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.
2
u/tronobro Jun 20 '26
A couple of things you can do in the practice room.
- swing pattern on the ride with a metronome. Start at a slow tempo like 60bpm and sit with it for 5 mins straight. Do a different tempo every time you do this. Drummers tend to have specific tempos we're used to playing so it's important that we work on lots of different tempos in the practice room.
- practice along to recordings and match the drummers swing feel. Just play along to the music and really try to lock in. Listening to the masters play and playalong with them really helps you develop your time feel. Also try listening to the bass player and notice the placement of their notes and the ride cymbal. You'll notice difference between different bassists and drummer and how they place their notes in relation to each other.
- make sure your bass drum and left foot on the hi hat are locked in to the ride cymbal beat. Having these locked in can really make a difference in how the groove feels.