(What is RSS?)Well, I enrolled in the community college Big Band for this spring semester. Looks like I’m going to force myself to learn some jazz. I know it will be challenging, but it will be really good for me too. I’ll update when the class starts and I find out what I’ve gotten myself into :)
Ok, so I’ve gotten much better about playing my drums regularly in the past 3 years…and being in bands has definitely helped that. I have felt myself improve immensely and it’s a good feeling. Now what I want to do is branch out more, and practice some different styles and types of music other than the rock/alternative stuff that I mostly play. I also would really like to develop my soloing skills, and be able to have the facility to play what I think right on the spot.
Here are a few styles that I really want to improve in:
JAZZ
R&B/Hip-Hop
Funk/Fusion
Latin/World
Here are some techniques that I want to become more proficient at :
Brushes
Hand drumming (African and Latin)
Double Bass
Linear drumming
Odd-Meter/Hemiola drumming
Application of rudiments
Solo development
Well, as you can see, I have a lot of work ahead of me. I think I may start taking lessons again, just to kind of keep me in check. It’s not that I don’t have the understanding to work on all this stuff on my own, but having some direction and accountability I think will keep it moving a lot better!
