NOW . . . for some really important thoughts concerning 'EXCITEMENT' and Jamming.

There is much to be said for 'spontaneous improvisation'. Though it is VERY difficult to teach, maybe these few thoughts will help.

What we are talking about here is the 'creativity factor' or 'individual imagination' and how to improve it behind the kit, while playing with a recording or a band.

That is a very BIG statement, but I am not kidding! Theoretically, you may do anything (that sounds good) when you are behind the drum kit. Anything goes, most of the time! That is . . . anything goes, that does not throw you out of sync with the timing of the music. Or . . . result in making you the target of smelly objects like rotten eggs and tomatoes.

Sometimes, you may not be playing, exactly, the intended (classic) patterns . . . maybe you will miss a lick, here and there. That's OK! Just stay in time and focus on the feel of the beat. Occasionally, the missed licks may sound better than the intended licks anyway.

That awful 'mistake' may become a new trick! Just try to remember the 'good mistakes' as they occur, then add them to your list of best ideas! Do them again and again (later), on-purpose. This is a fun way to GROW as a drummer.

Sure . . .this is all very easy for me to say, but you need a starting place. Right?

PARALLEL #1:

• JAMMING WITH RECORDINGS:

  Learn to jam as you play along with recordings. Try to remember that the songs you hear on record are the exact same way every time BECAUSE THEY ARE RECORDED. It is the nature of the beast! The drummers who play those songs in concert will often change the rhythm patterns and 'fills' from night to night. It is just too boring to play everything the exact same way every time! As you jam with recorded songs, dare to improve on the original drummers ideas. Strive to add your own touch!

• JAMMING TIPS:
  1. Alter the beat patterns slightly, in ways that make the song sound better.

  2. Add fills in places where the original drummer didn't play a fill. Often, it may be difficult to mimic a recorded fill exactly, anyway! Don't worry about imitating to perfection while you are at home and learning. Just do your own fill, your own way, but make it fit with the timing of the song. You will have more fun and it will add to your own arsenal of tricks.

  3. Play around with dynamics. Vary your volume and energy in places where the music seems to call for more emotion.

PARALLEL #2:

• JAMMING . . .WITH A BAND:

  When jamming with the band . . . listen very, very closely to each individual member of the group . . . memorize their 'best' ideas and rhythm patterns . . . anticipate where/when they are going to use those ideas and 'be there' with them. Try to compliment their ideas (in your own way). You will usually get a nod of approval as soon as they realize you are focusing on their musical statement of improvisational creativity . . .

Not all musicians appreciate this kind of stuff . . . some 'jerks' despise it. We, (lowly drummers), aim to please . . . (even the jerks) . . . so, we play according to each player's individual wish. If the 'nods' are approving, then continue to compliment the other player's ideas. But, if what you see is a scowl, then back off and let that player 'suffer' on his own. He may deserve to be alone! Sometimes it is best to just 'ask' at a convenient time off-stage. The individual band members will usually be very quick to let you know what they like and do not like. A GOOD drummer will always try to please each individual band member, if possible. However, you should never compromise tempo or taste at anyone's whim.

OK! With that understood . . . keep feeding off of the other band members as much as possible within the music. THEIR ideas can become YOUR BEST ideas!

• REMEMBER ALWAYS: Tempo is of paramount importance! This is the major thing that will cause audience pandemonium and excitement!

SOLID TEMPO IS HYPNOTIC!

It is a fact! Just think about this . . .
How does a Hypnotist induce a trance?

Tic . . .toc . . .tic . . . toc . . .

Whoops, I didn't mean to hypnotize ya!, heheh. WAKE UP!!!!

Do you get the idea? Steady tempo can have a very engaging effect on a mass of people. Rather than put them to sleep, it will bring them to life! Think Voo-Doo . . . it is the tempo and the drums that induce the mesmerizing effects. No drums?. . . No trance!

Perfect tempo is the thing that will make a crowd clap their hands, stomp their feet and scream at the top of their lungs. When a crowd begins to respond like that, it can be the drummer's (secret) crowning moment of glory! It takes time (perfect time) to make all this happen, so be patient and keep driving home that SOLID beat!

See this online lesson, "How to Overcome Bad Gigs, Forever".

I know it reads like a spam for the 'Beatbug', and it IS (in a way), but it is also honesty from the gut!

Now, with all that under your belt . . .there is another very important factor that will set 'crowd pandemonium' or 'excitement' into action when playing with any band. Get ready for another big word . . .

The Sizzling-Hot-Drummers, Second Most Valuable Creative Tool!

DYNAMICS, in a band MUST be a group effort! It takes a whole band . . . thinking on the same 'wave-length' . . . to play dynamically. By dynamic, I mean 'volume flux' and 'energy flux'.

Guess who SHOULD be in charge of band dynamics? If you guessed 'the drummer', you are right!

The drummer can initiate 'dynamics' into the band much easier than anyone else. Look for places in the music where you can 'drop out' completely! You may only need to play a very light 'chic' on the hi-hat in many arrangements. Also, learn to build 'excitement' with gradual increases in volume and 'thundering roll techniques' (watch that tempo!) . . . Go from 'soft rain' to a 'explosive hurricane' at every opportunity. Watch for a 'positive' reaction from the band members . . . and the crowd. They will usually LOVE you for being so 'sensitive' to the kind of emotion this normally evokes.

Here's a short starter lesson for the beginner:

With your RIGHT HAND, tap FOUR times on the desk or table in front of you.

Now we will do it again but this time you will pat your RIGHT FOOT along with the FIRST COUNT and tap your LEFT HAND along with the THIRD. Think of it this way:

        COUNT           ( 1   2   3   4)

      R=RIGHT HAND      R   R   R   R
      L=LEFT HAND                   L
      F=RIGHT FOOT      F

Work very slowly at first until you get the hang of it. Keep it steady! Repeat this pattern over and over until you can play it comfortably and rapidly from memory. It may take four or five minutes of intense concentration before it becomes easy to do.

Pop on some music, any music. . .it doesn't matter what kind, just get a song playing. There is a 50 percent chance that any song you choose will be in this beat category. It is called eighth rock 4/4. Listen deep into the music. Can you hear the drums? Listen for the consistent boom sound of the bass drum. Pat your foot in time with the bass drum in the music. Next, listen for the snare drum in the same song. It will be falling opposite the bass and will be more of a repetitious snap sound. Tap your left hand along with this, If you are following along in time with the music, you are playing drums. Next, add the right hand (cymbal) like it is written above. Get into the habit of trying to do this with every song that comes up. Like magic, you will become a drummer! The shocking news is that it is easy to play about 5 in ten songs with this beat. OK, there is a little more to learn, but it is all this easy if only you will devote another five minutes, and learn to be creatively redundant.

In Closing:

A FEW WORDS OF OPPOSITION: There are instances where jamming on stage just isn't cool. Many 'cover bands' are forced by their crowds to imitate popular recordings. It is a bread & butter thing! If you are in a band playing cover-tunes for a living, (many of us are) . . . and if you want to eat on a regular basis, (many of us do) . . .

Jam at home but be a 'copy-freak' at work! There, I said it, but it wasn't easy, haha!

REALITY!!!! I hate it!

© Bill Powelson 1997 All rights reserved
used with permission, MusicStaff.com

Here are some helpful complimentary links:

Learn to READ DRUM NOTATION.

Home of the TEMPO DISPATCH A newsletter and study packages by the author of this article, Mr. Bill Powelson.

Subscribe to Tempo Dispatch at:

drums01@worldnet.att.net

THE HOMESTUDY INSTITUTE OF DRUMS

Drummers Corner Take your playing to the next level! Great books and videos for your trade.

DrumNetWork.com The place for "drum nuts"! This site has a cool virtual drum kit too. Check it out!

DrumWeb.com Drums around the world at your finger tips.

The Hip Rhythm Digest Very nice site! A site for promoting the enjoyment of playing the drumset and the snare drum by providing an interesting groove...