Drumming Details

Apart from sounding verbose and dramatically academic, multifaceted methodology is also a great way to practice, giving drummers the opportunity to look at basic exercises in a creative and diverse manner. ...more

This methodology was inspired by the late great drummer/teacher Alan Dawson who came up with about one hundred ways to play page thirty-seven of Ted Reed's text 'Progressive Steps to Syncopation For the Modern Drummer'. Play the exercises slowly and evenly to begin with and then try other tempos. ...more

In the 1880s, John Philip Sousa wrote 'A Book of Instruction for the Field Trumpet and Drum'. This book was used by the armed services and civilians, as it contained all of the drum rudiments. Sanford (Gus) Moeller's book 'The Moeller Book' was published by the Ludwig Drum Company in 1918. From this, the National Association of Rudimental Drummers (NARD) was created. Their 1933 meeting brought about the organisation of the 13 basic drum rudiments, plus 13 more to create the 'Twenty-Six Essential Drum Rudiments'. ...more

These exercises should be played with the Hi-Hat in unison with the Bass Drum... ...more

This is a set of exercises inspired by master drummers such as Max Roach, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, 'Philly' Joe Jones, Alan Dawson, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette. ...more

Listening helps develop an understanding of musical sensibilities present in most musical genres, although in this article they are related to jazz music. ...more

The criteria and description from Part One (Dec/Jan '07) apply to these patterns also. Carmine Appice's quarter note odd metre concept was garnered from a drum clinic presented by my late father, Frank Snr, probably in the 1980s. ...more

The following patterns contain nuance, rudimental influences, ghosted notes and creativity. They are executed with finesse and feeling. ...more

Alvin Jones was quoted as saying, ‘All drummers seem to be rudimentally orientated’. ...more

These exercises are designed to enable the drummer to access any of the four-piece drum set with ease. Having assessed my own playing (regularly), I am aware there are always things that can be improved upon. For example: ...more

Left Hand Workout ...more

The Oct/Nov issue of NZM included the first set of notations in the series accompanied by a list of 13 exercises aimed at helping develop your hands to feet co-ordination. ...more

Attempt all of these exercises with a hand to hand approach as well as variations. ...more

Following this point-by-point guide will help you get to grips with the writing and interpretation of drum parts. ...more

The perception of drummers’ functions in any ensemble plus their perceived behaviour and lifestyle is always under scrutiny. ...more

Happy New Year. This article concludes a brief look at the life and influence of drumming great Elvin Ray Jones. ...more

Elvin Ray Jones was born in Pontiac Michigan into a musical family. His father was Deacon of the Trinity Baptist Church, where his sisters sang in the senior choir. ...more

The following set of exercises ends this sequence of three voice independence. ...more

The following exercises carry on in order of difficulty. ...more

As mentioned in the April/May issue, this set of exercises is a little more difficult than those in past issues. ...more

This set of exercises gradually becomes more difficult to execute, continuing through Part Four, Part Five and Part Six, which will be published in upcoming issues. ...more

Happy new year and welcome back. ...more

The loss of his rhythm section at the end of 1962, plus tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley"s exit left Miles Davis without a group. ...more

With the single exception of Louis Armstrong and the classic discs he made with his Hot Five and Hot Seven, there has been no series of recordings in jazz history that has had the impact of the Miles Davis quintet and sextet records, nor the later albums with Gil Evans and the large band. ...more

Jazz is the art of rhythm and the first priority is to swing. The left hand, left hand/bass drum or left hand/bass drum/hi-hat figures do not constitute a display of your co-ordination abilities, rather musical statements. ...more

In this issue I'll give some examples of Fusion era drummers. ...more

These exercises are designed to further enhance students' independence and hopefully improve facility and reaction. ...more

The following points are generalisations which will help in all sight reading situations, however, the differing concepts apply to the size of band you are part of. Playing with a good feel and conceptualising the music being played correctly are the two most important points. ...more

This article simply lists some inspirational recorded examples of drummers expressing individualistic literate musical statements whilst adhering to the song form. Musical drum solos are free from obvious displays of technique. ...more

As previously mentioned (June/July issue), the AABA song does not necessarily equal thirty-two bars. For example, Wayne Shorter developed the AABA form in the following manner. ...more

Understanding the melody and the song form are prerequisites in being aware of the content of drummers soloing and achieving freedom within the form. ...more

Practice the combinations listed below in the following manner: ...more