How To *Actually* Improve Your Rock Drumming (Simon Phillips Lesson)

He was a major influence. As a young drummer I emulated his choice of tom heads by using clear ambassadors top and bottom when I was recording tom heavy tracks and those toms really sing on that recording. Thanks Simon!

"Ummm...1,2,3,4,5,6" Hahahaha.

KITTIES! 😸

Simon Phillips is the Bob Ross of drumming, love the guy, so wholesome

This is why I think a 4-piece is the ultimate kit. It forces you to open your mind and play simply, and you learn great dynamics.
If you can go crazy on a four piece, then you can do anything. First person that comes to mind is El Estapario Siberiano.

Hearing him with the who was a real treat after light touch and lame kenny Jones , his interpretation of Tommy was fantastic , it is on YT 1989 LA first set , followed by greatest hits second set , he packs the umph that Kenny was totally lacking [ thoough kenny was great at the first few gigs in 79 in france after that WtF?

Simon is the bob ross of drumming

Thát album made me curious to drums..yes I heard other bands before but sin after sin was some eye-opener.
Thank you so much.

that kit needs more toms

Great

Simon's drums on Lost Horizon!!!

How did he know I was waiting to hear Simon talk about his experience with Judas Priest?

<3

He’s always been a master at his craft

I was a left handed drummer playing on a right handed set in the early 1980s and was always trying to become fully ambidextrous. Never did and seemed to be always fighting it. Some songs, especially jazz worked but not enough. You seem to embrace and utilize the open hi-hat and build off of it. I was also playing bass with heel down. Yeah, now I know. The drummer for silversun pickups also plays left handed.

Simon Phillips is an absolutely drum God, same goes to Bonham, Ringo, Piert, Copeland, Moon, and Taylor.🤟🤟🤟🤟🤩🤩🤩🤩

The thing for me is Simon has had the TASTIEST fills of any drummer I've ever heard. He is a songwriters drummer. The British Steve Gadd if you like. I don't like drum solo's and I never will, but I will always get a buzz from an excellent fill or dynamic drum break(of which SP is one of the leading exponents ). Take a listen to 'The Pump' by Jeff Beck. His drumming is sensational without distracting from the music. He lets rip more at the end of the track with some fabulous fills!!
One last thing. In 1980, Mike Rutherford released 'Smallcreeps Day'. If you want to hear a young Simon Phillips KICK ASS, I suggest you take a listen. You won't be disappointed.
God bless you, Simon. Keep rocking!!

Agreed, the high-hat controls alot of volume. Dynamics are a must.
Simon always gives great advice..

What an awesome guy Simon Phillips is. As a drummer (of course), but also as a human being

Phil Rudd is one of the best "keep it simple" Rock drummers ever

One of the best opened handed drummers

Nobody has ever said these things to me the way he is saying them. Thank you, Simon

I'm not a drummer but I feel the setup/recording of this drum kit doesn't do Dissident Aggressor justice. It's nowhere near punchy or tight enough. Also, the kickdrum almost disappears in the mix... (definitely not a critique of Simon's playing, that's impeccable of course)

🤘🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I like what he said about all the different degrees of the opening of the hi-hat, I feel like a lot of people don't delve into that too much, it's either open or closed, when in fact there are definitely varying amounts of openness that can affect the dynamic quite a bit.

What do you mean dynamics? I’m hitting as hard as I can.

Only Phillips could have taken the seat of Porcaro with Toto...a true original and a monster drummer and musician.

Fantástico baterista super Simon

Seems like he can do anything. His work with Hiromi is simply phenomenal

So fitting that Simon played for Toto. His chops are more impressive than Porcaro’s were, but very very few can match Jeff’s feel and insistence on always drumming in service to the song. Simon gets that.

I had the pleasure of meeting Simon at a tiny club in North Hollywood several years ago. And, I agree wholeheartedly with you! He was so pleasant and humble as he recounted the story of one of my favorite drum tracks by him. The insight he gave me in that short conversation will be remembered by this drummer forever :-)

This man is simply a master

Between Simon and Neil Peart, I’ve been able to learn new techniques and what’s important in playing well, whatever the music. Being adaptable and consistent is so important.

I loved Simons playing on Micheal Schenkers first album That's where I first heard him..Excellent!

Super baterista. Genial

i consider him a fusion-drummer, not a rock-drummer. from a big fan.

For all his technical skill, the Pump is still one of my favorites with Simon. The feel, the groove and the way it builds is just wonderful.

Just such a great intelligent musician. Such an inspiration and I'm lucky to have met him years ago

I became a better and more relaxed person just form listening to this.

He is amazing , check him out on 801 with Eno

a treasure of drumming. Somehow unsurpassed no matter how tecnical or fast many are😊

His T-Shirt 😂

Listen to a Master's advice all you up and coming drummers, and it's harder to play groove and consistency.

Loved the last bit Simon mentions about too many takes, playing too hard and losing the feel. Happens to me all the time.

Another good example of Simon playing simply is Pete Townshend's/The Who's "Eminence Front."

Keep it simple : choose edrum, play front of the bar like a locomotive, cut out time, pulls the tune forward

"Hi, this is Simon Phillips with Drumeo."

Drumeo staff, "OMG!!!"

I knew the fill was cool and Simon'y now I know why. I've thought about this for decades.