Nick Mason on Pink Floyd and How He Got Started in Music - BIMM Masterclass

[@sunlion8866]

Floydian fact: Nick Mason is the only member of Pink Floyd to be featured on every one of their albums and the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965.

[@columkenn]

Wasn't Rick on every album?

[@bjornkemmsies3660]

@@columkenn not the final cut

[@yourlocalryan]

@@columkenn Rick was fired during "The Wall", only returning on the subsequent tour as a session musician. He isn't anywhere to be found on "The Final Cut". Damn shame too, they needed 2 guys to recreate what Rick by himself could.

[@brianpugh6707]

Nick truly PLAYED drums; he didn't bang on them, hit them or beat them. He actually played them like a real instrument. Unpretentiously. What a musician!

[@mikaelohman5694]

I agree, perhaps the most musical drummer in pop/rock. Listen how he played the cymbals on Ummagumma. Noone played it like a separate instrument, make a space souind together with Richard Wright's lovely organ.

[@anycolouryoulike8567]

@@mikaelohman5694 true.

[@husq48]

How would you play them pretentiously?

[@brianpugh6707]

As if the drummer mattered the most.

[@husq48]

@@brianpugh6707 Well, Neil Peart kinda did!

[@DietCokeKillar]

The drumming on Echoes at Pompeii is brilliant! No one can play Time like he did.

[@drpeterthompson5894]

nobody!!!!

[@wispa1a]

It was edited and layered but ye,

[@gururajdeshpande1235]

And so is saucerful of secrets Pompeii edition

[@eclipsed3407]

Set the controls for the heart of the sun Pompeii version is mindblowing.

[@wispa1a]

@MrBrenman Hey it's my favourite "live" track, I wasn't knocking the method as it was a newish concept still then.

[@northvilletunnels]

Nick Mason is an example of class and dignity.

[@klausschumacher7126]

No.....he doesn't want.... He's a very good drummer.... don't make it complicate with dignity and class.....

[@nickmason6577]

Follow your dreams.

[@JuJuCrow]

Nick Mason it's because of you and your band mates musicianship that I have a musical dream to follow. Thank you. 🤘

[@anonthemous7437]

That's not really him...

[@rohamsaberi3589]

Nick Mason I'm a classical musician from Iran because of Pink Floyd

[@declanwrightmusic]

You mean drums. Follow your drums.

[@shihtzupuppy823]

Nick Mason 💗💗💗🧓🏻

[@jacobcastle5925]

Pink Floyd was and always will be the combination of four very unique musicians. Their uniqueness gave them the ability to constantly experiment.

[@arnoldlayne1424]

How can you forget the genius that set it off?

[@BoBo0807]

Well, he didn't say it was always the *same* four unique musicians...

[@BoBo0807]

And come to think of it, it's been *three* unique musicians for the last 3 albums.

[@jacobcastle5925]

Obviously Syd matters too lol

[@Bi_scotti_5]

BoBo0807 I thought that they got David's son to play bass?

[@randolphlee7154]

Such a great drummer but so down to earth and humble. Great man...

[@t18amgr]

The drumming in Echoes. Bless.

[@BeeBumper]

Arguably the best 7 pound 50 investment in the history of the world.

[@Viator19]

yes what an interest dividend!!

[@gsd4me00]

If you want to see some great Nick Mason drumming when he as young, search the various "Live at Pompeii" videos on You tube.

[@Nyctasia]

Yes, there is also a great moment in 'One of these days' where he drops a drumstick and collects a new one barely missing a beat. A great drummer.

[@TheScottmgreen]

i think he broke it

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

My favorite drumming by Mason is the '77 tour, real rock and roll

[@wyattwesterfield4553]

He showed the best of himself in "Live in Pompeii". Especially with him losing a drumstick and managing to keep the song going as he grabs another one.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Nyctasia we have sticks stuck all over the place and we drop them regularly. So we get good at grabbing them in perfect time. :)

[@colin240359]

Nick has been my drumming icon since I was 17 years old, that was 40 years ago. His drumming has shaped my style completely and I have a very interesting obsession........that is, drumming to Dark side of the moon every day, sometimes and most often, twice if I have the time and energy. It's like therapy to me in a strange sort of way, but mostly, I get such satisfaction drumming to Dark side with strong attention to technicality. Most people don't appreciate just how technical Nick's drumming is in this album. I would love to make a video and share that with Nick sometime soon as I think he would be quite taken by the amount of time and work I have put into it. Thanks for inspiring me for 40 years Nick Mason.

[@dmitriofficial3552]

Colin Eksteen he's been my inspiration since I was 4. I'm now 18

[@colin240359]

Sorry to reply so late Nathan, but I have to tell you what an incredibly wonderful thing it is that someone in your age group can love Pink Floyd so much. That grabs me! Keep on rocking mate!

[@dmitriofficial3552]

Colin Eksteen it's okay, mate.

[@drummarr61]

Colin Eksteen I don't have the time to do what you do, but I agree Nick is a very unique and underrated drummer. What I believe is his strength is his feel and the emotion that reaches out of the record. Probably the most important thing any drummer should be striving for above technique which in my opinion is overstated by most our contemporaries. It's the feel that makes any song.

[@christopherrabaldo3377]

@@colin240359 - Do you know about the surrogate drummers? It was amazing the drum tech sat in during earls court 81. Is there anything you can tell us about the amazing drumming in the wall? I know about Snowy, but it is hard to get alot of info on the rest of the surrogate band and how odd is it to have a drum tech sit in? Thank you.

[@christschinwon]

The masterclass of Mr Mason is space. When to play and not to play. I know for a fact if I was in a Floyd tribute band I would have to try hard at that. He is a pure natural and perfect for that band

[@jedidrummerjake]

His drumming was simple when it needed to be. Complex when it had to be. The perfect combination.

[@138boris]

Genius of a man. Humble and genuine.

[@briandobson5135]

One day as a kid, my older brother left his vinyl copy of "Dark Side Of The Moon" lying near the record player. At this time I was just starting to get into music...I put this on and was floored! Pink Floyd had me hooked since then. And Nick's Drumming has always been just so smooth!

[@ghostwriter71]

"Pink Floyd" was the first English term I learned when I was four yrs old. I was still in Kindegarten in Germany. "Pink Floyd" - just the name sounds so nice.

[@dantesanchez2491]

The drumming in The Great Gig In The Sky is master work. The drums build up driving the music to a dramatic atmosphere, and every drum fill lays down an enthralling feeling to surely make the listener feel like they're just melting. Which leads to the question, why should I be afraid of dying? -There's no reason for it, you gotta go sometime...

[@synthvault]

I've seen Waters twice but God how I hope I get a chance to see Gilmore and Mason before I die! RIP Syd and Rick.

[@Tuindwergje]

MechanicalAnimal he's touring right now. Take your chance!!

[@butwhatsoutthere]

You mean before they die

[@terminalfrost3645]

exactly the same, i've seen roger twice but would love to have seen David. I do hope he tours again soon.

[@marccosta7376]

If David tours again don't miss the chance attend one of his gigs. I've seen three and it's a biblical experience. Third row at the Albert Hall having him at 15 feet.

[@beatlejames5745]

I love Nick Mason, he reminds me of my dad.

[@Tuindwergje]

You must have a nice dad :)

[@jamesluby6705]

Mine too, and I've heard a few people say that, wish mine had his car collection 🤪

[@jasonjackson3114]

Prior to Dark Side the band had just finished their Echoes world tour which was essentially a year long jam session. The takeaway being if you want to be good, jam together and jam a lot I assume

[@masterofthetelecaster]

As he said .. its all about.the timing. What makes Floyd so great is. The.dynamics and.the.timing ... pauses, stops and increasing/decreasing of loudness. Thats the secret :)

[@TonalWorks]

That's not what he meant with timing. He meant timing as in timing in history. Still I agree with you, dynamics, pauses and restraint et.c. is very important. Letting the music breathe.

[@masterofthetelecaster]

TonalWorks Yeah buddy. I was playing with words. Got it!

[@TonalWorks]

ok!

[@Viator19]

Im a drummer myself and got into playing for exactly the same reasons i.e. wanted to be in a band with my school mates and the drums was the only instrument not taken. 33 years later im still going. Strangely enough that first band was a Pink Floyd tribute band. I consider it unfortunate that Nick is not feted as a great in the drumming world and gets very little attention. I spotted him a couple of times in the past walking around as a punter at the London Drum show and hardly drew any attention. Perhaps its his modest approach to the instrument and being that solid time keeper rather than some prog monster unlike his peers of that era. His solid no frills approach I think served the music so well. OK so on one occasion Jeff Porcaro had to step in on one track on the Wall album but overall his feel made PF the way they were. Less is sometimes more and not to get in the way and Nick has done that so well.

[@jorelemes]

Best of his drumming is on Shine On YOu Crazy Diamond part 6-9 i think. Its just so freaking awesome.

[@777jones]

You should hear some of the Shine On... jam on 6-9-77 concert. Nick and Roger do great on it.

[@Bi_scotti_5]

Live in Pompeii Echoes Part I in my opinion is his best

[@IamSuperEffective]

Watchman5 Definitely, he kills it on Echoes Live at Pompeii. They all kill it tbf, one of the best performances ever

[@gungstom8730]

In my opinion atom heart mother live in saint tropez 1970 was the best perform by nick mason.

[@DietCokeKillar]

Also time!

[@MEGAMIGA]

So humble!

[@hagbard72]

From what I recall at the time, Dark Side of the Moon wasn't make as a stereo demo record but a quadraphonic demonstration record (these records are pretty rare).

[@warriordefender4906]

Great great drummer...... Just right with the other 3 members of the best musical group ever on the earth.

[@heavymeddle28]

Nick seems to be the only one who got along with all in the band just fine😊

[@nameless-qi9yo]

Everything that Pink Floyd ever played is and always will be LEGENDARY!!!

[@jessicaking3744]

Love Nick

[@williamorr9203]

Saw them in 1985 in Vancouver,I'm still there.Best group.ever!!

[@Snowcrest289]

Nick's description of recording Dark Side makes it sound as though it was much more labor intensive back then compared to today's use of modern computers and digital recording-- Real artistic skill.

[@karinasolissandoval180]

Wow. You read my mind in the past. Or youtube did it cuz I was looking for this exactly type of video: an interview of him talking about how he started! Thank you so much!

[@pbiswas01]

I don't know why seeing Nick here talking ..i suddenly felt like crying

[@squizza28]

My favourite Nick Mason drumming piece was the first half of the song "set the controls for the heart of the sun" on Ummagumma album. Amazing

[@AbbeyRoad52]

I would be just like that guy at 5:50 if I were listening in person to Nick Mason, or any member of PF. Completely indulged.

[@markstasiak6127]

They will always be my favorite band............

[@deeppurple1994]

Instant thumbs up for mentioning Ian Paice, which imo tends to be overlooked way to often! But nice interview as well, what a gentle and nice guy Mason seems to be. Glad I watched it!

[@chrisMsimon]

What an absolutely eloquent discussion and, I imagine, awe inspiring to the music student of today. So go make some great sound effects guys 🤓

[@anotherDnightmare]

Would really be interested in seeing the whole interview

[@matttildesley]

what a legend!.cheers.

[@brettweary8491]

Absolutely Awesome Nick

[@neilgoldring4832]

The drumming in "Syncopated Pandemonium" 2nd part of "Saucerful" is amazing! That's a weird price of music to play drums too.

[@SeanFerree]

I've always been a huge fan of Nick. His drumming is top notch!

[@mineheadX1]

Nick was def influenced by Ginger Baker but he's his own drummer and I wish he'd drop the modesty...just listen to the Time intro, it's one of the greatest moments in rock for drums/percussion. just watch Nick in the Pompeii film, he's poetry in motion.

[@vojtechvaligura7054]

That modesty is what makes him a great guy.

[@cristianaravena3808]

nick mason te seguimos desde pequeños todo aquellos q nos gusta los tambores...

[@2000tc88]

P.S. You were all so lucky to do that, here in Australia well know Rock stars do not come here very often, at least not to S.A. I would LOVE to meet NIck.

[@parsa_4]

If anyone doubts his post Animals drumming, I recommend these songs to listen to: "Fletcher Memorial Home" "Yet Another Movie (live)" "Sorrow (live)" and the whole PULSE especially Shine on, Keep Talking, and Eclipse. He does awesome on these mostly underrated songs.

[@AdrianPaco]

He looks like honest man

[@alanheath7056]

Been Listening to Floyd since middle 70s as I loved Led Zeppelin, Purple,Sabbath,Skynyrd but wanted different and Floyd gave me Serenity for many decade's

[@nameless-qi9yo]

Nick Mason Knows damn well he is the best drummer of all time.

[@campyoldie]

Is that a serious comment or just hyperbole perhaps. He just taps along ; no drive whatsoever.

[@mikaelohman5694]

Maybe Mason most musical drummer ever?! He does not overdo his work. And he was the first one who used the cymbals as instruments o its own. Listen to the spaceous sound his cymbals and Rick Wright's organ makes on the calm parts of Ummagumma - "Axe, Eugene" particulary. His drumming on the other three live parts are crucial; very alive, musical and interacting with the others in P F. :-D Ten years ago, when Pink Floyd finally got the Polar music prize - "Nobel prize in music" - August or September 2008, I said to Nick how good he played the cymbals and he is a great drummer. He look glad :-)

[@GrahamMaguire-sc9my]

NICK MASON HAS SAID WHAT WE ALL KNOW ABOUT DSOTM...ITS AS RELEVANT TODAY AS IT WAS IN 1973... OR IT'S STOOD THE TEST OF TIME, THIS ALBUM WHILST A CONCEPT AND CORRECT IF IM WRONG ....THE FIRST PROPERLY ENGINEERED STEREO ALBUM ... AND MY GOD DONT WE KNOW AND WORSHIP IT FOR THE BRILLIANT OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC THEN AND NOW AND DEFINITELY AGAIN AND AGAIN...I REALLY DON'T THINK WE FULLY UNDERSTAND (MAYBE)THE GENIUS OF EVERYONE IN THE RECORDING AND SO MUCH MORE!!!!,ME PERSONALLY ITS CHANGED MY VIEWS ON LIFE PROFOUNDLY!!!!

[@mikesaunders4775]

Along with the first two Pink Floyd albums his greatest achievement was producing 'Rock Bottom' for Robert Wyatt.

[@charlesdecarvalho2547]

Iconic drummer of pink Floyd

[@coxhoe789]

I could listen to Nick mason all day long.what a nice man

[@davidsears5176]

'used as a stereo test record....' and probably will be for all time. It's just one of those albums every music fan needs to own a few copies of. And I think Floyd can be inspiring musicians for generations.

[@kellingc]

Mad respect for the man.

[@musiciansformusicians3011]

Nick advocates that #MakingMusicIsAProfession.

[@binarystar21]

Very underrated drummer.

[@weeooh1]

As is sometimes said, there are 2 types of drummers: one who's style serves the music, and the other who's style serves himself. Mason is the former and I cant think Bonham or Moon could have made Dark Side or any of the other PF albums sound any better than Mason. Mason's style was uniquely part of the Pink Floyd sound. And I am very much indebted to him for making it that way. The sheer enjoyment I and many others got from their music is perfect evidence of that.

[@theageoftheawakening4806]

I didn't realize how good of a drummer he is until I watched Pompeii

[@jamesheath7601]

Good drummer and nice man

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

Nick is pure class, and a funny guy as well! Super relatable to me about how he describes his ability. I am not fast or flashy either, but I keep fantastic time; (no pun intended). That is the key to drumming. You don't have to be Mitch Mitchell/Baker/Bonham/Pace to be a great drummer and play for the song.

[@lukefictitious]

out now on apple music and amazon with nick masons drums {samples} Mountains Remake also on youtube.

[@AhmessOfficiel]

cool ta video ( Amazing Video)

[@3lullabies]

It is partly the drumming. He has this great jazzy feel...swinging beats and steady rocking. I heard Ginger Baker didn't like Bonzo or Moon..wonder what he thought of Nick?

[@drummarr61]

And another thing. Drummers should be supporting each other, not slagging off each other, i have been guilty of doing just that but I've seen the errors of my ways .There are many and varied Magnificent drummers from all walks of life who each has an important role in the success of whichever band they are playing. Learn from them all ,choose whichever path you want to walk and just get on with it.

[@TweedSuit]

Ginger Baker...the reason i play drums. And Bun E. Carlos of course.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Alan Parsons is and was the very best ...period. what a great engineer.

[@theageoftheawakening4806]

Would be amazing if there was enough video footage of the making of dark side, to make a documentary

[@oliverpearson1577]

Nick is a functional drummer, like Charlie Watts. He'd admit that himself, and there's nothing wrong with that. He's not a 'great' drummer, he does what works within the confines of a very successful band. Like Charlie Watts.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Oliver Bear if you got a fair chunk of 250 mil for doing what he does, you'd do it in a half-second, lol. I personally REALLY like the simple, hanging back with style drumming. It's boomy. It's not hard to follow for those of us who ain't Buddy Rich. And it's entirely reliant on accuracy and feel. I've been bored by complicated guys who flailed away more than not.

[@oliverpearson1577]

It's just an opinion. Chill.

[@plasticweapon]

he IS a great drummer. better than charlie watts.

[@garysarratt1]

He may not be as talented or technical or as speedy as others but he is an artist; a craftsman, and his playing is perfect for the music and sounds great. Similarly, Mike Portnoy may not be as technically advanced as Mike Mangini, but his playing is more fun and satisfying to listen to.

[@krollpeter]

Who calls Mr. Mason a master drummer has no clue about drumming. He knows that himself and never made any claims in this direction.

[@caseonfire]

"obviously the drumming"...haha...but so true!

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

Syd Barrett lives. I hope that these kids know about Syd Barrett.

[@pinkrudy]

he didnt say what his favorite music was :( or his favorite song.

[@thatfullmoonguy2330]

I think he mentioned Ginger Baker and The Cream :)

[@pinkrudy]

Thatfullmoonguy2 yea but that was back in the 60s when he liked them.... the question the girl asked pertained to now.... i was interested to see what he considered good music in this day.

[@thatfullmoonguy2330]

Oh I didn't get that, I'm sorry. Well, that could be interesting.. but never expect too much !

[@zachhaywood1564]

He has said his personal favorite Pink Floyd album is A Saucerful Of Secrets.

[@thatfullmoonguy2330]

They were getting serious by then :)

[@canturgan]

Success is a matter of luck, ability, the economic climate, investment, networking and management.

[@robertotimo8504]

Hi BIMM,do you know what kind of Paiste cymbals series used Nick playng "Pulse"?Thanks a lot!

[@zandranika]

They should've played Saucerful of secrets at the beginning. What I value the most was him saying that playing music is enjoyable and you dont have to have a big audience :'(

[@toddlavigne6441]

Well, original music and the drumming that supports it, isn't a competition for the best player award. It's the collective, end result that matters. Pink Floyd wrote one the greatest rock albums ever. Nick Mason played drums on that album. That album being, Dark Side of the Moon. Enough said about Nick Mason.

[@flacidhouse350]

Not really.

[@dr.debajyotibose2928]

He is also an epic racing car driver.

[@rafaelmangrone721]

❤️

[@andym28]

kids are like who the heck is Heath Robinson?

[@jari2018]

I remember a record by Nick Mason himself - maybe im wrong - its about 40 years anyway .

[@montag4516]

There's two of them. One is Profiles, with ex-10CC member Rick Fenn. The other is Fictitious Sports, led by the unconventional jazz pianist/vocalist Carla Bley. Neither album even remotely resembles a Pink Floyd project or feel. Not bad albums, but unlikely to get continued play time by most.

[@marcuscollins6954]

The interviewer looks like young nick mason

[@rygdoomed442]

Marcus Collins thank you!!!!

[@theageoftheawakening4806]

Listen to John Bonham with headphones on. The man is intricate

[@tenderthoughts]

Pink Floyd doesn't mix mushy female type romance in their music, it's all male perspective which we need much more in today's music.

[@paudsmcmack3117]

First of all I came from an extremely successful father and I had an ASTON MARTIN at 17....And Since I was loaded, my semi posh working class bandmates had some money but it all worked out...They would never get another drummer, I had money and vans. I come from Money, compare me to Ringo or Charlie Watts.... They were poor kids.....I had moniey and lots of food plus my money helped the band...

[@bmille2121]

Nick Mason is a drum God. There’s a reason Neil Peart from rush listed him as a major influence

[@jeffschager2189]

Jeez, it's "near pEErch"......

[@bmille2121]

Jeff Schager sorry I was using voice texting which causes a few misspellings

[@jeffschager2189]

@@bmille2121 I know, but I couldn't resist. Lol

[@bmille2121]

Jeff Schager It’s all good LOL

[@alee571]

Lucky audience

[@michelzenitud5524]

👌😚💞Il nous manque ! Bisous aux fans 😢😢😢😢😢

[@moisescorrea1390]

Caaaaaara.....ele tá a cara do cachorro do desenho (Droop) 😜

[@kimrunic5874]

See - Ginger Baker. The inventor of rock drumming.

[@TONYSESLCAFE]

PINK FLOYD COOL.

[@StylusDrop]

A great and underrated drummer! Check out Nik Mason's Saucerful of Secrets Live At The Roundhouse on vinyl here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIvWpJ-enNyVfZY

[@simontaylor2319]

But what happened to Architecture?

[@Ant0n_678]

How the hell they became what they became without knowing how to play a SINGLE note on any instument when they started

[@MattKittredge2112]

Pretty much every professional / skilled musician started out not knowing a single thing about how to play, but decided to teach themselves and / or take lessons, because of how passionate they were about wanting to be able to play.

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

These questions are so lite and almost weightless with no punch. Nick is being “ interviewed as if he’s a favored Democratic politician.

[@normatible9795]

OMG. IF he loves CREAM , he mentioned Jack Bruce the bassist, he must have liked Ginger Baker thedrummer

[@canaldna-dirigindonaaleman23]

I wanna know his favorite song ever! 🤔😅

[@66gtb]

Well that could have gone on a few more hours

[@TweedSuit]

Ginger Baker - of course. Nick had pretty much the exact same setup - Silver Sparkle Ludwig.