Drum Set/Jazz History

Question 1

Early drum sets

Answer 1

• Post-Civil war: Double drumming - BD/SD mounted on chairs, traditional grip. Sticks on both. Adaptations of rudimental/military rhythms (rudiments, etc.) used for dance bands, theater music
• Advent of pedal: BD played with foot
• Other additions: Chinese tom toms, wood blocks, small cymbals, low boy hi-hat
• Ludwig invents pedal 1909:
• Slingerland invents tunable top & bottom heads in 1930s

Question 2

First to use “modern drum set”

Answer 2

• Gene Krupa - standardized modern kit, partnerships with slingerland and zildjian
• Tunable top/bottom heads
• Standardized names for cymbals
• Advent of hi-hat stand instead of Low Boy
• 1934 - Krupa joins Benny Goodman’s band, tom tom on “sing sing sing” becomes extremely popular. Celebrity status.

Question 3

Swing vs. Bebop

Answer 3

40s - WWII sends Americans overseas
Bands in US become smaller. Less complex arrangements, focus on soloing/virtuosity

Swing
• 4 on the floor bass drum
• Scripted arrangements
• Dance music
• setups/hits with the band, but drummer=timekeeper

Bebop
• Drummer as an equal improviser/interactor with rest of the band
• Freedom from timekeeping, though still important
• Break up Bass drum to be an interactive comping voice
• Variations on ride cymbal more common

Question 4

Early bebop drummers

Answer 4

Kenny Clarke
• 1935 - moved to NY. Played with Freddie Green
• 1939 - Dizzy Gillespie & Teddy Hill
• 1941 - Minton’s playhouse (Harlem), Thelonious Monk; Gillespie and Count Basie sit in.

Art Blakey
• 1940s - Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie
• 44-47 - Billy Eckstine (singer/bandleader)
• two years living in Africa
• 47- Jazz Messengers