Dave King: Improving Your Improv On The Drums

[@simonpchapman]

Dave is one of those rare drummers who can articulate clearly how they think about what they play. There are plenty of very fine educators who can teach you how to play, but far fewer who let you in on their own thinking. Nice work putting this out there, Drumeo. And Dave. Obviously.

[@rundown306]

Maybe Kenny Washington, Ralph Peterson, Lewis Nash, Bill Stewart, Brian Blade, Ali Jackson, Ari Hoenig, Rodney Green next please?

[@MRSFUNlulu]

Dave King is as eloquent with words as he is with drums! #GENIUS

[@cooperw839]

...and that's how you get the gig.

[@gdserpongjazz1156]

to Drumeo : Bill Stewart please...... He's a modern jazz legend!

[@richardgonzalez2698]

Nice to hear a kit on here that isn’t dampened to the point of sounding like cardboard boxes

[@igon388]

It is not that it is dampened in most of the recordings, it is simply the nature of the mics used to record. Sometimes they will start talking after a performance and you can hear the drums bleed through, from that you can hear that they aren't dampened. I learned recently that to get a fuller sound out of a drum kit, in a master, they will compress the track and this will increase the sustain. I could also be totally wrong, this is just my assumptions

[@richardgonzalez2698]

Hunter Craig you’re definitely right about the compression! Lots of people do it. But you can also literally see in a lot of their videos how much moon gel they put on and I’ve even seen them playing bass drums that haven’t even been tensioned properly 🤦‍♂️. I’m not a big fan of compression either but I’m sure that’s a big part of why I usually hate their drum sound.

[@dbkdrummer]

This man is my hero..... He is who I want to be when I grow up! Not only do I love his playing but also his sense of humor. Living in Minnesota he is an artist I will alway go and see no matter who he is playing with. Having seen The Bad Plus, Happy Apple and Halloween-Alaska, he is a sensitive beast on the kit And delivers this awkward tension fueled stand up routine, it's just amazing! I also love his jazz show (Kings Speech) the banter between Joe Johnson and himself is just as entertaining as the music they present. Thank you drumeo for bringing in my favorite drummer. Great lesson with a great human being.

[@JarickL]

Dave was a massive influence on me growing up. I first saw him in ~ 98 with Love-Cars opening up for Death Cab for Cutie at a hole in the wall coffee shop. Got to meet and talk with him a couple times and he's just a really nice dude. I wasn't a jazz drummer but his creative approach to the alt-rock/indie group was mind blowing. It's been great to see him getting more recognition over the last decade.

[@jimkowalczyk7466]

Really disappointed dave didn’t go into detail about his warming down techniques

[@BAwesomeDesign]

LOL. Ants on a log.

[@sajofunk]

My favorite drumeo lesson, I’m glad that you uploaded again, I was searching it and couldn’t find it, this is pure gold!

[@michaelreedy350]

Two things of note: 1) My Bass playing friends dig his video explaining how to maintain a close relationship with the bassist. 2) Am loving my Dave King Signature Drum Stool. Dave, man of great wisdom!

[@raspberrycrusader]

What a fascinating and insightful lesson. It’s midnight here in the UK and I have been transfixed by this guy. As someone who has just taken up the drums again after a 24 year hiatus, and who only has practice pads currently, I was beginning to think a mesh head electronic kit would serve me best since it would allow for near-silent playing and give me hundreds of sounds to experiment with. Now, have seen this, I have been reminded of the enjoyment I got from the wider field of percussion and the joy in simply trying to make different sounds. All those subtle nuances of timbre and volume would be impossible to explore on anything other than an acoustic kit and, since I want to make sounds and not just a beat, an actual drum provides ample materials and surfaces for the player to experiment with. I am so glad I watched this! Thanks drumeo for making this available to non-subscribers 😀

[@coltoncookie3369]

So cool for Drumeo to bring somebody like Dave King on. From a fellow Minnesotan, you are such a dope drummer!

[@kimweemhoff8066]

I interviewed Dave for Dutch drummagazine Slagwerkkrant when they played in the Bimhuis in Amsterdam. Very nice and funny authentic & creative artist . I saw 4 the Bad Plus shows and they were very very good every damn time. Very high level and very entertainning at the same time . Reid Anderson’s ballads move me to tears and Dave’s humor makes me burst out in laughter. Love m!

[@JeffRandallDrumming]

I needed this lesson, thanks guys!

[@music1900jbp]

An imaginative drummer, DK is a magician behind the traps with a unique time, rhythmic signature. Its funky, Jazzy and rockish.

[@Butt_naked_drummer]

Yooo Dave King is the man. Like fareal fareal. One of the best drumeos imo

[@adityatyagi4009]

I saw Dave King at a clinic at the Ellis Drum Shop in St. Paul, MN years ago and didn't quite understand what he was doing back then. But it made an impression on me and now that I see this lesson, I "get" what he's going for because I try to do some of that in my own drumming. Antonio Sanchez also takes this approach to improvising as well when he gets really abstract. Would love to see him on explaining how he approaches the drums. Good stuff!

[@pabloordas3775]

Mid-western humility, which is also passive/aggressive. 😱 Genius!

[@keithklassen5320]

It's that Minnesota Nice.

[@bitriplex]

His work on the last Julian Lage's Jazz trio is perfect.

[@YiannisIliakis]

And I think the time has come to call the one and only Jim Black in Drumeo...

[@hombreenojado]

Dave introduced me to Jim Black via Rational Funk. Made the mistake of downloading Houseplant. Lol.

[@9monava]

masterful and filled with heart -- love this!

[@CraigCoggle]

Love the challenge for all of us to explore 'contributions to the artwork of drumming'. Great interview!

[@nybcbuildingmanager6770]

Yes!!! Get some more jazz guys here on Drumeo please!!!

[@BoomerMusicCompany]

DAVE! I just met him a couple of days ago when the Bad Plus came through. Great show! Love the new 4 piece The Bad Plus. His technique is so goofy but it works for him and he sounds great doing it.

[@eliasappenzeller785]

I watch this at least twice a year. Creative Lolz to pull you out of your creative lulls.

[@MaxGebhardt]

Such a musical, intelligent person!

[@CliffConway]

I miss Rational Funk!

[@keithklassen5320]

Not anymore you don't!

[@CliffConway]

Keith Klassen exactly 😆 glad it’s back

[@SpiralstaticXX]

First! Feelsgoodman. Please get Richard Spaven or Chris Dave on! Thanks so much for your great content.

[@benyobaranyi6731]

Auxiliary Band One day they definitely should get Chris Dave. He is the most revolutionary drummer now on the plannet. Having him for a lesson would be a historical event in drumming.

[@climbjay]

Such a great guy. Rational funk is hilarious. Damn, takes me back a few years.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

“Time choir” -- awesome!

[@devinthegreig]

Dave’s the man! Awesome lesson

[@hombreenojado]

Highly recommend Dave's work on Chris Speed Trio and Happy Apple. It feels like he's playing from a different place. Truly incredible!

[@lukerobinson2224]

keep expecting Dave to turn to the camera and say 'Right Joe?' haha

[@potterbat3995]

Oh my god... Dave King did a Drumeo?! Dave, you got the gig buddy. I was hoping you had the antlers though..

[@StachelyPigglyBottom]

Dave is so incredibly well spoken.

[@SoggyBagelz]

thissssss is what we need

[@simiojazztrio2248]

Saw him 3 days ago at Tivoli in Utrecht, NL with the Bad Plus. Spoke to him and made a little video about rational funk #thatshowyougetthegig. Love this guy man, funny as ever but when playing music, creating, dead serious. - Tim

[@pesto9]

EXCELLENT lesson. Soooo much valuable information here.

[@bullfunkstudios3856]

I love Dave King, and this is the school of thought I truly subscribe to as an artist. Thanks guys for this awesome video!

[@mightymrmousempls]

true master of the art and one of the legends in my book. he's the nicest cat you could ever meet too

[@MattLeGroulx]

Dave's the fucking BEST.

[@kelleesmi]

Dave King is fucking prolific! He always has something interesting to say that can help any musician. That and he makes pretty music. Thanks for having him Drumeo! :)

[@murep]

Hello, those drums are gorgeous sound

[@Benfreidkin22]

Dave is the King

[@mikuspalmis]

I just watched Dave for the first time in Rational Funk the day I'm writing this after randomly finding a video of the show in a search, and I thought he was a bit strange from the one episode I watched yet pretty funny. But after watching his Drumeo appearance, being the second time I've seen him, I think he's one of the coolest drummers, artists, and people. I especially agree with and relate to what he's saying regarding exploring, developing, and contributing your own personal artistic expression. I've thought that for a long time.

[@antonpetrenko1687]

Please invite Nate Wood!

[@J0intV3nture]

Just remember kids, THAT'S how you get the gig!

[@tortoiseboxing1792]

Thank you Dave! I needed this in my life 😎😎😎

[@dyllanpringle4493]

Does anyone know the brand of shoes he’s wearing?

[@adamloris]

please get Dave back on. I want to hear him doing a 'hears X for the first time' so baaaad

[@alsergel5155]

Dave King for president.

[@timothy2204]

Met him once. Got a clip and instructions on how to get the gig. Cool dude. Funky fellow

[@SAHBfan]

It wasn't until I got near to the end of this video that I realised... He talks a free stream of flowing, loosely connected, experimental, unusual ideas, some of which are pretty off the map. I mean, he plays the same as he talks! What I take from this, is that he plays the way he does because of the way his brain is wired up. Not sure I could learn this. (Maybe drugs might help?)

[@leonscheffler]

And that's how you get the gig!

[@ypolchenko-freejazz-guitar]

Dave is incredubly tasteful performer

[@mattsnyder1629]

You guys should have George Daniel from the 1975 play on drumeo! He really is great at incorporating electronics and production aspects into his drumming.

[@elithepitbulldog2209]

Dave does more than just play the drums, he tells a story...

[@3MFDS]

This was so great, seriously.

[@CampbellYoungblood]

I missed that Dave came to drumeo somehow, but he is just what drumeo needs. Seeing the commenters who missed the point confirms that. Also met Dave when I worked at the vanguard (7-8 yrs ago) and TBP came through. I think I made some corny reference to rational funk, he was super gracious, quick witted dude. Had a bit of that midwestern humility though 😅(jk)

[@davidezecchi450]

SIMPLY KING 🎉😎👍

[@Nuxunumo]

For those of you who miss Rational Funk look up the radio show that he does with Joe, King's Speech. It's basically the same vibe as RF but they listen to killer records. It's all archived!

[@HobbeForApples]

Honest?

[@Shaftopia]

It's still there!

[@janpaw73]

Great lesson - thx! My favorite drummer, at last at Drumeo :)

[@lyamsharpe1040]

Amazing Lesson!

[@spooooooooooky]

Crazy Dave. Love it. Outside of the f## box!!

[@cainmunns231]

Muchos Gracias Dave Drumeo!

[@allenamishra8023]

I'm just started watching your video and i think it'd be an amazing and interesting video😊

[@OleksiiTheAngry]

how inspiring is dat? dat's ROYAL inspiring!

[@pjdahmen]

Great tutorial

[@UlfTv]

Great episode!!!

[@MetaGuinea]

Really great Dave King Multi- dimensional

[@skyreadersociety6183]

yeeeesssss! Rational Funk is back! But besides all the jokes and poking fun I very rarely heard such a musical, brave and pleasant improv on drums like the one that started @23:20

[@SAHBfan]

skyreader society - nah.... Not a patch on the one started at 52.17 😜

[@skyreadersociety6183]

@@SAHBfan honestly, it takes a bit of courage when you are doing your solo like that, whilst everyone else was just on with the most flashy chops. But as a last resort - you can always sing into your floor tom 😜 😜

[@SAHBfan]

@@skyreadersociety6183 - I haven't tried singing into the floor Tom, yet (I can't sing...) but I've tried some of his other ideas. I did the 'pretend to play the floor Tom but play it so quietly no one can hear it' technique. This is absolutely brilliant - people's ears are *on stalks* - amazing :)

[@Jack458111]

Make sure you watch his rational funk episode about military drumming. Mind blowing stuff

[@cliffbacken]

Great guy… interesting drummer… kind of structured free form jazz … I grew up in NYC playing and listening and seeing Tony Williams.. Paul Motion… Billy Higgins…I like more conservative playing… in contemporary music Lenny White .. Vinnie Colaiuta… But I kinda get it… he’s original.!! That’s for sure… and Like his explanation of the tempo’s… and placement… He states his connect with Ed Blackwell.. I hear and see it…!

[@metapod666]

Any tips on keeping count while improvising like this?

[@jordonwiersema2807]

Start slow, use easier rhythmic parameters. For example, he talks about playing only eighth notes while playing in 7. Like anything, move from easier to more difficult, whatever that means to you. In 4, you can probably keep count while playing whole notes.

[@coreyecklund9245]

Super Dave!!!

[@elliotgwynne3890]

Feel the pulse!

[@elliotgwynne3890]

And I agree the sushi is better when the fish have fewer miles.... i.e. Near the ocean vs in Minneapolis.

[@sebasmontreux]

Gummy vitamins are not candy, kids.

[@danielperasso9163]

Am I wrong or does he have an influence on Bill Stewart, mainly in how he works on the left hand ...

[@00_JK_00]

I'm feeling some serious Lenny White in Dave's style....

[@murep]

Can someone tell me if these are , yam absolute hybrid maple kit? What size bd? 20?

[@wolowolowolo]

great player!

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love it!!

[@keithcrupi9572]

All the unswept places! : ))

[@chrisconstancio5644]

FUCK yes The KING is on the throne

[@jerryfehilymusic476]

Amazing drummer! (musician.)Funny and very interesting. Brave is also a comment I agree with.

[@010aray]

Dave and Stanton have 100% sold me on those Kerope hi-hats. Now, who at Drumeo wants to give me a set or give me the $550 to buy them? *Looks at Jared*

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Have you seen this guy in the kitchen? Legendary.

[@babyjesuslovesme1219]

Awesome

[@markomarkovic5729]

When you're gonna call Jojo Mayer?

[@user-zn3tu6lg2k]

Jojo mayer lesson title: Literally everything about drumming

[@eternallyminded7]

That's a good idear!

[@wadsmitter511]

@@eternallyminded7 Nice!

[@MrUrech]

If you made a bobble head of this guy itd just be a model

[@hydrogencarbonate7944]

I WAS JUST WATCHING RATIONAL FUNK AGAIN THEN CHECKED MY SUB BOX

[@timothy2204]

This guy does a killer solo and people re happy and applaud and he just says “okay” 😂

[@brianpalay]

That's Minnesota for you. Modest.

[@yuyu8267]

What's that thing on the snare?

[@dextrodemon]

chajchas they're called

[@adamreimnitz2582]

the cymbals are mixed so low!! almost a crime!

[@Marleyaagaard]

YES!!!!

[@alusraah]

Are those cycling tan lines on Dave's hands?

[@OleksiiTheAngry]

Might be a layman's observation, yet I hope I won't get anyone's attention to it like, forever... but still... notice how his left foot and left hand are almost doing identical things?.. I mean, the left heel. He does whatever music requires with the left toes but the left heel repeats whatever the left hand is doing at the moment, especially on the snare drum...

[@DimitriFantini]

Who is this lunatic?!

[@SAHBfan]

Dimitri Fantini - he is a very fine musical educator. Go watch "Rational Funk" - his series of instructional videos. I am sure this will be valuable for you to improve your technique.

[@holbrookriles1834]

Also check out his band The Bad Plus.

[@thespungolator3421]

SAHBfan maybe you should check out the rest of the video

[@SAHBfan]

I've been a fan of his for years and I am a big advocate of his educational methods. I recommend 'Rational Funk'.

[@DimitriFantini]

50:08

[@CliffConway]

Great sounding solo/drums

[@ARGCDG]

That sounds like my Japanese kit from the 1960’s! Uggggggh