Am I Good Enough to Play Drums With Erykah Badu?

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==
Chapters -
0:00 - intro
1:00 - how to get better at drums
1:28 - what if you got the gig with Erykah
2:18 - the songs
3:12 - what makes Erykah's music hard?
4:54 - 1) Other Side of The Game
9:39 - 2) & on...
14:19 - 3) Apple Tree
17:38 - summation/what have we learned
==
Complete Covers -
Other Side of The Game - • Other Side of The Game...
"& On" - • & On Live Version - Un...
Apple Tree - • Apple Tree - Uncut Dru...

[@Ella_Rae_Feingold]

I was in Erykah’s band for eight years, and still do some spot dates . The starting and stopping is definitely not rehearsed. We just always have to pay attention to her. She definitely keeps you on your toes cause you don’t know where she’s going to go next. Cool video BTW ❤

[@8020drummer]

Amazing! Were you on the vh1 performance? Regardless, being in that band must’ve been such an experience

[@Ella_Rae_Feingold]

@@8020drummer if you can believe it, that was my first gig ever with her…flew into New York, didn’t even get a set list and just figured it out right on the spot .. would put my guitar up to my ear to figure out what key we were in. Yes, I look incredibly different from the person in the video… I think you can figure out what’s going on 😉

[@insaneconqueror5421]

@@Ella_Rae_Feingold That's so cool. Hope you still play.

[@nickmandleberg]

Did you ever tour the UK in the early 2000s? I may have seen you perform!! Amazing gig

[@Ella_Rae_Feingold]

@@nickmandleberg I Joined the band in 2008

[@acebass123]

Cool video. Being a bass player myself that has played with Erykah Badu, Erykah used to tell me that she does not believe in wrong notes, only wrong feel. Her music has a lot of feeling and attitude in it which gave her that sound.

[@brandonwilliams966]

This is what I was saying in my comment. There's definitely a certain "attitude" you have to have to play this music. A lot of drummers out there cM technically play the music, but the approach has to be proper.

[@dannyguillen9619]

Some nasty bass lines in her music, must have been bless to play that ! 👏🏽👏🏽

[@alexandermeadow860]

Love your playing Anthony!

[@drumfynnfun]

This needs to be a series please 😮

[@robertalbiston7822]

It can be-Nate’s flow course.

[@JDBeckMusic]

man you should've checked out some clips of Cleon Edwards playing with her !! some of the craziest stuff

[@8020drummer]

oh snap, sir. Flattered you gave me a watch, and will definitely do that.

[@JDBeckMusic]

@@8020drummer 💜💜

[@evanpragliola4947]

Yeah I saw gudfoot with her at the Coney Island amphitheater (hiatus kaiyote opened ) amazing show. And gudfoots drumming is super unique

[@deegio2]

I love the internets for this right here. People of talent and love for music watching each other excellent work and talking about it. Thank you Nate & JD for this ❤️

[@BrianH020]

Having the skill or chops to do a gig is one thing.. But fitting in with people personally and being able to handle the nerves onstage is quite another. Everybody thinks they're equipped for such things practicing in their basement but the reality can be quite a shock to the system. If you haven't played in front of a large audience before it can unnerve you, even if you're with your long-time group. Imagine doing it with a group of people you've never played with before... And you are exactly correct Nate, coping slow grooves and nailing the feel on said tunes is so much tougher than faster ones, even if you're playing with some sort of click on the gig. Adrenaline wants to take over, and it's hard to fight... Love those upbeat open hats too! To answer your question, Yes, you could absolutely do the gig Nate, you're a vet and a pro. 👍

[@gssong7111]

plus, she is notoriously late or doesn't even show up

[@MortonLuvz2drum]

Good Point. Who is Erykha Badhu? I've never heard of her. Heard of Vulfpeck though.

[@p2005marie]

@@gssong7111 that would be Lauryn Hill, not Erykah Badu.

[@gssong7111]

@@p2005marie her too,went to see EB twice and she never showed up

[@asimnicholsmusic]

Brian you are so right. I performed a lot in my younger days and don’t recall being nervous. Took a lot of time off. When I started performing again, I had to get over the nerves, even playing very small gigs. And chemistry is sooo very important. I’ve had technically gifted people in my band but didn’t work out. Just wasn’t a good fit. No connection.

[@rayazkhan9498]

Thanks for doing this video! I follow about 15 different drum accounts across three different platforms and this seems to be the first of its kind. The vulnerability you're risking here is really admirable, but it just goes to show how much you know what you're doing. I hope she treats this like an informal audition and gives you a call!

[@cornbreadque]

Awesome video as usual, and a nice reality check for those of us who aspire to stepping it up. The pros make it look easy, but there is a lot of work before and behind the scenes. Thanks, Nate!

[@adrianlyord5300]

Hell yeah MAN !!!!! You're an awesome drummer in your own right , I know you can do it!!! Thanks for sharing this video!

[@oumarh.gassama8063]

Man, you are a true altruist for putting this up. So many tried and valuable information - even me, a drummer who's currently not active, can take so much away from this video. Thank you, Sir! And keep up the awesomeness!

[@AltGrendel]

I think it’d be funny if she saw this and gave you a call.

[@Themurphyshow7]

Same here! He absolutely deserves it

[@Pinkybum]

You know that's why hes doing it!!!

[@Sangejzer]

I don't think he nailed it

[@Themurphyshow7]

@@Sangejzer that's like your opinion man. Let's see your version

[@MrLukasPetersen]

Great idea for a series! Will definitely keep my eye out for the next instalment

[@IanMartinAllison]

Loved this Nate!!

[@jonpotter1038]

Great concept for a video

[@yusdrum91]

fantastic topic, Nate! hopefully this could go on

[@marshpw]

Love this concept!

[@Zackary1005]

So good. Really interesting premise and concept for a series and Erykah is such a good pick.

[@SammyMakepeace]

great video concept

[@dancingdiplodocus3209]

great concept and great practice

[@HHGdrums]

This was great dude. You're absolutely a drumming scientist. These deep Dives are so cool and I love the depth that you go to dissecting everything. Also amazing playing as always

[@mattryan6886]

His drum break downs are top notch. I was stoked to see him on Drumeo YT Channel recently. His Dilla drum vids w/ Chris Dave really blew my mind and helped me get my hip hop grooves sounding sooo much better. I put in some serious shed time with Chris Dave,Dilla,Questlove, tribe called quest

[@kwarddrumz5912]

dope stuff bro🙌🏾💯🔥yes u get the gig

[@calebovich]

Great video!!

[@dandurham1922]

SNAP! your intro tune is DEF best described as BADU-esque ...didn't know you had this influence, but it 100% fits--awesome!

[@Reallifesatan]

Awesome video idea and great artist choice! New sub here I hope you continue these

[@narocoon]

Wow this concept of videos is so cool, can't wait to see you doing it for other genres. (also you're a great drummer good job for the 1000000 hours of work.)

[@ryanwiseman9141]

Hope this video did well, I’d definitely watch more!! Rad vid

[@freshprince1784]

My favorite artist ever. Thank you 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@applejuice5635]

Damn, you made this video without any monetary incentive. That's a lot of work to put in for the sake of your audience. Respect.

[@tuomasaalto6024]

Great video topic!

[@newellcanfield5197]

Love this Nate - hearing, feeling, and playing those subtle nuances in the center is central to the beauty of the African American experience. Understanding this and playing this way is for the esoteric few IMHO.

[@rafaelcarvalho3928]

This is nice. Nice video

[@NadavLuzia]

great video !!!

[@OogaB0oga]

haha, cool that you featured some short clips of Harry in your intro, such a swell fella!

[@pgilly7783]

I think you kept it pretty groovy overall nothing really seemed out of place but as you know it's the little differences that spice things up in a super subtle way while standing out amongst the other instruments and also playing off of Erica's nuances at the same time. Well done 👍👍

[@jarrahdrum]

You are awesome 🙏

[@jonashellborg8320]

This is a cool one - hoping for the series! To record yourself as is you were auditioning for an artist is a cool way to critique your own playing. For the tracks you shared, the lock in with the bass player is ridiculous. And I mean both parking space/time and the dynamic delivery, and this lock in for me is the difference between people approving the correct form vs people dancing.

[@MissNaturalMystery]

This is an amazing vid.

[@johnrobinson8323]

You're hired Nate! You can definitely do this gig. This music is deceptively not as simple as it sounds. That being said I would have a lot of work ahead of me to even think about getting this gig. Thanks for another awesome video! 🥁❤️

[@harrycrab8725]

I’m imagining this comment coming from JR to THE Nate Smith

[@jeffe_77]

Yes! Thank you for this. Love Erykah

[@stevenplesnarski7918]

Your take on the Apple Tree groove was real nice.

[@insaneconqueror5421]

This is a great video. I always wanted to play with D'Angelo in the 90s.

[@KhafidIbrahim]

Truly skilled. Respect

[@tdrum21]

Great one. Love the Erykah stuff. Her performance where I was saw flam with snare cross stick to create that handclap effect. Forgot which drummer that was 👌🏽

[@paisteformula6021]

Excellent!! 👍👍👍👍

[@michaelday6987]

Neo soul is my favorite type of music. There is something special about the drums in this style of music.

[@andredeketeleastutecomplex]

It's hardly 'soul' though, more like mellow jazz.

[@michaelday6987]

@@andredeketeleastutecomplex I mean, a whole lot of what is considered Soul music is also essentially mellow jazz. There are many flavors of Soul and many flavors of neo soul.

[@el.aye.bee.4477]

@@michaelday6987thank you. It's quite hilarious watching someone correct you on this matter when the lines are so marginally thin and the areas so light grey between all the different genres and sub-genres of Black music.

[@russtarley9648]

Great question and scenario Nate!!! Nice one for taking it on 👏👏👏 (it did happen to me) ... one thing I noticed watching Poogie play with Erykah years ago, is that his head moves up and down with the 8th notes, his whole body lives and breathes the grooves, about as solid and as phat as they come, great to play along to, especially the Baduism Live album 😎👌

[@paulbentley2709]

Yeah Poogie just sounds incredible. I don't think Nate can pull it off. That feel man.

[@robertalbiston7822]

I think Poogie’s tunings and micing are indispensable to his pocket. As I listen into Nate’s tonality in this studio, it would be interesting were he to sit in the full production environment. It matters hugely, speaking from experience. He gets it.

[@paulbentley2709]

@@robertalbiston7822 yes. As basis, you need the right sound. however cool Nate is, that drum sound isn't.

[@royautosymusica]

Wow, good video and it´ss cool to put these topics on the focus point. The comments tho, are a shot of valuable information and feedback!

[@kevinarndt6110]

Y'all gotta check out her VH1 live gig. Absolutely amazing. Great video btw

[@scarab944]

Not even a drummer and I love these videos (oh, and Ms Badu).

[@Themurphyshow7]

Excellent video! Love your content

[@snowflakethedrummer]

great vid! you can do the gig !

[@RubenDrums812]

I've been using ( Back in the day ) as one of my practice 🙃 songs..... hey I don't think I'll ever play with Erykah.. but I'm always ready to jam

[@MrBarryhutch]

Love Erykah got to see her live once, such a pure funk groove pocket vibe, No bebop riffs! And you nailed it bro!😎👍

[@mrtyreus0]

Nice mini montage of the duuuude, Harry Miree. Wish he'd come back to KZbin, but he's probably out touring.

[@philipmcevoy7206]

Enjoyed your little hi hat bits at around 12:35 reference to Chris stuff I like that

[@voxmaster7961]

You are a fantastic drummer that’s for sure

[@DaggoAndTheCrow]

I dig these videos and want to see more! 2 Questions: Who was the drummer that subbed for Halpern; and What's the significance of the Harry Miree clips you show at the beginning of this video?

[@brianconnolly8246]

Jp bouvet

[@jackxavier3915]

Great content very imaginative but useful

[@massivecumshot]

If you EVER think you're not good enough for the gig, you have bigger problem than lack of practice. Once you've put in the 10,000 hours to master your instrument/craft, if you think you CAN or if you think you CAN'T, you're probably right. No amount of practice can change your self-image or ability to accept success.

[@cfusilier2]

Now I want you to do a video about “secret skills” 😮

[@DaddyBooneDon]

Sweet grooves

[@SabianK]

I enjoyed that

[@fredrikdahllof2636]

You can definitely do the gig!:)

[@frankmoka4201]

I’m the current drummer with eryka... pretty interesting observations here lol keep smacking bro💪

[@ingolfurthorvaldsson7653]

Yes you'd nail it

[@jimbonito9810]

Awesome Nate ... R &B , Soul , Funk my favorite in my heart although I like me some classic rock , Rock ... No Metal , new Wave etc etc ..As an ultimate pro ( I,m talking about YOU ) I guess if you want to be Called a lot you need to know it all ... I would say you are Definitely on the level with all the above ... Me Im way way below your ability ... Its awesome that you got the call to do that gig ..

[@williamperri3437]

That's awesome! Obviously I had no idea you were a fan of Badu. I've been with her since fall of 96 when I got the live album and she's been one of my favorite female artist since. Love her 96 tour drummer Poogie Bell from pittsburgh. Nobody really plays like him. And her bass player? The one and only bass player she's ever played with! That guy's amazing

[@kevinpaige5746]

You've got the gig!

[@DanielJansen01]

You got something interesting here Nate. You actually analyzing drum parts played by the greats. There's no such channel or whatsover going on right now. Please pick it up. Gonna be huge with the drumming community!

[@gregmartinez5836]

You most definitely can do this gig!

[@chesleycheeseallen]

Killing always bro it’s definitely a feel thing!! You gotta check her out with Cleon Edwards on drums totally different vibe I had the live Cd with poogie bell and saw her live with poogie back in the day That’s always gone be The OG but Cleon approach on that gig was something different

[@JamesEngland32]

That funky part in the live “On and On” sounds more like a “Go Go Socket Beat” to me than a shuffle. It’s a genre a little further to the south in Washington DC. Check out bands like North East Groovers to get the feel. The congos are the giveaway.

[@jjakji2078]

Love this. I saw her at red rocks a few months ago and it was one of the best musical experiences of my life by far. I forget her drummer, but he was on fire. And Robert glasper with Justin Tyson opened up. Incredible.

[@stefanoberli5920]

Is that Red Clay at 3:34? Is there a link to that performance somewhere?

[@brandonwilliams966]

I could get the call today and easily go run E's show down. I've been playing these songs literally since the 90s. You absolutely can "technically" play the show because you're a good drummer, but what I'm missing from your takes is the "attitude" needed to play the gig.

[@Neal_Schier]

Serious respect Nate. Really good stuff here. It would be cool if she gave you a call.

[@gssong7111]

i saw the B with Chris Dave and Stephen Bruner back in 10' , was nice...

[@8020drummer]

Thundercaaaaaatttt!!

[@jackxavier3915]

Wow

[@antoinelablanquie3827]

You should get in touch in Arthur Hnatek for the Tigran vid! Really nice guy honestly, I’m shure he’d be happy to tune in to your vid if he has the time

[@fabio.n4458]

would love to hear you talk about Arthur Hnatek

[@theesweatydrummer]

I love practicing to her albums. I’m not very practiced with the live versions.

[@Gibbyrodriguez75]

Cleon and Frank are beasts!

[@SuperJazzhead]

you could do that gig no problem, great vid

[@Ilovemusic793]

When I lived in nyc 2003 onmy way to a gig I saw her doing a concert in Central Park she had every song rearranged in Bad Brains style double kick speed hardcore. So serious

[@JUdrums]

professional session drummer here, ive been listening to Erykah the years but i cant say id be able to pull this gig off given that im mostly a metal/pop dummer. her music has way too much detail and micro timing you have to nail right on the head to make it flow. so i dont think id be able to :x

[@katskillz]

yep... that micro timing especially in context of the slow. seemingly relaxed and sparse but highly controlled grooves is an entire master skill in itself, isn't it?

[@robertalbiston7822]

Nate speaks in many tongues, including images. He’s an educator.

[@theokatman]

great

[@kyleyoungmusic]

11:24 sheeeeeshhh 🔥

[@michaelpreston579]

Yes

[@lilchile123]

great video buuuuuuuuut can’t be dropping hints at a periphery video without needing it in my life immediately🥹

[@8020drummer]

lol I literally have prayer position stuck in my head right now

[@jasonhendricks8587]

You should have done penitentiary philosophy! You were great tho!

[@mikeferguson4816]

you could do the gig!

[@andrewgillis8572]

AND the all time gig IMHO was to sit sideways on a riser with Sly & the Family Stone - Greg Errrico's chair - to me, that guy is right next to Ringo - and di he have to follow medley arrangements, yup PS was that band the first that had to have more than 12 channels of live mix?

[@jahleeleli3280]

Of course I could play the gig, as long as I don't get caught up thinking like a drummer first & a musician second! The order has to be reversed in a seasoned drummer's mind to pay attention to her musical subtleties & nuances plus her hand & body gestures, which we "chitlin' circuit/juke joint/Delta Soul/R&B Blues musicians learned from watching/listening to/playing with the likes of Betty Wright, J. Blackfoot, Johnnie Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Shirley Moore, Bobby Womack, Denise LaSalle etc, etc., as well as STUDYING the live shows of Stevie Wonder, Prince, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, & any R&B/Soul/Funk bands & artists who performed during Sinbad's Summer Jam Series! A drummer has to capture the pulse/feel/groove/timing & tone of the band & know how to "sit" or "lock" (pocket) for the artist or band they're performing with. Too many open band "jams" or "chopper" sessions have a tendency to disrupt or poison a drummer's ear when it's time to "dial in" & play what appears to be "simple stuff": KEYWORD: "appears". Gotta be a musician first, & a drummer second. This is why I practice going up & down the radio dial & playing songs in all different genres & styles to keep my ears on active mode instead trying to spend a buncha practice time trying to overly execute a buncha linear chops to impress the KZbin drum crowd in search of the "woo" moment (no offense). When I first heard Erykah, she reminded me of a classic blend between Billie Holiday, Chaka Khan & Nina Simone, but with her own tone & inflection. THANK YOU for doing this type of video 80/20 Drummer 👍👍👍

[@rbsoulful]

Well said, Jahleel.

[@jahleeleli3280]

@@rbsoulful Thank You, Professor.

[@masagodude]

be cool if you did hiatus kaiyote

[@damani1711]

nice. although the bike analogy i dont really understand

[@brownriceprod]

i could nail the live gig, but if i knew you were recording it i would instantly suck for some unknown reason.

[@dutchymon]

I think that is up to Erikah.

[@pdbass]

I hate when people correct me in the comments....but...it's pronounced POOH-JEE

[@8020drummer]

no worries - I appreciate it

[@goncalomarques2711]

Your Apple Tree video could be taken from the Live album... Congrats!

[@MetalHendrix.]

What?! Reading the Title gave Me Chills. You don’t just play Badu, you Have to Feel it and Become One with Yourself first THEN Become ☝️ with the Band. Absolutely no stiffness allowed, only MoBetterButter into eternity sort of speak. Science.

[@8020drummer]

Have you played with her?

[@greggjarvis133]

The red clay section is how tribe called quest embellished it on sucka nigga