He's the only drummer in this series to not listen to the drumless track all the way through before trying it. He listened for a few seconds and just kills it blind.

I never get tired of pointing out that he only listened to about 30 seconds of 30 Seconds to Mars, before just winging it and doing a fantastic job. Normally the Drumeo guest listens to the entire song AT LEAST once before picking up sticks. But Chad's like "....nah I got the signature, I'm good" and just nails it.

The format is that the guest drummer listens to the whole song without drums. They make notes: structure, time signature, then give it a pass. But not Chad, Chad is so f'n rock n roll that 32 seconds into the track he's supposed to listen to all the way through, the god tier drummer lays down a drum line that is, in my humble opinion, better than the original, all due respect to Shannon. He 'fucking nailed it', indeed.

His personality bleeds right through the sticks. I love how expressive he is with it. Amazing talent and soul in Chad Smith

Real musicians by far have the best respect for this video and everything involved in what he’s doing. I love your breakdown of this from start to finish.

chad's aggressive jamming was almost bang on what the studio produced version was. good on the producer and original drummer and good on smith. great minds think alike and smiths on the spot, no thinking instincts ended up almost exactly where the album ended up.

As a classical ensemble musician, I absolutely appreciate Chad Smith’s vibe. He understands that the goal is ultimately to serve the song, which I think is a totally different goal from “keeping time.“ And some of the drummers on Drumeo just sort of keep time and play it flat regardless of phrasing, but Chad is using all the cues from all the different tracks to read which phrase the song is going into, and he’s adapting his rhythm, volume, and the accents to serve each individual phrase of the song to help create build up and breaks, and I really appreciated his attitude towards the music. You can definitely tell the difference between a musician that is always LISTENING and a musician that’s just focus on “playing his part.“ A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL imho.

This was a MASTERCLASS and why Chad Smith is a LEGEND and just a purely Beautiful Soul.

this really shows that he is on that level, he's not pretending in any way. he can pull a top notch performance out of thin air whether he knows the material or not.

Chad is a master of his craft. it was truly amazing to see him just jump right in.

Anyone who’s seen rhcp live isn’t surprised by this at all. Chad is an absolute monster! Hopefully this will give him the recognition he deserves as one of the greats.

The original video of this just gave me such an appreciation for Chad, I had no idea that he was such an accomplished drummer, a real treat to see an actual complete pro on the drums!

I've watched quite a few of these Drumeo videos, and they've all been great. This one is just mindblowing though. Absolutely amazing.

I've been on a tour of reactions to this video, as I am absolutely in love with Chad's performance here. First time finding your channel and I really like what you were saying. Keith Moon is a fantastic point of reference, both for Chad's approach and Shannon Leto's. I hadn't thought of that, but as soon as you mentioned it I knew it was the perfect analogy. What I love so much about this performance is that you can see Chad walking that very fine line between listening and being sympathetic to the music, while also ATTACKING it with his playing. You can see it in the adjustments he makes throughout the bridge and breakdown, and then again during the outro, that he's listening for what the song needs in that moment, and as soon as he hears that space, he TAKES it. That's another important lesson to take away from this video, about playing confidently and without hesitation, even when you don't know the part. Sympathetic listening will give us a feel for what the song is at that moment, but once that's identified we can't meekly and weakly step in, or the feeling will be lost. We have to be willing to (and develop our confidence to the point where we can) play with absolute conviction, or else even the "right" part won't sound right. I'm a singer, and I remember talking to my father (a tenor in his church choir) about hitting high notes. I said, and he affirmed, that the ONLY way to hit a high note is to approach it with zero doubt that you've got it, even if it's way out of your comfortable range. Your voice might crack, and you might not actually make it there, if you're pushing your boundaries (which change every day, because the human body is super complicated), but if you DON'T sing with that level of conviction, you are guaranteed to fail. Hesitation and uncertainty will keep the appropriate singing muscles from activating the way they need to, and there's no hope you'll get there, even if it's a completely achievable pitch. And I think Chad demonstrated here that the same principle applies to any instrument (and probably to life in general). If you go for it with conviction, you might succeed or you might fail, but if you don't go for it with everything you have, success will not be an option. In life I say it a different way. One of my mantras is that whether I'm a spectacular success or a spectacular failure, I will be spectacular. Anyway, great reaction video. I'll definitely be checking out more of your channel. Cheers!

10:49 I've been kind of obsessed with this Drumeo video because Chad is probably the biggest influence on my drum style so I've been watching all the reaction videos and I think you're the first one I've seen that mentions how he accents the vocal line. I noticed that when I was watching the original video for the first time and it's just incredible to me how quickly he picked up on that and incorporated it into his performance.

Chad really shows his experience as a live musician as well as a studio/session drummer. Not everyone can do this. Most of the others on here took a second shot. Just imagine what he would have done with it if he had and not been playing around at the same time. Besides he wasn’t taking it completely seriously because it wasn’t something he was invested in. He was just having fun and being Chad Smith.

he points out that when he's playing with anthony that he plays with the vocals because anthony is such a strong vocalist.

It's so motivating and inspiring seeing him get in the zone like that. Pure magic! ❤

You nailed it with the bit about playing with the vocal. Chad has always said he did that with Anthony in the RHCP

"if you dont like pausing, bail right now" LOL i love that, the pauses/input is always so good. im glad youre unapologetic with it

You can tell how great he is at listening. That's experience.

I hope that anyone who watches this video hears and appreciates this: "it's not about you. it's about the song. KEEP PLAYING!" That is some of the most important advice any musician can be given, and most critical that they heed. Always keep going, and do what serves the song!

I've seen this video so many times, and it still amazes me! Brings tears to my eyes

Haha! This is like the 30th Chad react vid I've seen and it never gets old. Absolutely loved your interjections and the detailed breakdowns. Just randomly heard this song on the radio and could barely hear the drums!! Man does this song hit when the drums are crashed this hard.

Always a treat to watch a master at their craft.

I'm not even a musician, but I can see and feel the moment he gets into that zone. It's a thing of beauty to behold. It's like witnessing Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel... a real artist creating real art.

Yes! We should aspire to meet that “benchmark” well said. Thanks for mentioning Keith moon. Listen to the music, and give it all of you. Amen.

My favourite aspect of this is Chad's personality, the character of the man. And the Chili Peppers have been my favourite band since the early nineties.

As someone who doesn’t know anything about music but wishes I did and wishes I could play drums semi-confidently….I really enjoyed your breakdown and comments on this video! Chad is the man!!!!

The term that I have heard used for this is 'Active Listening' and I personally think this fits perfectly here. Also seeing this confirmed my opinion that attitude, confidence, feel, dynamism, etc. matter more when playing an instrument than technique, unless of course you are playing a super technical piece, but for most modern music it applies.

As a fellow musician. Yup I do agree and believe it's His first time hearing it. If just pay attention on the small details we will definitely notice that He really is adjusting based on the song structure.

Don't be worried about pausing at all! I feel ethically a lot better about reaction videos where you don't just get the whole clip end to end with someone nodding around. Not always, but sometimes it feels like they can border on just riding on other people's work. But this way you're actually making your own content and using something as the reference. It's the same reason I love watching Elizabeth from The Charismatic Voice analyzing vocals. It was lovely to watch someone who picks up on what's going on in a musician's mind. I've seen a couple reaction videos where people even said they don't believe he didn't practice this because they didn't notice the way he actually reacts to the song - such as when he starts to follow and accompany the vocals, picks up on cues from the guitar, or even when the song goes into the unexpected breakdown before the final chorus. It's clear as day he hasn't memorized this, even though he might have heard it before on tour or radio but just doesn't remember. He over- and undershoots several times and then corrects. It's instinct, experience, skill and active listening. When he does the tom fills to match the guitar (at about 13:40 and 14:05 ), he's got absolute lightning reflexes and even catches the tail of the first guitar lick, and then is right on board for the second and third one. And right after when the song goes to another quiet passage you can see he's about to go big but catches it just on time and cuts right back to building tension on the center of the ride cymbal. And then to add to it all he just does it with such power and confidence - like stick breaking levels of power - it's just hypnotic. Somehow reminds me of watching combat sports, like swordfighting which I've done. You have to be able to combine the ability to change direction and pick a move in an instant, but you can't be timid, you have to really go. This feels a bit like that. Edit: And just after I wrote this you compared it to being in a battle on the video :D And yeah this original was amazing. I think I've listened to it like 10 times on the Drumeo channel by now

I'm so glad to see someone react and actually stop frequently. The point of a reaction is to call out what you see and add something to it. Otherwise it's just a group watch. Well done!

This is what 45 years of drumming experience looks like. Like you said it’s not only the talent but the feel for the music and the small contextual clues provided by other instruments which give him a feel for where the song is going. Unbelievable video

Amazing Reaction video from someone that understands music! BRAVO. Thanks for the video!

Wow he freaking nailed it. The way he came in mid stride with listening all the way through. Chads wheel house has no ceiling and the energy he brought to the song was on the money for me

What you said about getting "inside the music" is so true, drummers especially have to go to a place in their mind and souls where their bodies just becomes one with the music. Elite musicians can enter into a state of musical consciousness that most people just can't access. The way Chad (and other drummers) looks is almost as if his body has just been possessed and taken over by the music

This was incredible and went viral. He nailed it on the first try. His instincts are crispyyyyy

I always appreciate your musical knowledge! This was unreal!! Chad was awesome playing with the Foos at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute. It was emotional for sure. I love your T-shirt!!

I'd have gone to a show, and heard the song played that way, I would have never known that was improv drumming.. Even with the tiny little "mistakes" between transitions.. he corrected them so smoothly that it wasn't apparent at all to me, it still sounded amazing

Thank you for believing in his brilliant musicianship to catch onto those musical nuances and respond to the shifts in the flow! Best reaction so far 😌

yes yes yes you hit every point .... real time improv like this is tough but at a high level is easy .. so glad you touched on him playing with the vocal ..to me i noticed that the first listen through and absolutly loved that.... experience is what allows him to progress the song regardless of the changes . when you said this should be not unusual at his level of musisianship i was praising you .cus yeah after decades of "jamming" you just get it!

It's just crazy how on point with Shannon (the original drummer), he is. It's like he mind linked with him haha🤣🤣🤣

Watch Chad's right foot, he's keeping time with his kick drum, how amazing to be tight on the first run

all those years jamming with flea and frusciante means chad is a badass at playing live and listening to other musicians :)

He simply made it sound better than the original, more elaborate, more skillful. No other drummer I know on Drumeo did something close to this on the first take, live, without even taking notes.

I love how he kinda chuckles to himself after hearing a few seconds like he's saying "I'm about to smash this" 😂♥️

That was such a cool commentary, thank you very much.

I’ve watched many reactions to this, but yours is my favorite! Enthusiasm and knowledgeable commentary made it so enjoyable to watch!

I'm a huge 30STM fan, and this track was my introduction, so it holds a very special place in my heart. I was never a big fan of RHCP, and didn't really know much about any of them. I say all this so that it's known I don't say this lightly... I think I like Chad's version at least equally, probably more than Shannon's. I've watched the Drumeo video so many times and countless reactions to it and I just continue to be blown away by Chad's instinct and musicality. His personality is also infectious. Drumeo also did a video where Brandon, the guy in the booth, worked with Chad to learn and play Suck My Kiss. Chad is just so humble and fun, someone who anyone could spend an enjoyable afternoon. Edited to add Jared and Shannon posted a reaction to this.

Awesome Video, as always!

I was so blown away when I first saw this! It actually inspired me to go out and get a pair of sticks and a practice pad. Love how much fun he seems to be having playing that. Even the other Drumeo video he did of the Dua Lipa song shows how much he enjoys this. I would love to know what specific points of the song clued him into the upcoming transitions. I think the "overplaying" and ghost notes on the kick help him adjust quicker and I also thing that some his choices in the various transitional parts were so very clever because of how adaptable they were. Drumeo is doing such a great job. I love these.

"Im gonna pause a lot guys, if you don't like pausing, bail right now" Great disclaimer. I am here for the pauses. Great video.

Can such feeling for music even be taught? What he does is quite insane

Great raction to this. The best one I've seen so far.

I love hearing other musicians reactions and opinions on drummers. It's always the guitarist getting reactions 😂

Loved this reaction!!! :)

Thanks for your great wrap of this well put together re-drum... if I may!

sheeesh~, your reactions to things are always great, and the way you break the shit down for the audience is top-notch. good job, sir!

Was not expecting those keys... Loved it. Much love from Germany 🇩🇪 🖤❤️💛

I love everything about the original video and your reaction to it. 🎉❤🎉

Es CHAD , es una leyenda de la batería y esto fue impresionante ! como lo hizo con tan solo escuchar !

I admire hnow he goes all-in and makes it out unscathed. The way he observes and reacts to the musical and vocal cues throughtout the track are on another level. Great stuff Chad

Awesome breakdown David!! I loved being a part of your Rock Band program when I was younger!! Love me some Chill Peppers, Chad Smith is a very underrated drummer!!

Jared and Shannon reacted to Chad covering and we’re all smiles

Just found this channel. Fantastic commentary and knowledge!

the thing you played at the beginning of the vid made my day ✨

This is greatness

What makes this one great is just the fun and abandon he throws in there. Let it rip

I am listening to this for the first time today, and i'm touring all of the reactions to it. I'm not a music reactor subscriber im so thankful I fell down this rabbit hole. This is music genius.

Loved that Intro!

The story of his audition for RHCP was epic and it instantly comes on my mind. Story goes, they had auditioned the whole day with a bunch of different drummers and they´ve all fell short during the jam session. Everybody was getting kinda frustrated already and the game became Flea "eliminating" drummers picking up the pace with an incredibly fast funky groove. Then comes this super tall guy, wearing tiny shorts and a cowboy hat, like a porn star from the 80´s. Anthony Kiedis looks at Flea and already gives the signal for him to eliminate this weird dude as fast as possible. Flea takes on the mission and already starts with an insane fast groove. Weird cowboy guy listens to it for a few seconds and.....you guessed it....flawlessly picks on the groove and start hammering down the drums. But then he decides that´s not enough and begins to lead Flea into an even more relentless beat. At this point, Flea looks at Anthony almost asking: well, what do I do now??? That was Chad Smith. Doing exacly what he just did, live, 30 years ago.

Of all the reactions I’ve seen, yours comes the closest to getting into what he’s feeling, hearing, counting, for queues to where the song is going. In some cases you see him “guess” wrong and adjust almost immediate in real time. Other times he feels a build leading to a big crash or something and just nails it. Maybe those are count, song structure, a slight build from a guitar or all of the above. And maybe a lot of it isn’t conscious. It just gives a feel where you know it’s coming.

I loved when you said: "forget about the drumstick... just PLAY"

I like what you had to say about how he plays. I think you are 100% accurate. Keep doing this. 👍

Chad only took 30 seconds to bring us all to Mars.....

You really are blessed to be able to live your life doing what you love. My guess is you persevered with great fortitude to create this reality. Congratulations!

that intro was seriously beautiful David

Great breakdown and points of view, thank you! And you’re right I think the hero worship takes away from the pure enjoyment and joy of music

In TikTok there is the reaction of the Leto‘s Brothers to this is amazing!

Phenomenal reaction.

Chad's hearing and adjusting are more impressive than the drumming (although incredible as well). It's amazing

He made it his own and lifts up the song which is what makes him a great musician 😉

I played guitar consistently for about 15 years but have only played a handful of times in the past 10 years. That intro made me want to get back into playing guitar and start playing piano at the same time. 👍

Chad is the GOAT! He's so talented!

he learned to play 30 seconds to mars in 30 seconds. he is Chad Smith, the rest of us aren't

Jazz musicians are great at this

That there is perfection.

Next to Stewart Copeland, Chad is one of the best at playing around lead vocals.

Exceptional muscle memory also he’s feeling that

He is all about the sound! Sound City! baby!

Chad did such a good job. Minus a couple spots he didnt know for transitions, that could have easily been the original part

I've never Watched you before but I love your analysis and I agree with everything you said. What chat did on that video is absurd.

God tier drummer

You, sir, are a music nerd. And that is meant in the most positive of ways when I say it, and Chad, and all musicians.

I’ve watched many react to this. And you are one of the only ones they picked up on the times he made adjustments. You can see him going one way but then hears the song go somewhere else so his Brain instinctively switches to a beat more fitting of the tone and if you don’t pay attention it’s as if he doesn’t skip a beat

Its called masterful musical prediction baby

I am patiently waiting for Sleep Token's Euclid reaction. Much love David

In Chad's defense they could've easily thrown him a curve ball with some jazz fusion craziness or something, but I think he picked up real fast with the vocal track and guitars that this was going to be (he called it "in 3") pretty straightforward 6/8 rock. Also, when he did that first hi-hat flourish, there's a part of me that feels instinctively his subconscious mind has heard this groove before, even if consciously he couldn't place it. Probably one of the best dynamically "active listening" drum freestyles I've ever heard. He's changing his drumming dynamics within a couple of quarter notes or at MOST a couple of measures when stuff changes. Just amazing.

I had a JCM2000 DSL 401 for a long time, mine was the older one built in England. Your DSL40 is the Vietnamese grand baby of that old English monster. Cool to see it. I haven't thought about that amp for a long time. It was actually the first amp I gigged with haha