Drum Lesson : Fireball Intro - joecrabtree.com

[@deepdiver51]

Absolutely amazing. As a guitarist I never appreciated what was going on behind me. After watching this I will always show maximum respect to the can basher.

[@johng7265]

Ah Ian Paice. Ahead of his time and many a great drummers worked on his chops in their drumming development.

[@repetitivemotion]

Ian Paice is an animal on the drums.

[@marcdewey3848]

repetitivemotion ..And like a lot of drummers in the 1970's he played a four piece set in the early days of Purple.

[@rctubs3593]

truly

[@frankrichards3089]

Maybe best in rock era

[@tz6414]

He had never heard of it until today.? Firstly I am amazed, secondly how he can transpose it so well after a day.

[@rainbow2710]

and for the non-drummers, please go to 19:14 played really well.

[@kurtsherrick2066]

Paice used two base drums. He almost got it with one but didn't get the timing down. Keith Moon's Drum Set was sitting in the studio so they borrowed his Base Drum. Paice was the fastest on the rolls than anyone in the business.

[@slycordinator]

Although, in more recent years, he has used double pedals with a single kick drum. Remote double bass pedals weren't invented yet.

[@kurtsherrick2066]

@rep toob Thanks for the clarification on that. I could have sworn Ian said that Moon's Base Drum was used in the recording. Maybe I didn't hear it straight.

[@kurtsherrick2066]

@rep toobWhat makes some of the music more enjoyable is the stories about the History. Rock on!

[@slycordinator]

@@simolappalainen9248 not sure what you mean by "q".

[@FinalHourMetal]

And Bonham thought he'd done it on a single BD, so practiced his a** off to get as quick as he thought Paicey was!

[@cleitevieira]

Great; really, great! It shows how Paice is one of the greatest of all times! By the way, the best tutorial on Fireball's drums intro in the KZbin.

[@ulix4]

Best drum lesson I have ever seen. You are a great teacher. Masterpiece, thanks a lot

[@joecrabtreedrums]

ulix4 Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you haven't already, you might want to check out my website - www.joecrabtree.com. I regularly add new content to the VIP section on there.Cheers, Joe

[@geoffcarr5810]

I watched a video recently about the 10 best drum intros and was shocked that Ian Paice’s Fireball intro was NOT included. I always wanted this intro analyzed to find out exactly what was going on. Brilliantly explained. Thank you.

[@rafdemot9401]

I think I saw that video too.... I can think of only one reason why the Fireball intro was not in it: too difficult to play for the guy doing the video.

[@yossisedbon1616]

You are brilliant and your playing is genius!

[@flowerlandofjohn]

When I learned this intro (in my late teens) I didn’t know that Paice ever used double basedrums. I thought it was single-footwork. Let’s just say it left me with a fast foot when I was done 👍🏻😂

[@flowerlandofjohn]

@@ozsportscardcollector2.512 The first double pedal was actually invented in 1968 (but that was another design). Paice however are from what I’ve learned using double bass drums on this one 👍🏻

[@LAstudio8]

nice! I always loved this intro.

[@frankrichards3089]

I'd put the drums on that track ahead of most any rock song...incredible

[@pellefant66]

@johnWalton You're right. I've never seen him using double kickdrums but I never seen Fireball performed live. Thanks for enlightening me

[@project404]

Just love your stuff. I have been playing for a lot of years but Ive never ever stopped and broken things down and though about parts and patterns. This is so helpful in understanding what makes the drum parts wortk and how they are put together, Thanks for putting this stuff online.

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Thank you :) You'll probably like the lessons on my website if you haven't already checked them out. There's a link in the video description. Happy drumming!

[@project404]

I'll do that. Cheers Joe.

[@guybrushgood3717]

thnk you for the lesson, this piece has the purest musicality, great composition Ian!

[@yves3560]

So that´s.....the DNA of the fireball intro. TOP txs !

[@yeshuahharmasheyah8522]

GREAT DRUMMER AND TEACHER I LOVE THIS FIREBALL INTRO ITS TOUGH AS.

[@shardug]

Ian used a bass Drum that was Keith moons', They were playing in the studio in the studio next to where the Who were recording. Ian can do the bass drum with one foot but thought it was stronger using 2. When they played live in the early days( in the earlt 70's) They'd bring out the second bass drum for that song. When they play it live he uses a double pedal or plays it closer to "Flight of the Rat" drum part.

[@pipexrc88]

Course is possible to play with one foot, there is a technique where you push the pedal twice in different positions to make it faster, I have seen a friend do it... and mr paice is just a machine.

[@aussiefarmer8741]

Yes he could do it with 1 foot. There is another solo he does where he starts of slowly then gradually goes to town. He was alway's known as a fast foot. I dont know why people doubt it, its lots of practice & yrs of experience. Remember people this is his Proffession he is not a week end gigger. Ps. Listen to "You fool no-one"

[@MarkUnderwood-knowlengr]

Deepens [sic] my appreciation for this great rock opening. The notation and discussion / deconstruction are what's missing in so much discussion about what makes a particular performance great. The deconstruction isn't just drummer pedagogy; it's an exposition on Paice's rhythmic creativity.

[@salchaos]

Great explanation. Thorough and well thought out. Thanks so much.

[@justincase2271]

Isn't it amazing that the guys from Deep Purple and Ian Paice in particular didn't overthink the song but just let the juices flew. It sometimes is more about feeling and inspiration than math.

[@LeftyandFriends]

Yes, but those juices contain his years of learning and practice.

[@brendanmcg8566]

Thanks, very informative breakdowns of everything. I have tons of tidbits to work on from this one video. Trying to write a drum intro for a new song and this was very inspirational.

[@jeffdidham672]

Excellent lesson Joe. This is the next beast of a song we are playing and it's good to get a foundation to what the Great Ian Paice is doing. 👍

[@miroslavtabyashki]

Great tutorial, Maestro! It's one of my favorite songs!

[@joecrabtreedrums]

We played with them a couple of years ago in South Africa. He had a double pedal there.

[@andreasgriwatz7694]

Yes, but he also can play it with one pedal. I think you find it on youtube.

[@project404]

Ahh, that's great. Its a sod of a song to play well. This made real sense. Thanks for taking the time. (Now I just need to find the time to practice!)

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Double pedal. We played with them a couple of years ago in South Africa. He definitely didn't do it with one foot :)

[@magwamagwa45110]

thank you so much for solid info laid out in a easy to understand way great stuff

[@richybatty234]

Brilliant ! I still can't play it , but that may come with lots more practice ! You broke it down perfectly ... 👍👍

[@odpr]

This song was the reason I wanted to play drums. For many years I was looking for good tutorial on how to play this song . Today I found your video! It is amazing instructional video!!! To see it explained in such pro way is simply stunning. Question is, since I don't have double pedal or two bass drums, is it even possible to play?

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Thanks for the comment. I'm glad you like it :) In answer to your question, I suspect there are a few people out there who might be able to pull this off with one foot, but not many. And, if they can, it wouldn't sound quite so powerful. My advice would be to play the off beat 16ths with the right foot and play the hi-hat with your left foot. It'll still sound kind of cool, and if you ever get a double pedal you'll have been working on the right thing.

[@72greeny]

+Joe Crabtree's Drum Lessons Hi Joe. Great lesson. You are right in your comment. Ian has said he could play it on one bass drum but it didn't have the power the song needed so he borrowed one of Keith moons bass drums , he was recording at the same studio. Paice is one of the greats and one of the nicest and most humble of musicians. Keep up the great work.

[@ordenX]

*Thank you!!!!!!*

[@takaist64]

great drum lesson.

[@marcacafe9884]

slow and clear thanx ! you're a good teach

[@Takes680]

Great lesson broken down so good

[@swethasrajulu]

Loved the lesson

[@Avico78]

Great work ! Thank u!

[@rico7288]

merci JOE beaucoup pour cette super lesson !!

[@joecrabtreedrums]

@pellefant66 apparently his roadie used to bring on an extra bass drum just for this song. I doubt there are many(if any) drummers who could play the continuous 16ths with one foot. Certainly not Ian Paice.

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Thank you. All the videos on my website are like that. I actually recorded a whole other lesson about bass drum technique for my site which was originally part of this lesson.

[@blindcentipede7019]

My dads friend has done drumming from people like Paul McCartney to Gary Moore and he know Ian Paice, apparently he used a double bass drum in the studio, but a single pedal live:)

[@nchcroy3877]

Am so glad I play by ear and not constantly try and break it down all of the time. I realise it's how some people learn but it doesn't work for me

[@sigiheinzen8066]

Very good lesson!!!!

[@CornSw]

Great tutorial!

[@grimzkul]

Great lesson. Thanks man!

[@midnightraiin4035]

great break down

[@davesplendorio9661]

Excellent!

[@1970PMD]

Great lesson sir. Mr. Paice was ahead of his time as fireball was recorded 1971? Not many drummers at that time matched his ability.

[@Treviscoe]

Mr. Paice was ahead of his time as fireball was recorded 1971? Yes it was, it was between In Rock (1970) and Machine Head (1972).

[@vincentrathbone26]

Carmine Appice.

[@bobbytubbs5469]

Ian was a big fan of Gene Krupa one of jazz's greatest

[@seanobrogain2141]

On youtube, theres a vid from 1972 and answers the 2 bass drums or 1 debate, Paice uses a double pedal now, but they take a second bass drum on stage for an encore....it sounds a bit like "hot for teacher" in the live vid...sort of a swing thing?

[@anthonycurran362]

Great stuff... 🤗

[@FeliceDeFalco]

Ian paice was an unstoppable train

[@AretyRocks]

very well taught thx

[@amj.composer]

I'm not a drummer, but I just wanted to see how you do those weird fills. Also haha same even I thought that intro started on an upbeat rather than the downbeat.

[@2002jugi]

Very good job !!!

[@RadicalEmu]

Now... the fill after the first chorus! (I honestly don't know how he did it!)

[@misfit2022]

Very impressive. Ian Paice was well known for using doubles so not sure if he uses doubles at the end or fast singles. You need a lot of patience to play Ian Paice songs from his Deep Purple era.

[@craigie2112]

Hugely impressed with that. I struggled a bit transposing your right to left and visa versa being left handed myself but maybe I should use a mirror. Unfortunately it won't work with your narration but we can't have everything. Anyhooo, thanks for your insightful interpretation and explanation of this iconic intro. Cheers!

[@vesselinb.2089]

magic!

[@papybruce7599]

So good thank you

[@mfthick]

this is awesome

[@markmirche7760]

Thank you.👏

[@stevo7730]

Hi Joe ........... I'm blow bass but a huge Purple fan ...... you're a great teacher ....... just want to point out that Ian Paice never had a double kick, he played that with one foot ......... amazing drummer you should check out more of his stuff ... try the Burn album

[@themagnanimous1246]

Stevo _ he used Keith Moon's double bass drum to record this

[@Polsebrodify]

On the studio version of this song Ian Paice borrowed an extra bass drum from Keith Moon. Moons drum kit was lying around because The Who worked in the same studio in the same recording period, so I have read.

[@axdambient]

Great lesson, and great looking sticks. What are those? I got taught this by Vinnie Appice at a bar. It's one of his favorite songs.

[@paulillitsch8711]

I thinks these are Dave Weckl's signature sticks

[@Phrase]

Very cool lesson Joe. I always thought the fills in this one were 16th note triplets rather than 32nd notes (apart from the one right at the end of the intro) but what you explain here makes a lot of sense and make it a lot harder to play! One thing I think you should have mentioned is that the bass drum 16th notes are not played perfectly straight, they're not a shuffle either though, they're somewhere in the middle "half swung" if you like, like a country "scuffle"

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Thanks for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed the lesson. This was actually part of a much longer lesson in the VIP section of my website. There I deal specifically with the issue you're talking about.

[@mwheeler1994]

For anyone skeptical that Ian uses double bass/ double pedal live. All you have to do is watch the 1972 Copenhagen video. During the encore, they stop the show to set up a second bass drum. Also when I was them live back in February of 2012 he definitely used a double pedal.

[@zivhoresh8663]

How do you press the Hi Hat and Left foot Bass Drum together ? is there any special technique ? or is it a special Pedal which activate both in same time ?

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Just put the pedals as close together as you can and spread your foot across them however you can.

[@zivhoresh8663]

@@joecrabtreedrums doesn't sound like an easy tusk , how ever i will give it a go thanks mate

[@tonno6866]

Ian Paice uses two bass drums for that pattern

[@ramazi966]

if you listen to Ian paice's California jam solo you will see that he is doing 16th notes with one 1 foot at a pretty fast tempo.. so he can play this song with 1 foot, maybe he doesn't do it because .. you know, why do it and burn and wreck the shit out of your leg, when you got double pedal, and it's much easier and comfortable.

[@hectorvera1982]

Exelente explicación gracias!!!

[@JeffSyam]

??? Never heard the song before??? As a drummer, what planet are you from Joe? LoL But honestly it's great lesson Joe.

[@ianhames2465]

Joe probably wasn't born when Fireball was recorded.

[@Fedkar]

i was not born eather (was you, semannai?), but i know this song since i was 12 in mid 80s

[@pocemonspivom]

Generetion "shit music" and like Everest IMHAO .

[@rainbow2710]

I wasn't born when JS Bach was writing music, but...

[@mck750]

Into i just think Mission Impossible theme feel in 5/4 and it's easy than trying to count it all. I use one bass drum it's just triplets ...snare- bd- bd

[@knownuser0815]

this was very very good - and I'm not even a drummer :D

[@AngryPostmanStockholm]

Maybe the weirdest drumattack ever, i can't been more than 9-10 yo, now 45'ish years later i still bounce between the walls. You must be very good, pickin it apart and its awesome to listen how you play a little part a time then add some beat etc... I think it should be easier to just listen and practice til it get stuck : ) So as never heard it, was it in your taste of music and did The probly best band ever impress your ears? :) Anyway i stand by my inner statement: There ain't much more impressive than to see a Drummer in action with 4 parts goin in different directions and yet full control (! ?) pickin it together and all become clear ♥ or a rallydriver goin at speeds in the woods many of us not even done on highway, narrow, twisty and when its get impossible by sheer physic laws they just give full tit and hold on to the hat ♥ Atleast drummers who are the ones pulls the train are so underrated get filmed 15 sec during a 3.50 song...and it makes me crazy. worst i saw was recently (actually think it was a old DP or Rainbow show) during the drumbreak/solo the cameraman still focused on singer and guitarist....really? Keep it up, there are some people who understand whats what and who's who ;:)

[@andidrummer]

How can you play hithat and left feet of the double pedal in the same moment??

[@joecrabtreedrums]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean. If you mean you want to hit the hi-hat with your hand and keep it closed while using the left bass drum pedal then you can get a "drop clutch" that will release the top cymbal from the hi-hat rod. If you mean you want to play the hi-hat with the foot at the same time as the left bass drum pedal, then you need to have the pedals set up next to each other and you place your foot so one side is on the hi-hat pedal and the other side is on the kick pedal.

[@andidrummer]

the second :) thank you very much

[@neilbarnett3046]

At last, a musician who doesn't start with an intro that shows off how good they are and how sh** I am... Around 11:50 minutes, it sounds like you're trying the starter to get the song going.

[@joecrabtreedrums]

thanks :)

[@superporcinet]

Thank you so much for breaking this down! I have been trying so hard to play that groove, but quite never took time to really try to understand it, and it's more complex than what I thought. Did Ian Paice really play it on a double bass or he was just freaking fast with one foot? And I don't think he's got a hi-hat coupled to his bass drum while he plays it, but I guess you're using it to highlight the tempo. Anyway, amazing job! Can you please do the intro of "Pictures of Home" by deep purple?

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Glad you liked it. I'm pretty certain he played it with two feet (see all the debates in the comments below). I'll check out the intro you mentioned. Won't have chance to do new videos for a while though.

[@mfthick]

yes, it was the one deep purple song he used two bass drums.

[@johnleney9541]

Joe Crabtree's Drum Lessons I saw Mr Paice do a "clinic" many years ago and someone asked him to play this. He said that it was done with two bass drums on the album, but that he would try to give it a go on the one-BD kit he had set up for this show. Sounded pretty good...

[@joelombrdo]

There's a live version of Deep Purple playing Fireball and they brought out another bass drum just for this song. check it out.

[@OTRF]

Like your Vids. Very helpful. Questions What mis do you use?

[@drumsoftware]

+OTRF Assuming you mean microphones... in that video the tom mics are Shure Beta 98. However, these days I prefer the Beyer Dynamic mics I talk about in this post - www.joecrabtree.com/blog/2014/09/27/things-i-really-like/ I think they're great!

[@jack0eagle]

Paice had only one bass drum on stage back in those days...but when he had to play fireball, a second bass drum would eventually pop out on the stage, thanks to the crew...go and watch the live in copenhagen 1972...you can clearly see the second bass drum being set down side by side with the first one

[@avaboot]

Your great! But I think you should ride the bell,it would sound better.

[@pellefant66]

Great tutorial, though Ian Paice only use one kickdrum to my knowledge

[@larrytate1657]

Joe are you doing live lessons?

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Larry Tate not live lessons. There are lots of lessons at Joecrabtree.com that aren't on KZbin. I can do private lessons in LA if you happen to be there.

[@sergiovene1848]

Merci coooool

[@kukurukuchudnoe]

You play sweet 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ddzialak5026]

I'm not sure why you're leading(on the ONE) with your LEFT kick. Ian is left handed(and footed) so that's how he plays it, also with his LEFT hand on the ride and RIGHT hand on the snare. But you're a RIGHTY(as am I) so you lead the opening tom fill(RLR) correctly with your RIGHT hand(Ian uses his LEFT(LRL)) and play the ride with your RIGHT and snare with the LEFT(as a righty should), so your initial grace-note kick(before the ONE) should be with your LEFT foot, and the beat that follows should be R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L on the kicks, not L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R as you're doing. You've got a hybrid righty-lefty thing going that is playing the feet as a lefty would, but the hands of a righty? Did u know this? Otherwise sounds great, though!

[@joecrabtreedrums]

There's a longer version of this video on my website where I explain why I'm leading with my left foot on the kick. There are some good reasons for it. It's worth remembering that there is no "right way". When I started working on this song I was leading with my right foot. I switched it around for a few reasons (explained in the other video). One of the reasons is that if you only have one bass drum/pedal, it still sounds kind of cool if your hi-hat is on the beat and your kick on the offbeat. I hope that helps to explain ;)

[@ddzialak5026]

Joe Crabtree's Drum Lessons Cool, thanks Joe. I will def. check out your website for this and to learn some other techniques, as well.

[@jerrylehti7230]

welldone

[@splitneyboria]

Confused! Can only see one bass drum? Have you somehow got two pedals on the same bass drum so your left foot is playing the hi-hat and bass drum at the same time?

[@joecrabtreedrums]

Yep. I'm using a double pedal and my left foot is in the middle so I can play the kick and hihat together

[@maxytaxy]

Wauuuuu the best Ian paice

[@drummerboy6358]

listen to 311 (SKA)

[@rtalbot87]

Interesting. As Iain played this on a single base drum with a single pedal

[@joecrabtreedrums]

www.drumchat.com/showthread.php/37545-Interesting-info-on-Ian-Paice-(-fireball-)

[@johnwalton5720]

Watch Deep Purple - Fireball (Live) on youtube.

[@blindcentipede7019]

ah fair enough, bet that was fun:)

[@gabrielkrupaz]

Nice tutorial, but I whink Ian borrowed a bass drum from Keith Moon and recorded the track with double bass. Awesome footwork btw.

[@IzzyCubito]

Joe, how many beats per minute is the actual song played at? thanks...

[@joecrabtreedrums]

+Izzy Cubito Hi Izzy, if you have a metronome with tap tempo you should be able to figure it out by listening to the original (which I'm sure you can find on KZbin). I recommend polynome.net/app if you have an iOS device ;)

[@IzzyCubito]

+Joe Crabtree's Drum Lessons Thanks for the quick reply, I do have a metronome, but did not line up with the song, it's got to be between 120 and 140? thanks.. I will try again. I really like your lessons and it has been quite helpful..

[@Jazzrolls]

What kind of snare? and head?

[@joecrabtreedrums]

It's a Brady Jarrah Block snare 5.5 x 14 with Remo Ambassador head

[@近藤久詞-t7k]

Great！

[@viperfour1]

I KNOW THE SPEED OF THE SONG?

[@ridvankurushi9232]

yes man you can do it but paice it remains paice

[@ianhames2465]

Yes man we are all human but you remain Ridvan Kurushi

[@joealvarez7728]

I do it with one pedal and it actually sounds better