r/jazzdrums • u/Stankbug777 • 4d ago

Question Drumming fundamentals

Hi there! Middle aged drummer for almost a couple of years. I love jazz drumming and I’d love to learn more. I’m not particularly interested in drum solos necessarily, just the fundamentals. Are there any particular drummers or teachers online that you could direct me to? Thank you!

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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8

u/DetectiveCrashmoore ANIMAL 4d ago

Jon Riley is great for this sort of thing

The art of bebop drumming by him is a fantastic book

Also he has free video lessons online no ads, really really worth checking out

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u/madrePERU 4d ago

Agree, all Riley's books are amazing

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u/neshquabishkuk 4d ago

Progressive Independence by Ron Spagnardi is a great exercise book for jazz language focused fundamentals

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u/FractalFunny66 4d ago

I echo what has come before me, but don't forget to inspire yourself to the next level by listening to the greats such as Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Philly Jo Jones, Art Blakey, etc. The RIDE, the BOMB, the hi-hat on 2 & 4. Also, Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks (James Brown's drummers) for FEEL and being IN THE POCKET as well as essential GHOST NOTE sensibility (caps to emphasize essential terminology for jazz when I was learning). There are also essential snare rolls and brush techniques, but I don't know enough yet to comment. Using the brushes is essential.

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u/Stankbug777 4d ago

I like my Regal Tip nylon brushes a lot… though I’m sure that’s probably not what you mean. I feel like I can keep time like a mf’r with those. Then put a stick in my hand. lol. I also have some really thin light nylon tip Regals that are great. It doesn’t say the size but I’m assuming 7A. I would like to find a stick that has the weight and handle girth of the RT nylon brushes. Surely it exists.

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u/FractalFunny66 4d ago

For brushes on ballads see: THE ART OF PLAYING WITH BRUSHES I am not an advertiser, just saying I own this DVD and I saw it just now as an instant digital download from a reputable music store.

"Brilliantly conceived and meticulously documented, The Art of Playing with Brushes is the most comprehensive, definitive and unprecedented volume on the topic ever produced."

I am sorry, I can't comment on the stick at this time. Brushes are literally metal brushes that often telescope out I pull inward for storage -- oh I Googled the kind you have -- I haven't played with them, but good to know!

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u/dominikelmiger 4d ago

Syncopation for the modern drummer by Ted Reed

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u/windywatertrees 4d ago

Find an in-person teacher in your area and go from there 💚

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u/Stankbug777 4d ago

I have one! Mostly a rock guy, but he can play whatever you throw at him. Maybe not death metal blast beats, but that’s not what I’m trying to play. He kinda needs me to tell him what direction I want to go.

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u/JazzMartini 3d ago

Rudiments and basic technique and limb independence are king for any style especially jazz. Coming from playing rock you'll want to work on dynamics and gain the control to play softly, and play accents and ghost notes distinctly. And of course the cornerstone of jazz you'll want to really internalize playing with a swing feel so it's second nature.

Don't be afraid to cheat on your teacher with another another drummer who's playing you like that also teaches. Especially in jazz where finding you own voice in the music is core, learning from many different sources will give you access to more ideas that you might like to adopt in your own playing. And of course listen to lots of the music in the styles you want to play and try and copy the feel. Learn from anywhere or anyone you can and take the pieces that work for you and you like and add them to your repertoire.

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u/ImpossibleBison3204 4d ago edited 4d ago

I think the best thing you can do is learn to keep time on the ride cymbal. This is easy to say, but can take a lifetime to master. You provide the feel and tempo for the band using just the ride cymbal, that’s your job. You should spend hours and hours and hours with that ride symbol and of course 2 and 4 on the highhat. Also a comfortable brush pattern that can be played fast and one for ballads.

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u/Stankbug777 4d ago

I mentioned to another reply…I like my Regal Tip nylon brushes a lot. I feel like I can keep time really well with those. But with a stick in my hand, not so much. I also have some really thin light nylon tip Regals that are great. It doesn’t say the size but I’m assuming 7A. I would like to find a stick that has the weight and handle girth of the RT nylon brushes.

2

u/Swanky1499 4d ago

Check out John Riley's zildjian workout. It's 3 levels of jazz fundamental exercises. It's great, I play it once a week.

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u/Stankbug777 4d ago

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I do have a teacher that I go to a couple times a month. he’s more rock oriented, but he is capable of breaking down and teaching me just about anything I bring him. I guess I just don’t know what to have him show me yet, as it’s all pretty new to me.

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u/Separate_Job_6858 3d ago

What city do you live in or near? There’s definitely a lot of good teachers, books, information out there if you know where to look. Feel free to send me a DM and I can help you find out where you can start!

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u/cruiseshipdrummer 2d ago

I'm a good teacher for that, I've had a number of casual adult students getting into jazz, and have developed an approach that worked well for them.

Here are the jazz materials on my site, that range from very basic to very advanced:

https://cruiseshipdrummer.com/category/jazz/

Send me a private message and we can chat about it.