Lesson # 1    Improvisatory Exercises    Lesson # 2     Recommended Listening 

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LESSON  # 1

Improvising Ideas For the Drumset

Often times when I ask one of my students to improvise a fill, I get a blank look, followed by "improvise, whad'dya mean improvise?"  Similarly, when teaching a student the forms of jazz, "what's a four measure break?"  Well, improvising is simply defined as instant composition, and a four bar break is simply a four measure solo for the drummer, usually implying "trading fours" with other band members. 

 How do we improvise?  Improvisation occurs everyday.  When we get up for the day, we don't necessarily know what we want for breakfast; maybe some breakfast cereal, an apple and a fruit juice, or a quick trip to the local fast food restaurant.  We all are making these quick decisions everyday.  We wake up in the morning and say, "What am I going to wear today?"  Maybe this shirt with these pants, and those shoes; maybe we've never put the combination of this trio of clothes on before, and wham, it's a hit!  Boy, do I look great!

 Hal Miller, a music instructor at the Milwaukee Area Technical College, and a fantastic bass player says it best, "Improvising is playing all the places I've been."  Meaning that improvising is playing things you've already played on your instrument, but mixing and matching them a little to create new ideas.  A famous drummer once said, “I never play the same thing once.”  Creating new ideas instantly from licks we've played before takes practice.  Everyone needs to practice improvising on their instrument.  Some people simply call it "jamming."  One needs to be familiar with all of the different types of sounds that can be produced from each part of the drumset.  Get to know your instrument and all sound options available to you.

 How do we improvise?  Yes, improvisation occurs everyday in everyone’s life.  Think of improvisation as painting or drawing a picture.  Everyone can paint or draw to some extent, some are better than others, but everyone has imagination and can express their thought if they feel so inclined to do so in this form of art.  Music is no different.  A musician may express what they have in their imagination on their particular instrument, and with constant practice and persistence can paint a "Musical Picture."  Yes, some of us are better at this than others, and some of us are not as good at it..........Yet!

How do we improvise?  Point is, anybody can do it, if you apply yourself.  Obviously, you need to have a certain degree of facility on your instrument, but all of us have imagination, and sometimes imagination is just as powerful as knowledge.  No matter what level we are at, we can improvise.  On the drumset, a good place to start is to simply play half notes on your instrument.  Listen.  Listen to each half note, chosen at random on your instrument.  Listen to the sound of each cymbal or drum, then play quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes randomly.  What's happening?  You are creating melody.  But we're not there yet.  You must also think of phrasing.  Think of the melody of some of your favorite songs, or think of the rhythm of a rap lyric.  For reading drummers, check out Ted Reed's "Syncopation" book, and play the rhythmic phrases across the drumset.

You are just getting started; don't be discouraged!  Try again.  Do it tomorrow, and the next day, week, and month.  Also, don't forget to listen!  This is very important.  Hear the tones you are creating.  A good place to look for inspiration in improvising is to listen to the great masters of improvising on the drumset.  Listen closely to the following legendary drummers: Roy Haynes, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Shelly Manne, Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Clarke, Paul Motian, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Billy Higgins,  "Philly Joe" Jones, "Papa" Jo Jones, Mel Lewis, Ed Thigpen, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Arthur Taylor, Al Foster, Ed Blackwell, Joe Chambers, Steve Smith, Billy Cobham, Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, and the list goes on and on.  Take a fantastic musical journey and investigate these drumming legends. 

Please feel free to print these lessons for your personal use.