How To Develop a Killer Jazz Pocket!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ม.ค. 2024
- In this video, I will guide you on How To Develop a Killer Pocket. Throughout the How To Develop a Killer Pocket lesson, I'll share practical techniques, exercises, and mindset shifts to refine your pocket. We'll explore funk, New Orleans Second-Line, funk, swing and subtle nuances that contribute to the ultimate pocket feel. Join me on this journey to unleash your killer jazz pocket and elevate your drumming to new heights.
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DRUMMERS TALKING ABOUT POCKET:
Pocket Queen - • How to Stay in the Poc...
Rob Brown - • Can You Learn 'Pocket'...
Dennis Chambers - • Dennis Chambers - How ...
Joshua Crawford - • "In The Pocket Podcast...
MY POCKET DEFINITION
The aspect of groove that brings everyone together from its consistent reoccurrence within the groove, creating a euphoric sensation irresistible to the body. Often pocket occurs on beats 2 & 4 or on beat 3 in music that is in 4/4.
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14" K Constantinople Hats
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EVANS - UV1 & Clear Resonant (bottom)
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How would YOU define POCKET?
well not sure if your asking me that pocket question .. But Ill say Pocket is a groove where you not muddling up what the other musicians are doing , your listening to them and staying in the pocket laying it down lol ... Your a groove where your not stepping on others shoes and your all groovin together like you said 2 and 4 with a tiny accent here and there
Consistency, dynamic contrast & feel. That when combined in a group who listens to each other well & leaves some space tastefully 👌🏽
i've always interpreted pocket as the placement of where your time is in relation to the beat. being in the pocket means you're playing at the exact same time as a metronome would. playing ahead or behind the beat would mean you're not in the pocket anymore. i play a lot of big band music, so often times there are certain sections that are told to play behind or ahead of the beat, or move freely in and out of time, but the rhythm section is told to stay in the pocket. that's how i've always understood it, but i like your interpretation too!
I guess I would define "pocket" or "groove" as the rhythm section (although certainly not limited to the rhythm section) leaning into eachother, in time. Sometimes it's behind the beat... sometimes on top of the beat. I don't intentionally lean back or play on top- I know alot of session guys that are masters of this though. Anyway, back to the "lean"...stand next to a friend, they lean into you, you lean into them. Neither one falls over. Each one is strong, but not overpowering. Now if you lean too hard, you're rushing. If you fall over, you're dragging. Gotta lean into eachother. That's how I think of it. Could be totally wrong, hahahaha
I'll add a "but" here.... there are situations (typically pop or "mainstream music") where everyone is playing to click. This allows for efficiency in overdubs and all that. There can be pocket I guess in these situations, but I prefer the old school way- no click. When the emotion ebbs/flows, the tempo might slightly fluctuate. I like that. That's human. But, again, just my opinion.
Killer Lesson! Kids at his College pay a fortune for this. Excellent Sir. Appreciate your time.
For me Pocket is when the band and hopefully the audience if there is one come together to have a shared sense of time-shared sense of time!
Yup! That’s that sense of community that I refer to. I agree with you Dave. That’s essential👍🏾
For me pocket's all about feel and groove, and it's about HOW you're heard.
That's an awesome definition Chucky! HOW we're heard definitely makes a big difference.
Quincy, Love your take on this topic!
For me, 'groove' is all about two main things: the rhythms we play - that's the 'what', and the way we play these rhythms - the 'how-to groove' or feel. This includes our choices in articulation, orchestration, and sound balance.
So, I like to think that 'groove' is really about mixing rhythm and expression together.
Pocket for me then comes about by taking this blend of rhythm and expression and making it consistent. It's creating and keeping a groove that just feels great, for both us drummers (or the entire band) and everyone who's listening.
Love that definition! Very clearly articulated and easy to understand. Spot on and I 100% agree with you! Thanks for sharing.
I like the fact that the word "consistent" was chosen.
Nice Q on pocket... tutorial. I like the Orleans 2nd Line interpretation.
Thanks for watching Vic! You know, 2nd line is the mother groove💪🏾
A great pocket is really laying in the cut, keeping the rhythm tight.
I use that phrase all the time with my students. ‘Just lay in the cut’! 👍🏾
Many hundreds of years ago 😁 Ed Soph showed me a Moeller type ride stroke where the "whip" motion was on 2 & 4 and a glancing stroke for the skip beat and the 1 & 3 lead to the prep upstroke for the next whip. I forget who he said he got that from but I have seen some of the great masters using that. Tony Williams played it that way when he was young. What I had wrong for so long was that I neglected to keep 1 & 3 strong to keep that flow happening and I fixed that after really looking at what I was doing in a mirror and listening to the resulting sound. I suppose I would define a pocket as having that flow of pulse that remains constant even when the ride pattern gets varied.
Thanks for sharing this awesome technique Soph showed you. And yup, 1&3 are crucial! Also, good definition for POCKET!
I feel like the pocket is the constant groove a drummer plays, without being too busy. I usually don't add comments on youtube, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you and your excellent lessons, bro. I don't have any money to give, but I give what I have, my appreciation and prayers. Please don't stop. ❤❤❤
Thanks for leaving your thoughts on pocket and especially thanks for the kind words. I’m so glad that my videos have been helpful and you have been enjoying them. Cheers!!
I don't know how to define the act of achieving pocket, but I know that is when all it's locked up and in a state of flow when nothing else than music and dance are important in the present moment!
I enjoyed your walkthrough through all of this!
Thanks as always!
Love that brother Joel! You are totally right. Nothing else matters when the music feels so good you can feel it in your core and soul. Thanks for sharing my man!
@@drumqtips Thank you Quincy! THANK YOU as always!!!
The essence hear.
Thanks Quincy. Waited a long time for this one. Still not completely clear, but on the way.
Glad you enjoyed the lesson. Sorry I couldn’t be even clearer for you. It’s definitely a hard concept to explain. Make sure to watch the other videos of other drummers explaining what pocket is to give you a broader sense of the word.
I love your videos man I love the sound of your ride
Thanks Dave!
Love your videos, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching Dave!
Man I could listen to you all day.
And “pocket”, by my experience in the NYC music scene late 90s-early 00’s, meant solid time. Nothing more.
Which is exactly what you’re demonstrating!
I appreciate that my man! NYC has high standards for having pocket for sure!
New year, new words of wisdom…thank you, guv’nor - Always learning from you!
Happy new year Mikey! Here's to a wonderful 2024!!!
Thank You Sir for giving us great information and sharing!!!
My pleasure Chris!
AMEN! thank you Qincy 🙏
Right on Massimo👊🏾
Cool Pocket Talk ... I like Dennis 442 Calling You " The Q" Happy 2024 .... I can hear the Pocket for sure
Right on Jimmy!
Happy New Year. Hope U have a Gr8 2024🥁🥁👊🏽
I appreciate that Shelton. The same to you my friend. Happy 2024!!
another wonderful lesson! so very helpful and inspiring, allowing for one to continue to make progress on each of our individual musical journeys. thank you quincy!
You are so welcome Lawrence! Always my pleasure.
Hey Q, thanks for the tips and info! Bought the bass play along and some fun with few of them. Gonna shred more on pocket with it. Thanks again!
Great to hear! Enjoy!
Definitely a killer and inspiring lesson Quincy! Might I add that the clear pure tone quality you are producing from your kit and cymbals is brilliant.
I appreciate that Walt🙏🏾
There was a time that everybody was asking Steve Gadd in clinics if he could play "the pocket groove"... and he had always to explain what was to play IN the pocket...🤣
Thanks for sharing Martin. Gadd is the king of POCKET!
Nutty McNeddy checking the latest Mr Quincy and it's a beauty. Once again an essential lesson. My definition of pocket is the pulse that is driving the band, under control but with a sense of ease and elasticity. The volume and intensity can go up or down but it's gotta be there. There's also the importance of emphasis, like, where are you going to lean in to the phrase and what are your partners doing ? Happy New Year Quincy and everybody.
Good definition Neddy! I like that you reference playing with others. I wish I had put that in my definition. Cheers my friend!
I define "pocket" as a supremely subjective feeling or fleeting impression that you are smack dab in the middle of the middle, which is razor thin, but feels vast and wide. I think of the sweet spot on a baseball bat. When the two velocities meet in the middle, there is no bat vibration and the ball goes a country mile.
I love your definition of pocket!! so beautifully articulated that captures the nuanced nature of the concept of pocket yet the deep and profound result, it can have on the music and our souls. Thanks for sharing Mark!
Always! Thank you! @@drumqtips
More fabulous content on what can be a subjective topic. It's interesting how different audiences will feel the pocket in slightly different spots. (You can tell by watching how and what they react to).I always loved the pocket of Connie Kay. Nice shout out to Rob "Beatdown" Brown!
Exactly T 🚗! You can always tell how deep the pocket is by observing the audience for sure. Right on!
I said hi and got a picture with you at JEN! I saw you walk by and had to do a double take, it was so cool to see you and so many other insane musicians there
It was nice meeting you briefly at JEN Benny! I hope our paths cross again in the future. All the best to you!
Great video Quincy I agree but I also think groove or pocket is a subtlety thing as well which you covered with the very slight emphasis of two and four on the ride cymbal
Good point Ben! I totally agree. It doesn’t always have to be so obvious. It can sometimes and often is very subtle, but very deep at the same time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Another great video Q! Love it. Here in Shanghai, I play at a very small club.... the audience is right on top of the band. But I'm always observing the body language within the audience to gauge whether or not we're all on the "same page" (or whether or not the music is connecting with them). It's generally unconscious- a foot tap, a hand tap, or a snap. Many times, this happens on the odd beats here (1 & 3), although occasionally, I'll see 2 & 4. Regardless, if they're moving, it's working! If they're not then that's a sign that we need to change it up...QUICKLY, hahaha. Much respect Quincy. I love seeing every video you post.
Love that! Observing the audience is a surefire way of checking to see how we’re doing with the pocket and groove for sure. Even if they don’t exactly know the “standard” way to move to specific grooves, you can always tell if their bodies are moving because they’re THINKING it or because they’re FEELING it. We always want our audiences to FEEL it love Shanghai maybe I’ll see you there at some point. All the best!
@@drumqtips Ted Rosenthal made a trip out here a few years back and I was learning all of the music from the recordings you were on, haha. And I always remember Neal Smith talking about you. There is a way to bring you out of your interested- best way to do it would be for us to find when you'll be in Japan next. We can move from there. We'd love to have you out here for awhile Quincy. Thanks for all of the great content you post!
I especially enjoyed your second line playing. Very inspiring to see!
Your definition of pocket really splained it good in my opinion, I got it. Now I’m going to aim at that 🫡✌🏻
Glad you liked it!
Something I noticed especially when playing traditional grip (which I’ve gotten into for the last weeks): if executed properly all movements my arms, hands or fingers do could be described as oscillating. They are always in a circular motion which only varies in the speed, e.g. 16ths could be played as 8ths at double frequency. The position of these movements that lay right on the pulse are always at their lowest point within one circle or phase relative to the earth. That’s what feels most natural to me; using gravity to make playing the pulse as easy and comfortable as possible. And now the pocket comes in. With regard to that concept I think of deep pocket literally as of grabbing deeply into your pocket. So to speak the deepest pocket is archived by executing the oscillating movement in a way the pulse really can be felt by making that gravitation come to life smoothly and sophisticatedly. Even if it is not played by hitting something on the pulse. I think the deepness also has much to do with the swing or hipness as well as the accentuation. Neither has to be exaggerated, subtlety it is. Also of course the pulse needs to have a feeling of natural consistency.
When I listen to drummers who I think have pocket (Gadd, Porcaro first came to mind) and try to play in their way respectively with their sound (kind of haha) I always end up with that gravitating motion.
Hope somebody can understand what I mean, first time I sort and write down these thoughts of mine ;)
Good thoughts Nicky and thanks for sharing them here. These subtle and nuanced concepts are hard to articulate, and I think you did a very good job. I completely understand what you’re saying, and agree with you all the best on your traditional grip adventures, my friend!
Another great teaching video from The Q . 😊
Thanks brother Dennis, NOT the menace:)
Super video. Hard to define pocket. I guess it means groove that feels good and locks in with the band. Anyhoo, those drums sound awesome when you lay into them 😁
I like your simple and straight ahead definition of the word pocket brother Joel! And I agree about these Tama drums, I love them more every day I play them :-)
@@drumqtips Thankyou sir🙏
Pocket is keeping your drum solos in a groove and danceable. Less buddy rich and more gene Krupa. I always said when we were playing anywhere, if only 10 people are there 8 of them better be on their feet dancing.
Nice definition Luigi! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful video Quincy! Something I've been thinking about a lot is whether or not "pocket" implies "repetition".I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on this someday -- how is it that great drummers who don't always play repetitive patterns (Bill Stewart for example) can still have their timekeeping feel great?
Brother Wutzke🇨🇦! Great question. It would be fun to have a live discussion about pocket with you and others. I do believe repetition is required to create pocket but in the case of some drummers like Bill Stewart or Roy Haynes, TW, etc., the pocket is more “fluid” compared to a more rigid exact pocket. But in order for a fluid pocket to be recognized as indeed having pocket, there needs to be a consistency or repetition from how said drummer is conveying the continuum and playing around it. Just my 2 cents✌🏾
Great video as always.That ride cymbal sounds great.! Do you know how many grams it is?Thanks
Thanks, Robbie! The ride is around 2050 grams. Glad you like it my friend!
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I've just posted a new crime documentary video that I've worked on for 14 hours. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, so feel free to share your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you and stay healthy!
Thanks for the comment. You didn't include a link. Congrats on finishing the crime documentary!
How do I get deep pockets like Q 💰💵💰💵💰💵💰💵💰?!
There’s always one in the crowd! My dude Juice👊🏾. Hope all is well with you brother and hope to see you soon. Tell your students to stop putting us old timers to shame and stop swingin’ so hard🤣. Also a big hug to mama Michelle❤️
LOL! Love the content ans I share it often with my students. I love the scatting video and we need more of that too! @@drumqtips
It behufs you Haven't heard that word for some time😂😂
Ha! I actually use it all the time at school🤣. It behooves you to use that word more my friend:)
"In the Pocket" = "In the Groove"
Sorry, I can't be more precise. It's more about feel than words.
I wrote you an email, but it bounced back because your mailbox was full.😭😭
Really!? Which address did you send to? Try Quincy@quincydavisjazz.com.
Thank you!!!@@drumqtips