jrdrummer Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Just a really common thing I thought I'd mention. I turn my head when I play drums, Neil does, every drummer does this. But why? I know it's a stupid question, but... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Aubrey Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 QUOTE (jrdrummer @ Aug 9 2006, 04:20 AM) Just a really common thing I thought I'd mention. I turn my head when I play drums, Neil does, every drummer does this. But why? I know it's a stupid question, but... Are you talking about turning your head slightly while playing in order to face the drum that you are hitting, or the "I'm-making-sideways-figure-eights-with-my-nose-like-Stevie-Wonder" type of head turning? Either way, I'm sure there's no great mystical reason for it. Different people have different body language. I turn and nod my head while playing, but only slightly. The drummer Zoro nods his head like a drinking bird while playing, it probably helps him to keep time. I wouldn't obsess too much over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkDS Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Because there's normally a guitar player's butt right in front of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Aubrey Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 QUOTE (KirkDS @ Aug 9 2006, 10:33 AM) Because there's normally a guitar player's butt right in front of you. Yeah, really! Who wants to see that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrdrummer Posted August 9, 2006 Author Share Posted August 9, 2006 QUOTE (Jack Aubrey @ Aug 9 2006, 07:30 AM) QUOTE (jrdrummer @ Aug 9 2006, 04:20 AM) Just a really common thing I thought I'd mention. I turn my head when I play drums, Neil does, every drummer does this. But why? I know it's a stupid question, but... Are you talking about turning your head slightly while playing in order to face the drum that you are hitting, or the "I'm-making-sideways-figure-eights-with-my-nose-like-Stevie-Wonder" type of head turning? Either way, I'm sure there's no great mystical reason for it. Different people have different body language. I turn and nod my head while playing, but only slightly. The drummer Zoro nods his head like a drinking bird while playing, it probably helps him to keep time. I wouldn't obsess too much over it. No, drummers will look away from the thing they're hitting, like they will look to their right when the thing theyre playing is to the left. The opposite. It's like concentration like. And there is no nodding, just looking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushfanNlv Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 The ultimate "head turn" while playing drums award has to go to the drummer for Night Ranger in the Sister Christian video. After the guitar solo there is a little drum break and then he turns his head all dramatically to the mac. I just always thought that was so funny. But yeah, I know what your talking about and I think all drummers do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusX-1Bk2 Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 It's called "concentration." Guitar players should duly note this and worry less about jumping around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defrushfan01 Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 QUOTE (CygnusX-1Bk2 @ Aug 9 2006, 08:11 PM) It's called "concentration." Guitar players should duly note this and worry less about jumping around. Gasp!!!! I concentrate while playing, i can play from 5/8 to 5/4 to 7/4 while jumping around!!!! I do alot of weird stuff when i play, when using a wah pedal i make faces as if im doing the wah noises. everybody does their own thing i guess, i know matt does stuff like u said. he turns his head sometimes, but i never really noticed cause we have been writing songs for a year and a half now, so i really never pay attn to what hes doing, it just works if you know what i mean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KublaKhan Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 The thing Niel does during Tom Sawyer in RiR when he twitches his head slightly? I have no idea. I always thought he did something wrong when he does that, 'cause he does it during YYZ too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-13 Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 I pretty much do of all the above...except jumping when I am playing guitar...I just like walkin around with fancy foot moves lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush! Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 I sometimes turn my head slightly mainly to see what drum I'm hitting next, but sometimes I may turn my head to the right while I'm hitting a drum and/or cymbal on the left and vice/versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shranexis0 Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I look at my hihat when I'm doing sixteenth notes, and I look at my fills. I can't stand these hot-dogging guys out there who are so good that they throw their heads around and show off with their high blood pressure. I try not to move at all. It's look a lot cooler to me when I'm not bopping to the music. A good musician lets the music speak for itself. One word: Sprezzatura. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Aubrey Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 QUOTE (Shranexis0 @ Aug 10 2006, 10:49 PM) I look at my hihat when I'm doing sixteenth notes, and I look at my fills. I can't stand these hot-dogging guys out there who are so good that they throw their heads around and show off with their high blood pressure. I try not to move at all. It's look a lot cooler to me when I'm not bopping to the music. A good musician lets the music speak for itself. One word: Sprezzatura. Impressive use of the word 'sprezzatura'. Give yourself an A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shranexis0 Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Sorry if I offended anybody who does bop his head. I bop my head sometimes. Sometimes I sway. I just get driven nuts when I see guys acting like they've swallowed a time bomb, and the only way to stop it is to bash things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soni Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 Like why do I open my mouth whithout screeming, like when I do a solo!? do you really believe that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrHands Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I tend to look at what I'm striking...makes sense to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milton Banana Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I try to look up at the audience or the band while playing. I hate seeing musicians play with their heads down like they don't care if you're there or not... also, then I can throw a wink at a pretty girl. Just because I'm sitting in the back doesn't mean I have to be invisible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stickman Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I find turning/rocking my head helps with the movement like getting into the groove it's just what you feel when playing. My band is going into a studio near my hometown in September to record our first 3 track demo so i'm sure i'll be turning/rocking the old noggin then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrdrummer Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 I am not talking about actually turning your head, but looking to the side and keeping your head still, no movement involoved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Aubrey Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 QUOTE (jrdrummer @ Aug 20 2006, 07:21 PM) I am not talking about actually turning your head, but looking to the side and keeping your head still, no movement involoved. Then why did you name the thread 'Turning your head when playing'? Or are you just messing with us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necromancer Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I turn my head to the side and cough when I'm getting "checked". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanzo Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 actually neil is the most straightest foward looking drummer iv ever seen,, and the best of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliewang Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Another drummer who's guilty of this is Nick Mason during one of these days performed in pompeii, he doesn't do it the whole time but for a few moments it's really obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusX-1Bk2 Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Nice with the Ringo Charlie. I was getting on my friend Adam for looking off to the side rather than straight ahead. He kept missing the crash cymbal over his right bass drum because he was looking somewhere to the left of his hi hat. Can this discussion be over now? Sometimes the minutia gets to be a drag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the masked drummer Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 QUOTE (CygnusX-1Bk2 @ Aug 9 2006, 07:11 PM) It's called "concentration." Guitar players should duly note this and worry less about jumping around. Amen! My sentiments exactly! I've never purposely turned my head unless I became aware maybe I should face the audience more. It's all about concentration and being in your element. One of the things I did as a young drummer was put my head down, which my band at the time found unacceptable. They bitched constantly about it, so I quit doing it. Guitarists don't seem to concentrate enough. They work on their moves more than enything. Well said!!! I can definately tell you're a seasoned drummer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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