He's not listening to a metronome, he is the metronome 🙂

The professor was not just a "drummer." He was a percussionist, a composer, a poet, a student. The GOAT

I have never added a comment to anything on the web before in my life(60 years old). But if anyone can name a band member (not just drummer) who has a more significant baseline part of every song written since he joined the band, written many of the lyrics, designed a number of the album cover art and influenced almost every musician in his genre (for at least a generation ), and will continue to do so for several generations to come, I'll consider the debate of whether he is the GOAT or not. Had the privilege of shaking his hand after a concert in Phoenix in 1982 or '83 (too many years to be certain, Subdivisions Tour). My highest compliment possible is that he was a "regular dude". Asked me if I enjoyed the show & meant it. There was zero "I'm a superstar and you're a nobody". He genuinely wanted to know if I enjoyed myself. Life long respect to that man. RIP Neil.

Pro drummer here - Neil inspired more ppl to become drummers in the 70's thru 90's era than anyone else in rock - 40 yr career - same group - incredible live performances - he just did more than other rock drummers - more styles, time signatures, sounds, technical phrasings, creative global beats - his endurance was unmatched - after seeing them live, you really knew you experienced something, a master of his craft (besides being one of musics' most gifted lyricists) - he gave something for everyone - rudiments, polyrhythms, latin, jazz, classical, metal, funk/r&b, hip hop, afro cuban all into rock - made it a new hybrid - so many hits on the radio - an absolute rock legend -

I saw an interview with Stewart Copeland. He said Peart may not be everyone’s favorite drummer. But he is most definitely your favorite drummers favorite drummer.

And this in the middle of a 3 hour concert ... the man was a machine ... RIP

My late husband worshipped Rush and Neil Peart. I went to many Rush concerts and listened to Rush at home and the car all the time, but Rush was never my cup of tea. However, I loved Neil Peart and his drum solos. My husband has been gone for 21 years, but I still search for Neil’s drum solos from time to time. That’s why the algorithm brought me here. I’m pretty sure my husband was waiting for Neil in heaven with a big WELCOME sign. 😂

He was NOT listening to a metronome. He WAS the metronome. Plus, Peart had 4-limb independence. That is, EACH hand and EACH foot could maintain a completely different rhythm SIMULTANEOUSLY. Peart was a monster on the kit, but also put an enormous amount of thought and variety into his routines and his accompaniments. AND he wrote all of Rush's deeply thought-provoking lyrics. It's no wonder he was called "The Professor."

Nothing make me happier than watching people experience the Professor for the first time.

He wasn't just a drummer. He was a composer.

""He just made cowbells sound like the most gangsta thing of all time."" - best Peart reaction quote of all time. (well, so far) :)

During the performance of the song, "Clockwork Angels," his set rotates from the acoustic to the electronic side facing the audience, and he plays through the transition, standing to reseat himself, without missing a beat.

As Geddy said… it’s Peart. Ear, with a P in the front and a T in the back They use Neil to set up the timing at the metronome factory.

Neil Peart (pronounced Peert): Known to his bandmates as "Pratt" and to fans as "The Professor". Always looking to improve, he would take rhythms and sounds from different cultures, most notably Africa and China where he toured the continents on bicycle. The marimba (xylophone) piece you hear is from a instrumental he created called "Pieces of Eight" in the eighties. The big band stuff at the end is a tribute to those drummers at that time particularly Buddy Rich. The music is played by triggers on the electric part of his set. He wrote 99% of Rush's lyrics. You would do yourself a great service and listen to the Rush library. Although never commercially as recognized as bands like Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd, Rush was a key ingredient in the progressive rock movement selling out concert halls for 40 years and killing it every time! He died in January of 2020 from brain cancer and the music world lost the greatest drummer of all time.

Dude, your video here is refreshing. You didn't jump cut the hell out of your video, you just let the pauses in your stream of consciousness rest and I love that. Much appreciated, and thank you for having a look into Niel. Absolutely a legend and became an inspiration for many drummers ahead of him, including Danny, as you know. Recently saw Tool here in Vancouver and some of Niel is evident in Danny's style.

He wrote that entire composition. It’s not just off-the-cuff drumming. Imagine remembering this entire set. In his mind’s eye he sees every note and translates it to his hands and feet. That’s why he looks extremely focused. In his mind’s eye he’s reading the sheet music. Yes, drum musicians read sheet music specifically for drums only. I’m a drummer, 65 yrs old, a mom, and a Nana of 10 grandkids, and he IS the GOAT. Watch how he switches how he holds the sticks. First in a rock n roll grip (loose freeform), then drum line proper grip, back to rock n roll grip. Back and forth. It’s incredible. That drum set you see is now in a museum enclosed in an acrylic panel surround. They’re set exactly as how he played them. Every drum and cymbal was made specifically from his specs. He wanted each to have a very specific sound. He also wrote the lyrics to all their songs. And no metronome. What you hear is his perfect 4:4 time from the floor bass, and smattered in from a high hat, and one with a tom that has bells attached to the rim. He double hits that bass drum with precision. Consistent 4:4 count no matter what. There’s a glimpse of him mouthing, “1-2-3-4.” The count for 4:4 time is 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and, keep repeating. 3:4 time is 1 and 2 and 3 and 1 and 2 and 3 and, keep repeating. 2:4 count is 1 and 2 and 1 and 2 and, keep repeating. He always wore wrestling shoes so he could have freer movement with his legs, ankles, and feet, and he could feel the pedals not hindered from the sole of a shoe. He’s a musician, not a drummer. Drums are a percussion instrument, like a trumpet is a brass instrument. Just incredible drumming. Side note: I wrote out the time stamp not for you because you play guitar and you know the counts. It’s for people who don’t play an instrument that read my comment.

My brother had me listening to rush when I was a toddler in the 70’s. He was killed when I was nine but I never stopped listening. Saw them live in 2011 and just stood in awe and cried watching Neil on stage and how magnificent he was. ❤

If you want a real tour of what Rush was capable of, react to Xanadu live. Watch it and remember that this was 3 people in the 80's before computer tracking or assistance. Every sound, created by the three people, on stage, in real time. This includes Neil doing all the percussion in addition to playing drums. The bass player plays bass, guitar and keyboards, some of them at the same time. The guitar player is playing a double necked guitar (while the bass player is playing a bass with a 12 string guitar on it as well). That video will blow your mind with it's musicianship.

To see them live as I was lucky enough to see them 12 times,was an incredible honor, they changed my life as I'm sure they did to many others,It's always awesome to see someone experience them and get as blown away as I was.

GOAT? In a word? Yes. Peart wasn't a drummer. He was a percussionist who was very well versed in both music and literature, and he was a poet. Red Barchetts, being one of his most well known compositions. Truly a once in a generation talent. The world is a bit duller place without Mr. Neil Peart.

One day I was talking music with my ex-wife's dad. He was a huge Rush fan! He had seen them in concert over 40 times. I was telling her dad about how much I love the drums and who my favorite drummers were. Without saying a word he got up and put in a dvd (Rush in Rio if I am remembering correctly) and came and sat back down. He turns it on and says, "You like drums, huh? Neil Peart has a brain controlling each of his limbs, we call him the professor" At this time in my life I had really only heard the songs Tom Sawyer and working man. We sat and watched the entire concert together and I had a new favorite band and drummer by the end of it. I only wish I could've seen them live. I look back very fondly on that memory. R.I.P. Neil Peart

Neil is great not because of any particular performance or album, but because of how much he contributed to the art of percussion over the decades. He was amazing. The "band" you heard were digital samples of a full band. He hired a band to record various samples he then assigned to digital drums and activates. His drum solos over the decades were each a highlight of the concert. His drumming on their albums was always innovative and melodic and standout. At one point in their late career, I was watching them in concert and realized we were actually watching a living legend.

You ain't never seen a setup like Neil's and you will never hear anyone like him again. No one can match his accuracy and his melodic changes. No metronome, just the professor. Glad you showed him respect. RIP Niel.

You don't need an editor. I actually appreciated your thoughtful pauses. You seem very genuine. Thanks for this video. I'm a big Rush fan. You have a new subscriber, so carry on your good work.

Neil is the calmest drummer I ever seen. He always looks like he is thinking about what to cook for dinner or did he lock the door when he left home.

He used drum triggers/pads and electronic drums, midi sequencers, and samples for the extra sounds. He had also requested that DW make shells for them that looked just like his acoustic toms. The band always had a rule that everything you hear is triggered by them live on stage, so each sound you hear in his solos is initiated by Neil hitting or kicking or pressing something.

He pronounced his name “Peert”. He wrote all of Rush’s lyrics. All of them. He wrote science fiction novels. He rode a motorcycle from one gig to another and published travelogues of his travels. Of all the 150+ concerts I went to, he was the most amazing drummer I have ever seen. Check out the drummer from the first two BABYMETAL albums.

Did you notice that while playing a waltz with his feet, he's playing 4x4 with his hands? Just amazing.

Keep in mind, this solo was towards the end of a three hour plus show. Rush songs have some of the most complex drumming with multiple time signatures… and Neil hasn’t even broken a sweat.

Theres an old 2 DVD documentary with Neil showing how he's hand picked each trigger, piece, cymbal, drum, part of that set, it's from back in the late 2000's I believe. Really cool to watch how he put that kit together over the years. The man is a technician!

I remember seeing an interview with Neil where someone came up to him and told him that he inspired them to play drums when he was a kid. He told him to tell his parents he was sorry.

Every member of RUSH should be considered musical geniuses.

Neil Peart was quoted as saying that drumming while in Rush was akin to running a marathon while doing trigonometry. And he made it look easy. Thank you, Neil. RIP

Near the end, when Neil flipped one of his sticks in the air, Niel caught the drum stick the wrong way (With the but end out), But he immediately noticed this, flipped it around with his fingers on one hand and, even after this, he left himself with plenty of time for that next “hit” on the symbols. This is why he is called the professor. He didn’t even panic. He just knew how to get the job done and he did it. Effortlessly.

Ok. Before you come at me with comments, torches and pitchforks - don't get me wrong - I love Neil's playing, composing, and lyrics and I love Rush. Been listening to them since 1976. His books are great too. He endured some terrible events in life and bounced back. He was a complex and cerebral man who loved nature, birdwatching, and cool cars too. Wish I'd had the chance to have a glass of whisky and a cigarette with him (and I don't even smoke or drink - I'd have made an exception in his case). However, it's my speculation that Neil would also be the first to tell anyone that he's a long way from being the GOAT in the drum department. He knew where he stood among the giants and virtuoso players of the drum kit. He's probably considered the GOAT by more non-drummers than drummers - but everything about his inspiring people to play and go on a journey of lifelong learning is true and that is something you probably can't say about a lot of musicians (especially a lot of *rock* musicians). A hell of a drummer, a joy to listen to, and probably a hell of a nice guy to boot - just watch any interview with him. RIP Neil.

To add to Neil's greatness in my opinion is when he went to re-learn how to play drums all over again at their height of popularity off Hold Your Fire & Presto in the late 80's/early 90's. That level of self-awareness, humility, & humbleness led him & the band to greater heights after. He knew what he knew well enough to know what he had yet to learn. A master class in checking your ego to serve your life/craft & grow in ways you never thought you could.

The drummer in the video playing behind Neil, is Buddy Rich. One of the all time greats, and one that Neil himself looked up to.

I love watching people get blown away by Neil. And just an FYI- Neil said that he was horribly sick with the flu during this performance and he didn't think he'd make it through the show...... Let that sink in.

Heh. Mr.Peart doesn't listen to metronome. He was a metronome.

Thxvm for this vid. What you're looking at is the finest percussionist of all time, a man with a big compassionate heart, an author, motorcycle enthusiast (his bikes were huge, he stood tall at 6'4"), and much more. My hero and the songmaker of my heart. He'll be loved and missed forever. RIP, professor... ✌️💚🤟

Did you notice that, from 6:55 through 'til 9:11 in the video, Neil's feet are playing in 3/4 time, while his hands are playing in 4/4 time. He actually learned how to disassociate his upper and lower body to play in completely different time signatures.

The fact that he could play two different time signatures at the same time (one time signature with his feet and the other with his hands), still blows my mind.

The greatest comment that I ever heard about Rush (saw them in concert 3 times) was that "Your favourite drummers, favourite drummer is Neil Peart". To this day they are the only concerts where you saw people walking out still air drumming. RIP Neil.

Great reaction Sebs! His last name is pronounced "Peert". You can listen to any RUSH song and be impressed by Neil's drumming. But his lyrics were just as great. You could literally have a college level course on his lyrics for RUSH alone. Truly, Neil Peart was one of the greatest artists of all time.

Dude! You so need to see the Exit Stage Left version of "Xanadu." This is an amazing drum solo, but I'm more impressed with what he does on Xanadu, within the context of a Rush song. (The other two guys give amazing performances too.)

I've been listening to Rush for 40+ years and have seen them at least 5 times. I'm from Toronto (Go Leafs Go 🙄). It's so much fun to watch someone watch Neil for the first time. Your reactions a great!👍 Thanks for this.

Love your line “how great is great”. This is pure greatness defined. RIP professor .

Being a drum enthusiast, the man literally changed my life in music and as a person. Leading up to KZfaq, there wasn't a lot of material on NP. KZfaq videos have been a life changer.

Neil was amazing and so is Geddy Lee (arguably the GOAT bassist) and Alex Lifeson (#3 Guitar World rating). There will never be another power trio like Rush. At times they are each doing solos simultaneously. Tom Sawyer is most commercially successful song and is awesome. Some great performances are Working Man Live in Cleveland and YYZ live in Rio. I really appreciate your reactions and would love to see you go down the Rush rabbit hole.

Sebs, you cracked me up on that first pause ten seconds in “ what the f am I looking at here??”🤣Great reaction!

It’s really nice to see people new to Neil….watching Neil. He created the same combination of amazement and smiles in me. What an inspiration. Nice video 👍🥁

Needless to say that Neil was not only a great percussionist, he was a drummer’s drummer: daring, technically near-perfect, creative, fluid and entertaining to both the professional and lay observer. This solo stands out as one of the most iconic in rock history, and that is saying a lot. His homage to the great Buddy Rich and swing music at the end demonstrates Neil’s appreciation for not only a grand style of music but for a man in Buddy whose drumming prowess Neil thought to be uniquely nonpareil.

Neil was astounding. He could sound amazing on a 8 pc kit or a 160 pc kit. They called him the "Professor" because he was so precise and brilliant. As noted below, he also wrote many of the songs for Rush. RIP NP

When I was young in the ‘80’s. I was a drummer whose listening made me write down the charts. I wrote out the phasing. Then I learned it and played it for months until it was me. To this day I can play this in my sleep. That what the new generation is missing . It’s not instant!!

As a lifetime drummer, he was my idol growing up; above and beyond so many others. I am still so saddened by his death. He's the only person who has passed away that I have literally not known in a personal capacity that still makes me so sad that they've died. He has influenced so much of my style of playing. The GOAT....period.

I absolutely love watching people watch Neil play for the first time. Neil was the best. Saw them live for the tours Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, 2112 and All the World's a Stage. Rest in Peace, Neil Peart.

I'm a little surprised that I'm not seeing more requests for you to watch RUSH's live performance of Xanadu from their Exit Stage Left tour. It's not just a showcase for Neil's talents. The musical expertise of the rest of the band is on display too. You will not believe that three people are capable of creating that much sound.

I'm not a huge Rush fan, but i recognize. They were one of the most technical bands ever. The base n guitar as well. RIP NEIL PEART

Was simply... the best. The standard. The Professor. First saw in '77 at Chicago Ampitheater. Had rare privilege, to be behind, and above his kit. Watched in AMAZEMENT as he sat inside the kit, spinning on his seat to play the kit all night. Became an even bigger fan that night and went on to see them 10 more times over the years. Truely the best ever. Lifelong fan. He is missed.

He’s a goat for sure!!! Let’s add another factor to his greatness….. he’s the primary lyricist for all Rush songs! It’s well worth diving into the meaning behind lyrics to Rush songs…. Very meaningful and often kinda mind blowing. Yeah I highly recommend looking into Rush further, you won’t be disappointed!!!

Neil was an amazing, amazing musician. And he wrote all the lyrics in Rush' 40 year catalog!!!! Dive in bro!

Neil also wrote most of the lyrics for Rush. Rest in Luv Mr Peart❤

Now imagine that whole setup mounted to a rack/cage and strapped to his seat. Rising 30 feet off stage rotating and TURNING UPSIDE DOWN!!!!

I don't see this anywhere else in the comments. So to add to the legend of this man. He also wrote all of the lyrics for Rush on top of his percussionist duties.

He was so good because he never stopped learning from other people, the professor and the student all in one.

One of the few times I've seen Mr Peart play without the gong in the back,however this 360° kit has no back.Epic!!!!!! The man is a genius.

Jeezus…. that man could do stuff the rest of us could only dream of.

His economy of motion is what makes him so exceptional and professional. Much less physical stress to accomplish so much more. The man was genius literally.

Long time rush fan here. Listening to his isolated tracks helps you understand his subtle complexities that enhanced the music they recorded. They were a three piece band so they needed to achieve a large sound so all the members of rush would fill up as much sonic space as possible when recording and writing there songs. I would recommend listening to La villa strangiato isolated drum track where you can hear all the ghost notes that are harder to hear on the full recording. It adds a bigger sound when all members are playing but you just don’t notice it. Pure genius

The bit at the end is a tribute to Buddy Rich, one of his influences. Neil could play anything and was the most humble person ever. RIP Neal, I'm happy I got to see them live in Vancouver.

He isn't called "The Professor " for nothing. Thank you for sharing, sir. 🤘✌️🤙 I'm thankful I was born at the right time in history to witness His Majesty.

He also wrote some of the most inciteful and intelligent rock lyrics ever. If you are a serious drum nerd, check out "Neil Peart 1992 Drum Clinic" where he hangs out with a bunch of drummers who are sitting there in awe as he talks about his kit and drum theory.

That part where he’s kicking the tambourine twice with his left foot, playing a kick drum beat, then doing this wild timbale tribal rhythm, just kills me every time. How on EARTH does he keep those separate rhythms straight for so long? He IS the metronome, baby!😊

He uses an electric marimba for the melody stuff, used to use an actual xylophone years ago. He's got triggers on some of the acoustic drums for the ending parts. He starts of the solo facing the back of his kit (which is electric setup), then spins to the acoustic kit for the rest.

And this is not nearly the most complex drum kit he played on. He had setups with overhead racks going a full 360 degrees too. The guy had basically designed setups where he was basically in a darth vader like pod of drums at every angle. Neil was extremely meticulous about every detail of his kit and his performance and he always has been a human metronome. Most pro athetizes play a sport for 20-30 years and then they retire because their bodies just can't keep up. Neil did it for 55 years. Neil was starting to deal with the issues of drumming for about 45 years at the time. By the 40th anniversary show it really took a lot for him to do a 3 hour show, but he never let up. He demanded that when fans went to a show that he had to deliver absolute perfection.

Subdivisions is a great example of Neil's unique style and also an example of his excellent lyrics. He doesn't just play the same beat through each section. 2nd verse is changed up from the 1st, 2nd chorus is changed up from the 1st. I just love it, and I mean, his lyrics are every bit as good as his drumming.

Terry Bozzio had a pretty impressive drum set, as well, during his days playing with Frank Zappa. Zappa took the opportunity, and wrote 'Black Page' to showcase Bozzio's drumming. Neil Peart was dubbed "The Professor" for a reason. He's also been called your favorite drummer's favorite drummer. I only saw Rush once, but what a show!

So Neil started using this setup in the 90s. He has an acoustic kit on one side and Roland V e kit on the other. The marimba is a midi board, and he has a few midi pads (that is what he is using to trigger the horns and the Cottontail outro) and a pedal hidden around the kit.

Neal was known for playing electronic/acoustic kits with tons of bells and whistles. The orchestra hits you hear all all on electronic triggers that he hits and has planned his hits such that they sound like an orchestra playing behind him. It was all drums, both acoustic and electronic. That is why Neil is The Professor! That was his drum solo that he would play at each concert before bringing on the last set of songs. He has a video where he explains how he crafted that solo and the amount of time that went into developing it and how it changes slightly each tour. What a master indeed.

It's always fun to watch people realize the genius that was Neil Peart. Welcome to the club, brother. Enjoy the ride.

Great reaction Sebs. Neil was a very special person with an incredible gift. He not only was a master drummer (called The Professor) but also wrote the lyrics for Rush's songs. If you really want to see the magic of three incredible performers, I would suggest Xanadu live 1981 from Exist Stage Left remastered and La villa Strangiato Live from 1978 (a pure instrumental)

Love that Neil at the end with the Big Band/ Jazz tributes had pics of Buddy Rich. His hero. One of the few that can be compared favorably to Neil. RIP Professor.

He is also the main lyricist for RUSH.

Seeing the joy and wonder on your face lets me relive my own concert experience. Thanks!

I saw that solo live in the U.K. and the Netherlands. I never counted but Rush were easily my most viewed band live. I even flew to Toronto in 2015 for their penultimate home gig of their career. GOAT. Neil was the Lionel Messi of drumming. RIP professor.

Neil never thought of himself as a good drummer so he practiced and practiced until the rest of us came to know him as a a Percussion God. Saw the Counterparts opening show in Pensacola, greatest rock concert of my life. We miss Rush and Neil.

The jazz and big band accompaniment was done with foot pedals he controlled. The world lost a treasure when he passed. Not to mention he wrote the lyrics tor 99% of their songs. And part of why he had some great stamina was that he was an avid cyclist. I once caught a show in Miami and then drove to Orlando to catch them the next night. Rumor was he cycled the 240 miles that day. He is the GOAT undeniably.

You hit the nail on the head dude. Neil Peart wasn’t just a drummer. He was a composer.

I think you really touched on something that made RUSH so special. Neil played melody through the rhythm section. RUSH was a trio where sometimes the rhythm would be carried by the lead guitar while the drums and/or bass lines carried the melody. They could switch it around because they were all such skilled and varied musicians. I'd recommend you watch Xanadu live to see an earlier Neil really stretching the possibilities of rock drumming.

It’s pronounced “Peert” ( long E). Neil wrote the drum/percussion pieces to match the lyrics, which he also wrote. That’s what makes him such a phenomenal artist, not just a drummer.

A metronome??? They used to calibrate metronomes to the Human Drum Machine Neil Peart! Pronounced Peer-t. His kit was not broken down, it was 2 parts and it was loaded in and loaded out by rolling in and out of a semi.

I was blessed to have seen Rush in concert twice. Nothing like seeing them live. The energy of his drum solos live was just amazing. He was the true GOAT.

45 Rush shows. 1st one 1978 Hemisphere's Tour. Arguably their very best. amazing band, 3 GOATS, and you can never say they copied anything from anybody. Viva La Rush! Best band in the Galaxy!!

Niel Peart is the absolute goat! He has certain parts of his drum set that make certain sounds and he incorporates that into the entire show. If you look closely in the beginning of this drum solo he's actually hitting one of those sound triggers with his left pinky as he's also having four-way independence of his arms and legs. The man is an absolute master of his craft! Then if you look beyond what he can do at a drum set and what he went through in his life I don't know how you could not think he's the GOAT! Absolutely incredible talent!

After his first "turn" to face a new direction, he starts a independent/different beat on a tambourine with one foot. It plays a steady beat that doesn't vary no matter what his hands and other foot are doing. Two separate beats/tempos at the same time. Very difficult and advanced. Try singing a simple song you know perfectly and then tap your foot to a different tempo and beat to the song you're singing. Then switch songs without missing a beat with the foot keeping that separate tempo. Most don't even notice the subtle master class that Mr. Peart was demonstrating with this solo.

Neil had a hybrid kit here..acoustic and electric combined with other percussion elements..his drum riser rotates so he can play each kit facing forward..Danny Carey and Neil played drums together for a song, here it is!kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z9OFna9yvK_OZ3k.htmlsi=CCDjAgZyiaXOzmXt

First off, thanks for reviewing this! It's pronounced "Peert" (as in Peer, not Per). As to that drum kit, it's a compilation of the kits used on multiple albums, each of which contributed to that album's specific sound. He switches between them throughout the stage set as needed. Neil is also able to switch time signatures on the fly (Give a listen to La Villa Strangiato, and Tom Sawyer, two of the most complex rhythms written). One other thing: Neil Peart wrote all the Rush lyrics. Neil IS the GOAT. Thanks again!

Neil Peart gave everything he had in every performance.

First time seeing rush and the best Neil Peart back in the 80's.. So anyone hearing of him now he's always was a magnificent incredible drummer!!! RIP! The goat

Neil was instrumental (pun intended) in the development of digital sampling where he presses a key that changes the sounds from various pads, cymbals, etc. When the trumpets started up, each tone corresponded to a different cymbal. When the background video started, the cymbals regained their normal tone. That whole last bit was Neil's tribute to the great Buddy Rich, who was playing the drums in the video.