New Orleans Jazz and Second Line Drumming: Drumset Book & Online Audio

Vidacovich and Riley bring the authentic sound and language of New Orleans jazz directly into the practice room. Rather than abstracting the style into generic jazz patterns, this book grounds every concept in the actual historical evolution and cultural context that shaped the music, making it invaluable for drummers who want to understand what they're playing, not just replicate it.

The book captures the infectious energy and cultural richness of New Orleans second-line traditions, moving from the structured elegance of early ragtime through the loose swing of traditional jazz into the modern fusion styles of today. Every exercise pulses with the specific groove sensibility that emerged from parades, dance halls, and clubs along the Mississippi.

Intermediate to advanced drummers seeking to understand and perform New Orleans jazz styles authentically. This is also essential for any drummer working in contemporary jazz who wants to connect with the style's historical roots and expand their rhythmic vocabulary beyond standard swing patterns.

• Listen to the online audio recordings repeatedly before attempting to read the notation. New Orleans drumming is felt first and heard second; the audio model establishes the pocket in ways notation alone cannot convey.
• Work through the early ragtime and traditional jazz sections methodically even if you're primarily interested in contemporary applications. The foundational vocabulary unlocks everything that follows.
• Sing the hi-hat and snare patterns independently before coordinating them with the kick drum. This builds the independence required for the style's signature syncopation.
• Record yourself playing each exercise and listen back with fresh ears the next day. Subtle timing and feel issues become immediately apparent when you're not playing.

Use this as a supplemental text for any drummer in your jazz ensemble or studio working to deepen their stylistic command. The historical arc also works well as a teaching tool in jazz history or ensemble classes, connecting drumming technique directly to the music's cultural narrative.

• New Orleans second-line cymbal articulation and bounce
• Syncopated kick drum patterns in ragtime and traditional jazz contexts
• Coordination of modern hi-hat techniques with swing and funk elements
• Reading and interpreting New Orleans jazz notation and drum charts
• Listening skills for recognizing stylistic evolution across decades of recorded music
• Understanding the relationship between march traditions and jazz drumming vocabulary