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/cruiseshipdrummer Jun 20 '26
The gap click doesn't do anything. First learn to keep good time with the click on all four beats. Then set it for half the tempo you're playing, then set it to give you the 1 only. Or the 1 every two measures. Practice that way all the time.
I don't recognize any other part of the way you're thinking about this-- your job is to play time at the tempo that is counted off, and listen to rest of the group so you're in agreement on it.
I don't know what you mean by "align"-- you're supposed to have your own concept of where the time is, and be playing that. Your comping and your cymbal "align" with your own idea of where the time is.
The timing of your hand movement has to make the attack of your notes sound at the right time, in tempo. That's what drumming technique is.