10 Truths About Jazz Drumming That Keep a Lot of Drummers From Sounding Good

[@drumqtips]

VIDEO TIME STAMPS 00:00 - Playing Intro 00:17 - Video Introduction 00:38 - Interested in joining my online jazz drumming community? 01:52 - Interested in a group lesson early January? 02:07 - Lesson Explanation 02:34 - Shout out to Thailand! 03:04 - Let's gooooooo! 03:28 - Playing interlude 03:54 - #1 Jazz Drumming Truth 04:49 - #2 Jazz Drumming Truth 05:58 - #3 Jazz Drumming Truth 07:12 - #4 Jazz Drumming Truth 08:18 - #5 Jazz Drumming Truth 09:27 - #6 Jazz Drumming Truth 10:26 - #7 Jazz Drumming Truth 11:35 - #8 Jazz Drumming Truth 13:33 - #9 Jazz Drumming Truth 15:29 - #10 Jazz Drumming Truth 16:52 - CLOSING REMARQS

[@Manyra15]

For many years I couldn’t get a good time feel and could not figure out why. No matter how much I played with a metronome. I finally fixed it once I started prioritizing the way I play the ride instead of the snare and kick drum stuff.

[@drumqtips]

You nailed it. It’s all about the time feel! I’m so glad you figure that out.

[@mrmisfit635]

No better drum teacher than Q to tell us the truth, and all that jazz ✌🏼

[@drumqtips]

You’re too kind my man. Cheers and happy holidays!

[@wilftaylor9377]

Thank you so much for these truths. I too much from books, not enough from the greats.Happy Christmas Q.

[@drumqtips]

You are so welcome my man! Happy holidays!

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Merry Christmas, Quincy. You are one of the great gems of KZbin. Your generous and affirmative nature makes learning how to create good music a happy experience.

[@drumqtips]

I really appreciate that Luis! Merry Christmas!

[@yuggothproductions]

Happy New Year Q!!!!

[@drumqtips]

Same to you!! 🎉

[@jazzhole8208]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Prof. Davis 🙌 and thank you for everything 🥁🙏

[@drumqtips]

Happy holidays my man!

[@jazzhole8208]

@drumqtips 🙏❤️

[@apolo_loves_music1959]

Merry Christmas, Quincy ever since i started playing jazz drums i would always watch your videos when i got home from jazz band practice at my school and watching your videos helped me so much and made playing jazz super fun to study and play how you have a happy holiday and lots of love from Washington Seattle!

[@drumqtips]

I’m so glad my videos have helped you so much. Happy holidays and lots of love back to you my man!

[@thepsalms--atribute2686]

Great lesson! Such good common sense, but we all need to be reminded of these truths from time to time because we sometimes develop bad habits without even realizing it. Thanks, Quincy! Merry Christmas to you and yours. God bless you and send you a Happy New Year!

[@drumqtips]

These words are a reminder for me too:) Thanks for the kind words! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well!

[@Puebow]

Happy Holiday's!!!! Thanks for the content. I'm an old guy, got my first set in 1969 and I've been beating it up ever since, music is my passion. Having been a pop rock drummer most of my life in the last few years I've immersed myself in Jazz ( we would need coffee to hash all that out). Basically it's been learning how to play all over in nearly every aspect. It good to hear what you are preaching, that basics like good feel and groove are the most important aspect, even over strict time. I played with a bass player, HS band director who was overly concerned, well keeping a marching band lined up ain't grooving a jazz combo...however I probably do speed up stuff on occasion but I get excited!!! anyhow I enjoy you & thanks.

[@drumqtips]

I love hearing about your journey into jazz-groove and feel really do make all the difference. Keep exploring and enjoying the music, and thanks for being part of the channel! Also thanks so much for the kind words and for sharing your story!

[@billybrock1569]

I’m interested. Still have to get back in school in winter. Let’s go.

[@billybrock1569]

$210.00

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for letting me know Billy! Stay tuned my man.

[@brewstergallery]

Hey Quincy ! Monumental as ever and a whole load of essential advice. Thanks so much for all the great drumming and life lessons. I think your online jazz drumming community is a fantastic idea. I'll have do plenty of wood shedding to be competent enough to join up though. Much love, stay healthy and strong , Feliz Navidad y prospero Año Nuevo! Hasta pronto, Ned.

[@drumqtips]

Nut man! I appreciate the love and all your feedback. Stay tuned for more details on the online community. Feliz Navidad my man!

[@triboluminiscencia_]

Early Januray is great timing for a group lesson.

[@drumqtips]

Stay tuned!

[@jamesnordhill7301]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The feel and the brush comment really resonate with me. If you can play with a good feel people will want you on the bandstand.

[@drumqtips]

That’s right! The feel is the key. Happy Holidays to you too!

[@davidrichards1662]

Wise words, Q. Merry Christmas to you and yours from Wales.

[@drumqtips]

Cheers David!

[@coconutandrus4944]

Thanks for the tips ! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

[@drumqtips]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@tomcarr4630]

The online community sounds extremely tempting. Loved your Facebook pictures from the trip to Thailand! On this video, number 6 really hit home. It took years for that to sink in. Enjoy a blessed and enjoyable holiday season! Thank you for all you do🙂

[@drumqtips]

I appreciate the kind words. Stay tuned for more details on the online community in my next video. Happy holidays Mr. 🚗!

[@peterevans366]

I like that time feel🎵🥁👌

[@drumqtips]

That time feel likes you right back PE!

[@robmurray2310]

'Be neither predictable, nor unpredictable'. Q you're such a philosopher! I've thought that Jazz drumming is like boxing, and you should never repeat yourself in a tune. If you do the same phrase once after the other it sounds awful! But at the same time you need to make the band feel comforrable and stable, which requires some predictibility.

[@drumqtips]

You nailed it, Robbie! That’s a great analogy you use with boxing also.

[@dalestrickland9894]

Yes, I would love a zoom lesson in January!

[@drumqtips]

It’s happening next week Dale. Big announcement in tomorrow’s video!

[@gsus7364]

Of course interested!

[@drumqtips]

Awesome. Stay tuned!

[@lucaszamora842]

Great video Quincy! I think an online jazz drumming community would be great! Happy holidays!

[@drumqtips]

Thanks LZ! Stay tuned for more details on that in my next video.

[@JacobWutzke]

Fantastic, Q! Tip #9 hits especially for me as I go into night number 2 of a residency here in Japan. Don't fall into the trap of trying to do what worked yesterday, but also don't try to reinvent the wheel every time. A delicate dance. Appreciate you!

[@drumqtips]

Wutzke! That delicate dance can be the difference of sounding good or sounding great. Or sounding incredible or really bad. 🤣🤣 Hope you’re enjoying 🇯🇵 my man!

[@aadabimfmkad6041]

Merry Xmas Q all the best to you & the family!

[@drumqtips]

Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!

[@jamesschmehl9098]

Yes definitely interested! I love weekly subscriptions, but with life it can be hard to keep up at times so I would prefer to pay 10-15$ a month personally! Thanks for everything!

[@drumqtips]

Awesome! It’s definitely happening. Keep your eyes peeled for more info!

[@Lovelystevie]

I totally agree Books are important to learn notation and independance. But to learn how to play jazz you have to listen and play. Practice on drumless jazz standard tracks has really helped me improve. There are so many nuances in jazz that they just can’t write them down. You have to feel it. You have to play to the music.

[@drumqtips]

Right on Stevie! We’re on the same page👊🏾

[@Lovelystevie]

@@drumqtips My real name is Steven Tracy such à common name so. I came up with Lovelystevie 🤣🤣

[@OrlandoCombojazzbandMelbourne]

Great knowledge 🙏🏻👍

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for watching!

[@philoneill9865]

Merry Christmas to Quincy and everyone. I’m interested. In the Jazz group. Zoom group lesson is interesting as well.

[@drumqtips]

Happy holidays Philly and stay tuned regarding the group lesson!

[@ChristopheNeau]

You are a wise man thx so much for sharing this Greetings from france 👍🙏

[@drumqtips]

I appreciate that Chris!

[@robertalbiston7822]

Putting listening first and using recorded music as backing tracks is tops for me. I’ll consult a chart to decipher a complex expression now and then, and occasionally work with a metronome for various purposes in the shed . But the recorded music is my metronome; timing and feel become internalized over time.

[@drumqtips]

You nailed it. The feel is in the music! Cheers Rob!

[@OnDrumsPieterBast]

Hi Quincy, yes, I’m also interested in the online community and Many thanks for your great lessons. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2025. Greetings, Pieter

[@drumqtips]

Awesome! Thanks for letting me know. Happy holidays my man!

[@davidalvarez8786]

Brother Quincy! A great video. The first truth reminds me of some wisdom I heard from our friend Keith Hall… Records = source, Books = RESOURCE

[@drumqtips]

DA! That’s a great quote by Keith! Hope NYC is treating you well!! Or, maybe you haven’t moved yet. Either way, I hope you’re doing well my man.

[@FrankParente]

Merry Christmas and all the best in the coming new year. FP

[@drumqtips]

Thanks, Frankie P happy holidays to you, my man!

[@fepatton]

Ah, Quincy, I really wish you had been my instructor in college. I won't pretend I wouldn't still have been lazy and headstrong, but I feel like you would have been much more encouraging and enlightening. You are a true asset to the drumming community.

[@drumqtips]

You're too kind; I'm just trying to share what I've learned. You should come join the Q/munity! It's a supportive group of drummers sharing music, ideas, and having fun Zoom sessions. Check it out: www.skool.com/jazzdrumming/about

[@billyrhythm]

This is my first video from your channel, and I will be sure to check out more. Regarding your question about community, one of the things that I would like to see more of would be “course“ based material. Many online drum teachers are offering monthly subscriptions, but most of the stuff that I’m working on, takes me longer than a month to get down. I would rather buy a course, and pay some money to work on one thing, and work on it at my own pace; then pay again for my next course of whatever.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for the feedback Billy! Perhaps you’ll be happy to know that my subscription will include courses along with the community aspect of interaction with myself and other drummers. It’ll be just $20. I’m still putting it all together, so stay tuned!

[@JunkerOnDrums]

Many thanks for all the good Q tips :D Unfortunately, I have neither microphones nor a camera of a quality that can be used in a Zoom online meeting. Wishing everyone (also drummers) a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

[@drumqtips]

Well, we’ll just have to continue meeting right here on KZbin in 2025:) Happy holidays, my man!

[@bobblues1158]

i think everything you say here applies to players of any instrument. I would also add that there is a real benefit of learning to play all the the instruments a little bit, enabling every player to understand what affects the other players when trying to deal with that axe and in the context of the group endeavor to play cohesive music.

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely! Drummers should definitely learn how to sing and at least a bit of piano. Other instruments on top of that would be a big plus. Especially bass. Cheers my man!

[@becciebonenfant4540]

i'm interested in the community of drummers

[@drumqtips]

I’m glad you like the idea! Stay tuned for details.

[@jazzfan39]

Definitely interested in both. Depending on the value, I’d pay up to $50/month. If we had a weekly masterclasses and zoom hangs, where we can ask a few questions, $50. If we had monthly masterclass, $20. if they were just occasional masterclasses but maybe a monthly zoom hang where we could just ask questions I’d pay 10!

[@drumqtips]

I'll keep all your suggestions in mind as I build out the community. Stay tuned because it’s definitely happening!

[@fran__co]

Quincy! The idea of having a community is great! I don't know if it would be a good idea to pay for it tho, I think that maybe if you wanna charge for something, you could invite everyone to join the community, and divide the content in 2: content and contests or QAs available to everyone and sections in which people who pay for them can participate like for example masterclasses or lessons or interviews that you do to other drummers that you invite to your channel, etc

[@drumqtips]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the suggestion Franco!

[@jazzfan39]

Man my professor who toured with Miles second quintet for about 6 months said that Tony sped up like he did on Four and More ALLLLL the time. But man, did it ever not feel good?!? And were they never together?!? very very true

[@drumqtips]

Who was your professor!?

[@robmurray2310]

Another good word for section 8: facility :)

[@maxosawa]

Another banger

[@drumqtips]

Wow. That must be the first time one of my lessons was called a ’banger’. Lol! Hope all is well Max and keep playing your ass off!

[@jessejaymoody6374]

TRUTH!!!!

[@drumqtips]

Right on Jesse!

[@wendellstamps7699]

Zoom lesson I would be interested in, maybe the community too. Not sure about cost.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for the interest! I’ll keep you posted on the community details Wendell. The group lesson and community are both definitely happening.

[@borndrumming1972]

Audio engineer/ drummer here...please consider getting those studio monitors off the desk....Great video as always! Love the content. Keep em coming. Looking forward to the possibilities....

[@drumqtips]

Ha! I had them on stands before but got a bigger desk and ran out of space. Time for a bigger studio!

[@borndrumming1972]

@drumqtips Classic. I've been through the same growing pains!! Keep em coming! Love the knowledge you share!

[@sebastiankeen00]

Amazing lesson! I would love to be a part of a drumming community, unfortunately I cannot pay a huge amount as I am a student right now but if I can afford it I will definitely join!

[@drumqtips]

Stay tuned for more info, I hope you can join the community when you’re able!

[@shawnbruce6934]

I Would love the community! Let's Do it Quince!

[@drumqtips]

Noted. Thanks for letting me know Sean. Stay tuned!

[@coltonmykael]

Hey Q, do you recommend listening to an album or two extensively throughout the course of a week or a new album every day or two? I definitely need to listen more but I would like to know which is better for active listening practice

[@drumqtips]

Hi Colton, great question! There’s no magic number, but I’d recommend starting with 2-3 albums a week. Focus on really absorbing them-listen multiple times, take note of how the drummer interacts with the soloists. Also listen to the other instrumentalists carefully to fully understand the drummer’s choices. But quality over quantity is key!

[@matthomedrums7890]

Jazz drumming community is a great idea! Would be interested in participating 🎉

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for letting me know. Stay tuned and happy holidays!

[@lastdaysofhumanityy]

1:40 i find such community a really good idea. i would personally pay like 5$ per month.

[@drumqtips]

Great. Thanks for the feedback. Stay tuned!

[@DrumDoug1]

I would love to be in some sort of jazz combo and get real world experience. I don’t know of any jazz players around here. The local community colleges have dropped their jazz bands because of lack of interest and enrollment. I don’t know anywhere relatively close by where I could even go listen to jazz.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for sharing Doug. It sounds like playing along with records will be your main mode of getting better and learning how to play. Focus on emulating the greats, and you’ll still be able to develop your skills.

[@mikecabardo]

Interested to join your community. ❤

[@drumqtips]

I’m so glad you’re interested. Stay tuned for more details Mike!

[@aeeeeeugh]

Hey quincy an online jazz drumming community would be great

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for letting me know. Stay tuned!

[@johngreenhalgh5135]

I’m in

[@drumqtips]

Awesome! Stay tuned John.

[@becciebonenfant4540]

yes i'm interested of the c0mmunity of drummers

[@carlosmelendez490]

I wii joint asa soos as posible

[@drumqtips]

Thank you Carlitos!

[@domenicsidonio8762]

Dear Quincy - I’m interested in joining your online jazz drumming community/lessons. Perhaps you could provide more information e.g. beginners/intermediate/advanced and what we might gain from this proposal. I will then be able to let you know how much I would pay. Warmest regards

[@drumqtips]

I appreciate the feedback and your interest in the potential online community. I need to flush out all the details still so stay tuned for more information. Cheers Dom!

[@jimroyle5712]

🙌😊🙌🥁🙌😊🙌🥁🙌

[@drumqtips]

Love it!

[@tomasnorberg2703]

Online community sound awesome! 20 dollars / month seems reasonable.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for your feedback. Stay tuned!

[@rbrown4431]

I would love to be a member of your online community. I would definitely subscribe. I would also live the opportunity to offer input to your content. I would pay 20/month. Please do an online group lesson soon.

[@drumqtips]

I'm working on making that happen, thanks for the enthusiasm! Stay tuned.

[@pal4597]

Can you help a Rock drummer swing? 🤭

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely!

[@danielsands8576]

A real drummer cannot have meter problems. He doesn’t know how to not stay in time

[@drumqtips]

I think even really good drummers can have times when they struggle with time or certain tempos. But even in those times, if they focus on the feel of the groove, they should be able to maintain a good feel, even if the time moves a bit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dan.

[@RZTWN]

…Q. - I’m keen to participate in your jazzDrummer Community - maybe do it as pilot project over a period of weeks, I’m out on the west coast of Canada & not a lot of free time but I’ll make time for this idea!?✌🏾🫶🏾🙏🏾

[@drumqtips]

I’m glad you like the idea! Stay tuned for details.

[@Michael-iv7rd]

This is a lame. Two bit drummer

[@drumqtips]

Ha! Thanks for watching for a bit anyway. I’ll keep practicing.

[@Michael-iv7rd]

@drumqtips you've got a lot of practicing to do. Stiff wrist rookie

[@drumqtips]

@@Michael-iv7rd It's always the ones who can’t actually play who feel the need to spout nonsense like this. First off, I’m no rookie. I'm definitely not the world's greatest drummer with no flaws. But I'm also definitely not a rookie. Far from it. I’ve performed at the world’s top jazz venues, alongside some of the greatest musicians alive, and I teach at one of the most prestigious jazz programs in existence. Feel free to check my bio if you’re curious. Now, I know you can’t play, but hey, prove me wrong-drop a link to your playing. I’m willing to bet 100% that it’s garbage. So maybe try boosting your fragile little ego some other way instead of attempting to tear others down. Hope your day...life gets better bud.

[@bradg4562]

I hope you are not holding your breath Q because this hack is too scared to put up. Hopefully now he is shut up. 😂✌️ Goooooooooooooo Lions! 🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈-2

[@Michael-iv7rd]

@@drumqtips you sound like a two but rookie