Linear Style Drumming

Linear Drumming is the concept of striking only one drum at a time as you play a beat or fill. In the 1960's, famous Jazz drummer Elvin Jones would play phrases that were 4 way independent, meaning each limb was doing something different. Some band leaders thought this was too progressive at the time, but others saw Elvin's genuis.

Elvin went on to earn well-deserved legendary respect in the drumming community. Younger generation drummers Steve Gadd and David Garibaldi had great recording success in the 1970's and made some linear style grooves very famous. Steve Gadd played Chick Corea and Paul Simon and many others, while David Garibaldi played with Tower of Power and became a master of linear playing (and compound stickings).