Rhythm Section 101:

Building a Swing Feel

 

In this lesson, we explore a how to help your rhythm section establish a cohesive swing feel. In the video, we describe how to build a strong pulse between the bass and drums, add the “jazz ride cymbal beat” and finally syncopate the piano chords. Notice how each step in this video adds more cohesion and unity to the rhythm section sound.

Step 1: Focus on quarter-note pulse between the bass line and ride cymbal. Have your drummer observe the right hand of the bass player, and have the bass player observe the right hand of the drummer, to add a visual connection between the two instruments.

Step 2: Create syncopated rhythms in the drum set and piano.

  • Have your drummer add the “jazz ride cymbal beat” (1, 2 & 3, 4 &)

  • Have the piano player syncopate their rhythms, beginning with the “Charleston” rhythm (dotted quarter note, eighth note)

LISTEN to the following recordings with your students, focusing on the sound of the piano, bass and drums together:

Miles Davis: Freddie Freeloader, Bag’s Groove

Clifford Brown and Max Roach: Sandu

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: Moanin’

 
 

Want to send this video to your students? Use this link: https://youtu.be/kGyBC1EyTyk