Jazz. New tunes, more are following...

[Drummer Karl]

Hey, just thought about making up a new thread for the new tunes. It has been many times in the past that I updated to show you always my latest. What I can/have to improve and what I have already improved. And of course for pleasure. I made pretty much progress in the last time I think, through this place, through my teacher etc.
Last time I worked on comping but mostly on my spang-a-lang (swing).

Also in the solos you can maybe notice that I try to be musical, and that I`m simply no chops man. Or let`s express it like this: I could do more chops if I want to but I don`t like so much of that ultra fast soloing.

So, here is my pretty much latest stuff, "Here we go" is the newest one, recorded today.
so, here it is:

www.myspace.com/karldegenhardt

PS: More stuff coming soon! ...yeah, and I know, I have to work on my comping to make it more "Karl"-like. One thing I`m also working on.


thoughts are really appreciated! =)

Karl

[Jeroen aka aksie]

hey,

you're feeling is defenitely good enough, so you should really start on more advanced comping now I think. Making combinations between the bassdrum and snare while playing the ride. And an other really useful thing you could do, is using the edge of the ride. So for accents you play the edge of the ride with the part above the middle of your stick. It's really a great sound source for jazz.

c u

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Karl that was absolutely great. You need to find an agent.

[Drummer Karl]

hey,

you're feeling is defenitely good enough, so you should really start on more advanced comping now I think. Making combinations between the bassdrum and snare while playing the ride. And an other really useful thing you could do, is using the edge of the ride. So for accents you play the edge of the ride with the part above the middle of your stick. It's really a great sound source for jazz.

c u

Yes, I could really start with those comping things. With those "conversations" between bass drum and snare. Already started with it, I just did an excercice from Jack DeJohnette`s book to see how it feels. In the beginning those can be hard but very nice.

and do you mean crashing the ride? Actually I do this...not on the edge, rather with the shoulder of the stick on the bow, gives more the sound of an accent than a simple crash, and gives me more control.

thanks for the advice, I`ll work on this.

Karl

[Wavelength]

I like the way you catch the soloists' rhythms with your comping, and I love your cymbal sounds!

[HardcoreLogo]

Sounds great Karl, keep em' comin'!

[fusssion]

My God Karl!!! Holy Crap!!

That is sooooo awesome!! You're not 16....little liar!! :)

[KCDrummer]

Great stuff Karl, really swingin'! The other cats sound really good too, are they all your age or are you the baby? Keep it up!

[Muckster]

Bravo Karl !!!!

Is that the new Mel Lewis ride i hear?

Check out an album called "snide remarks" by Bill Stewart. There's some great fill ideas with lots of space all over that album.

Outstanding playing my man!!!!!!

[Latin Groover]

Karl your feel has improved in spades you are just getting better and better, and your solo was great! It was very musical. The Mel Lewis sounds great! (Have you tried it with out the rivets yet? ;-) And for Bright swing tunes i loved your snare(whats goin on with me here!?) Are all of the songs recorded with the mel lewis?

[Drummer Karl]

You're not 16....little liar!! :)

haha, well, next week (wednesday) I`ll be 16...so I have to improve even more to be on a good level. =)

The other cats sound really good too, are they all your age or are you the baby?

Yeah ~~, I wish I could tell you how old the others are but well, they are digital for me. The songs are play-alongs. I`mm still looking and waiting for some other cats.... :-(

GOD, send me some other Jazz musicians who wanna make music with me!

The Mel Lewis sounds great! (Have you tried it with out the rivets yet? ;-) And for Bright swing tunes i loved your snare(whats goin on with me here!?) Are all of the songs recorded with the mel lewis?

LOL, no still not yet. You know, I always stand/sit in front of it and wanna try it without rivets but then I just wanna play it. man, I really have to try it without...but for now I`m just too excited I think...I know, this sounds crazy.

oh, and Bright Swing Times and Here we go are recorded with the Mel Lewis but Let`s play one is recorded with the old Avedis. though you can`t hear it well in that song. haha...

Karl

[root]

Hey Karl, gehst du denn auf Sessions? Ich weiß ja nicht wie es bei euch in Hessen aussieht aber hier in NRW/ Ruhrgebiet veranstalten fast alle Jazzclubs mindestens einmal im Monat eine Jam. Das ist eine einmalige Gelegenheit um andere Musiker kennenzulernen (die auch Jazz spielen). Die meisten werden wohl etwas älter sein als du (das ist bei mir jedenfalls so, und ich bin 20), aber das dürfte bei deinem Sound eher Nebensache sein. Im Ernst, du hast ein sehr schönes natürliches Feeling für Jazz bzw. Musik, aber Improvisieren lässt sich live mit anderen doch viel besser als zu Play-Alongs, nicht?
Willst du übrigens studieren?

Weiterhin alles Gute,
Gruß Daniel.

[bigfatbobby]

Hi Karl! That sounded good! To make your playing a bit more interesting, you could variate between different dynamics, it all sounds pretty harmless dynamically. As someone said before, work with some excercises between snare and bass, that'll make things even better. The fills in "Here we go" would be more special if you'd play like quintuplets, straight fours or whatever in between. Keep up the musical playing!

Felix

[fusssion]

Karl....WE SHARE THE SAME BIRTHDAY MATE!!! :) 2/21 !

Granted....I'm 25 years older than you !! :) LOL

[Drummer Karl]

thanks for the advice bigfatbobby! Really really appreciate it!
haha, maybe it could be that I`m a bit afraid of louder playing, of that raw Elvin kinda playing. I noticed that lately. But I`ll work on... =)

Fusssion: My friend, that is great!!! wow, I don`t experience such a thing often, really!

Karl

[ToPrAle]

Yeah! KArl!!! Nice one!!! really nice and easy!! very loose i like that !! expecially the solo!! very soft and clean!!! gg i should have a page on my space it's cool!! :D:D
Oh man i saw you re from germany? i'm from italy! ^^ gg

Bye

[LDGuy]

Hey man. That was cool.

You should try and play some slightly more out stuff. The stuff you're doing now is still very hip man, very cool.

[Drummer Karl]

Thanks soo much for your opinions and advice!!! When I feel not so tired and busy I`ll record some new. last time I was experimenting and practicing much and in addition it is pretty hard at school now..



Oh man i saw you re from germany? i'm from italy! ^^ gg

So, one day if I have the opportunity let me know your living place and I will knock at your door to say hello! ;-)
Have seen your videos and well...I`m impressed! You`re very inspiring!

Karl

[foursticks]

Damn Karl that was so good, I have this same play along and really love your ideas, they really inspired me, but like the others I'd really like to see you do some more 'in your face' stuff and you already know to work on the comping, but that'll come with time and practise. Also one quick question, how did you record drums with the playalong?

Keep it up man, you've got so much potential.

[Drummer Karl]

but like the others I'd really like to see you do some more 'in your face' stuff [...]

Also one quick question, how did you record drums with the playalong?

What do you mean with "in your face stuff"?? Do you mean to record songs which are more arty and individual? Just more special?

and if, does somebody have a few those play-alongs? The stuff I own right now is is often just the same sheme, the same structure. Though it is amazing.

The drums I recorded with 7 mics (2 overheads, 3 toms, 1 snare, 1 bass, Samson mics). First I imported the song into Cubase, then I simply recorded the drums over the play-along while listening to it. and finally the mix-down. Actually it is a simple way...(my PC is connected with the mixer)

thanks for listening and thanks so much for the advice!! :-)

Karl

[foursticks]

I meant what LDGuy said about the 'more out there' stuff - like very raw and intense. Like a Elvin or Tony kind of thing..

I have no knowledge of play alongs like that, though you could give one of the more uptempo songs off that play along (turn it up and lay it down vol. 4) a go, maybe like Lemme Count It Off? I let you know if i find any of those sort of playalongs.

[Drummer Karl]

I meant what LDGuy said about the 'more out there' stuff - like very raw and intense. Like a Elvin or Tony kind of thing..

I have no knowledge of play alongs like that, though you could give one of the more uptempo songs off that play along (turn it up and lay it down vol. 4) a go, maybe like Lemme Count It Off? I let you know if i find any of those sort of playalongs.

Okay...sooo, I`ve received one of such an intense play-along a long time ago from jonescrusher. It is from John Riley`s book "Art of Bop drumming", called "Satch and Diz" or so. I play it very intense automatically. But what I wanna mention is that I`m kinda afraid of such a hard-bop style. Of course it sounds good and the volume is also loud in Jazz sometimes but till now I`m a bit afraid of playing such an intense style.

Has someone maybe a play-along for me from John Riley`s book (except "What is this thing called" and "Satch and Diz")?? Just thought I would ask...

Karl

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Hi, Karl, I listened to your tracks. Thanks for posting them! Great job recording it so balanced it actually sounds like you are playing with a real band! I like your sound, and I can hear you really dig the music. Great! There are a few things I think would be worth looking into for you:

On the brush tune, you play a bit behind the band, as opposed to driving it. In other words, the band is leading you, not the other way around. I would suggest you try to get more ahead on the beat (right on it, or a tad more), so you become the motor of the band. In my experience, a lot of players like that in a drummer. When I saw this in my playing and worked on it, it changed the quality of my playing (judged by the players that would play with me!)

On the fast tune, your ride sounds a bit "crumbled together". Try working on really getting the triplets out, starting at slower tempos. Again, the band will respond very well to you if your ride never fails.

Let me know if I am being clear. I hope this is of value to you. Regards,
DPS

[Drummer Karl]

On the brush tune, you play a bit behind the band, as opposed to driving it. In other words, the band is leading you, not the other way around. I would suggest you try to get more ahead on the beat (right on it, or a tad more), so you become the motor of the band. In my experience, a lot of players like that in a drummer. When I saw this in my playing and worked on it, it changed the quality of my playing (judged by the players that would play with me!)

yeah, I know what you mean. There are two different reasons for this "playing behind":
1. I have a slow sound card and my PC in the studio isn`t good either. It happens sometimes that I have a "Latenz"-time, so a shifting of play-along and drumming. I tried the same song with the laptop of my friend (he also got Cubase, he is a sound engineer) and it worked without that shifting. It happens not often though...
2 ...so it can be that I play behind. I have the feeling that I play forward but I`ll work on that pulling the band, leading it anyway!


On the fast tune, your ride sounds a bit "crumbled together". Try working on really getting the triplets out, starting at slower tempos. Again, the band will respond very well to you if your ride never fails.

I absoloutly agree! My Ride sounds not very consistent in that one. Thanks alot for mentioning it, good that you heard it. I recorded that track when I worked actually more on my swing pattern, maybe 1 or two month ago...a few weeks later I recorded "Here we go". There the swing is better...or isn`t it?

Overall I want to thank ALOT for your advice!!! I`ll work on. =)

Karl

[Big_Philly]

That was some really good playing! not rushed, just some laid-back brushing, fits the music perfectly well.

[mikejames]

Nice work, Karl!

No one can criticize you for being "too simple", because it was rhythmically and dynamically right... grooving. As we all develop, things might or might not become more intense, but you are playing very well, so don't let that make you sweat.

Often, drummers play too much, and often their time suffers when they do. I prefer both "subtle" and "extreme", so hearing you music was pleasing to my ears.

Do more!

[Drummer Karl]

Do more!

Hey, your comments mean so much for me! I will work hard on what you like to criticize. I can notice that I feel again like: oh man, most of that stuff is old, just not my current level.

I will definitly do more (if I can hold the mics). At least one tune for the Jazz radio request. Jaijai Jackson (sis of drummer Duffy Jackson) asked me if she could play a tune I recorded on her Jazz radio station in California...mhhh, good opportunity...
Just had that problem that those tunes are play-alongs and so they are copyright, so I e-mailed John Riley and asked for a permission. He said that he wanna listen to my recorded version before giving a permission.

However, hope I receive the new Turk hats soon, then I can go on with recording.

thanks so much,

Karl

[pimp_my_RIDE]

YEt again nice playing dude. And you seem to have alot of pro drummers on your friends list.

[Drummer Karl]

YEt again nice playing dude. And you seem to have alot of pro drummers on your friends list.

thanks, and yeah, I have pro drummers and pro musicians in general on my friend list. But shall I tell you something?

That is not special actually. All you have to do is pressing "Add to friends" and then waiting for approvement. (Exept Lewis Nash, he wrote me a message once...and Jaijai Jackson (sis of Jazz drummer Duffy Jackson), she is very very nice!)

Of course I`m very happy about the friendship with many pros...but really not happier than having you friends on my list! =)

PS: I`ll inform you when I recorded new stuff and when I receive my Istanbul Turk hats.

thanks alot,

Karl

[chris_drb]

That was sooooooooooooooo great Karl. Very inspiring. Keep it up!

[da cheese walks]

Karl man...you are a damn jazz cat....its great man just great.....where in Germany you from?I love Germany a hell of a lot and im thinking of spending the summer over in Berlin if i can....

Your Jazz is unreal...when i was 16 i was playing rock....nothing else...(well thats because i started when i was 16!haha!)...now,2 years on(and 2 years behind you in jazz terms!)i want to expand my jazz so much more....

gotta get some of thes books all you talk about....ive been relying on a teacher...)not very fluent in jazz)and influences from just listening to CDs....so i thikn i may try for some of these books and stuff....may someday be as good as you! ;)

[tomgrosset]

Karl,

I like this tune and I enjoyed what you achieved here. Great ideas and the reactions are applied very well.
But one thing I’m noticing, is you continually accent beats 1 and the “and” of 2 every four bars mostly during the guitar solo. Try and open up your playing a bit more and make it less predictable.

Just some advice man. Overall, it was excellent.

[Drummer Karl]

thanks everyone!!
Tom: Yes...I also noticed that when listening to this tune many times. You are 100% right with that. I`ll re-record that one...and then another for the radio.
Last weeks I felt soooo inspired/influenced by the Brad Mehldau trio...and by the drummer Jorge Rossy!

He plays soo mucical, plays so fine, handles so clever with the parts of the kit.
From dynamic level it is the opposite of Tony Williams or Elvin Jones.

Jorge Rossy is amazing! =)

PS: Why is he just on the wishlist?

Karl

[TitanSound]

Karl,

You have outdone yourself again! I am not a big fan of jazz but your playing is so cool!! I really enjoy listening to your tunes....very relaxing :)

[LDGuy]

Jorge Rossy is a great player. Hasn't done too much other than the Art of the Trio recordings, played on a good Tim Garland recording worth checking out. Also on a good early Mark Turner record called Yam Yam, Rosenwinkel is also playing great on this one, as well as Mehldau.

I think he started as a trumpet player and became a drummer while at Berklee, it was more convenient. If you can find it there's a cool early Mehldau live recording called When I Fall in Love which shows Rossy's chemistry with Mehldau at a really early stage. Some good soloing too.

The other records to check out, if you haven't already are AotT 4: Back at the Vanguard and AotT 5: Progression. The second album is extremely good.

And of course, there's always Day is Done, with Jeff Ballard - completely different. I think i prefer him, to be honest.

L.

[mattsmith]

Hey Karl,

I meant to say something a while back about how much I liked these tracks. I think they're my favorites of your submissions and they show a lot of maturity. I really dug the independence in Bright Swing Times. The feel was really good, and was enhanced by that nice Richie Cole styled alto player. And you did an excellent job of playing a little behind on Let's Play One without actually dragging. And as you know, that's hard to pull off.

Congrats man.

[Drummer Karl]

Matt: Thanks...thanks alot. I noticed it and many of you criticized some things I can improve. Few days ago I just sent Bernhard some updates for the "My Drumset" galery. I sent him "Here we go"...and also he gave some great advice. And since I discovered guys like Lewis Nash or Jorge Rossy another way of playing and interpretating a tune was shown.

Lawrence: Yeah, thanks for all the names and tips. I think I will chack out Jeff Ballard...havn`t listened to his work very much yet.
And yes, Jorge is great...and so is the Art of the Trio CD. I especially like "I didn`t know what time it was"...man, it includes some good soloing of Jorge. Also Brad Mehldau is an amazing musician in my opinion...he reminds me a bit of Bill Evans.

I`ll check out what you recommended!

I`ll keep you updated...
keep in touch,

Karl

[Drummer Karl]

Heyho!
Just uploaded a new tune on www.myspace.com/karldegenhardt (maybe you can`t see it yet)
Called "School days" from John Riley`s book...played with brushes.

the full tune "The Al Trane" for the radio coming soon...

BTW: Can you still see the contact table I have on my myspace page? I can`t... =(


Karl man...you are a damn jazz cat....its great man just great.....where in Germany you from?I love Germany a hell of a lot and im thinking of spending the summer over in Berlin if i can....

thanks alot man! Believe me. There is much to improve. ;-)
I live in the north of state Hessen, I live pretty much in the middle of Germany.

Yeah, hope you can go to Berlin, as far as I know it is a nice city. Though I wasn`t there yet. lol

Karl

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Karl, you continue to put out great stuff, and you are advancing just fine. Its so easy to listen to your music because one can tell that you have practiced what you play and have a great feel for your playing. Keep up the good job.

[Drummer Karl]

thanks Johnny! Really appreciate it.
yeah, I play with them a few times usually before I record them...just to get to know climaxes, accents, special situation (e.g. when the bass is really leading or when an instrument feels very laid back).
Though I don`t know the new tune very well. I`d prefer to perform with a real band. You don`t have to practice that alot, you see each other, you "feel" what`s next.

And some more news: The (maybe) radio tune will be recorded later because of material problems. Had to order some new sticks and a new Remo coated Ambassador. The sticks because playing will sound/feel better with some fresh wood.
And the head because the old feels very destroyed. Just bad...though I will use it for my Basix snare (it will sound better than my basix stock head). lol

thanks,

Karl

[jazzin']

Karl mate, that was just fantastic!
Although I'm going to disagree with some of the other guys and say I don't think you need to work on putting more complicated comping phrases in there at all. You showed great maturity, taste and restraint for 16 years old or for any age actually. I know you would be working on more complicated things in practice so keep doing exactly what you are doing and when the time is right and the music calls for it you will instinctively play some more 'complicated' stuff as your practice work becomes ingrained or you may not. It really doesn't matter. What you played was right for the song. It worked. You don't need to put more complicated stuff in there. Don't think you do and certainly don't do it to please drummers. The way you played you would please musicians and your band mates. That's what matters.
Keep doing what you're doing. Great!

[Victor_se]

Hey karl

i'm here looking all the threads you have done and watching your page.

I'm impressed!

i really enjoy listening your jazz tune and looking around your threads.

it's nice see people that really take drumming with that passion.

i'm sure the world going to know about you in a very short time and you will be playing side by side with the greatest drummers, and musicians in general... ( if you are not doing it already )

i have to say you have inspired me!!!

congrats, and keep it up Karl!

Victor

[Victor_se]

i'm sure the world going to know about you in a very short time

WELL

The world already knows about you! ;)

[Drummer Karl]

errr...thanks alot! I`m glad my sound isn`t that disturbing.
Well, I really hope I can get the mics and that stuff soon again...so I can do new stuff. I`m really looking forward to that, it`s been always a great time.

Thanks again...and...new stuff on its way. Sooner or later. ;-)

Karl

[slingerland755]

Karl,
Your playing is blowing me away. Tasty tasty tasty! Keep doing your thing and don't let ANYONE get in your way. Excellent!

Sure wish I sounded that good when I was sixteen.

MRW

[Dr Drums]

Karl!!

This is absolutely brilliant!
I just heard "Last Week" and i love the way you play.
It's hard to believe that you're just 16...
The sound quality of the recording is superb and so are the other players.

It's a shame you don't have a solo at the tune.. but your sound chops and general laid back and relaxed feel (which is crucial in jazz) is stunning.

Keep it up man

[Drummer Karl]

Thanks very very much for your kind words. As I said, I appreciate that a lot...aaand I`m gonna record new tunes sooner or later.
Oh and Dr. Drums, the "other musicians" is a play-along...unfortunatly. ;-)

There is much to learn...and so much inspiration every day...I`ll see how new stuff sounds and how I feel about it.

Thanks again,

Karl

[drflam]

Just listened to 'Last Week'. As I was browsing the forums / web listening I actually lost concentration on the music, forgot who or what was playing and just enjoyed it.

It's good when that happens Karl! Usually I am intently listening to the drummer... actually I find it hard NOT to come to think of it.

[Wegadrummer]

VERY GOOD work Karl, great too see/hear that you are making progress in both the drumming and musicwise..Sounded a little Peter Erskine like to me. The only thing I didnt like was the snare, its not criticism or anything.. I just like too hear jazz with.. well, kinda tight snare..
But a good performance, can you do a solo or something over that track?

[lochday]

Karl mate, that was just fantastic!
Although I'm going to disagree with some of the other guys and say I don't think you need to work on putting more complicated comping phrases in there at all. You showed great maturity, taste and restraint for 16 years old or for any age actually. I know you would be working on more complicated things in practice so keep doing exactly what you are doing and when the time is right and the music calls for it you will instinctively play some more 'complicated' stuff as your practice work becomes ingrained or you may not. It really doesn't matter. What you played was right for the song. It worked. You don't need to put more complicated stuff in there. Don't think you do and certainly don't do it to please drummers. The way you played you would please musicians and your band mates. That's what matters.
Keep doing what you're doing. Great!

I totally agree with this. Karl's way is a good way. We must play for the music and in a way that makes the other musicians happy with their playing...

[Drummer Karl]

Thanks for your comments mates!
The more I listen to that tune the more I notice I could make better...I hope to get the opportunity to record new tunes soon.

The only thing I didnt like was the snare, its not criticism or anything.. I just like too hear jazz with.. well, kinda tight snare..
But a good performance, can you do a solo or something over that track?

I agree with you about the snare drum....and I thought about doing the next recordings with my Custom Basix Short Stack. Its sound is more pleasing in my ears Jazz-wise than the sound of the big SUperstar Custom I have at home currently.

I also like the sizes of the Basix more, I`d set it up like this:
20x18" with clear Ambassador as batter head, muffled stock head as reso...12x6" tom, Remo Coated Ambassador batter, stock reso...14x12" STAND tom (instead of my 14x11" Tama suspended floor tom which doesn`t seem to have a sweet spot, at least with Die Cast hoops) with Coated Ambassador as batter head, stock reso...and my 14x5.5 Basix snare drum, Coated Ambassador batter head, stock reso.

In general that short stack Basix is awesome for the money!

PS: Maybe no solo over this track...there is no solo part for drums...but I probably get some additional mallets so I`ll see how horrible I solo. ;-D
I`ve written down some melody/solo ideas for the drum set, quite sweet on the paper.

Karl

[slingerland755]

Karl,
You just keep playing the way you have been. I appreciate people giving you tips, but there is really no need. Your musical accomplishments speak for themselves.

I could only wish to play like you when I was 16.

MRW

[Drummer Karl]

Thanks slingerland.
I appreciate constructive criticism a lot. Over the years that helped me very very much, it has often shown me a way through the big and endless forest.

I wouldn`t be at this point if there wasn`t criticism.
And there is much to work on and if I can make the sun shining through this forest all the time finding and getting new ways will be a lot easier for me. It`s fun. :-)

Karl

[Victor_se]

Hey Karl!

A little Off topic question

i'm looking for some jazz records.

what can you recomend me?, ( musicians, groups, trios, etc.. )

Thanks!

[Drumsword]

Awesome job my friend. Good work. I'd offer advice but you play better then I do..lol

[Drummer Karl]

Peter,

thanks a lot. The current tune on my myspace site was recorded about a year ago. I`m happy about everybody`s thoughts and advice as it is so helpful.
Soon I`m gonna record with my piano trio so I`m quite excited about the results. I`ll post the new stuff here.

It`s nice to finally play with real "Jazz cats" instead of just play-alongs.
I don`t feel good about "Last Week", though I never do when it comes to recordings. :-)

Interesting that you brought this thread back to life.

So thanks again Peter, I`ll have to update the old stuff I guess.

Victor: Sorry, I must have overlooked your post and question. Have you found some cool CDs? How has it developed for you Victor? Have you looked into classics like Miles Davis or John Coltrane?

Karl

[Sirwill]

I always love your jazz style. And as I have said before, your the reason I still listen to jazz. You inspire me to my roots "The Buddy Rich Band". That said, I would like to ask for an on-core? Would you please record and post a solo?

[Drumsword]

I was just browsing through checking out people's playing and came across this and thought it very well played and in need of being bumped up.

I have no doubt that with your fire, zeal and "Chops" you'll have a very promising career ahead in music. I love that particular style of jazz, Who is the band That did it?

I also just noticed your avatar......... "KARL MEMBER", lol that killed me...lol.

Can't wait to hear more stuff from you. My wife and I want to visit, Austria, Germany and Switzerland,,(And Australia), Gotta meet Mr Brady. But if we make it over we'll look you up.