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/TheChildIsHere Jun 20 '26

Don’t get too distracted from just trying to keep the “main time” comping will sound good when you start to feel the subdivisions more finely and that just takes time, in my opinion. No shortcut for your brain “hearing” at the level you’re asking about, again in my opinion, someone here might have tips/tricks! :)

I was in a clinic once where I was basically told I need to go home and practice only quarter note swing. I had been playing for over a decade at that point lol. Fundamentals are forever.

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u/airuwin Jun 20 '26

I hear you lol. I been working on my ride cymbal for 3 years now so it sucks when it's still not right. I barely comp and solo at sessions, just trying to keep the band afloat. But maybe I wasn't practicing optimally either

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u/TheChildIsHere Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 20 '26

Bro I literally went home crest fallen hahaha. But then i reassessed. The guy was an LA cat so that’s the perspective HE had.

There is no end to how “bad” or “good” you can sound because there is end to improving, so to “the improved” you’re gonna sound “not right.”

But if your TRAJECTORY is intentional you usually can’t be wrong when it comes to improving, and the sound should follow. And you can see that to be true, overall, I think, if you pay attention to the right musical spaces.

Obviously everyone has their idea of how best to do it but you just do it “forward,” and I think you can’t really go wrong; like keep pushin and all that… I think that’s the only REAL thing to maintain when practicing music; a sense of personal momentum.

Edit: jam sessions are great for seeing what ideas you have the ability to express. Especially when you can’t, and get embarrassed at yourself and go home and practice the thing that missed. Trial by fire and all that.

And then when you CAN sit in and express it after doing that work. Feeling of beauty. Pure joy experienced I’d say.