Rhythm Section 101:

Jazz Drum Set 101

Building a Swing Feel Part 2: Snare Drum Ideas

Once you establish a consistent time feel with the ride cymbal, bass drum and hi-hat in a 4/4 swing groove, you can begin to add “comping” rhythms on the snare drum. “Comping” is a word that is derived from “accompaniment”; it’s the process of adding improvised ideas to your timekeeping spontaneously during a jazz performance to support the soloist or ensemble.

One effective way to teach this concept is to begin with short rhythmic phrases that a student can learn on the snare drum while swinging on the cymbal, bass drum and hi-hat. It’s important to coordinate your limbs so that the ride cymbal pattern, quarter-note bass drum and “2 & 4” hi-hat rhythms do not change when you begin to play the snare drum.

In the video, we discuss three patterns that can be played at the snare drum:

1.) Cross-stick on beat four

2.) Charleston, or “dotted quarter-note/eighth note” phrase

3.) Two consecutive upbeats, either “and of 3/and of 4” or “and of 1/and of 2”

Talk though the coordination of the limbs by labeling each hand when it plays, as we describe at 2:35 in the video. Learn to recite the timing of each hand, “right, “left” or “both” in time. This tip will aid in establishing the coordination needed to play the patterns.

Once you develop these patterns, you may improvise freely using them in any order you wish. Listen to drummers such as Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb and others to learn even more snare drum comping patterns that you can use when playing.

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