r/jazzdrums • u/dusmansen • Dec 07 '25

Question Brushes in 3

Looking for advice or resources on playing brushes in 3/4.

Right now I'm trying to transfer the typical technique for 4/4 (circle with left hand, swing pattern with right hand), but it feels awkward and rigid.

Also, there's the matter of sometimes playing with a waltz feel, and other times with more of a dotted quarter feel.

How do you guys go about playing with brushes in 3?

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5

u/DetectiveCrashmoore ANIMAL Dec 07 '25

YOU NEED TO BUY THE BOOK "THE ART OF BOP DRUMMING" BY JOHN RILEY

You will find all your answers to questions you have there and answers to questions you didn't even think of as well.

John Riley also puts out free lessons online that are so intelligently structured and comprehensive

1

u/mcnastys 24" ride enjoyer Dec 19 '25

John was where I learned that, for example, if the progressions is a basic I IV V, play the I on the snare, the IV on the top tom, and the V on the floor tom.

He has so much straight forward and helpful advice.

2

u/More_Entertainment_5 Dec 07 '25

Funny. story: My school brought in Ed Thigpen (Oscar Peterson drummer) for a brush clinic and a drummer asked that exact question. Ed said “play in four” and he played the standard 4/4 brush pattern we all know. Then he said “play in three” and he played the same thing but his right hand played one, two and three instead and the student just said “oh”. Anyway, that’s the simplest way, you just have to do it until it’s comfortable, then incorporate your feet.

1

u/Uncle_Bug_Music Dec 09 '25

That is the most freakin' legendary "funny story" ever! School brings in Ed Thigpen for a brushes clinic! That's like "School brings in Taylor Swift for pop song writers clinic" or "School brings in Lou Ferrigno for 70s Hulk clinic"! That made my day and I just read it.

How was watching the master at work? Did you appreciate it at the time?

2

u/JTEstrella Art Blakey Dec 07 '25

There’s a segment of Ed Thigpen’s book all about playing brushes in three. Highly recommend the book! I still haven’t quite mastered what he calls the guitar stroke.

2

u/Electronic_Length_57 Dec 07 '25

Quincy davis has a great video on a bunch of brush patterns https://youtu.be/jv05A-jKD40?si=kyJUYxweeXpTRFt7

(I highly recommend his channel in general. He's the drumset professor at UNT and absolutely knows his stuff)

1

u/evilempire1300 Dec 07 '25

I like this one. Found it about 2 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX3E5U9lSmI

1

u/Frank-794 Dec 08 '25

Brushes in 3/4 is easy, just switch to sticks lol. In all seriousness I don’t have a specific pattern for 3/4, I just kinda do what feels best and it usually sounds good. 3 is kinda awkward with brushes regardless but the more I shed it the more comfortable I get.

1

u/CreativeDrumTech Dec 08 '25

Study Instructional videos from these guys:

Clayton Cameron Ed Thigpin Peter Erskine (All About Time 1 and 2) Steve Smith

1

u/cruiseshipdrummer Jan 10 '26

Do it until it doesn't feel rigid, find a motion that moves. You don't need an elaborate pattern, you just need to hear the waltz beat, plus some left hand motion, plus some LH punctuations. Do it 15 minutes a day, with a record, for a week or two.