Tiger Bill

Tiger Bill Lesson #71; Jazz Ride Speedy Fill-ins

This time we're modifying last month's accented triplet pattern and while it actually includes fewer accents, you'll find that it makes the exercise harder to play. Let's check it out.

Velocities

Here’s some cool drum vocabulary that best exists in its own time and space frame; such rhythms shouldn’t be transcribed in measured time. Why? Because these are rhythmic expressions more of velocity and emotion rather than technique.

Double Bass Basics

In this lesson we’re going to go over some double bass basics. First off, balance and posture are very important, so your setup is key, with the throne being your anchor point.

Tiger Bill

Tiger Bill’s Speed Lesson #70

This is one of my favorite accented triplet patterns. The accents themselves form the basic jazz ride cymbal time pattern while the eighth-note fill-ins add a sense of forward movement that sounds great when applied to the drumset in jazz and other styles.

Practice Pad Fusion

Swiss Army Funk

This month’s lesson makes use of the Swiss Army triplet (sometimes known as just the Swiss triplet).

Practice Pad Metal

Slamming In Six

I’ve explored some whacky time signatures in past columns, but this month I’m going to take it back a notch with some beats in 6/4.

Practice Pad Jazz

Dynamic Swing

Phrasing involves dynamic as well as rhythmic choices.

Basic Beats: Louie Bellson

Louie Bellson is one of drumming's greatest legends. He pioneered the double bass drum set while still a teenager. In a career spanning 60 years he performed with the greatest twentieth century musicians such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and hundreds more. He appeared on hundreds of recordings and became famed as a composer, and wrote more than a dozen drum and percussion books, including The Musical Drummer.

In Video 1 he demonstrates a basic pattern with a backbeat on 2 and 4 that works in a wide range of contemporary music. Video 2 is a treat—an absolutely killer Bellson solo. Check it out.

Cover Story Practice Pad

Syncopation and Independence: John Riley

John Riley is a legendary teacher, inspiring, articulate, and talented in spades. On this DVD there are four sections covering technique, groove, creativity and musicianship. The following excerpts show John demonstrating his remarkable fluidity at the drum set (Video #1) and showing a series of exercises for improving syncopation and independence, using techniques based on the Moeller method.... MORE »

Cover Story Practice Pad

Audio Funk: Chad Smith’s “Funky Monks”

Check out this transcription and lesson from On the Beaten Path: The Drummer’s Guide to Musical Styles and the Legends Who Defined Them, by Rich Lackowski.

Cover Story Practice Pad

Improve Your Groove: Polyrhythm Tutorial

Excerpt from Mastering the Tables of Time, Volume 1: Introducing the Standard Timetable, by David Stanoch

Cover Story Practice Pad

Universal Rhythm: Thirty-Second-Note Rudiments

Excerpt from Universal Rhythms for Drumset, by Dave DiCenso.

In this lesson covering thirty-second-note rudiments, all examples are taken from Universal Rhythms for Drumset, by Dave DiCenso.