Education
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Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Relative Tempo
Wind instrumentalists work on relative pitch by listening to intervals (the distance between two notes) over and over again, in an effort to develop the ability to play with good intonation. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Accent Conversions
Most students would like to fly effortlessly around the drum set at high speed producing a dazzling array of solos and fills. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Using the Right Size Equipment for the Job
From my many clinics and solo appearances in the U.S. and in other countries, I have had the opportunity to hear literally scores of big-band drummers and observe their equipment. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jazz Drummers Workshop - Stickings: Part II
In Stickings: Part I (November '81 MD), I presented a basic system of stickings. We will now examine ways in which the stickings can be applied to the drumset. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Rock Perspectives - Three Beats
The following two examples are simple hand/foot patterns that can be put together as one. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Emil Richards
What Los Angeles studio percussionist refers to his equipment, an assortment of over 650 percussion instruments from around the world, as his "collection"? TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Stickings—Part 1
Due to the many changes that have taken place in contemporary music over the last 20-30 years, it seems appropriate to re examine "stickings," to develop a more comprehensive and useful approach to this area of a percussionist's early training.…
Donald Knaack
If you have ever complained about the problems of hauling around and setting up a standard drumset, imagine the problems faced by a musician whose instruments are made entirely of glass. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Ed Blackwell — "Bemsha Swing"
Bemsha Swing TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Future Sounds
Rock drumming has a tendency toward being colorless at times. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Bobby Rosengarden
My mother was a pianist in a silent movie theatre so there was music in our home constantly. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Building Confidence - The Right Kind, the Right Way
I recently performed a gig with the great comedian Bob Newhart where I was sight-reading big band charts with him and his opening act. I’ve done shows with Bob many times over the years. They don’t have a ton of…
A New Perspective - Displacing Three-Over-Four Polyrhythms
A three-over-four polyrhythm is comprised of sets of three equally spaced notes and four equally spaced notes that occupy the same timeframe. Typically both sides of the polyrhythm start together on the same note and utilize the same subdivision. If…
