Jameson

Hey guys. Recently I've been getting more serious with my drumming. With my long-term goal (I'm 15, sophmore in high school) set for attending Berklee, I really feel my progress must be hurried along.

My question, therefore, is this:
Does anyone have any recommended listening? I've been listening to a lot of Steely Dan, Miles Davis, and Pat Metheny recently. Some Michael Brecker too. I'm really interested in more Jazz musicians; can anyone help me out?

Also, my sight-reading isn't very good as of right now. I've been working on it for close to an hour each day with stuff from Berkleeshares.com (and anything else I can find), but are there any books (mainly books with grooves and rhythms, I have Stick Control and Syncopation) or downloadable sheets that can help me with an overall look at drumset-based reading? Jason, if you read this and I don't talk to you before, what was that one funk book you suggested? I forgot to write it down!

Thanks a ton guys, sorry for the novel.

stefan_vortex

It's cool that u are interested in jazz music at this age-it is a kind of music that develops your musicality and feel a lot. I would say Jim Chapin's Advanced tecniques is a great book, and since u have stick control i believe the next step is getting the 150 solos by Chas Wilcoxon-it is also for snare, but employs the rudiments in a musical way and was written for jazz drummers...a cool exercise for getting the swing feel is to swing the patterns in the snare drum books, then put a hihat pulse on 2 and 4 in 4/4 pattens and on 2 or on 2 and 3 in triple feel patterns and finally if u feel comfortable with the groove add the bass drum playing quarter notes for instance...
Alicia Keys hum..? are u sure man?!

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ataraxia

I've heard John Riley's books are good. I think some of the columns he does in MD are interesting as well.

stefan_vortex

Is this a good answer to your question mr Buddow??

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Jameson

Thanks again, guys. I'm looking into the stuff you guys recommended, and finding some awesome music.

Is there a program used to transcribe music, or do you guys just do it by hand?

stefan_vortex

well there are plenty of programs with which u can slow a tune down-i use wavelab..

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drummaman1

thats how you transcribe music...by hand...actually it's by ear written down by hand.
For the writing, you could use Sibelius or Finale. Staff paper, pencils and a BIG eraser (you'll be making a LOT of mistakes) is all you need. Oh yeah, and the recording with a CD player.

There are things you can use to slow down "the tape"...but in my view, that's for wusses!!! j/k. There is an auto tune thingy that can slow it down to half speed but keep it in its range. That would work.