IF YOU CAN'T DO THIS, YOUR JAZZ PLAYING WILL NEVER SOUND LIKE MUSIC!

[@chrismollard]

i use these lessons daily (in the morning) as a first warm up to get in the mood. to practice. Thanks Quincy!

[@drumqtips]

That’s awesome!

[@liammcelroy2265]

Singing along while drumming is what showed me how fun and musical jazz drums could actually be. Something really clicked in my mind whenever I first started doing it and I recommend it to literally every drummer I know.

[@drumqtips]

Awesome Liam!

[@3willyd]

GOLDEN!!!! In an era of the iREAL, this is great for all rhythm section players. The best advice I got for playing a solo or even 4's was from Smiley Winters. After I asked him about how to improve my solos he sais, "just play the melody". GOLDEN!!!!!!!

[@mothabod]

Wunderbar....fantastische Unterrichtsstunde. Vielen Dank und alles gute zum Geburtstagsmonat.

[@drumqtips]

Danke schön!

[@Nate_Higgins]

Thank goodness. From the top I thought I was in trouble. I can't really play jazz, but I can play drums and sing. There is still hope for me.

[@chriskircher4062]

Thanks Q, great lesson and insight.

[@stevebarnes9345]

Best lesson ever Q…many thought elvin Jones was grunting when he played- that was him singing in his own way- same with Keith Jarrett and the vocal accompaniment when he played…. thanks for unlocking the vault of musical wisdom and giving.

[@drumqtips]

Stevie!! Thanks for watching brother. Yes Elvin and Keith certainly were sangin’ fools! See you in a couple weeks sir:)

[@MrDavidFitzgerald]

Honestly though, Keith Jarrett's goblin noises make some of his recordings unlistenable to me.

[@stevebarnes9345]

@@MrDavidFitzgerald --when I heard the tennis star Maria sharapova yell on every shot - I almost broke out in hives- I just turned the sound off. If Keith ever annoyed me I just concentrated on Jack and Gary - for some reason over time it just became part of the musical sum… I do empathize with your reaction!

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Singing . Again Sir you articulated something I knew but didn’t use enough . I have been using singing or vocalising a lot but this lesson has inspired me to practice hard but smart today with this . And more . Those melodic approach’s- the melody , around , across etc variations are so cool Happy ( belated) Birthday. My present is words that were the great Jimmy Lovelaces theme song 🎤“ this time the dreams on me “ ❤ Maestro Quincy . 🥁 ❤️ 🎶🔥

[@drumqtips]

JIMMY LOVELACE! Thanks for mentioning one of the greatest drummers who most have never heard of. I used to watch him at Smalls back in the day. He was special and so regal. Cheers to you Jeff!

[@FrankParente]

This lesson tied so many lessons together. Singing not only helps your riding and comping but helps you learn the heads of the tunes, which help you not get lost during the tunes or if you solo over the form. You said the hands working together or not together but together, this is always what I think of as interdependence. Each limb knowing what the other is doing and knowing how to work with and against it. Whenever I struggle with a pattern I try breaking it down to each set of two limbs, about six different combinations. After that I feel it’s pretty solid. Have a great birthday month! Oh almost forgot, where’d you get that cool shirt from?

[@CharlesTPrimm]

Elvin Jones and Bernard Purdy both emphasized singing too. Great video. Thank you so much!

[@drumqtips]

Right on!

[@dikbeats2720]

Man, u got some cool confidence to scat the HBirthday tune!! Fair play and great example of beat-crossing vocal and rhythm. Hope u had a good birthday!

[@wodazkabla]

Happy birthday Mr Quincy !!! Txh for a great lesson -- Greeetzz from Poland :)

[@drumqtips]

I appreciate that Kuba👊🏾

[@christophbrylka6256]

I would never have imagined that knowing the melodies and singing them could be a problem for a drummer. Seems so natural to me.

[@drumqtips]

You’d be surprised Chris!

[@terryroach6481]

Super important, I agree. I'm a low talent drummer, but my 'mouth trumpet' is what people tend to notice and complement me on much more than my rhythms. Nice of you to emphasize that it doesn't have to be 'singing' per se... the master Bernard Purdie sure isn't exactly 'carrying a tune' when he's doing the same thing. BP's talk/vocalizations are some of the funniest drum vids out there! Thanks for your contribution/great lesson as always.

[@joellee7862]

Thanks for the reminder Quincy! Also, you're one of the swingin' cats sir! Still amazed at your work with greg glassman

[@christianbignon163]

hey... happy birthday Q. Eres el mejor

[@markielinhart]

Brilliant lesson Mr Q‼️And a very happy birthday to you ✌️🌻👏

[@drumqtips]

Thank you brother Markie Mark👊🏾

[@davidlowe7994]

Q, this is GREAT advice! singing the head also helped me know where I am when soloing. It's such an important yet subtle thing all players should learn! Thanks!

[@drumqtips]

Right on David! Great hearing from you🙏🏾

[@drumboogie2555]

I need to try this. I haven't been doing this at all. Great lesson! Thanks!

[@JunkerOnDrums]

It make perfectly sence :D Happy Birthday!

[@jaapvandenheuvel1997]

It made sense. Great lesson. And congrats with your upcoming birthday.

[@drumqtips]

Thanks Jaap!

[@dikbeats2720]

You're a Ninja about the kit! Great teacher, man.. Helps me to keep up the bop grooves

[@b.p.879]

Haha finally a skill I've already gotten down pretty well. I started singing while playing at age 16, about 10 years after beginning drums, and then lessons starting at age 8. It was tough at first, but now I can sing and play almost anything, and I lead and have lead several successful cover bands as lead vocalist/drummer!

[@Olliemets]

Thanks Quincy...Or rather Professor...Yes I'm ready and you've confirmed what I've always felt. I've learned that singing in my head (or sometime it "escapes"), really helps me not to rush. Took me years to stop galloping and speeding up. reat Vide that applies to playing amany styles beyond Jazz and Be Bop. Love your Channel.

[@kaiho5420]

Happy birthday! love your lesson

[@omar65able]

Hi Quincy! Yes, we know “Old McDonalds” in Italy: it’s called “Nella vecchia fattoria” 😄

[@drumqtips]

Good to know!

[@billyjleva]

Great lesson! Happy birthday month!

[@drumqtips]

Thank ya!

[@peterevans366]

Thanks Quincy top drawer lesson 👌 also connects you as to where you are in a song helps feel dramatically also dynamics 🥁

[@drumqtips]

Thanks PE!

[@davidplastow3430]

great video's, I wish they were around when I was a young man, but now i'm REEEAAADDDYYYY!!!!

[@drumqtips]

Right on Dave! Glad to know you're ready my man:)

[@bobweber4140]

Happy birthday q

[@jaimeh3356]

I've found singing the note values very helpful recently...looking forward to practicing with the melody. Great vid again Quincy, many thanks!

[@drumqtips]

Thank you Jaime👍🏾

[@leenoyes]

Love this message, Q! When so many drum videos out there are all about the complicated exercises, chops, licks, patterns to apply - your fills during happy birthday are just so perfect in their simplicity. Sometimes a well-placed tom hit can say so much more!!

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely bro Lee!

[@ericakeldama8551]

Happy Birthday!!! Very Great Lesson...

[@drumqtips]

Thank you E!

[@MusicByTomas]

This is fantastic advice. I'm a pianist, and my teacher has long advised me to sing my lines while I play. Makes me think of phrasing, and breaks me out of old habits. When I sing my lines, it's a night and day difference.

[@drumqtips]

Awesome Tomás!

[@scotthartman6440]

Happy Birthday! Comps to you!

[@drumqtips]

Thank you sir!

[@garysmith3173]

Sorry it’s late but many happy returns Qman. 😘😘🥁 I’m the 10th. Brilliant video, as always.

[@drumqtips]

Never too late Gary! I appreciate that brother.

[@wilftaylor9377]

Happy birthday Q. Great lesson. I haven’t done nearly enough of this kind of practice. Wake up call!

[@drumqtips]

Boom👊🏾

[@Li_Zihao]

Happy birthday!

[@policeluber6720]

Can You demonstrate staccato jazz approach even in bebop jazz vz legato playing please thanx - Ed

[@drumqtips]

Good idea!

[@danielpatterson6322]

i love this guy! all of your videos are so helpful, cant thank you enough :)

[@drumqtips]

I appreciate the kind words Daniel!

[@esotericgeOrge]

Thank you Q!!! I have needed help understanding what to do as far as comping goes. As far as playing with the melody. This has been a struggle I have had for many years. You have given me great insight with this video. I really do appreciate it. Thank you!!

[@drumqtips]

My pleasure George!

[@marciasmith8522]

Great lesson I can't sing very well but willing to try anything that helps with improvement. Had a great vacation and practiced on pad 3 of the 5 days in Mexico. Gotta stay committed!!!!!!!

[@drumqtips]

You’re definitely committed Marcia. That’s beautiful!

[@Matias-Issouribehere]

Excelent!! Thx a Lot for these tips!!

[@bobweber4140]

What a lesson thankyou so much

[@hexaxeh67]

Bellissimo lesson! Thanks master

[@peacegroove7854]

I can't tell you how happy I am that you are spreading awareness of the importance of singing or vocalising rhythms, patterns, bass lines, guitar or piano riffs and of course melodies. Singing while playing is the best way I know to connect your playing to the music, plus your voice is the physical manifestation of your inner time and pulse, so practicing "voice independence" is a game changer for any instrument. The great Carl Allen told me in my first lesson: Play your cymbal and sing the melody EVERYDAY.... that's how you'll find the groove and build a solid, swinging jazz beat. Thanks for your great content Quincy, keep it up!

[@drumqtips]

Right on my man 👊🏾. Thanks for watching!

[@jefflyon2020]

Damn, that's such a good idea, and great exercise to work on while keeping time and staying straight, without overplaying and going off on some crazy fill everytime you get stuck and dont know where to go or what to do really, humming or singing a melody will occupy that hole usually used with fills or playing same old comfortable crap, thank you and awesome video as usual.

[@drumqtips]

That’s right Jeff! Glad you enjoyed the lesson.

[@hectordesosa4123]

Excelent class my friend.

[@drumqtips]

Gracias sir!

[@mikeanscombe9883]

Wise words, as always, Quincy… I’ve made it a thing to sing the head wherever possible. Sometimes, I find myself singing quietly during solos as well - this could be why I get some strange looks from the band!🤣 Thank you for all your efforts in helping us become better musicians…

[@drumqtips]

Let ‘em stare Mikey! 🤣🤣

[@Giannis_Papageo]

13:50 just came a big smile on my face!!!Happy birthday month teach!!!Another great lesson as always!

[@drumqtips]

I appreciate that!

[@ritabrooks9059]

Thank you Quincy!

[@drumqtips]

You’re most welcome Ms. Rita:)

[@violinaeterna]

A man of many talents, expertly honed, and joyfully imparted. Bravo, and happy early birthday!

[@drumqtips]

Haha!!! Badass👊🏾

[@KeithBassJr.]

Great video!! 👍🏿

[@JORODU]

As usual Quincy a lesson for the ages Thank you so much for ALL you do!!!! 🙏🏻

[@davidgomersall7185]

I think that this lesson is applicable to most musical genres. If you listen to Mario Duplantier of Gojira he plays the melody of the song. On the face of it, Gojira are as far removed from jazz as it's possible to be but the principal is the same. I suppose the big takeaway, is do you want to be a musician or a metronome? Great lesson as always, Q

[@insanedrummer89]

The value here is incredible !!! Shared

[@drumdad1242]

Great info.

[@realbuan]

Thanks!

[@victormarshall9765]

Great lesson about how those musical phrases are so important in playing jazz . Interesting how language is very key in learning music . I would say that those complex African rhythms creates melody. Thanks Quincy for another great tutorial.

[@drumqtips]

Right on Vic!

[@nathanwolf5066]

Great lesson quincy! Singing heads while playing time is something I’ve done to help memorize tunes quickly, I guess I’ve never realized how it helps with musicality

[@drumqtips]

Awesome Nate!

[@blvcksandblues]

Very awesome lesson, Professor Davis! When I first started playing, I was told to always learn the lyrics to the song for this reason. First, it's a great history lesson to know that the standards were often sung too. Second, knowing the lyrics also helped provide a sense of melodic intonation. Knowing the intonation of the melody helped me to play with it and against it better. This approach is essential to jazz but it's helped me become an all-around better musician. Thank you!!!

[@drumqtips]

Thanks Jorge! I think the lyrics can definitely add another level of connecting to a song (IF it has lyrics). But in my opinion, sometimes drummers put too much stock in that rather than just listening to the melody, internalizing it and being able to sing it tonally. The process of learning lyrics can take away from a drummer’s focus on just singing a melody correctly without the lyrics. But it’s ALL good. Thanks for sharing and for watching Jorge👊🏾

[@SimonLopezPsymon]

A great book about this lesson is "L'art de travailler un thème de jazz à la batterie / The art of melodic drumming" by Georges Paczynski, it's a very good thing to sing while comping !

[@drumqtips]

Thanks sharing Simon!

[@peterhaupt6791]

Love the lesson. And your goofiness.

[@drumqtips]

Goofy is my middle name lol!

[@kennethdean4349]

Learning the tune is essential. I started as a rock drummer so knowing the melody wasn't important. Swinging is good but if you can't follow the form you'll get lost every time.

[@drumqtips]

Amen Ken!

[@davidgomersall7185]

I'd respectfully disagree that knowing the melody isn't important if you are playing rock. I think that this lesson genuinely applies to all genres. You can get by playing the Minimum Viable Beat but to elevate what you are playing from "meh" to music you have to know and understand the melody, in my opinion.

[@chevinrosso4580]

Happy birthday master!! Always an inspiration 🥁🥁

[@drumqtips]

Thnx Che!

[@dividedwords]

Great lesson, as always. This is off-topic, but would you do a lesson on comping with the hihats, i.e., integrating the hats into your comping? (Maybe you already have.)

[@drumqtips]

Good idea!

[@policeluber6720]

T-shirt should read , “ can u efffing sing 🎤? “

[@drumqtips]

Lol!

[@tomcarr4630]

More phenomenal content! I have found that softly singing not only helps my time, but breathing and relaxation as well. No matter what style of music I'm playing. I first tried the singing years ago after seeing Steve Gadd singing Bye Bye Blackbird while playing brushes. NOT as easy as it looked! Yes...I know Old MacDonald 🙂

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for sharing Tom! Where’s that video Gadd singing?

[@tomcarr4630]

@@drumqtips There are some on KZbin. Here’s an early one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJWrkmmff6-bedk

[@desross1]

The Steve Gadd video is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3bLfYp9qZx0fMk

[@massimodemajo]

AMEN!

[@Joethedrummer]

Fantastic video, thanks. I am a huge fan of verbalising. Students don't relish it, unfortunately. It's always been natural to me with all styles. Everyone should learn to do this for jazz and rock, blues, funk and whatever else.

[@drumqtips]

Right on Joey!! Good to hear from you as always brother.

[@richiegarcia4]

Like many of Q's videos, I have to say: I wish I'd had this lesson years ago.

[@asagraphics247]

Classy!

[@drumqtips]

Thank you sir

[@sethcashman1011]

Fantastic lesson, as always! Your channel has been so helpful. Hope to get to see you do some playing with Brad L someday!

[@drumqtips]

Thanks Seth!

[@tomharrellmusic]

Great channel!

[@drumqtips]

Tom!! Hope all is well with you and Angela. Miss you guys❤️❤️

[@brianchristiansen8511]

Much love, Q. Clearly what you want for your birthday is for people to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. (Some viewer feedback… those messages crawling across the bottom of the screen throws viewers out of the lessons. I get lost in the music and the knowledge and then I subscribe to get back to that.)

[@enzomarino]

Thanks Quincy for this amazing lesson. I was wondering how to extend this concept to soloing. Can you please address this specific topic? (Singing and soloing). Thanks a lot!

[@drumqtips]

Glad you enjoyed the lesson Enzo. Try creating your own melodies and sing them while orchestrating them around the kit. That should help.

[@enzomarino]

@@drumqtips thanks for you reply, Quincy. I really would like to learn more about that, so I hope you will address this topic in a specific lesson.

[@kickitt24]

I have a blessing or maybe a curse. Just like u sing the melody under your playing, I alternate between melody and bass (I can’t help it) When I’m playing I hum like Oscar Peterson🤣🤣🤣

[@drumqtips]

Blessing for sure👊🏾

[@flober1970]

Thx Q. I started this singin n drummin on you impulse, it is fun and helps me a lot, but, will you give us some bossa nova drumming some time ? And Happy B, Q!

[@drumqtips]

Perhaps you will get some bossa in the future per your request Flo:)

[@scoopgh4572]

Singing can help with the phrasing of your solos like you @Quincy Davis mentioned in a previous vide by not swinging the rhythm too much.

[@mattperko2425]

Learning to sing like this also helps you practice away from the kit. You learn to strengthen your concentration. Try singing an entire tune - head in, solo, head out - away from the instrument, and maintaining the form. It's not easy but it really develops your mind, which is the actual instrument.

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely Matt!

[@tompetteruti250]

"Tenor Madness" 😊

[@drumqtips]

Bingo TP!!

[@tompetteruti250]

Great lesson, as usual, Mr Davis! Thank you for all you do.

[@domenicsidonio8762]

Hi Quincy, you are the best! Lovin all the lessons and cannot thank you enough. Please don’t stop as you always brighten up my day. PS, can you kindly tell me which exact ride and crash cymbals you use because they sound so sweet. I am finding it so hard to find a decent set of jazz cymbals without braking the bank! Best wishes. Dom

[@drumqtips]

Thanks Dom! Check out the description for my drum and cymbal specs.

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Surprised more don't show this aspect of music. My teacher the late great Roger Sellars got me into phonetics and singing the drum parts and then into singing the melody. It also helps to know where you are in the tune and the different parts; head,verse,chorus,bridge,solos,tailpiece etc.

[@brandonwilliams966]

I sing mentally... and that, for me, works for me.

[@drumqtips]

Great BW!

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Sorry for 2 comment re vocalising but shangalang ? 🤔or as Greg Hutchinson put it Walk the dog & the upbeat partial , didn’t Elvin love that dog ? Tony did he get sometimes walk the doggoning or ? Some silly😂 🙏 I love this stuff .

[@drumqtips]

Walking the dog is a favorite activity and "hobby" of all of our favorite drummers including of course Hutch and Mr. Jones. lol!

[@bradbrouwer8937]

Quick question… do you reference/keep track of or sing the melody/head while comping for soloists?

[@drumqtips]

Melody is ever present no matter what’s going on. Thanks BB! (Here’s a cool nickname for you B flat-->Bb)

[@memathews]

You mean singing the different parts of a song is not what everyone does? I thought this was normal. Yeah, thanks for pointing this out, not all band members or leaders understand this is a drummer technique. This is how we complement the various sections of the band and the song, sometimes accenting the counter rhythm and sometimes with the singer or soloist melody, but always supporting the players and the music. You meant play "in concert with" a soloist or the band.

[@drumqtips]

We’re a rare breed Matt🤣🤣

[@memathews]

@@drumqtips A Happy Birthday month to you 🎉 and I know you know there's more than one Birthday Song just in America.

[@russellesimonetta9071]

Poppy de pow pow!

[@RogerBiwandu]

I like your sound Quincy, drums and cymbals, nice sweet sexy Jazz sound.

[@policeluber6720]

Why not more than 2 swung eights in a row ?

[@drumqtips]

I don’t understand your question.

[@johnharris1580]

Yes so do o,mc'donalds sir.