Basic Drum Set Chart Reading Part 1-The Big Band Chart

Here is the first part of a series all about drum set chart reading. It is geared towards beginning to intermediate players who already have basic drum set skills.
These first few chapters will serve as an introduction to reading drum set music and cover big band chart reading. I start with a basic arrangement of the standard Secret Love from the book Sittin' in with the Big Band Volume 2. I play the chart and then talk about the books I like to use to teach reading in the big band genre.
I also talk through the chart and then play it again with the music on the screen so that you can see how I set up the figures.
Here are the time stamps:
0:00 Secret Love Big Band Demo
4:45 Introduction
6:36 The Book's I Use To Teach
10:57 Chart Talk Through
17:05 Play Through with Chart
The kit I am using is a Gretsch Catalina Elite set from the early 1990's. I use this as my portable practice kit as well as a small gigging kit.
The sizes are:
16" BD, 12" and 14" toms and a Ludwig 5"x14" Black Beauty snare.
The cymbals are all old K Zildjian from the 1940's through 1960's except for a 24" Masterwork Thalles series China/Swish.

[@williamkleitsch1153]

There is nothing better in life then playing drums with a straight ahead big band.

[@zerekx]

Amen to that!!

[@gordonwellard1415]

Ooops you did show the part and play along at the very end...worth waiting for.

[@rafaelestrada1846]

Finally some high quality basic jazz instruction on KZbin. I've been struggling so much even considering just selling my drums cuz I feel like I suck and all the examples are of really difficult things I can't do it gets so discouraging. I wish there were more videos like this. What I really like is you're not just showing a basic fill or comping phrase but you're showing how to play a whole song and make real music even with basic ideas. I feel about ready to quit

[@rickdior]

Hi Rafael Glad you watched the video and found it helpful. Try not to worry about comparing your skills to others too much and just enjoy playing the drums. It should be fun and if you don't get bogged down in the whole perceived competitiveness of it all you will really enjoy yourself more. Remember that it's music, not sports, and you should try to please yourself first.

[@kdw735]

Thank you so so much Rick. I wish I could give you a hundred thumbs up and I really wish I had you as a teacher when I was young. In the past several months you've opened my eyes to so much information that I was completely unaware was out there. Please know that your time and effort doing this is greatly appreciated.

[@rickdior]

Thank You

[@paulkendallquarry679]

Rick you've been giving us such great inspiration in your videos all year, but for me this is one of the best. Watching you play against the chart at the end is an object lesson in applied technique, dynamics, groove and musicianship.

[@Mychannel377]

Nice man - great feel....not overplaying either - just clean and right there!

[@paulwilliamsoniii7224]

excellent lesson and explanation. The play through at the end was just as easy to follow as it was to enjoy. thanks.

[@jimbarcelona1078]

As always with ease and grace. And kicking as usual. Nice Rick!

[@thenel2162]

All your videos are fantastic! Thank you!

[@trevormcmanis]

Love it! Happy holidays and happy new year!

[@tommcmichael8679]

Love listening to the tune!

[@alejandroalarcon3293]

Great video, just what i was looking for, very clear and useful information! 👏

[@dennisstgermain4187]

Once again……THANK YOU……..and Happy New Year !

[@Jath2112]

Well.... this video made me very happy and energetic. Cheers. Thanks for taking the time

[@tooter1able]

Excellent! As a writer, you helped me streamline some approaches to writing fills. Thanks Mr. Dior.

[@stefanpalmfjord4137]

Yeah. Brilliant playing and good advices. I will check those playalong- books. Keep swingi´n man

[@gregyasinitskymusic]

Thanks so much for using my arrangement of Secret Love! What a nice surprise. You sound great!!

[@rickdior]

Hi Greg What a pleasure to hear from you. You are a great arranger. I just posted your arrangement of Greensleeves today as well. When I use the book's with my students your arrangements are always the favorites. Best Rick

[@gregyasinitskymusic]

@@rickdior Thanks so much for the kind words, greatly appreciated!!

[@damiansim2730]

Really helpful video for us piano players wanting to write good drum charts!

[@rickdior]

Hi Damian Glad I could help

[@robygamboa8479]

Thanks for pulling this together! Lots of great information and resources to go through as part of this video. I'll be referring back to it quite a bit over the next few months!

[@dbsendyd]

Thank you so much for posting this!! It's so good lesson for me right now..

[@JulianFernandez]

thanks for a year of awesome content, Rick. Happy holidays!

[@rickdior]

Same to you Julian.

[@larrbrown7277]

Yes just what I needed,thanks. Great drumming.

[@mikeshouse2000]

Thank You as always! appreciate the list of books as well.

[@mgrdibbs]

Thank you for this inspirational lesson.

[@staav]

Really Fantastic!

[@garydonnelly100]

Dayum! Channeling Mel there beautifully Rick!

[@alanfurlong-drummer4419]

Brilliant lesson thank you.

[@topoyiyoopi]

Beautiful man, thank you Sir.

[@sasamarjanovic2242]

Fantastic...

[@gregmartinez5836]

Godamn great sounding drums!

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

he is great, without a doubt on those drums.

[@robertoavila9999]

Amazing!!!!!! Thank You!!!!!!!

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

love it!!

[@stevetolliver8599]

Great thank you sir.

[@jonniejlo]

amazing

[@stix9641]

Top Man Glenn !!!

[@yd9000ef]

Jesus I love your snare tuning

[@trondhelgeknutsen5139]

Love this :) :)

[@JavierAlejandro-yj5nh]

gracias!!!

[@chrisbell5032]

This seems to be exactly what I've been looking for for ages, especially the chart explanations (discovered at 1am). Played Yes, Rush etc by repetition mostly and some notation, so doesn't feel that clever. Unfortunately (for me at least) one thing I think gets overlooked by everyone posting on YT (because they don't have to do this often perhaps), is pausing the video. When this is done quite often the YT player stuff blocks the transcription with the red line /words etc. Example 15:27 pity that stuff didn't clear down until the cursor scrolled over. 13:23 is a very good solution too. I have looked at this channel before but it felt too intimidating, but this basic bit might(lol) help. Thanks very much, Chris,, learning for 40 odd yrs so... .

[@johnarganaut6282]

Oh yeah!!!

[@gmc1966]

Tasty and informative

[@offbeat74]

Hello Rick thanks for this great video, I sure check one of the book examples. Rick how do clean your cymbals if you clean them..? Thank you!

[@rickdior]

Hi I do not clean my cymbals but Paiste makes a cymbal cleaner that is supposed to be good.

[@Anton_Nikolaus_Mangweth]

Rick do you sometimes make a break from drumming? I can’t believe how you keep alive your energy for drumming for such a long time! Incredible

[@rickdior]

It's my favorite thing to do so I do not take breaks per say but I do try to mix it up and do as many different musical things as possible. I will be talking about this topic in more detail in an upcoming video. Thanks

[@Gunzhard22]

Another amazing video Rick... Got me thinking, this kit sounds so great, have you done a drum tuning video?

[@rickdior]

Yes, it is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH2Ze4Grp8p9j5I There is also a 2nd one if you search drum tuning on my channel. Thanks

[@Gunzhard22]

@@rickdior thanks again Rick

[@Big_C_4205]

Big band drumming is the most fun I’ve found. What recommendations do you have as far as listening to big bands?

[@Arbigale]

Awesome stuff sir. Have you also done cruise ship gigs sir?

[@rickdior]

No cruise ships for me, but many of my students have.

[@josefinacupido9872]

I know this might be a kinda silly Q! but How does one approach reading a chart for the 1st time, but with some ‘intelligence’ while also keeping time and flow, when one might be struggling to read the chart all correctly? & when one’s sight reading is not quite up to scratch? (I’m in a wonderful semi pro B Band some players are spot on but others like me at times struggle, but when yr in the driving seat it’s hard to find ways to learn listen & read! yet still offer a basic groove for the guys? PS I some times get the opportunity to prep with the chart & a backing trak but not always. Any tip would be grand. 😊J

[@zerekx]

Love your right side main K ride sir even if it won't cut through in a live big band gig. And of course the reading and playing is superb as usual! :)

[@rickdior]

Hi Eric It will cut through if it is miked. Otherwise, I use a 22" Paiste traditional ride

[@davidcurtis4478]

Rick this is fantastic! I'd love to hear a run down of your equipment in this video. Beautiful cymbals, beautiful snare. Great playing 👍👍

[@rickdior]

Hi David The equipment list is in the video description if you click on that.

[@davidcurtis4478]

@@rickdior Fantastic! Sounding great! Best wishes for 2022! Keep groovin' the passion! 👍🥁👍

[@JoeNocella]

Great video! I studied this stuff back in the '70s with a big band drummer/teacher. We went through Basie & Buddy Rich charts. Sadly, I don't see a demand for it anymore. I teach young students and none of them are interested in big band music. I think it's worth the effort to learn it, just to be a better drummer.

[@rickdior]

Hi Joe Even though the big band era ended many years ago the style is very relevant if you play with an orchestra (pops shows), Theatre shows (most Broadway shows) as well as the occasional big band gig. All college music programs as well as many high school programs have a Big Band (Jazz band) so the style is still very relevant and important to teach.

[@crystalkoppen8108]

Hey Rick Iam just starting to read drum music and can you suggest any good dvd that you would recomend for me . You are a killer of a player Jacque

[@rickdior]

Hi Jacque The first section of my drumset DVD is all about reading rhythms and how to apply them on the drum set. I would suggest first and foremost that you study with a teacher who reads well, preferably a professional musician.

[@crystalkoppen8108]

@@rickdior Thank you

[@ocgarza1742]

Rick, amazing content again! I am certain you are the most well-rounded drummer online today and wow, you not only excel at every genre of music there is, you are an amazing teacher. You mentioned briefly at the beginning of the video and you are right, this really helps with the arrangements for all kinds of ensembles. I just accompanied a string ensemble at their Christmas concert, and hope you might do a video on playing styles (and playing quietly), for such a group. Look forward to another year of great videos…. OC Garza

[@joewar-booker5485]

✌👉🏻👌🏼

[@kcampbell3045]

I must be way too much of a noob and missing some very important background on these drum charts. Is the drummer improvising the whole time? Other than the occasional bass drum note, I rarely see any drum notation in these demo videos.

[@rickdior]

Drum charts as they go can be written and presented in many different formats from lead sheets to completely written out, to big band charts like this. As a professional player, you must be familiar and able to execute all of them, most of the time at first sight. That is the exact reason I did this series, to show players this king of chart. It is a mix of improvising and following the road map, which gives you form, hits, styles, and tempos.

[@anibalmonkeyfranco880]

I want a drumms jazz class¿? Can you give me mora data?¿ Thanksç

[@gordonwellard1415]

Nice..but would be more educational if you could show the drum chart as you play the part..!

[@rickdior]

If you go to 17:06, you will see me play the tune with the chart on the screen. Please watch the entire video or at least look at the time stamps before you comment. Thank you