Building Your Own Vocabulary – 16th Notes P1


This course aims to answer the most asked questions I get – how do you flow around the drums freely? How do you improvise fills and solos without relying on licks?

Music is a language and is the same as learning to speak French or German or any other language. Most drummers only practice memorised grooves and neglect any wider vocabulary practice but then get frustrated when they find themselves in a situation where they need to ‘contribute’ on stage in some way, whether it be a solo on their own, a solo over a riff, playing more under a guitar solo etc. Improvising is NOT just about jazz. Improvising is about contribution to what’s going on on stage and having something to say.

People that say ‘I’m just a groove drummer’ are talking utter nonsense. Everyone is a groove drummer. Whatever style you’re playing should groove and feel good. You could be in a blues, rock, r’n’b or jazz band – all of those situations require different levels of ‘input’ from the drummer. Underplaying is just as bad and sounds just as wrong in certain situations as overplaying. Playing with James Taylor would require a different level of input than playing with Chick Corea…both should groove and flow just the same.

As drummers we have no melody or harmony, just rhythm and dynamics. In most situations, our fills and rhythms are going to be using 16th notes, 16th note triplets and 32nd notes – that’s it! So, we just need to be able to ‘speak’ confidently and freely around the drums in those note rates and we’ll have the tools to contribute to the music and ‘say something in any situation. The final step is practicing putting them all together in a smooth and tasteful way.

This course will help you step-by-step to build your own vocabulary and not rely on licks. This first lesson starts with 16th notes.

 

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3 Comments. Leave new

  • Kenneth Melville
    July 21, 2021 3:22 am

    Just signed up. Already enjoying this. Some good sound advice….I am motivated

    Reply
    • Hi Kenneth!

      Great to hear! Keep me posted as to how you get on and let me know if any questions! Welcome aboard!

      Louie

      Reply
  • Thanks Louie will do. I must keep focused, there is a goldmine of information here so working methodically through it. Will send questions as I move forward…

    Reply

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