For the past 3 years, I have had the privilege of studying with Jim Blackley. Today was my last lesson (though, graciously his door is always open for a "tune-up" lesson). It's hard to put into words what Jim's lessons have meant for me, but they have had a profound impact on my music and have given me so much beyond it that l will continue to reflect on. Jim is one of those rare teachers that can exude wisdom without needing to say very much. Sometimes just playing in front of him has been enough to give me an important insight about myself.
Jim's book The Essence of Jazz Drumming is a distillation of his teaching method, and it's a really excellent source for anyone looking for a way to get deeper into time and jazz drumming. One of the keystones of the book and his method is focusing on articulation in the ride cymbal - thinking about the musical line in the RH, and having "extensions" flow from that line, in the LH, BD, HH etc.
Jim's book The Essence of Jazz Drumming is a distillation of his teaching method, and it's a really excellent source for anyone looking for a way to get deeper into time and jazz drumming. One of the keystones of the book and his method is focusing on articulation in the ride cymbal - thinking about the musical line in the RH, and having "extensions" flow from that line, in the LH, BD, HH etc.
Long dashes indicate a full stroke, while dots indicate a light tap (if on the downbeat), or light drop stroke (if on the upbeat.
A hallmark of Jim's teaching is stressing practice at very slow tempo - for these Basic Time exercises, practicing at quarter note = 40bpm - 60bpm, which is so beneficial to internalizing that articulation, and really embodying the time. I've found that practicing most of the material in this book in this way to be almost meditative, and the benefits have been far reaching.
I highly recommend checking out the Essence of Jazz Drumming, and Jim's other iconic publications - Syncopated Rolls, and Rhythmical Explorations. They are the kinds of books that will give you a lifetime of material to explore.
A hallmark of Jim's teaching is stressing practice at very slow tempo - for these Basic Time exercises, practicing at quarter note = 40bpm - 60bpm, which is so beneficial to internalizing that articulation, and really embodying the time. I've found that practicing most of the material in this book in this way to be almost meditative, and the benefits have been far reaching.
I highly recommend checking out the Essence of Jazz Drumming, and Jim's other iconic publications - Syncopated Rolls, and Rhythmical Explorations. They are the kinds of books that will give you a lifetime of material to explore.
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