THE DOORS' JOHN DENSMORE: HIS USE OF BRUSHES
John Densmore, The Doors' drummer, is arguably the rock artist who used brushes instead of drumsticks most frequently. To expand the range of sound inflections he could produce, he made significant use of this technique, which first appeared in jazz music in the early 20th century. Using brushes instead of sticks produces a sound similar to a soft rustling when the drummer hits his instrument (mainly the snare drum). Sharp blows on drums and cymbals are muffled, transforming them into a prolonged whisper interspersed with soft vibrations and a more intimate tone. This sound is achieved thanks to metal bristles on the end of the stick, which soften the sharp tone usually produced by sticks on drums. This innovation in jazz music first appeared in the 1910s. At that time, there was a need to soften the sound of the drums, especially in ballads, and to ensure that they remained in the background of the arrangement. The aim was to prevent the percussive pattern from drowning ...
