Guitar Center Sessions: Gavin Harrison - The Sound of Muzak

Drummer Gavin Harrison boasts an impressive resume. Known primarily for his playing with prog masters Porcupine Tree, Harrison has lent his astonishing skills to a diverse list of artists including Iggy Pop and Lisa Stansfield. Since 2008, he has also been a member of original prog rock group, King Krimson. In addition, Gavin Harrison's instructional books Rhythmic Designs, Rhythmic Illusions and Rhythmic Perspectives, as well as his DVDs Rhythmic Horizons and Rhythmic Visions have been hailed as essential material on complex poly-rhythms and creative drumming.

[@musa512]

4 years ago this video changed my life. I won't ever forget it.

[@felixweber6593]

I'm a great fan of many drummers, but I believe Gavin has it all : groove, speed, finesse, power, sound and an absolutely amazing independence. I shall not forget musicality of course.

[@MrBeblis]

One of the better drummers to have come along in a long while

[@omairsh8]

My favourite drummer of all time. Complete musician

[@LillyJem]

I love how chilled he is when he plays, no showing off , he just gets fully immersed in the music and never misses a beat...

[@drummerhc5320]

Always such a beautiful snare drum sound from this guy...

[@elemento1991]

Just started picking up the drums, guitar is my primary instrument, but man this guy is a true inspiration. I used to be most impressed by fast playing and insane fills (mostly a metal fan) but man this dude just flows effortlessly from section to section. He doesn't need to show off with insane speed or anything of the like because you can already tell that he's mastered his instrument and plays it flawlessly.

[@fromallsides]

Yeah man seriously. I grew up listening to metal and I play in a metal band today, but Gavin Harrison is one of my favorite drummers. He's shown me that there's so much more to drumming then speed. He's so musical, it's amazing

[@perfidia2]

John Matthews hahaha thats funny because I grew up listening metal too and I play in a metal band :D But Gavin has always been my favorite drummer. And he has shown me too that speed isnt the main thing. So I have brought some influences to metal from Gavin.

[@fuzzylogiceire]

+elemento1991 If you guys are in metal bands, try to listen to drummers from other styles of music too. Gavins influences are guys like Steve Gadd and Jeff Porcaro, These guys were awesome players who played like true musicians with a beautiful touch on the drums. Gavin uses a lot of things in his playing that I'd usually associate with jazz drummers, like the the way he uses his left foot on the hi hat. Well worth checking out (and practice) these other styles, you will become a better drummer.

[@ayusharipirala3121]

I'm trying to incorporate Gavin's smooth playing type beats into some faster prog beats..

[@jamsjr44]

Has the best sounding drums!

[@MrBeblis]

I totally agree

[@jensharald9091]

And looking

[@jessebowles5632]

one of the best parts is how comfortable he is behind such a huge kit. he uses every piece of his drum kit to perfection

[@phbrandao1]

This guy is a monster...and this song is a underrated masterpiece!

[@tomanocucaralhoporra]

If anyone in the world could be said to have found the perfect drum sound, that one would be Gavin Harrison.

[@josetato]

I think the reason why I love this drummer so much, is because he thinks more as a true musician (almost classical i would say) rather than just "a drummer". And thats also the reason why he is so good. When I hear the subtleties of his playing I cant help but think "This guy IS a musician to the core". humble opinion.

[@josephmagby5180]

Excellent analysis. Puts a true artist's heart and passion into what he does. Perfect balance of technicality and soul.

[@marcusking8507]

Fantastically put. He really has that rare mix of world-class technical ability and world-class taste.

[@ganeshsubramaniam2254]

The art is in the accompanist enriching a song without the drums (here) detracting one's attention from the melody. The same could be said of the bass line here.

[@tinkugupta3776]

I got to know about this song through one of my drummer friend Benjamin.. and since than i have started listening to the great drummer Gavin Harrison... I always cherish Gavin's drumming.. he has a big influence on me in drumming... 🙌🏼

[@DrumRoody]

Gavin is incredibly technical yet there is a humbleness to what he plays, i never feel he is showing off like a lot of other uber drummers.

[@TimmyTechTV]

Porcupine Tree is the boss. Go watch them if they tour near you, its a great live concert to see.

[@XiyuYang]

+TimmyTechTV Isn't the band in hiatus since 2012?

[@Ajani.]

+Xiyu Yang Yeah

[@baptoufragilise]

+TimmyTechTV Yeah i'd love to... Waiting for the band to regroup though, might take a few moths or years if they even regroup

[@artaud831]

+Дмитрий Анатольевич well, Signify, Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun are not boring

[@Dehangus]

+Дмитрий Анатольевич I don't think PT would be boring without Gavin but I do think that he was kind of the final step to PT's greatness.

[@MultiOsha2011]

Totally love this song. I been a Neil Peart fan for 35 yrs. and until I discovered Mr. Harrison I really admire his skills and can only wish that I had some of his chops 20 yrs. ago who knows how that would of changed my life. I'm trying to learn some of his very fun up and down beats. Wow very challenging. Thanks Gavin. Your a true inspiration to all.

[@quietroom2011]

This guy is all rudiments, all polyrhythms... Fantastic! :)

[@figeon]

I play bass, so I have no idea how he does it :D This is probably my favourite PT song. Either that, or Blackest eyes. I love how PT stayed loyal to their genre, unlike some of my favourite bands. Sure, they varied a bit with sounds, but they stayed true to their music. This is what makes them such a great band.

[@megabauer2]

I don't know how many times I actually watched this. But each time it's just so.. perfect.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

That snare and the way he hits it!!!!!! Damn that gets me every time. I'm a bass player, not a drummer, but I seriously want to get one of these just so I can hear it whenever I want!

[@wurdsalad9811]

Holy shit, man.. how he flipped the fills here and there was amazing.

[@Mrscarbalac]

It's not about how good you are. It's about how you fit in to the bigger picture. And make no mistake this is a world class drummer but what makes him so special is his ability to adapt. My nr one drummer and a great musician!

[@ayusharipirala3121]

Göran Nilsson totally...even Ringo( though not being the most technological drummer) is still one of the best....because what he plays FITS into The Beatles' songs.

[@ericsartanahorner]

Best drummer ever!!!

[@drummingofdoom]

Thx so much for the upload, Gavin ist sooo great- one if not the biggest influence for me!!

[@OwenMcKinley]

Pretty speechless after watching Gavin's performances. He's one of the best, if not the best.

[@ItalianDrummer88]

Gravin Harrison, you're a GOD, i love the way you play drums...

[@danfinazzi2088]

I've bought the Zildjian K Ride 20 because of this video

[@DesCampbell]

Fantastic rhythmatist..This unassuming bloke is a complete inspiration to me to push my drumming abilities even though I'll never get there.. Cheer Gavin. Keep at it !!

[@ingodwetrust3509]

I’m not sure why anyone would give this a thumbs down. They must not be listening to the same thing everyone else is.

[@Digga58]

Simply extrarordinary.

[@Ana198]

The most astonishing display of groove, nuff said

[@DarioLeoni]

Gavin Harrison has to be the CLEANEST drummer i've ever heard!

[@capncrunch537]

Always loved the drumming in this song, this is awesome.

[@krazzyk848]

I love this song and the drumming is just awesome

[@anderalonsozarate3175]

Perfection!

[@lorenzmuller3542]

Probably the only kind of "new" drummer I like to listen to! He's got groove, dynamics, awesome sound and also is quite versatile and unique. All the other cats.. not so much.

[@anuraghari9738]

Favourite drummer of all time.._/\_

[@xSBxBBBdx]

finally a sound of muzak video with VERY good quality :)

[@regaltip8A]

I first heard Gavin back in 1989 and told all my drumming friends to watch and listen to him. They all ignored me. Now they all think I am a genius.

[@jensharald9091]

Who did he play with?

[@caseyrenaldy3417]

I had goose bumps watching him working towards those fuckin drum fills

[@fuzzylogiceire]

It's a Sonor SQ2. Sonors top of the range model. You can get them custom made to your own specifications.

[@gracerockslife]

Absolutely brilliant ❣️

[@DerJoe92]

Masterpiece, master drummer.

[@kdog005]

For those wondering, this is in 7/4

[@kdog005]

Lucas Gentile Gavin sets the quarter note pulse during the verse with his right hand. The accented quarter notes are the count. Counting that, it's 7 quarter notes to a bar, or 7/4

[@abrahamlinksys808]

Brian Kuhn "The bass drum to snare drum pattern is in fact 7/16, but I always thought of it as 7/8. There is a quarter-note override accented on the hi-hat that gives it a 7/4 feel. So there you have it: 7/16, 7/8 and 7/4. I've seen people arguing about the correct time signature of this song, but it really doesn't matter - it's seven which ever way you think about it." - excerpt from Gavin Harrison's book "Rhythmic Composition"

[@robertnettleship5467]

Abraham Linksys It must be a really slow 7/8 cos i thought that it was 7/4.

[@lorenzmuller3542]

The chorus is in 4/4

[@thefluxcapacitor1]

Loving these videos with Gavin, but it would be awesome if we could get a transcription.

[@fuzzylogiceire]

Was this for a Sonor Prolite clinic? I know Gavin did one recently in North America to demonstrate the Prolites but this is 2 years ago. The SQ2 is definitely the kit Gavin uses primarily. When you think about it though the SQ2 is basically a customized version of the Prolites, they share many of the same parts.

[@kevinkujur]

That ghost fill at 1:12 Gavin Harrison! ladies and gentlemen. ❤🙌🏾

[@dannygoodchild7568]

Great taste, Great textures !! Must be Gavin.

[@fuzzylogiceire]

No, the Proteans aren't in this video. They only came out this year I think. I think it's an SQ2 Sonor snare, maybe maple, really not sure on that. I think it's part of the overall kit though.

[@hhansen599]

Wow. He's amazing.

[@MisterSilverGroover]

EXCELLENT !!!

[@bjorksven]

If I could choose any drummer in the world to get lessons or tips from, it'd be Gavin.

[@MrCayuga]

AMAZING drum sound.

[@Icanplaydrums]

Amazing

[@Pandybelly]

Beyond superb!

[@elementq]

i like the vocal melodies and harmonies.. they remind me of Crosby Stills Nash & young. Awesome mix in the original album also.. Gavin has great taste in what he plays.. it's portnoy and him for me.

[@yannimohamed2349]

Drumming elegance from Gavin

[@raymomdriley1866]

WOW...........Incredible

[@MJROCKS4eva100]

His hand movements are gracious *_*

[@sxtop]

MAD RESPECT!

[@fffunky1201]

he is superb. 7/4 for the verse and 4/4 for the chorus'

[@JoniAsag]

oh damn, thats even more better

[@PeterStania]

Amazing!

[@rockdahaus]

Did you see this? "Guitar Center Sessions: Gavin Harrison - Bonnie the Cat" :-)

[@raymomdriley1866]

this man is a god….

[@DrumSpotScuoladibatteriaOld]

...I love this

[@ilaser4064]

Just so damn tasteful.

[@ChocoDrum03]

Is he playing his signature protean snares on this video; if not what's he playing? Thanks :)

[@pedroalbertogomez5558]

amazing groove

[@toynazi]

I spy the Cobra clutch! Those things are great!

[@SubhajitPandit1]

1:10!! great!!

[@SergiuCrisan]

Audix I5 , of course .. it sounds amazing

[@MufftiHat]

1:10 Dat fill!

[@jessebowles5632]

master of ghost notes

[@KalampagCh]

does anyone know what drum pedal is gavin using in this video?

[@alexandrevinciguerra9653]

It's a Sonor Prolite Performance ;)

[@nathanaelvoss]

He is really cool. And very good !!! :)

[@HogansGoat1]

if i ever get to where i can play that, I'll smile. Until then, im working

[@PhilipDSouza]

Terrific Math...

[@closeencounter1954]

And check out that fancy footwork!

[@MyDrummerjoe]

The best!!!

[@burnthedead13]

@tigbiggie69 hell yeah if yer talkin about the one he did for modern drummer

[@Rance1976]

Che mostro DIO Caro!!!!

[@tomjacobs7396]

THE FEEL THE FEEL DAMN

[@FrizzyDiouleBiGbonus]

I want to see with my i pad it´s possible?please...

[@tod4y]

Very nice sound but unfortunately not much to be seen on this hidden cam sort of footage.

[@SabianTamaDrummer]

Anyone know what kit that is? (specifically, don't just reply 'sonor')

[@wordplay799]

GAAAAVVIIINN FUUUCCKKIN HAAARRISSSONNN. HEEEEELLLL YEEEAAAAAH.

that fill at 2:28

[@Bittergreger]

I have the same shoes!

[@pg1808]

A complete drummer.

[@DustyChalk]

@theJD171 Dude, it only just went up.

[@Flanneman]

@ewytenus Gavin Harrison rules

[@gusbandicoot]

YES.

[@elementq]

3:48 - when the hell does he hit the tom that can be heard at second 3:50 just before it changes to 3:51

[@johnogel]

That 1:12 though... Well played good sir.

[@Gruuv_]

Damn he holds his sticks low!! He's got the Gadd going haha

[@nairolfmackebrecht]

Yes. I have no other opinions other than my own.

[@dariocp87]

12 inch snare or what? anybody knows?

[@Jbinks1996]

dat snare!

[@Prestige091291]

DAT SNARE SOUND!