Looks like today's lesson already touched a nerve, to judge by the YouTube comments...
This week, I wanted to reflect on one a few particularly painful experiences of my "youth", but with a drum spin, instead of a "what's wrong with society today" one.
Anybody who's been to "jazz school" knows what The Vibe is...
Unlike The Jazz Movie, in which reprimand was swift, explicit, and...over-the-top, negative feedback in real life jazz education is usually delivered on ice.
A subtle head-shake here...
...an obvious glance to the other musicians that's about you, rather including you, there.
And, the most obvious: adversarial playing.
Wrenching the steering wheel of the tune away, while you lock eyes with the recipient of the "vibe".
As I say in the lesson, however, today I'm not tilting at the attitudes behind "the vibe".
Just like the brigade system in French restaurants, you can have a conversation about whether it's the best way to teach chefs to work in a kitchen...
...but there's an easy way to alleviate it: have your shit together.
It's in that spirit that I tackle a Drum Conundrum: how to be creative in the specific setting of a jam session, without risking The Vibe.
Because we can avoid scorn by playing conservatively...
...but what if we want to be...slightly creative.
To see more, check out the lesson!
And grab your transcription here: