Sittin' In with the Big Band, Volume I: Drum Book & Online Audio

Playing along with these tracks puts you inside a working jazz band, where your time feel and groove choices matter and blend with real brass, reeds, and rhythm section voices. The variety of tempos and styles keeps each tune fresh, whether you are digging into a swing head, laying back on a ballad, or propelling a Latin groove.

Drummers in grades 2 and up who are ready to play beyond solo exercises and want to experience how their part fits within a full big band arrangement. This book works well for students in jazz ensembles, combos, or private study who need guided practice with professional-level ensemble playing.

• Listen to the demo tracks first to internalize the groove and feel before counting yourself in with the full band.
• Pay close attention to how the bass player anchors each chart; lock your kick drum to their fundamental pulse.
• On the Latin and funk-based tunes, focus on keeping the hi-hat pattern consistent while your kick explores the syncopation.
• Use the online audio to isolate sections you find tricky, then gradually increase the tempo as you gain confidence.

Reserve this for drummers who have solid fundamentals and are ready to develop ensemble sensitivity in a jazz context. It pairs naturally with jazz band rehearsals or combo coaching, where the arrangements model the styles your students will encounter in real repertoire.

• Playing steady time in swing, Latin, ballad, and rock feels
• Listening and locking with the bass player
• Reading and executing syncopated kick drum patterns
• Maintaining dynamic control and blend within an ensemble
• Responding to section dynamics and phrasing cues
• Adapting articulation and touch across different jazz styles