PART 1/ MOBY DICK / ROYAL ALBERT HALL VERSION / DEMO -ANALYSIS

This is the first of a series of videos devoted to analysing and demonstrating John Bonham's drum solo from the Royal Albert Hall concert video, from Jan 9 1970. In this video, I take a close look at the actual drum part to the melody, and the opening minutes of the solo. It is not meant to be a note for note literal transcription. The purpose here is to examine the ideas that Bonzo was working with, technically and conceptually. By understanding and utilizing some of the vocabulary of John Bonham, you will enrich your own language and concepts, which is really what all drummers should be aiming for when studying their influences.
I'm not sure yet how many videos I will do on this solo, but I assume it will be around 4 to 6 total. My goal is to do one a week, but my skill at editing and producing these videos is fairly remedial.
Hope you all dig it, and find it informative and helpful. Thanks for watching!!

[@KickItLikeBonham]

Stunning! The sound is perfect! The playing is perfect! The analysis and delivery of concepts is poignant and precise! And most importantly, it is professionally presented with great efficiency and a respect for what your time is worth. I bow my head in respect AND disgust!

[@mattcartwright8272]

Don't be too hard on yourself Derek. I love your channel - you're a beast behind the kit!

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Hey wait a minute, I can say the same about you! 👍🏼🙏🏼😁 Thank you, Derek. I love the look and sound you're getting too! There's plenty room for improvement in those areas in my vids! 😒

[@bonzoligist6330]

Yeh derek your awsome player aswell cant take that from you,i just think we all have different ways we approach his playing..your style reminds me of the way he used to play before he tighten up his technique great example is of the clip of them in 1968 how many more times. It gets me every time i watch it how hard he hits them drums...but then a subtle single stroke roll appears...awsome.

[@emlix1]

Hey guys, along with Terry, you're far and away the best three Bonhamologists on the web. You all have different styles and interpretations of the great man, but that just means us mere mortals have a greater range of material to learn from. Derek, I absolutely love your KILB lessons- my 8 year old son heard one of them and thought it was Bonham himself. If you were to do a video on Moby Dick (maybe you have?) I'm sure it would be every bit as humbling as this one. It's clear that you all put a great deal of work into your drumming, and one day I hope to be half as good as you guys. Respect is due all round.

[@LyndaWhite-ju1gj]

Folks I don’t think there’s another drummer on the planet who can play this solo anywhere close to George and that includes all the drummers iv seen over the years playing at the Bonzo Birthday Bash parties or anywhere else, they can’t touch this. OK I’m done.

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Aw Lynda, that's too kind. ☺️

[@LyndaWhite-ju1gj]

BONHAMOLOGY George, you know I mean every word of it, i literally cannot distinguish anymore with audio alone between you and Bonzo. PS I tried to give you a shout-out over on Derek’s channel without mentioning names. I will use every trick I know to make sure anyone who’s ever sat behind a drum set finds your channel. See ya George.

[@RedMissou]

Lynda White You’re not even exaggerating my friend. This is a fact

[@markmottershead646]

Lynda White - Hi Lynda! Nice seeing you over here!

[@crungefactory]

I love Jason Bonham. Seen him live. He's nowhere near as good as George doing zeppelin covers. It's just a fact. I'd love to see George pair up with Jimmy Sakurai. The thingy with JCM was awesome BTW!

[@NCBushman]

Thank you so much for this George, I can’t wait to start working on this. You, Terry & PFOZ have been tremendous help in my playing! 🙏🏼

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thank Mario, appreciate that very much!

[@keithmounts1305]

Mario Bell same

[@berjfazlian]

finally. cant wait for part 2

[@zacharywilson424]

George I love watching your videos

[@toddbeckett7627]

So glad I found your channel!! An inspiration....I’ve gotta lean into practice have been a lifetime Bonzo fan 🙏🏻

[@thecandlebombs]

For anyone who thinks John Bonham is not a technical player jus listen to his solos, Thank You! again George❤️‍🔥🎶

[@keithmounts1305]

So helpful, George... just incredible work, sir.

[@scottbryant2235]

Thanks so much George. Some, maybe many of us know JB was the master and you have broken it down for us in this video!

[@ksmith6599]

Awsome ! Love the way you break it down The Bonham fire has awoken !!!!!!

[@richyc2012]

Exceptional work George. Keep them coming.

[@safwannizam2932]

Fantastic vid, George. Can’t wait to see more of this

[@IPADRUMMER]

Can't thank you enough for taking the time to do this, I feel inspired again. VIVA LA GEORGE!

[@pierrealexandrejacmain901]

Cant wait to see the next episode this is crazy!!!! You are the parrot of the Bonham sound!!🤟😃🤟FANTASTIC!!!!!!

[@bobdoyle5945]

you and kick it like Bonham are off the chart amazing drummers by far to any others iv'e seen hats off to you guys seriously ! love the lessons! wish youtube existed in my teen days trying to play along to these

[@somebloke13]

Absolutely outstanding!

[@Hercules_Mavromatis]

Been waiting a long time for this

[@lcoiro]

Awesome as usual! I know that first part of the drum solo Bonham lifted from Max Roach as I have a record of him from the 40's or 50's doing exactly the same pattern.

[@MusiciansOnTheRecord]

Just fantastic George! Please do more of these teaching / analysis videos of Bonzo's playing. Both you and Bonham's independence and facility on the kit is incredible, thank you, great stuff!

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thanks David, as always! I just posted part 2.

[@joerico9461]

Excellent work as always thank you for your time

[@JoeSmith-ev2bg]

That was a lot of fun. Thank you !

[@tate_berkey]

Love it George! Can’t wait for the next parts to come out!

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thanks, Tate! 😁👍🏼

[@manymoonslater4905]

Thanks, George, for sharing your insights and analysis of this classic Bonham solo.

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thank you for watching!

[@woodysdrums8083]

Great breakdown and great playing.

[@nottudyug]

George, as always outstanding. The comment from 'Kick it like Bonham' sums it up really. Sir i doff my cap RESPECT to you.

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thanks Guy!

[@geoffreygriffin4807]

Georges' thermoglosses sound soooo good!!!That snare tunning and tone are insane

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thank you!

[@bobweber4140]

Fantastic George this is just what I needed beautiful I have some work to do thankyou george

[@phoenixrisingjst]

Freaking excellent work!

[@handwoundpickups6555]

This is amazing thank you so much for this break down. 👍

[@wildbillrocking]

This is awesome I will be able to play this closer to bonzo thanks to these videos you are an awesome drummer

[@manateeak]

Thanks so much for making the video !

[@Marine_Ret]

Amazing drumming, thanks George! 🥁🤟🏻

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Cheers, thanks Bob!

[@user-wv8pg4up6u]

Thank you for doing this!

[@stevemckeown5072]

I been drumming for 2 years now l going work so hard to get this down thank you very much dude kick ass drumming wow Cheers

[@fox5.043]

Thanks so much, so unbelievable helpful

[@timchurchill6975]

Superb .

[@jorgemorrison1880]

Awesome! Even picking on that rim hit on the Tom in the beginning!

[@TheBonhamesque]

Excellent 👍

[@JewCastleDrummer]

well done master :D

[@danielstark4656]

George, thank you thank you thank you.

[@LOFIAD]

Really cool vid. Keep them coming.

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thanks!

[@markkusonninen7661]

thanks ,,awesome

[@ayoutubechannel2832]

absolutely incredible

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thanks!

[@totfosk]

My dream come true. Thank you George... 10000 Thank yous.

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thank you!

[@timgawertdrums]

Awesome!

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thanks, Tim.

[@kaspery7267]

Been wishing for exactly this video from you for a long time. Absolutely amazing job. Can't wait for the rest of the videos, and take your time, it'll be worth the wait :) One question though, because there's a thing I've always thought Bonham did here, but you didn't. In the intro, doesn't he often swing his cowbell hits? It's very hard to hear, but if you look at the video (before Page blocks the shot) it looks like Bonham's right hand does more than just keeping time.

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Yes, most definitely. I didn't play it, not sure why , maybe because I was focused on the the beat , but he also does it when he rides the cowbell on Good Times Bad Times. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@adriaticseaeyes]

YOU are so freakin' fun and amazing and WHOA WOW HOLY GOD do I want to play drums now!!!!!!

[@elijahfaith7480]

Magnificent George! Thank you for this great lesson 😁👍👍🥁🇨🇱

[@stevemckeown5072]

Killer dude

[@OliverPatrickLoughnan]

cool stuff indeed

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thanks Oliver, cheers.

[@user-kz5ih4zs2f]

Альберт спасибо Вам за разборы песен) Я из России и всё равно смотрю Ваши уроки Конечно слова я понимаю плохо Но всё равно по исполнению всё очень понятно)

[@TheBonhamesque]

Have to say all of the videos are very helpful well made and the playing is superb, that kit is tuned to perfection also I’m really glad someone has done this and hope you do Earl’s Court next? Was just wondering apart from the paradiddles and the inverted para what other rudiments are good to develop for this style of playing?

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Thank you James. Different versions of the para-diddle, and double paradiddle...also the para - diddle-diddle, flam accents, flam taps.

[@TheFabioOrchedella]

i always referred to the paradiddlediddle thing as a swung paradiddle-a-diddle-diddle

[@Plebeyo-hq4tf]

Gracias por los fraseos.

[@anthonymark1635]

Hi, can you tell me what make and model sticks you use? Also, what type of stand do you have the cowbell mounted on? Videos are great, THANK YOU....

[@keithmounts1305]

There’s still that little fill that I’ve asked you and Terry in the past, that I’ve yet to see you guys play. It’s a little improvie fill near the beginning of the light paradiddle work. Hoping u cover this part. It’s funky and short. Just one measure. From RAH ofcourse.

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Hey Keith can you point out exactly where that happens? Maybe use a link to a KZbin video as a reference.

[@kikiu2619]

A decade ago there was a japanese boy who played the RAH solo. Anyone knows the link?

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

That was amazing, I haven't seen it in years.

[@thomashope373]

Here the link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/en-6mZJphKmqp7s Still one of the best covers ive seen

[@AlexSlavenDrums]

How would you say the original 2002's compare to original giant beats? I'm in a position to buy one of the two and i was wondering which ones you sounded better. (18 GB and 20 2002)

[@ryanfrazer6878]

Thanks so much! Awesome break down. Could you tell me the sticking at 1:17? Is it single-fours with the rh moving around the kit?

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

I'm not 100% sure but it looks to me like quick double strokes, but kind of loose or like drags. RRLL

[@ryanfrazer6878]

Thanks!

[@Green187420]

Welcome class to AP Bonhaming 101

[@neelmenon5115]

Nice Video. I didn't know John was still alive. What cymbals are you using?

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Cheers, thank you. They are vintage Giant Beats. All Bonham sizes.

[@guilima3614]

Big Monster

[@bobweber4140]

George at 10.02 is that a paradidle or doubles on the snare? Thanks

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Paradiddles.

[@bobweber4140]

BONHAMOLOGY thanks George!

[@keithmounts1305]

I think the word your searching for, in reference to Bonham’s choices with stickings and paradiddles, is improvising. Where he, at will, switches phrases( etc ) ...

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Yep

[@randolphmaupinjr8880]

Bonzo didn't borrow anything from anyone! He was his only man

[@josephmarshall2030]

Thanks drum master;have covered "Achilles last stand?"

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Yes, search my videos are a few versions. Thanks!

[@marvinhanson9391]

Do a cover of it

[@mattmarkus4868]

Not once do you mention RL RR or any sticking, nor do you even mention the subdivisions. The youtube video speed isn't getting it done either. Really painful.

[@zappafrk]

Hey George, what is your email address, I'd like to ask you a question if I may?

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

It's [e-mail]

[@bonzoligist6330]

Awaome just what the ordered!!...always reminds me of morello great solo,bonzo sure did utilize the best fills etc from different drummers etc. On the very start of the clip of moby dick, 1973 i think, that i will attach it below,with his doubles on the bd, where he goes from doing them slow to super quick! Look at his knee how close it is to the bd, note that when he is doing them slow he gets a stroke for each knee movement,but when he is doing the doubles fast as you will see in the clip, i think its when he does his triplet or the lrff,you clearly see he gets 2 notes off one stroke. Whats your thoughts on his technique there,do you think he uses the heal toe technique?..kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4C2l2ycasSkkJo

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

First of all, it's unbelievable to me that the actual official Led Zeppelin KZbin channel titled that Madison Sq Garden 1973!!!??? 🤨 Anyway, I'm not sure but it makes sense that he used heel/toe to get a quick double because it's efficient movement. That's basically what I do , because I grew up playing fast doubles that way. There isn't much clear footage of his foot, but sometimes I wonder if he used the front or ball with his heel up most of the time.

[@bonzoligist6330]

@@BONHAMOLOGY yeh i know tell me about it!! I thought it was 1970 royal Albert hall, anyways,i always have a thing for the way he does his doubles dont get me wrong there are other methods, i personally use the slide but im working on the heal toe technique atm. Your foot cam vid you did a while back shows just a few ways he would have had to play heel toe like the foot Moeller on heartbreaker, also the time he was brought up listening to all the greats and the their techniques etc,the only footage i can find is the foot cam on bring it on home,its hard to see but it looks like he is using his ankle and foot alot in that part a bit like the technique groove drumming did on his foot technique vid. 1978 there is a video of elvin jones drum solo, has a few quick shots of his doubles technique now thats fast,i think its the same way you do yours but he uses more of the front of his foot..kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6TFmGeflrxopKc kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4mYqpumhJpld6M

[@Romerosays]

14:13 to 14:18 was the coolest part and you didn't show us how it was done

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

Worry not! This is part one of several vids that will cover the solo. I'll get to it. Hopefully I will do it justice.

[@Romerosays]

@@BONHAMOLOGY Ok thanks for the reply, I'll look forward to seeing that section explained in particular.... you executed that brilliantly.

[@carlosserbero4592]

I need subtittles in spanish:'(

[@mariaeugeniacuellarsalas2446]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@gerardmorgan6706]

You are honestly trying to correct Bonzo? Good drumming though mate.