Dec 26, 2018 welcome to the john bonham drum kits page. One of the best examples of this intense triplet fill is found just after the guitar solo on the song dazed and confused from the bands selftitled debut album. John bonham, the quintessential rock god musicradar. This can be played much easier with a double bass drum pedal, but we are going to go for it with a single pedal, as it was played by the man himself. Pegg and bonham liked to enjoy a brew at the local pub, by the ocean, or in johns home. I feel that he defines modern rock playing more than any other player. This should not be confused with the the bonham triplets discussed in this other drums the word lesson found here. John bonham bass drum triplets funkrock drum lesson with john x. Paiste 2002 john bonham cymbal set drum techniques of led zeppelin. Glyn johns is a british musician, engineer, and producer who most notably worked with led zeppelin, the who, the rolling stones, the eagles, eric clapton, and even started his career assisting for the beatles. Pegg and bonham liked to enjoy a brew at the local pub, by the ocean, or in john s home. Rare john bonham ludwig vistalite drum kit auctioned off in. Every drummer needs these 5 drum books dom famularo. Most supraphonics from that era were chromeplated aluminum or chrome over brass.
In this lesson john x teaches you how to play several grooves that incorporate the technique often referred to as the bonham bass drum triplets. This is a great and challenging pattern played as 16th note triplets between the hi hat and the kick drum, as played by john bonham on led zeppelins good times bad times. To those who arent students of the kit, it sounds good but isnt wootenlevel flash so it doesnt stand out. Terrific led zeppelin book lots o great pictures bonzoleum videos by bonzoleum. Ive been playing drums for a number of years off and on, and one thing which has always eluded me is how the amazing john bonham managed to get quite so much out of his right foot.
Actually its not quite a triplet in that the first strike is the cowbell so its more like a bell drum drum triplet. Its commonly known that he had a bionic bass drum foot and what he could do with. So really its a double strike between the cowbell strikes, which has the effect of a triplet. This video contains patterns from the mini monster book of rock drumming. Esteemed for his speed, power, fast bass drumming, distinctive sound, and feel for the groove, he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rock drummers in history.
John paul jones, evidently, never looked,for in the book he couldnt say for sure. Tuning the bass drum john bonham style groove drumming. In this lesson john x teaches you how to play several grooves that incorporate. Aug 15, 20 drum teacher reacts to john bonham the ocean led zeppelin episode 21. How to sound like john bonham electronic drums and drum. The classic example is in good times bad times where sometimes he plays a triplet on the bass drum. Bonham didnt like the more highly prized brassshelled drums. A bonham bass drum technique question dfo drum forum. John bonham turnaround drum groove 2011 by bonzoleum. A lot of drummers are selftaught including john bonham, buddy rich. The greatest rock n roll drummer in history was a soul drummer. John bonham is the most influential rock drummer of alltime. Rock and roll, when the levee breaks, good times bad times, black dog and fool in the rain.
Dec 10, 2010 its the equivalent of john bonhams stage kit a 26. John has an interesting approach to this song where alternates the lead beat of the bar between the snare drum and the bass drum. His bass drum foot was so fast, that john bonham could play very fast 16th note and 16th note triplet patterns without the aid of a double pedal or two bass drums. Note for note transcriptions of 23 classic john bonham drum tracks led zeppelin, led, bergamini, joe on. John bonham was a master at applying triplet patterns all around the kit to create monstrous drum fills. Two months later, a simple letter signed by fellow band members robert plant, jimmy page, and john paul jones stated that bonham could not be replaced. This revised edition contains 23 of bonham s most famous drum transcriptions from his work with the legendary led zeppelin. As you could have probably guessed, it focuses on snare technique. Apr 27, 2017 paiste 2002 john bonham cymbal set drum techniques of led zeppelin. Now learning to rock like led zeppelin is easier than ever with this informative book, drum techniques of led zeppelin.
Should you learn to play drums like bonham, youll be able to. Defining the role of drumset performance in contemporary. The sound that you will achieve with this method of tuning will be a natural, open, boomy yet not ringy tone, similar to the sound john bonham bonzo the drummer for led zeppelin had. John bonhams supraphonic snare drum pearl drummers forum. He really made a name for himself in the annuls of recording legend with his monstrous john bonham drum sounds on all those zeppelin records. In 1980, john bonham, considered one of the greatest drummers of all time, died under tragic circumstances. John henry bonham 31 may 1948 25 september 1980 was an english musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer for the english rock band led zeppelin. You wouldnt be able to compress the room mic that hard if the drummer opens up too much. Alfred drum techniques of led zeppelin book musicians friend. John bonham is one of the legends of rock n roll, and his drumming style helped to elevate led zeppelin to greatness. A fun, bonham style drum solo exercise learn a fun solo idea inspired by led zeppelins ferocious drummer, john bonham. I had the pleasure of doing a full book of led zeppelin transcriptions for alfred music, but this one comes from md classic tracks.
This site attempts to list the various drum kits and specs used by john henry bonzo bonham throughout his life and career, from his early days as a local up and coming drummer, his legendary contribution to one of the biggest bands in the world, led zeppelin, and to his untimely death on 25 september. John bonham out on the tiles to me, if you had to choose only one rock drummer to study, it would be john bonham. This video drum lesson is going to teach you one of john bonhams most famous drum lick ideas. For those who are really listening and analyzing, the subtleties involved are fantastic and totally add a character to the song which wouldnt be there otherwise. How to sound like john bonham how to program drums. This method employs an unported resonant head no hole on the front head with no internal dampening except a felt strip on either side. Note for note transcriptions of 23 classic john bonham drum tracks. Bonham was definately part of that zep drum sound, alot of conviction in his style. Rob litten from is selling a comprehensive video drum pack here. More glyn johns drumswhy dont my drums sound huge like john. The drum tech explorations of jeff ocheltree dvd, jeffs first instructional dvd, he discusses his experiences and teaches techniques valuable to drum techs and all drummers with handson examples using 9 different kits and 9 drummers. Bonham quite simply created the mould for every rock drummer since. I had the pleasure of doing a full book of led zeppelin transcriptions for alfred. All people say how quick foot was, but not one roadie, member of band, not one person can even say for sure whether he played heel up or heel down.
Jeff also discusses the unique bronze drums he makes from recycled cymbals. John henry bonham, in my humble opinion, states chad smith emphatically, is hands down the greatest rock drummer of all time. In fact, bonham s precision, power, and sonic presence was the very reason he got the gig with zeppelin. While this book was written to promote independence in jazz drumming, its useful for anyone, including rock musicians even john bonham loved it. Bonham used a standard 22 bass drum with and 16 toms, later upgraded to a 24 bass drum. The best drum books for beginners the superprof blog uk. B what challenges you can expect when using the glyn johns drum miking technique. Syncopation for the modern drummer by ted reed 1959.
Pete riley has worked with artist as diverse as republica, motorhead and more recently. John bonham by softcover sheet music for buy print. Led zeppelins legendary drummer, john bonham, regularly tops best. Oct 14, 2011 john broke his bass drum head during the gig. More glyn johns drumswhy dont my drums sound huge like. Including note for note transcriptions of 23 classic john bonham drum tracks, this book will have you on your way to drumming like a star. When robbie hired it, they set it up and put it in a studio on its own.
Also, get the book a thunder of drums fi youd like to learn more. John bonham of led zeppelin good times, bad times single pedal triplets. Some more interesting attention to detail here at the 1. Most drummers refer to this drum lick specifically as the bonham bass drum triplets. This revised edition contains 23 of bonham s most famous drum transcriptions from his work with. I have been a big john bonham fan for over 36 years and recently i have been going back and studying his technique and listening all the zeppelin tunes on my ipod. The verse section of the song good times bad times from led zeppelin i has some very good examples of just that. Learn to play five led zeppelin tracks note for note with pete riley. Book description now learning to rock like led zeppelin is easier than ever with this informative book, drum techniques of led zeppelin. Throughout bonham s career, he used ludwigs speedking bass drum pedal with tight spring tension. His contributions to rock music were revolutionary, and his talent unmatched and irreplaceable. Andy was instrumental in shaping the sound of led zeppelins seminal fourth album, including john s bonham s ferocious drum sound on when the levee breaks.
But then i starting hearing these cool bass drum licks by 2 of my favorite drummers. A tongueincheek essay in mcsweeneys, michael fowlers how to play a john bonham drum solo, contains some of the finest descriptions ive read of bonham s thunderous playing. Led zeppelin formed in 1968 initially as the new yardbirds, with guitarist jimmy page hooking up with band of joy vocalist and drummer robert plant and john bonham, quickly followed by john paul jones joining on bass playing their first gig as led zeppelin in october 1968. You can only imagine jimmy pages reaction to first seeing him in 1968. And, before you think that tuning a similarsized kit will make you sound like bonham. These drums are mostly chromeplated over a ludalloy aluminum shell. John bonhams drumming explained led zeppelin master. Despite all the deserved attention paid to his brilliant soloing ideas, his rhythmic sophistication, or his bass drum prowess, john bonham was, above all else, a groover. Writing about bonzo they said, on the very first cut of the very first led zeppelin lp, john bonham changed rock drumming forever. Youve got your right hand shuffling on the hihat, snare on beat 3, a groovy bass drum pattern, ghost notes and a classic hihat scoop. John henry bonzo bonham was the godfather of hard rock drumming and he remains an idol to legions of led zeppelin and heavy metal fans worldwide. Years later, jimmy page was still amused by the disorienting impact that good times bad times, with its jawdropping bass drum hiccups, had on listeners. Just another example of his jazz feel, and his attention to detail. In 2004 johns book, studies for the contemporary drummer, was rereleased.
It was an exact replica, tuned the same, so if a skin went, all you had to do was take that part of the kit out. Led zeppelins john bonham the greatest drummer ever. One about 34 feet above the snare drum pointed at the snare. It all begins with the triplet, the thumppeda, thumppeda, thumppeda rhythm the led zeppelin drummer plays on every piece of the kit. Notefornote transcriptions of 23 classic john bonham drum tracks. John bonham drum dimensions hey, im curious about what size drums bonzo had, all i know is he had a 26 inch bass drum, so if any of you know, your response would be appreciated. Drummer john bonhams infamous squeaky kick drum pedal on led. Its been used a lot, i hired it out to the manic street preachers and robbie williams. Get the best deals on ludwig bonham when you shop the largest online selection at. John bonham biography famous drummers drum lessons. John bonham led zeppelin isolated studio drum tracks. John henry bonham 31 may 194825 september 1980 was an english musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer for the english rock band led zeppelin. John bonham s drumming is a lot like paul mccartneys beatles bass playing. This excellent dvd will teach you tracks and techniques from the legendary drummer behind the rock powerhouse led zeppelin.
Led zeppelin john bonham drum techniques book new ebay. It gives you an amazing and unique insight to see just how clever and innovative john bonham was. Esteemed for his speed, power, fast bass drumming, distinctive sound, and feel for the groove, he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rock drummers in history bonham was born in 1948 in redditch, worcestershire and. As others have said, stop trying to find the greatest other than the greatest you that you can become. Also included are editors notes from each record and notefornote transcriptions.
Sadly, johns passed away earlier this year, but in this 2009 interview first published in rhythm magazine he recalled the highs and lows of those sessions. The truth about the worlds greatest drummersfrom john bonham and keith moon to sheila e. This revised edition contains 23 transcriptions of john bonham s most famous drum performances with the legendary led zeppelin. And john bonham played, for the most part, a very simple drumkit, consisting of a 14. Describing the style of john bonham s drumming instantly conjurs up visions of the thunderous power he created. In fact, bonhams precision, power, and sonic presence was the very reason he got the gig with zeppelin. Learn how to play drums to nine songs by led zeppelin, featuring john bonham and including free. That bonham bass drum triplet thing good times bad times. Good times bad times, babe im gonna leave you, dazed and confused, communication breakdown, whole lotta love, what is and what should never be, heartbreaker, living loving maid shes just a woman, immigrant song, black dog, stairway to heaven, misty mountain hop, the song remains the same. Actually several other groups told me that certain clubs wouldnt book bands in which john bonham played drums, because he was too loud. The glyn johns drum recording method recording revolution. Mick hinton, who became bonham s new drum tech in 1971 has said in an interview i had the other bass drum set up as a spare a 26 bass drum, 14 tom and a cymbal arm mounted on the bass drum. This pedal has been nicknamed the squeak king because of the large amounts of squeaking it produces. John bonham, however, was for a short time the greatest hardrock drummer, since he presumably invented the genre on its own he was defini.