Boycott the spangalang~!!

[Kenneth Nishimoto]

Resolved, the classic (and imho, cliche'd) jazz ride cymbal pattern known as the "spang-a-lang" should be banished for all eternity.

Who's with me??

[Wavelength]

Not me, not in 20 million years.

[khanedeliac]

Um...No, No I do not agree

[jazzin']

Resolved, the classic (and imho, cliche'd) jazz ride cymbal pattern known as the "spang-a-lang" should be banished for all eternity.

Who's with me??


What exactly is your reasoning for the boycott? If it's a good one I may join you, although it is highly unlikely. I vote for a straight rock beat 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + through every style of music regardless of feel.

[nhzoso]

Yeah sure, lets boycott all things that help people learn the drums now that we are all high and snooty expert drummers... Rather not be in that crowd.

[drumbandit]

I really dont know what the 'spang a lang' is? Can somoene tell me ?

Tom

[Drummer Karl]

NO.


btw: WHY would you do this??

I really dont know what the 'spang a lang' is? Can somoene tell me ?

Tom

It`s the basic swing pattern...(1 2d 3 4d...)

Karl

[jonescrusher]

Kenneth, you're way out on that one. It's one of the best things you can play on a kit. Learn it and see.

[mind_drummer]

No Spang-a-lang boycott for me.

I Think you may very well be alone in your cruisade ;-)

[hawk9290]

ok, yeah, and then we'll have to rewrite drum beats for thousands and thousands of songs and completley disregard the best players in history- yeah, that sounds like a good thing to do...

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

ok, yeah, and then we'll have to rewrite drum beats for thousands and thousands of songs and completley disregard the best players in history- yeah, that sounds like a good thing to do...

Point me in the general direction of the dotted line, please.

[Michael G]

Yeah like totally who needs too swing anymore, all we need is double bass!

[Class A Drummer]

Lets stop using cymbals too. I hate those things. Besides the B8's i love those things.

[hawk9290]

while we're at it, let just make kits 2 bass drums and nothing more- thats all we really need any more, right??? because playing RLRLRLRLRLRLRL is so hard to do.......

[Thrash Drummer]

Boycott it? No.

As for double bass drumming, it can just as hard as it is easy.

[bballdrummer34]

man, i dont even have anything cynical to say. thats real out. RIGHT ON !!!!

[KCDrummer]

Looks like you're all alone on this one Kenneth. I can't get behind it either, the ol' splang-a-lang pays my bill-a-bills.

What were you thinking man? Getting on a drum forum and suggesting a boycott on splang-a-lang is like walking into the Republican National Convention and suggesting a boycott on oil, guns and Jesus.

[foursticks]

What were you thinking man? Getting on a drum forum and suggesting a boycott on splang-a-lang is like walking into the Republican National Convention and suggesting a boycott on oil, guns and Jesus.

Lol, that's spot on.

[oddrax]

WTF!? NO

-

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[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Getting on a drum forum and suggesting a boycott on splang-a-lang is like walking into the Republican National Convention and suggesting a boycott on oil, guns and Jesus.

*clap* *clap* *clap*

Quote of the century.

[Wavelength]

A boycott on oil, guns and Jesus.

Hey, sounds good to me!

[k3ng]

Lets stop using cymbals too. I hate those things. Besides the B8's i love those things.

And chuck the bass pedals while we're at it..

Hmm.. i also think we should boycott all usage of snare drums... and every tom size except 16x16...

we should also boycott all hi hats and only use 19" crashes...

Ok stop me before I go on...

[brittc89]

No...
20 Characters

[tezzerii]

I never play spang-a-lang.
But I do sometimes play spang spang a lang spang a lang lang lang a spang spang spang a lang a lang spangspang - a spang spang.....

You know what'll happen if we did boycott it? in 5 or 10 years time somebody'll rediscover it and it'll be all the rage and we'll all HAVE TO DO IT!! You older guys, remember those flares you loved in the 60's/70's? remember in the 80's you chucked them away, wouldn't be seen dead in them! Remember the kids all wearing flares in the 90's like they were the newest thing? Wasn't it horrific??

Tezzer

[maddrummr]

What were you thinking man? Getting on a drum forum and suggesting a boycott on splang-a-lang is like walking into the Republican National Convention and suggesting a boycott on oil, guns and Jesus.


THE BEST QUOTE EVER!!!
omg halarious

anyway, yea dude you are way alone on this one, unless you find some random death metal drummers around here. Even some of those guys play swing...

[NUTHA JASON]

i keep sticks in my car and play on the wheel when in jams or at lights or parking and recently i lost a stick and kept forgetting to bring another one from in the house and so i took a few eeks of just spang-a-langing with one stick towahtever was playing on the radio or mp3 and it was huge fun. you can put that pattern over nearly everything at all sorts of tempos. it was a blast making it fit foo fighters and then bob marley and then rammestein etc.

so i think i will keep the spang a lang for now

j

[drumbandit]

Somoene please tell me what it is?

[NUTHA JASON]

the jazz ride ostinato... ding ding dading ding dading ding dading etc....

for more get the tommy igoe dvd

or see the ride part of this pattern:

http://www.drummingstyles.com/Genres/Jazz/Independence/jazz-feet1.gif

[bballdrummer34]

i keep sticks in my car and play on the wheel when in jams or at lights or parking and recently i lost a stick and kept forgetting to bring another one from in the house and so i took a few eeks of just spang-a-langing with one stick towahtever was playing on the radio or mp3 and it was huge fun. you can put that pattern over nearly everything at all sorts of tempos. it was a blast making it fit foo fighters and then bob marley and then rammestein etc.

so i think i will keep the spang a lang for now

j

EVERYWHERE I GO i'm spangalangin'. Sometimes i even spang while comping with my left hand ON THE HIGHWAY. I pledge allegance to the spang of the United States of jazz. WOW, this is the dumbest thread EVER!!!!

[Class A Drummer]

And chuck the bass pedals while we're at it..

Hmm.. i also think we should boycott all usage of snare drums... and every tom size except 16x16...

we should also boycott all hi hats and only use 19" crashes...

Ok stop me before I go on...

While we are at it, why dont we just stop playin drums all together and pick up the clarinet instead. I mean its much more fun.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Official Vote to date:


Boycott....1
SpangALang....27....counting me.

margin of error +/- 3%

[jazzsnob]

I wonder what Kenneth's argument is. I mean, if there is one, I'd like to hear it. I can argue for a couple of drum grooves and figures to be banned, but swing is a little broad to not have an argument against.

[hawk9290]

I wonder what Kenneth's argument is. I mean, if there is one, I'd like to hear it. I can argue for a couple of drum grooves and figures to be banned, but swing is a little broad to not have an argument against.

hmm.

crash-- x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x
snare-- _x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_
bass--- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

yeah, thats one we could do without

[Kenneth Nishimoto]

Good spang-a-lang substitute= 2 over 3 polyrhythm

Think about it.

Right hand plays the 3's on the hats or ride, the left hand plays the twos on the snare. Play it with a swing feel. Ba dum psch. problem solved.

[jazzsnob]

Good spang-a-lang substitute= 2 over 3 polyrhythm

Think about it.

Right hand plays the 3's on the hats or ride, the left hand plays the twos on the snare. Play it with a swing feel. Ba dum psch. problem solved.

But what reasoning do you have that would prove or imply that A: Swing is antiquated and we need a replacement or B: We're somehow "finished" with it and no one can do anything new with it.


If you don't show any reasoning, you are just pointlessly ranting on the internets.

[jazzgregg]

Maybe he wanted it boycotted because these days, people just seem to play it, rather than make it their own. This takes time, something most drummers ignore, in many ways.

Or maybe it was because when people can physically play that on any surface, they think they are playing Jazz drums.

Maybe it's because when people play it they automatically think they are 'swinging'. Or worse, think that that is the only way TO swing.

Who knows.

G

[d.c.drummer]

HAHA, people hold on to the spang-a-lang like it thier mother. I think its nice but i will take the less popular route and agree with you that it is over used. With fast bebop i dont play it at all but i use it for slower stuff.

Good post btw. An outlandish thought that gets everyone thinking and shouting (via post).

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Maybe he wanted it boycotted because these days, people just seem to play it, rather than make it their own. This takes time, something most drummers ignore, in many ways.

Or maybe it was because when people can physically play that on any surface, they think they are playing Jazz drums.

Maybe it's because when people play it they automatically think they are 'swinging'. Or worse, think that that is the only way TO swing.

Who knows.

G

Suddenly this thread takes on an eerie and intelligent tone.

Time to put on the Elvin...

[somedrummer]

Maybe he wanted it boycotted because these days, people just seem to play it, rather than make it their own. This takes time, something most drummers ignore, in many ways.

Or maybe it was because when people can physically play that on any surface, they think they are playing Jazz drums.

Maybe it's because when people play it they automatically think they are 'swinging'. Or worse, think that that is the only way TO swing.

Who knows.

G


I think Gregg starts the argument here, I'll try to add something. I think it might be part of the overuse of the pattern, the playing of it heavily and not-stylistically-correct. I think the idea is that it's a feeling, not so much a rhythm. If you just play "spang, spang a lang, spang a lang" etc... You're not swinging, or really playing jazz. I think the concept of "spang a lang" is the essence of the swing feel, but the playing of that pattern constantly and without variation defeats any swinging that might be happening.

Spang a lang should, I believe be used as a guide to the feel of swing music, but should not be used constantly. In many jazz situations, simple quarter notes, or even less, such as some light comping on the ride work out well. I think that in many tunes that I'm playing at the moment, the spang a lang pattern would be simply too much, and would be in the way of the rest of the instruments.

So, no straight up boycott, but simply use it as a tool, IM(very)HO.

[jazzin']

He is either being sarcastic and having a bit of internet fun or Gregg is on the money and he has a valid argument. Although so far, he hasn't given a valid argument, only Gregg has. C'mon Kenneth, lets hear your reasoning? Could be interesting.

KC,
"What were you thinking man? Getting on a drum forum and suggesting a boycott on splang-a-lang is like walking into the Republican National Convention and suggesting a boycott on oil, guns and Jesus."

That was simply brilliant. The perfect analogy.

[jonescrusher]

I think Gregg starts the argument here, I'll try to add something. I think it might be part of the overuse of the pattern, the playing of it heavily and not-stylistically-correct. I think the idea is that it's a feeling, not so much a rhythm. If you just play "spang, spang a lang, spang a lang" etc... You're not swinging, or really playing jazz. I think the concept of "spang a lang" is the essence of the swing feel, but the playing of that pattern constantly and without variation defeats any swinging that might be happening.

Spang a lang should, I believe be used as a guide to the feel of swing music, but should not be used constantly. In many jazz situations, simple quarter notes, or even less, such as some light comping on the ride work out well. I think that in many tunes that I'm playing at the moment, the spang a lang pattern would be simply too much, and would be in the way of the rest of the instruments.

So, no straight up boycott, but simply use it as a tool, IM(very)HO.


Interesting. I think a problem often seen in young or beginning drummers venturing into jazz is that they don't have the discipline to stick strictly to the spang-a-lang. To keep that pattern absolutely solid whilst the other three limbs comp requires tremendous independence work; those who have just started out in it tend to compromise the pattern when they try to throw another limb into the mix. I've found things only start to swing when the spang-a-lang is totally down. Get it down before looking at ride variations.

[jazzin']

Interesting. I think a problem often seen in young or beginning drummers venturing into jazz is that they don't have the discipline to stick strictly to the spang-a-lang. To keep that pattern absolutely solid whilst the other three limbs comp requires tremendous independence work; those who have just started out in it tend to compromise the pattern when they try to throw another limb into the mix. I've found things only start to swing when the spang-a-lang is totally down. Get it down before looking at ride variations.

Jonescrusher, I believe that is spot on. Not only that, but I believe it comes from a simple boredom type problem (well, maybe not boredom. I can't think of anything else right now) which seems to happen after people have worked on a lot of technical issues (a generalisation, I know). They just can't let the groove/swing happen. They're like a little kid with ADD, they simply can't focus on one particular part and make it happen. They have to play and fill in every little bit. Now, it may sound like the typical 'technique sucks, groove rulez' post, but i think it's more of an issue that comes from doing so much ... maybe more complex independence stuff than technique, and it seems they may find it more difficult to stick to a simple part after working on such complex material.
It's like they get used to playing or hearing that kind of material that when they play something simple it sounds empty to them, so instead of using this complex stuff for small phrases or fill ins they use it as basic comping.
I don't know if this has made any sense, it has been a stream of consciousness type post.

[bballdrummer34]

But, even with all that said, I'll go ahead and say most people can't even play spang a lang with the proper nuance and feel. Billy Hart tells me that the older bass players are hating the new young guys because they can't play the cymbal. The cymbal is the number one instrument on the drums in jazz. Spang or spang a lang is the most important pattern on the set when playing jazz. You should be able to take JUST a cymbal to a jazz gig and make it swing like no other. Stefon Harris was telling me that Lenny White rants on and on about how these new drummers can't play the cymbal. Don't give in to this, spang a lang is the way, the truth, and the light. Respect your fore fathers. Spang a lang is our clave or key. It is huge. Dont take it lightly, but dont abuse it, and thats what i think the problem is today, cats thinking the pattern itself if the essence of jazz.

[somedrummer]

Interesting. I think a problem often seen in young or beginning drummers venturing into jazz is that they don't have the discipline to stick strictly to the spang-a-lang. To keep that pattern absolutely solid whilst the other three limbs comp requires tremendous independence work; those who have just started out in it tend to compromise the pattern when they try to throw another limb into the mix. I've found things only start to swing when the spang-a-lang is totally down. Get it down before looking at ride variations.

So I think we agree in premise, it's just the extent to which we take it that we disagree on. We both believe that it should be used somewhat as a tool (in your case for independence, in mine for feel -it works in both cases) and that once the pattern is made to groove, we can start using different variations. Correct?

[zambizzi]

Sure...yeah....right....let's throw out the staple of American drumming, makes perfect sense.

I think the swing ride pattern is the most important thing you could learn as a student drummer...it's more important than even the shuffle or straight-eights. I usually spend at least 10 min. of every practice, everyday doing improvisational swing w/ this pattern - nothing is better for independence.

I suggest you get the Chapin "Advanced Techniques" book and learn it if you don't know it.

[murphinelli]

I also vote for a boycott of the hi-hat on 2 and 4.

[jonescrusher]

So I think we agree in premise, it's just the extent to which we take it that we disagree on. We both believe that it should be used somewhat as a tool (in your case for independence, in mine for feel -it works in both cases) and that once the pattern is made to groove, we can start using different variations. Correct?


I think it's a matter of taste and what's needed musically as to how far you want to stray from hh 2 and 4 w/spangalang. Hi-hat comping and ride variations are great if you've acheived the same level of swing and co-ordination as with standard time. If not, it's never going to swing as well.

Even if you get variations swinging, use has to be tasteful in order not to over-power the vibe. You'll have more success getting creative in a post-bop setting than in a big band.

[somedrummer]

I think it's a matter of taste and what's needed musically as to how far you want to stray from hh 2 and 4 w/spangalang. Hi-hat comping and ride variations are great if you've acheived the same level of swing and co-ordination as with standard time. If not, it's never going to swing as well.

Even if you get variations swinging, use has to be tasteful in order not to over-power the vibe. You'll have more success getting creative in a post-bop setting than in a big band.

Exactly where we're getting at.

[KCDrummer]

So is the illustrious forum member who threw the rock at the hornets' nest by starting this thread going to respond further? I guess it's hard to type when both hands are occupied trying to pry your foot out of your yap.

[jonescrusher]

Agreed KC. Kenneth, please take part in your own thread. There's nothing more annoying on this forum when someone starts a controversial thread and then seems to ignore it. Explain yourself Nishimoto!

[Mapex589]

It apears Kenneth is like an arsonist....he starts the fire, flees and then comes back to watch what he has started. I am thankful for the ol' Spangalang...I found it rather helpful when I was introduced to playing jazz.

[murphinelli]

Yeah, really man!!!

Ken, splain your spangalang!

[zambizzi]

He probably wasn't expecting the verbal smackdown everyone laid on him...and just doesn't want to deal w/ the fallout.

I think it's safe to say it's his loss if he prefers to *not* learn (or master if he's already learned) this crucial pattern. We could leave it at that.

[Kenneth Nishimoto]

Agreed KC. Kenneth, please take part in your own thread. There's nothing more annoying on this forum when someone starts a controversial thread and then seems to ignore it. Explain yourself Nishimoto!

Maybe he wanted it boycotted because these days, people just seem to play it, rather than make it their own. This takes time, something most drummers ignore, in many ways.

Or maybe it was because when people can physically play that on any surface, they think they are playing Jazz drums.

Maybe it's because when people play it they automatically think they are 'swinging'. Or worse, think that that is the only way TO swing.

Who knows.

G


Whut he sed.

:D

Actually, he has a very good argument, at least compared to mine. Mine is all bubblegum and paperclips, if you know what I mean.

The reason I propose the boycott of the spang-a-lang is because there are thousands of ways to swing, but people piegonhole jazz into the entire concept of "Spang a lang on the ride, feather bass on 1 & 3, close hats on 2 & 4, and comp with the snare" Now, this is all very delightful, but I think that the spang-a-lang has done more harm than good to modern jazz music, we'd ought to be moving forward, exploring new ostinato patterns, instead of constantly rehashing old ones. A boycott might be a little bit harsh, and I must admit, I have fallen into the rut of the spang-a-lang, but some drummers must be weaned off of it's cruel influence... BY FORCE!!!

:D

[moe.ron]

Whut he sed.

:D

Actually, he has a very good argument, at least compared to mine. Mine is all bubblegum and paperclips, if you know what I mean.

The reason I propose the boycott of the spang-a-lang is because there are thousands of ways to swing, but people piegonhole jazz into the entire concept of "Spang a lang on the ride, feather bass on 1 & 3, close hats on 2 & 4, and comp with the snare" Now, this is all very delightful, but I think that the spang-a-lang has done more harm than good to modern jazz music, we'd ought to be moving forward, exploring new ostinato patterns, instead of constantly rehashing old ones. A boycott might be a little bit harsh, and I must admit, I have fallen into the rut of the spang-a-lang, but some drummers must be weaned off of it's cruel influence... BY FORCE!!!

:D



who says we aren't? anyway how exactly has it done more harm than good? do your ears physically bleed when you hear it?

[bballdrummer34]

who says we aren't? anyway how exactly has it done more harm than good? do your ears physically bleed when you hear it?

Thats EXACTLY how i feel i just didnt know how to say it. So ken i STILL dont know what you're getting at. Jazz is progressing just fine.

[jonescrusher]

Yes, it can appear that there is a rigidity in advice when it comes to playing jazz, but that standard time pattern is the bedrock of the style - it needs to be mastered if anything you do beyond it is going to sound good. You'll find that much jazz explores beyond it. Check out the post-bop stuff, this is characterised by broken time playing. I think it's more a case of you listening more widely and closely over the history of jazz. You'll find very little creative restriction.

[bballdrummer34]

I guess the next question for me is, who are the people you are referring to? Beginners, novices?

[jazzin']

In a way, he has a very good point. Jazz is stagnant in certain areas. I certainly don't think boycotting the ride pattern will help it move forward though. That is the basic pulse of the music. That's like telling latin guys to get rid of the clave.
Whether, as Jazzgregg said, people aren't making it their own anymore doesn't mean that the actual pattern itself is the problem.

[bballdrummer34]

I have another question:
Whats the pattern Jimmy Cobb played on the cymbal with Miles Davis ?
Whats the pattern Elvin Jones played on the cymbal with John Coltrane?
Whats the pattern Billy Higgins played on the cymbal with Ornette Coleman?
Whats the pattern Joe Morello played on the cymbal with Dave Brubeck?
Whats the pattern Max Roach played on the cymbal with Clifford Brown?
Whats the pattern Philly Joe Jones played on the cymbal with Miles Davis?
Whats the pattern Buddy Rich played on the cymbal with his band?
Whats the pattern Sid Catlet played on the cymbal with Louis Armstrong?
Whats the pattern Brian Blade played on the cymbal with Joshua Redman?
Whats the pattern Bill Stewart played on the cymbal with John Scofield?
Whats the pattern Tony Williams played on the cymbal with Herbie Hancock?
Whats the pattern Lewis Nash played on the cymbal with Joe Lovano?
Whats the pattern Dave Weckl played on the cymbal with Chick Corea?
Whats the pattern Jack Dejohnette played on the cymbal with Michael Brecker?
Whats the pattern Roy Haynes played on the cymbal with Chick Corea?



Correct me if i'm wrong but all these patterns happen to be the "Spang a lang". Now these drummers are the history and future of the instrument in jazz and you're telling me to boycott the foundation of America's OWN classical music?! you HAVE to kidding me. Get out of here with that.

[murphinelli]

I have another question:
Whats the pattern Jimmy Cobb played on the cymbal with Miles Davis ?
Whats the pattern Elvin Jones played on the cymbal with John Coltrane?
Whats the pattern Billy Higgins played on the cymbal with Ornette Coleman?
Whats the pattern Joe Morello played on the cymbal with Dave Brubeck?
Whats the pattern Max Roach played on the cymbal with Clifford Brown?
Whats the pattern Philly Joe Jones played on the cymbal with Miles Davis?
Whats the pattern Buddy Rich played on the cymbal with his band?
Whats the pattern Sid Catlet played on the cymbal with Louis Armstrong?
Whats the pattern Brian Blade played on the cymbal with Joshua Redman?
Whats the pattern Bill Stewart played on the cymbal with John Scofield?
Whats the pattern Tony Williams played on the cymbal with Herbie Hancock?
Whats the pattern Lewis Nash played on the cymbal with Joe Lovano?
Whats the pattern Dave Weckl played on the cymbal with Chick Corea?
Whats the pattern Jack Dejohnette played on the cymbal with Michael Brecker?
Whats the pattern Roy Haynes played on the cymbal with Chick Corea?



Correct me if i'm wrong but all these patterns happen to be the "Spang a lang". Now these drummers are the history and future of the instrument in jazz and you're telling me to boycott the foundation of America's OWN classical music?! you HAVE to kidding me. Get out of here with that.

All these patterns happen to be spang a lang? No.
Sorry, but the majority of those drummers go beyond the traditional spang-a-lang pattern. They may play it for certain songs when appropriate, but they do change it up considerably. Probably Buddy Rich sticks with it the most...because it fits the swing/big band music he played....The rest of them have already done or are doing what Mr. Boycott is asking for...

[brittc89]

All these patterns happen to be spang a lang? No.
Sorry, but the majority of those drummers go beyond the traditional spang-a-lang pattern. They may play it for certain songs when appropriate, but they do change it up considerably. Probably Buddy Rich sticks with it the most...because it fits the swing/big band music he played....The rest of them have already done or are doing what Mr. Boycott is asking for...

Im really confused now. Spang spang a lang a lang spang spang a lang spang spang spang a lang spang a lang spang a lang spang is still technically the spang a lang, correct?

[bballdrummer34]

Im really confused now. Spang spang a lang a lang spang spang a lang spang spang spang a lang spang a lang spang a lang spang is still technically the spang a lang, correct?

Absolutely and positively

[oddrax]

All these patterns happen to be spang a lang? No.
Sorry, but the majority of those drummers go beyond the traditional spang-a-lang pattern. They may play it for certain songs when appropriate, but they do change it up considerably. Probably Buddy Rich sticks with it the most...because it fits the swing/big band music he played....The rest of them have already done or are doing what Mr. Boycott is asking for...

Yes they change it but they are not doing it because of a boycott, the spang alang is the base, from there you change it, you make it YOURS I mean it is not harmful at all it is the base to jazz drumming and because of that it is necessary, but as in everything you have to play it your way, that is why all those GREAT drummers aren't playing always the spangalang, sure there are many ways to swing, but the important part of swing is not the "pattern" the important thing is the Swing, and the player. the feel.

[Ozzy Biz]

Spang spang a lang a lang spang spang a lang spang spang spang a lang spang a lang spang a lang spang is still technically the spang a lang

Try saying this out loud 5 times fast

[murphinelli]

Yes they change it but they are not doing it because of a boycott, the spang alang is the base, from there you change it, you make it YOURS I mean it is not harmful at all it is the base to jazz drumming and because of that it is necessary, but as in everything you have to play it your way, that is why all those GREAT drummers aren't playing always the spangalang, sure there are many ways to swing, but the important part of swing is not the "pattern" the important thing is the Swing, and the player. the feel.

boycott was not the right choice of words as Mr. Boycott has already noted. And I do agree with you on the rest. My point is drummers have been putting variations on the standard patterns for years. Including the hi-hat and BD. So, calling for a change to the traditional spang-a-lang (which I consider the standard swing ride pattern....so, no all those other patterns are not the spang-a-lang...) is a moot point. It's already been changed, many many years ago. Yes, we still use it and it is a foundation and is not harmful.

If your stuck in the swing era and only listen to those drummers with the standard spang a lang and think there is nothing else...then maybe you'd call for a boycott as Ken did...otherwise you'd realize there is no need for a boycott.

[dea]

Huh? Surely you jest?

[nebula821]

Hey, sounds good to me!

yes indeed it does sound good

[jayp]

Swing pattern on ride with snare comping oh my!!!!

I would die without my splang-a-lang

[lochday]

Hard bop, be bop, big band swing ... :
For this kind of jazz wannabees have to master the swing pattern before attempting to play broken time and experiment with the spang-a- lang. This kind of jazz DOES swing whether the drummer plays the Spang a lang or not. Even if you do not strickly do the spang a lang on the ride cymbal (or hi hat or toms or BD), the swinging pattern IS always there as a watermark.
Jazz rock, fusion
That kind of jazz does not really swing! It sometimes does.
New orleans
An altogether different way of swinging...
New Thing and other experiments in Jazz (eg Miles Davis, Art Ensemble of Chicago, etc.)
May swing or not swing.
Latin Jazz (cuba, brazil, carribean)
Often uses the spang a lang in a straight way...

I love jazz and I spent too much time listening to it, doing the spang a lang and the cordination with it, to accept boycotting this extraordinary ... no word!

[aydee]

See, I look at the spang-a -lang like an orangutan dangling from a tree with one hand. That being the spang-a-lang.

That keeps him swingin'. Then he can do whatever he wants with the other limbs, like chew his toenails, nibble his pinky or scratch his butt....do totally his own thing...Except, just hold on that tree, pal or you'll fall flat

[lochday]

See, I look at the spang-a -lang like an orangutan dangling from a tree with one hand. That being the spang-a-lang.

That keeps him swingin'. Then he can do whatever he wants with the other limbs, like chew his toenails, nibble his pinky or scratch his butt....do totally his own thing...Except, just hold on that tree, pal or you'll fall flat

Yes, got to grip on the spang a lang, at least part of it. How could Jazz, whatever its evolution possibly get rid of that old bedrock?

[rjvsmb]

What were you thinking man? Getting on a drum forum and suggesting a boycott on splang-a-lang is like walking into the Republican National Convention and suggesting a boycott on oil, guns and Jesus.

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!!!!!

[the skin man]

Quote:
Originally Posted by brittc89
Im really confused now. Spang spang a lang a lang spang spang a lang spang spang spang a lang spang a lang spang a lang spang is still technically the spang a lang, correct?

Absolutely and positively

But spang spang a lang a lang and spang spang a lang spang and a lang spang a lang spang are all putting eighth notes on the and of one and the and of three, which is a new rhythm that doesn't exist in regular spang a lang, so perhaps it is not true spang a lang. I prefer to think of spang a lang as coming in three varieties: spang spang a lang spang a lang, spang spang spang spang a lang, and spang spang a lang spang.

[Red Hawk]

It's not often one stumbles across a thread that's hilarious at the same time it's educated and deeply insightful.

I was taught by some guy called Jim Rupp that swinging is about feel, not the pattern you play on the ride cymbal. Jim Rupp could play quarter notes on a high-tension kevlar headed marching snare and it would swing. I've also resisted to my very core the "fact" that the spang-a-lang pattern has to be solidly locked in and unwavering or some tragic train wreck will occur. I actually can't stand it when you have some robot playing their perfect-time version of jazz with no feeling. This is what happens when kids are taught things like "you need to keep this pattern on the ride going, no matter what, even if that means you don't comp with your left hand at all." How is that going to help a soloist find something to kick off of, or build with?

Jazz is about feel, not what the page says.

That said, I vote we boycott the "blickum blickum", unless, for some god-forsaken reason, you're forced to play Smells like teen spirit.