Research Catalog

Title

Drum demonstration and lecture by Warren Smith.

Author

Smith, Warren, 1934-

Publication

New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1994.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Description

1 videodisc (63 min.) : sound, color; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

The drum demonstration and lecture by Warren Smith begins with his explanation of how the trap drum set was developed from the incorporation of various instruments. Smith continues by demonstrating the following: the basic elements of swing style, bebop into the modern playing of straight ahead music; the ride symbol beat; how the low frequency of the bass drum helps to project sound itself; the match and orthodox drumstick grips; the basic beats of the modern way of playing the drum set as established by some as Kenny Clark and Papa Joe Jones. Smith goes on to talk about the components of the drum set and its variations and exhibits the order in which the different drums are played. He demonstrates a snare drum roll, a long roll, an open snare drum roll, a closed or pressed roll, a double stroke roll, and explains the use of pulsations. Smith emphasizes the importance of drum arrangement and set up. He demonstrates different beat placements and patterns such as dividing the beats, the breaking up of the triplet, the shuffle, and also the differences in the styles of Max Roach, Alvin Jones and Art Blakey. He shows how the different structural parts of the drums, cymbals and drumsticks can be used to create various sounds. Lastly, Smith demonstrates different rhythms such as the bossa nova and bop, and explains that the function of the drummer is to monitor and emphasize the beat. Smith concludes the demonstration and lecture by advising young musicians to listen to and go see as many different drummers and other musicians as much as possible.

Subjects

• Percussion music (Jazz)
• Drummers (Musicians) > United States
• Smith, Warren, 1934-
• Percussion instruments > Methods (Jazz)
• Lectures
• African American musicians
• Percussion with jazz ensemble
• Percussionists > United States
• African American college teachers
• Drum > Methods (Jazz)
• Drum > Instruction and study
• Nonfiction films
• Roach, Max, 1924-2007

Genre/Form

• Nonfiction films.
• Lectures.

Note

• The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.

Terms of Use (note)

• Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.

Biography (note)

• Warren Smith is a jazz drummer and teacher. Smith discusses the history and evolvement of the trap drum set, the drums musical function and relationship to the band, and demonstrates basic beats, patterns, techniques and styles of drum playing.

Linking Entry (note)

• Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Call Number

Sc Visual DVD-1070

OCLC

1123173036

Author

Smith, Warren, 1934- musician.

Title

Drum demonstration and lecture by Warren Smith.

Publisher

New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1994.

Type of Content

two-dimensional moving image

Type of Medium

video

Type of Carrier

videodisc

Digital File Characteristics

video file DVD

Terms Of Use

Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.

Event

Recorded August 11, 1994, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Biography

Warren Smith is a jazz drummer and teacher. Smith discusses the history and evolvement of the trap drum set, the drums musical function and relationship to the band, and demonstrates basic beats, patterns, techniques and styles of drum playing.

Linking Entry

Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Connect to:

Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound

Added Author

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Research Call Number

Sc Visual DVD-1070

Sc Visual VRA-188 VHS

Sc Visual VRC-11 MII videocassette