Preparatory page for a Reed system using the highly useful RLLR-LRRL paradiddle inversion— we’re doing a lot with it for a reason. It’s easy to play fast, works great on the drums, and fits a […]
Transcription: Ndugu Leon Chancler – Man in the Green Shirt
Quick little transcription that includes one of the great opening drum fills ever— Ndugu Leon Chancler playing Man in the Green Shirt, from Weather Report’s album Tale Spinnin’. I’ve just written out the opening, some […]
Thelonious
Thinking about the tune Thelonious, by Thelonious Monk. It’s fun and unusual, based on a single note riff. I don’t believe the form comes from another tune, it’s just a little self-contained bebop invention. It’s […]
First page of Bossa Nova
Working on this with a couple of students, I couldn’t find a simple straightforward page of Bossa Nova rhythms, with all the parts written out. Seems like a basic thing that should exist somewhere. I […]
Those sub-pro cymbals
Let’s talk about an aspect of that recent cheap cymbals post: mid-line cymbals— sub-pro, “intermediate”, whatever, from the last 50-60 years. Real or almost-real cymbals, not complete dog food, where we may stand a chance […]
Comments on some younger drummers
Since COVID especially I haven’t been playing as much as I should be, so I’ve been getting my lazy butt out to some jam sessions to try to stir up some work. Playing really is a […]
The Wizard
More music in that 90s zone, from my personal archives. This really captures the spirit of my whole attitude towards playing the drums for that decade. Recorded in 2000, I think, when my group Flatland was […]
Daily best music in the world: early 90s zeitgeist
Here’s a record I almost forgot about, that had a big impact on the way I play the drums. From 1988-90, David Sanborn was the leading guy getting new and eclectic music to a (reasonably) […]
BIG Joe Zawinul interview
“If you have too much respect, it can get in the way…” Oh my God, you have to go Dave Aldridge’s blog right now and read his 1993 Modern Drummer interview with Joe Zawinul. He […]
Reed tweak: more paradiddle fill-ins
Adding to a similar thing we did early this year, here are some more possibilities for filling in an ordinary right hand lead Reed method— that’s the one where you play the book rhythm on […]
Sidebar: mind what you say
Teachers, speaking to students: I know everyone thinks we’re not being heard, but a lot of them are more engaged than we think they are, and a lot of things we say to them, particularly […]