose745]

This dude is a such a legend

[@ripthiscrystal]

i love this guy so much

[@wastedninjadude]

It doesn't seem like 4 because the accents cross the bar line and it's a 3 bar pattern but it's definitely in 4.

[@pillcozby5968]

The only heavy band that doesn’t need double kick for any song. Beside pre 2000s music they put out which was like deathcore haha

[@loveroflife1438]

lol the face at the end so funny when e played one last time

[@jonahcorona1178]

Lover of life he looks like a platypus

[@chasingforeverbb]

the look on aaron's face when he says "it's in 4, is it not?" i horse cackled bc he's so right but its such a weird arrangement. absolutely amazing

[@tammybrowne6510]

I've been huge fan since I was 11.This is so refreshing to see true musicianship. He inspired me a lot. I play drums as well. 👌👏👏👏💗🙌

[@thecreatedvoid117]

Ay Ay Ron! ❤️

[@videogamefreak64]

Count it in 6/4 (if that's even a thing) I feel like it makes sense that way

[@ihtctt]

My favorite channel now. Keep up the good work.

[@180drums]

We're honored, thank you.

[@JavierScheuermannMusic]

dude literally bangs them drums. he's even out of breath

[@jswizzlestix2551]

Javier Scheuermann cause of that weight he's packed on!! lol

[@evanlewis4130]

Javier Scheuermann damn right he does 🤘🏼

[@JavierScheuermannMusic]

so true holy shit i just realized lmao

[@DavidNesterDrums]

Love this video!! Well done

[@clinton4johns]

UNREAL

[@zrzcore]

Ulalalalalalala aaroon best! legend!

[@jacobwilliams00]

2:40 Aaron's like "don't fucking touch me"

[@SideEffectsmusic]

Okay thanks I have to listen to this damn song again now LOL

[@Neopaintballofficial]

This dude is a drum GOD

[@BenjarminRS]

So many people say metal drummers don't have dynamics and write them off as bad... Metal is meant to be played hard ur not gonna have a whole load of dynamics and ghost notes in there, metal drums are a driving juggernaut style

[@brianbeattie4358]

Please do a kit rundown in these videos. What exact cymbals and what exact drums? Models, sizes, etc.

[@180drums]

For you Brian, anything.

[@josephkearney1332]

That shoulder punch at 2:40. Big flirt 😂

[@Stumpy801]

Eh I’ve been there, you make a comment that is a joke but it could be taken as an insult and you just want to let them know you meant well.

[@scotturban54]

Cool video thanks for posting

[@180drums]

You're welcome Scott!

[@krujan8448]

gimme that ride

[@davidkeller9345]

i've always felt this song in 6 for some reason

[@ridleysomeliana-lauer5814]

I need to know what the fuck his setup is made from that it’s been taking such a consistent beating for 25 years.

[@JimmersThomas]

Never listen to Underoath, but I love his drumming

[@radelarosa97]

What drum sticks does he use I know he uses Vater but like more specific

[@180drums]

Vater 2B!

[@andrewelias9389]

that kit sounds good IMHO

[@radelarosa97]

What cymbals were y'all using here???

[@JeremyMarton]

what are they clicking on the ground?

[@180drums]

Audio switch to turn on different overheads for talking Jeremy :)

[@Azzthedrummer]

so good what cymbals sizes it he using

[@Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam]

well he's a meinl artist so he's using gear that 180 provides I'm guessing... the ride is a 24" K light ride that he's using here. I've seen him usually switch between a 22" or 24" with his menial's. 15" hi hats i believe (not sure if he's using that size in the vid) and looks like 19"- 20" for the crashes.

[@180drums]

Zidljian K Light's... 22 and 15 hats... K Dark Crashes 19 & 20 A Custom if memory serves correct!

[@Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam]

so close!

[@JamesThomas01]

Actually, As of January 10th, Aaron is a Zildjian Artist. zildjian.com/artists/aaron-gillespie His setup is 17" Constantinople Crash and 17" K Dark Thin Crash as HiHats, 22" Constantinople Overhammered Ride, 22" Constantinople Renaissance Ride, 24" K Light Ride He has chosen Zildjian because, as he puts it, "Zildjian is king. All the greats for all the years, most musical cymbals ever."

[@phlcollison]

What is that k ride he is using???

[@180drums]

22" K Light Ride

[@K-aR-Oh]

This is the kind of ASMR I'm into

[@fuzzyplops6164]

It's like 3 bars of 4 and then it cycles. It's weird. So it's more like 12/4 or 12/8

[@RenPolumbarit]

it's in 12/4 basically because youre gonna be counting in quarters. It'd be in 24/8 if it was in eights.

[@richogem]

its not at all what you would call 12/8......

[@jonasgustaf]

More like 6/4 in 4 bars (intro), and the rest is problably just 4/4. But I'm thinking like a drummer..

[@OdysseyDawnMusic]

No you're right i counted that too. It's in 4/4 but as you mentioned its 3 bars of 4 then it repeats in terms of that part of the song.

[@kernelxsanders]

Definitely not 12/4 or 12/8. It's simply 3 bars of 4/4. that doesn't mean add them all together to create one long bar

[@michaeltronson]

The time is in 4/4 but the riff rotates in groups of 3 bars which is why it feels a bit odd! :)

[@ImaDruma]

If you go to 4:30 and count out "123456, 123456, 123456, 123456" I think it's actually 12/8. Change my mind. (12/8 instead of 6/4 because the slower counted feeling doubled "because of fast notes" is 12/8)

[@ImaDruma]

100% I could be wrong though

[@EdwardTay]

3:08 shocked for a sec

[@justindtackett]

Awk...ward... I love playing to this song, its fast tho, i still have to warm up before playing it.

[@JuanStvns]

I like when Jake got shocked from that cymbal slam.. LOL

[@180drums]

True story!

[@alecbarbeemusic]

That fat saturated kick sound is so good!

[@slobengexpress]

it's divisible by 4, but I agree with either 4 bars of12/4 or 8 bars of 6/4.

[@jordanpisacreta8655]

Why does the description say meinl cymbals

[@Wingedoverphotos]

I love when drummers play there ride cymbals hella hard instead of just for the bell

[@yungsavagesleeper3198]

Nah this song is easy on drums. He's not lying. lol

[@abnelgray7739]

yungsavagesleeper im not sure why they spent time doing this video. this song really is easy lol

[@desmondciauri4616]

yungsavagesleeper

[@brendenspady1574]

yungsavagesleeper I hate people like you. I'm not sure why thet made this video? what you mean is hey every one look at me I'm really good at drums I'm cool right? you probably suck lol.

[@CJ-Litty]

Its honestly pretty easy for this style of music, Aaron is completely right.

[@neverforsakelife]

No no, he's right. I grew up playing through Underoath albums to teach myself drums, and I definitely had to start somewhere, but this is a really good beat to teach someone when they're just starting out and have a few rock beats in their pocket. Definitely on the low end of intermediate, if not the high end of beginner.

[@uhoh38125]

thanks aaron

[@180drums]

Thank you Curtis!

[@J_Force-99]

What are those hats he’s using? 14 15?

[@danutd94]

Okay so...'technically' speaking it's in 12/4 because it's a 12 count from the start to the end of the measure, but of course Aaron can count it as 4 because 12 is just 3 cycles of 4. As long as it's a straight measure you can always subdivide into 4s if you prefer.

[@vandalist69]

Proof that 4/4 doesn’t have to be boring

[@abnelgray7739]

when asked if that starts on beat 3, i dont think aaron knew. he just responded. lol still a good heavy drummer.

[@austinblumberg]

It's in 4. The phrasing and emphasis that he's using is making it feel different then what we are used to. It's in 4. Counting along it never breaks 4.

[@180drums]

It's true.

[@twostonedactual2541]

That is definitely 4/4 time signature. Mostly 8th and 16th note based with some 32nd notes in the mix. I like it alot! Has variety.

[@matthewjohnson1317]

Holly small kit. It’s amazing what he does with a small kit

[@dasani7231]

I think the intro groove is actually 6/4 though? And then at the breakdown changes to 4/4 for the rest of the song

[@TheCwanlee]

❤ underoath

[@180drums]

Us too!

[@OfficialDCPaintball]

ok.. I see what you're saying about the 4/4. What I want to know is, would that almost kind of be poly rhythmic?

[@180drums]

Polyrhythm = poly(many)rhythms = 2 or more... If the guitar player is playing a rhythm against Aaron's that overlaps or complements, but is different to it, then yes! His groove isn't necessarily a polyrhythm though :)

[@littleliop]

everyones saying shit for how easy this is but at the end of the day it works and goes with the tune? you dont have to be tech asf to be a decent drummer, sometimes simple is better

[@some1namedfriedchickenlemo593]

What shirt is Aaron wearing

[@180drums]

All Saints

[@Dylaniated]

my vote is that this part of the song is in 6/4 (but the verses, transitions are often in 4 from the original song). the rhythms are fast, but the pocket sits in a half-time vibe.. so it could be 6/4 in cut time... but either way I'm pretty sure this song wasn't created on the sheet music ha

[@ToKeepMeFromSinking]

You should bring Étienne Dionne from Mute in for a video!

[@joshywiththetele7972]

It’s so nice to see Mikey from shameless get out of prison to give drum lessons.

[@djkibs7920]

deadly made me laugh lol good vid

[@DerpusDingler]

Been a huge fan of UO since before They're Only Chasing Safety was released and Aaron was probably my biggest influence when picking up the drums years ago.... However, that being said, does anyone else feel like it was a good thing for UO after he left? Disambiguation was great and Dan brought a lot to the table. It seems to me that all Aaron has going for him now is hitting really hard. He hasn't really evolved as a drummer. Just my two cents

[@180drums]

Dan's great. We really feel Aaron evolved a lot taking time to tour with Paramore and grow as a drummer. Seeing their recent tour sets with Aaron playing live definitely proved that to us!

[@robertmatchee2492]

I agree. what a big fucking disappointment Aaron grew up to be

[@DerpusDingler]

feelsbadman

[@shanemickeydeez5155]

Ben Harris dude he's doing a drum lesson on a song he's written 11 years ago of course he's not going to be fucking Travis barker or some shit on this song

[@DerpusDingler]

I am very aware of when this song is from, but it is clear you missed my point.

[@Tomas-qg3ig]

Hey, I know lot of people is going to be against my request but can you bring the drummer from blink 182 (travis barker). there are a lot of grooves , fills, chops really hard to learn alone. Up all night, Ghost on the dancefloor, Wishing well and No future are my favourites intro. plz dont judge him before listening these tracks o watching any blink concert!

[@backtoemocovers]

Aaron should be a professor at my music college.

[@richterwolf5230]

it's more like 12/4 since it feels like 3 measures instead of 4 or 2 which is more conducive to 4/4 or 4/8, IMO

[@Anthony99]

Interesting bass drum technique. Doesn't matter that the song is simple; experience and talent shines through! An inexperienced drummer may be able to play it, even relatively easily, but to make it sound the same... maybe not so much so...

[@robertoesquivel4447]

Definitely feels better to count it in 6/4 but maybe some people just feel better counting that in 4/4

[@jordanrenzelman6362]

I would just like to hear this song with just his drums only

[@BrandonChaunceyOfficial]

I'm sorry but in regards to myself was slower than 175 bpm haha maybe 160 bpm.

[@180drums]

It's 160, no need to be sorry. ;)

[@Danbreezio]

the count is in 4/4 but its like 12 counts total before things repeat. instead of 16 counts so it kinda sounds like its in 3/4 but its not lol

[@kurtjohnson1042]

In the description, you got all of his sponsors wrong.

[@180drums]

Surprisingly Kurt, that's what Aaron plays (he just switched to Zildjian)... he just wasn't using most of his gear in the video :)

[@JonnyRocksAW]

I hate how much smoke this kid is blowing up...well... it's just silly and makes thing unprofessional. Aaron is just being real, it's easy, yes, but it's a great part and that's what counts.

[@DareToBeatbox]

For real I felt embarrassed

[@MinGamingKanal]

Give the guy a heads up before you start playing, gawd :D

[@kylewallace7639]

Does anyone else think that Aaron would look great with a beard?

[@salamandergod1]

I am a huge fan of underoath, and I will admit, as an 8th grader, I was obsessed with his drumming style and practiced TOCS songs excslusively. But this dude doesn’t know anything formal about drumming. He can play around, but there is a reason why he doesn’t do clinics or anything like that very often. it’s because he has very little, if any, knowledge of the art, he’s just got natural talent, I suppose. He’s very good at what he does though!

[@kyleblackman5973]

I never bothered to try to count this song, as it feels really natural to me, but it counts most easily in 12/4.

[@TonyFragz]

This song is easy, why is this guys mind so boggled?

[@DrummerguyJW]

Definitely in four... HOWEVER, it's a three bar phrase, which creates the illusion of an odd meter. The groove/lick turns around every twelve counts. I think most of us are just so programmed to gravitate towards four bar phrasing, myself included, that anything that's not phrased that way seems foreign. Also, speeding licks up makes them seem more complex than they really are.

[@cvblaylock]

I had a chance to meet Aaron while working at the Memphis Drum Shop. He was in town with Paramore for the Beale Street fest. Super nice guy and down to earth. He sat down at a kit in the cymbal vault and jammed on some Istanbul cymbals. Killer drum but has hardly any wrist usage in his playing. He only knows beating the hell out of the drums and using mostly arms. Poor technique but killer at what he does.

[@180drums]

That's rad you got to spend some time around Aaron, he's a fantastic guy. We would agree that he knows how to play drums inredibly hard, and that takes a lot of arms - especially for the visual element of what he gets hired to do. We would also encourage you to check out videos of Aaron playing at length with Underoath and Paramore and you'll see how much power and speed Aaron gets by using both wrists and arms. I certainly know my arms couldn't play that fast and powerful without using any wrists at all! If you know the secret Clanton, we'd love to hear it! Thanks for writing :) - Jake

[@MrVanquishDestiny]

lol people say give flack that Aaron plays so hard what about Steve from TFK? The energy is awesome.

[@180drums]

Couldn't agree more, it's needed for the style of music!

[@lordsorceron]

I feel like aaron really wanted to say haha dont touch me.

[@asmallpug]

He's a good drummer, and I know I'll catch flak for this, but the dude plays way too hard, he has no flavor or dynamic, at least I've never seen it, all he does is brutally murder equipment

[@Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam]

q Haven well... he is in a heavy ass band... dynamics don't always translate well in loud heavy bands like underoath... just needs raw energy.

[@NicholasReguin]

q Haven depending in the genre I agree but you gotta remember he's in a punk band and a metalcore band, so it tends to be more about energy and less about dynamics

[@palesama]

Nicholas Reguin you can sound big and loud without that much enrgy to break cymbals, that's why dynamiques and techniques are for. Though, who is gonna teach this big monster master drummer to play drums? Just think twice before letting him play your cymbals. ;-p

[@palesama]

Nicholas Reguin you can sound big and loud without that much enrgy to break cymbals, that's why dynamiques and techniques are for. Though, who is gonna teach this big monster master drummer to play drums? Just think twice before letting him play your cymbals. ;-p

[@NicholasReguin]

palesamaa I agree, but the OP wasn't about whether his technique was good or bad. :p

[@nicog7975]

I thought the interviewer was going to pull out the third drumstick and give it the double stroke.

[@neverforsakelife]

He's not wrong, this is a really easy song. I'd almost prefer he break down something like Breathing In a New Mentality, or Returning Empty Handed.

[@pescalante2]

All he did was actually easy, maybe changes a bit too much or does too many things but listening to it a few times you get the hang of it pretty fast

[@uonadtehrrocks]

His drumming is so weird…. Always wondered where he got it from