you can't play the piano on the drums

[@menriquez89]

He played at my college and when he took a solo, he pulled out a drum key and tuned the floor tom while soloing with his feet. Then he went to town with the melodic playing.

[@GruntKF]

oh lawd who got da video

[@lorenz0]

Insane

[@arossfelder]

you lucky guy

[@pianobar-bartoszsobczynski1321]

It's like his whole body is playing along with him. This is really something new for me, as far as drumming goes. Kudos. I fully encourage and appreciate this much versatility on your channel.

[@resinsminia]

If you want to see some melodic playing you should check Donganowè by René Creemers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-VaaSlhL13iNE from 02:40, or you can watch the whole thing of course!

[@LAFFedits]

One of my favorite people to watch on KZbin is Adam Neely, he's very musically talented and when he critique's viewers submitted videos of their music he almost always tells them to move more to the beat because it legit helps playing

[@Hopkins132]

hes leaning in with the body to put his elbow on the drum skin so he can make a different pitch with each hit.

[@pianobar-bartoszsobczynski1321]

@@LAFFedits He's one of my favorite KZbinrs as well. I just love it how coherently he can explain complex theories (like the 15/16 meter).

[@theEduEnthusiast]

Hi there! I'd highly recommend checking out Benny Greb for more melodic drumming (and he's just an absolutely phenomenal drummer all around!)

[@nomannic1]

It blows my mind how melodic his drums are, and still keeping that time with his hi hat... beautiful stuff.

[@liamernst9626]

Not to discredit him, but it's definitely possible, and keeping time is very easy. Still amazing though!

[@AlligatorAndrew]

@@liamernst9626 yes

[@sydrduke]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone do something quite like this before! Thanks for the transcription Timothy :)

[@neriovai]

terry bozzio maybe

[@Dog-lg5ju]

A friend in high school did something like this for fun but it definitely wasn't to this extent. He literally just played La Cucaracha

[@thebreakfastmenu]

I can't imagine how much practice it took to be able to play drums like this

[@isaachimself]

He’s playing the piano

[@lucamcardle729]

Ive met him. I asked him what his favourite time signature was. He told me he was trying to come up with an analogy to describe how dumb a question that is

[@doodletownpipers]

I would guess to someone as skilled as him it's like what's your favorite sentence structure? They use whatever they need to express the particular thing they want to express.

[@rafaelestrada1846]

Sounds pretty rude

[@zachrabaznaz7687]

@@rafaelestrada1846 not rude, accurate. It's equivalent to asking a monkey what shape of stick it prefers most for tool use. There's a massive amount of good equal ones and of course there's the dreadful ones, but never a favourite.

[@rafaelestrada1846]

@@zachrabaznaz7687 nah it's just rude. Also asking a monkey a question would be dumb af they don't speak or understand language.

[@zachrabaznaz7687]

@@rafaelestrada1846 I definitely don't think you're very smart.

[@cocacraesh]

This is what novice composers/arrangers have in mind when they double the bass part with timpani

[@graysonwilson3343]

Caught me- I loved doing that when I was first getting into composing

[@profundisconfutatis8093]

Ahh yes the ole 24 kettle timpani section to go along with everything because more is... More right?? I see more akward things done with harp as well it's just not as physically obvious that it's unplayable but sure would be fun to see some tap dance number just to play some modulation gliss'

[@snookerwither9955]

I do find having to change the note on the timpani every four bars very annoying haha

[@graysonwilson3343]

@@snookerwither9955 The parts I used to write probably just needed 12 chromatically tuned timpani, so no retuning necessary lol

[@NZsaltz]

@@graysonwilson3343 who has 12 chromatically tuned timpanis, how could they even fit on the stage

[@AriHoenig]

Thank you for doing the transcription and posting Tim.

[@TimothyGondola]

My pleasure Ari, fantastic playing!!

[@justjazz784]

Wonderful playing Ari! I knew drums had versatility but didn't realize you could make them sing like that. Best wishes from a new fan :)

[@spnrd97]

The melody playing is impressive enough, but the FEEL this guy has while playing it is next level! The melody is swingin so hard but still rock steady on the high hat, love it

[@MatthewJohnHunterMusic]

I had this playing while brushing my teeth and admiring myself in the mirror. When I looked back at the phone I fully expected to see a mammoth Terry Bozzio set of chromatically tuned toms and instead I see this probable warlock playing a tiny jazz kit as toothpaste dribbled from my mouth.

[@boriswilsoncreations]

Quite descriptive

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

Admiring yourself in the mirror? 😂 OK dude, maybe take it down a notch or two.

[@JeiShian]

Hahahahha warlock indeed

[@micah7064]

lol🤣🤣🤣

[@sterbern6762]

Really whipped out the thesaurus on that one, huh?

[@PeterVipulis]

"I'm sorry son, we can't afford a piano."

[@ochrence]

I knew this was going to be Ari Hoenig before I even clicked. Saw him doing this at a show in LA in early 2020; jaws were on the floor. Fantastic performer.

[@anthonynunyabizness9989]

Fellow drummers, I encourage you to look up Alvin Atkinson and the Jazz Ambassadors. Hes been doing melodic drumming for decades and is the master as far as in concerned. This is always a pleasure to see and hear.

[@anthonynunyabizness9989]

And if it seems like I'm downplaying this guy I totally am not. I admire this level of drumming and hope to be as good one day.

[@alvinaas463]

Huh, that's a weird name

[@LarsonPercussion]

I looooove pitch bending drum heads in solos. Its so fun. The fact that this guy is really hitting the pitches consistently too is pretty impressive

[@tabibutler4444]

I was at this gig! He gave my univesity class a workshop just the day before and it was absolutely magical - not just his use of pitch on the drums but his general musicianship and ability to lead the ensemble and keep the audience engaged! He really is one of the world's best when it comes to drumming.

[@musiclover44551]

My jaw is on the floor and I am in pure awe at this man's playing.

[@HoangNguyen-zv3xb]

Ari is one of the nicest guy ever. I remembered years ago he wrote me a message facebook thanking me for listening to him without knowing who I am. I mean i have to be the one to say thanks. I know ppl know him as a monster player, but he is an even better person. Ari if you’re reading this, thanks for your words of encouragement!

[@FoxheimStudios]

That is some focus I aspire to have.

[@UnequalTemperament]

So nice -- and a rare (?... maybe not so rare, but I don't think I've seen it quite like this) instance where the guitar and bass have to lay back and accompany the drummer sensitively (which they did with aplomb). Really enjoyed having the transcription to look at as I listened, too.

[@LeVezz]

That's an extremely sophisticated way to play the toms .. !!!!!

[@TaboraMusic]

This is so good! The joy is contagious! When you can do something like this, you just have to share it. Thank you!

[@joeyhardin5903]

These guys are so amazing. Saw them live on sunday with ben wendel and the quality of the solos were just phenomenal. Heard something similar to this on the drums at one point

[@tconnollymusic]

This trio just did a masterclass at my college last semester... Ari is a really funny and personable guy, let alone a jaw-dropping drummer. Like no other really, and the guitarist and bassist were brilliant too!

[@livemusicpianostudio1003]

From 1:00 the resonance gives it a Unique Harmony in thirds, just beautiful 👏🏿👏🏿

[@HotRatsAndTheStooges]

Oh hell yeah, Ari Hoenig is the MAN

[@GuanTones]

this is why i love jazz

[@dinghoti]

Saw him live in philly. He met his band that night. They made magic happen.

[@LokiBeckonswow]

man, these three musos are some of the most tasteful jazzers I've seen in so long - good for you, fuck dumb substitutions and wankery, you guys are just swingin, it's so good to see and hear, thank you

[@venomcake1768]

They kind of give me the vibe of someone who just picked up the sticks and played aimlessly but kept that mentality throughout mastering the instrument and using it with impeccable slill

[@rainbow3d]

this is what you do when you get good at something, you start breaking all the rules just to prove it can be done

[@elisantiago8061]

I've been a drummer for nearly 20 years, I have never seen anything like this before Bravo!

[@I_SEE_RED]

I love this style of video, it’s like captions for music

[@gamecrash7775]

I was always curious if you could do this actually! It seemed plausible and as a piano player I never really had an opportunity to try! Great vid!

[@jch123-r6v]

I knew Rob Scallon played drums but never thought he could do something like this

[@sccrash420]

Outstanding. Just great. Love it. Thank you for this post!

[@maxomilian]

The great Ari Hoenig

[@onlinetheory5115]

Loved this video man, keep em coming. Another really neat example of this is Daniel Glass's solo where he touches on this kind of technique, though not quite as flushed out as done here.

[@fredo4070]

That’s fucking crazy. That level of musicality in a drummer is inspiring

[@elrey7608]

seriously under appreciated

[@altrogeruvah]

That's insane... I cannot even begin to imagine how much thought and practice went into this

[@cashglobe]

A brand new innovation of jazz drumming, happening before our very eyes! I imagine the feeling is similar to when people first heard Kenny Clarke use the ride cymbal to keep time, which is now commonplace. Thanks for the transcription :)

[@anthonynunyabizness9989]

Not even close to new

[@cashglobe]

@@anthonynunyabizness9989 incorrect. Ari is 110% the first person to do this, this way.

[@anthonynunyabizness9989]

@@cashglobe haha hey I'm sorry I'm a douche about it so ill rephrase that. I just feel that if this is the first taste of melodic drumming than you're in for a treat because it's a philosophy that's been around for a long time.

[@cashglobe]

@@anthonynunyabizness9989 I know of other cats doing it, but I’ve never heard anyone doing it in the way that he does. What other drummers are using or used their limbs to play specific melodies. In other words, I’ve heard it done where it’s a general “idea” of a melody or melodic idea, but never the exact pitches played on the drums. Shoot some recommendations!! I made sure to check with my buddy who is an amazing jazz drummer before making that comment. He agreed.

[@cashglobe]

@@anthonynunyabizness9989 I’m open to hearing who, but I think it’s fair to say Ari is the first person to do it *like that*. Of course other drummers have played the essence of melodies, but I’ve never heard them play them verbatim, like a chordal or woodwind instrument could.

[@leonhardbromig145]

I somehow heard a flat instead of a on bar 3, but other than that it's a darn fine transcription, as well as a nicely chosen solo to transcribe. Nicely done!!

[@CharterSauce]

Ive seen Ari Hoenig play at the 55 bar with Wayne Krantz. Such an awesome player to be able to recreate melodies like that

[@ThePiGuy24]

When you switch a MIDI tracks instrument from piano but it still kinda slaps

[@towrofterra]

Awesome playing - reminds us all that piano's a percussion instrument at heart!

[@RuptimusPrime]

That is absolutely insane

[@friendlyfriends5046]

so good that when it ended I clapped with them

[@andresaxmanbrown]

Never ever seen this in my life before! Incredible!!!

[@penguindrum264]

I feel kind of proud that I knew who the video was gonna be about before even clicking based on the title.

[@mellowtron214]

*GET THIS GUY BEHIND TERRY BOZIOS’ KIT! The 30 toms would make for a pretty melodic palette to choose from.*

[@jwaj]

Bruh is that rob scallon

[@FrantzesElzaurdia]

LMAO

[@danielperales3958]

I wouldn't be that surprised if that was him

[@penguindrum264]

Ari Hoenig.

[@Batmonthesequel]

Moments of this sound like incredible technical ability and counting. Other parts sound like a kid poking around. All of it is jazz!

[@Peronioz]

That's what I imagine avantgarde cavemen music sounded like

[@pads6367]

When you really wanted to play piano but your parents got you a drum kit

[@solopianoamico...6719]

Whohooooooooo!!! He did the standard ending even omg

[@CRASDFGH]

It sucks when you realize you over use the like feature on videos. You come across a video like this, and you just can't do anything more than like it; I need another like button.

[@shalaq]

Genius at work

[@martythebassplayer7006]

This is super bad ass.

[@alecbg919]

Ari Hoenig is awesome

[@yahwehvii6059]

He’s a natural.

[@dtebarrett]

The drummer in the Velocity Trio had an inflatable air sac in his floor tom connected to a tube, he could blow into the tube to inflate the sac and raise the pitch of the drum.

[@SOMELOAF]

Sometimes it sounds funky but sometimes its like wow that sounded nice.

[@StratKat1998]

the highlight is the awkwardness of the bass player immediately after the song ends

[@MrKrimson]

hes putting so much movement into detuning the drums with his elbows and stuff i forgot he was also playing the hi-hat

[@Brokenface]

Ari Hoenig what a master

[@Supplice4]

This reminds me of Jeff Hamilton’s a night in tunisia rendition

[@A423-f9o]

with Ray Brown and Hank Jones - great, what Jeff is doing!

[@REPS-kb7up]

This was great. Well done.

[@soundtracksfortheblind]

I love this. Never saw this before.

[@raulgalets]

for those wandering, at 1:12 those greater-than symbols on top of the notes mean, lay on your instrument and smash it really hard

[@spacedog2980]

that was insanely good

[@godsleftleg7514]

I went to a gig of his where at the peak of his solo, someone passed out and fell of his chair. Could have been the mulled wine, maybe the warm room, but timing was impacable.

[@DanSanChannel]

We need a keyboardist! Drummer: hold my drum sticks as i slip these elbow pads on.

[@MedeaOpium]

Wow, first time I can hear the notes with drums !

[@jas_bataille]

The most interesting part is that he isn't actually playing the right pitches... but our *minds*, our brain, is wired to *hear them*. The fact he is the only percussionist to figure this was possible with a modern Western drumset in the history of music is just absolutely ming-boggling crazy.

[@lorenzobenito4031]

Probably the best thing I've seen today

[@bluebamboomusic6882]

Ari Hoenig is a legend.

[@UnseenEternalStudios]

This is wild 🤣 his facial expressions are amazing.

[@TalesKursped]

Blew my mind - anything can be a music!

[@hesrealclose1599]

Bravo, Sir! Bravo!

[@gilkhorn]

1:14 the guitar comping sounds so nice, what chord is that?

[@m1chacha]

sounds to me like a diminished 7th moving up in min 3rds (that's a cool thing you can do with dim 7s because they're just stacked minor thirds)

[@alexanderyozzo]

Just guessing on my couch here, but are you sure it’s not an Augmented chord? They also have symmetry, made of stacked major 3rds, which can be moved up and down similarly

[@onimekyo7633]

@@alexanderyozzo no, Aug chord sounds quite different from dim chord

[@olivermartin3772]

When you get the right answer but use the wrong formula

[@BirdOfCreation]

That's absolutely fucking nuts!

[@Ian-rz6dm]

Why do I kinda like the flavor this adds

[@Polished_Perspective]

When you ask a timpani player to sit in on your jazz gig

[@ricksterdrummer2170]

“You can’t play piano on drums!” *Laughs in Terry Bozzio*

[@FelixWheatfield]

Ari Hoenig, 21st century king of melodic drumming.

[@avemflamma]

this guy just reinvented the timpani

[@loosi_goosi]

this is GENIUS!!! wow!!!

[@doblet664]

this is priceless. god bless you

[@KrackDaddy]

that was insane

[@bdmax17]

That's so impressive :D Amazing stuff

[@kameronsmith1776]

Me squinting at my phone trying to figure out how he’s doing it

[@marinersfan420]

Good drummers are always playing the melody

[@swaggyp1219]

This guy's like hold my crash cymbal 😂

[@derickmathews6831]

Just imagine what he could do with 2 toms

[@Hyrtsi]

wow, a new thing in music

[@demonicsweaters]

that was pretty cool

[@mangus8759]

“What is your drum tuned to?” “Chromatic scale.”

[@martinwall8006]

Amazing. Well done.

[@prestonconnel95]

ari is insane