Gordy Knudtson w/Steve Miller Band
7 videos • 2,456 views • by Gordy Knudtson Playing the SMB gig in arenas, amphitheaters, and outdoor festivals requires a strong, simple, energetic approach to communicate the music clearly. In these settings playing too many notes tends to cloud and clutter the sound, reducing the impact of the music.You'll see that I use mostly larger Moeller/whipping movements. I do this to create a bigger sound and visual, plus it feels good to play this music that way! But I'm still trying to do these motions in a way that maximizes energy transfer while reducing effort/work - getting more for less. As I get older, I can confirm that a drummer's best friend is mechanical efficiency - the key to a long career. (FYI - The only time I use open/close on this gig is when we play a shuffle!)