DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11067
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 10:24 AM
Why is it that the surf beat i.e. snare on 2, 2"and" and 4 versus just a straight 2 and 4 sounds so right for this music? My theory is that the extra "2-and" beat provides a hint of tension that gets relieved with every hit on 4. Whatever it is, I like it.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:00 AM
I think it is a beat that really gels well with more basic/primal human emotion and physical activity and/or how the body functions during such activity.
Of course that could be because I use to listen to surf music while I ran. But to me anyways, running makes me think of the surf beat, just a combination of how i breathe, how my heart beats, and how my feet hit the ground.
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2778
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:03 AM
I agree. It's "natural" in most driving instrumental music. A LOT of 50's instro tracks utilized the classic "surf beat."
Funny thing is a number of drummers don't use it in a lot of "surfy" places.
While we were striking the Penetrator's gear at Surf Fest this year, Spanky jokeingly quipped "What does one have to do to get a "surf drummer to play a surf beat?"
Hell if I know Twangler, It's been a challenge to me for ten years.
ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:10 AM
Him talk with forked tongue 
But right on Danny, about time we talked about surf drums. I thought about starting a thread for drummers a while ago. It would be good to understand things from a surf drummers perspective. surf_GUITAR_101 is only a name isn't it.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:16 AM
eddiekatcher
Funny thing is a number of drummers don't use it in a lot of "surfy" places.
While we were striking the Penetrator's gear at Surf Fest this year, Spanky jokeingly quipped "What does one have to do to get a "surf drummer to play a surf beat?"
Our drummer almost never utilizes the surf beat. Especially on our new material. Although I must agree with his choices on our new stuff. However, I do remember really wanting him to play that beat back in the day. As a rhythm guitarist I'd rather not be locked into the surf beat on all of my songs. Gives me more options.
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11067
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:21 AM
I agree the surf beat is neither appropriate or desired for every song. But I'm asking what is it about that particular beat that works so well? I'm intrigued that one mere extra beat can change the entire feel of the rhythm and when it's not there it's like a huge gap.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:25 AM
Which we've given our opinion on. I don't think there is a basic answer. It is really an opinion on what the surf beat does for you. As Eddie and I have said, it is a natural/basic/primal/organic thing. I feel it is tied in with our hearts. That the beat on the "two and" is a akin to a heart palpitation.
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11067
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:32 AM
JakeDobner
Which we've given our opinion on.
I'm just clarifying for anyone else who may want to join this thread in an attempt to head off a derailment to 'drummers who won't play the surf beat' thread, though maybe that's inevitable.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:36 AM
Sorry, I thought you might have missed our earlier posts. Didn't want you thinking that i went off topic from the get go!
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tonetti
Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 654
California
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 11:44 AM
I am a drummer, and I love the surf beat, to me it just feels really natural, yet very simple, it is a beat IMO where I can really get into the groove and feel the music. I have gone from playing quite a large kit, to a Gretsch 4 peice, with just a hi-hat and a 21" ride. I really had to re train myself and my style to play on a small kit, to sound good. It really is amazing how much you really can do on a small kit. I think that when you have a huge drumset a bunch of toms and cymbals it gives this facade of a good drummer, but it makes you lose sight of the basics, and a straight forward beat.
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RecRoomSurfer
Joined: Sep 19, 2008
Posts: 206
Canada, eh?
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 03:42 PM
JakeDobner
I think it is a beat that really gels well with more basic/primal human emotion and physical activity and/or how the body functions during such activity.
With respect to the Surf beat, I always wanted to ask the question, "Does Surf swing".
Before I learned about "boom da da boom da" I always thought surf music
was played to a swing beat. I knows it's not a shuffle but I think the extra
short beat gives the surf beat a swing feeling. I understand Surf music
started out as dance music so I guess it needed a beat that made people
want to move.
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MissingLink
Joined: Jul 23, 2008
Posts: 488
Edge of the East China Sea
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 03:47 PM
I think the 'surf beat' sounds so right in surf music because, like the other elements in a surf tune, it evokes or supports the sensation of surfing. It's as essential to that end as is palm muting, vibrato use, bright notes, pick slides, and heavy reverb. They work together to suggest speed, choppiness, splash, and sudden swerves -- a kind of 'bumpy speed' sensation.
There's clearly more to it than that, though, because I've loved that beat all my life, since long before I'd ever heard of Dick Dale.
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norcalhodad
Joined: May 25, 2006
Posts: 537
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 04:50 PM
I think I'd describe it as simple, upbeat, predictable and infectious, although when played too fast it sort of loses it's hook.
Nirvana's "Sappy" is a non-surf recording that uses a surf beat and it sort of adds a bopping bounce to what could be a dour dirge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGaeI8aKuA&NR=1
—  > 
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19331
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 05:12 PM
Wow, cool Joe. I didn't think it got used much (or at all) outside "retro" genres.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19331
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jul 24 2009 05:14 PM
DannySnyder
Why is it that the surf beat i.e. snare on 2, 2"and" and 4 versus just a straight 2 and 4 sounds so right for this music? My theory is that the extra "2-and" beat provides a hint of tension that gets relieved with every hit on 4. Whatever it is, I like it.
I have no idea Danny, but I like it too. It's so incredibly important. I also like some of the more non-standard drum beats that the Astronauts did (e.g. Surf Party) and I believe the Madeira went this route on "Surf Fidelis".
I also found our "Surf Drumming" thread and stickied it in this forum (Surf Musician).
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25668
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Jul 25 2009 12:02 AM
yes the Surf Beat is very fitting in some songs, and to not have it would be bad.
but...
I really love a good floor Tom roll.
or a 2 floor tom tribal beat, with no snare at all.
of course its not as loud as a snare so its gotta be played really hard,
but that tribal thing just gets me.
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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wooza
Joined: Apr 24, 2006
Posts: 1618
Ithaca, NY
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Posted on Jul 25 2009 12:48 AM
Brian
DannySnyder
Why is it that the surf beat i.e. snare on 2, 2"and" and 4 versus just a straight 2 and 4 sounds so right for this music? My theory is that the extra "2-and" beat provides a hint of tension that gets relieved with every hit on 4. Whatever it is, I like it.
I have no idea Danny, but I like it too. It's so incredibly important. I also like some of the more non-standard drum beats that the Astronauts did (e.g. Surf Party) and I believe the Madeira went this route on "Surf Fidelis".
Yes! I dig that Astronauts beat too... very tasty. The Deadbeats use it (or something like it) on Gooch in Space toward the end. I know we don't like to overuse the standard surf beat (we do use it on this song--a little heavier crashing the ride), but sometimes it's just so endearing. Feels like being right at home. 
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ColtsSurf
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 477
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Posted on Jul 25 2009 09:30 AM
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supertonesurf
Joined: Apr 28, 2006
Posts: 419
n.y.c.
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Posted on Jul 25 2009 09:38 AM
let us not forget the Indian tom tom beat this is one of the true fundamentals of all American music... and sounds great in surf
— Facebook pages theSupertones
or @ Timothy C Sullivan
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Thunderhead
Joined: Apr 11, 2009
Posts: 201
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Posted on Jul 25 2009 10:37 AM
What about The Beat in "The Savage" by The Shadows?? Pretty Hip!!
www.myspace.com/thethunderheads
— www.myspace.com/thethunderheads
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