How to Play the Ride Cymbal like Tony Williams - The 80/20 Drummer

the8020drummer.... - get the transcriptions at this link!
Intro music by Oli Bernatchez - / @olibernatchez

[@drumroll420]

To play the ride cymbal like Tony, well this is what he showed me when I studied with him for a few brief months: you hold the stick with the back three fingers, you make every stroke from the wrist, and you pull back the stick not with your fingers, but the whole hand at the end of the spang a lang, like spang spang a LANG. Tony was like "you pull the stick back to where you almost hit yourself in the head with it." He stood behind me while I was on the kit doing the lesson, and he he grabbed my wrist and literally used my arm and my wrist with me holding the stick to play the ride. There really was hardly any fingers at all. Then he got behind the kit, played it a blazing tempo, and looked at me in a manner almost bored and said "I can do this all day". I wanted to kiss him that was just so full of awesome.

[@antoinepaine8097]

Wow 😫😫😫😫😫🔥

[@leocomerford]

Hmm. That's certainly not how Williams played the ride himself back in 1967 kzbin.info/www/bejne/imbThWxoZZV7htU . He didn't even consistently play the ride that way in 1985 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHLaY5mVo5VgnpI , though there are _some_ points where he seems to have switched to a rear-fingers grip.

[@Cpt_Guirk]

@@leocomerford In the first one it looked like a hybrid of what this guy said and then he switches his fulcrum to the front fingers. It's a rolling fulcrum through his fingers.

[@simonkirchner6036]

@@leocomerford Tony also says he uses it this way in a masterclass in the late 80s I think! There‘s a great drum history pocast for this kinda stuff

[@lwlakksjd]

Stop capping

[@8020drummer]

I'm 98% sure this lesson is the reason I've never been invited on Drumeo

[@jesseolsson1697]

why do you say that?

[@jesseolsson1697]

ohhhhh because of the old “one handed roll” video you made fun of in the beginning

[@haekalbadjeber988]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@flddoc2]

Thanks for your approach to this. When I heard Tony Williams description of, what I took away as hope vs. certainty, not relying on the uncertainty of bounce but control and hit each note I was struggling with Allman Brothers One Way Out. His thinking to me is sound and logical but in my case much easier said than put into practical application. It’s taken me many years work and frustration to almost be able to play fast, complex ride cymbal patterns with certainty and consistency. I’m a retired soldier of 26 years who had to mothball my kit for 15 years until I retired. Within the last 3 years I’ve realized I wanted to commit to playing drums professionally. I’m on the late side of 50 now physically worn from injuries and war wounds. Mentally fractured but finding therapy in music. I’m admittedly behind the power curve and things seem more difficult now. I refuse to believe or accept my ability is simply failing however this aspect of my playing is the most worrisome, troubling part of my playing that is mentally challenging and wears on my confidence. Hopefully these exercises will help. Also your muscle twitch/memory explanation has changed my approach to an easier way of thinking. You aren’t necessarily relying on what can be an inconsistent bounce if your muscle memory “plays” the bounce if that makes sense. Anyway, it makes sense to me and a I feel hopeful for good things. Thanks again.

[@user-jh8ov8pi3l]

Stay strong brother

[@flddoc2]

@@user-jh8ov8pi3l Thank you my friend. I’m still playing with two extremely talented musicians in a very popular group. I’ve slowly gotten better with fast ride cymbal patterns and can almost play whatever I want now. Persistence pays off and works I suppose. My new challenge is learning double stroke rolls accented on the second note. Holy cow! That is insanely difficult for me. Unless I’m understanding it incorrectly it seems to apply the same concept of controlled double stroke rolls. That’s the insane part. I’ve always relied on bounce for double strokes but you simply cannot do that and accent the second bounce. At least I can’t get the technique. But man, that second note accent sounds sooooo sweet. Hopefully I’ll master it before I die 😉. Do you play? Any advice on this?

[@user-jh8ov8pi3l]

@@flddoc2 I use a technique called “push pull” for doubles

[@JeffRandallDrumming]

GREAT job man! I loved all the insight you gave between rebound and fast-twitch playing. This will definitely help me in my own playing.

[@stevedegeorge]

Great Job on this video Nate! I just wanted everyone to know here that I have seen Tony Williams in person at the Modern Drummer Festival in NJ. He opened up his clinic with the most incredible double stroke roll I have ever seen on the snare drum for a minimum of 5 minutes. It was at every dynamic level imaginable, just unbelievable. Tony went into great depth regarding his technique related to all the various surfaces that made up his drumkit. He told over 1000 people in the audience He DID NOT use rebound in his playing. He pushed and pulled every stroke! He did not rely on the instrument to rebound/bounce the stick back. This would explain his massive hands, arms and shoulders. The man was a physical specimen like no other i have ever seen play a drumkit, one of a kind.

[@twelge15]

stevedegeorge That old MD Drum Festival where Jo Jo Mayer debuts? When he did the super fast push pull technique on his ride?? That's the technique Tony used for the fast six note ride cymbal grouping, your right! But even guys who can execute it like Jo Jo can, can't get it to swing like Tony did with Miles.

[@rcullen5897]

very relaxed, good technique, and other than the pant material, nothing to criticize. And he is giving you advice from people he spoke to like Riley who every drummer has his book.

[@jacobmendez655]

This is great Nate. I doubt you'll ever know the impact your having on new generations of drummers.. But these videos have helped me and friends. Cheers

[@8020drummer]

Ha! You flatter me! Thanks tho;)

[@CapGypsy]

You're brilliant. You're also crazy. I am both. I would love to study what you know. Almost everything you said, I said it a couple seconds before you did. You are spot on. I graduated from Musicians Institute, with honor. Most important lesson I could teach someone is this... you are only as good as your last performance.,... thank you for sharing what you've shared here. I would love to contact you- I'm selling everything, and moving to Nashville.... chasing this dream I started 40 years ago

[@boblatzer]

Tony Williams said in an interview that I saw he does not use finger technique or bounce. He said unless you hang on to the stick you have no control. He seemed to snap the stick holding it toward the end. It was at a drum clinic I watched on uTube. Those were not someone else’s words-they were his.

[@xborrascax]

Yeah but... but... that’s really hard :(

[@christopherodonnell3586]

I think the A on your piano is a little broken lol

[@micaofboca]

You have a very nice ear and feel for the light strength behind Tony's unique sound thanks to his incredible ride cymbal clarity, speed and groove. His polyrhythms and Elvin's,too, rose to the sublime. I used to love to see Joe Chambers play with Andrew Hill back in the '60's at Slugs in New York. He's another monster, not to mention dozens of others. But Tony's style went beyond what everyone else was doing. When I saw him with Larry Young and John McLaughlin play at Slugs it opened new paths in electric music that used Jazz to create a whole new milieu. But is Blue Note work when he was all of 19 years old was just beyond belief. A Scott LaFaro of the drums.

[@PatrickManzecchi]

+Don Lackritz ....very nice comment!

[@micaofboca]

+Patrick Manzecchi Thanks Patrick

[@lxxwj]

holy shit you saw the tony williams trio? must have been an amazing experience

[@Rono49]

A "Scottish LazFaro" of the drums". I've never seen that comparison made before, and it's a perfect one. Tony was also a prodigy. He was studying privately with Alan Dawson while I was at Berklee in the early 60s, and Max Roach in NYC at the same time. There was a rumor that Tony was living with Max, too. ~ Ron

[@Rono49]

But

[@manuelgchapajr2000]

COOL LESSON! LOVE my Tony Williams Yellow GRETSCH DRUMS now if I could only play like Tony!!!

[@toddvanfleet8576]

VERY cool. Studying and Stick Fulcrum/Finger grips obsessively for a month now. This Tony Williams lesson fits right in . The 80/20 HH/Snr lesson you emailed me(thank you- I will send money). Clean concise rolks.Grooves relaxed on 8th and 16ths- Fills with Chick magnet speed. Now this . Ain't it great. . Hope it's cool to post the following:. A Late Great Tony Williams👏 experience. (I share this humbly )... Had the honor of playing his yellow kit (dots on the bottom!) for a year. My snare/cymbals His kit. His set up With Bill Spooner .The Tubes lead guitarist/songwriter . "WHITE PUNKS ON DOPE "..crazy performance fusion sh..t. Great live band The kit Tony donated. A band Concepts class 1997. Heavy. Quick tap to the heart, point to the heavens above every time before playing. Let's do this... Tony Williams spirit , juju vibe was unavoidable. I pulled s.. t off on that kit I had no business knowing at that time in my career. Tony had Returned to Forever. Spooner was a task master with a genius streak. Took me under his wing- Changed me as a player. Thanks Nate. And Tony Williams.⭐

[@webstercat]

Ignore any thumbs down! This is an excellent lesson and believe you me I've looked a hundreds of them. Extremely interesting and fresh! Back after a week of working this up and it opened up an amazing place in my technique. It grows and can be applied many other way. The is a $100.00 Worth!

[@leomarland3471]

Im a sax player why have I watched this whole thing

[@Talkingdrum103]

I'm a drummer and I'm asking myself the same question.

[@clarkewi]

I really like that guitar intro. Spacy.

[@toby4517]

I can't begin to tell you how much I love the intro about waiting in the Green Room...it's just fantastic imagery.

[@jaylotz5901]

Spent an hour looking this up just yesterday and there weren't any good videos. Thanks dude.

[@8020drummer]

Jay Lotz Whaaaaaaaat. Hope I did a decent enough job! Hit me up at [e-mail] if you want to let me know how it goes:)

[@1955davids]

It seems when I begin hating internet, hi-tech anything, and life in the 21st century in general, I find something like this and thank God in heaven for instant access to information. And, I thank you for taking the time to share this.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

How to play the ride cymbal like Tony Williams. Step 1: Be Tony Williams. The end. ;)

[@ofdrumsandchords]

His ride was cracked, that's why he sounded so much like Tony Williams.

[@virgilrw]

Ian Ballard That's the same thing I was thinking... 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@virgilrw]

Tony Williams was like the Bruce Lee of Drummers! My analysis... 😎😎😎😎😎

[@oldboy9267]

no, that would be how to play the ride as tony williams

[@stevenraparelli3396]

Great Lesson. I appreciate how you broke down the TW ride strokes.

[@mossycave4023]

This is the video i've been looking for. thank you for this

[@ThomasistheTwin]

It's a combination of finger control, wrist flick, stick drop hight. Start with your arm and stick high. Drop, bounce, flick. Raise arm. Repeat. Your using your wrist to reach from a hight and bounce more as the impact coils and an accent sustain to reset.

[@tylerblake3596]

I love that 5-stroke exercise. very reminiscent of Chris Dave type stuff when it's sped up a little

[@tomasw6985]

Your bass drum is tuned to the same note as my 14" rack tom. Yes, I grew up in the 80's. I like how Simmon Phillips never changed his kit since at least the 80's. Check him out with Hiromi. Killer piano player! Thanks for the video!

[@billbigler1366]

Very nice lesson. Thanks very much.

[@octoberjones3533]

this is the best jazz lesson i have seen for me

[@Avedisdrummer09]

Is this intro a spoof on Jared Folk's goofy old "one handed roll" video?

[@8020drummer]

+Timothy Evans ;)

[@user-qy4dy9gt1u]

должны

[@nathanaellukegriffin]

Thank you for the video Nate!

[@popeye5432]

Not drums, but I am old enough to remember "Play Guitar Like The Ventures" on the back of comic books. For another instructional video, see: "Variations on the Carlos Santana Secret Chord Progression".

[@kingsweetfly7711]

this is some good shit ... the point in bounce ride cymbal playing is very similar to the single stroke roll ..at some point you start bouncing them

[@dikbeats2720]

Hey man, great lesson. On an upside to this shit we're all in, it's inspiring lessons like these that keep a lot of us going and not much else to do at the moment apart from learn more and play/practice. Sort of takes the edge of things.. As does mezcal! Stay well, nate. - dik beats south coast england

[@westleedrums]

August 2021 I was able to practice acoustic drums again since 2003. Has helped keep my head up

[@ThunderBren]

really enjoyed this, thanks. i always liked to try and get it equal with both hands and mess around the snare accent and then increase speed. until i felt like was 'pushing/washing' the ride. ahh, 3-4 hrs a day of groovin'! you're a great player!

[@azraygun]

Thank you...wish 'you and 'KZbin were around 20 years ago...(I will get this because you are a good teacher).

[@skyreadersociety6183]

like the guitar in your intro track

[@dr8627]

gretsch drums rule, i play gretsch brooklyn but would love to own a stop sign kit as well, i do however have a 70s slingerland as well!

[@threod820]

I love how you do advanced drumming lessons. It's like as a drummer I've found preggressively more difficult drum channels as my playing has improved. Still not at Yoni Madar level though :P

[@oktnodez]

Those exercises you present are genius! Thanks for the inspiration nate :-)

[@ns81]

Wow thanks so much dude!

[@Psycho9263]

The cymbal bounce is actually "The Moeller Technique". The control is also in the fingers as well. You also want that continuity in the beat. Btw, when are you going to fix that old Piano? Some players have problems with 5/4 because they are so accustomed to 4/4. A great book to get would be "Rhythmic Training" by Robert Starer. It will help with odd or unfamiliar time signatures and how to approach those time signatures. As you said; "5/4 can be played as 2 against 3 or 3 against 2. 7/4 is like that. 4-3 or 3-4.

[@bojangles6444]

I’m a drummer named Nate too. Must be a lot of us. I always noticed the jazz guys who play really fast usually make smaller motions- not Tony!!

[@rcullen5897]

Lol why do people give this guy thumbs down. The things he gets criticized for are things you should be doing, the other video where people say ahh great but you need to hit harder and like tense up. Lol

[@wataday2day]

OK, I am working on my up tempo ride since a bit now. I don't really see the point of practicing odd times rhythms when you just want to increase your comfort while playing fast swing. I get you when you speak of bounce vs control and I agree on that. But my issue today is that I can't get passed that 290bpm and I don't see how what you show here can help me with that. (Maybe I didn't get the purpose of the video, it may be). You do a great job and I appreciate your commitment. Oh, and I'm new again to the drums after a 15 years swing by the bass side.

[@ns81]

Two reasons - 1) by playing in 6 instead of 8, you're "zooming in" on only the most difficult part, and hitting it 30% more frequently. 2) for the 5, I found that letting less time elapse between the isolated stroke and the skipped notes made it feel more continuous to my hand. Both devices are sort of like Dumbbells or training wheels - ie devices to get you there faster, but understand if they're not for everybody:)

[@weeeBloom]

Great lesson!! Thanks a lot!

[@SteveCournane]

Great class. Thanks so much

[@MoonTea510]

That track in the beginning!! Love the lesson!

[@8020drummer]

+Emunti Herrera Track is by Oli Bernatchez, badass drummer and composer who puts me to shame. Search him!

[@MoonTea510]

+The 80/20 Drummer thank you!!

[@JustusVidyo]

cant seem to find the track. i ended up listening to all his uploads and bought both cds off his bandcamp tho. mb anyone can help me out finding the song

[@TheJazzdr]

love that wobbly cymbal

[@tomaszha]

outstanding lesson. keep up!

[@mickberry164]

I'm not following this. Are you in 4/4, 3/4, some kind of polyrhythm over 4/4. I appreciate what you're showing, and thanks for the effort. But I'm writing it down as well as I can, and I can't understand exactly what you're doing. Is it played in 4/4? Or in 6 quarter notes? Thanks

[@robertbush2068]

Well done! Really well done!!!

[@stubowl1]

good teacher.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Great ideas and ways to achieve progress. Sad with all the idiots trying to comment, though.

[@brinkwerks]

hey, appreciate the lesson - sidebar question- love the intro music, followed the link to Oli’s channel, dig his older session vids, but didn’t find the intro music you used. is it available as a standalone track?

[@sunnibird]

As a newer drummer I find this difficult to follow. No counting during the playing of the exercises, or only briefly, and the transcription only has 8th note snare hits written on the sheet. Unless you already understand what's being played you're not going to have an easy time figuring it out.

[@kylekatarn6056]

Finally i can do it 🎉😜 thank you nate!

[@徐敏碩]

thanks for sharing this, Thanks!!

[@Jay_1984]

75

[@Locrian1]

I've been playing for about two years now. Your videos have helped me so much. Thank you. Btw, what does 80/20 mean?

[@ratofacat]

Been playing bop for fifty years (from slow lethargic tempos to blazingly fast) and I've never tried to over intellectualize it. I just play. And I urge all of you prospective boppers to do the same. Feel it, make the music better, and put your soul into it. We're all different. That's what makes great players. I promise.

[@alexambroise111]

I don't know man, what I see is that the greats did intellecualise, too. If Trane never understood and analysed what Bird did, he never would have been able to play his soul out like he did... What do you think? Just trying to have a nice discussion about learing methods, here!

[@ratofacat]

Maybe, maybe not. Think and do as you please. Most of the greats I've performed with did most of their intellectualizing in their sleep.

[@midinerd]

"Less talking more drumming." It's an instructional video :)

[@shiritzhaki5333]

ratofacat it's all about playing loud eventually. trust me. tony was very provocative and loud, as was Elvin,as was Bonham, as is vinnie... have control but be confident to get the sound out of the drums

[@kingsweetfly7711]

If this were Tony himself instead of 80/20 drummer would you say the same thing ?

[@NATAGUILARMUSIC]

Thanks for posting this!

[@stevenkorenek389]

keep up the good work! Thank you

[@MehtabKirtan]

Love this: Thank you.

[@gerardogonzalez6117]

Thanks man! Good job!

[@SimoneFolcarelli]

Hi man, how is call the song at the beginning??

[@javiergc431]

Nice video!! but, how about Gilmore's technique? looks really close to Tony i think...

[@jimramirez2670]

That intro was hot as fuck.

[@DavidMcmenemy]

Great lesson, mate. What is the song you're playing along to at the 0:35 mark?

[@8020drummer]

+David Mcmenemy Oli Bernatchez' original track:)

[@eduardodonascimentojunior8247]

awesome microphone! :D

[@Psycho9263]

I'd like to see the way he does "Fred".

[@ikp1222]

YES!!

[@Rad631]

Awesome!

[@TheBrewster13]

Which Oli Bernatchez tune is that? Cool vid btw :)

[@brinkwerks]

my question too - followed the link to his channel, love the old session vids, but didn’t find this intro music. (gonna post this as its own comment too.)

[@JB5D]

Great Stuff!

[@VouVouVou_music]

greeting from Aus mate, love your vids. Do you have any transcriptions?

[@JulianFernandez]

Nailed! Thanks.

[@RecycleBin0]

what's a drums?

[@Twist3dWizard]

What size ride cymbal is that? It looks like a mel lewis istanbul agop, but what size?

[@JoeyvanLeeuwen]

Dig man...One question though...Do you alternate thumb on top with other grips? I had the fortune to receive some guidance from Stanton Moore who recommended switching grips on longer gigs, which I paid little mind until the end of my first 6-hour show when I noticed an intense pain in the tendon on top of my thumb. Since then I've been focusing on getting the same motion with the hand rotated to more of a German grip. Have you noticed any pain with this grip in longer playing situations?

[@8020drummer]

No, but that doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. Hmmm - maybe it's finally time for a Hands video;)

[@user-jh8ov8pi3l]

What time signature? Is it a polyrhythm over 4/4?

[@johncollins5552]

Can you plày that style on hihat where it is more obvious that stick bounce is not driving the swing rhythm? Nice Istanbul ride is it 21 or 22? I have an old hihat UFIP but a newish paiste heavy alpha ride as I play more jazz/pop/rock style, thanks. Ignore utube haters, they always bitch about everything because they lack ability in the real World. P.s have you done an Elvin Jones or Joe Morello style video, that would be helpful too?

[@Giuseppetiberi]

Hi thank you for your video, can I ask you how you recorded the drum's sound?

[@rusamene]

some fast twitch Tony Williams shit:)

[@georgelumsden4484]

10:18 thats what he's doing on freedom jazz dance (miles smiles) thats cool stuff thanks man!

[@dikbeats2720]

Nice ride cymbal.. Almost prefer it to my zildjian dark. Only 20'' tho

[@jimbarx7088]

This is creepy,literally asked about it on a current video.Thanks!

[@yannlyiii1028]

Thx!

[@ralphhumphrey445]

At 6:23 you use the word Moeller in conjunction with Gordy Knudsen's down-up method. I know Moeller as something different than what you are doing. Can you explain? Thanks.

[@mnkrck]

Gordy Knudsen has a series about his technique on his own channel here on youtube. He also talks about how to combine the moeller whiplash with the down-up motion a bit.

[@aborigenas1]

It’s very similar. My teacher call this a “down-up” technique, or “up and down”

[@josafatsong3342]

I think i found my bean playing drums!!!!!

[@bojangles6444]

I dunno why but every stupid drum teacher I had as kid made me slam the hi hat. Louder than the ride. Now I know why i sounded bad and always got slowed down. Imagine being stuck in a small town with shitty drummers pre internet.

[@buddyrich4968]

80/20 Drummer, where did you get that exact version(non-lyric same tempo) of intro music. The Oli Bernatchez link doesn't have that same exact segment or a more complete version for that matter. Thanks for help in advance.

[@ns81]

Oli wrote it for me:)

[@buddyrich4968]

And Kendrick Lamar wrote "Swimming Pools" for Oli no doubt? So is it top secret then? :)

[@chrisrivera8276]

Good stuff!...and you're right about the bounce... Tony Williams did say it...starting at around 7:10: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bamYk3Svgdutpac

[@ns81]

This is great!

[@Creeuser87]

Great lesson man. But I gotta tell you, the transcription download doesn't work for me. It seems like the file is a picture of you instead of a PDF by accident.

[@ns81]

How do you know that's an accident? ;);) JK I'll have a look right away!

[@8020drummer]

***** This is fixed. Apologies for any inconvenience.

[@Creeuser87]

The 80/20 Drummer Thanks for your quick response and fixing it.

[@benslooking4coolstuff]

Maximum Synergyyyy!!!!!!!!!

[@ivanbrito9017]

which hihat are you using?

[@LovelyDiscipline]

Someone PLEASE tell me the name of the song at 0:32?

[@LovelyDiscipline]

+The 80/20 Drummer I will pay you for this song man, please send it to me? I want to practice it in full

[@babaroro5942]

It was made by Oli Bernatchez, a greeaat French drummer. Go check what he did ! I think youbcan buy this music on his bandcamp :)

[@Guds777]

What is the ride you are using.

[@EloyTrujilloDUILawSF]

Nice 💩! Huge fan of these videos.

[@ghart56]

Tell me how to play triplets with my kick like John Bonham. How do I roll with my left hand like Buddy Rich.

[@8020drummer]

Search "8020 drummer bill burr" - at least I covered bonham :P

[@dukeraul76]

Bro what's up with that crate amp?

[@idiazmusic]

what ride is that ??? :O

[@nycdrums5985]

FIRST!!i like your channel...where alot of you guys lose me is the moeller thing... i was around tony williams and buddy and these guys...they did not use that technique.they used the hand,wrist, fingers, bouncing and forearms.when i see you play your hands look great not anything like moeller method,greg.....A CLOCKWORK DRUMMER

[@stevedegeorge]

+NYC drums , you are 100% correct. tony williams pushed and pulled every stroke. Seen and heard him say it IN PERSON.

[@nycdrums5985]

hey steve thanks!!mychannel is A CLOCKWORK DRUMMER

[@billytheweasel]

Step one: get some genes Step two: get some sticks