- Single-Stroke Roll – it is incredibly fast and clean, plus he can do dynamics with it, it's not just loud
- Single-Stroke Roll between his left hand and right foot – again, very clean and extremely fast. I know Vinnie Colaiuta can do it this fast but I'm not sure for that long
- Hi-Hat technique – over/under with the left stick; he also uses two fingers on the left drumstick while beneath the hi-hat. I still haven't seen anyone else do this
- Plays the bass drum with his drum stick – one of Buddy's patented moves
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This next solo is from 1970 and he's playing the same tune. The solo is very similar but shows one of the gripes I've always had growing up watching drum solos — the cameraman never knew how to film it! I don't want a close-up of his face! That used to drive me crazy. Anyway, who can play a single-stroke roll for that long?
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The next is a very classic "drum battle" between Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Krupa was one of the most famous soloists but was more of a showman vs. technique. Buddy shows off his speed again in this video. And there's a little Sammy Davis Jr. thrown in at the end.
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I can't forget the classic battle between Animal and Buddy from the Muppet Show. This was always one of my favorite episodes. I think Animal won, but I'm biased — one of my first drumsets was an "Animal Muppet Show" drumset.
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Ok, back on track. Here's Buddy playing "West Side Story". Here's a good example of his skills with a big band. Not many know that Buddy couldn't read music. He would hear the band play the song one time and then get up and play the tne with all the kicks in the right place which is pretty unheard of. Dennis Chambers is another famous drummer who can't read music and does the same thing. Notice how he backs the soloists and doesn't play over them.
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He continues the solo in part 2. He does triplets with the bass drum (something Steve Gadd was prone to do) and shows him playing with his heel up. His military grip is something he always stuck with although I have seen him do matched grip just to show that he could. Also notice how perfect his stick height is so well matched regardless of the speed. That's control. This is one long drum solo!
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Here's another drum battle with Ed Shaughnessy of the Tonight Show. Poor Ed, he does well enough though, especially with those sideburns!
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Here's a great video I've never seen, not so much for what Buddy's playing (he never solos) but who he's playing with. Ella Fitzgerald scats! And that's the smallest set I've ever seen him on. I know he's not soloing so why is this included? It's just too cool. I mean, that's Charlie Parker.
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Here's a video of Buddy doing a stick trick in slow motion. Kinda funny but shows you how he's doing it (triplets – two with the right and one back with the left).
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I'll end with this very old clip of Buddy singing, tap dancing, and then solos. Many drummers also knew tap (like Steve Gadd, for example). I don't tap but I can see the relation.
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I hope you enjoyed these videos. Maybe I'll do some others. I like having all the videos on one page.