I was hoping somebody might be able to respond to this, and I am thinking perhaps a drummer or somebody who has actual experience might be able to do so.

I've heard it mentioned before that the drum sounds are programmed on 777-9311. I've also heard that the high hat work was performed live in the recording.

I've also heard that is impossible to play all of the drum parts (high hat work included) in a live setting by a single drummer/percussionist and that it must be modified.

If that is true, my question is: Why?

Is it a math thing in that it would not be possible to do? Would it be necessary to use both hands for the high hat work ending in no free hands for other cymbal/tom/drum work?

Hypothetically, if one had 3 "arms," do you think it could then be possible to perform in a live setting?

Perhaps with something like THIS could it be possible?

Check it...maybe it is possible:

https://youtu.be/T5y0o2fDXxM

starkitty said:

I think this is the kind of ?uestion ?uestlove would love.

I'd love for them to respond!

1nonly said:

Check it...maybe it is possible:

https://youtu.be/T5y0o2fDXxM

Yeah I've seen this before and it's impressive.

But I think even Roberts acknowledges that the parts he plays "might not be the total perfect uh ryhthym that was playing."

I'm just wondering what may be the reason for that?

Replica said:

Wasn't this just a drumbeat programmed by the drummer from tower of power or something? A beat that comes with the machine lm1 when you buy it.

Absolutely not. I have confirmed with other LM1 owners that that's not the case.

That story came from Jesse Johnson, but I don't believe it and he's definitely mistaken about it being a preset.

Anyway.... it's not impossible. John Blackwell has nailed it in the past. I think I read that that's how he got the gig with P. Could be mistaken there but I seem to recall that. I also found this post from an orger a few years back.

ON a side note: About 4 years ago I was looking for a drummer and I went to put a flyer up in a Guitar Center (I'm from the bay). I hear some guy killing in the drum room, he then proceeds to play "777-9311" perfectly. I was like "that is my drummer.." walked in the room and it was John Blackwell.

true story

Nero

Militant said:

Replica said:

Wasn't this just a drumbeat programmed by the drummer from tower of power or something? A beat that comes with the machine lm1 when you buy it.

Absolutely not. I have confirmed with other LM1 owners that that's not the case.

That story came from Jesse Johnson, but I don't believe it and he's definitely mistaken about it being a preset.

Anyway.... it's not impossible. John Blackwell has nailed it in the past. I think I read that that's how he got the gig with P. Could be mistaken there but I seem to recall that. I also found this post from an orger a few years back.

ON a side note: About 4 years ago I was looking for a drummer and I went to put a flyer up in a Guitar Center (I'm from the bay). I hear some guy killing in the drum room, he then proceeds to play "777-9311" perfectly. I was like "that is my drummer.." walked in the room and it was John Blackwell.

true story

Nero

I too was sceptical about that "truth", mainly since it screams Prince on steroids. It has a similar feel to it as Automatic, G-Spot, When Doves Cry, U Got THe Look... his weird staccato syncopated contrasts between the feel of something being fast and slow at the same time. They way it grooves is too princey. If it was a so called preset, then he'd atleast change it up a whole lot to make it scream PRINCE! THe biggest difference between this groove and other similar grooves of his is the maximalism in the drum pattern. But the sophistication in it is very similar. It kinda has the quality of something minimalistic, even though it isn't. It's something with the main hits, and what role the different hits play.

Drums are Linn, hit hats are Morris. It can be played by a drummer, but it's tricky. Michael B. has also nailed it.

This guy seems to have a pretty good handle on it. Plays it better than Blackwell can:

LovesexyIsThe1 said:

This guy seems to have a pretty good handle on it. Plays it better than Blackwell can:

-space where video goes-

He's got the theory down, but he still has a few hiccups in the execution.

i give him all the ctedit in the world, cuz like Steakfinger said, it's mostly machine with Mr. Day jammin' the hi-hat on top.

Not easy at all!

One of the best bass lines on top of that patern, too

Prost!

I would make a very confidant bet that it's a drum machine. Take a listen to Make Up by Vanity 6. Similar sound and also definitely programmed. The hats sound live because they're pitched down.

[Edited 3/21/16 14:37pm]

LovesexyIsThe1 said:

This guy seems to have a pretty good handle on it. Plays it better than Blackwell can:

I've seen a few of this dudes vids, and he can play about anything... even some of the most tricky trap and dubstep-ish stuff.

Militant said:

Anyway.... it's not impossible. John Blackwell has nailed it in the past. I think I read that that's how he got the gig with P. Could be mistaken there but I seem to recall that. I also found this post from an orger a few years back.

Are you sure about this? I feel like I've read that it's actually not possible to play this live. But I'm definitely interested in a discussion of Blackwell actually performing it note for note.

GuyBros said:

Militant said:

Anyway.... it's not impossible. John Blackwell has nailed it in the past. I think I read that that's how he got the gig with P. Could be mistaken there but I seem to recall that. I also found this post from an orger a few years back.

Are you sure about this? I feel like I've read that it's actually not possible to play this live. But I'm definitely interested in a discussion of Blackwell actually performing it note for note.

Militant's right.

On the Drummer's Resource podcast Blackwell talks about being invited to Paisley to jam with Prince. At the end of the session Prince was walking out the door when Blackwell went in to the 777-9311 beat. Prince came back in the room and Blackwell got the gig (skip to around 1hr 32 for the Prince part):

www.drummersresource.com/john-blackwell-interview

So does anyone have a linn drum who can confirm that it's not a preset?

Some lad on the comments to the tutorial there says:

The actual drumbeat of 777-9311 is a preset patch (without the claps) in the original Linn LM-1 drum machine. ( which i still have )

Like I said in a previous thread it seems an unbelievably complex beat for a preset but i'd love to see some hard evidence.

djfine said:

Militant's right.

On the Drummer's Resource podcast Blackwell talks about being invited to Paisley to jam with Prince. At the end of the session Prince was walking out the door when Blackwell went in to the 777-9311 beat. Prince came back in the room and Blackwell got the gig (skip to around 1hr 32 for the Prince part):

www.drummersresource.com/john-blackwell-interview

I'm sorry but he doesn't say that he can play it note for note.

He just mentions that he learned how to learn to play it "correctly" by keeping his left hand on the high hat. But I don't know if that means he can paly it note for note?

I am not intent on him NOT being able to do so. I've just read anything really that says he plays it definitely like the recording, and not source I've found suggests that.

[Edited 4/11/16 17:38pm]

[Edited 4/11/16 17:38pm]

steakfinger said:

actually saw him do this live.....it was sick

paulludvig said:

steakfinger said:

Drums are Linn, hit hats are Morris. It can be played by a drummer, but it's tricky. Michael B. has also nailed it.

Has this been confirmed? [Edited 4/5/16 13:08pm]

There is no question at all that the kick and snare are from a Linn LM-1. I would also say that Prince saying that the Time was Morris on the drums and him on the bass - in speaking about why he wouldn't allow The Time to use the name for Condensate - strongly suggests it. Also, as someone who plays drums and loves the sound as much as what is played, I can say that is definitely NOT Prince on the hi hats. Prince doesn't hit that hard and the hi hat work in terms of sound and attack perfectly matches the rest of the early Time stuff which is known to be Morris. I don't know who else it would be if it wasn't Morris. Confirmed? Strictly speaking, no. I feel quite confident, however.

steakfinger said:

the entire drum track was programmed in the Linn. no live drums in this song. he might have used a real splash cymbal for flavor. during his guitar solo he added snare fills by hitting the snare button on the Linn. he also changed the hi-hat pattern slightly. its impossible for a drummer to play it exactly like the song. you would need 3 arms. you can get close though.

SanDiegoFunkDaddy said:

the entire drum track was programmed in the Linn. no live drums in this song. he might have used a real splash cymbal for flavor. during his guitar solo he added snare fills by hitting the snare button on the Linn. he also changed the hi-hat pattern slightly. its impossible for a drummer to play it exactly like the song. you would need 3 arms. you can get close though.

well explained, and most likely the closest thing to correct until we actually see how it was programmed

SanDiegoFunkDaddy said:

its impossible for a drummer to play it exactly like the song. you would need 3 arms. you can get close though.

Militant's response above disagrees with that.

Why would you need 3 arms?

Replica said:

SanDiegoFunkDaddy said:

the entire drum track was programmed in the Linn. no live drums in this song. he might have used a real splash cymbal for flavor. during his guitar solo he added snare fills by hitting the snare button on the Linn. he also changed the hi-hat pattern slightly. its impossible for a drummer to play it exactly like the song. you would need 3 arms. you can get close though.

well explained, and most likely the closest thing to correct until we actually see how it was programmed

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have indicated that physically hitting the buttons, (as opposed to programming the fills) is something they all did to add variety, much to the surprise of studio visitors.

steakfinger said:

Replica said:

Wasn't this just a drumbeat programmed by the drummer from tower of power or something? A beat that comes with the machine lm1 when you buy it.

Yes this is the case, I forget who said this in an interview, but the pattern for 777-9311 was a stock demonstration pattern that came with the new LM-1.

My study of it..

Several years ago at a drum clinic @ Guitar Center in NY, John Blackwell played part of 777-9311 when I asked him what is it like working with Prince. Mr. Blackwell stated that Prince took it out of his pay if he missed a beat.