[Dixielandjazz] PRO - drums (and Mardi Gras)

[David Richoux]

Interesting points, and true for all instruments - not just drums!

On another (non-tradjazz music) list some questions came up about  
rhythm section style for traditional New Orleans Brass Bands.  I gave  
some suggestions from the tuba player point of view, but this was my  
comment about BB drummers:

> The traditional way of starting most all NOBB songs is for a trumpet
> player (usually the leader) will give a simple "doo-do" (usually in
> the key of the song) and then there is a short roll-off, and the most
> important part is the bass drum "dum dum dum de-DUM-dum" to establish
> the emphasis of the traditional lagging 4th beat style.  I don't know
> why it is so hard to get older (non-native New Orleans) jazz drummers
> to get that "feel" -  if they don't have it, the song just turns into
> Dixieland. It is not exactly a "Bo Diddley" beat, either - but rock
> drummers seem to have a better time with it.

Do the drummers on this list think it might be more a factor of  
having a separate snare and bass drummer, or is it just a part (or  
lack ) of "life-long" exposure to a very particular regional style of  
playing? When I go to the NO Jazz Fest I can instantly feel that "4th  
beat" in all kinds of music, not just jazz.

I do know many older jazz drummers (not just ones from New Orleans)  
can do it - I have heard them play! (I was generalizing for effect -  
so don't kill me ;-)

Dave Richoux


On Jan 11, 2008, at 3:09 PM, Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis  
wrote:

> Marek -- > Ages ago, when synthesizers first appeared, I asked a  
> drummer what he
>> would do when drums, too, become synthesized.  His answer was: "That
>> will never happen.  Drumming is not just about rhythm, it's a show."
>> Cheers
>
> People like to watch people play and too many times that's the only  
> person that is moving or doing much in most bands.
>
> The bigger question is, are drummers (and piano players and bass  
> players) necessary?  Personally I like a drummer that knows what he  
> is doing but.........  The large majority of drummers today haven't  
> a clue as to different styles or in a lot of cases, different basic  
> beats.  I like to hear guys change off or work with me on a solo  
> but as was said in another thread they just don't listen.  The few  
> that can play are comfortable as bugs with other bands, don't want  
> to do anything different and are generally as independent as a hog  
> on ice.
>