^Less.......or........more>As far as professional drum kit set-ups go, I believe this is possibly the extreme. Slim Jim Phantom
is a true minimalist while Terry Bozzio expresses diversity and choice. The last time I went to a Bozzio drum clinic I should have asked him how long it takes him to utililize every piece of equipment during the course of any given performance!
For the most part, a drummer's percussive existence revolves around serving snare, bass drum and hi-hat. Adding tom toms and cymbals crashes only serve to further "color" his or her performace. Knowing this should help us maintain focus on what's really important: Keeping time and consistent rhythm. Fills should be placed tastefully and in moderation. This will increase the anticipation of audience members. Neil Peart of Rush orders his fills in precise order and are almost never repeated!
For the non or even semi-professional drummer, I contend that "less" should "trump" more in respect to drumming style in the early stages of ones career. The reason is simple really. For until one masters basic rudements and rock steady rhythm on the drum set, fancy drum fills or soloing will not land the the kind of gigs that will propel your career forward. As in anything in life, prepare the foundation before you start building the walls.
Most importantly have fun, but do endevour to make every beat and stroke find a logical, complimentary place within the musical "fabric". I guarantee you won't regret this and your audience will love it!
Jim Richardson
this is not really accurate...Bozzio is not one of those guys who just puts stuff up there to look good (such as some drummers w/4 Bass Drums with no pedals on some of them)....He plays entire composistions and his thinking is coming from a composer's veiw...not a "set up a fill" view. It's just differnt. I doubt anyone would ask a pianist to remove keys? Neil is great...but I won't say he does not repeat himself?...Slim Jim ....well let's just say his "small kit" thing was a pretty gimmicky move back in the day when he did it. Definitely a looks thing in the 80's. It's not less versus more unless you want to compare say Tony Williams 1964 on a 4 piece versus Alex Van Halen in the 80's with a huge kit. Then you have an argument.
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