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

Stepping into a professional big band and finding your pocket in the rhythm section. The recorded ensemble swings with purpose and precision, pulling you forward into a genuine jazz ensemble sound rather than performing alone.

Intermediate drummers ready to move beyond solo practice and experience the challenge of playing within an ensemble context. This collection works well for jazz band members seeking additional repertoire and for students developing their sense of swing phrasing and jazz vocabulary.

• Listen through each chart multiple times before playing. Notice the hi-hat patterns, kick drum syncopation, and how the snare responds to the horn section's phrasing.
• Lock in with the bass player on the recording. Pay attention to where the downbeats sit and how the kick drum anchors the groove.
• Work on consistent dynamics within the groove. Big band drumming requires control over the volume and weight of each stroke, not just accuracy of placement.
• Practice the fills and transitions at half tempo first, then gradually bring them to full speed with the recording.

Use individual charts as sectional rehearsal material for your jazz band, allowing drummers to isolate their parts with full ensemble backing. This set also works well for advanced intermediate students preparing for All-State or regional jazz festivals, or as a stand-alone resource for private drum students exploring the jazz idiom.

• Swing rhythms and triplet-based subdivisions
• Playing musically behind a horn section
• Listening and responding to ensemble dynamics and phrasing
• Comping patterns and fill execution in a jazz context
• Maintaining consistent time feel over 10 different arrangements