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Gospel Chops: fashion or a real new style?


Article by: Salvatore Corazza

Biografia di Salvatore Corazza

Salvatore Corazza, drummer, percussionist and arranger, was born in Ozieri and began playing as a self-taught musician at the age of 11. After experience with Gruppo 2001 and in dance formations in Bologna, in Rome he joined the orchestra of 'Domenica In' directed by Pippo Caruso. He has collaborated with Andrea Bocelli, Giorgia, Alex Baroni, Mike Francis, Paola Turci, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Riccardo Fogli and Baraonna. He has played on world tours with 'Il Volo' and with artists such as Renato Zero, Fiorella Mannoia and Ornella Vanoni. He was part of the orchestra for 'Natale in Vaticano' accompanying BB King, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones and others. He participated in the 'Jubilee 2000' orchestra and played on TV shows such as 'La Corrida' and 'Maurizio Costanzo Show'. He has taught at schools such as Timba and Percento Musica and organised masterclasses with Gary Chaffee and Peter Erskine. He was the producer of the "Musica per i Borghi" festival from 2003 to 2013.


Periodically, waves of music arrive that change the balance of customs, the Afro-American communities, which for many generations have met regularly in churches to sing in large groups either a cappella or accompanied by a band, unleash an irrepressible energy, many prominent elements of world music were born there, such as the great Aretha Franklin to name one of the most representative voices of Soul.

The musicians who accompany the singers, and specifically the drummers, have elaborated the traditional drumming rudiments which include sticking (combinations of alternating single and double strokes) and linear phrases (combinations of strokes between hands and feet) so far nothing new, but they have elaborated them exponentially thus creating a veritable language or if you like, a new style. They are called 'Gospel Chops'. I'm referring to those new models of hyper-technical betterism that at times verge on the circus. Obviously in a world where speed is king, all this has great appeal, especially among young drummers.

Already teacher Gary Chaffee of the Berklee School in Boston https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqTm61bEzA more than forty years ago, he wrote a series of groundbreaking volumes https://www.garychaffee.com/booksdvds where he delved into the study and application of this technique, these books are now part of the syllabus of all drum schools and have certainly been a reference for Gospel Chops drummers as well,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFMMcEuYoaQ.

Being a technically very 'flashy' drumming style, it is often used to show off one's technical ability in online videos, which, however, sometimes borders on a repetitive exercise for its own sake, neglecting the musical content.


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