Is there an objective way to say if one drummer is better, because I noticed that threads comparing drummers (most notable vinnie paul and mike portnoy) are not allowed, so I have a query, do you believe it is possible to objectively say one drummer is better than the other?

here are some of my ideas:

Speed, a faster drummer could be called a better drummer.
Musical theory knowledge, a smarter drummer could be called a better drummer.
Rudiment knowledge, a drummer with a greater rudiment 'library' could be called a better drummer.
Syncapation, a drummer who can do a greater amount of syncapation could be called a better drummer.
originality, the drummer who comes up with the most original beats etc. (very hard to do nowadays) could be called a better drummer.

what do you think?

Well, all those factors apply... but not all of them are necessarily relevant to the style of music a drummer might be playing.

So... the only 'fair' way to compare 2 drummers on these (or any) points were if they were in the same band playing the same style and even songs.

An obvious comparison would be Paul Bostaph and Dave Lombardo...

and while I have my opinion opinion of who is better, who really cares?

I think thats why these posts aren't allowed and keep getting locked. That and the arguments: "You're so gayy!!!!11111!!!! The guy from BLink 1eighty2 rooles uu!!!11111" (etc etc etc) are just annoying and waste database space.

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hmmm the same band style and songs, that is interesting, but yeah I understand why they are banned, because the end up in a subjective arguement which ultimately goes no where, but if there was an objective way to say who was better it would put an end to such petty arguements.

so I was seeing what kind of guidlines if any could be made to help determine if a drummer is better or not.

oh and you better think dave is better

dave is better, but paul isn't a bad drummer

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I actually prefered Paul.

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Someone here heard Dave or Paul practising? Dont think so...you can't put all those ideas of NZ black metal drumm in a bands music. Who knows what kind of sick shit they're playing at home.

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I would love to hear paul and dave practice so I could borrow stuff from them. but in theory the sicker stuff they plactise at home, the more it will come through in their music, of course there aere some drummers who diliberatly hold back and others than go all out, but generally what they practise will come out in their music, if it didn't I highly doubt they would practise it!!!!

and yes paul is a very good drummer, I just liked Daves work better .

Coming from me (a guitarist) Id have to say that, speed, accuracy, technicality... But to me the most important thing for a great drummer is the ability to put these kind of druum beats to just about any type of musical riff.

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the drummer who makes the band sound the best possible is the best drummer. musicality is where all the substance is. technique is icing on the cake, but somtimes a guy needs a lot of technique to make his band sound good. look at a guy like lars ulrich - not very strong technically for the most part, but he made metallica's songs awesome. they didn't require a lot of busy drumming, but lars had enough instinct as to how to mae it sound good. he's got real good timing too. on the other side, take kevin talley from dying fetus/misery index. dying fetus was crap before he came in. they're pretty shitty now too, since he left. the guy that plays for them now has solid chops, close to talley's but it doesn't sound as cool.

In your mind maybe,but objectively: no.

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hahah that was clever...with the whole objective theme of the thread...yeah im gonna go have a muffin

I agree with omdthrash the drummer who makes the band sound good is a good drummer. I also think that creativity is also what makes a good drummer. Anyone can play an AC/DC beat but the people who can come up with creative beats that you dont normaly hear are the people who stand out and make the band sound awesome. Ex: John Bonnham, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart, Ginger Baker, ect.

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Music is not a competition you know. Of course there are good bands and bad bands, but setting criteria to compare drummers wouldn't work because everyone has their own, as much as everyone has their own taste in music.

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Me too, Paul is a more Agressive drummer, his drumming on GHUA was awesome. But dave is still fucking great.

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