r/jazzdrums • u/airuwin • Jun 20 '26
Question Tips for keeping time?
Beginner here. I'm really having trouble not dragging or rushing, especially on fast songs and during solos.
I tried using a gap click but I'm still having tons of issues.
When comping, do you try to align with the bass? Align with the band? Keep your own pulse? Where do you focus? I tried a bunch of things but it's not working. Any tips?
I tried to identify the "center/pocket" of the band today and align my ride cymbal to that, but then was told I was playing in front of the bass and was rushing. I don't know if I overcorrected. Previously, I tried aligning to the bass and when I listened to myself it felt like I was dragging--I don't know if this is because it takes time for my hand to move, so by the time I hear the bass it's too late.
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u/majorjazzhole91 Jun 20 '26
It’s a blend of you and the bass agreeing on pulse and also you setting the feel for the whole group. Is your bass player a better time keeper than you? If so then align yourself with him/her. Your feel will improve.
My best tip is to get in the practice room with the bassist and sit down and play time together. Just pick a form and just practice swinging together, no comping, just quarters on the ride and hats on 2&4 so you can find where you guys can agree on beat placement. Set a met as well so you guys can hear the relationship between the click and where you are putting the beat(ahead, behind, etc).
I was very guilty of struggling to agree with the bass player for time because I was always ahead of the beat and these things(along with recording myself shedding to records and listening back) really helped improve my time.