How to (Really) Play Jazz Part 3 - Grown Up Tempo

You know what's even more difficult than playing fast? Playing slow. With big spaces between every two notes, slow tempos can be death if you're not prepared.

But it turns out you may be better at playing slow jazz beats than you thought. You may already have been doing it, without even realizing it. And a simple brain hack can help you access all those hours of experience you didn't even know you had.

Here's the Youtube preview, in case you want to watch before you download.

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As you're enjoying this lesson, just imagine the possibilities of your own personal curriculum, with over 96 individual videos demonstrating exercises and concepts that get more challenging week-by-week as you get better. Say it with me: "cooooooooaching" ;)

Am I shameless? Hopefully I'm shameless with a purpose - making you a Stone Cold Killer on the drums.

Ah - Downloads - you can download the (Free) video, and transcriptions right below.

Transcriptions - Darion Ja'Von Beat

Want to know a secret? The best single thing I did for my jazz was cross-training by learning some gospel and fusion. All of a sudden, the playing of folks like Eric Harland started to make sense. Below is a video I did on a transcription of part of a Darion Ja'Von solo.

You can download your own copy at the link below, complete with a PDF of the transcription.

 

*There's no need to donate for this video. Simply claim it for free!

You can preview it here.

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Darion Ja'Von and the Berklee Chops Shed

The Berklee Chops Shed is a YouTube classic. When I first started getting into Gospel Chops videos, it wasn't long before I happened across it. All of the hottest drummers in their class at Berklee - many of whom, like Darion himself, Matt Garstka, Sean Wright, and JP Bouvet, would go on to be the next generation of drum stars - in a room, playing solos over the same track.

I transcribed Darion's playing 3 years ago, and last winter I responded to a commenter on the Chops video who asked if anyone could slow down and dissect a particular lick Darion was playing. I said I'd give it a try, and here is the result.

As I say in the email, if you dig this lesson, you'll probably dig the Coaching Course!

Imagine 12 modules of intensive learning, packed with the kinds of insights in this lesson, but sequenced out to eliminate all the guesswork about what to practice day-to-day.

I'm launching the course exclusively for you guys in a few days, so watch your email!

Until then, enjoy!

How to (Really) Play Brushes

Brushes are one of the most misunderstood tools in the drummer's arsenal. If you're a jazz drummer like me, you know the sonic possibilities of the brushes, and the ways players like Bill Steward, Brian Blade, and Ari Hoenig bring them to life.

But did you know they're the single best cross-training tool I've found to improve time and coordination? Luckily, I made a video.

 

Bruce Lee said "take what works, and discard the rest". (I'm paraphrasing.) Here, I try to do that with jazz brushes. So much ink has been spilled, and yet so few players are really competent at brushes. I aim to change that, with a real-world approach informed by the tradition, but not confined to it.

Want to take it to the next level?

The 80/20 Drummer series is the blueprint for becoming great by practicing great. Wondering how to practice? Or just what are the most important things to focus on? Click below to learn more.