$207
Across 9 modules, 35 lessons, and over 4 hours of instruction, I take you step by step from the evolution of jazz time through ride cymbal technique, comping, brushes, different tempos, ballads, and playing with a live bass player.
This isn't just about learning a better ride cymbal pattern. It's about understanding what makes great jazz time actually feel good and developing the tools to create that feeling yourself.
Module 1: The Origins of the Swing Feel
Understand what swing actually is and hear how jazz time developed through early jazz, the Swing Era, and the bebop revolution.
Module 2: Hi-Hat and Bass Drum
Build the foundation underneath your ride cymbal through bass drum feathering, a stronger 2 and 4, playing the feet together, and developing greater bass drum freedom.
Module 3: Ride Cymbal Mastery
Develop your sound and touch while working on the quarter note, building time on the ride cymbal, and exploring Kenny Clarke's ride cymbal concept.
Module 4: Slow to Up-Tempo Swing
Learn how to maintain a strong swing feel at slow, medium, and fast tempos.
Module 5: Jazz Comping
Explore the space between the quarter notes, traditional and modern comping approaches, and triplet comping.
Module 6: The 6-Step Tune Routine
Learn my complete system for practicing jazz standards, from singing the melody to orchestrating it around the drums, comping the melody and form, and putting everything together.
Module 7: Swing with the Brushes
Develop your basic sweep, quarter note sweep, ride cymbal figures, and brush embellishments while maintaining a strong swing feel.
Module 8: The Drum & Bass Connection
See these concepts applied with a live bass player as we explore three different ride cymbal approaches, different types of two feel, and playing together at different tempos.
Module 9: Ballad Playing
Explore straight feel and triplet feel ballads and learn how to combine the two approaches musically.
• A stronger and more natural ride cymbal feel
• Better coordination between your hands and feet
• A stronger internal pulse at slow, medium, and fast tempos
• A clearer understanding of swing subdivision and placement
• More musical and stylistically informed comping
• Better brush playing
• A practical system for working on jazz standards
• A better understanding of how drums and bass work together in a rhythm section
• A stronger approach to ballad playing
My YouTube channel is a great place to learn individual concepts. Mastering the Swing Feel is different.
The course is organized as a complete progression. We begin with where swing came from and how jazz time evolved, then build the physical and rhythmic foundation, and finally apply those concepts to real musical situations.
You can work through it from beginning to end or jump directly to the areas of your playing you want to strengthen.
You'll also receive a FREE 30+ page copy of my Ultimate Practice Guide (an $11.99 value), featuring practice concepts and tools that have had the biggest impact on my own musical development.
Once your purchase is complete, you'll receive a private access link by email. From there, you can work through the course at your own pace and return to any module or lesson whenever you'd like.