Propagation of musical phrases

Flint · 02-18-2010, 01:08 PM

I hear a very similar, but not identical, phrase being played on the snare drum in these three disparate songs (from three different decades). I have linked to right before the phrase is played (thanks to Bruce's Youtube tricks).

Led Zeppelin - The Rover, from Physical Graffiti (1974). John Bohnam on drums.

The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger (fadeout--ADJUST YOUR VOLUME), from Synchronicity (1983). Stewart Copeland on drums.

John Mayer - No Such Thing, from his debut album Inside Wants Out (1999). Studio/session drummer Nir Zidkyahu.

I have a few theories, just based on a gut feeling. I think Nir Zidkyahu was pulling an obvious “Copeland” lick in the John Mayer track. You probably can't link Copeland's phrase back to Bonham's, but I thought the similarity of the idea was interesting. I think Bohnam could have been emulating some obscure Motown phrase (much like the famous intro to Rock and Roll, i.e. the intro to Little Richard’s Keep a Knockin’). Does anyone know of an earlier example of the Bohnam/Copeland/Zidkyahu drum phrase?

Have you ever noticed this type of thing in the music you listen to?

02-18-2010, 01:08 PM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Propagation of musical phrases I hear a very similar, but not identical, phrase being played on the snare drum in these three disparate songs (from three different decades). I have linked to right before the phrase is played (thanks to Bruce's Youtube tricks). Led Zeppelin - The Rover, from Physical Graffiti (1974). John Bohnam on drums. The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger (fadeout--ADJUST YOUR VOLUME), from Synchronicity (1983). Stewart Copeland on drums. John Mayer - No Such Thing, from his debut album Inside Wants Out (1999). Studio/session drummer Nir Zidkyahu. I have a few theories, just based on a gut feeling. I think Nir Zidkyahu was pulling an obvious “Copeland” lick in the John Mayer track. You probably can't link Copeland's phrase back to Bonham's, but I thought the similarity of the idea was interesting. I think Bohnam could have been emulating some obscure Motown phrase (much like the famous intro to Rock and Roll, i.e. the intro to Little Richard’s Keep a Knockin’). Does anyone know of an earlier example of the Bohnam/Copeland/Zidkyahu drum phrase? Have you ever noticed this type of thing in the music you listen to? __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio** Last edited by Flint; 02-18-2010 at 01:18 PM.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)