Performance Spotlight: Peter Erskine (2 of 2)

Peter Erskine performs for us during our shoot for the Vic Firth Factory Tour DVD!

[@therealshug]

jazz is the drumset's favorite genre of music.

[@ndzapruder]

Everything he does wows me, but his little endings...those last few notes of pure style...man, those get me every time. *Every* time.

[@SeptimusDrumz]

Totally inspiring. He always manages to be so impressive without ever trying to parade his technical abilities. Many drummers claim it's all about musicality and feel, but always go for the flashy stuff. Peter is one of the few to truly focus on being musical and his touch is unique. Watching him play is a humbling experience, really.

[@zepgen8]

I just Peter's playing..the most amazing feel.

[@OlesBrothersTV]

Never ending inspirations. ThX Vic ThX Peter.

[@drewper73]

He's got so much control over his right foot that he can keep the beater pressed to the b.d. head for a dampened effect or he can let the beater bounce back to let the head ring. I never think about it. I always just let the beater bounce back a little. But I don't have my b.d. tuned wide open so it doesn't ring out anyway. It's just something I've never thought about, but something to try for sure. Thank you Mr. Erksine, you badass you!!

[@rmmiller159]

I love his snare drum.

[@tomzatron5000]

Love that swish.

[@Racerdew]

so goood! He plays with such presence on the instrument. I loved how he used B.D. and H.H. ostinatos to move between motifs and keep the solo fresh and phrases distinct. applauds*

[@zepgen8]

The sort of drummer i could watch for hours.......

[@TokenYeahPunGuy]

Thumbs up for watching both parts

[@davidk9994]

The master at work..

[@TonyFragz]

I love that hammered crash ride. Sounds so good!

[@adamdiss]

Those kick drum pitch bends. Erskine is The Master Splinter.

[@fess04]

magnificient!

[@richandglorious]

oh god. he is probably the best sounding drummer i've ever heard.

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Amen !

[@derekmotta6926]

I didn't know they allowed porn on youtube.......

[@jasonren666]

had to put on headphones for this

[@TruckerMurph]

its like hes telling the 4 limb beast "shhhhhh, you just be quiet and ill let you bark when im ready for you to....shhhhh baby..." he's so smooth man....

[@bedlam6666]

I met this guy in 1984 at a concert with Maynard Ferguson and Winton Marsallis on the same bill, in the same band (believe it or not...and Ferguson KILLED Marsallis playing bop...yes, it is true). He was great then, and great in Weather Report, etc. But I forgot just how wonderful his playing is. He sounds all at once like Max Roach and Philly Joe and Elvin, and all those late 50s great bop drummers.

[@alexeiivanovic]

cool stuff!

[@btsdrummer1429]

The kick is tuned more for Bop. I love how the pitch of the kick noticeably changes when he buries the beater vs. playing open. Peter is silk.......

[@Taikomaniac]

I learned more about getting feel than any other player in my playing life 'from Erskine If you study his stuff you get a much better understanding on chilling while your playing. Danny Gottlieb is another they dont fight the kit at all and approach on musical cymbal playing to create a mood or composition.

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Pete Rocks ( The Mt. Vernon 1 2...)

[@frankbrenner4852]

What three guitar players gave this video a thumbs down? Idiots.

[@paradidd]

then put up your video and show us how you do it big man.. Peter can play anything pretty much and he has one of the greatest careers a drummer can have and he does it without selling out.. He is a true artist and a bad ass..

[@philphilison1623]

Now that I am a gear head, I would appreciate to know everything Mr. Erskine is playing. It be nice to see a list of which Zildjians he is using in this video, the specs of Dw Jazz Series, etc

[@RazeTheWeak]

+Phil Philison from left to right: 14" zildjian avedis new beat hi hats, 20" zildjian k Constantinople renaissance ride, 22" zildjian k Constantinople medium ride, 22" zildjian avedis swish knocker. Not sure about the crash as he varies so much.

[@marhb99]

+RazeTheWeak Swish knocker? I didn't know those existed! I thought it was a large china.

[@mic9check]

+Martin B And here I am being completely wrong , I was sure it was a tiny Brazilian!

[@darry_lavis]

+RazeTheWeak I could be wrong, but the ride to the left of the swish knocker does not look like a 22...

[@RazeTheWeak]

I think you are right. Second guessing myself now. The left side ride he has looks like a 20" bounce ride judging from the lathing patterns. I had a 22" version. Maybe it is a 20" kerope or 20" k con medium.

[@cvcgac]

whats the microphone on the bass drum?

[@Horizen3872]

A MELODIC DRUM SOLO.... WHO IS THIS GUY???

[@olivercompton5494]

Anyone know what kind of china he's using?

[@darry_lavis]

It's a 21 or 22 inch ( tough to tell) A Swish Knocker

[@joshjamesuk]

Stir that soup!

[@drewper73]

The lost art of good brush technique. God knows I could use some practice on my brush-work.

[@Mochidream_]

I never said he wasn't.... #YOLO

[@tkdrummer95]

Love the technique, love the set. Love the snare. But I hate the bass drum sound. Just personal preference. Such a great drummer though!

[@gmorton731]

what the fuck?

[@gmorton731]

2 people apparently have no idea what tasteful drumming is

[@Mochidream_]

nothing, nothing at all.