Playing from the Book and Playing with Playalongs.

[Pearlrules]

I usually spend a lot of time transcribing out of the books (like The Art of Bop Drumming and Ted Reed Syncopation) and not much with playalongs, because I dont really know what to play when I'm playing with a playalong so its kinda of a waste of time cause I dont really have any idea of what I'm doing. So I just play out of the books ALOT more so I can get better ideas to put with my playalongs.

Is this allright?
How often do YOU play the stuff that are in your books compared to playing with playalongs that usually come with the book?

[vadrum]

Originally Posted by Pearlrules

I usually spend a lot of time transcribing out of the books (like The Art of Bop Drumming and Ted Reed Syncopation) and not much with playalongs, because I dont really know what to play when I'm playing with a playalong so its kinda of a waste of time cause I dont really have any idea of what I'm doing. So I just play out of the books ALOT more so I can get better ideas to put with my playalongs.

Is this allright?
How often do YOU play the stuff that are in your books compared to playing with playalongs that usually come with the book?

playing along w/ music minus 1 or alt cds or cds in general is a great way to practice some new ideas. theres a section in the art of bop drumming that talks about playing along w/ a record and how to use that tool effectively. try implementing some of those ideas and you will get a better grasp of what to do w/ that particular resource.

playing out of books is a great way to learn, you just dont want to spend all of your time doing that because it can be very easy to come out sounding mechanical (or sound like youre playing exercises out of a book). make sure you mix your book time w/ playing time....either playing w/ a cd or playing by yourself, just play some too to balance it all out.

[foursticks]

Agreed, that can be the problem with some books at times, some people just learn all the excersises and have no way of musically applying it to different situations and end up playing aload of licks. Books are their to give you ideas not tell you what to play, so do what vadrum said and keep a balance to playing along with drumless tracks and ones that are by famous musicians and work out of books to keep your creativity flowing!

[jeffwj]

Listening is very important. Take Zoro's book for example. He has a CD with play-a-longs and examples, but he includes an extensive list of songs and albums that will help you to play the styles. John Riley does the same. Buy some of the CDs, listen to them and transcribe them. That way you will know what to play in those situations. Remember that listening and transcribing is also practice.

Hope this helps,
Jeff

[jeffwj]

[quote=Pearlrules;268853]I usually spend a lot of time transcribing out of the books (like The Art of Bop Drumming and Ted Reed Syncopation) QUOTE]

How do you trancribe Syncopation by Ted Reed? Just wondering if you are using the term correctly. But when I said transcribe in the last post, I meant to write out what the drummer is playing on the CD.

Just wanted to clear that up so we're on the same page.

Jeff

[Pearlrules]

[quote=jeffwj;268951]

Originally Posted by Pearlrules

I usually spend a lot of time transcribing out of the books (like The Art of Bop Drumming and Ted Reed Syncopation) QUOTE]

How do you trancribe Syncopation by Ted Reed? Just wondering if you are using the term correctly. But when I said transcribe in the last post, I meant to write out what the drummer is playing on the CD.

Just wanted to clear that up so we're on the same page.

Jeff

Yeah you're right, I didnt mean to say transcribe that time. Thanks.

[tomgrosset]

Hey Pearlrules,

During a performance, you must constantly make quick decisions and one of the most effective ways to prepare for this is to spend a considerable amount of your practice time playing with and listening to records. Practicing in this manner will assist you in developing a better time feel, acquire comping and soloing ideas from all the other musicians and to learn tunes.


Tom

[tomgrosset]

Here is a great quote:

"Of course another problem is cats who do learn the vocabulary but don't do anything with it. They just mirror their influences verbatim. They have to find out what their voice is. There's an old saying, 'If you want to get along, you've got to sing your own song.' Once you get the information, you have to figure out how to use it to say what you want to say."

-- Marvin "Smitty" Smith