Dennis Chambers: Legendary Tips For Modern Drummers (FULL DRUM LESSON) - Drumeo

Faster Hands & Feet (in 10 days)
► www.Drumeo.com/faster/
We've received hundreds, if not thousands of comments from all of you requesting Dennis Chambers to come onto Drumeo. And it finally happened!
This video is a little different from our traditional lessons. We won't be talking about any specific grooves, fills, or exercises; but rather essential tips and concepts that will help you better understand this beloved craft. Dennis covers everything he thinks some modern drummers are lacking these days such as playing in the pocket, having good technique, and overall developing a better understanding on how to serve music.
There are only a few drummers who come to mind who could justify this lesson title. Dennis Chambers is one of them.
Lesson index:
0:07 - SONG: "Low Blow"
5:20 - Introduction
9:40 - Tip #1
11:49 - Tip #2
13:25 - Dennis demonstrating pocket
15:57 - Tip #3
25:47 - Tip #4
26:54 - Tip #5
33:40 - What Dennis learned from Buddy Rich
38:05 - Tip #6
43:24 - Tip #7
46:25 - Tip #8
50:04 - Q & A!
1:04:45 - SONG: "Bubbles"
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About Dennis:
Dennis Chambers is a legendary, well respected American drummer who has recorded and performed with artists such as Santana, Steely Dan, Parliament (Funkadelic), John Scofield, Carl Filipiak, John McLaughlin, Niacin, Mike Stern, and many others. Dennis is mostly known for his ability to perform with impeccable and funky timing in whatever style he’s called upon to play, as well as his incredible, fast chops. He can play in a wide variety of musical genres, but is perhaps most notable for his jazz-fusion, funk, and Latin music playing.
Dennis Plays:
Pearl Drums
Zildjian Cymbals
Evans Drumheads

[@Convisis]

Mount Rushmore drummer. Anyone who has seen this guy live, especially in his prime in the 90s and earlier 00s knows just how utterly astonishing it is to experience his power, groove and musicality. A one and only.

[@SeanZetterlund]

It's refreshing to see that Dennis has been able to overcome the serious health issues that ailed him, to the point of where he is now an active drummer again. Now, we have him on Drumeo. Thanks Dennis and Drumeo! :D

[@markdemell3717]

AYE!

[@drumma_satch]

I like how Dennis talks about not worrying about speed, learning to crawl before you walk. And then Drumeo puts "The fastest way to get fast" as the first thing in the description

[@dvrkvlley8571]

...yeah, people are dumb, but we are all in some (or more) points in our lives...

[@adofonconi9753]

I used to play on his tracks, at slow speed, like 0,75 avoiding many variations or impossible fills...My left hands is really better now on the ghost notes. This guy's a genius, only if you listen and listen again his work at slow speed you can taste every note that he uses, because he's so fast you can't notice, AND PLAY those details if you listen to his music at normal speed. He really squeezed the best out of me, now I can make fluently grooves that were impossible once, and create my own variations...

[@andreacarlopecoraro4612]

I was very lucky to see dennis play with victor wooten and franceschini at blue note in Milan. I was right behind him watching every single move he made and I was blown away. In the end I got to him to have a signature on a drumhead, and he talked about his family, daughters and grandaughters. He is really a lovely and simple person,a very good man. It isn't all about playing good, but also to behave and being good, as a man, and he really does.

[@boydsexytime]

Andrea Peco that's such a treat. I'm so jelly

[@jjbenz9633]

A lot of the top guys are humble easy going ppl. Marco Minneman is like that as well.

[@williamperri3437]

I met him last week and he was as cool and laid back as can be. Total gentleman!

[@holygroove2]

Chambers has lost nothing. People are being weird here with the comments. I don't see anyone suggesting other drummers and commenting on pocket for other videos, but on the legendary Dennis Chambers video, it's open season for bizarre comments. Chambers was discovering pocket before most of us where alive. Times have indeed changed. Thanks Drumeo for featuring such an influential drummer!

[@TheSinisterMinister666]

holygroove2 .. well said!!

[@jamesbryce5187]

holygroove2 Dennis has more pocket than cargo pants.

[@johnniejames9799]

Most of these keyboard cowboys have no idea who DENNIS CHAMBERS is, so that's why all of the dumb comments about a guy who reinvented drumming for the modern era!! SMH I'm just glad he decided to do the DRUMEO thing and give the world an opportunity to HEAR FROM HIM and to HEAR HIM do what he's been doing for the past 30 some odd years. Still TOP FIVE ALL TIME in my opinion.

[@homard62]

Dennis is unique. You can always tell when he is playing. I believe he is one of the "Trunk" players. Like Buddy or Gadd or Tony. There are young drummers all over the world who emulated Dennis. THe entire Gospel Chops movement, (my description) is inspired by Dennis. Not a bad thing. A good thing. And I agree with you on how some of the comments are strange, just looking to diminish his impact by only speaking of the other drummers that should be here. It is silly and ignorant. Until you have the kind of career Mr Chambers has, you should shut your mouth and listen.

[@turquinhofilho9796]

Sweet Words!

[@100RoundDrums]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BookooZenny]

This is correct

[@SirBoopBoop]

Hey Thomas. Love your drumming man! Your ghost notes are ridiculous! Been a fan of yours since Volta. Keep up the great work brother!

[@MultiRedman30]

I saw you on zildjian and you killed it. Man awesome just awesome.

[@joabmachado5037]

Boa Thomas...sou seu fã...Brasil!

[@RodrigoRaez]

Justice was made when he mentioned you.

[@JSquaredDesigns]

Legend and one of the all time greats - glad to see him back and healthy - still fierce behind the kit and ultra confident - great video

[@Doatello1991]

54:37 is the best part of the video for me. Music snobs like myself tend to look down on metal drumming, but Dennis Chambers shows absolute class and maturity by saying that you have to be in shape to play metal. The big takeaway from this lesson should be every drummer's primary goal: be able to groove and play with other musicians. Sure being fast is great, but it won't get you anywhere if nobody wants to play with you.

[@davidcurtis4478]

I absolutely LOVE Dennis Chambers. I've been a fan since early 90's. Keep groovin'! Dennis. So glad you're well again. All the best! DC

[@tictocbang7443]

My all-time favorite. Dennis is the perfect combination of groove and thunder.

[@boydsexytime]

I think Dennis is a darn good drummer. He makes it look so effortless. He got it locked down tight. Wow, just WOW

[@BrianHarrisDrummer]

Wow, I'm shocked he's not chewing gum. This is the first time I've ever seen him NOT chewing gum while playing. LOL

[@terrinelson2322]

OhioMetalDrummer your right.!!

[@benjaminzamora4194]

OhioMetalDrummer 😂 it's true

[@mattdixon5299]

His mouth didn't know what to do

[@WisperMetal]

However he is still chewing food for sure! Lol

[@mancini2468]

LOL...my first thought was...NO GUM???? :-)

[@hanneskarp2916]

come on Guys. Show some respect. i cant understand how some drummers are admired for their technique and others for their band-sound-supportive playing and here we go with a Drummer that mastered both arts and all i am seeing are wishlists for other Drummers. i Love His playing for Scofield and i am almost Sure i saw him playing with Marcus Miller and he could keep Up with all their different aproaches to music and what they required as band Sound. He could play Sound supportive in an band but never boring or uninspired, even when providing "just" the Background onto which the rest of the band could turn wild when playing their solo. i think he felt the music with his guts and for his Stile of music He was Always the best. best recording of him were from Niacin...that was one Heck of a great album

[@bholaoates1542]

Well said - I totally agree. I always wanted to check out his work with Niacin and you just gave me the impetus to do so. Thanks!

[@akrause2004]

I 've had the great pleasure of meeting and chatting with Dennis a few times. I asked him who/what music made him want to first learn how to play the drums. "Hands down, James Brown",...he said. He was very kind, very accommodating and friendly to me. Just a terrific ambassador of the the instrument and music in general.

[@alfredobravo7188]

Let's be clear folks: Before Guiliana, Chris Dave and all the hip guys that rule the scene nowadays, there where people like Collaiuta, Gadd, Weckl of course the Great Dennis Chambers!

[@LostMyMojo100]

Not to mention some dude named Rich.....

[@Alfredolunafoto1]

The good old days... 90s

[@jacobwalker4163]

Man this dude will be on top until he no longer plays and then he'll be remembered as being on top fròm beginning to end. This hsd been my fav drummer since i saw thst video from the 90's with him. Omar hakim, dave weckl,chad smith, some long hsired metal dude. And others.

[@PurpleEmpire123]

I prefer the old cats.

[@Dave-lr2wo]

No offense, but none of those guys could carry Gadd, Weckl, Colaiuta, or Chambers' stick bags. It's not close. I don't even know what your'e saying.

[@illuminationcorner4400]

Drumming for 55 years, living legend. His power levels are over 9000!!

[@markdemell3717]

He has a black belt in drumming.

[@Stclairm1]

I was blown away by his playing with John Scofield on "Loud Jazz". One of my first jazz albums back in 1990 or 1991 while I was in the US Navy. I jammed that madness all the time and I'm an "aspiring drummer" since 1983...... Dennis's "so fast" is very different than a lot of us other drummers' "so fast"....

[@JonathanFosa]

Dennis is like the life form of music. When you just think you might get it all, something new is popping up. Dennis clearly tries to sum it up, but the thing is that you can't compartmentalize music in any way. Dennis is THE example of a person which is FEELING his music. Actually this complete session Dennis is literally talking about the emotions which he had during his life in function of music. I love how instructor Dave is trying to organise the enormous musical bucket which Dennis is pouring into our ears. The thing I love even more is that at the end of this beautiful session we got some of the picture about what music is all about, but still remaining to have this feeling about this unknown "magic" of music. At the end when you see Dennis smiling while he's playing the song "Bubbles" I get this satisfying feeling which I would dare to describe the magic of music ! Thank you Drumeo for this session and God bless Mister Dennis Chambers Greetings from Belgium.

[@thelifeandtimes.ofazombiegirl]

One of my favorite drummers was Levon Helm and I believe he said that singing and playing made him realize where there needed to be space. Dennis is the man, been watching him for years. Love it! J.

[@drumteacher43]

Dennis is a legend! i was just at his clinic, last week, he is a great player with a lot of great musical ideas and he is giving some great advice!! music/groove is king!

[@charlymedina3762]

Thanks Drumeo for this great lesson!!! Dennis is one of the greatest without a doubt...

[@peterlibby466]

There is no one like him. He has been on the scene as long as I can remember. Met him onstage in the early 80’s with NoEFX. He was humble and friendly. And he burned like the sun. Just enjoy this vid and then go somewhere else to hear the other greats. But this is Dennis. Eyes on the prize people.

[@LostMyMojo100]

As a guitar player, I LOVE watching and listening to great drummers......... The GROOVE is where it's at..........

[@sambell385]

Dennis Chambers is an incredible drummer ! I haven’t seen him in many years did not know you had health issues, saw him at a couple of drum clinics about 20 years ago , those hands were lightening fast, much love to you Dennis 💝

[@snarecat3441]

Dennis played my favorite ever drum solo on a live Steely Dan’s “Josie “ … Incredibly musical drummer , absolutely tops on my list !🥁😎Mr. Tom

[@voiceaddict]

Beautiful interview, a wonderful human and musician. Thanks for having a great one on this show.

[@drewcipher666]

what a treat for me to stumble onto this genius not a drummer but a music lover always loved a great groove i love this guy love to watch him play songs hes never heard before everything you guys show ....drumeo rocks ....mr.chambers has mesmerizing skills .....thank you i could listen guy pass wind

[@jphague1]

Incredible instruction from a living legend. Those K hi-hats are stunning.

[@drewcipher666]

what a treat for me to stumble onto this genius not a drummer but a music lover always loved a great groove i love this guy love to watch him play songs hes never heard before everything you guys show ....drumeo rocks mr.chambers has mesmerizing skills .....thank you ...i could listen to this man pass gas

[@lovepeacewar32]

Thanks Drumeo! Mr. Chambers is atill my #1 drumming influence. Added to my favorites.

[@HandHdigital]

Fav drummer, always willing to share so much knowledge and life experience. Thanks for getting him, Drumeo

[@goesjem]

Thanks for this! I have the Pearl Dennis Chamber signature snare that came out mid '90's. The 6.5'' white maple with 3 way strainer. It is so funky!

[@spaceschneider]

Thank you all, thank you Dennis.. there's fantaastic advice and approaches in this! Outstanding, yet easy and fresh

[@haroldm8435]

Dennis Chambers is always raising that bar a little higher. Great tutorial; and I am overjoyed he is healthy and back to grooving. Enjoy this folks; he is a living legend.

[@yastudia]

Дорогой и любимый наш старичок. Как же ты радовал нас, пацанов, своими невероятными нарушениями законов физики. Однозначно лучший барабанщик мира, легендарный Дениска Чемберсов. Абсолютная классика. Любим тебя и желаем тебе здоровья и долгих лет жизни, дорогой!

[@tubehepa]

He should lose some weight or he prolly ain't gonna get долгих лет жизни... : /

[@jschrager23]

Saw this god live In Rio de Janeiro in a workshop back in 1996 i believe it was...even took a pic with him. I was 15...time flies!

[@ADAMKTN]

Dennis is just awesome. He’s a music guy, a real guy, and a great mind. He’ll always be one of my tops. 👏🏻

[@ronnieprevatt8066]

I have always loved Dennis and his playing. I saw him with Santana and he was incredible One of the greats

[@davelilley3249]

Amazing! I love that groove where he plays on the beat with one hand and behind with the other.

[@randydoak6638]

Great to see the one and only Dennis Chambers really going for it. Thanks.

[@thegougeman]

One of the best feels in the business love this guy

[@OLahoda]

love the captions when Dennis is playing. "melodic drum music", "energetic drum solo" "upbeat instrumental". For sure it is melodic, energetic and upbeat hehe.

[@jimbaker6442]

One thing for sure. I could sit and watch and listen to Dennis Chambers talk about drummers and drumming all day long. This man is a wealth of information and experience and very rarely do you find someone like him who is both at the top of his profession AND who can express himself so well and get his point across so completely about what he's talking about. He is also capable of demonstrating on the kit what he's talking about, and that is both an eye and an ear opener too. One of my all-time favorite drummers!!!

[@PsychedelicRealities]

Perfect guys! Thank you for the video oh mighty Drummeo! Wow Dennis Chambers is very good drummer and speaks correctly, it was like hearing my thoughts, especially the point he made to exercise but not to burn our selves up, about feeling the music, speed is not always the whole point... Etc!

[@rhythm-t3023]

Dennis Chambers one of my favorite drummers I have a whole rack of full of his Zildjian signature sticks and his mallets. He is awesome!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@slimjim1104]

i practiced rudiments on a pillow when i was young. i didnt have access to my own kit until i was 20 and im still showing people my moeller technique at 43. man practicing on pillows helped me in ways i cant describe.

[@DBSplayers]

Drumeo is the best....best lessons by the best drummers HANDS DOWN!

[@nelsono4315]

the mighty Dennis Chambers! Have had the good fortune of seeing him numerous times, with Niacin, John Scofield, Scott Henderson, etc. Once I had a nice chat with him about drummers and music. Great drummer, great cat!

[@fredericravoninjatovo1668]

Man, thanks a lot for all your tips! I really liked what I heard and it made so much sense

[@welk2703]

Fantastisch !!! Ein Vorbild wie kein anderer. Klar und direkt mit sehr viel Kenntnis

[@julianvich6067]

So good to see Dennis well again.

[@Unehistoirecommeles]

am very impressed by the story about Tony Williams and the work in the Club, the sound ... what an amazing story, thx

[@richardaaron4454]

At first I thought he's really changed and he has changed (every drummer evolves) but glad to see that explosiveness still there that I've always loved so much. They should have given him a cowbell though.

[@PedroDVC]

Who didn't grow up listening to this man? Amazing drummer!!

[@johnbreedlove3245]

Hey, here's an idea, how about learning from ... Dennis Chambers, right here in this video!

[@cgafken]

John Breedlove drumeo literally asks the audience to comment drummers they would like to see in future lessons

[@markdemell3717]

I did my friend.

[@gildevanalves3813]

Dennis sem comentários incrivel.Valeu!!!

[@CamxCam.]

I am so glad Dennis is alive and well.

[@japaobatera4476]

Dennis Chambers um dos melhores bateras q eu conheço sou muito fã do Dennis Chambers muito toooop 👍 lembrar-se bateras unidos jamais será vencido!

[@AmauryGimonnet]

This guys a living LEGEND!

[@BrendrumJones]

great stuff, thanks again for putting these videos up

[@Savisoundman1]

The best! Thanks for the inspiration Dennis!

[@kelechukwuekeasi2850]

Awesome lesson... Thanks Drumeo!!!

[@BoomerMusicCompany]

In fact, after one of the clinics he did for us, he talked about the slap back he was getting off the very back wall. He was using it to play against and created some amazing sequences. How incredibly musical to be in the moment and hear that slap back (which was probably annoying) and turn it into a part of his performance. He finished with a move I called The Octopus because it just should not have been that many notes and movement coming from one player. Thanks again Dennis!

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

Dennis speaks through his instrument. It is his deepest way to communicate. It is his greatest form of expression. When he tries to use words to explain things, it doesn't always work well. Wisdom always seems to sound foolish when put into words. His experiences are so deep and profound. How can you sum up a lifetime with words? Art & Music are not meant to be a head experience as much as an experience of our heart, soul & spirit. That's what he means when he says "feel it". Each one of us has to find out what that really means for ourselves. It really is an ongoing journey. Again...Dennis Chambers speaks through his instrument and we, as drummers must find the best way to speak through our drums. We must discover and recognize what it is that feels good and right about playing our drums and focus on that.

[@gmorton916]

Damn, some people r never satisfied--u have here 1 of THE greatest drummers on the planet and guys r saying bring this guy, that guy--wtf

[@verdadedoidemais9016]

Gregg731 hes the almost perfect drummer in world

[@verdadedoidemais9016]

Gospel chopp sis not the only stile

[@fransiboy]

In this case : SLIPKNOTS People Equals SH&&&&&&T

[@markdemell3717]

The majority of people on earth have a very bad attention span ,I blame those infernal stupid smart phones.This man is masterclass man!

[@dvrkvlley8571]

...joey jordison is THE BEST! (of course, I'm kiddin', kids are DUMB as f. these days), music is youtube cover coimpetition now and we, who started in the 80's with music lessons, cannot care LESS...

[@bogdanique]

These are really legendary tips, thank you!

[@denyjurlinamladen]

Great..one of the few drummers that I watched the whole video !!

[@andreigordeev9796]

Thank you guys!

[@melissaraul]

always a fan ...amazing drummer one of my top 10 !

[@Martindrummerking]

Thank you Drumeo for this!!!!

[@royterrell31]

Conversationally, Dennis offered some very good golden nuggets about playing the drums, building technique, time keeping, and etc. Good stuff.

[@Grampa-el3kz]

Best advice ever. I’m stunned. Super smart fellow.

[@alexdaneau186]

F****** Dennis the menace! A legend. Thanks Drumeo! at 19:14 that Atomic Dog groove....OMG!

[@JJ-vg9du]

43:30 If i had known this simple advice when i started drumming

[@JBSongwriterDrumTracks]

Great stuff Dennis Chambers thank you

[@bobayersquebec]

He always be one of my favorite drummer since first time i heard him in the 90s. He's not human ! hes a ALIEN

[@luckylicks3497]

Love Dennis!

[@markdemell3717]

This man has the timing ,feel ,groove and style.

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Ghost note KING !!!

[@tunegritord7652]

he is a máster ,no word ,so fast and clean hit groove

[@Lektuerekurs]

13:21 amazing call there, Dave!

[@homard62]

32:17. There is a very interesting comment from Dennis on emulation of other drummers. Explains a lot. Dennis has his own sound. Now I see it is by design.

[@paulussantosowidjaja93]

Thank you for the learning.

[@BetterCallSinged]

This guy is incredible

[@markomarkovic5729]

Dennis, Buddy Rich, Virgil Donati - the best of all time

[@jrdog123]

What about Danny Carey?

[@ILikeWafflz]

Danny Carey is a good example of applying creativity. He's not as much of a "groove" drummer though. He has a bit of a "rock band" sound in his playing. Matt Cameron is underrated. That guy has a groove that I've been able to pick out since I was 8 years old, back before I had any idea who he was or even knew the difference between Pearl Jam and Coldplay.

[@jrdog123]

ILikeWafflz but you can still pick out Danny Carey's drumming normally, he has a persona when he drums that you can tell its him

[@ILikeWafflz]

That is true. However, I haven't heard him play outside of Tool. He does a lot of cool stuff, like somehow finding a way to play off at an angle (as he himself put it) from the rest of the music but still complimenting it, the verses in Pushit and the 5:30-8:30 section in 10,000 Days (the song) being excellent examples, not to mention his playing around with mixing both rythms and time signatures. i was going to say that other times it's a bit predicitable, but to criticize on that would be unfair. It's not possible for EVERYTHING to be unpredictable. I don't want to discount any credit. I'm just careful to not go down the irrational fanatic route.

[@kentbyron7608]

Dennis is not just a great player. He literally changed the drumkit, the whole approach. Few people can do that to an instrument. To be a great player and to make the instrument evolve in approach? I guess the word is innovator. Dennis broke the 4 minute mile back in the 80's with how he wove the hi-hat, snare, ride, bell of ride and bass drum into this heavily orchestrated but improvised groove with the most delicate and open spaces between the notes. It's an extremely high level of coordination. After that many drummers have his level of coordination and technique because he showed the way. And his touch and his musicality when grooving is so melodic, like he's singing the drums. So that's kind of coming from Max Roach in a way. Dennis is deep! So grateful he's on this planet, doing what he's doing which is making me wonder how such beauty in a groove can come from one person. If you have any doubts about his impeccable melodic taste, one only has to check out his recordings over the years. Dennis has different moods and responses. If you feel like he's overplaying somewhere, grab yet another disk. He's a gourmet chef with a large vocabulary of delectable drum dishes. Check out all the 80's stuff he did with Scofield like Blue Matter, Loud Jazz and Pick Hits (a live album showing Dennis completely unedited and as perfect as you'll ever hear a drummer play, that is, always melodic and always rippleless in perfect time.) What a master and what taste. Thank you, Dennis, and Drumeo. Cheers!

[@markcrisp7315]

A true class act Dennis Chambers is Dave 💯🎼🥁😊✌️

[@dshinz3057]

LOVE THIS GUY

[@EVEROSFP1]

What a beast of a drummer Dennis is...

[@flamecolumn]

Ha I love Dennis’ look and vibe with the glasses and watch. It’s like you’re over at a buddy’s house and his uncle from out of town is visiting and he is just a normal middle aged dude with a spare tire and dad jokes but then he sits down at the drum set in the garage and it turns out he’s the best drummer in the world.

[@SXI96]

Those drums sound great, he is an incredible drummer, damn!

[@israelreal930]

Genial es maestro Chambers!! Suntuoso como siempre!!

[@abregoja]

Wow ! a Legend! an Outstanding performance

[@RudySalerno]

Dennis is the man.Very Nice.

[@BoomerMusicCompany]

Yeah Dennis! My old drum shop was able to host him twice for clinics. Great clinics for the most part. He came through later and did a club show with Victor Wooten after he had recovered. Not as fast as in the past BUT his displacements were off the hook!!! The way he played around the beat that night was unreal. I'm so glad I was able to see him in his prime and as a less powerful/fast drummer but with taste that went on for days. Very cool to see the difference but it's still the same Dennis!

[@ivanzurvera6005]

My favorite drummer!!

[@LloydMajor]

Great lesson!

[@simbiosisestudiodediseno4415]

Amazing man

[@bujolt]

I think the best thing drumeo can do right now, is to bring Mark Guiliana. Extremely creative and also have amazing technique. Who agrees with me?

[@TARANondrums]

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@banjomango145]

Netanel Buznah MEEEEEEEE TOOOOO

[@handidrummed]

Absolutely!

[@skyreadersociety6183]

yes, please!

[@WhelanDrums]

Just seen Mark in Clinic this weekend. Absolutely inspirational and a top guy. I think he'd provide an extremely educational lesson. He helped me understand that it's okay to make mistakes. As drummers we can be really hard on ourselves sometimes but mark definitely helped me with that aspect of my playing.

[@jdb3611]

Great drummer! May not have been his best day but still great