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Hello John, I'm a beginning jazz drummer and i have a question regarding the swing eight notes. If I'm doing swing eights on the ride and I'm going to accent thew "ands" of beats two and four on the snare then will the accents on the snare be in unison with the last swung note on the ride? I find this very difficult to do while doing swung eights on the ride and find it much easier when i use quarter notes on the ride and switch back to eights when not doing the snare accents on those off beats. I hope this is clear enough. I thank you either way even if you are too busy to respond.
by fn (la)March 25, 2014 10:15 PM
Hello John, I have both of your books and I was looking for an explanation on comping with brushes but cant find one. If the left hand is playing a sweep or some sort of sustain, is the right hand supposed to comp while the left hand maintains the sustain? I was thinking about going through some of the comp examples with the right hand while the left hand sustains quarter/half notes. Thank you
by Brett (Buffalo, NY)March 12, 2014 2:09 PM
Hi John. I am a french drummer collecting vintage stuff and currently president of www.ladrummerie.com/ forum A friend of mine just finished a french traduction of two of your methods: "Beyond Bop Drumming et The Jazz Drummer's Workshop." He is wondering what kind of legal authorizations he needs to publish at least some traduced extracts of these books on drummers forums. 200 000 000 persons speak french throughout the world; I bet we could find more than 2000 drummers among them. thanks for your answer. cheers Fr@nk
by Frank Fertier (Western France)March 10, 2014 4:15 AM
hey john...I dont know if you remember me...but I met you through Kevin Laird at one of your Vanguard gigs when we were on tour....I'm the drummer for the Army Jazz Ambassadors....I'm contacting you to see if its possible for me to study with you...I've got some recent technique issues that I was hoping you could help me out with....anyway...hope you are well...would like to connect ...thanks
by TODD HARRISON (Baltimore,MD)February 28, 2014 5:29 PM
Hi John, I took a lesson with you several years ago, and it STILL was one of the most valuable lessons I've had. Pivotal! I wanted to let you know that I'm releasing my first jazz quartet album as a leader very soon. All original compositions, and great playing all around. Can I mail you a copy when it's finished? I will be honored if you check it out.
by JEREMY BROWN (Temecula, CA)February 24, 2014 3:09 PM
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