I would like to address the age old question, and something I hear heated discussions about between my drummer friends all the time. Chops or Groove? This is actually a very complicated, convoluted, and complex topic, and deserves some perspective on both. So before we get to my thoughts on the question itself, let’s dive into both side of the argument.
Groove is the most important part of being a drummer. You are the pulse, heartbeat, and foundation of a song, and there is no debating that. Drummers like Steve Jordan, Kenny Aronoff, Steve Gadd, and Ringo Starr (just to name-check a few) are the ones that embody the spirit of making the groove the meaning of playing drums. This is not to say they are not capable of more, but often drummers in team groove swear by keeping things simple and manageable. With this, they create a super tight foundation and the pulse never ever waivers. The pros to this are that the timing is impeccable, the band never needs to think about timing, and the crowd can always clap on beat. Don’t kid yourself, almost all mega hits in the pop, rock, and country genres are being played by a groove drummer. The cons are that often, you are not going to be surprise or overly wow anyone with your drumming. Then again, for groove drummers, they are often intentionally not trying to stand out.
Chops are tools for drummers to create excitement, power, and expression in their craft. Drummers like Carter Beauford, Neil Peart (RIP), Gavin Harrison, and Jimmy Chamberlin embody the spirit of always learning and adding to your arsenal of tools to use in any given situation. This is not to say that chops drummers have no groove, but they are not solely committed to just keeping a solid and unwavering pulse. The pros are that they often have chops for literally any musical idea, movement, speed, or time signature, no matter how unorthodox or irregular. Don’t kid yourself, great drummers with awesome chops are what got you into drumming in the first place, and makes even non-musicians take notice. The cons are that chops take a lot of work to learn and maintain, and don’t work in music all of the time. Without discipline, drummers will go to chops city too often and ultimately take away from the music they are playing, losing them gigs.
With that in mind my answer to the question of Chops or Groove is Both! It’s actually very simple. Groove is an absolute must for any drummer. If you can’t groove then you are not fulfilling a fundamental part of being a good drummer and a good band mate. I have never believed that a drummer is solely responsible for time keeping, but the rhythm section is. Personally, I view timing as a dance, and it is up to us to set the dance at the right speed and rhythm for all of the other musicians. The bass player helps us lock the timing and connects us to the melody section of the music. With that solid groove, drummers can contribute more to the music, aside from just keeping time and a pulse.
This is where chops comes in. With a quiver full of various chops at our command, we can accent with the melodies. With the right chops at the right time, done well, can make other musicians stand out while also flexing our muscle. Drummers can contribute to the melody as well! Toms are more than just something to hit! With a little tuning and an ear for melody, your toms can contribute to the melody or even counter melodies! Chops, when used correctly, can bring energy, excitement, and a wow factor to the music, and most importantly, enhance and contribute to the music! The key to this all is two fold. Be musical, and at the same time, find your own musical identity. As a musician, you have your own unique voice, and you deserve to speak just as your other band mates do. Developing your groove is essential and building chops gives you tools to express yourself with. I will cover musical identity more completely in another post, but it is so important. Whatever you do as a drummer however, be yourself! There is no wrong way to go when you are true to yourself!
– Chris