Play Like a Legend: Celebrating Steve Smith’s Birthday with a Special Journey Transcription
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Journey “Lovin’ You Is Easy,” Evolution
Smith’s funky groove playing and creative beat design join forces on the song “Lovin’ You
Is Easy”. He plays a broken pattern on the ride bell that matches up with Neal Schon’s rhythm
guitar part and answers with tom hits at the end of the bar. The hi-hat takes over in the verse,
and quarter note accents on the bell of the ride bring contrast to the chorus. (0:00)
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Steve’s Thoughts on…
Journey “Lovin You is Easy,” Evolution
That’s a really groovy and funky beat that never gets mentioned. I like the opening groove with the bell on the ride cymbal and toms, it’s rhythmic and melodic. For the verses the same rhythm is played on closed hats.
There is a cool groove for the chorus and that song, from my point of view, has a Led Zeppelin inspired bridge. “Lovin You is Easy” was always a fun tune to play live with the Gregg Rolie era of Journey. We would always stretch out on the ending, which I loved. Advertisement
Discover More in Steve Smith Legends
As you explore this transcription, there’s so much more to uncover about Steve Smith’s remarkable career and drumming mastery in his Legends book. This comprehensive work features:
- A brand new 40-page interview covering Steve’s career across legendary bands like Jean-Luc Ponty, Ronnie Montrose, Steps Ahead, Vital Information, Mike Stern, and more.
- Eight of Steve’s own handwritten drum charts from his Journey and Mike Stern performances.
- An in-depth lesson on Indian rhythms and drumming, offering a unique insight into a world of rhythms many drummers rarely explore.
- A complete rundown of Steve’s drumsets through the years, including never-before-seen photos from Steve’s personal archive.
- Over 50 transcriptions of Steve’s performances, with his personal insights into what makes each piece unique and special.
- Steve’s six past Modern Drummer cover feature interviews, providing additional depth into his drumming journey.
In addition, Steve Smith Legends includes a downloadable component featuring The Fabric of Rhythm, Steve’s drum solo recordings valued at $200, along with his creative explanations of each solo.
With over 180 pages of content, 70+ drum transcriptions, and hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos, this is not just another drum book—it’s a deep dive into the life and artistry of one of the greatest drummers of our time.
Learn from a LEGEND
There’s no better way to elevate your drumming than by learning from the best. Dive into Steve Smith Legends for a masterclass on music, drumming, and a career that has spanned decades across multiple genres. Advertisement