Gene Krupa's Drumming on "Sing, Sing, Sing"

[@georgeseegers5947]

Some where in the mid 60's on New Years Eve, I sat about 5 feet from the stage in the Metropole Cafe in NYC.. The band playing was The Gene Krupa Quartet....It was amazing to watch the master of drum melody in action....After his set, he sat down at my table and we talked for what seemed to be forever....I was 16 years old at the time....I was a drummer in a high school band and beyond......I really didn't realize the drummer royalty I was among...I will never forget that night...........

[@kevindorn]

Amazing! That's really great that you got to hear and meet Gene. I've heard he was a beautiful person in addition to being a great drummer. What a wonderful experience to have! Thanks for sharing it!

[@Juscz]

Incredible experience! Lucky you, indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[@brookstegler]

Very nice, Kevin. Enjoyed them all. As I'm sure you know, Gene was an extremely melodic player and it's safe to say that much of what he played was based, primarily, on melodies in his head combined with a VERY hungry mind for learning all things drumming. That included his study of the historic drum patterns of African tribesmen.We all can thank him for so much.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Brooks! We indeed have a lot to thank Gene for and I completely agree that he was a very melodic player. Your new book focusing on his equipment is fantastic!

[@Dylan-sq1wc]

The most comprehensive vid demonstration of Genes stickings on sing sing sing iv seen. The point you made @ 12:30 is so true. Iv heard countless versions of sing sing sing from high school bands to professional big bands/orchestras etc. and that tom rhythm, whilst seemingly simple, is not so. Every now and again you’ll hear a drummer that has done his homework and really knows how to pull out all the stops weaving in and out of those rhythms and you think “Yes! God that’s it!” It’s a matter of passion and getting creative with the stickings. So much fun. Also, “One Night Stand” is fantastic I could go on for hours about it. Still listen to that all the time. Great vid as always Kevin.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Dylan! One day we'll have to have a hang about "One Night Stand!"

[@markware1955]

I'm not even a drummer and I enjoyed this immensely...

[@buddyrichable1]

Most of the people listening to music aren’t musicians (drummers etc.), and they can’t appreciate the technical things drummers do. They hear a rhythm and accents, and everything else sounds like a single stroke roll. Krupa realized this and played primal beats that sounded exotic and were a universal language, understood by everyone. Combined with his great showmanship he became a celebrity and an ambassador for drummers.

[@chewgumer]

It`s nice to hear the floor tom tuned in the way that Krupa would have tuned it. You don`t often hear it tuned quite the same.

[@BxCortez2050]

I like it too

[@jonisaacs5176]

I'm not a drummer but love Sing Sing Sing. I learned a great deal about what is so special about Krupa's drumming. Thanks Kevin

[@kevindorn]

Thank you, Jon!

[@PiotrBarcz]

Man, I LOVE Gene's Sing Sing Sing drum patterns. I once learned, by ear, the original 1937 recording from the two sided Victor recording and if I recall, I could play it almost note for note perfectly. The floor tom has to be one of the most satisfying drums, other than the snare!

[@Drumager]

Thanks for breaking it down Kevin….really informative and the floor tom sounds great.

[@kevindorn]

Thank you!

[@paradiddlemcflam7167]

One thing that I think I have noticed that Gene did better than anybody, in addition to what you say, is that he was able to keep a steady undercurrent of lower volume notes going and then punctuate this with accents. Really he did this in all of his playing--I think better than anybody--but it is something I notice most when comparing it to other people trying to play the floor tom like him.

[@kevindorn]

Yes, great point!

[@PistonBroke0001]

You can hear a lot of Gene Krupa in Ginger Bakers Tom Tom playing.

[@txtifosi]

My intro to big band / swing was that 1938 Carnegie Hall double album. I’ve been a Krupa fan ever since then. My parents had that album and listening to it was intoxicating. What an amazing drummer! I have enjoyed your analysis here. I’m not a musician; if I was I hope I could be good drummer.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks so much! That 1938 Carnegie Hall recording affected me the same way. So glad you enjoyed the video and you can always start drumming if you want to!

[@sanchtodd4203]

Thank you for this informative video. Can I ask what it is you are "mouthing" when you are playing?

[@kevindorn]

I'm singing along with the rhythms I'm playing. Thanks for watching!

[@daveytough8112]

Thanks Kevin for your expert analysis. The intricacies that you highlighted when mixed with the basic rhythm made Gene’s approach such an immortal classic. GK absolutely owned “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

[@albertsystem1]

Interesting and informative, even though I'm not a drummer! I wouldn't be able to execute any of these techniques, but I could probably nail the cowbell part.

[@BadChizzle]

Thank you for the video. Floor Tom is Cool! Was trying to get a sense of how edgy this sound must have been back then. 😎✨

[@kevindorn]

Thanks!

[@TheSoundOutside]

Surprised you didn't mention that you're playing with your left hand stick "inverted." That certainly adds an additional component to the sound.

[@kevindorn]

Glad you noticed that and I should have mentioned it. Gene Krupa always did that when he played the floor tom and on the rare occasions when I play matched grip, I always hold the left stick like that as I find it's easier to switch back and forth from traditional grip that way. Thanks for watching!

[@bribeeduo1299]

this actually helps me so much with getting a more accurate sound (seperate from the actual base pattern)

[@UToobCrazy]

I've been consumed by this for a few days. finally getting a piece of it. i focused on the doubles with a swing and started building from that. Thanks

[@kevindorn]

I'm glad to hear you're getting something from it!

[@greggiacchi6197]

Excellent analysis Kevin, and i love the way your kit is tuned. Ive seen you live with Dan Levinson several times. My late Father used to play with Dan many years ago. Warm regards from NJ.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks for the kind words, Greg! Hope we get a chance to talk drums in person soon!

[@oddjobtriumph1635]

Krupa in my opinion is the most musical Drummer of all time...of course he didn't have the speed and tricks of Buddy Rich ....but i loved Krupas feel .. Gene is defo my favourite drummer ...pure class

[@greatbyrondo]

Good video......I like your approach.... There's also a great video of Krupa playing SSS on the Ed Sullivan Show from 1960. The thing I love about Krupa is he's not just a great drummer, but also a GREAT showman.... I like the way he looks out into the crowd when he plays and makes eye contact.... That's how you to pull the audience in. (Good lesson for all drummers....!)

[@kevindorn]

Thanks! I also love that 1960 performance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

[@TheLarryBrown]

He doesn't tend to make eye contact with the audience. He avoids doing that. Instead he either stares off in space in seemingly catatonic concentration while mouthing some indecipherable drum counting (like the guy in this video does) or else makes intense faces (but not eye contact) with the other players trying to build some sort of telepathic musical rapport. He's always playing to the audience but in such a way that he's inviting them to observe him in his own world. Basically he's pretending to ignore them. I have seen him slyly sneak a peak at the audience to see that they're watching him or reacting to him, but he doesn't do it openly. Also sometimes he misleads with his eyes, by eyeing his hi-hat on his left and then SURPRISE! strikes out to his right for a cymbal crash. We'll call that a "no look crash." Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin agreed that the secret to their live act was ignoring the audience and playing off each other. Gene making eye contact would be him breaking the fourth wall. Making eye contact is not a sure fire way to pull in an audience like you say. Making eye contact puts an audience member on the spot and demands some response from him. Think about it, every play in history, and every movie and TV show as well for that matter avoids eye contact with the audience.

[@richardkell4888]

This is very good and worthwhile, you do a good job thats fr sure! Thankyou.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Richard!

[@my-rasuperstar8892]

Gene Krupa is the reason I play drums. Although Sing Sing Sing is the one everyone knows, the track that really got me was I Found A New Baby (or "hold on to your hats" as I called it when I was a kid). This version surely has a better solo than Sing Sing Sing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH-vqYOwqMecqqcsi=schP0Oc8i0WrWhe1 And I'd love to see you break that down, because it has intrigued me for 40 years!

[@kevindorn]

I think Gene does some of his best playing on that Fletcher Henderson tribute!

[@Ddronron1]

Excellent description and playing. Thank you!

[@SONORSQ2guy]

You should do a tuning video especially your floor Tom. It sounds like the top head is tuned a little higher than the bottom. Great video thanks for sharing. 👍

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Greg! I've had several requests to do a video about tuning and I'm glad people like the sound of the drums! My tuning method is pretty sloppy and is based on feel more than anything else, but I'll definitely try to do a video about it soon. The bottom heads on my drums tend to be a little higher than the tops, but the top head on my floor tom is indeed a little higher than the bottom---good ear!

[@beansnrice321]

What do you think about Johnny Viviano, Louis Prima's drummer? He was part of the writing of Sing Sing Sing. So he's got to be up thereon the list of drummers, at least as far as toms go. =D

[@kevindorn]

Louis Prima always had great drummers!

[@garvE17]

This is fantastic, thank you! Subscribed and looking forward to studying these stickings and learning much more about his playing.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Garvin!

[@Daniel-ku5jc]

Hey Kevin, EXCELLENT video. Very nice job!! This is the first video I've seen of yours and liked and subscribed right away.......I've transcribed tons of drum parts, so I know how time consuming it must've been to figure out all of the different stickings to the different fills Krupa plays on the floor tom. The never-ending rewinding and re-listening and/or rewatching. But when you finally realize that you've got it......how sweet it is 😎...........quick story. My mother was a HUGE Benny Goodman fan, so naturally I began my music instruction playing the clarinet. Then I heard Krupa play Sing Sing Sing and said, "Wow, what was thatuntil

[@kevindorn]

Thanks for this and for your nice email!

[@timfroncek7147]

Hi Kevin, I really enjoy your videos. Truly informative and you execute them very well. "Just One More Thing"! I like the subtle picture (LP covers??) changes you make behind you to reflect the drummer(s) you are featuring that day!!! Keep It up!!!!!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Tim! It's fun to get to display some of these album covers!

[@stickswicks]

Wow...lots of great tips and information thank You I just subscribed

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Craig!

[@willietomcsik7223]

I’m having trouble connecting the first and second patterns. Any tips?😅

[@kevindorn]

I would say just go slow (even overly slow) and perhaps spend some time going from just the last couple of notes in the first pattern to the first couple of notes in the second pattern. Also try to get the sound of these patterns in your head by listening to Gene Krupa play them as much as possible. I would be happy to get together on Skype or FaceTime (or in person if you're in the NYC area) if you think that might be helpful. Keep working on it, you'll get it. 🙂 Let me know if you have any further questions and I'll do my best to help. Thanks for watching!

[@mohinagata642]

Í love the incredible sound of the drums in sing sing sing

[@kevindorn]

I agree, Gene Krupa always got such a beautiful sound!

[@timwatersondrummer]

Nicely done thanks to Allen Herman for the Sharing I just subscribed as well

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Tim! I love Allen Herman---his lessons helped me out so much!

[@SAHBfan]

Great video! For anyone else who wants to jump back and review, First sticking 7:25 Second sticking 8:46 Third sticking 10:40 Combination 12:57 Rim Shots 13:59

[@kevindorn]

Thanks so much!

[@MyDadWasALifeguard]

Excellent video...your floor tom sounds beautiful I use multiple stickings when I play this..it’s in the spirit of swing

[@kevindorn]

Thank you!

[@raymondbaylis9016]

Great Kevin this is so helpful and interesting many thanks ray

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Ray!

[@joecash4354]

When I was a kid (many years ago) my dad, who had been a drummer before and after WWII, introduced me to Gene Krupa, and listening to those Benny Goodman recordings and such GK Orchestra greats as “Lover” was where I learned to play drums. More than any other drummer, Krupa has influenced the way I play today in any genre, from rock to jazz to blues to Texas swing. His approach was timeless. I also have listened to the Carnegie Hall concert, probably literally a thousand times by now, and it’s always fresh. What he did during Jess Stacy’s piano solo on Sing Sing Sing is so brilliant, but it goes largely unnoticed. Thanks for posting these videos. Always a good learning experience for me.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Joe! I was also introduced to Gene Krupa's playing by my father (although my dad isn't a drummer). "Lover" is another classic. I got to meet Ed Shaughnessy when I was in high school and he told me that was the recording he used to play along to in order to practice uptempos!

[@hanstaeubler]

Interesting drum notes and I like the hommage on Mr. Falk too ;-)

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Hans!

[@petergreatorex7048]

Thank you. Great video and really informative!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Peter! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@vipermad358]

Great job, Kevin! (It's Mike D in Seattle.)

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Mike!!

[@PeteCaterdrums]

Great stuff Kevin. Hope you are well man!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Pete!

[@swingyoucats]

"He never sounds as if he wants to be doing anything else," certainly could be a bouquet tossed to our own swinging humane Professor Dorn!

[@domenicv7962]

that snare sound is perfect.....saw Gene around 66 in Pittsburgh....small club, I think 'The Theme'..

[@kevindorn]

Wow, so cool that you got to see him! Thank you for your comment.

[@domenicv7962]

@@kevindorn I saw Buddy Rich around 83. He opened up for Sinatra, also in Pittsburgh. Was in the Civic/Mellon Arena. That night when I left home, I put 3 bucks in one pocket and 3 $100 bills in the other. The usher brought us to our seats, so I gave him 3 bucks. When I got home I found 3 one dollar bills, but no $100's. That hurt. I've seen so many. Billy Cobham, Dallas Taylor, Michael Giles, Mitch Mitchel, Bill Buford, and so many more. I started around 1957....66 years. Never got tired of it,

[@kevindorn]

@@domenicv7962Amazing that you got to see all those great players!

[@williamfeilhauer]

P S Kevin, fantastic job demonstrating Gene Krupas technique. I saw Butch Miles demonstration of Gene and you smoke 🔥him on this thanks.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

" Sing! Sing! Sing! " is being played even today. Here's a percussion corps playing their stationary version; which is different from their marching version. This video is from 2017. KZbin video: 2017.3.26京都橘高校吹奏楽部京都さくらパレード交款コンサートパーカッション kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmrbY5usaKl0pMU

[@georgeeldridge9647]

Thank you...great insights

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, George!

[@ZionGuySupreme]

I will buy some Regal Tip jazz Nylon sticks from you haha they are so rare now a days... Where did you buy them!?

[@kevindorn]

Haha! I know, they've become impossible to find. These are my last pair. However, I have ordered some replicas from Jeff Rich and I'm hoping they will be a close copy. I'll probably make a video about them when I get them. It's been such a drag not being able to find more Regal Tip sticks and I know a lot of us are in the same boat. Hopefully Jeff's sticks will be a good replacement; I've heard only positive things about his work.

[@ZionGuySupreme]

@@kevindorn that's good news! They don't make 'em like they used to.. :)

[@kevindorn]

@@ZionGuySupreme That's for sure!

[@ZionGuySupreme]

@@kevindorn So were you able to get your sticks? :)

[@kevindorn]

@@ZionGuySupreme Not yet. They're taking a long time, but hopefully it won't be too much longer. I'll definitely make a video about them when I get them. I'm really hoping they'll work out; otherwise, I'm not sure what I'm going to do!

[@sammyseagull]

the vocal volume on your videos is always too low

[@kevindorn]

I’m sorry about that, but I hope you’re still able to get some enjoyment from them!

[@PiotrBarcz]

Pumping that bass drum like that, man it adds so much punch, I love it!

[@mpista7182]

There is a book called "Gene Krupa Drum Method" that has siticking notations of the intro to "Sing Sing Sing " as well as others. Accordingly, it is stated that Gene's drum book is the very first book to facilitate playing on a drumset. It come with a CD and I absolutley love it. Alfred Publishing Co Copyright MCMXXXIII

[@jonosmith4919]

Bro you r a LEGEND playing DRUMS over 40yrs RESPECT much ❤from Derbyshire England x

[@onalyd]

awesome, thanks!!

[@BennyGoodman1977]

Wooooowwww

[@michael13085]

Hi Kevin, I'm a drummer from the 1960's and still play. I learned how to play in the public schools Marching Band and Orchestra. A lot of drummers like me watch and study the hundreds of KZbin videos of old and new big bands and thousands of drum covers of every type of music. But here's the difference of us. Some drummers think the original Carnegie Hall 1938 film of Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa is the only way you should play Sing, Sing, Sing. It is great that many drummers try to play like Gene Krupa but like you said even Gene Krupa over the years played this song a little differently to a lot differently than the 1938 recording. As a drummer we improvise and add or take out beats. Thanks for breaking down Gene's most famous performance on the floor tom. Other professional drummers and teachers have there videos on KZbin of how to play the drums to this song but your break down is the best one so far. Also your knowledge of the history with names, years, who's who of drummers is amazing. Back in the late 1960's i bought an album by "Cozy Cole". I still have it.

[@kevindorn]

Hi Michael, thank you for your very kind comments! They are much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It's always great to hear from other drummers who are into players like Gene Krupa and Cozy Cole. Thanks again for writing and all the best to you!

[@rossapolis]

The whole video is excellent, but for those without any patience, jump to 7:12 to get to the meat and potatoes of how to play it like Gene played it.

[@williamfeilhauer]

In 1967 Gene Krupa came to the Living room supper club. He was booked all week here in Cincinnati. I was nuts about gene. My dad took me see his quartet on opening night and I was in heaven. he talked to me, autographed my slingerland picture of him and was a god givin sweetheart. We were going back again on Saturday after calling for reservations we were told he said he wasn't feeling well and abruptly went back to Yonkers. I was devastated. 30 years later I'm reading the book world of Gene Krupa it's mentioned in the book. Fantastic job with these videos. Thanks again bill feilhauer

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Bill! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that’s amazing that you got to hear and meet Gene! Must have been an incredible experience!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Bill! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that’s amazing that you got to hear and meet Gene! Must have been an incredible experience!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Bill! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that’s amazing that you got to hear and meet Gene! Must have been an incredible experience!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Bill! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that’s amazing that you got to hear and meet Gene! Must have been an incredible experience!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Bill! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that’s amazing that you got to hear and meet Gene! Must have been an incredible experience!

[@bertiebuckley9018]

Gene krupa could make music on the drums - you couldn't but tap your foot when he played

[@roybeckerman9253]

Pity Slingerlands were not used here..they were Gene’s drums of choice, throughout his career. These Ludwigs sounds great too, by the way..

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Roy!

[@richardhirsh4954]

Beautiful Club Date kit there…sounds sweet!

[@bribeeduo1299]

i was never able to put a finger on the small details until now so thank you

[@Daniel-ku5jc]

.......continued from 1st comment...... "Wow, what was thatuntil

[@johnletitia]

I love your video so much: in the early 70'sy father picked up a 33 record with the 20 minute version of that song. I was learning to play drums back then and it was a life-changing solo I heard on that record. I saw Buddy Rich in 1987 in Chicago, but all time favorite is still Gene Krupa. Also later I found out that Gene was Polish in heritage, that was a complement too..haha thanks so much! I wish I had these great learning resources back then...

[@kevindorn]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@apologist3574]

Thank you for that. I have loved Sing, Sing, Sing since I was a child. My Dad loved Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa. I was inspired to take drum lessons at age 14 (1967) largely because of this (also I was influenced by Dino Danelli of the Young Rascals).

[@kevindorn]

Thanks for watching! I also started playing at 14 and hearing Gene Krupa is what made me want to become a jazz drummer.

[@drumstooge]

Very Insightful! Great Drummer!

[@briannietvelt31]

Thanks Kevin ! for your an excellent playing and teaching the proper way that the real pro drummers would put there Heart and Soul into such a Great groove ! Peace Always and Keep On !

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Brian!

[@tmaddrummer]

Thanks and Blessings Kevin!

[@joefisk4448]

I'm new to jazz drumming. I'm trying to learn the beat Gene plays on the high hats right after the floor tom intro where he keeps his left hand on the cymbals. Do you have a video on that? I see it used a lot by jazz drummers. Thanks

[@kevindorn]

Hi Joe, I will try to do a video about that soon. A popular way a lot of drummers played the hi-hat back then was to keep the cymbals loosely touching and get the open and closed effect by pinching and releasing the cymbals with their left hand. They would do this instead of using the left foot to close the cymbals. This way of playing gives the beat a very smooth sound and Gene Krupa was definitely a master of it. Let me know if you have any questions and I will try to make a video soon. Thanks for watching!

[@joefisk4448]

@@kevindorn Thank you

[@spaniardmartinez6896]

Krupa,The best ever!

[@billwinter6092]

Great analysis of Krupa's tom-tom style on Sing Sing Sing.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Bill!

[@graciemiller9596]

Very good Kevin.

[@tonyvincent9753]

Those Ludwig WMP Clubdates are priceless!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Tony! I've had them for about 13 years and I've been very happy with them. Thanks for watching!

[@vipermad358]

“We need more BIG POWER!”😱(we gotta hang out again soon!)

[@kevindorn]

Great reference and yes, we do!

[@mellilore]

6:12 I don't think it is so because of the angle, IMHO it's more because of the reach, being the floor tom far right. I may be wrong though...

[@kevindorn]

That could be. Some of the older drummers I knew told me it was because of the angle and that it was coming out of classical techniques where traditional grip was only for the snare drum, originating from the snare being on an angle over a person's shoulder. Most other percussion instruments were flat and were played with matched grip. I don't feel that I have any further reach to the right with matched grip than with traditional, but some may find they do. Thanks for watching!

[@mellilore]

@@kevindorn I mean, I know angle is there for historical reasons and traditional grip is a consequence, and still how many times we practiced traditional on flat "not tilted" surfaces (i.e. a bare table)? Quite a lot, as for me, to the point a flat surface is no issue to me. Reach perhaps? But hey, I guess nobody is the same. Thanks for answering!

[@kevindorn]

@@mellilore Anytime! Thanks again :)

[@chriswright2250]

Very informative. I like your tuning.

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Avaloctus]

Are you using calfskin heads as batter heads ?

[@kevindorn]

I have calfskin on both sides of the bass drum and the batter side of the toms, and kangaroo skin on the batter side of the snare drum.

[@suonovisione]

excellent

[@uwepetersen]

Great lesson Kevin, thanks!

[@kevindorn]

Thanks, Uwe!

[@MrDougiew1]

Why does everyone like Krupa, not a patch on Buddy

[@SAHBfan]

Go and watch Buddy, then...

[@MrDougiew1]

@@SAHBfan I am

[@jamiebland2981]

Buddy was a massive fan of Gene, and whilst he wasn't quite as fast as Buddy, he was equally as proficient and had far more swing

[@TheLarryBrown]

#1: Because Gene is way way way better than Buddy. #2: Because when people see Gene they become inspired to be drummers and want to learn to drum like him. No one can drum like Buddy and no one wants to. #3: Every 3rd person that saw Gene said "I want to be a drummer." That never happened with Buddy. #4: Gene's drumming style is so powerful that even if you just watch Sal Mineo pretending to play like Gene it will change your life, I know it did mine. #5: Because Gene was a gorgeous heatthrob and Buddy was Gaaaaah!!! #6: Because Gene got lucky and had a monster drum hit that reverberates around the world to this day and Buddy never did that. #7: Because Gene is a totally nice guy and Buddy is Gaaaaaah!!! #8: Because, tell us why you're here again? #9: DID YOU HEAR THAT???? AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON: BECAUSE GENE KRUPA IS GENE KRUPA AND BUDDY IS NOT GENE KRUPA.

[@TheLarryBrown]

Maybe, could it be, I don't know, could it possibly be because everyone likes Krupa?

[@sammuelvg]

Genial!

[@gr8ballsofir]

These videos are really great, thanks!