Jazz Drumming

Jazz is an American style that has evolved greatly over the years.

In New Orleans in the late eighteen hundreds, the combination of brass marching bands, Creole, African and European society music produced the mix of people and stylistic elements to begin developing the style which would come to be known as Jass or Jazz.

This exciting new development featured a swinging loose feel with improvisation unheard of in western Classical music.

Early styles of Jazz were originally for dancing, performed by swinging big bands. Eventually, the dance was no longer the key element - improvisation became the focal point of Jazz - common throughout most of its subgenres.

Jazz is one of the most challenging genres for a drummer. To play it, one must listen to as many jazz recordings as possible, and study with a competant teacher. Learn about its subgenres and explore its importance to the evolution of American music.

Check out our Jazz Independence exercises. When you master these, you will be able to play different rhythms with each limb.

Drumming Jazz is not as easy as learning a few beats and applying them, although it is a start. You must listen to old as well as the new jazz music and the subgenres that have developed, and their differences. Check out the listening list at the bottom of this page.

Listening List:

Louis Armstrong

Lester Young

This pattern is worth mentioning on the front page because this is the common core of Jazz. What is shown on the ride is what is referred to as Jazz ride. This is the most common rhythm to play on the ride cymbal or high-hat.

The bass drum notes should be played with sublty. Save the loud bass drum for accents, and rock music. The high-hat, played on 2 and 4 with the foot, should be played very clearly and loudly.