Stewart Copeland's Isolated Drum Track on "Don't Stand So Close To Me"

Yeah, yeah, I get it. Mr. Copeland loves to shoot his mouth off about things that he doesn't know about, like Jazz. But but just as I can listen to Miles Davis without agreeing with his stance on parenting, or check out Stan Getz without approving of his choices of recreation, you can't deny what a great performance this is. Great sound, groove, and perfect for the song. It's so good it's scary! So with that, Happy Halloween! 

 

On Composition

 I must admit it feels slightly pretentious of me to be posting about music writing, but I've been composing Jazz tunes since the mid-80s (and Pop tunes WAY before that) so I thought I'd like to share a few things I've learned along the way.

1. It's been my experience that the more one writes, the easy it is to compose the next time.

Now, as the drug ads go, results may vary, but I find composition begets composition for me. I put myself on a "compose every day" diet at the beginning of the fall, and I'm amazed what's come out! And related to that…..

2. Don't feel that everything you write has to see the light of day

It's more important to go through the act of writing than worry about anybody hearing it. Along those same lines, don't be afraid to go back to fragments and ideas you may have given up on and continue editing them. The tune itself will tell you when you're finished.

3. Vary your writing method to keep your compositions fresh

George Colligan's great (and currently hibernating) Blog has some excellent suggestions for this. In a nutshell, force yourself to approach writing differently, to shake it up……

4. Ask for help….

Drummers tend to be the least harmonically advanced members of the band, so hit up your bandmates for help and suggestions. I have played many a tune for people like bassist Mike Downes, and guitarists Ted Quinlan and Dawn Thomson, and they were very generous with their advice. After all, if the drummer's tune makes more sense, then it'll be easier for everyone else to play on! 

Alright! Everyone get writing…..

Avi Granite's In Good Hands - Album Teaser

 Hey all,

I will also make a post about the upcoming album release gig for this next month, but for now, here's some great video and audio for Avi's new release. He explains the concept really well too! Also, as far as I know, this is the first time in his long career Pat LaBarbera has recorded solo saxophone. How cool is that? :)

 

What are chops, anyway?

Authors note: I only eat chicken and occasionally beef now so no lambies were (currently) harmed in the composing of this post! 

                                                                                                                                                      

   Drumming great Mike Clark recently posted on social media that he recently had a discussion with several individuals that stated that Elvin Jones' playing was "sloppy" and he "had no chops". 

NOTE : Mike Clark himself did not say this. He has never been anything but extremely enthusiastic about Elvin's work! 

After being taken aback by the ridiculousness of this statement, I started to wonder how we had gotten to this point. This seems to be another disturbing example of some members of the drumming community separating pure technique (read cleanliness and velocity) from every other aspect of music. When one isolates technique from sound, groove, originality, melody, creativity, dynamic control, intuition, ideas, responsiveness  etc. we end up with some jock drummer smacking a pad. (Not a drum or a cymbal, because that takes away from the from the cleanness and speed by, you know, having a sound!)

We really need to move away from this idea that the best drummer is the one that can move their hands and feet the fastest. There's enough cold and robotic playing already, thanks! Listen for everything a player can contribute ON AN ACTUAL INSTRUMENT AND WITH A BAND! Speed is just a tiny part of it.

Now, let's conclude with Sunny Murray and then Han Bennink being beautiful and expressive on the drums…..

Seven Solos in Seven Days Part 7:Streets

 I recently looked at my calendar and realized I wasn't playing much. Instead of complaining and getting depressed about it, I would record a solo every day for a week. The solos are all improvised, and created from the first thing I play when I sit down at the instrument…… 

Seven Solos in Seven Days Part 6: Alternatives

 I recently looked at my calendar and realized I wasn't playing much. Instead of complaining and getting depressed about it, I would record a solo every day for a week. The solos are all improvised, and created from the first thing I play when I sit down at the instrument……

How drumming has helped my mental health

 Today is World Mental Health Day (as well as Canadian Thanksgiving) , and with that in mind I thought I would share my own mental health journey, and how it relates to my drumming.

Depression runs in my family. My father had it, and it eventually took my sister's life. As an obese, glasses wearing kid who wasn't good at sports, I was bullied a lot in grade school. I found school in general difficult and frustrating (I now believe I had a learning disability) and rarely did any class speak to me. I started playing drums at ten, and it's hard to describe the many things it has done for me, but here goes.

-It installed in me a feeling of pride as I began to understand and develop techniques.

-It led me to countless friendships and experiences through musical associations

-It gave a purpose to everyday, whether things were going well or poorly

-It allowed me to use my imagination

-I was given a chance to develop something OUTSIDE of school

-I get to use my hands and feet to sculpt in sound everyday

-I have learned so much and gotten so much pleasure out of all styles of music

-I have learned how to focus my mind and relax, even in stressful situations

-I get to reach people and give them pleasure without even knowing or speaking to them

-I can do something that makes me forget about myself and feel that I am a part of something bigger

-Independent coordination has allowed me to develop many new neural pathways

-Music has helped me become a kinder and more empathetic person

-Playing makes me feel like I have something positive to offer the world

-I am able to help others reach their drumming and musical dreams

These are just a few of the things being a musician has done for me. I don't want anyone to get the idea that its been all roses, but sticking with it yields me rewards every day, and I still view music as a true gift.

Speaking of gifts, here's a huge one in the form of Keith Jarrett's trio. Thanks so much for the music.

Seven Solos In Seven Days (Just not in a row!) Part 5: Pigeon's Song of Thanksgiving

  I recently looked at my calendar and realized I wasn't playing much. Instead of complaining and getting depressed about it, I would record a solo every day for a week. The solos are all improvised, and created from the first thing I play when I sit down at the instrument……

Today I enlist a chorus of my fine feathered friends……

Seven Solos in Seven Days Part 4 : Post-Intermission

 I recently looked at my calendar and realized I wasn't playing much. Instead of complaining and getting depressed about it, I would record a solo every day for a week. The solos are all improvised, and created from the first thing I play when I sit down at the instrument……

This is the first post-COVID solo. I hope to be able to finish the rest of this consecutively……..