Q For You Jazz Guys ...

[joeybeats]

Chapin's Advanced Techniques, just getting into it and a couple q's come to mind.

-- Aside from the benefits of developing reading skills, is it practical or even sensible to practice the dotted eights and sixteenths sections straight? Are they even used in jazz? Should I just play them as triplets, and/or otherwise just stick to the triplet sections?

-- The sections written in straight eights, are these intended primarliy for developing higher tempo jazz ability? Practice them straight and as triplets? Do they write in eights today? If not, or if they are always played in a triplet feel, what is the point in playing straight eights at any tempo?

I have read the intro a couple of times, but still have those q's. I'm never going anywhere with this other than attempting to develop some independence, reading ability for when I refer to tough passages , and otherwise, to play some jazz in an informal setting with some musicians at home. Joey

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Chapin's Advanced Techniques, just getting into it and a couple q's come to mind.

-- Aside from the benefits of developing reading skills, is it practical or even sensible to practice the dotted eights and sixteenths sections straight? Are they even used in jazz? Should I just play them as triplets, and/or otherwise just stick to the triplet sections?

-- The sections written in straight eights, are these intended primarliy for developing higher tempo jazz ability? Practice them straight and as triplets? Do they write in eights today? If not, or if they are always played in a triplet feel, what is the point in playing straight eights at any tempo?

I have read the intro a couple of times, but still have those q's. I'm never going anywhere with this other than attempting to develop some independence, reading ability for when I refer to tough passages , and otherwise, to play some jazz in an informal setting with some musicians at home. Joey

Joey, this book relies heavily on the Moeller and free stroke techniques. Do you know them well? If not, I recommend you start there.

The way I went through this book (under Dom Famularo's guidance, Chapin student, and the editor of the book): I swung the 8ths, and I played the ride dotted in the 16th section only. Of course, in the 8ths section, you can play the 8ths straight and swing the ride, and some people do that. i just don't find it sounds very good so I didn't do that.

Does this make sense?

Casper

[OldStampK]

Chapin's Advanced Techniques, just getting into it and a couple q's come to mind.

-- Aside from the benefits of developing reading skills, is it practical or even sensible to practice the dotted eights and sixteenths sections straight? Are they even used in jazz? Should I just play them as triplets, and/or otherwise just stick to the triplet sections?

-- The sections written in straight eights, are these intended primarliy for developing higher tempo jazz ability? Practice them straight and as triplets? Do they write in eights today? If not, or if they are always played in a triplet feel, what is the point in playing straight eights at any tempo?

I have read the intro a couple of times, but still have those q's. I'm never going anywhere with this other than attempting to develop some independence, reading ability for when I refer to tough passages , and otherwise, to play some jazz in an informal setting with some musicians at home. Joey

Dotted eighths and sixteenths are used some times at slower tempos. Generally, the slower the tempo, the closer in you can play the ride pattern. The way Chapin wrote out those exercises is good for developing control, but most drummers don't really phrase that way. At medium tempos, I generally phrase the ride cymbal in triplets. At faster tempos I'm playing pretty close to straight eighths. The juxtaposition of triplets in the left hand and dotted eighths on the cymbal is worth exploring, if only to train yourself to relax. It's also good to practice sixteenth note left hand phrases with a triplet feel on the cymbal. I found it useful to double the ride pattern on the straight eighths sections for practicing comping at a faster tempo. Also practice as written for the challenge.

It's very instructive to listen to different great jazz drummers to hear how they phrase. Billy Higgens for instance often played in between straight eighths and triplets, while Elvin played a really wide triplety feel. Listen to New Orleans drummers to hear how they play funk and shuffles some where in between. Listen to Brazilian Sambas to hear how they emulate the off-kilter pattern of a shaker. That stuff you can't learn from a book and it's the difference between playing with an authentic feel and sounding like you're a book-learner.

The Chapin book is an all-time classic, but you may also want to check out John Riley's books for some really useful ideas. There's also a new book which covers Alan Dawson's teaching approach, including his ways of interperating Ted Reed's synchopation. This book is really serious and worth owning.

Have fun. Drums is a life-long study. That's the beauty of it.

[joeybeats]

Thanks for that, Dr. Yes, It does make sense.

I do use freestrokes, but my moeller is very weak. I can get my Moeller up to speed with some shedding. The truth is, I had no idea that Moeller was used in this book per se, as it isn't mentioned anywhere. This is the second time I've noticed someone mention that fact. I do understand that he was a student of Moeller, so it fits that he uses it whenever possible. Moeller, Chapin, Dom ... you have some pretty strong background!

I assumed this book was a set of exercises to get you up and running with reading skills and independence isues. Because I am at such slow tempos in the exercises, I never considered using Moeller. I thought Moeller was only used at faster tempos, but I must be mistaken and don't really understand how it fits across the board. I will try using Moeller with the book. Thanks again.

OldStampK, thanks to you for that post. I am listening to jazz everynight as I go to sleep. It is in my car and on my dvd and ipod. I haven't listened to rock in a while. Played along today with Kind of Blue, yesterday with some Diana Krall and Ella w/Duke's band. I am trying to have fun and learn jazz. I do have the Riley, Reed and Dawson/Ramsey books ... using them all for this period of learning reading and independence skills. You know how that goes, today this one, tomorrow that one. I will get thru them all. Well, definitely not the Dawson/Ramsey ... to many "ways"for me ... you know what I mean? I'm calling it quits after the bass plays the line. Thanks again for the kind words of encouragement

Joey