Adapting Elvin Jones' Licks To Use In EVERY Situation

In this quick tip, Keith Carlock breaks down his favorite lick - one he says he adapted from Elvin Jones and has become something of a signature.
It’s a simple paradiddle-based pattern: two notes on the bass drum, right hand left hand, and a roll to finish it: KKRLRRLL
The key to getting the dynamic hill-and-valley sound is to put the emphasis on the first four notes (KKRL) and keep the following roll quiet. Keith refers to that first kick-kick-right-left section as the ‘accent’.
From there, you can start mixing it up around the kit to make it more interesting. You can also make the roll longer. Try doubling it up: KKRLRRLLRRLL
You might change out the paradiddle-diddle for other rudiments if you want to make it your own.
But in this video were adapting Elvin Jones' Licks to use in every situation - In fills, in solos, as a transition, or maybe at the end of a song where you want to play a powerful flurry of notes. There are so many ways to adapt it, and even Keith is still finding new ways to play it. Now it’s your turn. Take it away!
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[@mixingdude]

I love humility in great drummers.

[@Martin_Bernard]

Yes, the way he speaks reminds me Larnell Lewis

[@mikepietrusko5775]

When I met him in the early 2000's I was able to study with him. I remember at one point he said "I make mistakes with Wayne all the time". I was floored, because that band sounds perfect to me! What I got from that statement was being able to play through mistakes, no one should know, always play with confidence. Keith is always laying it down!

[@AlexMPruteanu]

He's always been so humble...and such a master. What an artist. Thanks, Keith. And thanks, Drumeo.

[@kellerc73]

Disagreed and only cause I met him at a clinic and he left his hi-hats and needed to borrow a pair so i let him use my constantinople and he hit them like he was trying to break them and then basically threw them back at me and said "these suck. Get me another pair". And those were my most prized cymbals at that point in my life so he really came off like a total pretentious ungrateful dick to me.

[@AlexMPruteanu]

@@kellerc73 Oh man, that's awful. I can only speak of and only made that comment from videos. But yea, that's a shit move right there. Terrible. Boo!

[@paulseano5100]

Keith is riveting to watch. His left hand traditional high grip back on the butt end of the stick and his ghost notes are so unique along with his original style. Great guy. I used to catch all of his gigs in Dallas back in the 90s before he moved to New York to hit the big time and I had never seen anyone that young in ‘92 play like that. Immediately he became one of my top influences as a drummer myself. Glad he made it out to British Columbia to Drumeo headquarters. I bet they were mesmerized by his playing live as we all are! Thanks Keith and the folks at Drumeo .

[@hdrumboy9744]

Same here Paul. I'm also from the DFW area. I remember in the 90s how everyone said you need to check the drummer (Keith) for the Dallas Brass & Electric band. . . then I found out what all the buzz was all about. A lot of drummers in Dallas were doing that left hand ghost thing like Keith . . . not sure who made it popular. But no one could do it to the same intensity as Keith. So thankful to witness a drum icon from his beginnings. From Vinnie Colaiuta "Finally a breakthrough drummer..."

[@raffaelepigneri1413]

Never heard this guy before and suddenly he's in my all time top five drummers.

[@ajatusta1180]

Exactly, yet his CV is quite impressive also from the POV of a non-drummer: Toto, John Mayer, Sting...

[@yoyolebatteur]

Since that Modern Drummer Festival 2005.

[@drumduder]

@@yoyolebatteur yup you said it.

[@snarecat3441]

Steely dans tour drummer of choice.. awesome every night cousin….

[@HaloAdmiral]

Yeah dude, Keith Carlock is insane. Got into him about ten years ago. Been a fan ever since.

[@mikepietrusko5775]

No one plays this "lick" like Keith! He pulls it off in every context- a wide arrange of different tempos, and feels. It's completely his voice, fingerprint, and individuality. Imo first step is shedding the rudimentary solo "three camps" a lot. Or shedding Syncopation using triplet rolls or 32nd note doubles. Side note, I was able to study with Keith in the early 2000's up in New York. He was so generous, kind, supportive, and humble. He 100% deserves all of the gigs, achievements, and praise he's gotten since his career really took off! 😁👍

[@williamclontz1479]

7:58 That flam lick was so cool. The groove almost sounds like a drum line. Open hi hat washes, cool bass pattern, and snare chops. Cant stop watching

[@neroinc5998]

It’s awesome to see these fills that sound impossible and then he breaks it down and it’s like oh it’s just a paradiddle. This channel rocks.

[@gabten6285]

You can divide every fill or chop in simple rudiments, single strokes, double and paradiddles. It sounds amazing and hard because of the speed.

[@joshjamesuk]

This is one of the most unique drum fills ever. It’s so original to Keith. No one else plays like like him and it’s instantly recognisable as him. Super cool.

[@vidsforsquids]

Monster player ! This is not the best recording I’ve heard of his kit by any means.

[@angelgarcie]

Well this drum fill comes from Elvin Jones so not totally original from him,Elvin did this a lot

[@Jath2112]

He kinda...de-swung the Elvin version... or...more....like ...changed the swing of it... bleh... he definitely made it his own, and he gives credit where it is ...only sorta due... it's just good. My comment is hardly even worth posting... still going to. I'm loving this

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

The two people who play in a similar way are Louis Cole and Nate Wood. They’re all by far my favorite drummers

[@BJazz19]

this is one of the most non-unique drum fills ever. every single jazz drummer has played this.

[@TheSicktobe]

Keith is an amazing drummer, so much groove and powerful.. respect!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

🙂 Glad you enjoyed his lesson.

[@lazyjackass77]

Love the left foot. Nice and sloshy.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

🙂👍

[@AndrewPinkFloyd]

As a non-drummer it's very fascinating to hear him explain things in technical terms. I could watch this kind of thing for hours.

[@davidoeberto]

Keith Carlock is such a phenomenal drummer. Didn't know he was such a good teacher too. Awesome video and tip. He swings harder than anyone

[@coralbasie]

The fill is one thing, the groove you play underneath it is killer!

[@007artimus]

That’s for sure- absolutely locks into it like a pit bull. Love how powerful his kick pattern is along with his finesse and dynamics. Masterful playing.

[@anthonybuck4735]

That hihat flowing with that beat is freaking amazing. Everytime he does his fill, I feel sad....and then there's the hihat groove again! My emotions are on a roller coaster.

[@DavySolaris]

When I saw Keith with the Dan earlier this year I actually noticed how much he used this lick as his jump-off for solos. Guy is a monster.

[@joshkirkwoodrealty3643]

This world does not deserve the tasty drumming of Keith Carlock. This man is a musical treasure

[@thebouncinghearts]

So inspiring yet, simultaneously, makes me think I should sell my drums.

[@nickdrumteacher1795]

The Bouncing Hearts EXACTLY.

[@pablomarin-marquez1028]

Ive never understood this mentality

[@mikep9945]

🤣🤣🤣 Me too

[@6393dude]

Anyone with four limbs working limbs and a functional brain can learn anything on the drums. Just gotta slow things down and let your brain process and memorize what's going on.

[@sgk993]

Enjoy the pursuit of growing as a drummer. Do not sell your drums!

[@jefferymckinney526]

Thx for the in your face playing with a humble delivery....

[@markusthedrummer8143]

Not since hearing Stewart Copeland in the 80s have I ever wanted to emulate a drummer as much as I do now watching Carlock. Especially that wide open blooming bass drum.

[@juhorasimus00]

Very very nice lick but can we also talk a minute about that hi hat foot!!

[@DrumeoOfficial]

His left foot is on another level. 🔥

[@gavstar69]

Yeah, noticed that too. Unreal!

[@clemedicaredotcom2616]

Right. Love the way he splashes quarter notes ... keeps the time in a cool ass way ... Actually I think he starts out on quarters and then moves it to upbeats? Way cool.

[@steves_garage]

@@DrumeoOfficial Yeah looks like he's going heel down to get that splash effect. Hard to think about doing that while playing that fill...haha.

[@cj_ssfsm]

True

[@chachi7773]

This is exactly why he is one of my favorites. He has a great blend of technicality and style. Guys a groover

[@BillRayDrums]

I knew Keith from George's Drum Shop in Jackson, MS in the 1980s, when Keith was like 13 and I was about 16. George showed me this lick in about 1985, so I think maybe it was George who really planted this idea in our heads. George was Keith's and my first teacher. You can also play "para diddle-diddle-diddles" and they'll flip stickings every time.

[@Indoman_71]

Crispy clean shell sounds and articulation. Man, I dig Keith's respect for Elvin Jones and it makes me think of the good fortune I had to witness Elvin twice a long time ago. That lick was like a segway into memory lane. Thankyou!

[@drumduder]

Me too. I went to the Lionel Hampton jazz fest while LH was still alive. EJ was there for a few years. I wish I cared enough about jazz at the time. Took it all for granted. In my 40’s now and wish I could go back in time and pay attention

[@adventureswithwool-johanne7755]

A new take on the paradiddle incorporating the kick drum...very good. Intetestingwhen you doubled it up too with the 1 e and da 2 e and da...etc. I'll be watching our channel more often. You're certainly a very fast and enthusiastic player!

[@snarecat3441]

This humble man is one of the best we’ll ever see and hear. Monster drummer. An incredible talent ., I enjoy Mr.Carlock so much ! So kool ..

[@misiol]

Out of the very many wonderful drummers-clinicians, Keith Carlock is one of the most enjoyable to watch and listen to.

[@PCConditioning]

Kit sounds AMAZING.

[@frankc1046]

Great guy, great drummer. Saw him at a clinic just north of Toronto years back. Saw him again playing in a jazz club in downtown Toronto. Had time for a chat in between sets and he gave me a set of autographed drum sticks. Very friendly and humble guy.

[@paulseano5100]

Great rolls and the left foot hi hat technique is as riveting to watch as his left hand grip technique and ghost notes. Keith is incredible. Incredibly amiable guy too. Know him from years back. Thanks to Keith and the poetic crew at Drumeo.

[@sharethefootage1088]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone with such graceful control over every muscle, tendon and ligament in both arms. And his feet go up and down too!

[@markpratt381]

I was fortunate enough to meet Keith a few years ago at the Baked Potato in Hollywood, Ca. We spoke briefly during his set break, and he actually showed this fill on bar top...of course, I was lost after 15 seconds! Keith was so genuine and actually lended an ear, it’s something I’ll never for get.

[@adie5271]

They are the best sounding drums I think I’ve ever heard

[@cj_ssfsm]

The bass drum.

[@jeffreygoldstein5271]

That was awesome. I often wondered how Keith does that Toms to the snare thing he does. This is a great start and now I am starting to understand this concept. Thank you, Keith Carlock and Drumeo!

[@mikestevens5512]

Love this guy! Such an incredible drummer And yet so humble!!

[@dmoneyas24]

It’s a signature thing because u play it in every video I’ve ever seen of u lol. Never fails

[@drummermikeclark]

Yes Indeed! I’ve been using Elvin licks on funk gigs since the late 60’s so I can dig it!

[@petitlouis5010]

Of the thousands of drummers I've seen on KZbin. I didn't know much about Keith but : he is special.

[@steves_garage]

Many years before he explained this in any video I tried to put this fill together and made the mistake of thinking that the two bass drum hits were in unison with the end of the roll. This explanation makes it much easier to develop.

[@nikujaga4622]

man his kicks sound so explosive love it

[@stevecasey2612]

Thank you brother, the Holy Grail..I've been trying to develop this Elvin, Mitchell, Boham spud for your and you worked out the puzzle. Best Christmas present ever and best drum sharing I have ever be freely given!, Your A Star ! Happy Christmas Bro! X

[@VotograV]

traditional grip is always sooo amazing to watch, and yeah, great lick to use for sure

[@christophmeirich5928]

Very smart. Thx for sharing. Greetings from germany Christoph 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@boomiron]

Had the pleasure of seeing him live earlier this year with SD. The entire band was amazing tbh, and this fella was incredible. Plenty outstanding talent on show. So glad I made it.

[@TheRHSman]

That opening groove......and that kit.....and him. Total Boss.

[@Feltay]

Saw Keith play with Steely Dan back in February, fantastic drummer, sounds like an engine.

[@dollyjeanstevens]

Thunderous right foot. Great sound!

[@pierrekid]

I’ve always loved Keith’s drumming. A friend of mine went to see steely Dan. I had been bragging about Keith for months. After Keith solo, he called me up and said oh my God. I said I told you he plays recklessly in control and is amazing.

[@marpsr]

Reminds me of the free-form beginning to the title track from Steely Dan’s Everything Must Go.

[@jemminger]

Well, it /is/ Keith Carlock on that album...

[@marpsr]

jemminger yes only drummer to play an entire SD album since like 1973.

[@hanbo123]

Heck, his groove that comes before the rolls is awesome!

[@martinlawrence8427]

Wow…that’s incredible. Such amazing control and accuracy! Don’t know much about Keith, but he is a tremendous player. 🔥

[@Garage-1881]

This is such a fun lick and well demosntrated! Try this, lead with the a paradiddle-diddle and then 2 16th note kicks. Either with 2 Rs or R L if you use a dou le pedal. So, RLRRLLKK and then repeat. It gives your hands a second to place them somewhere else or a break if you need it lol. This allows for some serious speed woth development. You can also reverse it after... and then it's his example pattern, but I use both feet to do it lol. So, RLRRLLKKKKRLRRLLKK. it becomes very fluid after you can get it down and then up to speed. One of my favorites to play.

[@spicykittytaco]

Keith is probably my biggest drumming influence. I stole this lick a while ago, and now I use it WAY too much!

[@pockyboi6699]

Favorite drummer for a long time now, so happy to find this. Time to go drill it for a while now!

[@bowiemusic]

First, thanks to Keith Carlock for this video, and not only showing us this fill, but giving us something we can expand on. We can potentially use this in many ways to include mixing it in with other things we already know how to do. One thing I thought of and have experimented with is doing this with a left hand lead (KKLRllrr) so you can move around the toms in different ways. E.g., instead of RL from low tom to high tom, use LR from high to low tom. You can then easily turn it back around to a right hand lead when playing the double rap on the bass drum. Lots of possibilities...

[@wakeupdrummerable]

Candy for the ears ! Réal challenge behind the kit

[@sydhamelin1265]

Feels like taking a 6 stroke roll feel and turning it into 4/4, which is pretty darn cool.

[@michaelandcolinspop]

Everything about this is awesome, especially the hi hat work and the sound of that bass drum. Carlock’s a master.

[@efraingonzalez3249]

Thank You so much maestro for this lesson, very especial indeed!!! Always wanted to know how you could play it.

[@bosstrading928]

Met him in Dublin in 2016 at a clinic, and yes of course I asked him about "his lick" lol. he was a super nice guy, he invited everyone there to say hi after the show and have a beer with him.

[@AddiKolb]

That kit just sounds phenomenal!

[@jamesrat7110]

I’m late to the party as always. Thank you for the really helpful instruction!

[@terryklender4209]

Amazing smooth rolls

[@michaelbychowski5143]

The force is strong in this guy ! 👍🥁🤘

[@alvarop1984]

Sick Groove, the left foot is just mesmerizing.

[@SteveMonti]

Seriously excited to hear this guy excellent stuff man….and what an excellent kit sound

[@chrisgalloway9413]

OMG that foot technique is amazing what an extremely talented guy

[@brandonpryormusic]

Something so simple yet it only sounds this good when Keith himself does it.

[@riccardovandellidrummer]

One of the greatest drummers

[@JB-pg6ju]

Wat-a-beast and a very humble drummer...one of the greats for sure

[@ivorjones9961]

Excellent, Keith never disappoints

[@joshlawrence8091]

There's something about that start slow, speed it up and slow it down again that indicates mastery to me. lots of drummers (and old rudemental drummers) do it, and it's cool.

[@Thrakatuluk]

Incredible and unique drummer. Love his sound and groove!

[@AHGV19987]

What makes this lick special is how Keith makes it feel.

[@ChefsBackyard]

Started out solid, then went into taking control 💯 💪 👌 reallll quick

[@janetremsing6988]

👍‼️Profound beastliness!!!!

[@cmswrD]

That snare sounds fantastic! Great playing, wonderful video!!

[@kgamaseg]

Awesome lesson!! So perfectly explained!

[@ahoi3728]

love the feel in the last groove! nice tempo. what a great guy

[@misfit2022]

Great stuff. I have heard the second one before, possibly in a Toto solo, but thought the snare part was a nine stroke roll but once you slow it down you can see and hear it is much more interesting.

[@brendanmcg8566]

man every fill is simple at slow speed, but does it ever take practice to get that speed up. The speed at which this guy can do those is insane!

[@darrenapple2200]

What a Monster Keith is!!! Thanks for sharing this!!!!

[@thomasosborne8579]

Very nice! And a great demo/explanation! Thanks.

[@tom_ash33]

Great one - with lots of possibilities for being used. I'm practicing!

[@dieconashi]

Thanks for a great lesson! Simplified enough to take in many different directions. Such a great drummer.

[@hilberian]

Just stoked about his great hi hat work! 😍

[@Carlos.Lizzoli]

Nunca lo había visto o escuchado, seguramente no habré prestado atención. Un MAESTRO, hermoso ejemplo de 2 licks preciosos y muy "fáciles" de usar, con mucha práctica, obvio. Muchas gracias Keith y Drumeo por compartir estos valiosos conocimientos. (¡qué no habría dado yo por tener youtube allá por el 72 cuando empecé a tocar con 10 años!!!)

[@RolfWamFjell]

Love it! And the video editing in this one is so good!! Must've taken a loooooong time!!

[@GSA_Drums]

Really enjoyed that! Looks like that‘ll be today’s exercise Thankyou very much ☺️😎

[@Simplecannibus]

Very cool stuff

[@danadouglas1968]

One of the very best.

[@millatym04]

Hands as smooth as glass! Wow impressive!

[@johnz4412]

Man, great chops!!!

[@TheMolacho1]

This guy had me at hello!😂 googled him and realized I had seen him live a few times with Steely Dan!😮 A TOTAL MONSTER BEHIND THE KIT!

[@dnalpuca1236]

The drums sound phenomenal!

[@freebird3190]

Moving paradiddles around the kit .. Way Cool.. Great groove brother !

[@crushingbelial]

What an opener!

[@snarecat3441]

wtf ? Whatta monster player. Love Kieth’s playing!

[@350kph]

Keith with Wilkenfeld is the most sonically satisfying combination.

[@MarcPlaysDrums]

That is an incredibly useful lick. I use a variation of is.❤❤❤

[@AaronLevyDrums]

The title is WAY misleading it should called "Keith Carlock's Signature Lick"

[@thiscocks]

'Which you won't be able to do' lol

[@AaronLevyDrums]

thiscocks Actually, within Drumeo, the video is called his signature lick, I was correcting whoever posted this under that title...

[@Wahgwarn]

It's definitely an Elvin Jones jazz lick, which Keith gives credit to... It's a well used lick in jazz drumming... Keith is a great drummer though and do mean great!

[@anga7292]

​@@Wahgwarn He's actually playing a six stroke roll, which is not so different from a five stroke roll (a rudiment dating back at least to the period of the civil war...)

[@AaronLevyDrums]

@@anga7292 RLRRLL no Paradiddle-diddle