Big Band Drumming
Drummers, band leaders and arrangers of a school big band, for example, are instructed in this course and the accompanying videos.
In the mid-1920s, big bands gradually developed from the formations of New Orleans jazz, which were able to captivate audiences with their powerful sound and whose rich sound facets continue to inspire to this day. For many drummers, then as now, big band drumming represents the supreme discipline of drumset playing. Protagonists such as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson - to name but a few - have had a lasting influence on this genre.
The teaching aid Big Band Drumming by Stephan Genze aims to familiarize drummers with the theory and practice of working in a big band. In the theory section, the author explains the various components of a drum chart as well as the basic musical terms and common designations. The preparation and interpretation of a kick plays an important role in a drummer's routine. Genze explains how to approach this task in a special chapter using notated example fills. Incidentally, the author does not include a legend of drum notation. He rounds off the theory section with a short, illustrated big band history.
Six songs are available for the practical application of what has been learned: Medium Swing, Latin, Fast Swing, Swing Ballad, Shuffle Blues and Funk. Each drum chart is preceded by an introduction of no more than three pages. It contains the basic grooves and learning sequences for the individual song sections, which are also explained on the accompanying DVD. The drum charts only provide the essentials, leaving the player enough room for interpretation. The drum parts are no more than three pages long and are very easy to read. Only in the piece "Funkissimo" do numerous strung-together sixteenth notes with little flags between rests of the same name fall out of the otherwise neat framework.
The songs are originals by Stephan Genze, which he recorded in top quality with his jazz orchestra. They are available on the audio CD in a full version and as minus drums.
The practical course Big Band Drumming for beginners and intermediate level is suitable for self-study as well as for lessons. It was awarded the German Educational media prize "digita 2016" in the "Private study, over 16" category.
Stephan Genze, Bigband Drumming, A practical course with video tutorial for drummers, bandleaders and arrangers, booklet incl. DVD and audio CD, HI-S7151, Fr. 47.90, Helbling, Innsbruck/Esslingen/Bern 2015
