Writing Drums Using MIDI - For Non-Drummers
On my channel LNA does Audio Stuff, you can now find a free course for non-drummers. This series is 4 episodes long (each video containing an interview with Sara Leigh Shaw and 4 techniques demonstrated in Ableton Live 11). The course focused on writing drums using only the MIDI grid. First episode: https://youtu.be/azjnXhIyGqc
Course Content:
Episode 1: Writing Drum Patterns, Hi-Hats & Dynamics
Episode 2: Drum Genres & Rhythm Music Theory
Episode 3: Humanising Drums: Swing, Groove Pool & Ghost Notes
Episode 4: Drum Sounds, Building Kits & Using Samples
In the course series, we had the pleasure to hear drummer/producer/songwriter Sara Lee Shaw's views on writing drums. She also wanted to add:
"Here are some drummers that I would recommend to check out from different genres! The list is endless for me but I've tried to pick out some genre-defining moments - particularly ones that have instructed the sounds of an era or band. And have greatly influenced a different sound of the way of doing things! I thought it might help for people who are looking to find different inspiration for their beat-making skills."
Here are Sara's suggestions:
Bernard Purdie - Originator of The "Shuffle" Which was popularized by the famous track 'Rosanna' by Toto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1j1_aeK6WA
Zigaboo Modeliste - Great funk drummer from the band The Meters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvsPlGqG0Bc
GC Coleman
The 'Amen Break' is one of the most famous sampled drum breaks in music by the band The Winstons, drummer GC Coleman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v89CjsSOJ_c
Moe Tucker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26Y-qPglJQ0
A drummer who had no musical training whatsoever but became the drummer of the Velvet Underground - and heavily influenced the sound of the band
Neil Peart
The drummer from the band Rush - a huge part of the band's sounds was his intricate rhythms and fills, which really went outside of the standard ' groove' box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnCbJ0sUGZs
Jack White
Jack White who we all know from the White Stripes and as a solo performer on his own, played the drums in his side project The Dead Weather - I thought he had a really interesting approach to drumming in the modern era
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVL5ylN3ffY
Madame Gandhi
Kiran Gandhi started her career as MIA's drummer before becoming a solo artist in her own right - her music is an interesting mix of Western Sounds and the South Asian sounds of her heritage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bNdmBeQHI4
Ginger Baker
Really interesting music and placement of the beats in '60s and 70's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbqQL0J_Vr0
Make sure to check out this cheat sheet from my shop with 30 MIDI patterns 16 genres: https://www.lnamusic.com/product-page/30-midi-patterns-16-genres-by-lna