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Thread: Sitting in

  1. #1

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    Hi all. I may have a chance to play a tune or two at a jazz jam session in the near future, and I was just wondering, for you jazzers out there, what are some things I should be prepared for? I like jazz a lot and listen to it a lot and play along to it a lot, but I've only ever played rock with other people. Are there going to be any big differences? Thanks ahead of time,

    Shane

  2. #2

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    The big difference is the dynamics involved with your playing. Check this out!

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1vycgHw3nQ&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1vycgHw3nQ&feature=related[/ame]

    Really delicate playing. Not really heavy on the kick or the 2 and 4 beat. I'm no jazz drummer but I've sat in on a few jazz jams and the drumming is so subtle that you can ghost note lots of snare strokes to get that jazzy feeling.
    Last edited by late8; 05-24-2011 at 04:12 PM.

  3. #3

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    Whatever you do, do not play a snare backbeat if the gig is straight-ahead jazz swing. Upbeats on the hi-hat are an absolute must along with a swinging ride pattern. Fill in snare and bass drum as you see fit. I would let the bass player "drive the bus" so to speak and lock onto him. It took me a really long time to become comfortable with this kind of thing.

    In the name of shameless self promotion (and boosting channel view numbers), here are a few of my straight ahead jazz videos. Anything that feels like this should work, Good luck!

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRv30Y5VhCA"]YouTube - ‪Jazz on the Drum Set - Groove Essentials #18‬‏[/ame]

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Z7BHsO0q4"]YouTube - ‪Farmer's Market - Drum Set Play Along‬‏[/ame]

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJt5dbwvMfc"]YouTube - ‪Jazz Drumset - recorded with the Zoom Q3‬‏[/ame]

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYj0IPhCQ8M"]YouTube - ‪Jazz Brushes on Drumset - Groove Essentials 19 Slow‬‏[/ame]

  4. #4

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    Hey Drummah, theres no difference between playin along to the radio or jamming with your buddies. You should be fine.......just relax and have fun and let us know how it goes.
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  5. #5

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    Thanks guys. Shane (funnily enough, also my name), those videos are great, I love watching your playing, especially in the Groove Essentials thread.

    I guess another question I have would be, since I know the main ride pattern, how often should I change it up through the course of a song, if at all? I know it goes by feel, but at what point would I be doing more to throw everyone off than to artistically contribute to the band?

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by mainedrummah View Post
    Thanks guys. Shane (funnily enough, also my name), those videos are great, I love watching your playing, especially in the Groove Essentials thread.

    I guess another question I have would be, since I know the main ride pattern, how often should I change it up through the course of a song, if at all? I know it goes by feel, but at what point would I be doing more to throw everyone off than to artistically contribute to the band?
    If you never change it up at all, you would be totally safe (and totally boring). I find that leaving out the "off beat" notes and going with straight quarter notes is effective a variation as adding in notes. Another very common one is playing the swing "on 1" (1-a,2,3,4). I think if you vary one measure out of every four, you should have a decent amount of spice.

    Unfortunately for me, I only get to play jazz with live people a few times a year these days, but was playing twice a week for 3 years of college. I live in a city of uncultured heathens that complain if the band isn't playing Sweet Home Alabama and Mustang Sally all night. :Sigh:

    The only issue you might have is volume as mentioned previously. Just make sure you can hear the bass clearly and enough of everything else that you can keep your place. You might want to request no extended solos (a common thing is giving everyone a full head section to solo over). I personally hate a jazz drum solo that long and prefer to trade 4s with everyone instead.

    Have fun and report back...

    Also - thanks for the props, and nice name (after the Western with Alan Ladd?)

  7. #7

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    When I play Jazz, My main thought is, what i believe to be the first part of the hypocratic oath, "Do no harm." I'll happily play the same thing all the way through a tune if that is what makes it swing more and makes it easier for the other guys in the band. One thing I have found, is if I WATCH the soloist, I find it easier to support what he/she is playing. Either by pushing them and playing more complex stuff, playing triplet patterns if they are etc, or just playing 4 in the bar on the ride and a cross stick on the four and letting them roam.

    Though I'm not a Jazzer, I get asked to play Jazz gigs on the back of Jam sessions, and I've done plenty of cruise gigs where playing some jazz was a pre-requisite, so it must work.

    cheers

    Andy

  8. #8

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    My answer for any question along these lines is simple.

    Listen to the music, it will always tell you what to do.

  9. #9

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    In my encounters, everyone always wants to play "Green dolphin street", "Misty", "Blue bossa" and "girl from ipanema".

    Learn all of these and you're fully prepared for a jazz jam! haha

  10. #10

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    Brushes. That's another thing to have in your arsenal of chops, especially when playing slow jazz ballads. Don't worry about trying to be flashy with them, a good brush player is one who can sweep well and still swing the beat.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP7Y1MH_Z34"]YouTube - ‪Ben Riley: The Art of Brushes‬‏[/ame]

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vws7VewNBbU"]YouTube - ‪Steve Smith: The Art of Brushes‬‏[/ame]

    Keep the hi-hat going on the 2 & 4 as a backbeat.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNhnbx8lRY8"]YouTube - ‪Joe Morello: The Art of Brushes‬‏[/ame]

    And see if you can get this video..."The Living Art Of Brushes" by Clayton Cameron. Although somewhat dated in it's presentation (Clayton's got an outfit on that I swear he must have got Jacko's "Thriller" video....yup that same red outfit, lol) nevertheless this video is a real goldmine of information about all various types of sweeps, patterns techniques and a little bit on the history of brush playing.
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