Helpful Jazz Exercises for Drummers!

Support future videos:
linktr.ee/steveholmesdrums
Click a timecode to skip to that section!
0:00 Introduction
1:43 What do I play when I'm keeping time?
2:20 Key Jazz recordings (Tain, Elvin and Jack)
3:18 Why advanced independence is valuable even if you don't play busy
4:03 Right-Hand lead
5:00 Right Foot lead
5:33 Left-Foot lead
6:22 How to practice all the "lead" exercises
7:00 Left hand buzzing (aka one-motion drop)
8:14 Coming up with left-hand buzz phrases
9:23 Dynamics among all limbs = musical phrases!
9:58 Tricky bar breakdown
11:11 Fusion-style left hand 16th note phrases against the swing pattern
12:04 Breaking up 8th note triplets between hands and feet
15:31 Double-bass jazz phase? How dare you!
16:06 Words of wisdom on jazz drumming and how to practice it
13" New Beat Hats
15" A Custom Crash
K Custom Special Dry crash in the back 15" or 16" - I think 15.
Azuka on my left, camera right. Sizzles added to it.
20" K Custom Dry Light Ride. My favorite ride ever.
Drums are Yamaha PHX. Snare is Dunnett.

[@Taleb1160]

I have gained more from this Video than anything else I have worked on for the last 10 years and I have been playing constantly for 45 years. I have said before, Steve is a Great educator, I have changed my mind.. he is the best and most inspiring educator! Thank you

[@donaldborduas382]

I agree 100%❤

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Almost 9000 views in three days - looks like this is topic folks are interested in! Got me thinking about what to put in Part 2!

[@Horizen3872]

Thank you for all the inspiration.

[@tomelizalde7838]

9000 views I told you Man !! Gimme few months to get this then part 2 Great stuff Steve !

[@GinoCento]

This is an excellent video Steve. A Part 2 would definitely be most welcome! Thank you!

[@jaumepp1975]

It is not "only" the video, it's how well you play. Brilliant!

[@phoenix11994466]

*_This is, without doubt, the most helpful and useful information on jazz drumming techniques I have ever seen, period!_* 👀

[@geoffreysmith4618]

Hi Steve - I have been playing drums for about 48 years. I play all styles and have played in numerous rock, jazz bands, and at church. I now play mostly at home. I went to Interlochen for two summers and played in the Jazz band. I even played Buddy Rich’s drums shortly before his concert when given 2 minutes by his drum tech in 1979. No lie. I then went to NTSU for music but quickly realized I was out of my league. I have the chapan book and others. I’ve seen a lot of great jazz drummers. Today this video came across my YT feed. My friend, you are the sound in my head! I’m not kidding. This was so helpful on so many levels. I have the so called “legit” job. In 17 min you have re-ignited my desire to study and get better. Now an enthused follower. Thank you!!!

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thank you Geoffry! I hope you stick with it and enjoy. Good luck!

[@ryancox5097]

I took one lesson with Steve in L.A. and was dead-set on taking regular lessons with him. I found him to be focused less on drum-nerd, technique-type things, and more focused on musician's-wisdom types of things. He talked about viewing my playing like a producer would view it, "editing" myself as I played, etc. The guy knows his stuff. If you're in Southern California, definitely try to get some private instruction with him.

[@drumtwo4seven]

5 star 👍

[@joealessandro8325]

Hi Ryan, I have Steve's first instructional drum video, love it. I live in L.A would like to take some lessons from him. How did you go about contacting Steve for lessons?

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

@@joealessandro8325 steveholmes at gmail dot com sir.

[@lojenn367]

Great advice. Played professionally 28 years. Have since moved on at almost 70 yo. As a young person I was full of piss and vinegar, always looking for that "solo" moment. My jazz drumming instructor drilled it in to my head, COMPLIMENT, and wait for your opportunity. It kept me working many more years, when focused on longevity, rudiments and reading music and COMPLIMENTING what's in front of you.

[@aakkoin]

"full of piss and vinegar" :D nice one, mister

[@melvinondrums7034]

This guy is the real deal ! He teaches the “ How” based on the “Why”. Excellent live performance with his group at The Baked Potato too.

[@ScottBurkholder]

YOU DIDNT SAY "WHAT'S UP GUYS"! 😁 Great stuff as always, man. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

WWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwhatsupguyz

[@EdniDevay]

I'm a Brazilian musician (drummer) and it helped me a lot to study jazz... Thanks Mr. Steve. The exercise in the 11:30th minute, very reminiscent of a Brazilian rhythm (Baião)

[@cremebrulee6667]

I remember watching this video when it first came out, it is genuinely the best drumming advice I have heard

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thank you

[@paullevinsky5256]

Steve, you are about the best drum instructor I've encountered on the internet. I find that almost everything is for beginners. For some reason everything is intro to this or intro to that. Even well known drummers always have a "let's get back to basics" type of approach. All very important. But thank heaven there is someone out there (you) who is speaking to advanced players with some very practical ways to swing harder and sound hipper. Please keep it up!

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thanks Paul!

[@GearHeadz101]

This guy is gold for any drummer

[@Rk-zp4yr]

I've been trying to get my jazz chops up for awhile now. this is the first video I've seen that has really opened my eyes

[@JS45678]

I’m only a beginner drummer and finally learned my first jazz beat. This lesson is light years ahead of my lousy abilities but love watching anything jazz these days. 🚬😎

[@xbeast666]

John Smith hey don't give up. I've been playing Rock and Metal for nearly 30 years. Jazz will fuck with your brain. But trust me when U feel the swing feel U are in a whole new world. It's mentally tough on it mind and your pysicallity. But patience and focused discipline is what's its all about

[@quadrant2012]

Alan Dawson, The Drummers Complete Vocabulary , is the book that the triplet exercises come from at the the begining , and Dawson ( or his student who wrote the book ) takes them to levels .

[@mr.freedom396]

Why did 80 people dislike this video? I found it to be one of the best jazz drumming instructional videos out there. So useful to me in fact, that I feel a little guilty for not paying the dude. anyway, haters gonna hate. What can you do.

[@jeffrittenour8202]

this is one of the realest drum lesson videos i’ve ever seen. been drumming 20 years but never any jazz until now. thank you for sharing.

[@musicalala]

Great lesson! Even for working jazz drummers like me there is a lot to gain from watching this. There are ideas that hadn't occurred to me. Thank you.

[@HuGrooveScience]

This is one of the best instructional drum videos in the history of KZbin! Wow thank you! New subscriber!!!

[@NatalyaSperanzza]

Hubert Payne you’re right!!!

[@DrumTrainerbyJunghoKang79]

When you talked about your beacon albums, I thought, "I love those albums!" but then, "what are my beacon albums?" Pursurance by Kenny Garrett with Brian Blade (I fell in love with jazz beacuse of this one and ended up studying music in New Orleans) John Coltrane at Village Vanguard with Elvin and Tales from Hudson with Jack!! That's to me the jazz drumming! This lesson helped me listen to my own voice Thanks Steve.

[@MM-wi4dt]

Of all the videos I've watched on here, this is by far the most useful for me to break into jazz drumming. Thank you for posting this!

[@joshlawrence8091]

I'm an (amateur) jazz pianist, but I play drums at home for fun and to help with my sense of rhythm. I have ALWAYS - ALWAYS - wanted to know how these particular sounds have been created, and this finally revealed it to me. Thank you so much! While I will never be able to play these like you (or, maybe at all!), it's awesome to have a challenge to enjoy working on. Thank you!!!

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

That’s amazing to hear - thank you and good luck! 👍

[@JulianFernandez]

From the first 4 lessons on hod, I´ve been learning tons from the stuff you post. Thanks so much!

[@ElVago81]

I have been studying Chapin's book for modern jazz drummer but you took my jazz concepts far beyond that. Wow. I'll have a great time studying thia amazing video.

[@Craigo-xg5mc]

Revisiting this after 10 months... I worked off and on at playing that Ted Reed Syncopation figure with the hi hat as you demonstrated. Just that one figure. It took me a while but eventually it totally unleashed my left foot. Thank you! Now I can watch the rest of the video. : )

[@maeu59]

What a lesson, and free to boot. You really show your skills here.

[@DrGray_Drummer]

A few months ago I watched one of your vids, and it really motivated me to start to scratch the surface with your swing style. The independence is at a different level than anything, or style I've got into before. I can't really say it's coming along as fast as I'd like (some temporary physical limitations), but if anything, it definitely has helped with independence, and my left hand is starting to sound, and feel so much better. So thanks for the vids, your encouragement, and helping with my overall playing.

[@musicaleducationwithmr.dan5076]

I wachted tones and tones of drum lessons. This is absolutely one of the best!!!

[@adamwilson1691]

Yes, this is the best video I’ve seen so far on advanced swing technique.

[@dylangatenby9928]

You sir, are an awesome jazz player! Not to mention a great teacher at that.

[@woodsnob68]

Inspiring lesson Steve. Thx for pointing out the hi hat and kick placement against dropped buzz rolls. The content is always enlightening!

[@yoni2406]

Your movement around the kit is perfect! love it

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thanks Yoni.

[@stefan8161]

Exactly what I needed at my point in progress! thanks, I dig it!

[@fivebyfivesound]

Extremely practical and clear presentation of knowledge. And I really appreciate you prioritizing demonstration at various tempos. It helps to see/hear both the concept and your technical approach to the instrument. Great lesson. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@ritabrooks9059]

What a great drum sound. Steve has wonderful technique.

[@dirk-lorenz.matthiesen]

I love this guy's hands! Great video.

[@markfish9783]

Without a doubt the best educator on KZbin - A lot of guys do more talking than instructing but Steve shows how to do the good stuff as opposed to just teaching licks - With him, you can actually work on your vocabulary thanks Steve

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thank you Mark.

[@Wiebe80]

This is really helpfull. Thank you! I find it really helpfull to play paradiddles (in swing) between the hand and feet. Definitly gonna try all of these exercises

[@sfuertes1]

This is one of the best jazz tip videos I've seen in a long time. I have been for years, telling drummers of all styles to use syncopation and Steve really made it easy to understand and easy to follow. Well done.

[@johnabernethy9524]

It's how you use it though, I never would have thought to fill in all the gaps in the triplet with the left hand and play the with my feet. My teacher only instructed me to play the figures with my left hand, which is boring and uninteresting.

[@Innisfailman]

I can't say enough about this video!!!! Revisiting now. Steve is one of the GREATS and this jazz lesson is perhaps the GREATEST!

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

Yep, please keep teaching more jazz. I was a pop drummer session plater 30 years ago . Pulling out drums and wanting to learn jazz . You are such a great teacher breaking down phrases that I would never be able to figure out. You mind and talent are amazing

[@stevenreich8623]

Whoa! This video is just fantastic! Out of every drum video I've watched, this is probably the video has said the most with the fewest words.

[@musicskillzbymarkvartok]

The amount of informations and all the different ways you can do with them is massive! 🤯 Thank you a lot Steve! 🥁

[@Tonyclaret1]

This is a Master Class, thank you Mr. Steve.

[@samslaby4882]

Really a beautiful lesson. Your humanity and compassion really come through. Thank you!

[@richspicer7818]

I just love this lesson! I am still working on it but decided to take one idea Steve mentions here which is using 16th note triplets between the bass drum and left hand while keeping the ride pattern going with the right hand and improvise a little. I had to work on it a bit but now able to do that exercise between the Left Foot on Hi Hat and Left Hand on snare while playing all 4 beats of the measure on the Bass Drum while playing the ride pattern with the right hand. Its another coordination thing to work out but its a good one. Thanks again Steve for putting this lesson together!

[@ritabrooks9059]

Steve just always sounds so good! Just feels great.

[@tomelizalde7838]

I'm the one who asked about the flam roll video !! So privalidged to get a response !! Thank you for taking the mystery out of playing swing long over due Great playing Great tone and thanks for the slow motion Thanks again Steve !

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Yeah Tom - hope this helps.

[@peterlibby466]

Steve, Your videos are consistently informative, well stated and useful. I find them to be a great resource. Thanks.

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Glad you like them!

[@drummike08]

superb! especially loving your jazz drumming; the flam roll vid part 1 always gets me hyped :D

[@gualbertovega3218]

Excellent, one of the best tutorials on Jazz drummin. The best I've seen. Not for beginners. If you already have total independence check this guy out !! Congrats on an excellent Jazz tutorial !!!

[@johndiraimo1444]

Really nice video Steve .... awesome nuggets and great playing as usual !!

[@josephcarbone3252]

one of my favorite drummers---along with Dave W. Vin C. etc-----you are a top drummer

[@erichanson3356]

Thank you for this great series of strategies and ideas on jazz comping! Working through it has improved my own jazz comping skills and I know many other drummers will benefit from your knowledge as well.

[@claudiocruzat7667]

Beautiful playing. Caressing the kit

[@mikeshouse2000]

Thanks Steve...!!! you never disappoint with your content.

[@robertbreton3049]

Excellent, informative, & musical -very nice feel Steve!

[@scottmoyer1357]

Thanks for the great lessons. I appreciate your approach to teaching and love the style you bring to the art and craft of drumming.

[@loopmasters2]

thank you! great video,, i hope to start being able to do the most elementary parts of this in about a year, great tips, great drummer!

[@littlemoronvideos]

Very nicely outlined lesson - definitely going back to Ted Reed’s book with a new perspective. Very nice playing too, feels and sounds very natural - good work, sir!

[@gregmcdermott3285]

Exquisite feel with your applications, plus articulate explanations...very nice..😎

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Excellent! Thank you for showing some ways to play these things musically.

[@Glinggl72Freestyle]

Kind of blew my mind seeing every influential jazz recording pop in succession also being among my favourites too. The conceptual playing and the depth of knowledge, plus the beautifully balanced phrasing... You are a very intelligent and committed musician. I get alot from your videos. Thank you very much.

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thank you.

[@admoney2]

love your lessons ! and playing , very clear ,right to the point,and extremely heipfull, Best on the internet in my opinion.

[@timothycroke5307]

First time I’ve run across Steve on KZbin. Many great ideas just in this one video. Can’t wait to try these things and check out his other videos. Thank you Steve.

[@pauldrumwell4922]

Great find Steve. Every post is a gem. Many thanks 🙏🏻

[@limpindrummer]

Another great lesson from Steve Holmes! He is a rare example of an outstanding drummer who is also a natural teacher. One of the best. I wonder if Ted Reed knew how versatile and enduring his work would be?

[@jaygee8566]

Best Jazz drumming lesson ever, right here.

[@davemik12]

very tasteful playing during intro

[@alonzovillarreal4666]

Awesome as always Steve, thank you!

[@steveboltonPG]

By far the best explanation/demo of this I've seen in all my 58 years. Thanks!

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Wow, thanks!

[@anderskarlstrom9655]

I have been looking all over for something like this for months, fantastic exercises… great videos thanks Steve from Sweden 🇸🇪 🙏

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Glad you like them!

[@mtavarez4561]

All hail... to the King of Jazz drumming.... Steve, wow... you are truly amazing...... I also love your video on 32 notes... wow.... AMAZING--

[@MrDavidFitzgerald]

This is the best jazz drumming tutorial I've seen for a long time

[@fuzzylightning]

Steve, thank you! Great exercises for my next practice session!

[@oldmanbackonthedrums7663]

Inspirational once again, and a great use of the Ted Reed book,..... once again Thank you

[@toltekrecords]

This video is EXTREMELY helpful. I've been playing for a good minute. I melded a lot of styles as a gigging drummer, and consequently developed some bad habits over the years. I've fallen back in love with, and started completely over, w the Jazz. Out of all the videos I've seen of late, this one is by far the best. I appreciate you!!!

[@Craigo-xg5mc]

Totally agree. You need to be a reasonably advanced player to grasp and apply this material, but if that's you, this is pretty incredible information.

[@dethronedb]

Really excellent - the title says it all - super valuable ideas - thanks, sir!

[@mattyouyou2590]

One of the greatest drummer and instructor nowadays, thank you so much Steve for your invaluable contribution to our art! Love from France

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thank you!

[@7777drummer]

Thanks for the jazz album recommendations. I will check them out.

[@Craigo-xg5mc]

Great content. Now that I finally have doubles under control I feel like can tackle some of these exercises. Many thanks!

[@deleox88]

For the right-foot lead exercise, I had a hard time figuring out how to fill in the triplets on the snare with my left hand. But I wrote it out and I think I got it. I'm playing quarter notes on the ride for now, but will work up to the jazz swing pattern in time. Thanks for a great new exercise to work on.

[@tmaddrummer]

Thanks and Blessings Steve, I enjoyed your lessons!

[@mattdematteo3771]

Very sweet lesson! I relate to your choices and feel and style. Throwing the double kick (done gently and jazzily) was a nice surprise too

[@originz1885]

Beautiful playing Steve . . . I love the sound you are producing.

[@geargeezer8049]

Thanks so much for this. The best jazz lesson I have seen. This will keep me busy for some time!!

[@gdpugs]

Nice approach, Steve! Well said.

[@mikestevens5512]

Best jazz drummer education on youtube!!

[@johnsknox]

Thanks mate - one of the best instructional videos I've seen. Great, tasteful playing too

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thanks John!

[@funkslave9425]

Thank steve for these amazing lessons. We are receiving world class coaching from a killer player and wonderful teacher. God Bless you brother

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thanks.

[@ElVago81]

I can't stop watching it!. It is an amazing video!

[@Thrakatuluk]

Great drumming and lessons, Steve! I'm learning a lot of useful stuff from your videos. Thank you!

[@JimmyDrs]

Thanks for sharing Steve!

[@Justin1llusion]

Holy Moly - Your chops are next level.

[@yangarza]

Really glad I found your channel. Good stuff man, thanks!

[@orpheusthedrummer]

I couldn't agree more! Elvin on Speak No Evil is absolutely unreal!! All those ghost notes and embellishments during Witch Hunt (comping) blew me right away when I first heard it.. Crazy record! One of the main records that got my ears perked up to whats going on during comping. You discover new things each time you listen to it! Great video, amazing playing, great tips, can't wait to finish watching. 😃

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thank you!!

[@juanexpo]

Awesome Mega-lesson Steve !! From minute 00 to the end it´s fantastic. The time index is great. Thanks !!

[@SteveHolmesDrums]

Thank you Juan.

[@erewrw1906]

Im shure you are a good teacher... i can even enjoy Hearing you teach.

[@Maximillianmus-jc1uz]

Your a very skilled drummer and it’s always good to learn from another mind, you always learn don’t you👊

[@yarpyarp85]

Dude, went to school for jazz. I'm aware of all the stuff u talked about but something about the execution and demos shed new light for me. Please keep releasing videos, I've subscribed and will continue to watch. Thank you.

[@yarpyarp85]

U know a video is good when u go straight to the drums after...... so here I am lol.

[@karlfagerstrom]

Same! And I also had the immediate urge to practice after this video but unfortunately it's 2:30am here so I can't right meow womp wommmppp