Jazz Hi Hat Tips - Get A Clean Sound

[@boomerguy9935]

Yes! Hi hats can be your best friend with hundreds of different sounds. Sadly, I started out as a rock drummer who stood on the pedal with all my weight and bashed the edges with the shaft of the stick. Fortunately, I was a teenager who was young enough to find a professional jazz drummer to help me UNLEARN many bad habits and this was probably the worst one of all. When I discovered all the possibilities of the hi hats being PLAYED with the tips of the sticks with different touches and the two cymbals in different positions and foot pressure, it was like falling in love the very first time. I"m 75 years old now and still discovering new hi hat techniques, Like you said, a "beautiful instrument with a beautiful voice" is the key to discovering all that is available. Relax and "let it flow". Experiment, but don't force it. The student can eventually learn to, "do this all day long". I still find myself doing this for very long periods with no background music, just the rhythm in my head, and a light touch on the bass drum, feathering. Inside my head, I still hear the "2 and 4" even when the hi hats are almost silent. This is my form of meditation, in a way. Note that this can also be done in 3/4 time with the accents on "2 and 3", even if my sticks playing straight 1/4 notes or triplets, dancing around the "2 and 3" (I hope this makes sense). If you want an example, listen to Gerry Granelli's "Skating" from the Charlie Brown Christmas album with the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Another great video. You teach so much more than just the physical playing. Great job!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks so much and I swear, you need to have your own Jazz Drumming Advice channel! Happy holidays my friend 🎉

[@tmaddrummer]

I'll be checking out your Jazz Hi-Hat video as well..... Thanks and Blessings Von!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks so much!

[@octaviohenrique.n]

awesome! Thanks for the lesson! pretty brazillian grooves to me Thinking of buying a smaller hi hat like 12' or 13' for more articulation Cheers from Brazil

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the kind comment and for watching! That sounds fun :) Keep swinging my friend!

[@JMcNultyDrums]

Very insightful, thanks! I've also always heard those referred to as "barks."

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks Jonathan for watching and for your comment. “Bark” is a funny word to describe the sound. 😆