How to Talk to Drummers with Alan Hall at California Jazz Conservatory

Have you ever wondered, ÒWhat exactly is a mambo groove?Ó or ÒWhat do I want from the drummer exactly?Ó The drummerÕs role is slightly different than other players in that we are expected to come up with parts that often arenÕt actually written down anywhere. If weÕre lucky enough to get a lead sheet, we may come up with the right groove for the person in charge of the gig, but we might not. We are often given vague directions like ÒItÕs a Latin grooveÓ or ÒItÕs a funk groove,Ó as opposed to a more specific, ÒItÕs a 3-2, 6/8 folkloric bembe grooveÓ or ÒItÕs a half-time feel, straight 1/16 note type funk groove.Ó NowÕs your chance to freely ask questions and hear and record examples of different grooves performed and described by a versatile professional drummer...

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Have you ever wondered, ÒWhat exactly is a mambo groove?Ó or ÒWhat do I want from the drummer exactly?Ó The drummerÕs role is slightly different than other players in that we are expected to come up with parts that often arenÕt actually written down anywhere. If weÕre lucky enough to get a lead sheet, we may come up with the right groove for the person in charge of the gig, but we might not. We are often given vague directions like ÒItÕs a Latin grooveÓ or ÒItÕs a funk groove,Ó as opposed to a more specific, ÒItÕs a 3-2, 6/8 folkloric bembe grooveÓ or ÒItÕs a half-time feel, straight 1/16 note type funk groove.Ó NowÕs your chance to freely ask questions and hear and record examples of different grooves performed and described by a versatile professional drummer. Join veteran drummer Alan Hall in this freewheeling and enlightening unlocking of the often un-fathomable drummerÕs mind. Alan Hall has performed and/or recorded with many jazz greats including: Paul McCandless, Russell Ferrante, Taylor Eigsti, Art Lande, Geoff Keezer, Jimmy Haslip, Kai Eckhardt, and vocalists Kenny Washington and Rebecca Parris. HeÕs worked with Cirque Du Soleil in NYC and Teatro Zinzanni in San Francisco. Alan taught drum set and ensembles at Berklee College of Music for seven years and he currently teaches drum set and ensembles at California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley and Cal State University East Bay in Hayward. He is the author of several articles and a drum book titled: ÒInternalizationÓ- A non-reading intensive approach to mastery of the jazz drumming language. He is a proud endorser of Brooks Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Aquarian Accessories and Vic Firth Sticks.

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