Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Play-Along Series: Drums: Drum Book & Online Audio/Software

Dresel's instruction carries the weight of real big band experience; he has logged thousands of hours in the specific style and groove your students are trying to master. The ten tunes span multiple feels (swing, Latin, hard-swinging funk), so students encounter genuine variety rather than variations on a single concept. Having the horn solos left intact on the recording means drummers learn to react responsively to improvisation, not just play over a static rhythm track.

A masterclass that lives on your music stand. The grooves range from crisp, angular hard-swinging funk to supple Latin feels to traditional big band swing, so each tune brings a different energy and challenge. You feel the Big Phat Band's precision and personality through the recordings; these are not generic backing tracks but actual performances from world-class players.

Intermediate to advanced high school and college drummers who want to develop authentic big band and jazz language under the guidance of a working professional. This series suits students ready to move beyond learning individual swing patterns and into the subtleties of ensemble interaction, phrasing, and dynamic response. Drummers in jazz combos, big band ensembles, or serious independent study will find the most value.

• Lock into the ride cymbal pulse early in each tune, then listen for how the band's time sits relative to the click. Notice where Dresel sits slightly ahead, behind, or dead center on the beat; this is how professional big band drummers control the groove.
• Study the hi-hat articulation on the accompanying recording. The clarity and consistent pulse of the hi-hat is what drives the band's tightness. Match the exact stick technique you hear, not just the rhythm.
• Approach the Latin grooves (such as "La Almeja Pequena") by locking the kick drum and snare first, then adding the ride and hi-hat once that foundation is solid.
• Use the horn solos as listening exercises before you play. Hear how Dresel's kick drum and snare respond to the soloist's phrasing, space, and dynamics. Then replicate those responses when you play along.

Assign individual tunes as supplemental study for jazz ensemble members who need to develop specific feels (assign "Hunting Wabbits" for hard swing, "La Almeja Pequena" for Latin lock). Use the entire book as a semester-long project for a dedicated drummer who wants to sharpen their reading, listening, and ensemble skills outside of regular band rehearsal. These tunes work well as solo recital material for drummers preparing for jazz performance juries.

• Big band and swing drumming styles across multiple grooves and tempos
• Reading complex drum parts with sophisticated kick drum syncopation
• Listening responsively to horn soloists and matching their phrasing and intensity
• Latin percussion grooves and clave-based rhythmic accuracy
• Dynamic control and articulation on ride cymbal, hi-hat, and snare drum
• Time feel and pocket awareness in ensemble contexts
• Kick drum independence and conversation with bass and horns