Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
A still from Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII featuring David Gilmour on the left, Nick Mason on drums at the centre of the frame, with bassist Roger Waters and keys player Richard Wright to the right.
Artists Steven Wilson on the challenges and opportunities of mixing Pink Floyd At Pompeii
Millenium Drums book
Drums Millenium launches new book for drummers of all ages and abilities
Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors
Artists “I used the snare I played on Two Princes”: Why the Spin Doctors are still rocking with the gear they used in the ’90s
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
Drums “An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
Zak Starkey
Drummers "I dropped some beats apparently. I’ve looked and I can’t find them!": Zak Starkey on Who sacking and more
Billy Cobham performs at Blue Note on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy
Drummers “He runs into the studio and shouts ‘hit the record button'”: Billy Cobham on Miles Davis’s agile recording
eli keszler
Artists “I’d urge anyone wanting to make music to avoid waiting around for others to give you permission”: Eli Keszler on staying true to yourself as an artist
  1. Drums
  2. Electronic Drums

The Drumming Wisdom of Nick Mason

News
By Rich Chamberlain published 12 September 2015

Pink Floyd drummer on gear, electronics and more

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Drumming Wisdom of Nick Mason

The Drumming Wisdom of Nick Mason

A prog pioneer, musical colossus and one of the most revered players to have ever picked up the sticks, yup, Nick Mason is a man that knows a thing or two about drumming.

Not only that, but as an ever-present with Pink Floyd (check the band's album credits, Mason is the only member to appear on every single record), he has appeared on a wealth of rock classics and has played to millions of fans worldwide.

So you could say that he has plenty of wisdom to share, which is why we looked back through the archives and pulled out some sage words from the man himself.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
On Playing

On Playing

“The technique and, almost, the gymnastics is really something that tends to only be appreciated by other drummers because, actually, the job at the end of the day tends to be to integrate with the band and make that sound. One gets into some very interesting stuff about how people play and what they put into it. The comparisons between Ginger Baker and Ringo Starr.

“Actually Ginger wouldn't have been the best person for The Beatles. There is this thing about sensitivity to the music that is so important. This gets forgotten with the drum clinics. The answer is that I've always enjoyed the thing of playing in a band, not playing on my own. For me the real excitement is that moment when the bass player plays, you set something out and the other musicians join in."

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
On Gear

On Gear

“When you look at an old drum kit the flimsiness of the whole thing is appalling. Most of us would feel uneasy even tapping the thing. What's interesting is the way the fittings have become so much stronger and more robust.

“I don't think people are playing harder than they did 25 years ago, but they are much more practical now. They last longer. There isn't that thing of every kit seems to have some bit of extra metalwork to hold something on or tape around the wingnut. I love the thing of custom drums, and the DW concepts.

“I started with Premier, then was immediately seduced by Ludwig after seeing Ginger Baker, had a brief flirtation with Fibes, then went back to Ludwig. Bill Ludwig's still a good friend of mine, I loved that whole drummer club thing that came with it. When Ludwig changed hands in the '80s I went to DW. They are the next development with the tuning of the shells and the sort of detail and experimentation that I like.”

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
On Electronics

On Electronics

“From the days of the Simmons, I had one of the original things, it was just as mind-boggling. The modern kits are fantastic. I'm surprised we haven't seen more of them out and about."

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
On Lessons

On Lessons

“I've never had a lesson and I regret it. I think it's too late, it would be so difficult to reveal to anyone just how poor my technique is! There is absolutely no doubt that my recommendation to anyone is to get lessons.

“There's an interesting thing with formal training. In classical music it will drive out the ability to improvise. I think Gary Wallace once said, it's like learning to read. If you can't read you can't read the books. It's really good to get that grounding. My personal feeling is to listen to what everyone else is doing also."

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Rich Chamberlain
Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).

Read more
A still from Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII featuring David Gilmour on the left, Nick Mason on drums at the centre of the frame, with bassist Roger Waters and keys player Richard Wright to the right.
Steven Wilson on the challenges and opportunities of mixing Pink Floyd At Pompeii
Millenium Drums book
Millenium launches new book for drummers of all ages and abilities
Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors
“I used the snare I played on Two Princes”: Why the Spin Doctors are still rocking with the gear they used in the ’90s
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
“An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
Zak Starkey
"I dropped some beats apparently. I’ve looked and I can’t find them!": Zak Starkey on Who sacking and more
Billy Cobham performs at Blue Note on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy
“He runs into the studio and shouts ‘hit the record button'”: Billy Cobham on Miles Davis’s agile recording
Latest in Electronic Drums
Alesis Strata Club
“There is no question that there’s enough quality audio here to cater for every musical taste and presents a massive amount of editing options”: Alesis Strata Club review
Roland DrumLink
Roland's V-Drums go wireless for new simple and seamless WT-10 sensor and DH-10 hub DrumLink system
Alesis Strike Amp 12 MK2 on a rug
“At full throttle, this speaker is capable of delivering room-filling volume without strain”: Alesis Strike Amp 12 MK2 review
Alesis Crimson III
Alesis’ popular Crimson e-kit just got an upgrade with version III sporting new heads and a new BFD-powered drum brain
Man compares teo electronic drum modules
How we test electronic drum sets
Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set
“Boasts an array of features above its relatively low price”: Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set review
Latest in News
Mk.gee
Mk.gee’s collaboration with Justin Bieber has arrived on Bieber’s surprise new album, Swag
Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr names his proudest moment in The Beatles
beyonce album cover
Beyonce takes to a flying golden stallion on her last few Cowboy Carter dates
Billy Joel
Billy Joel reveals the classical music origins of one of his biggest hits
Exodus Gary Holt
"It might have been like 12 people there”: Exodus’ Gary Holt pulls zero punches in his new autobiography
blur and oasis
“I am happy to accept and concede defeat”: Damon Albarn just admitted that Oasis won

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...