Drum Set Technique

Question 1

Select the style of music is which the subdivision of the beats falls primarily as triplets.

Answer 1

Swing

(Swing usually doesn’t have such a strong bass drum feel and the hi-hat pattern needs to be swung, not straight. The basic subdivision of the beat it into triplets.)

Question 2

How is the bass drum used in a rock style?

Answer 2

• In rock, the bass drum can be on 1 and 3.
• The bass drum is heavier in rock vs. jazz.
• The percentage of bass drum is more in rock vs. jazz.
• Bass drum is used more as a time keeper in rock vs. for punctuation of figures in jazz.

Question 3

Which type of cymbal is most frequently used as a time keeper or to drive rhythms?

Answer 3

Ride

The ride cymbal is usually larger, heavier, and has more ring to it. This allows it to define a beat pattern.

Question 4

What is an under-written drum set part?

Answer 4

An under-written part is a part which consists mostly of slash marks on the staffs.

Question 5

What is the best definition of a “Kick” as used in jazz drumming?

Answer 5

A “Kick” is usually used during large tutti sections or shout choruses to accent the ensemble’s playing.

Question 6

What is the correction definition of a “Fill”?

Answer 6

A “Fill” is a short solo leading into a set-up or new section of the music.

Question 7

What is the best definition of a “Fill” in jazz drumming?

Answer 7

A short solo leading into a set-up or new section of the music.

Question 8

Select the style of music in which the subdivision of the beats falls primarily as eighth notes with dotted rhythms.

Answer 8

Latin

Question 9

What is the best definition of “Comping” for a jazz drummer?

Answer 9

To accompany or compliment the ensemble playing

Question 10

What are common problems for beginning set drummers when it comes to playing a fill?

Answer 10

• They try to get too fancy
• They lose the tempo of the selection
• They do not have a clear idea of the subdivision of the selection

(A fill is a musical idea used to connect one section of the music to another. They vary in length. They need to keep the feel of the selection, the tempo of the selection and the basic subdivision of the selection.)

Question 11

Why is the drummer many times asked not to play “solid” quarter notes on the bass drum for jazz/swing tunes, even though the music has them clearly indicated throughout the piece?

Answer 11

• It creates too heavy of a style
• It has a tendency to conflict with the bass line
• It can cover the bass line.

Question 12

Which of the three types of cymbals regularly found in a basic drum set is used to punctuate special moments in the music?

Answer 12

Crash Cymbal

The smaller,thinner, with less ring crash cymbal makes it well suited to add flair to special moments in the music.

Question 13

Which phrases best describe the high hat cymbal?

Answer 13

• Found in a pair
• Foot operated
• Has a greater variety of sounds.

Question 14

To achieve a light/feathered sound on the bass drum, should the player use a heel up or heel down approach on the pedal? Why?

Answer 14

Heel down has less power- less volume

(The player should use a heel down approach because there isn’t as much power in the leg with the heel down).

Question 15

Which of the following statements are true of “Comping” for the jazz drummer?

Answer 15

• It must tastefully accompany the ensemble.
• It should compliment the ensemble’s style
• It is more about what is being played now than about what is to come.

Question 16

Select the style in which the bass drum dominates often in a dotted rhythm with a strong snare on beat two.

Answer 16

Latin

Question 17

What cymbals are found in a standard drum set and how do they function?

Answer 17

• Crash Cymbal - used for accents
• Ride Cymbal - used as a time keeper
• High Hat - used to set back beats

Question 18

What is the appropriate definition of a “Set-up” as used by a jazz drummer?

Answer 18

A one-time fill used to prepare the ensemble for its next section

Question 19

What is the correct definition of a “KICK”?

Answer 19

Supporting full ensemble rhythmic figures; snare usually for short notes, bass drum for longer notes

Question 20

How is the bass drum used in a jazz style?

Answer 20

• Bass drum is lighter or feathered in style
• Smaller percentage of usage
• Used to punctuate figures

Question 21

In which style of music does the subdivision of the beats fall primarily as eighth notes in straight time?

Answer 21

Rock

(Rock style has a heavy bass drum - usually on 1 and 3. The basic subdivision is into eighth or sixteenth notes usually straight without many dotted rhythms.)

Question 22

What is a fill?

Answer 22

A musical idea on the drum set which connects to the following section

Question 23

Which cymbal best fits the following description, “larger, thicker with more ring”?

Answer 23

Ride Cymbal

• Ride is larger/thicker (18-22”) than crash (14-16”)
• Ride rings less than crash [[[IS THIS A TYPO??]]]
• Ride defines tempo/beat, crash punctuates

Question 24

Name the standard (necessary) parts of a 5-piece drum set?

Answer 24

• Snare Drum
• Bass Drum
• Hi-Hat
• Ride Cymbal
• Tom Tom and/or Crash Cymbal

Question 25

Which phrases best describe the crash cymbal?

Answer 25

• Smaller
• Thinner
• Less ring
• Brighter sound

Question 26

What is the correct definition of a “SET-UP”?

Answer 26

A simple rhythmic pattern before an ensemble entrance to help the band come in together

Question 27

Which cymbal best fits the following description, “two cymbals operated by the foot”?

Answer 27

High Hat Cymbal

Foot operated allowing for different sounds whether open or closed

Question 28

Select the style in which the bass drum dominates and the snare drum takes a secondary role.

Answer 28

Rock

Rock style has a heavy bass drum - usually on 1 and 3

Question 29

Which of the following statements are true about the “Set-up” for a jazz drummer?

Answer 29

• It prepares the ensemble for the next section
• Must be stylistically correct
• Must be in the correct tempo

Question 30

As the set drummer in a jazz ensemble, how should you approach an over-written set part (one in which every note is spelled out for you)?

Answer 30

• You should simplify the part making sure to keep the integrity of the music intact
• Make sure that you cover the basics of the style called for
• You should use it as a road map to see where you are going

Question 31

Which cymbal best fits the following description, “smaller, thinner, less ring”?

Answer 31

Crash Cymbal

Crash cymbals are generally smaller and thinner than ride cymbals. Crash cymbals have less ring than ride cymbals.

Question 32

Which of the following statements are true about the “Kick” for a jazz drummer?

Answer 32

• Usually reserved for the shout chorus
• Often played during large tutti ensemble sections
• Usually provides extra punch for the ensemble’s accents

Question 33

What is an over-written drum set part?

Answer 33

An over-written part is a part which has every rhythm and fill notated.

Question 34

Which type of cymbal is most frequently used to establish a back beat?

Answer 34

High Hat

(The high hat played by the foot often is used to set a strong back beat. The foot control also allows for flexibility of sound depending on the open or closing of the cymbals.)

Question 35

Which of the three main types of cymbals in the basic drum set is used to define a beat pattern?

Answer 35

Ride Cymbal

The ride cymbal is larger, heavier, with more ring to it. This allows it to define a beat pattern.

Question 36

Which phrases best describe the ride cymbal?

Answer 36

• Larger
• Heavier
• More ring

Question 37

Select the style in which the ride and high hat cymbals take the leading roles.

Answer 37

Swing

Swing usually doesn’t have such a strong bass drum feel, and the hi-hat pattern needs to be swung, not straight.

Question 38

As the drummer in a jazz ensemble, how should you approach an under-written set part? (A part that consists of slash marks throughout.)

Answer 38

• You should find the shout choruses and the ensemble hits
• You should make sure that you know the style of the music and play accordingly
• You should know which sections are playing at what time throughout the selection

Question 39

Which type of cymbal is most frequently used to highlight important moments?

Answer 39

Crash Cymbal

(The crash cymbal is generally smaller, thinner and has less ring associated with it. This allows it to punctuate special moments.)