How to Be a Jazz Drummer

Author: Chris Chew

| Posted: 16-07-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 25 | Rating: (201)

(?)

So you have decided that you want to be a drummer but is at a loss as to which genre of playing style you want to master. Have you considered learning how to be a jazz drummer?

As you probably know, jazz is one of the most artistic and intriguing genre of music and especially so for the jazz drummer. Playing jazz music gives the drummer the opportunity to exhibit his amazing technical drumming skills and capabilities. However, most drummers choose not to take the time to learn how to play jazz drums properly which is partly due to its wide range of technicalities unlike most other forms of music.

Although jazz drumming seem to look very complicated, in reality, it is not that difficult to learn. The main difference is that most drummers are used to the 4/4 tempo of drumming where jazz is played with plenty of triplets and has a different feel from most other types of music. So the drummer may have to relearn some drumming techniques. Furthermore, most jazz pieces are relatively fast in tempo and thus most drummers also need to make improvements on their stick speed.

The first thing a new drummer needs to learn when playing jazz pieces is the basic jazz swing tempo or sometimes called the "swing groove". A jazz drummer's main role is to keep time for the rest of the band just like in any genre of music. The drummer should never overpower the rest of the band unlike when playing rock songs. To do this, simply use your hi hat and ride cymbal.

Ok. Let's start with your hi-hat stepping on the 2 and 4 count to a piece of swing music. It is critical to keep this count over top of everything else that you play. Next, add ride the cymbal with a triplet tempo and feel. Practice these moves to perfection before going further with your drum lessons.

Now that you have mastered how to keep the swing tempo with the hi-hat and ride cymbal, let's move on to the bass drum or sometimes called the kick-drum. Jazz drumming techniques are sometimes very subtle and because of this, the bass drum should not be too dominant. So do make sure that you do not play the bass drum too loudly. This again is unlike most other form of drumming. A good technique for this is keep your heel down when playing the bass drum. In this way, you are more in position control the strength of the kick more easily. A technique jazz drummers often use is the feathering the bass drum. This is done by lightly tapping the bass drum on the quarter or eighth notes.

You will probably know that is highly common for the bass drum to follow the bass guitar player. So you may need to know what kind of rhythm progression the bass player is playing and try to follow him. The bass drum should be played with more of a feel rather than powerful thumping like those in rock music.

The snare drum can be used to help as an accent for the band or can be used to play straight quarter notes.

Another common rhythm in jazz music is the shuffle and every jazz drummer must also master this form of drumming. Furthermore, since jazz music usually have musicians doing solo runs, the jazz drummer must also learn how to play drum solos. By developing these common jazz drumming styles, you will be playing jazz drums like a pro pretty soon!

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: How To Play Jazz Drums

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/how-to-be-a-jazz-drummer-486734.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:
Chris Chew has a music education website at Learn How To Play Jazz Piano Lessons and Learn How To Play Drums Techniques

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Sports and Fitness Articles

Seniors Can Enjoy Skiing Too
By: Daniel Millions | 05/09/2008
Skiing is not just a sport for young people; many seniors are enjoying skiing as a way to keep healthy and have fun. With the help of skiing, a senior can remain agile and mentally sharp as they age. Nearly three out of every American skier is a senior. As...

Performance Anxiety for Athletes - How to Overcome Your Anxiety
By: David Horne | 05/09/2008
There is a common perception among many athletes, sports coaches, and even some sport psychologists that anxiety is a "bad" state, and should be reduced at all costs.

Which Tennis Strings Will Take Your Tennis Game to the Next Level
By: David Horne | 05/09/2008
Strings have been one of the hottest topics of discussion on the pro tour in recent years. Most specifically how the Luxilon strings have become such powerful method of improving player performance.

The Forehand Swing Debate in Tennis
By: David Horne | 04/09/2008
The game has evolved to where most players have a big loop on their forehand compared to the old styles (eg. McEnroe, Muster) where they just took the racket straight back and low. Which is Best?

Northern Pike Fishing --When And When Not To Look For The Big One!
By: Martin Brinkmann | 04/09/2008
Great information about northern pike fishing.

Have Flask Set, Will Fish and Camp, Among Other Things
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 04/09/2008
There is a wise saying that advises never to appreciate in so many words gifts that you do not wish to receive next year. Unfortunately, you never heard of it so you profusely praised your reclusive co-worker's gift of a flask set, even when you see no real use for...

No Fear Motocross Apparel: Sophisticated Riding Gear
By: Mike McGrath | 04/09/2008
For those riding enthusiasts who love to ride in style No Fear has introduced a funky line of clothing and high end riding gear. Right from exclusive motocross boots to eased up motocross apparel like shirts for men and women there is a lot to choose from! Offroad boots The range of...

MSR Apparel: Makers of High End Motorcycle Apparel and Motocross Accessories
By: Mike McGrath | 04/09/2008
MSR has always been synonymous with its high end line-up of exclusive motocross accessories that make riding fun and more secure. Right from ATV accessories to handlebars and tie-downs there are also gear such as motocross boots and motocross apparel like gloves etc. Accessories available MSR has introduced a wide array of...

More from Chris Chew

Breathing Technique to Sing Better
By: Chris Chew | 04/09/2008 | Art and Entertainment
One of the most important but often overlooked aspects of better and good singing is to develop a good breath control technique. Many new or untrained singers don't even have an inkling that by breathing correctly, they are not only able to hold a note longer, have a more steady...

Tourist Attractions in Koh Samui Island Resort
By: Chris Chew | 03/09/2008 | Travel
The Thai resort island Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand after the famous James Bond island of Phuket. The island is roughly circular in shape and is located just off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus which is near the mainland town of Surat Thani and...

Why Choose To Learn How To Play Piano Over Other Instruments?
By: Chris Chew | 01/09/2008 | Music
Unsure of which musical instrument to learn? Why not start with the piano?

How To Master Singing Breath Control Techniques
By: Chris Chew | 23/08/2008 | Music
One of the basic foundations of good singing is to master the correct breathing technique.

Great Wall of China Tourist Attraction
By: Chris Chew | 21/08/2008 | Travel
Now if you have traveled to China for a vacation holiday or on a business trip, people will inevitably ask you whether you have visited The Great Wall of China? Why is this tourist attraction in China so attractive? It is because if you have not gone sightseeing at the...

How Swimmers Get Their Lean Muscular Bodies
By: Chris Chew | 21/08/2008 | Sports and Fitness
As a physical fitness instructor, when I am meeting potential clients to assess their fitness objectives for the first time, a very common request would be "Can you help me develop a swimmer's body?" The question seems like a no brainer, don't you think so? The most logical and simplest...

How Swimmers Get Lean Muscular Bodies?
By: Chris Chew | 11/08/2008 | Sports and Fitness
Learn how to get a swimmer's body.

Are You Making These Singing Mistakes?
By: Chris Chew | 11/08/2008 | Music
What is the biggest singing mistake and how to correct it.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Follow ArticlesBase at http://twitter.com

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.29, 8)