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Jazz Drum Lessons

(800) 417-4620

Here's an outline of topics your teacher can cover with you depending on your level of ability.

Beginner
  • The concept of swing and the origins of jazz drumming
  • "Triplets" and constructing the jazz feel
  • The jazz ride cymbal pattern
  • Timekeeping and the role of the drummer in jazz
  • 2 + 4 on the hihat
  • Bass drum technique
  • Syncopation between the snare drum and ride cymbal
Intermediate
  • 4 -way Independence/ co-ordination between hands and feet
  • Snare drum rudiments (such as press rolls, measured rolls, ratamacues, flams, paradiddles and how to apply them to the drum set
  • Solos and trading "fours" and "eights"
  • Song forms in jazz
  • Reading charts and music
  • Brush technique - when to play brushes and how
  • Tempi - slow, medium, fast, and in between
  • Dynamics - when to play loud, and when to play softly
  • * Afro-Cuban and Brazilian drumming styles for the jazz player - incorporating clave playing with appropriate patterns for each style
Advanced
  • Different drumming styles in jazz:
    • Dixieland
    • Swing
    • Bebop
    • Free Jazz
    • Fusion
    • Contemporary
  • Transcribing solos and studying the playing of the great drummers. Leading exponents of different styles including:
    • Baby Dodds
    • Sid Catlett
    • Jo Jones
    • Max Roach
    • Ed Blackwell
    • Tony Williams
    • Jack de Johnette
    • ...and many others, right up to present day greats
  • Accompanying soloists - listening to the other musicians and the role of the snare drum in accompaniment
  • Achieving different timbres, textures and colors with the drum set
  • Odd meter playing / song forms incorporating different rhythmic feels
  • Development of solos using thematic ideas
  • Recording techniques for the jazz drummer - drum tuning, miking, and how to play in the studio

Related Information

About the Drums

About the Drums

In the 1940s Louie Bellson pioneered use of two bass drums, or the double bass drum kit.

Read more...

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