Simon Phillips drum lesson: the importance of dynamics

It's no secret that Simon Phillips has forged a phenomenal drumming career that shows no signs of stopping. From musical theatre and jazz, to tenures with massive names including Toto, Jeff Beck and Mike Oldfield, Simon's playing has added a touch of magic to an incredibly diverse spread of musical situations.
In the October 2014 issue of Rhythm Magazine Simon talks about how, decades into his career, he continues to find ways to improve his drumming, production and general musicianship.
We were also invited into Simon's personal LA studio to shoot some accompanying video. Here, he discusses the importance and application of dynamics.
To read the most recent interview with Simon pick up the latest issue of Rhythm (295) Feb 2020 or subscribe at www.rhythmdrumnetwork.com

[@jesusguardon]

This guy is so smart even when losing his stick in 04:47 . What a great person, humble and kind. So much to learn from him and his drumming.

[@stephenharman3987]

When the stick flew ot of his hand he grabbed it out of the air and did not miss a beat, mindblowing talent, yet such a humble man.

[@tomesilva36]

His voice is so calming

[@daniel10alien]

The Bob Ross of drumming.

[@krenwregget7667]

he should do books on tape :D

[@feriro]

That voice, so smoooooth.

[@kai326]

same with Neil Peart. I love his voice so much

[@trippy2johno280]

He sounds a lot like Ritchie Blackmore

[@Timmy9937]

I had the pleasure of seeing him play with Toto in '93. My jaw dropped.

[@deweywise5573]

phenomenal drumming! you really got it ! i'm restarting my drums up again at age 64 , I Started playing as a teen but got married and my drums had to go. then later on the wife had to go cause i wanted to play again lol so now 40 years later I'm back with a great wife and a new set lol

[@johncarter2518]

+Dewey Wise That's awesome.

[@deweywise5573]

thanks John for the kind comment my problem is getting a good rebound from my sticks maybe i'm not holding them right can you help?

[@johncarter2518]

+Dewey Wise I always use fingertips for the most part. Depends on what kind of sticks I use also. I really like Pro-Mark sticks, and Ahead. I've used just about every brand name stick out there. It's all just a personal preference, really. Simon has great signature Pro-Marks, like he's using in the video above. They cost around $10 a pair. Good luck, and let the drum gods roll.

[@deweywise5573]

thanks so much for your insite and reply

[@larrytate1657]

Also make sure you hold the sticks at the fulcrum point. A half inch of stick or so should stick out the bottom of your hand. Then focus on pulling the sound out of the drum. Let the stick bounce off the head, don't dig it into the head.

[@stevesuttle5878]

Fumbled a stick AND kept his timing down to a T!!! I followed this man for decades and still amazes me..

[@brucedickinson12]

could listen to this man all night long

[@marcklosowski2920]

Simon is the perfect drummer!!very technical but at the same time very musical..The greatest of all time!!

[@liloboc]

To me, drummers and bass players are the coolest dudes of the band and you sir, are the perfect example of it!

[@justinodowd4182]

Brilliant brilliant.just a great drummer and great hair too.

[@eugenefrost595]

I was once shown by a conservatorium trained jazz drummer the delicate side of drumming and the joy of controlled dynamics. I was stunned by the level of sound control he had and how he could emphasise or dramatise a section in a song. Thanks for the reminder and thanks for posting these great videos.

[@hubbadubchub]

3:46 lulz! he said doo doo. ;) I love videos like these. So many people are just teaching oodles of drum licks and chops here on youtube, which is great, but I think a lot of them forget to teach foundational concepts of drumming that make the chops and licks musical and enjoyable to hear. Great drumming wisdom from Simon Phillips!

[@philipknoefel]

This moment when he starts the straight ahead swing groove is so incredible smooth.

[@DavidSumeray_BassGod]

Best drummer I have ever played with and that is since 1975!

[@abanana2561]

Oh really?! Any stories??

[@wiebemartens1030]

You've played with him? As the other comment said: story!

[@realitykicksin8755]

One of the greatest drummers ...

[@dornelli1]

A master. I remember Terry Bozzio replacing him on the UK album and his playing on the Judas Priest album where his face wa not shown, and Phil Collins telling Drummers magazine that Simom Phillips was the best drummer ever.

[@flashtheoriginal]

The master. Thanks for posting, really love the delivery style. Top class

[@hbrx1]

Genius, what a man. His sound and dynamics are number 1.

[@davidmarais1048]

In utter awe.. just started learning the drums at the age of 48. Subscribed within 4 seconds. I look forward to learning and being inspired by you, Simon. Brought to tears (happy tears) by this demonstration alone.

[@Olewhitewolf]

ive been drumming for lotsa years Simon and i learn new thing every time i listen to you, big thank you from another drummer (78 now) ur my favorite ! thank you for sharing with us some of your tricks and expertise.

[@Margaux177]

Skill AND the ability to eloquently explain it: wow, what a professional, what an artist! Thanks for all the insights!

[@tforsell]

Phenomenal... Just phenomenal... Simon's way of groove is simply the best in the world.

[@pawelmorrison]

Very important lesson, thanks for the upload!

[@shadowsymphony1]

he should narrate bed time story's..I agree..what a nice voice and personality

[@costabravaguy]

He is the ASMR voice of drumming

[@ColdSleep]

He's a great drummer and teacher!

[@DonaldGerbino]

Have Been a fan of Simon's ever since I heard the judas priest album sin after sin ,its thier best album hands down his playing turned that into a progressive rock album it blew me away ,

[@michaelmattice4986]

Simon Phillips and Zildjian...The sound of excellence!!!:)

[@djrickysmith]

Glad I found this video by accident. I have headphones on and that sounded beautiful

[@andym28]

Always look on the bright side of life

[@nolanmayer6387]

Andy M im Brian, and so is my wife!

[@Dirtydog562]

Hahaha dead on

[@thecreaturesofhabit1848]

I played with Simon in 1975. He session drummer on my single Sing Zing.

[@abanana2561]

Incredible!

[@BarryWarne]

I continue to learn so much from Simon. Becoming probably my favourite drummer - even just in terms of articulating so much of what I want to do, or have been "intuitive" about ...

[@josteinv.jordet257]

My back got better by listening to his voice

[@rck2918]

One of the greatest drummers of all time!!!

[@chriscunningham4196]

Fabulous clip, as always. Always learning from Simon Phillips.

[@GoodSneakers]

Saw him with Toto twice. A phenomenal musician.

[@davidcurtis4478]

Great video! Dynamics is what it's all about. Drums sound great!!! David Curtis Drumming

[@tomassimatovic6021]

What a wonderful set of videos!

[@_ariepermadi]

I can't play drum, but listening to Simon Phillips is a inspiration to play.

[@TairoeuMachado]

I love the way he plays drum, the way he talk. I love him.

[@OriginalVondy]

This guy would be amazing drumming teacher.

[@christschinwon]

So many ideas for jazz playing going on in this demo, just in the last minute! I'll steal them all if that's ok - well, try to!

[@tonymacdonel]

Excellent. Big Simón Phillips

[@NealNot]

FINALLY, drum lessons done right!

[@larryherbert252]

A drummer that inspires me to stick with learning drums and build on what l already know.

[@BrianRussick]

Simon is such a musical drummer

[@lorenzotosiart]

The most badass beginning ever ahaha!

[@deanh99]

One of my all time favorite drummers

[@madeleinebelle2105]

I enjoyed watching/listening to this master of his instrument...even though I've never played drums..ty

[@POUGASDR]

I can watch him playing all day.

[@mlee2994]

Forget the dynamics! I love his hair!

[@jah9253]

Dynamics and musicality are what sets Simon apart from a majority of other talented drummers.

[@pearldrummer4077]

Brilliant, especially through head phones

[@user-is7xy4zp9x]

本当に良い意味で他人に教えようと演奏されてますね^ - ^ 尊敬^ - ^

[@boarhog1979]

One of the best double stroke rolls on the planet

[@johnbidochka2795]

Incredibly underrated performer.

[@Retroscoop]

Underrated ???? Un-der-ra-ted ???? Here we go again with that typical KZbin lingo ! He"s not underrated at all ! If you"re allowed to play with Pete Townsend, if you may sit on the throne that once belonged to Jeff Porcaro, if you say Brian to mister Ferry, you"re not really underrated !

[@kai326]

you could've shortened that, and would've had the same merit. Another example of "youtube lingo". paragraph long arguments. SMH

[@Retroscoop]

And the average KZbin visitor: lazybrains

[@nwest8274]

• One of the most respected drummers amongst musicians of all different kind of genres. • And in addition ( which isnt necessarily the case ) very popular and well-known to the "non-pro" side of people / music fans. So I don't call that "underrated", mate. Maybe rethink bout this 😉

[@jumpinjojo]

John Bidochka Underrated my ball-sack!! Simon has played with some of the best musicians in the world and is extremely well known. What fucking planet did you fall from??

[@erikbarrett85]

I put my hand next to the practice pad, and I do singles, doubles, triples etc and I'll do strike the practice pad on whatever accent pattern I'm doing, but I tap my other hand's nails (pinky is the most delicate!!) on the ghosted notes. I must say, for me, this was the most effective way I learned dynamic control, in regard to ghosting, at least...

[@nexdrums]

I really like you Simon! Actually you are also the best teacher!!!!!

[@philrobertson7173]

Awesome Simon. You're a great world player

[@benvankoningsveld]

Simon could make an hour long video about onions and I would still be captivated.

[@094340]

Great vid, had a little bit of everything in it, including some well timed comedy. Smooth as silk drummer, I'd give anything to be able to play like that.

[@marcioisrael4772]

Fã de Simon por tocar n banda ToTo .e adoro suas técnicas na bateria. Fã Brasil

[@anointedxdrummer]

Just subscribe! very well described, didn't know there was a difference in sound when it came to the type of sticks we used. Wow!

[@Jiraiya7394]

Holy Mary he's smooth!

[@Bob-nu3xe]

Dynamics, many Rock metal drummers work with playing a tom to a crash cymbal their usually flat out so struggle with dynamics, playing 4 in a bar on crash you have nowhere to go so back to BASICS watch the Buddy Rich's, Bonno, Gadd tell a story with your drum break/solos not fall into the trap of hitting has hard as you can for as long as you can, great video Simon!

[@ScumOfCaligula]

My favorite.

[@MaxCarola]

Thank you Simon, from a guitar player!

[@earthianfriendly5708]

right on track sir. .

[@speedracer101]

im a self taught open handed player....im not very good but it just made sense to me.and i wondered why i just couldn't play when crossing my arms....im right handed.

[@TheBuckness]

4:45.great recovery from losing the stick like a ding dong...lol

[@Frankbouchet]

Quelle talent!

[@mr.d7429]

He can be calm and an animal at the same time!

[@damirfenrich5439]

Geat man! Thanks, i watch Simon since 1981 when he played with S.Clarke,

[@user-is7xy4zp9x]

素晴らしいアドリブコメント^ - ^ こういう言葉を^ - ^ 対応力凄すぎドラマー^ - ^ こういう方々に感謝はあるが腰低いんだよなぁ^ - ^

[@carlogiga]

I love this man. :)

[@mickavellian]

Great lesson ... I do not hear dynamics at ALL from many Rock drummers and I seldom hear "space" (In Cuba percussion is all about WHERE in the drum you hit. Buddy Rich had a TREMENDOUS sense of space pointing out there were at least 5 circular spaces where you can pull 5 different sounds. Of course your hit accuracy has to be pristine. Buddy's example on this was doing a solo on a hi-hat , even using the pull rod as a sound source. In Cuban percussion , you have at most a Conga or Bongos (two drums) SO it is critical you learn spacing" and also , Finger tuning on the fly. This can make you pull 20 sounds out of any conga drums by just pressing (finger tune) a particular spot on the head. Again Buddy Rich used this technique often , so there was no need for 20 drums. Dynamics and spacing made him have a 5 piece set and pull interminable sounds. Buddy's cymbals were also a complete set of different sound. His bottom to top crashes gave you 3 sounds in ONE motion. I guess that art has been lost in R&R drumming . You mentioned the MARCH grip (I'd like to know who thought of that as traditional) but the angle of the marching drum with a march grip also gave you a lot of different sounds using dynamics and spacing. As a note you are a couple years older than me and your work with the Who was such an inspiration. I LOVED Moon but there was nothing to emulate there anymore , I just LOVED HIM as a character ,. When you came along it was a shot in the ass and YOU sir.. (what age were you then 30?) gave me a total different focus that made me fall in love with my drums again. THANK YOU!

[@DrumSolVanIsle]

True to his word, Mr Phillips has a paint tin in his Bass Drum(s) [4.24 amongst other points in Vid]

[@MrIcarmon]

Loved it.

[@mediumstudio]

those hi hats sound perfect

[@CodyCarpSwag]

always good info!

[@DoyenThe]

Great and very useful videos!You're really an excellent performer!!! DoyenThe

[@maxx3863]

Master ❤

[@armend316]

Earned a sub.+like! Thank you! 🙂

[@Jellybeantiger]

All those music snobs that hate Toto,get the marshmellows out of the ears,some of the best drummers have played for Toto with the best sounding drums,Jeff Porcaro R.I.P.

[@renatolarsen]

Dynamics is everything....

[@victorygah]

Thanks!

[@swushey]

4:45 No one saw that! Carried on like a champ

[@DerHerrMitR]

That double cymbal hit at 3:54...

[@mellilore]

4:45 nice catch

[@bear-headstudios1212]

Pro stick catch 👌

[@muuriciodegollada3870]

you are a maestro

[@kenbrooks5242]

Simon thank you for insight into playing, I am 18 years older than you, still play modern church music. I have never quite understood how you hold the drum sticks.Would like to know the grip? regards.

[@henkhakkertoene]

simon and me are both using promark sticks... still his sticks doing much better then mine :-)

[@SadBstard]

Smallcreeps Day. Just listen to this man play on it. How old was he??

[@tomasandresvelizcampos959]

Great,,

[@yes-ft9ze]

Dream kit

[@mcinen67]

4:45 Nice to see that even pro drummers can last their stick sometimes. 😄👍 Great playing anyway.

[@skipkelley7478]

I'm a bass player!!! but I love a great drummer! It makes the complete sound! FISH... one of the best drummers I've personally run across...kills the game, he's amazing!!! Check out some of the retro "FISHBONE" footage . You tell me........ Basically... he kills it! PERIODT! If you're better show me... remember, he a teenager in most of the recordings you hear online!

[@mikaelnevalainen7634]

Did anybody else notice how he entangles his stick on the Tom rim and almost drops it at 4:45

[@Retroscoop]

If ever he's tired of drumming like Phil Collins seems to be, he still can become a narrator of whatever program he choses, even children programs !