Aaron Spears' playing on "Caught Up" by Nick Molenda

Aaron Spears Caught Up
Full Transcription Available at: nickmolenda.com/store/transcri...
Hello from Seattle!
I hope you enjoy my best attempt at a note-for-note run on a truly great performance originally played by one of my favorite drummers, Aaron Spears. The track is "Caught Up" originally by Usher, and performed at the Modern Drummer Festival Weekend 2006.
More and more, I've been getting into doing note-for-note transcriptions of many musicians that have influenced my playing in one way or another. Not only has it been a tremendous learning experience for myself, but I thought that presenting it to everyone in this format would be helpful to other drummers who might be wanting to do the same thing.
If you enjoy this video, please subscribe to my channel and share this video on Facebook/Twitter/etc. I'll be putting up more of these kinds of things in the near future for you all to check out.
For more information, visit www.nickmolenda.com. You can also follow me on Twitter with @nmolenda and stay up to date by subscribing to my channel.
I'd sincerely appreciate any and all feedback you may have and look forward to connecting with many of you in the future!
All the best,
-Nick
www.nickmolenda.com
/ nmolenda
/ nickmolenda
"Caught Up" is copyrighted property of its owner(s)
Aaron Spears Caught Up

[@AaronSpears]

It definitely was not me...I enjoyed Nick's playing...He was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

[@bjbuchanan7326]

Hey bro, you still play the drums?

[@ben-tol]

@@bjbuchanan7326 nope,he selling crack right now,check on his ig,dm if u interested buy one

[@beetlejews]

Amazing work by the both of you

[@emilialudwa4558]

almost the same notes and concept but completely different music, precision but without Aron's freedom and musicality. It's not enough to have technique to play like Aron.

[@giantkiller56]

I did NOT see that coming. It's an exact replica of AS's gig. Amazing!

[@LivingUpstate]

yea. even down to his fill. would of liked to see hid fill with his own twist. other than that dude is beast.

[@DrumsTheWord]

There's something very special...and very skilled, about another musician covering another's parts note for note. This was top of KZbin at the time for drummers, Nick. I remember the performance by Aaron, and also being blown away by your cover. You nailed it, mate.

[@stumeister5507]

Can't imagine 4 people not liking this. taught me a lot Nick, thanks man

[@adrianpunga1998]

man,you are crazy... how it is possible that you have played the song exactly like Aaron did? those fills were initially improvised,but you nailed it...

[@beetlejews]

He was 99.99% spot on

[@wildanS]

Should've simulated pushing the broken high-hat stand back to it's place. Just kidding, I'm in awe. :O

[@deborahmolenda2112]

Loved this then... as NOW!!! YOUR AMAZING NICK! Rock'n it forever!!! ❤❤❤

[@Imhotep_DrummerJones]

Dude you just played "Aaron spears"... Wow. And I mean that in a GOOD WAY. Never mind people hating and saying its a cover of a cover... It's been 10 years and i still can't learn some of the licks lol... Nice job

[@dcidreams]

Also, the sounds that you produced are probably some of the best sounds I've heard. Dat snare and dat kick, mmmhhhmmmm. You can freaking do it all. Ridiculous!

[@scottrobertmedia]

Probably the best drum cover note for note I have seen done on this song ever. Keep it up man, you rock

[@welberribeiro]

Nick Congrats for your amazing Job!!! That must Have been hard to do man so GOD BLESS YOU!!! Im buying my copy tomorrow and am guna start working on it!!! You Nailed IT!!! It Pisses me off to see guys like Cobus a million plus hits where a REAL DRUMMER like you doesnt get the same attention!!! You Are The Man, and u just did what no body else has done before!!! God Bless YOU

[@KwesiAyoKweRobinson]

PERFECT!!!!!!!!!

[@jomacorjr]

Nick, you f' ing nailed it. Timing was spot on, good bass work, and the triplet fills were good. This song is a straight 4/4 time with lots of 6/8 triplet fills. Great groove!!!!

[@timbarrow1076]

My name is Tim and am a drummer and Chapman Stick player from Oregon. You are one funky white boy Nick :-),....... playin' licks like that I give you some major props.......Aaron would be proud :-).

[@AlexxDrrUms]

This is mind blowing. The amount of painstaking work you must have put in to get this note-for-note, the technique required to play it and still maintain that groove throughout it just plain impressive! Can't wait for the instructional videos man, great job!

[@FRANCOSKT8]

I am so exciteeeeed!!

[@PerryDeGennaro]

I am stunned. You literally played it note for note in perfect time and with that killer feel! You can't teach that! Well done my friend!

[@TheMarchstick]

nick you can play anything! yes looking forward to your transcription too!

[@drummerboypete]

I know a lot of drummers that would look at vids like this and say stuff like "he should develop his own voice etc..." but you are seriously impressive. You have made me think about getting a teacher again and I've been playing semi pro for 10+ years :)

[@lecarrotman]

great feel and absolute precision... never seen anything like this, well done!

[@TheChopBandit]

Now as a compliment, dude, I never would have took the time to learn this song chop for chop. So you doing this not only shows your ability, but also your work ethic and willingness to study, from one drummer to another, great job man

[@clavinicle]

this is just too awesome. great job.

[@bertybertface1914]

Almost perfect, your Hi that did not fall over. Amazing work.

[@idlebirdmusic]

Nick, Man I've watched Aaron play that several times bc it is one of my favorite solos... SIR MAD PROPS

[@drummerfedorpopov6915]

Great job!! Thank you! Dozen of new fills in my baggage!)))

[@TheMediceye]

purchased transcription...it is perfect for learning this awesome song!

[@PanosVassilopoulos]

That is awesome note for note playing !!!

[@SEAJustinDrum]

...Still the best cover I have ever seen on the internet.

[@zislec]

Most accurate caught up cover on KZbin. Outstanding 👏😌

[@CrucialConor]

That was absolutely incredible!

[@Eljubilodeltambor]

Seriously man... you're insane!!!!! MIND BLOWING SOUND AND PERFORMANCE

[@dcidreams]

YES! YOU STINKING KILLED IT! Amazing job, can't wait for instructionals.

[@drumology2001]

Killin' as always! Love it when the drum corps skills come in handy on a kit. You made this look so damn easy, too - way to go! Looking forward to the transcription. :D

[@analoguestills]

That was phenomenal! Great job mate.

[@cuthbertmbuga3244]

Legendary playing Nick

[@owiseone1]

When I clicked on this I thought, "oh here we go, this is going to completely suck." Wow, was I wrong. Great job man!

[@kbdrumcovers]

Great job Sir!! You served Aaron Spears very well!

[@rawtwhylahthadrummer6256]

this is too amazing

[@biel3000100]

Awesome job. amazing

[@lisacutieful]

What amazes me is that Aarons version is technical, soulful, just nasty..and this dude is also able to transmit that subtle sense of nastiness and soul.. I wonder if even Spear's himself can play it exactly the same..Im sure he could, but with not out some work and breaking it down himself..cant stop watching this

[@Zildjiandrummer1000]

This is ace bro, seriously, not many people can catch every not like Spears does, I guess your one of the very few that can, well done man!

[@Raviabenj2000]

Wow and Wow and Wow that cover was awesome and to execute it like aaron still amazes me you are a great talent

[@shutitup68]

Amazing!

[@BurrenSHdrums]

AWESOME stuff man!

[@jerrydrumzz3191]

What the heck man!!! This is freaking amazing 👏

[@JonathanNonis]

Brilliant work, mate!

[@cripple1313]

Can't believe you you learned his entire solo, excellent job!

[@justforlaughs8988]

Wow!!!!! Amazing!!!!! perfect!!!!

[@michaelmitchell7334]

that's amazing. js to be able to pull every note out is dope.. Sharing this..

[@darrendonnelly2397]

Dude awesome job love it.

[@elliotblanchfield2542]

Solid playing man! I'm really liking your snare sound, nice and tight. Keep cranking out the beats

[@kamilo88drum]

YOU ARE better than I thought. Big respect.

[@Avico78]

GREAT GREAT JOB MAN! It looks so natuaral and easy ... a real talenet!! Keep on rocking!

[@MrCevans1026]

Every lick just like my man Aaron. Awesome job perfect!!!!

[@raston_]

Crazyyyyyyyyy😮😮😮😮😮 u played it note for note ..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MultiMila95]

AMAZING

[@nmolenda]

Welber- Thanks man. That really means a lot. I hope you're having a great holiday season. Cheers, -Nick

[@Org6701]

NICE JOB NICK! KEEP IT UP! BEST REGARDS!

[@Alex-ce6it]

you nailed it.... spot on brother, well done!

[@EnzanebeaT]

amazing job man!!!

[@todaysmanna8673]

Brilliant!

[@williamcampbell5168]

wow, man, you are killing this song and doing so like its easy..wowowow fantastic drumming man.

[@beetlejews]

Bro, insane

[@SebGee]

Fair play man.. that was amazing!

[@MrErciliocosta]

Beautiful

[@KeelanOHara]

Wow..awesome job!

[@mihaidrums]

Great work dude!!! 5 Stars!!!

[@barabbabill548]

great job!!!

[@jasonmascelle4447]

Amazing nick, you made it look so easy too. 11/10

[@TheMediceye]

Usher - 'Caught Up' - (Attempt at the Aaron Spears version) Cheers for the notation Nick! Great job!

[@customcomm1000]

Great drumming. nice one!

[@brohoop]

Holy cow! You've GOT to feel good about that! Good job!

[@andy5000120]

This is fuckin fantastic playing, there aren't too many "drummers" out there that can play to this level nevermind transcribe it and play so well. I shall be subscribing to your page sir 😉

[@groethej]

Really nice playing man!

[@EvertonesMusic]

Wow...I'm impressed! Great job man!

[@manueltresle1308]

wooooww good job mahhnn!!! Big ups!!

[@pipeline555]

Well done!!!

[@marvinames7912]

You killed it great great job

[@DrummingPassion2000]

that's amazing

[@KenjoMendez]

And just like that, you earned yourself an instant new subscriber. AMAZING JOB! :]

[@shpone1]

Amazing

[@piscopodrums]

Really good job man!!!

[@letsgetrealable]

dude that was the best ive heard it was jus the same as aarons good job hope someday i could be that good

[@2827junior]

wow ive never heard someone that is so detailed and just like aaron spears

[@rj5697]

Great job man! It was clean too!

[@I_TheCreator]

This was dead on... no mess ups.. perfect timing.. Idk how you did it... but you did it.. excellently i may add hahahaha

[@zooby11isbambam]

god damn, bro. that was... spotless.... O____O

[@G1R15H1]

Amazing stuff bro you got talent

[@GodSentSoldier]

Wow man! You're amazing man!

[@bobisnotmyuncle]

I think I may even prefer this to the original, you make it look very easy, wonderful playing!

[@BigRyGuy04]

You tore it up, my dude! Props!

[@daveedr.8682]

wow your very talented!!!!! Good Job

[@mconnolly787]

Awesome.

[@Croft_Gundogs]

Your incredible nick

[@welberribeiro]

u rocked it!!!

[@iamrubens]

Respect dude, epic !

[@ferrernic]

amazing brooo

[@dorkytwo]

Subscribed. Don't want to miss pearls like this one :)) awesome job and you made,it look like a strawl in the park :)

[@tomoyauesaka4604]

WOW...!Great!

[@PERRADE]

Ufff... enorme macho... Está clavado !!! Groovazo !!!