"Play it Like Ringo"

Most everyone in a rock band has said this to their drummer at one time or another.


What do you have in mind when you say it?

 

Play more like Charlie Watts

 

To drum like Ringo you need to use your non-dominant arm. Kind of a tall order.

 

I absolutely never said that. However I did say 'play it more like Keith Moon' more times than I can remember.

 

In my band it was play it like Charlie Watts or Moe Tucker. In other words, don't try to be Keith Moon.

 

Play it like Moulty.

 

What's great about Lennon saying this to the session drummer(s) is that he knew what he wanted and he\they knew what he meant.

 

Serve the song. Which is also what Charlie did. But that said, there are many different types and styles of songs. It's really a matter of perfectly serving the song in accordance to the given style. Many great drummers did and do that. But to say, "play it like Ringo", you'd be dealing with a song that has a Pop/Rock feel. So play it like Ringo....be creative but keep it straightforward and supportive (i.e., don't take over).

 

Two words: pragmatic and creative.

 

Give me a good back beat. That's what it means to me.

 

Fantastic time keeping with creative and perfectly executed fills at just the right time. Amazing drummer!

 

Drummers, and I have been one for over fifty years, need one thing to be a good drummer....more than chops...more than show......that one thing is to LISTEN to the band. Charlie Watts did that...Ringo did that.....they both are not technically the greatest drummers but the one thing they both had in common was the ability to LISTEN TO THE BAND....you can't teach that!

 

I think I've heard it said that Ringo could be playing, go take a piss, and come back and sit down and pick up exactly where he left off, 100 out of 100 times.

 

John's also said, "play it like Paul". Kinda makes you think.....why didn't he just keep the his old band together.....

 

I've said this countless times. For me it means 'stop being a showoff, serve the song, not your ego'

 

Since I only play the air drums I have a wide variety of different styles.

 

keep it simple mate, and don't play to loud. btw, have you ever heard to Sodor Island?

 

Saw him in 65 opening for the Dave Clark 5 although I don't remember much.

 

The time I said that I wanted the drummer to play fills on a verse like Ringo did on the verses on A Day in the Life

 

He also said for a piano bit, it was Paul it has to be easy. I think Come Together rehearsal.

 

Yes, exactly.

Most of the guys that played on “hit” songs knew that it wasn’t time to go all Buddy Rich or Neal Peart at a recording session.

Ringo, Charlie, Al Jackson, Clyde Stubblefeld, Steve Gadd, Hal Blaine, Bobby Graham and on and on established whatever groove and fills were needed that moved the song along being recorded, not showcased their technique.

There are other kinds of bands of course where technique and soloing are part of the gig.

 

He wants the drummers to play like Ringo, the bass players to play like Paul and he uses George throughout the Imagine album. Go figure.

 

lots of Cymbal...