The Basics of Jazz Drums

By Victor Epand

Music has got its own unique appeal, which can energize your drooping spirits and transport you to a different world altogether. Different musical instruments help to live up the entire musical process all the more effectively. Drums have their own unique appeal.

What sets it apart from other musical instruments, is its capability to jazz up any session and add color to it. It can add the western touch to every music show. Jazz drums form an integral part of the live music sessions.

Jazz music is one such genre of music, which was popularized largely by the famous music composer Louis Armstrong. In fact, jazz music reached new heights under his noble guidance. His legacy still inspires many of the jazz musicians of the present generation.

The drum is usually categorized as a member of the percussion group of instruments. Drum usually is composed of one single membrane known as the drum skin. Drums qualify as the world's oldest musical instrument. One unique feature of a drum is that its basic design has remained unaltered for ages. Nearly all types of drums fall in the category of untuned instruments. However, modern musicians have started the concept of tuning drums. Often several drums are also arranged together to create a reverberating effect.


Drums usually qualify under the following categories
Aburukuwa
Ashiko
Bass drums
Bongo drums
Jazz drums
Bougarabou
Chenda
Conga
Davul
Dhol
Djembe
Dong Son drum
Dunun
Ewe Drums
Goblet drum
Hand drum
Kpanlogo
Log drum
Mridangam
Side drum (Marching snare drum)
Slit drum
Snare drum
Steelpan (steel drum)
Tabor
Tambourine
Taiko
Tabla
Talking drum
Tapan
Tar
Tenor drums
Timbales
Timpani
Characteristic features of jazz drums
Jazz drums have got an amazing rhythmic quality and sound structure.
They can help to create amazing compositions.
It can jazz up even the most boring music show.

Some of the luminaries in the field of jazz drumming are as followed
Steve Davis
Alan Dawson
Jamey Aebersold
Joe Morello

It is important to learn the fundamental mechanics of jazz drumming to become a consistent player. Playing jazz drums is easy provided you learn the basics right. With the proliferation of the online media there are several software, which can assist you in getting your basics right. Some of them are as followed
Multi media jazz learning kits.
Jazz sheet music.
Jazz backing tracks.


The products can be easily downloaded from different websites according to individual preferences and needs. Some of the popular jazz backing tracks, which can really be helpful for upcoming jazz drummers, are as followed
Lady is a tramp for drums
Summertime for drums
Misty for drums
Green dolphin street for drums
I get a kick out of you for piano

What set jazz drums apart from other categories is its unique toning quality. It can really transform the entire ambiance of a musical concert. But, the whole credit goes to the efficient Jazz drummers, who have transformed the entire musical landscape globally and infused a lot of life into it.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, and synthesizers. You can find the best marketplace for guitars, drums, and synthesizers at these 3 sites: guitars, bass guitar gears , jazz drums, drum sets , and synthesizers, keyboards . Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand

Jazz Piano Lessons - A Whole New Approach

By Edward WeissJazz.


Just the word alone sounds musical. If you're looking for jazz piano lessons and a new way to play jazz piano, read on!



For the most part, jazz piano lessons begin with the study of chords. And that's a good thing! But chords alone will not help you make music. Sure, chords are important. But so is the other half of learning piano improvisation and that has everything to do with TRUSTING YOUR INTUITION!



This is where the usual jazz piano lesson routine falls apart. You're taught chords yes. But what do you do with these chords? You create music with them.




Now, most jazz students have as their goal, the ability to comp. They want to be part of a trio or duo or some other combination of musical group. The most common of these is the jazz trio. Here we have keyboards, bass, and drums. And this makes a very nice combo. But if you're interested in playing solo, you have a different problem.




The solo jazz pianist has to not only know how to play chords, but how to read from a lead sheet. A lead sheet gives you the chord symbols and the melody line and that is all you need to create your own arrangements.




There are many fine books out there for the aspiring jazz pianist to learn the art of soloing. But one thing most of these books don't teach you is how to improvise and compose YOUR OWN MUSIC!




It's no surprise that there's a shortage on this kind of instruction. It's not in high demand. As I mentioned before, most jazz pianists in training want to learn how to play in a group setting. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to learn how to compose your own music?




If you understand and can play 4 and 8-bar phrases, you're already aware of the importance of repetition and contrast in music. Repetition and contrast are the cornerstones of composition.



Listen, if you're already taking jazz piano lessons and want to learn the art of composition on your own, study and learn how to play in 4 and 8-bar phrases. It will serve you well in the long run.


Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!



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