The Shuffle

I've had the chance recently to play in some more "jam-like" atmospheres. Which is refreshing in a sense to not have to learn a full set, go out and play it and be done. A chance to stretch my muscles.

A fellow drummer and I got together. Having a great groove and feel as our main believe, we started there. Arriving to 'the shuffle', one that Todo is famous for, I was reminiscent of how the shuffle is an ever-defining skill.

The shuffle carries it's own sense of gravity. If you're not too careful, it can trap you in an uneven mess. Frankly in it's nature, is not even per say. The 8th note being swung, can be easily misinterpreted and rush the entire groove.

That said. The only way I ever locked into the shuffle was through going slow, making that feel right, then bumping up the tempo. I see a lot of drummers have phasing problems between kick, ghost notes, and hi-hat. In Zoro's book on R&B drumming he's got some general shuffle grooves that really help build a foundation. I used this recently as a guide to warm-up and refine some things.

Most importantly, I've found it's always smart to start slow, steady, and simplify, then add the tricks when you know you're solid.

Sidenote: The music lingo world needs a new word for jam. Let's use something along the lines of spontaneously collaborating. Anyone else?

The Rock Time Zone

I was thinking through some different styles I've played recently, either on drums or my iPod. I think feel can be unawaringly uninvited sometimes. Between styles like folk, jazz, rock, ect there has to be a certified specific approach with a drummer's feel. And, the feel of the other players..

I entered the discussion of touching on how each style works. Jazz is different from folk is different form rock and then swing and so forth. Country drummers lay back on everything. Jazz guys keep the ride steady, but kick and snare are used more like axillary percussion half the time. Rock guys on the other hand just "lay down the law" so to speak. The ground work. Solid. The accountability. These words come to mind.

Since rock records have advanced in a sense of heavier production, most of the them lock the band in to one 'time space' I'll call it for now. No 'breath' between instruments. Weather the rock drummer has a "behind the beat feel" or plays "on top", (usually on top), the band is right there not straying from every hit. It may sound tight, but the reality of the band 'breathing' doesn't exist.

When you listen to a Led Zeplin record the guitars totally take off at times, ahead of the beat, and that's because they probably tracked it playing live in the studio. Now, I don't endorse leaving a bad take in a final recording, by all means, get good takes!! Don't be sloppy. But, when it comes to the feel of rock, guitar players are going to push, bass players should lay back, and drummers shouldn't budge the groove or tempo. It's everyone's job to play and listen 'to' the drummer as well as 'with' him. Oh right, the singers.... well, they've never been ones for tempo.

So if you're way into Travis Barker lets say, and like to push the tempo, cool. Just stay consistent with it. If you're a big ol' classic rock John Bottom kind of guy and like to stretch that pocket wide open. Sweet. Stick to it. Don't fluctuate. I'll beat you up.

jk. but seriously.

Sometimes Its Simply About Keeping Time

I sat in at a church last month. I have a friend in rotation to lead worship that gave me a call. Normally in these cases I familiarize myself with the songs and the arrangements before the day comes. Only one rehearsal the morning of... No rocket science here.

Turns out the arrangements were pretty straight forward. The song in's and out's weren't hard to follow. Nothing fancy. No busy patterns or breaks. Some fills to lead into the chorus'. Sounds boring right? A test of patience possibly? But, that's what the situation called for, nothing more nothing less. The band just need me to keep time.

I've been apart of several scenarios like this in the past, and plenty of drummers think this is an oportunity to play their favorite fill of the week on every measure, or try to see how many different places in the song they can fit in a splash accent. Reminder: You are not playing for Dave Mathews Band.

Seen this kind of thing yourself? It takes a true intuitive player to just show up and play what the music calls for. Point being. You must lock to the grid! The rest of the band will appreciate tempo over complexity any day...