Playing Drums Under A Guitar Solo
Mike Vanderhule of Y&T
Cris Cohen: A lot of what you do is in support of guitar solos. Not just with this band, You've also worked with the Steve Lukather. So obviously you're a drummer who guitarists are very comfortable with. But that brings up the question, what's the key to playing under a guitar solo?
Mike Vanderhule of Y&T: I've always played R&B, soul, and jazz. And I was a trumpet player most of my childhood -- second grade to senior in high school -- while I was playing drums. So I know how it works in a band and who to listen to. Just be aware of backing up a solo and the expression of where they're going with it. Rock and roll is more planned out. But at home I play with a lot of blues guys where we'll show up without any rehearsal and just work off each other. So you just have to have huge ears and play with some dynamics. And what I got from listening to The Beatles and Alex Van Halen, give them a lot of that fire extinguisher sound out of your ride. Some guitar players love that wash.
Bands To Fans: Specializing in text content for musicians