Jazz Waltz

[PIPER561]

Here is a link to a video of me playin a track from the modern drummer site. It is a waltz and came with a chart. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0he7JT93kUU

[mind_drummer]

Here is a link to a video of me playin a track from the modern drummer site. It is a waltz and came with a chart. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0he7JT93kUU


Sound good to me but you know I will never badly criticize someone its way of playing. There's better than me here that can do that and offer tips. What only I can say is your young and have plenty of time to improve yourself :-)

[jazzsnob]

You played that like an art-rock song man. It's INCREBIBLY obvious that you listen to almost no jazz, or you at least don't understand what makes the music what it is.
That was like seeing a big metal band play with a drummer who is quiet and timid with high-pitched drums. Or like seeing a funk band play with a drummer usings double bass and poly-rhythms all over the place. It's just wrong.



You have about 3 or 4 years of intense listening ahead of you. I suggest you start now. Go to the big jazz thread and obtain everything mentioned and listen to it over and over. That is, if you ever want to play a decent sounding waltz.


By the way, you WILL, without a doubt, hurt yourself if your snare is that low. It's wonderful you're using traditional grip, but if you use traditional grip, you need to RAISE your snare drum. Traditional's big difference from matched is the fact that it sits on top of your hand instead of hanging below it. Raise your snare like six inches and maybe you won't get tendonitis.

Good luck man, you seem to have passion, but you need to put thought into what sounds good before putting thought into what looks good.

[jeffwj]

It has that Elvin like rawness to it. If you don't listen to Elvin Jones, start. You can see how your approach and power are similar to his. But to expand on Jazzsnob, I would also listen to people like Roy Haynes, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Peter Erskine etc... Try to imitate their playing and little by little you will develop a sound of your own.

Also, take the ride cymbal into a separate room, put on some jazz, and play along. Just you and the ride cymbal. Focus on swing, and vaying degrees of stroke intensity. Not volume, but intensity.

Hope this helps,
Jeff

[jazzgregg]

Maybe you need to watch this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QurfuJ8ryWc)

G

[PIPER561]

Thanks for the comments. I just want to know if there is anything I can do to make my waltz sound "jazzier". I do in fact listen to alot of jazz, but I started out playing rock so I probably am carrying over some of the "rock habits" over to my jazz playing. Anything you can say about making my jazz sound better would be helpful. Thanks.

[jazzgregg]

Thanks for the comments. I just want to know if there is anything I can do to make my waltz sound "jazzier". I do in fact listen to alot of jazz, but I started out playing rock so I probably am carrying over some of the "rock habits" over to my jazz playing. Anything you can say about making my jazz sound better would be helpful. Thanks.

1. Make the ride pattern much clearer
2. Stop hitting so many downbeats, especially beat 1
3. Stop playing the same fill over and over
4. Lighten up, play quieter AND with dynamics
5. Listen to more Jazz.
6. Stay far away from the link I posted (I was very much joking)

G

[PIPER561]

Thanks for the comment Greg. When you say make the ride clearer, do you mean like play more articulate or play quieter?

[jazzgregg]

Thanks for the comment Greg. When you say make the ride clearer, do you mean like play more articulate or play quieter?
Yes.


.................................................. ....
G

[rjvsmb]

Hey Piper561,

Keep at it and, as it's been said already, listen to as much jazz as possible. I know this is a little abstract, but feel and internalize what you're listening to. Jazz is feeling and expression as much as it is about technique. Often one leads to the other and visa-versa.

Pay attention to your ride. Jazz is about the ride. The late, great Shelly Mann would sometimes put all of his attention and feeling into to his ride pattern. That simple ding-a-ding can be captivating if done with the proper dynamics and feel.

I strongly suggest getting Shelley Manne and his Men at the Blackhawk. There are 5 volumes, but any one of them will be a joy to listen to and learn from.

Swing it. Period!

[straks]

Ya there definetly isn't much jazz background in your playing, i would definetly bring your snare up and you ride down. Just backing up what the guy before said about hurting yourself and bring the ride down would prevent you from hitting with the shoulder of your stick accidentaly. Try 2 not hit every down beat and let the music inspire your left hand.
Keep it up, you got a good attitude.

[straks]

Maybe you need to watch this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QurfuJ8ryWc)

G

lol ya this guy will definetly bring your playing 2 a new level xP

[rjvsmb]

Hey Piper561,

First and foremost, your main job as a jazz drummer is to keep really tight swing time - PERIOD.

The first thing you need to work on is getting your hi-hat, bass and ride in order. Any jazz you listen to (maybe for the exception of avante gard), will have a very strong relationship mainly between the ride and hi-hat and some straight or syncopated time with the bass. If you don't have those, who gives a crap what your left hand is doing.

Practice this with the jazz walt without using your left hand. Get comfortable with this:
Ride: 1, 2, ah, 3
Hi-Hat: close on 2 - 1(heel), 2 (toe), 3 (heel). You can also go 1(heel), 2 (toe), 3 (toe)
Bass: hit on one

You can play many variations off of this basic pattern, but the key is to get comfortable with the time keeping of the ride and the hi-hat.

Take a look Joe Morello in this clip of Take Five. Now this tune is in 4/5, but pay close attention his ride and hi-hat. They give time and texture to that piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHuTjlE7e_M

[PIPER561]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Its been really helpful.

[Tyr]

I enjoyed it! Thats a track from the Tommy Igoe: Groove Essentials Play-Along Book. Its an amazing book that I suggest everyone check out! There is so much to learn in that thing!

[Jusstickinaround]

I've seen some bad drumming on here get great reviews, then I see a guy like you playing pretty darn good for your age, and I see a bunch of hecklers. Sure you haven't mastered jazz yet, but I thought you did well. You should try raising your snare and lowering your ride, but heh if the way you have it now works better for you then leave it alone. Keep it up.