With over 200 free drum lessons, my RU-vid channel is dedicated to helping drummers gain a deeper and clearer understanding of jazz drumming by simplifying complex jazz techniques and concepts through language-based teaching. With over 30 years of global experience as a drummer and educator, I've had the privilege of playing with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and Hank Jones at iconic venues such as The Village Vanguard, The Blue Note, and Birdland. I love what I do and I love sharing the "tricks of the trade" with hungry drummers all over the world!
i play snare at my high school marching band and i was so happy to see that being extremely acclimated to using those kinds of sticks is actually gonna help me on kit, i'm just now starting to learn kit and I love jazz so that's the kind of drumming i want to get into, specifically fusion
Hey Q, really enjoying the videos! Have to save every single one so I can go back and put them into my playing 😂. Should I always keep the 2 and 4 on hihat going all the time even during trading? Or can I do it some times and not others?
I have 2 six piece Tama kits. A Star Bubinga with rosewood veneer and a star classic in deeper purple both with matching snares. The star classic is from China. Thank you for this video. I love playing my Tama drums they are both exquisite looking and sounding!
These videos are awesome!! I got interested in your signature drumsticks but can't buy them on your website. Can I buy those stick somewhere else? They seem to bee out of stock everywhere
Great video, friend! Your point about listening carefully to your bandmates is so important. If I'm feeling unsure about tempo, I try to listen to the bass player. If the bass player is not terrific, as sometimes will occur, then I listen to the pianist/guitarist and follow his/her lead. If they are also lacking, my last resort is the soloist. If all these sources of "tempo info" fail, I realize I might be the "senior" player in the band, and I establish the tempo as best I can by myself. Listen hard to your bandmates, and you'll eventually develop a sense of when someone is helping or hurting your time-keeping endeavors! PS My time isn't great. Just doing my best! Thanks Mr. Davis!
I mean you already know a man can groove when his name is “Quincy”… Great Stuff,love your sound and getting me very interested in the world of jazz drumming
hey, Quincy! appreciate your videos and tips so so much! I wondered if you could make a video talking specifically about Jack DeJohnette's phrasing and soloing and how you never know what he's about to play. I found his way of playing one of the most modern ones there is and hardest ones to transcribe, too! cheers!
Could you comment on the placement (i.e. height) of your snare, relative to your upper and floor tom? Your three drums are in a closer relationship than many (including me). I suppose it is obvious that your placement of the three allows you to move between the three drums smoothly without having to lift the stick.
Another great and helpful video! I noticed a third sound that often gets overlooked that you played beautifully all throughout this video: The bass drum dead stroke and the bass drum open stroke. You really get a whole breadth of tonal qualities from the bass drum. Well done sir!
Great tips! Especially at 7:00. I was guilty of this, until I developed a repetitive stress injury. The shockwaves from a rimshot will absolutely travel up your arm, and can cause damage all the way to the shoulder. I learned my lesson, and now I make sure to teach all of my students to let go of the stick at the point of impact when playing rimshots. It only takes a fraction of a second, because the stick bounces right back into your hand, but it even makes the rimshot sound better, because the stick can vibrate.
You have shown the value of the shank in earlier presentations. They are huge to texture. Would you show a little more about hand technique and about the jazz language for the shank. With regard to rim shots, I think there are "quiet" ones that introduce timbre but not necessarily volume. Would you present different rim dynamics?
Great lesson Q! I just finished watching the Kenny Washington interview with Alexander callfy and damm he is a legend. I will like to see you collaborate and make some videos. It will be fire!🔥
Thanks Quincy great to hear you demonstrating the fine art of rim shots and shank played cymbal playing consistency with both at all levels of playing makes a better appreciation of this wonderful instrument there is so much depth to the drums❤🥁👌🎵
Dammit Quincy ! Must you have such a good time while passing on on to us these pearls of rhythmic wisdom ? Truly, it makes the lesson that much more enjoyable. All the best from Nutville, Mallorca.
Who are we kidding? It’s music after all. Some people take themselves way too serious when talking about and teaching music. I try not to because it’s all about having fun and bringing people together. I really believe that and I’m glad that comes across in my videos. Cheers to you brother Ned for always showing the love🙏🏾
You're welcome to watch the original video without my commentary if you don't want to hear my reaction. The link is in the description box. No need to be rude.
Fantastic video once again! Thank you so much! Question: For the Blushda, when the "middle diddle" in the right hand starts the lick, does that start on the beat? Or on the off the beat?
Great video. Doubles have felt so off for me for ages, hopefully I can get them nice and smooth with this advice (: . Also the Japanese at 13:34 caught me off guard, is there any particular reason you said that? Currently studying abroad in Japan and got started on drums(as opposed to a practice pad) thanks to my uni lol haha
Good luck with those doubles! They can be tricky for sure but just make sure you start slow using your wrists. I speak Japanese so sometimes I speak Japanese in my videos for fun. lol
This is the most comprehensive video I've seen on this important and often overlooked subject. Well done! Is there a particular reason you prefer snares off for brushes?
Thanks for the kind words! I prefer snares off because I like to hear the tone of the drum when I hit it. I sometimes use snares on when I need more volume.
