Welcome to the Discussions section. Here you can leave me a message or post a question. I'll do my best to respond in person. If you'd like to contact me directly, feel free to email me at the address below.


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I dont know if John responds to these but I was wondering if anyone knew the proper techique to the fast jazz ride cymbal. When the triplets "flatten out" are you supposed to bounce the stick, or just get fast enough to hit every stroke?
by Ryan Compton (Virginia)April 3, 2007 6:46 PM
Hola mi nombre es Alejandro Brunini y a pesar de ser profesional y tener 45 a-os he comenzado a estudiar uno de sus matodos que se llama "The art of bop drumming" y lo he bautizado La Biblia del baterista de Jazz , es realmente fabuloso. Muchas gracias y Un gran saludo. Mi mail elmarplatense@yahoo.com. Alejandro
by Alejandro Brunini (Argentina)March 31, 2007 9:30 PM
Mr. Riley, I am 18 and was wondering what cymbal I should get to get that dark, controlled sound from a ride pattern and which cymbal can be used for all tempos without getting too washy. Thank you for you help and your books and recordings have influenced me greatly. Of all of the great drummers in the scene today, I must say that you are one of the finest and most versital.
by Jon Sheckler (Bellevue, Washington)February 18, 2007 5:36 PM
Dear John Riley, I really love your sound, drum wise. I have an 18"x 16" bass drum but i have noticed that many jazz drummers use an 18"x 14". I am really starting to doubt my purchase. Could I achieve a sound like yours with this size?
by Jose Ramirez (Denver,CO)February 5, 2007 12:09 PM
Hi Mr Riley, I just want to say I'm absolutely fond of your instructional books (At the time, I'm in the posession of 'The Art Of Bop Drumming' and 'Beyond Bop Drumming'). I like your website very much, too. There are a lot interesting questions on this discussion board, and perhaps it would be a good idea if you would post your answers to some of them on your website? By doing so, you would be spared the trouble of answering the same question twice, and everyone who visits it can have an answer to a question they might want to ask as well. Kind Regards, David
by David Sommen (Merksplas (Belgium))February 2, 2007 5:03 AM
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