Finding Your Beat
One of modern jazz’ most in-demand drummers takes you on a journey that covers the history of drums in jazz to contemporary techniques used by today’s masters.
Learn to innovate from the innovators.
Being a modern jazz drummer takes an understanding of history, a grasp of technique, and strong relationship to swing.
One of modern jazz’ most in-demand drummers takes you on a journey that covers the history of drums in jazz to contemporary techniques used by today’s masters.
What you’ll learn
- ? Develop your sound to get the most out of the drums
- ? Build a rhythmic vocabulary based on the evolution of the drums in jazz
- ✍? Create your own practice regiments to continue your growth
Meet Your Instructor
Ulysses Owens Jr. is a Grammy-winning drummer and also a producer, composer, educator, and entrepreneur. He has toured and recorded with artists including Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Diane Schuur, Renee Fleming, Monty Alexander, Russell Malone, and Mulgrew Miller.
Ulysses is currently on faculty at the Juilliard School’s Jazz Studies Program, his alma mater, as an instructor for small ensembles.
Course Contents
Welcome
- Welcome to Finding Your Beat!
Technique
- Spang-a-Lang
- Touch
- The Sweet Spot
- Tips for a Great Ride Sound
- The Jungle
- Bass Drum Feathering
- Hi-Hat Independence
- Bridging the Gap
- Brush Mechanics
- How to Play Fast
- Hooking Up with the Bass
- Practice Regiment
Playing with the Masters
- The History of the Ride Cymbal
- Playing Time in the Baby Dodds Style
- Swing Like the Masters
- The History of Jazz Brushes According to Ulysses
- Orchestrating the Band
- The Art of Accompaniment
- Learning Melodies and Forms
- Trading Inside the Form
- Grooves – Part 1
- Grooves – Part 2
- Different Situations
- Solo Analysis
Equipment
- Equipment Selection
- Drum Positioning
- Drum Heads
- Drum Tuning
- Adding Cymbals
- Tuning Your Drums for the Road
