Jazz Drummer's Workshop

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

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Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Developing A Musical Approach

In my article "Reading and Jazz Interpretation," in the August-September issue of Modern Drummer, I mentioned the necessity of practicing musically. One way we may do this is by actually playing tunes on the drums. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Double Time Coordination

Often a soloist will play over the rhythm section in either half or double the tempo of the section. Sometimes it is musically effective if the drummer complements the rhythmic direction of the soloist by playing part of the set…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Getting It Together With the Bass Player

Everybody knows that if the rhythm section is not 'happening' neither is the rest of the band. The drums and bass are two different sides of the same musical coin, and when two players are really together it is a…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Coordinating Accents Independently

by Ed Soph Independence may mean playing two or more rhythmic patterns simultaneously. It may also mean playing two or more rhythmic patterns simultaneously and coordinating different accent patterns within those rhythmic patterns.Here are some basic exercises in accent coordination…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Unison Exercises

Unison practice is an excellent way to determine the rhythmic precision of the four appendages. The weaker the particular hand or foot, the less precision. Right-handed drummers will find that unison practice will help overcome the dependency of right hand…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017
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Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills

Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Elvin Jones–Style Triplet Fills Part 2: Orchestrating Accent Patterns by John Xepoleas Welcome to our second lesson covering triplet fills based on the playing of jazz great Elvin Jones, who made a huge impact on drumming as…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop: Focus On Brushes

Practicing brushes is excellent for building strength in your wrists and fingers. It can help develop muscles and reflexes and also improves your control with sticks. With the exception of the closed roll, any pattern that you play with sticks…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - The Stick Shot

This month we’re spotlighting the stick shot, a technique that’s fairly specific to the jazz lexicon. To obtain this alternate sound, press one drumstick tip against the head at approximately 30 degrees, while striking that stick at the shoulder with…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Stick Control Revisited Drumset Applications

This month’s Jazz Drummer’s Workshop features some of my favorite applications of the classic George Lawrence Stone book Stick Control. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Approaching Standards

Jazz musicians spend a considerable amount of practice time learning standard tunes in a variety of keys. By doing so, they become versed in the tradition, while developing a repertoire of music to be played with other musicians. Many choose…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Stick Control Revisited Part 2

Welcome to the second installment in our series on drumset applications of George Lawrence Stone’s famous book Stick Control. The following variations utilize the “72 Single Beat Combinations” found on pages 5–7. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Jazz Drummer's Workshop - Approaching Standards

Welcome to the second installment in our series on approaching jazz standards. This article reveals ways of using the melodic rhythm as the source for creating accompaniment (or “comping”) patterns. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017
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Jazz Drummer’s Workshop - Stick Control Revisited Part 3: 5/4 Variations

Welcome to the third installment in our series on drumset applications of George Lawrence Stone’s classic book Stick Control. The following variations utilize the “72 Single Beat Combinations” found on pages 5 TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017

Elvin Jones-Style Triplet Fills

Jazz Drummer’s Workshop Elvin Jones-Style Triplet Fills Part 3: More Two-Bar Patterns by John Xepoleas Welcome to the third and final lesson in our series on creating Elvin Jones–style triplet fills. This time we’re creating high-energy two-bar fills. Let’s begin…

Modern Drummer
Feb 23, 2017
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