Jangle Road: A Lesson Inspired by the '60s

This piece is inspired by bands from the '60s, like The Byrds and The Beatles.

The Drumming Style

If you ever get a chance to see any videos of The Beatles, check out Ringo Starr. He was a drummer and he would always play with his head lifted.

• The Feel: Certainly, in the early '60s, with these kinds of tunes, that's kind of the sound you want to go for.

In the previous debut grade, we had something a bit heavier. This tune is a bit lighter, so keep it bouncing along quite nicely. That's the vibe.

Technical Focus

Technically, think about playing consistent quavers with both hands. On the snare drum, we have a double hit that sounds like this:

• Double Hit: We've got two quavers there, and we've got lots of quavers on the ride cymbal.

Practicing Quavers

Away from the singles and doubles, we can practice quavers in the right hand and the left hand like this:

• It can be on any surface you like, for example, the ride snare drum.

1. Exercise Start: I'm going to have my right hand on the ride cymbal and my left hand on the snare drum.
2. Alternation: Just alternate one bar of each.

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
1 and 2 and 3 and 4

This is a very simple exercise. We're aiming for consistency, with the same height every time.

• Sound Quality: I'm trying to get a sort of sweet sound from the drums, not too heavy.

On this tune, we're using the ride cymbal quite a lot, so we want to achieve a nice tone:

• Grip: Aim for a "ping" by gripping the stick a little tighter.
• Control: You certainly don't want to get the ride out of control.

We're really trying to get a nice consistent ping on the ride cymbal, which should be quite light. The whole song can sort of float on that ride cymbal.

Snare Drum Technique

The snare drum can be a little bit light as well. You don't have to dig in for this; it's just a lighter feel.

• Movement: Even my head starts moving like Ringo Starr now! When you see Ringo, he often uses his elbows quite a lot, which helps get the feel of this style of music.

Playing Tips

• Hitting Cleanly: Don't lay into it too hard; try to hit everything cleanly and together with a looser feel. You want this to float along with the groove and the song.

Exam Considerations

If you're taking the exam, do make sure you stick to what's written. However, away from the exam, it can be fun to put in some simple fill-ins.

• Fill-Ins: Simple rhythms can make a massive effect, especially when you step back and listen to the music as a whole.

Always think when playing drums about how everything fits together, almost like a record producer.

• Simplicity is Key: Sometimes, playing something very simple can be very effective. You don't have to be busy or flashy. Remember, fill-ins are fill-ins, not drum solos.

Conclusion

So, keep it simple and keep it light. That's the main idea for this tune.