Drivers Seat
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.
Chart Reading, Part 1
The drummer has many responsibilities when reading a chart. They become especially evident in a sight-reading situation. This article deals with some basic skills necessary for the beginning drum-chart reader. I shall touch upon some theory behind the drummer’s function,…
Foundation Studies for Big Band Fills
Before dealing with specifics, it is important to have some general ideas about what a fill should be and what a fill should do. The fill must be in time. It should not rush or drag. The fill should maintain…
Driver's Seat - Hints On Playing With Big Bands
by Charlie Persip The important difference between big bands and small bands is in the orchestration/arrangements. A conventional big band has trumpet, trombone, sax and rhythm sections. These sections will, at times, play the same melodic and rhythmic figures collectively…
Driver's Seat - Reading Charts
Over the years, I've seen too many aspiring big band drummers who simply do not take the time needed to fully develop their reading ability. Unfortunately, I've heard many competent young players become very mediocre drummers when presented with a…
Driver's Seat - Energy and the Ensemble
I said in my first article for MD last year that sometimes a well placed rim shot in an arrangement has more impact than ten thousand notes. The prime example is Buddy Rich's two bar silent break in Channel One…
Drivers Seat - Louie Bellson
First of all, let me say I couldn't be more delighted with the great advancement being made in the percussion field. Material is great and more of it is coming. Drummers today are required to do it all: to play…
Drivers Seat - Playing In a Section
The rhythm section is the hear t of the Jazz Ensemble and like its counterpart in our body, cannot be abused. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Drivers Seat: Tips From Butch Miles
A big band is many things. It can be top-heavy and cumbersome, or to quote a certain well-known world champion, it can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Drivers Seat: Understanding The Basics
Anyone who hasn't had the thrilling experience of being in the same room with a driving eighteen-piece big band has probably missed one of the more exciting experiences in all music. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Driver's Seat - Understanding Phrasing
Because of the limitations of his instrument, the drummer need be concerned only with notes of two basic durational values. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Driver's Seat - Big Band Basics
In my last article, I gave nine rules for better big band drumming. As you may recall, they were: (1) Support, (2) Don't get in the way, (3) Cue (or Direct) the band, (4) Don't overplay (simplify), (5) Keep the…
Driver's Seat - Energy and the Ensemble
In my last article I talked about supporting the big band, not getting in the way, and cueing or directing the band. In this article, I’ll be explaining the value of underplaying and the extreme importance of energy levels. For…
Driver's Seat: Learning The Chart and Phrasing
Last time, we discussed the value of underplaying and keeping the energy level high. This article deals with two of the most important of all the nine tips I've suggested: learning the chart and phrasing. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Drivers Seat: More On Phrasing
In my last article, I discussed the various methods used to learn the chart and the importance of phrasing. I'd like to go into phrasing with the band further. Let's check some recorded works of the same charts by different…
