Bill Bruford - A little lesson to camera: the ‘River of Time’.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Mr. Bruford, from the first time I heard Roundabout on a transistor radio in the 7th grade, you were my drum idol. I tried everything to play and sound like you. After 50 years I still don't. But I can play Heart of the Sunrise and Three of a Perfect Pair, so I've got that going for me, which is nice. Keep up the videos - they're a thrill for people like me!

[@enzosmith5371]

Not Mister...but... DOCTOR Bruford !!

[@jeffwolinski2659]

These instructional video snippets are definitely letting me see the path from Bruford to Gavin Harrison. Both phenomenal drummers but both also capable of explaining their art so well.

[@Dremth]

These metaphors are always in the back of my mind when I'm drumming. I don't think anything has ever taught me more about drumming in such a short time than this video right here.

[@AssociationAdmirer]

Some years ago I was the vocalist/harmonica player for a rock group. We were having a jam session, and the drummer wanted to play bass for awhile (for which I could not blame him, since he was quite good at it). Since drums are more of a bedrock essential to a rock group than vocals, they instructed me to be the temporary drummer. I reminded them that I had never played drums in my life, but they assured me I would do fine. They gave me a very simple rhythm to follow, and after a few stutters I daresay I was able to keep it up reasonably well. After a while I got confident enough and bored enough to try a fill here and there. That didn't go so well (though as a first-time drummer, it certainly could have been a lot worse). It's really something to hear an illuminating explanation for why it didn't go well all these years later. Thank you, Mr. Bruford.

[@IAmInfinitus208]

This is one of my favorite lessons in keeping the flow. I'm still wonky on the quick fills but trying to figure out how they work alright in the rhythm is something I'm working on. Thanks Bill!

[@RickCT2000]

What a insightful explanation of rhythm. Bill is the brains beyond the brawn of a drum kit!

[@RealDavidN]

What you don't play is at least as important as what you do. As a youngster I thought my job was to fill the emptiness with music, which, of course, became noise. Only later did I realize the spaces were part of the music. More specifically, the relationship between the spaces and my sounds. Brilliant lesson

[@thefool2007]

As a bassist…I absolutely agree with this lesson!

[@dmlevitt]

here I am again. love all of your posts. thanks Bill. the river of time.

[@brianmcguire5175]

A most accurate way of explaining time keeping. The rhythm of time is a wonderfully conceptualisation of the role of a drummer and the musical function in a musical composition. The exaggerated example of error was perfect in explaining the interruption of time flow. The fills though demonstrated that were not interruptions were still removed from context and so with reserve I say that the lesson is completely apt regarding the principle of time keeping but for any lay persons of drumming visiting here please do not think the fill ideas he played in time here would suit any or all musical contexts despite being conforming to the pulse or time. The lesson is on time, the fill ideas though would be appropriate to the musical composition still, a lesson in and of itself

[@rockme1492]

Bill you were the rythm of the Best band

[@toulminbrown9166]

Good perceptively accurate technique properly executed

[@srb-ef3zs]

Thanks Dr. B!

[@andrewpatrick4254]

He plays the mistaken drum full like a master. He can't help it.

[@PeteZolli]

I hope you'll be able to upload some material that's in better resolution. Also, drum videos the audio of which is out-of-sync are kind of disturbing. 😉

[@nickbarton3191]

For Bill, it's effortless, but probably after years of practice.

[@QUANTUMMUSIC101]

EPIC!

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

Great lesson, but I'm fascinated by Bill's unusual drum setup. It's very low and flat, and almost symmetrical.

[@nathanpoovey6211]

Look at orchestral timpani setups, all flat and easy to access, and he mimicked that here

[@IAmInfinitus208]

@@WinkenBlinkenAndNod He explained it on the reupload of the Paiste drum solo performance that he was inspired by an orchestral performance with timpanis being flat and laid out wide.

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

Rule #1: It's always the drummers fault! Rule #2: If it isn't, blame the drummer anyhow! (

[@FrankPCarpi]

Yes, maybe it would have been better! 🤣

[@brianstoltz2838]

Every one of those awful "gospel chop" drummers should watch and follow this lesson. Those guys have f'd up so much good music in such a short period of time. I can't stand listening to them - and having to play with them is even worse.

[@zenzenzen4741]

Feeling like a third grader here.

[@awaken4945]

Aha.As you mean Phil Collins destroys Swonk for exemple ( LOL)😆