Videos:

Series 1: Jazz Fundamentals

• Jazz Fundamentals Pt. 1

• Jazz Fundamentals Pt. 2

• Ride Cymbal Variations Pt. 3

This video series explores what you need to develop in order to be an effective jazz drummer. For example, what makes jazz different from rock?

You’ll learn the importance of the ride cymbal and how different drummers demonstrate their style and phrasing in line with the musicians they accompany to make the foundation for the feel of all the musicians. You’ll learn how great drummers use these tools to become unique and develop their own signature style.

This video series also examines the essential techniques of the varying styles of master jazz drummers such as: Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, Kenny Clark, Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, and Billy Higgins.

Through studying these masters you will eventually find YOUR way of playing and how to play in balance.

Series 2: Jazz Independence

• Jazz Independence Grid Pt. 1

• Stacking Pt. 2

This video series gives you a detailed, five-stage rubric to create jazz independence as well as concrete ways to practice developing it. It explores how independence deepens your rhythmic ideas. These videos also demonstrate how to deepen your ability to play multiple ideas with different combinations of your limbs.

You will learn ways to develop your technical alacrity which enables you to interact with other high-level musicians who expect you to understand the art form of discerning the territory of each moment by improvising to meet and drive the feel of that moment.

You’ll also learn how to feel your core as the center of the drum set and how your 4 limbs in different combinations are able to produce musical outcomes.

I'll explain and demonstrate some techniques of independence masters such as Bill Stewart, Ari Hoenig, Antonio Sánchez, Marcus Gilmore, and Dan Weiss.

These videos also demonstrate how stacking rhythmic ideas will help you to practice and develop your own ease in independence.

Series 3: Meter and Rhythm in Jazz: Odd Time Signatures and Variations

• Meter: Rhythm in Jazz Pt. 2

• Variations in 5 Pt. 2

• Variations in Odd Times Pt. 3

• Variations in Independence Half Time Pt. 4

This video is a deep dive into odd rhythms and meters within Jazz. What is the essential distinction between rhythm and meter?

You will learn how rhythmic components can be broken into 2s or 3s, especially groupings in meters like 5, 7, 9, and beyond. You’ll also learn to discern increasingly complex rhythms and how to break down these rhythms on the drum set in a way to create phrases and understand them in the context of 4/4

Once you understand more complex rhythms, you'll learn more complex meters. You'll also learn how to speak the language of those meters as well as deeper insight into how to use modulation patterns.

You'll learn techniques from masters like Ari Hoenig and Jorge Rossy. You’ll also learn rhythmic models to see how counting helps your time

Finally, you will learn how to apply different feels like a halftime implied feel to help you break habits on the drums and be more specific with your playing. These patterns can be difficult, creative, and fun.