[Dixielandjazz] Drummers - Do you hear the changes?

[Stephen Barbone]

Yeah Bill. I hear those "musical drums" on your CDs.

Cheers,
Steve (love musical drummers) Barbone

BillSargentDrums at aol.com wrote:

>    Good dummers are "musicians" too.
>
> I not only hear the changes, but it bugs the heck out of me when
> someone
> plays incorrect changes for a song.
>
> I also know the melody lines impeccably and incorrect ones bug me too.
>
> I also know the correct voicing for the bass lines and the proper
> harmonies
> within the band or vocal group.
>
> When I play solos 99% of the time I play the tune and I usually have
> the same
> compliment paid to me in that people can hear the tune in my playing.
>
> Good drumming is NOT a matter of simply keeping time and playing
> rhythms.
>
> Good drumming IS a matter of realizing that drums and percussion
> instruments
> were designed to "give percussive reinforcement to melodies and the
> harmonic
> structure already happening around them.
>
> This is impossible to do if you are not recognizant of the actual
> melody line
> and changes that are, in fact, happening.
>
> Now there are several other functions of the drums and percussion,
> such as
> giving "color" and "mood" and add expression, ie to add breadth and
> make bigger,
> add dynamics and shadings, and so on . . . and in most situations, to
> be the
> perfect swingin' time keeper and dictator and to give something for
> dancers
> and tapping toes.
>
> Oh yea, I know most of the lyrics when the singers forget them too.
>
> Used to be, long ago, that the band consisted of 5 musicians and a
> drummer .
> . . with the drummer having the least musical skill in the band.
> Today, in
> many bands, the drummer is the MOST skilled musician in the band.
>
> Glad someone finally asked. Thanks Steve!