How to Play Drums with Brushes

Master drummer Jeff Hamilton talks with Sammy Miller about how to approach playing the drums with brushes. Learn more from Jeff as he shares his tips and strategies!
Learn more at the Jazz Academy by visiting academy.jazz.org
Jeff Hamilton - Drums
Sammy Miller - Speaker
Eric Suquet - Director
Bill Thomas - Director of Photography
Aaron Chandler - Sound Engineer
Richard Emery - Production Assistant
Seton Hawkins - Producer
Recorded January 24, 2014

[@shamanbeartwo3819]

When you start designing your own brushes you have definitely hit a new level of musicianship.

[@darrylchambers7801]

Can one of you great drummers out there tell me if "My Cherie Amour "is being played with brushes oppose to regular sticks?

[@charleskowalski3815]

@@darrylchambers7801I love that song!! I believe it’s brushes. The drummer’s using the brush like a stick, and hitting the snare on every beat as opposed to what jazz drummer normally do (sweeping the stick around the snare) It can be one of those rod sticks that I’ve never used before😂 hope that helped👍

[@boomerguy9935]

I have his model of brushes, Regal Tip Jeff Hamilton Brushes, and they definitely bounce. However, I can't use them in really soft settings of small venues because they are loud. They are great for large venues, though. Unfortunately, I think Regal Tip may be out of business because I can't find anyone who sells their products. They are all great. For smaller venues, I use Vic Firth "Jazz WB" Brushes which are great all round ones with medium gauge wire.

[@marketingenelparque]

Jesus Christ, what an amazing sound he gets just from the brushes. Couldn't stop smiling while watching. Thanks for these great videos.

[@bradiano3764]

Please don’t use Jesus’s name in vain. It is sin and please come to Jesus before it’s too late

[@mucous-membrane]

@@bradiano3764 He didn't use his name in vain. He simply used his name to add to the delight he felt while watching this video. There is a difference. Also, just because Jesus works for you doesn't really mean you get to frighten people into approaching spirituality as you do. Christianity is simply a hotch-potch of the many pagan religions that came before and was mostly used as a method of population control and monetary gain for those in control at the time. Try not to be so simplistic and un-thinking. If you're into christianity, try actually learning about christianity before you mouth off. Also, why do you assume Claudio isn't a Christian? Your shoehorning, and inappropriate skewering the narrative from brush technique, back around to your personal agenda is just tiresome and old. While we're at it - Jesus' - not Jesus's. Get back in your box.

[@hackau]

@@bradiano3764 Jesus mate, calm down

[@geminigemini336]

@@bradiano3764 Well said brother! I equally hate when our Lords precious name is used in vain or as a swear word. I wonder where such blasphemy started & why they never use Satan’s name or Mohammed, Buddha or any other false gods names instead of The One & Only True God & Saviour. At least we know a day will come when they & ever knee will bow & confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords & King of Kings. Shame also on those who gave you thumbs down & negative feedback. God bless you brother. ✝️

[@iamnorwegian]

"Wow, he just played fadrdrdrdr, how did he do that?" Literally exactly what I thought as he did it.

[@jonneville2287]

I get my students to use the brushes (vertical strokes) as a warm up before switching to sticks- singles, doubles, paradiddles to start, then move on to more difficult rudiments as the student gets more comfortable. It really does build up the chops quickly, and is more relevant to actual playing than a pillow or cushion.

[@PLDrums1]

He's a class act.

[@astolennova]

This is great stuff. Incredible technique and a straightforward presentation.

[@brianlee6709]

I'm loving these videos, but it really makes me realize what a hack I am!

[@devyneynes8487]

Hello, I would like to see classes on how to follow a jazz theme, from beginning to end, with all its parts, bridges etc. So far there are thousands of videos that teach to play the drums in jazz from the technical but none that explains and shows on a subject part by part from beginning to end and I think it is a good opportunity to teach that. Greetings from Argentina, thanks!

[@dizzolve]

That might be the best 1st lesson on bushes I've ever seen. Great introduction to philosophies that are easy to understand

[@8020drummer]

Great insight about letting the brush choreography influence the stick vocab. One doesn't even have to take it as literally as Mel lewis did - thinking about a balance between the hands and a reciprocal "conversation" between them, even without glancing, yields some interesting Roy Haynes esque vocab:)

[@kobeconomon3528]

This opened me up to so many new ideas I can use

[@Mr01Parrot]

There is really good info here. Jeff is a great drummer and inspiration!

[@musicalala]

My experience with his brushes is you kind of have to really work with them for a long time to adjust to the extra heavy gauge of the wires. It may not matter to everyone but you lose a lot of the whippy action of thinner wires. When you're trading fast fours or soloing with brushes I find it less work when you can use the whippiness of the side strokes he speaks about. It's obvious he is so advanced that he doesn't need that effect but I do . If you have his brushes try doing triple -stroke rolls or fast paradiddles with them. It's kinda like playing on a pillow. Your hands have to generate all the speed. Whippiness of thinner gauge brushes helps you. I used to play 2 nights every week at least at jazz clubs for almost 2 decades and I know my hands would be exhausted using his brushes but he is a special animal. I keep his brushes around tho because they do give you more volume and fuller sound for ballads. Can give you just enough volume to not get drowned out by horns.

[@wickedwidget3812]

Man this is so informative awesome video I got the wire brushes to be able to play and not scare my cat by the loud drums and cymbals lol but having a love for the Jazz drums and how it sounds makes me want to learn how to play jazz as well as rock and metal. Love it and a great technique I will definitely try seeing as how I am new to the wire brushes. Thank you so much

[@chrisdiel706]

Yes, I absolutely understand what you're saying. I was a metal, hard rock guy forever but started playing in a blues band and I absolutely fell in love with it. I suck at jazz but I'm slowly learning. Was at a gig this past Saturday and they wanted to play some "standards" and of course I keep a pair of brushes in my bag but I'll tell you, it was very apparent that brush work is one of my weaknesses. So here I am. It's great to expand your abilities and learn new things. Rock on man.

[@andersmogensen1]

What an amazing master!

[@ericharding92]

Astounding demonstration. Life changing

[@Drnardinov]

What an amazing advantage it is to have access to this kinda of expertise. Thanks for the lesson. Talk about transformative.

[@nihilisthetic]

13 metal drummers don’t know how to use brushes

[@donkotouc8377]

Mr. Hamilton is a great teacher and articulator of technique...

[@mayapunkful]

Me quede con ganas de mas... Excelente!

[@gzig61]

Starting to love me some brushes thanks for the invaluable content

[@rosscosan6647]

I’m not even a drum player I play Sax but I love the sound of brushes with Jazz. I even bought a snare drum and a ride cymbal and brushes. Great video thanks 👍

[@betulaobscura]

Fantastic drummer!

[@DJTabooMixTypeBeat]

Thx for the VDO. Love your techniques.

[@hypocriteorchestra]

So awesome thanks you Baba Jeff Hamilton!!!

[@HarryLynnAAA]

No wonder Diana Krall had you working with her quartet. Exquisite sound colours. Thanks Jeff.

[@barberjeff67]

Great info! thank you!

[@bernardrooney105]

Thank you very much. Very very helpful and easy to follow.

[@cjrislove2022]

This is my favorite video of all time

[@JulianFernandez]

what a sound!

[@Blastfence1]

Excellent!

[@user-gu3xz3vv6p]

Monty Alexander trio live one of my favourite albums.Jeff is gold

[@elingaudovie8619]

Drums are really nice. Very good. Thanks a lot for sharing. :)

[@beachtreenet]

Thank you!

[@rjrichmusic]

Beautiful

[@davidgoode7416]

Awesome, thanks for posting ...

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love it!!

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

love it!!

[@williamorlandomaestrevilla4291]

I love these guy....

[@lorenpaulger3807]

Great teacher

[@brentgilbert4208]

He is “The Man”!!!

[@alvinvivogeneration]

Good knowledge about brushes with jazz Lincoln

[@je36]

yeah! thanks!

[@ididyermom3273]

I discovered playing laterally instead of direct and practice it a lot. I just liked the sound.

[@SaschaBachmann-sb-drums]

love that!

[@hansoloist9756]

Brilliant. 👍

[@gianlucaderosa2947]

Top class drummer

[@purplew4678]

I didn’t realize brushes could be that cool

[@TheGurner1]

Great!

[@doncorleole2356]

JESUS CHRIST WHAT AN IIIINCREDIBLE SOUND

[@angelobadalacchi9025]

Really a good way

[@Bikewreck]

Man, it’s moments like this when I remember I am not good at the drums

[@andrelanzac]

Master!!!

[@JorgeSadLevi]

great~~

[@salvadorbernal2086]

He is master👍👍👍👍👍

[@HonorThyTarkus]

Jeff Hamilton!!!

[@jordanragland4876]

can u guys please make some videos about jazz piano? I would like to know what a pianist has to be thinking when he is next to a big band. Also some tips on voicing of chords and stuff.

[@JazzAcademy]

+Jordan Ragland A video on piano comping behind a video is forthcoming. But for some thoughts on chord voicing, check out Barry Harris' series with us: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGmte6GZiLqXi7c

[@jordanragland4876]

+Jazz at Lincoln Center's JAZZ ACADEMY Thank you so much

[@beagledude8875]

I like the sound brushes

[@mladenpalenkas7750]

Jeff is the master with brushes of today imo.

[@lizwynaco2222]

Brush coolness baby.

[@Puebow]

Wow

[@drumlover1687]

Incredible player! When you make playing with brushes look that easy, and it's anything but...

[@AndrewBaraban]

Красава, старина !

[@courtnrysalamone7677]

Im a metal drummer, i think ima start using these for some stuff

[@edj9202]

You need this if you live in the city right

[@eelamite]

looking up "playing brushes on drums" and Jeff comes up first result no one plays it like him from what i've heard

[@eelamite]

the goat

[@makayla911]

I'm playing polar express in band and I have to use brushes because I'm making the train starting up sound. I'm on snare but I would like to know how to make the brushes louder and stay that loud over the band. Thanks for the vid.

[@ge200099]

Microphone

[@davidferrier8659]

Sounds the same or certainly very similiar but I love the brushes regardless ...👍

[@Banksiana]

Where can I find the brushes he uses. He said he designed them to be thicker and stuff. Anyone know? or maybe what kind of brushes someone who's knew to it would use?

[@felipeopazomusic]

Regal Tip Jeff Hamilton Signature Brushes

[@thomaszagers7246]

5:56

[@andrewyka]

I meat him in Europe he play Woody Herman Bigband Great!!! lather he and all musician play Jam session in night clubMedyk and Stodola Warszawa POLAND.He gives me stix and i play Great drummer!!! he play Greatch drums.He has22Year old he finish his Colege.

[@gerryvinci3025]

I heard he learned from Anthony Stein.

[@HaydenToltzmann]

Why am I here I'm a metal drummer?😂

[@hhurtta]

Because it's never a bad idea to gather some general knowledge about different music styles. It eventually will improve your playing on your main style.

[@rpinpr61]

Knowledge provides options. You can never know enough techniques. But I think you may already know that. Ginger Baker considered himself a jazz drummer and would get mad if someone called him a great rock drummer. Rock on.

[@IdentifiantDeCatacombe]

It will help you be more creative than just do what metal drummers do all the time. Mixing different styles makes music more interesting.

[@cnrd-ih3yz]

Hayden Toltzmann lol me too

[@amirakhan9731]

metal and jazz and similar tbh

[@multigamingg9369]

Did Ringo Use Brushes When He Was In The Beatles?

[@thebeatlabmusic749]

I believe "When I'm 64" was recorded with brushes.

[@bennygarcia1999]

Why does he place the snare drum on top of the basket as opposed to inside?

[@johnmetcalfe2482]

Benny Garcia that’s how snare stands used to cradle the drum

[@brittdavid8591]

That was very tasty, lost Art, Db throws his hands up, as if being Robbed... muchas gracias

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Soo.. the lateral is way to go!

[@annihilist1983]

THIS is who you want to learn brush technique from...

[@javierbuenastardes9726]

vine aquí porque pensé que era chicote tocando la batería

[@MW-pm1kl]

Lush vid!

[@CandIce3889]

What is the name of his signature brushes??

[@hoganbentle3582]

Jeff Hamilton regal tip signature brushes.

[@alexandremccormack]

I want to learn JUST snare brushing. Is this a special type of snare?

[@hoganbentle3582]

Alexandre McCormack nope. just as long as the snare has a coated head in it you're good to go.

[@ducttaperulestheworl]

gotta grill some burgers

[@YnseSchaap]

There you have it.............oh wait I don't

[@MargeRosenMusic]

fish by the tail!

[@MrCrazyman206]

Tyler the Creator’s Beat switch up on “Pothole” brought me here.

[@paularevalo1532]

Nyjbh B interesting does he use brush beat on that song ? I'll listen

[@Kirbyfire73]

And this is why I play rock. Brush playing is too confusing!

[@chucksmusiclab934]

All talk and no play!

[@kevinturner5857]

Fabulous , what brushes does Jeff use please !? 😊

[@devyneynes8487]

Hello, I would like to see classes on how to follow a jazz theme, from beginning to end, with all its parts, bridges etc. So far there are thousands of videos that teach to play the drums in jazz from the technical but none that explains and shows on a subject part by part from beginning to end and I think it is a good opportunity to teach that. Greetings from Argentina, thanks!