PreppieNerd
Silver Member
I am in a college jazz combo this semester. (6pc: Kit, Bass, Keys, Guitar, Sax and Trumpet)
I have been playing drums for 7 years, with a lot of live performance experience, but mostly in Rock/Church music. I also played percussion in the concert and marching bands in high school. Last time I played in a jazz band was 8th grade.
I love jazz, but just don't have a lot of jazz playing experience. Today in class our instructor called me out for playing 1 and 3 on the kick in a pretty straightforward swing piece. He didn't do it in a mean way, but I felt pretty stupid - that's just what my experience had led me to do. Our instructor is the head of jazz studies here, so I'm sure he knows what he's talking about.
I guess jumping into this combo I've been shown how ignorant I am on some of this (I did give the instructor full disclosure on my drumming experience in the audition, so he knows my level of experience)
I am planning on meeting with him to talk about my role and what I need to do to fit and serve the group well, but in the meantime, what advice can you give me? Any tidbits of wisdom? Suggestions on concepts and theory? Have you been in a similar situation?
I have been playing drums for 7 years, with a lot of live performance experience, but mostly in Rock/Church music. I also played percussion in the concert and marching bands in high school. Last time I played in a jazz band was 8th grade.
I love jazz, but just don't have a lot of jazz playing experience. Today in class our instructor called me out for playing 1 and 3 on the kick in a pretty straightforward swing piece. He didn't do it in a mean way, but I felt pretty stupid - that's just what my experience had led me to do. Our instructor is the head of jazz studies here, so I'm sure he knows what he's talking about.
I guess jumping into this combo I've been shown how ignorant I am on some of this (I did give the instructor full disclosure on my drumming experience in the audition, so he knows my level of experience)
I am planning on meeting with him to talk about my role and what I need to do to fit and serve the group well, but in the meantime, what advice can you give me? Any tidbits of wisdom? Suggestions on concepts and theory? Have you been in a similar situation?