Music Education Monday: A drum lesson and conversation with Ginger Baker

Ginger Baker established himself as a significant musical force while drumming with the 1960s power trio Cream, and over the ensuing decades has continued to impress rock, jazz and world music fans with his technique and imagination.

On a personal level, one understandably might have some qualms about getting too close to the infamously irascible percussionist - the 2012 film Beware of Mr. Baker offers ample documentary evidence of his difficult personality - but given the safe distance provided via video recording, he's got some interesting things to say about drumming and music in general.

And so for today's installment of "Music Education Monday," here's a drum lesson with Baker (pictured) in three parts totaling almost 80 minutes, plus, as lagniappe, a drummer-to-drummer conversation between Baker and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (who - spoiler alert - Baker does not attempt to punch, at least while the camera was rolling).

You can see the videos after the jump...