Some Jazz, Rock, and DnB

[Clayton_C]

Hey guys,
I was able to use a friend's mic and recording setup today, so I recorded some stuff that I desperately want feedback on. The first piece linked is a 9-minute jazz solo with a ton of (attempted) polyrhythms and some chops in the middle-ish. It's pretty long but I think it develops nicely.

http://www.4shared.com/file/132716640/bf615dfb/Evolution__Drum_Solo_.html

(on these links, just hit the little play button if you don't want to download the file to your hard drive)

The next one is my feeble attempt to emulate the Jojo Mayer solo sound, specifically the brilliant solo from Jabon at the Modern Drummer Festival that everyone has seen. I've done better actual Drum n Bass than what you'll hear at the end of this, but the solo in the beginning was cool enough to include, I think.

http://www.4shared.com/file/132716649/c6bde55f/Yoyo_Mayo.html

And then this is a little rock groove I did with a friend and his guitar. Totally improv.

http://www.4shared.com/file/130556780/3dc16e22/Bumpy_Road_Ahead.html

What needs work? Book suggestions? Any criticism is entirely welcome. :)
Thanks.

[keep it simple]

I really enjoyed the main solo. You've got great skills. Fast chops & good dynamics. Nice groove and progression to the solo too.

Now for the negative, you're as good at rock as I am at jazz. The rock groove was more funk than rock and the percussion over the top confused things even more.

A jazz players interpretation of a rock beat is about as convincing as a rock players interpretation of a jazz beat. It's either in you or it's not. Just like me playing reggae, terrible!

Sorry for being so brutally honest. I thought your jazz solo work was fantastic though.

[Clayton_C]

Haha, point taken! I really don't listen to much rock, and when I do, it tends to be more experimental or folksy or just out-of-the-box, so I guess I don't have much of an idea of "good rock drumming." Any suggestions? I'd like to get better.

[keep it simple]

Haha, point taken! I really don't listen to much rock, and when I do, it tends to be more experimental or folksy or just out-of-the-box, so I guess I don't have much of an idea of "good rock drumming." Any suggestions? I'd like to get better.

I'm glad you took that in the positive way it was meant. I really like your jazz work and your rudiment skills are excellent (better than mine I suspect). Good rock drumming = power & simplicity. The ability to extract a strong groove from the most basic of elements. Just as in jazz, it's the feel & dynamics that dictate the success or failure of the piece. I judge all rock drummers by their ability to make a kick 1&3, snare 2&4, 8's on hihat groove sound full & engaging, delivered with passion & dynamics. Not easy with such scant material to work with.

There are drummers out there who successfully play jazz & rock convincingly, although rare. Simon Phillips (my favourite drummer) is one example. This is not a skill I'm blessed with. What I do is very limited but I'm quite good at it. Try checking out some of Simon's stuff on the DW site & elsewhere. Good simple rock drummers are becoming rare as well. Everyone seems to want to show their chops, overplay or concentrate on double kick BPM's. Sometimes all three at the same time (yuk)!

The final & most important advice, KEEP IT SIMPLE!