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?