Progressive Rock, Jazz and Funk Drumming is designed to introduce the drummer to Techniques, Rudiments and Rhythms required to play some of the more interesting Patterns used in Rock, Jazz and Funk music today. A knowledge of basic sticking and Rhythm Patterns is assumed. (See Progressive Rock, Jazz & Funk Drumming by Andrew Griffiths).
The Book has been divided into four main sections. each carefully graded and designed to teach the drummer how to play semi-advanced and advanced Drum-Rhythms.
Two things make a good drummer - natural ability and more importantly, hard work.
But there are many important factors involved when learning. Control begins in muscularly relaxed action, never tense up, always relax. If you don’t feel like practising, and you feel tense, don’t practise. Avoid boredom when practising. The introductory sticking or rudimental exercises in this book are essential. Unfortunately, if you let them, They can become boring.
But your wrists have to get used to playing them. The only way this can be achieved is to go over and over each exercise until your wrists feel "comfortable" while playing them.
To avoid boredom, you should play the rudiments to various types of music; this gives you some idea of what it will SOUND and FEEL like, when you eventually play them in a band situation.
As the rudiments become familiar, try for different sounds, e.g: the Right Hand on the Floor Tom and the Left Hand on the Snare, etc.
Think for yourself, experiment, and, if you continue in this fashion, when you hear a "sound" in you head, you can apply it around the drum kit without being conscious of the sticking. This is the goal you should try to achieve.
Take your time. Education is not a race. Learning is a life-long process and should not be limited to a specifec period of time. It is a common mistake for semi-advanced students to play only the patterns they know well.
Although it may take longer for some students to reach a goal, with persistence and effort these goals CAN be realized.
One more thing - HAVE FUN!
Because that’s really what it’s all about.
JIM LATTA
M.I.M.T.
(Member, Institute of Music Teachers)
Jim Latta is senior lecturer in Drums and Percussion at the college for Technical and further education. He has performed with many Jazz and Pop artists including Don Burrows. Bee Gees, Shirley Bassey, John Farnham, George Golla, Pete Condoli and Frank Rosolino.
Jim also works as session musician and teacher.
