Guitar Center Sessions: Gavin Harrison - When To Play Fills

[@collwyn1]

i could listen to that snare all day long

[@jensharald9091]

I have

[@holeesheet2021]

Nah, it needs a touch of ring overtone.

[@Hreodrich]

Ho Lee Sheet nah, that sound is common and used by many other drummers. This is woody, fat, sharp, articulate. It’s perfect.

[@warrenoids]

Yeah but have you ever listened to that bass drum through a sub?

[@Chilliconcarnage]

A true musician I could listen to Gavin all day.

[@harryxiro]

same

[@LimpBizkit999]

Well said

[@sttommore]

Gavin Harrison is some of the tastiest drumming. Butter smooth, lots of restraint, and so musical. Obvious chops, but applies everything creatively.

[@laurenweiss391]

It's all in his restraint. He's a classy case of where less is more. Think My Ashes and I Drive the Hearse. He always serves the song.

[@biaggimusic]

A perfect summation

[@ChristianSchonbergerMusic]

Gavin is one of the best drummers ever. He beautifully explains his reasoning and then shows it on the drums with impeccable skills. Awesome!

[@guitarcenter]

"What are you really trying to say with it? Is it just like a nervous habit?" - Gavin Harrison with some great advice on drum fills.

[@MrT1o9P9i2]

Ba dum tsss! Sorry, couldn't help it. Just a thing I do.

[@IrregularJohnny]

"I started to realize, if I was a bass player, now I know what I would want a drummer to do and what I would want him to do is just playing in time." Nothing else to do ... but learning from this! Man, what a speech!

[@mynamestef]

I come back to rewatch this once in a while. It's just so smooth.

[@Daniel_Rodrigues_89]

Gavin Harrison and Neil Peart. Two drummers who are fascinating to listen to not only when drumming, but talking about drums aswell. Thoughtful guys, real musicians.

[@philhouseknecht475]

Incredible drummer. Used to think people like portnoy and mangini were best ever. Then I discovered gavin. Some of the beats he played just left me with my jaw dropped.

[@dzre2087]

except I hate all the generic stuff he does. inexcusable, when realizing how TASTY and creative he can be. you can play ballads etc with CREATIVITY and feel. Ain't gotta be predictable.

[@stevenschoen398]

If he is doing generic stuff, then that was, no doubt, what the songwriter wanted. You want session work then you best be playing what the boss wants ;)

[@88omair]

Check out Bobby Jarzombek. His ability is scary

[@wiggy009]

Portnoy is still probably my favorite drummer. I love his style too much

[@wiggy009]

WhoDarestheMAN gamer i have

[@pimtelman]

He does unbelievable things on Anesthetize. The best rock drummer for me.

[@bbkingzor]

"Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art". I think Gavin embodies this philosophy perfectly, and many musicians could learn much from this.

[@moustacheyouaquestion]

"What does the perfect drumkit sound like?" Ever hear of Gavin Harrison? This guy is incredible.

[@DoSomethingProductive]

That snare....damn

[@maartenvalentin4162]

His snare sound is ALWAYS dope :)

[@davidkosa]

A thinking man's drummer. Brilliant!

[@roba1899]

Man I love his cymbal tones..crap, the whole kit for that matter and with his tasty playing..I'm a guitar guy but watching and hearing him is crazy amazing..

[@88omair]

His diction is as elegant, articulate, and purposeful as his drumming

[@Texray1]

I never get tired of listening to him. His advice is so thoughtful and easy to implement in my own way.

[@skyreadersociety6183]

everytime I skip a little bit his playing and then come back I am always blown away how beautiful and interesting he places accents, cymbals etc. in places that seemed to be unheard before.

[@555kl789]

I will show this to all my future bandmates, regardless of what instrument they play. This is the kind of advice that people really need to hear.

[@fweddyfwintsone4491]

Excellent presentation. A very hard lesson for drummers to get is that they are there to play the song. Not to show-off, upstage, impress, etc. but simply play what is correct for the song. Took me a couple of decades to truly get this.

[@rizz7604]

Gavin's "ballad" pattern is more interesting than most people's craziest fills. And more musical.

[@persianskeptic4814]

Fantastic Drummer . beside skill , his playing style has so much musicality and Creativity .

[@TheBrickCraftsman]

He is a musical genius.

[@kian2961]

WhoDarestheMAN gamer Music isn‘t a competition. Grow up.

[@toprak3479]

What's great is the things like what he's describing here aren't even weird super smart stuff, he simply applies common sense and plays without ego.

[@picwent]

I was so happy when I first discovered Gavin, I really gravitate to this type of playing nowadays. Not when I first started playing though, I was all about the big fills everywhere, used to love them. Now I try to avoid them 80% of the time ha! - much prefer these little nuances, they're so tasteful

[@BflatBsider]

With a drummer like Gavin behind me it would inspire me to write so many riffs. Unbelievable sound and choice of hits. Wow!

[@headphonedust]

Gavin's more than 'just a drummer' - he's transcended into drummer/producer territory, that's why everything he touches turns to gold... I play guitars and not drums, but he's the ONE professional I respect the most!

[@henchwang]

You're an absolute inspiration, Gav. A true musician and never selfish - always humble and willing to share ideas and knowledge :)

[@kwstaslukovasmplis597]

the snare in exacly 2:13(after the fill) ... he is making natural delay with ghosh notes...as a sound engineer i have to say i have never see something sooo beautiful!!!

[@wurdsalad9811]

I always love the tuning and sound of his drums.. So crisp.

[@Scot_With_One_T]

What a vast library of technique and expertise that Gavin has within him! An honest-to-goodness MASTER of his craft! Wow...

[@chrominox]

A living Role-Model. I confess , I'm as enchanted by his presentation and skill as I am inspired by his discipline and attitude.

[@antonio610]

That was the single most precise movement ever performed by a human being. Gavin Harrison could be a heart surgeon.

[@Scarecrow6459]

Thanks for posting this guys, watching this year's later and still being inspired by Gavin's words.

[@royboltz6945]

Brilliant lesson !!!! Filling in where appropriate and holding back when necessary. Showing that drums is listening to the other parts is essential. Perfect sounding kit. Brilliant musician indeed. Gavin is true world class!!!!

[@drumteacher43]

I love his musical approach, playing fills for the song to enhance it as opposed to playing a fill just to play a fill. I totally agree with Gavin, play to the music first and foremost..!!

[@psychofunksoldier02]

Funny thing, I always learn a lot from Gavin's videos as a guitarist and it always inspires me to try new things.

[@WybjornVR]

This is exactly why Gavin and PT is so incredible. Subtle perfection is mastery.

[@drsteve0487]

Amazing how Gavin can make even "duggadugga duggadugga dum dum dugga dum Bosh" sound sublime !

[@pifa4life]

you know what..i have to stop playing for other drummers. I've been so worried about impressing people that I've totally forgotten about the song. The song is the most important thing and somewhere along the way I seemed to have lost that. Thank you Gavin, thank you.

[@yrussq]

God bless him! So simple and intuitive concepts but still a lot of drummers doing all the things he was talking about - toms rundowns, playing separately of the band, doing what you want to do instead of what the song really needs.

[@rifflix]

Being a guitar player this is one drummer I love to listen to.

[@Dwendele]

We we playing "The Thrill is Gone" one time, and out of the blue (wink) I started playing it with quarter notes on the ride like that with little ghost notes or an accent on my high Tom occasionally... The band stopped.... What are you doing? No no! Keep it up.... It's soo cool! Idk I'm a shit drummer, but that day, it just felt right and I felt like I did something completely new.

[@ryekani1]

As a part of my active listening routine, I was going on a focused binge of Porcupine Tree today, when I figured what Gavin Harrison is referring to in 5.30’’ of this workshop. The song, which he beautifully and artistically plays a quarter note on the ride and sixteenths on the snare is “The Sky Moves Sideways”.

[@drumgodone9585]

Yes sir. Could listen to him talk all day long. Cheerio.

[@Fikmonskov]

Could listen to this guy talking for hours, he's really inspiring...

[@ReefRondo]

I don't remember the last time I watched a video on KZbin that the drums sounded soooo damn good. Unbelievable.

[@h4unt3dfx]

Nice to see all likes. This man is awesome... what a drummer and what a musical mind!

[@orangebird67]

Gavin is awesome! Great teacher. He teaches with with life experience analogies better than most school teachers.

[@timoe1149]

Oh I think gavin has the best touch in the business, so delicate and creative, probably thanks to his background in jazz..

[@jaimegenesis60]

This guy is so humble! Provably the best drummer of all times.

[@MrGerardDeleu]

This guy is one of my favorite ....He is an amazing drummer and He also cares about a good drum sound, like Simon Phillips and a few others.

[@omairsh8]

I could listen to Gavin talk about drumming all day long, let alone watching him actually play. Super musician

[@EixtremeDrummer]

Gavin has a bright class and an excellent drum set possibilities knowledge. I am impressed.

[@zakyahimi6555]

A great drummer and a great teacher too!

[@braggyreyes]

how i love the way gavin talks about playing,its so informative!

[@MrAvengedDrummer]

Very smart and wise words from Gavin. Great playing and amazing ghost notes too.

[@Takes680]

Musical genius small subtle fills instead of big rock arena fills and keep perfect time this is what will keep you working great video and advice

[@mattwalker21]

Ahhh, I want more!!! This guy's got a lot of great insight and conceptual ideas.

[@blurtss]

The ballad he's talking about at 4:57 is Stop Swimming by Porcupine Tree off the album Stupid Dream. Funny how I watched this vid then just happened to come across it.

[@koenmaassen2391]

I'm pretty sure it's Half Light :)

[@stuartfrancis9983]

Koen Maassen it is you are correct

[@fuzzylogiceire]

+Mark G Gavin didn't play on that album, it was Chris Maitland, PTs original drummer. I'm not sure if they played it live many times after Chris left the band, it didn't seem to be in many setlists when Gavin was in the band.

[@arsonne]

Gavin is a genius. Best drummer there is. His kit sounds absolutely amazing.

[@Truth_Çkr]

This is actually some of the best advice I’ve ever heard

[@xXxCoolPointxXx]

drums sound really impressive. i love the punch of his drum.

[@Adam-mx2he]

His techniques are great. Like his style, especially the song In Exile... Incredible!

[@lewisratzker8949]

My favourite drummer for a while now........ (well actually since Ian Paice & Neil Peart!) IMO Gavin's another one of these drummers that always hits the right things in the right places.

[@jumborat12]

The sound of that Snare is just awesome:)

[@IronDrummer91]

Gavin is on of the drummers you benefit more from listening to the wisdom he shares as well as watching. Most drummers you look up to you see something they play get influenced because it sounds good and you add it to your music ideas. When Gavin speaks you completely reassess your drumming and think about it, as well as pick up something cool from him. Maybe that's just me!

[@MrRaggy91]

It came to me now, clearer than ever that my own mindset when it comes to drumming is close to identical to his. I have several drummer friends who are into the whole "score points"-type playing, so I recognize what he said in the video.

[@WinterGibbs]

@Fortificatio its essentially a term he made up to visualize and be creative with fills. He is saying that you know where you are going to end up and where certain hits are but not what the finished product is. Curling refers to a basic shape of fill and be able to put pieces in it on the fly. A very cool way to think about it. Hope that helped!

[@Elliebellebama]

I am not a drummer either, but I could listen Gavin talk about drums all day long-Adorable, Genuine and Genius. Adorable Too :) !

[@ThomasMetal75]

OH...MY....GOD! This video is practically life changing!

[@paice95]

This lesson is really true for all members of the band, especially guitarists :D

[@Cr4nium13]

This has really opened my eyes

[@astroandyborgloh]

Another classic GH Video! Thank you man!

[@millkiss]

Great video, great drummer.

[@headwhop26]

This guy is like, the smartest man I have ever heard talk about music haha. Great perspective.

[@regispaulo]

Great, amazing and perfect.

[@Adipsia1]

Lessons in life from a drummer. Less is often more; become a great listener; appreciate other's needs and check your ego in at the door.

[@SarcasticElephant]

Wow, best advice i've ever gotten from a drummer

[@Scarecrow6459]

Gavin Harrison, thank you. This is something a struggling young drummer could use adivce in. I'm no fanboy of any sort of but I do appreciate your take on fills.

[@bpdrumstudio]

At 5:35 the Song Gavin is talking about is a Balled by PTree called Half Light. Great song in which he plays quarters on the ride with hi hats with foot and great finger ghost notes and "reg" stick ghost notes. Great song ideas by Gavin. Thinking like us drummers should - like a musician.

[@fuzzylogiceire]

He has a video on how he tunes his snare "gavin harrison tuning heads tech spec" is the name. He cuts down the strands on the back of the snare so he only has 8. The extra ones on the outside (that he removes) are the ones that buzz first.

[@jobencore]

so insightful. gavin is one of the best alive.

[@Leviplaysdrums]

Astounding Perspective

[@thewsca]

Great video. Really interesting and made a lot of sense.

[@allghilliedup21]

@naooki They're both great. I like both of them. they're both prog metal and its hard to say one is better than the other.

[@Zildjian232]

I was there, this was at the Guitar Center in Hollywood. I wish these sort of places that post his clinic footage would post ALL of it. This stuff is like crack to me. I wish the play-a-longs would work.

[@williamcarroll7795]

sounds really fantastic!

[@surajsingh108talk]

it's almost philosophical! life changing

[@Gordyan_Knot]

god, Im not even a drummer, but his playing is so immediately recognizable.

[@robthedrummer]

Another great video from Gavin!

[@austing.8870]

Half Light is the song he's talking about with the Quarter note ride pattern. I love that drum part.

[@jsimensen]

His left hand on the snare at 2:13 , love it!

[@GeckOtheGanjahead]

hes just so smart man!..he doesnt care about flashy fills he just cares about the music,what it would sound like you know..and thats rad man!

[@PedroBlazeDrums]

wow...it felt like it was only a 2 min video!!! i learned so much!!!

[@gravitydrums1391]

Love his approach

[@owenevans6615]

I agree less is more. Spaces between the beats can be as meaningful if not more. I have a lot more musicality now than when I was young. Back in the day it was how fast I could play. Whether you like Phil's playing or not. Check out the break at the end of 'against all odds' There's a subtle gap in between and it speaks more than the power full strokes sounds on the toms. Always draws me in.

[@kisaposti]

If God had a drum kit, the snare would sound like this...

[@lewisratzker8949]

kisaposti and if God played the drums his name would be Gavin God Harrison!

[@catkeys6911]

It's great to hear an influential drummer tell other drummers that when they're playing, it's NOT necessarily all about THEM.

[@louisjamin7195]

Best drum teacher ever. And I'm not even a drummer.

[@DavidLuchaMusic]

That was great. Thanks Gavin!