drumno5
22 May 2017
Fair two mallet technique/skills, decent understanding of basic theory/harmony/scales, etc. How then to "jump in," to apply that skill/knowledge to getting a line going on the instrument, to get up and running in real time? Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.
Comments
I think your best bet is
matthewmiller Mon, 05/22/2017 - 13:00
I think your best bet is always to learn tunes. Whether standards (for playing with others or ones you like) or other stuff you're listening to, I've found memorizing stuff really helps you dig into the music.
Also listening can never be overemphasized. I got (/am getting) my time & swing feel entirely from listening to records of the guys I wanted to sound like. There's lots of discussions on transcriptions on the site, it can only help, whether it's full solos or shorter lines you dig. Lately I've found playing along to recordings I like is helpful for feel & memorizing the tune they're playing.
Regarding everything above, the more you do it the easier/more natural it gets. Don't be afraid to give yourself time to explore on the instrument. Hope this is a helpful start to the conversation.
great advice mathew.
tonymiceli Mon, 05/22/2017 - 16:21
In reply to I think your best bet is by matthewmiller
great advice mathew.
listen and play with others. learn tunes figure out something to play on them. chord tone solos, learn the scales embellish the melody. do something, anything and then get out there and play.
Learn the melodies...
Piper Mon, 05/22/2017 - 17:01
Learn the melodies cold. First be able to sing the melodies, and then read them and then embellish them a little. That's easy. If you can play the melodies to the tunes that people around you are playing and then plunk through a chorus in time for a solo with an embellishment, you will have contributed a ton to the ensemble and people will enjoy your contribution. Excellent question.