How to (Really) Play The Kick Drum

This week's lesson was supposed to be tony royster. (Don't worry - the tony lesson is coming soon.) Then I got an email from one of my coaching students. I'm paraphrasing, but it was something like "please explain the kick drum in detail."

Which leads me to an obvious point about my tendencies given a choice between another hour of careful transcription, or a swiftly organized presentation on something that's second nature followed by an extended happy hour, and a deeper point about how some of the most valuable insights are lost on the "teacher", who takes them for-granted.

In any case, it turns out I have a story to tell, as a guy who used to play exclusively heel-down, who's recently come over to the Dark Side.

Anyway, you’re probably here for the transcription.

And for the comment thread this week, the obvious question: agree with the lesson or disagree? Are you a died-in-the-wool heel-downer (don't be a Downer;), or do you swear the jojo heel-toe technique is the only game in town? Learn me!

Drum Solo Lick I (Think I) Invented

There’s a strong possibility I stole this from Eric Harland. But what’s really original?

People are always asking for an Eric lesson, and sure, I’ll circle around to Eric, but the truth is Eric’s in so much of what I play. (How to play jazz Part 2, for instance.)

But the reason I had Eric on the brain this week is I’ve been buckling down on my drum solos. How do you build a really great solo from scratch? How to you escalate intensity? A good deal of my free material on soloing can be found in my Mark Guiliana Part 2 video, but in this session I’m going to give you something “quick and dirty” you can cop straight from me, that will help add an edge to your next drum solo.

Anyway, you’re probably here for the transcription.

And for the comment thread this week, a little “market research” - have you attended a drum clinic in the last year? If who, who, and what did you feel you getting out of the event that you couldn’t find just by watching the person’s videos. [If you think I’m mining for material for my clinics, your mom didn’t raise any dummies;)]

How to Play Like Chris Dave Pt. 2

Am I as good as my word? Part two of the Chris Dave deep dive is ready.

To reiterate, my goal for you after you’ve studied both these videos is not that you’ll have a verbatim Chris Dave lick to pull out of your toolbox when the moment’s right, but rather that you’ll start to hear “Chris-Dave-esque” things naturally, when it makes musical sense, and be able to play your own phrases in Chris’ style.

Like most of the drummers I cover on the channel, Chris has a repertoire deep enough to render any attempt to wrap your arms around it not only woefully inadequate, but a Quixotic affront to humility writ large. Whiiiich is pretty much the 80/20 Bat Signal. At-the-ready to answer, foolheartedly, the call, I attempt in this week’s lesson to give you some Hot Licks to supplement the beats we learned last week, including the Money Lick from the Kanye Flashing Lights cover. Importantly, though, not just licks - I attempt to get underneath to what Chris may have practiced, so that you can improvise your own.

Anyway, you’re probably here for the transcription.

And for the comment thread this week, a fun one - if you could be stuck by lightening and play exactly like Chris Dave with zero practice, but you could never again know True Love, would you take the Devil’s Bargain? (I feel like I know some Juilliard students who took this bargain - whaaaaaaaaat. JK I love you guys;) Leave a comment below!

The 2015 Asia Clinic Tour - Post One

If you're reading this it means you've already successfully signed up to get information and updates about the upcoming Asia tour. Thanks!

Since you're here, why not take a moment to tell me a little more:

If you're interested in Hong Kong, click here to tell me what dates are best for you.

Click here for Bangkok,

and here for Taiwan.

Finally, if you're living in any of those places and want to be a "fixer" - helping me out with venues or practice space in exchange for money, lessons, or karma, click here;)

More soon!