Submitted by Dadooz (visitor) on Fri, 02/16/2007 - 10:52pm.
Hey, Darren: thanks for doing the podcast, we really enjoy and appreciate it. I play a little drums, my son drums in our band.
I wanted to mention, for Lucas, that when in a competition for a spot in a band it's a good idea to approach your "audition" with some knowledge of the band's style and the temperament of the "judges" or decision-makers. Then put together a performance that demonstrates your strengths relative to these factors. I would caution against attempting to be something you are not just to get the gig; there might be some regrets later and you might even miss out on a more enjoyable opportunity that might later arise.
Submitted by Mike (visitor) on Fri, 02/23/2007 - 10:26pm.
Hey Darren, i would like to thank-you for doing such a great job on this podcast. In the fall i plan on auditioning for my high school jazz band, i can play a basic jazz beat with four on the floor and the snare on the back beats. I was wondering if you could tell me how complex high school jazz gets so that i can prepare for the audition in the fall.
Hi Mike: Good question. Some high school jazz bands get very complex, depending on the skill level of both the players and the director. I would recommend taking your jazz/swing beat to the next level by looking into the book Advanced Techniques For The Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin. Even if you just learn the patterns/beat on pages 4 and 5, you'll have added a lot to your jazz drumming vocabulary. A more thorough study of the book will prepare you for just about any traditional jazz rhythms that you might encounter. All the best to you. - Darren
Submitted by chicagogrooves (visitor) on Sun, 08/12/2007 - 11:02pm.
Darren, you know I support ya 100% ! But this lesson did a number of things for me no other had - I really saw you pull out some chops ! Although you obviously love your audience and want to pull them along, not overwhelm with show-offiness, it meant alot to see that you've got alot more in you than many previous lessons revealed. I consider myself your equal as far as technique, and yet this lesson really showed me I can learn alot from you from as a drummer, not just as an educator and really fascinating person, for which I've always admired you ! Your comments about how nobody can truly be the best to everyone are entirely right on. You're awesome man !!
Submitted by Jon Thomas (visitor) on Fri, 01/11/2008 - 9:01pm.
Hey Darren,
I recently played a gig with my band Free Delivery (it was actually my bassits's and my birthday party), and I figured since it's MY party, I should do a drum solo. So that week I worked on one, and from the response I got from my fellow bandmates during rehersals that week, they liked me building it up...starting just fiddling on the snare, then around the toms, and so on. I got a great response from the crowd, too. So my advice on soloing would be too definately keep it musical and not go bazerk (as you said) and to have a sense of a rising action, and climax. Also, add as many visuals as you can (stick twirling, facial expressions). The crowd responds well to that. And one last thing I learned that I did not think would happen...MORE COWBELL! The crowd shouted it, so I just on the spot made this groove with the cowbell, and they went crazy! So those are my tips on soloing.
Jon Thomas - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
p.s. Darren I love your podcasts. I've been learning alot from them. Also, I must say your drums sound great for 96' Pearls!
Drum Battle
Hey, Darren: thanks for doing the podcast, we really enjoy and appreciate it. I play a little drums, my son drums in our band.
I wanted to mention, for Lucas, that when in a competition for a spot in a band it's a good idea to approach your "audition" with some knowledge of the band's style and the temperament of the "judges" or decision-makers. Then put together a performance that demonstrates your strengths relative to these factors. I would caution against attempting to be something you are not just to get the gig; there might be some regrets later and you might even miss out on a more enjoyable opportunity that might later arise.
High School Jazz Band
Hey Darren, i would like to thank-you for doing such a great job on this podcast. In the fall i plan on auditioning for my high school jazz band, i can play a basic jazz beat with four on the floor and the snare on the back beats. I was wondering if you could tell me how complex high school jazz gets so that i can prepare for the audition in the fall.
Thanks
Mike
Paxton, MA
Re: High School Jazz Band
Hi Mike: Good question. Some high school jazz bands get very complex, depending on the skill level of both the players and the director. I would recommend taking your jazz/swing beat to the next level by looking into the book Advanced Techniques For The Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin. Even if you just learn the patterns/beat on pages 4 and 5, you'll have added a lot to your jazz drumming vocabulary. A more thorough study of the book will prepare you for just about any traditional jazz rhythms that you might encounter. All the best to you. - Darren
Here's what the book looks like:
kicking solo
hey
joey sordison from slipknot soloing
pretty kool....
eric
re:kicking solo
hello
its a nice solo...but some prolems...i dont think he is keeping time with the high-hat...lol...i like the double bass...
kurt
Best lesson yet !
Darren, you know I support ya 100% ! But this lesson did a number of things for me no other had - I really saw you pull out some chops ! Although you obviously love your audience and want to pull them along, not overwhelm with show-offiness, it meant alot to see that you've got alot more in you than many previous lessons revealed. I consider myself your equal as far as technique, and yet this lesson really showed me I can learn alot from you from as a drummer, not just as an educator and really fascinating person, for which I've always admired you ! Your comments about how nobody can truly be the best to everyone are entirely right on. You're awesome man !!
Soloing
Hey Darren,
I recently played a gig with my band Free Delivery (it was actually my bassits's and my birthday party), and I figured since it's MY party, I should do a drum solo. So that week I worked on one, and from the response I got from my fellow bandmates during rehersals that week, they liked me building it up...starting just fiddling on the snare, then around the toms, and so on. I got a great response from the crowd, too. So my advice on soloing would be too definately keep it musical and not go bazerk (as you said) and to have a sense of a rising action, and climax. Also, add as many visuals as you can (stick twirling, facial expressions). The crowd responds well to that. And one last thing I learned that I did not think would happen...MORE COWBELL! The crowd shouted it, so I just on the spot made this groove with the cowbell, and they went crazy! So those are my tips on soloing.
Jon Thomas - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
p.s. Darren I love your podcasts. I've been learning alot from them. Also, I must say your drums sound great for 96' Pearls!