Virgil Donati's Epic 11/8 Performance

[@drumchannel]

As a sequel to Virgil Donati's 'Rhythmic Facility' series, we bring you his brand NEW exclusive Drum Channel course covering Dotted Eighths In Odd Times 🤩 👉 drmch.nl/3w1ymI

[@MikeL1969]

Virgil is who you hire when you don’t want anybody to cover your songs. Ever.

[@padistedor]

Yes he makes it pretty much impossible to copy.

[@hippieloveshack3561]

Funny and very true.

[@josvgorkum7968]

Hahaha!

[@brianmcguire5175]

Great comment haha

[@brianmcguire5175]

The help break down the concept. The music is written consistently over 11/8 but like any comfortable 4/4 piece the phrases go over the bar line and have accent punctuations that are very syncopated. In other words, if you count eleven throughout you can follow along and begin to hear the musical freedom the musicians have over the time signature. The real challenge isn't just what they play. It's your homework as a listener to feel the 11 as you normally would a standard 4/4. Once achieved the music begins to reveal itself and the once seemingly indecipherable Morse code like rhythmic hits become strong musical anchor hits to donatis consistent obscuring of the time. Beyond genius stuff but worth listening to until a confident listener of the tune. The first time I heard donati solo in king of the universe I realised I couldn't make head nor tails of it. After working on my understanding the time signature his phrases revealed themselves in their fuller glory. Seems technical, always musical. Trust me on that regarding donati and his drumming!

[@MrPercussionPete]

Virgil is the Einstein of drumming. Absolutely mindblowing.

[@w4tkn]

I agree. IMO He is the most capable person ever to play the drums ever. He isn't my favorite, that's a different class. If I ever want to see something I've never seen before, I watch Virgil.

[@josephayoub6445]

One of the greatest drummers to walk the earth! Power, groove, feel and incredible dynamics! Love this guy!

[@RandyHanley]

Virgil is THE drummer that enabled all of these current technical drummers to enter another dimension - In My Opinion.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

Covers don't need to be in the same time signature as the original

[@filipporudd]

YES ! OF COURSE SURE WHY NOT !!!! THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY OPNION

[@RandyHanley]

Yes sir!@@filipporudd

[@robertpien8708]

Virgil is one of the most innovative and musical musican his drumming and creative writing is amazing God Bless you thank you so much for many years your creativity.

[@NorthSeaWisdom]

Innovative?…how?

[@Mulukkis]

@@NorthSeaWisdom If you don't get it, you don't get it. Virgil has been pushing the boundaries of drumming for decades now.

[@NorthSeaWisdom]

@@Mulukkis well what is he doing now “that’s pushing boundaries”?

[@DB-LBC]

I agree with son of lifeguard. What’s new here? Neil peart, art Blakey, and a ton of people on KZbin have done all this. It might as well be a rudiment drill. How is this even a performance? Sounds like practice to me.

[@hazardeur]

@@Mulukkis save your breath dude. this is so over people's heads that i can't even fault them for not realizing the greatness they witnessed. it's like giving a smartphone to a caveman and wondering why he is only using it to crack nuts with it

[@dougmorato]

Talking about how great Virgil is, it's easy! But that mixing is from another world! Beautiful deep sub bass, well controlled mids and super extended highs. I haven't heard something like that in while. Great job Drum Channel. We appreciate it!

[@jakobks1]

that mixing and sound is for sure made by virg not drumchannel

[@dougmorato]

@@jakobks1 I really thought it was his work but since it's on Drum Channel I had some doubts. Regardless, it's TOTL!!

[@FanPhys]

100% this. I just got Presonus Eris 3.5 speakers, and mixes like this just make my ears sing - the stereo imaging in particular is just perfect. It's exquisite!

[@マシュードーラン]

As a mixing and mastering engineer I can agree wholeheartedly! It’s crisp, clean and beautiful! Especially the kick drum and bass guitar playing together in unison

[@geevee7823]

Crazy deep, inventive, perfect feel, control is off the chart, just insane level of musicianship.

[@drorale]

Virgil is such power drummer his technique so clean and still his snare stroke is powerful one of the best Drummers out there !!!!! and this RIDE cymbal sound and feel fabulous !!!!!! THANK YOU V !!!!!

[@DimeCrisBag]

The insane part for me is the hi hat going in threes throughout.

[@johnrobert385mm]

Insane control 🔥🔥

[@ChairFoldersUnited]

Yeah, it would have been impressive even without that.. but it just adds another insane level to everything. Virgil is amazing!

[@DimeCrisBag]

@@ChairFoldersUnited totally agree with that!

[@didgeteria9068]

Explain to me , someone pls , WHY and HOW is John Bonham the number 1 drummer of all time. Don't tell me it's because he was revolutionary, because....Gene Krupa. Mike Mangini , Eloy Casagrande , Neal Peart , Mike Portnoy , Tomas Hakke , Thomas Lang.... Hell , Ray Luzifer is better than Bonham... Sry but I feel cringe when ppl say Bonham is the best drummer of all time . Buddy Rich .....?! Shit , that 20 y.o. Greyson Nekrutman eats John Bonhams at breakfast...

[@Legnica148]

@@didgeteria9068 yeah, when talking about the instrument, no one has ever been better than Donati, period. I may prefer other drummers, but there's no other person that got to this level.

[@PejoPeev]

Един от най-добрите видео уроци!!! Разбираемо, нагледно, подробно, вдъхновяващо!

[@robertlucas9867]

I like how Virgil is technical while still musical and making it groove. Doesn’t matter if you switch it around and say Virgil grooves while making it technical and musical, etc. Great showmanship and musicianship.

[@colinburroughs9871]

you know you listen to lot's of this type of music when you have to explain to dance/edm/hip hop heads that this type of thing totally grooves and they go "what?"

[@alexkoefman]

Watched Virgil my whole life. Last year I didn’t. Thought I’d check back in. Now I realise what great is. Never stops getting better. Ever.

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

Same dude! IDK why, but I took a year off, albeit unconciously. And yep, he's still blowing my mind!

[@aldobachini1221]

Virgil Donati is like 3 guys playing drum together. The best drummer.

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

My favourite all time :)

[@SICRoosterKido]

My brain almost melted. Inspiring!

[@MrDaveaccord]

From his fantastic record IN THIS LIFE. If you don't have it get it, some of the most incredible drumming ever recorded is on that record.

[@leandrobego154]

64 and still kicking !!!! Way to go master !!!!

[@lorenzofeugg7540]

Outstanding performance and technique

[@MawcDrums]

I love how virgil hits the crash without the kick sometimes, it's such a unique thing to his style of playing

[@stephanmarcouxdrums4877]

Just imagine that song on papers with notes.

[@demonicsweaters]

I noticed that too and was like "how is he making that sound cool?"

[@markpodz399]

He hits the kick with crash the last part 😂

[@viktormuerte]

Steve Gadd first did that. Related to this, Mr. Donati held a clinic in my country back in the day. During the Q and A session I asked him what was his favorite album of all time and he said - before saying that's a really hard question (I was trying to get him to choose only one) - probably the Chick Corea albums from the 70s with Gadd.

[@MawcDrums]

@@viktormuerte That's awesome I'll have to dive into those. Love both Chick Corea and Steve Gadd. Have you seen/heard Alastair Taylor's composition over the Steve Gadd solo? It's incredible you should search it up on here. Look for "Steve Gadd Drum Solo With Music"

[@decadyne]

The dynamics in this is simply from another world.

[@MaksymBubyriev]

Best Music! Excellent Playing! Thanks!!!

[@christiangibbs391]

Virgil Donati 🔥 "The Thunder From Down Under" 🇦🇺 Impressive to think he's only 64 years young with a bright future ahead of him 😎✌️🥁

[@davesims7917]

1:34 that little extra floor tom hit was awesome

[@adammercysystem6450]

This is just... absolutely awe inspiring playing here. I think i was a bit too young to "get" his influence on modern drumming but its undeniable watching this performance. Hes lightyears ahead still.

[@met1589]

Master of drums. the awesome Virgil Donati.

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

Yes

[@Convisis]

Progressive drumming GOAT.

[@daveowens7218]

a lot of people use the word GOAT what does it mean when you say that thanks

[@Convisis]

@@daveowens7218 it means when it comes to modern progressive drumming, he’s the greatest of all time.

[@KONAMAN100]

A unique freak of nature on the drum set.

[@MrGiandrum]

amo il suo modo di suonare ma ancora di piu' le sue composizioni: ha rinnovato la fusion che era morta da un pezzo.Grande Virgil!

[@SethParr]

How can you not just sit back and enjoy the amazing drumming vocabulary that is Virgil Donati. Wow!!!

[@sonicart1808]

Mind blowing..... Virgil is incredible.

[@babyjesuslovesme1219]

Beautiful drums and cymbals

[@Fill424]

Virgil is fantastic.I love your game so much!

[@stirfinan1]

Sublime - Jazz Rock Fusion - Inspirational - Masterclass - Superlative Musicianship !!!!!

[@z3ndust]

This song is the Koh-i-Noor of odd times , Virgil's mastery of bringing this time has created a new horizon

[@trapkat8213]

His playing is unbelievable as always but what a sound to go with it. Full and powerful, just beautiful

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

Well, holy moly. The skill involved in this is...wow

[@koosemar]

I can only surmise he has a brain in every limb…

[@egyokeo]

That ride sounds so good

[@paulbentley2709]

Jesus H Christ what a performer. Wow.

[@ginobanksofficial]

Always Incredible

[@dagostinoification]

Fantastique batteur à la maîtrise hors norme ! Virgil is a great ! + double great drummer !

[@FelipeCotta]

Incredible musician!!!

[@mpk33]

Virgil Donati, the man who wanted to take it up a notch with Dream Theater & jam on their tunes. They were too easy for him. 👌🏼😅

[@danieldelellis2462]

You're right. Virgil is too good for Dream Theater

[@yazman3085]

@@danieldelellis2462 absolutely! I’m glad he never got dream theatre. Daniel, it’s like when Claypool didn’t get the Metallica gig!

[@danieldelellis2462]

Yes Yaz Man, Virgil would have been bored in Dream Theater.

[@Chris_Stanley007]

It's hard to say what he would have brought to their music. You'd be amazed what can happen when like minded musicians get together and let things flow. In this case, DT had their style, per say, and wanted to maintain it. I wish they'd dare to step outside of the box and go in a different direction when Portnoy left.

[@pipps1158]

If they can't find the '1' with Mangini, they have no chance in hell of ever finding the '1' with Virgil... lol.... Donati will have played through the whole set while Petrucci and Myung are still trying to find the down beat to start playing... 😂... Rudess might have a chance, maybe? (Rudess literally had to hand hold and walk Petrucci through the Finally Free Outro with Mangini, but Virgil is on another level of complexity to Mangini...)

[@StamatisKekes]

Always exceptional ....

[@julioortuzarmunoz13]

Amazing, powerfull, incredible technique. Donati its for me the unique drummer that makes disruption the vocabulary and the logic of the rithms. Ist the best advance of the drums music. Congratulations¡¡¡¡

[@Bricameron]

Word for the Bassist too.

[@morgenthaler]

That’s Evan Marien 👍

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

He always got sick bassists!

[@kentbyron7608]

Looks and sounds like all his practice paid off. 😁🥰Well done!

[@Roddrummer]

I'm from Melbourne, where he's from. I know a bloke who used to live with him back in the 80s, says he used to take sticks to the toilet with him to practise with, and he'd be practising with one hand while he ate his cereal and toast in the morning....

[@JanGottschau]

my word

[@jedfriedland1520]

So glad that you didn't join Dream Theater. Your personal musical compositions are far more interesting and organic. THANKS!

[@Luisifer_89]

Agree! 💯

[@frusio]

So true dude! 👊🏾🥁👊🏾

[@Drumsholic]

Why you think he didn't play like his way at DT if he gets in the band? I didn't believe he changes his character and maybe this content will was very interesting too.

[@vidsforsquids]

Dream Theater would’ve been a good paying gig but the band is a joke

[@Luisifer_89]

@@vidsforsquids yup!

[@gadymarcus5297]

magnifico.

[@bencausey]

No words (except for these) 🔥

[@kanenomoja]

Mind blown.

[@phenbuz]

Virgil Donati - THE ONE

[@daydreamhero1374]

Given my very very short attention span, I can't believe I was able to watch the whole thing, and im not even a drummer..virgil donati's drumming is phenomenal as always..

[@mitchweiner]

I had the same reaction!

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

In that case skip to the last 30 seconds!

[@VivoBateria]

Virgil está totalmente entregue à música, assim como a matéria e a gravidade 🥁🔥🎶 incrível esse baterista.

[@K0sk4]

Virdžile brate, kakav si ti kralj! Svaka ti čast i slava! 🤩

[@misterfunnybones]

I remember his first modern drummer interview & then his great performance with Tina Arena touring in the late 90's. He's taken four limb independence & time signature interpretation to new levels. Master drummer.

[@officedrummerdaily]

Absolutely beastly!

[@fabbux]

definitely: Virgil Donati the number One!

[@BaconIsNotBiceps]

No more technically sound or proficient drummer has ever lived. To say Virgil is extraordinary would be a slap in the face. It's surreal what he can do.

[@dexb5233]

Awesome!

[@PierluigivillaniMr]

Un Fenomeno!!! Che strepitoso batterista!!! AMAZING 👏

[@stevewilcock4767]

Viva Virgil! Epic. Cheers.

[@ericessama7163]

he is not content just to divide or multiply the rhythms once he already has the new rhythm he enters and exits as he wants without losing anything he is simply a fan of polyrhythms. He is a genius Virgil…my favorite drummer so smart😊

[@vs_solution]

❤️ Maestro

[@alessandroteodosi5011]

Masterpiece!

[@fl00d69]

SO goddamned tasteful. Donati is one of my favourites for sure.

[@billystar1306]

Beyond wicked! So interesting, constantly moving and changing shape.

[@titofgreen2341]

énorme travail ...super

[@reginaldstampe3753]

What a crazy monster 💪💪

[@caferrara]

Musical genius. Plays classical piano with great facility.

[@daynelawless]

PHENOMENAL!!!!!

[@kayned47]

Virgil could play this track 100 times and never play it the same way each time he did... Fantastic

[@flamwork06]

My favorite drummer!!! 😎

[@krispinkrisperson3614]

Super

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

Those sticks are huge but his playing is enormous!

[@sticktrik]

I have a pair!!…They are like tree trunks!!!

[@buddyblueyes]

Thomas Lang and Gavin’s sticks are enormous, too! I’d like to think this is the secret sauce, but something tells me it’s more than that. :)

[@braddoughty8528]

VIRGIL is the next level and more 🙏 well done 🥁 Lendgentary 💪

[@bradtanner6047]

What a beast!!

[@Ritchievilla]

Prodigioso Baterista es Mr Virgil Donati !!! 👍🥁👍🥁👍🥁👍🥁👍

[@Logan-Wolverine]

Brano fantastico e Virgil bravissimo (come sempre)

[@filmin1minuto294]

Lui è bravissimo ma questa musica è orrenda

[@Logan-Wolverine]

@@filmin1minuto294 Degustibus...

[@jasperjenkins7729]

That Ride is SMOOOOTH

[@seppoinnanen5577]

Sounded very exceptional for a Sabian

[@MrThomas1958]

superb

[@FelipeVanDerMer]

Virgil .... el bateristas que ha llevado mas lejos la bateria, el mejor...

[@drummonst]

Maybe because the song was already complicated, so for me as a drummer, this video and mixing are more enjoyable to listen than the original audio of eleven; and also the band's live performance's video. Very good presentation, Drum Channel !!

[@robertosilveira2384]

Mr Donati is a man from another planet

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Thomas lang is better

[@sam271183]

Planet X :)

[@geoffnolan1053]

This reminds me of the band The Contortionist so much. Which is amazing.

[@kanenomoja]

I cannot wrap my head around 11/8. Wow. Amazing.

[@briankeightly3361]

This is really impressive, I have the Steve Vai concert that Virgil was there drummer ,love this drums sound amazing and the bass player is killing it , very cool !!!!!

[@BLUEPLANETJAZZ]

WOW....LOVE THIS GUY!!!!

[@paisteplayer1040]

Donati and Lang are probably the 2 best to ever pick up sticks I call Virgil the mad scientist of the skins

[@knowntalmbout]

Take notes this is a world class lesson on timing and technique.

[@turbo7757]

Very nice

[@Fledglingmenace]

Definitely digging his approach... Who is playing the bass track? It is beyond sick.

[@morgenthaler]

That’s Evan Marien kzbin.info (here's another collab: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHzWqWOBeM5qmZI )

[@onegodrums]

We need more Virgil Donati's Videos about how become a Alien on the Drums,.. this guy is Fenomenal.... unique ... wen i grow up some day be like he

[@morbidmanmusic]

phenomenal

[@ronperc]

incrível virgil!

[@demonicsweaters]

MIND MELTING

[@350kph]

I love this song Virg..

[@MikeRuh01]

Sounds great.

[@edellis515]

That snare sound!!!!

[@jamesrohl9558]

Looks like a DW bronze.

[@malcolmlarri8236]

Incredible!

[@scottpitner4298]

Awesome drum set