Jazz Rhythm Section 101: Rock Stylistic Concepts

In this educational series, Steve Houghton addresses the fundamentals behind rhythm section playing. Starting with some of the common mistakes made by young or inexperienced rhythm section players, Steve demonstrates how simple changes can vastly improve the sound and groove.
The demonstration group for this educational series is the Foxborough High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Stephen C Massey. During the past 23 years, the Foxboro High School Jazz Ensemble established itself as one of the premiere high school jazz bands in New England. For more information, visit foxborough.k12....
ABOUT STEVE HOUGHTON:
Internationally renowned jazz drummer, percussionist, clinician, author, and educator, Steve Houghton initially received acclaim at age twenty as the drummer with Woody Herman's Young Thundering Herd. Since then he has shared stage and studio with luminaries Freddie Hubbard, Gary Burton, Clay Jenkins, Shelly Berg, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Les Hooper, Bob Florence, Bob Sheppard, Billy Childs, Bobby Hutcherson, Pat LaBarbara, Bill Cunliffe, Steve Allee, and Joe Henderson.
Houghton's partial discography as leader includes: The Manne We Love: Gershwin Revisited (TNC), a collection of John Williams' charts for big band and quintet, the Steve Houghton Quintet Live @ the Senator (Jazz Compass), Remembrances (Warner Bros.), and Steve Houghton Signature (Mesa- Bluemoon).
As an author, Houghton's publications boast more than thirty educational books and DVDs. His most recent project, Rhythm Section Workshop for Jazz Directors (Alfred) is a DVD-book series that addresses the entire rhythm section.
Houghton is currently Professor of Percussion and Jazz at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. Houghton is the Immediate Past- President of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and endorses Yamaha drums and percussion, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and Remo world percussion products and drumheads.
Visit Steve online at www.houghtonmus...

[@nickrepice4360]

I’ve been playing drums for 24 years. I’ve played metal, jazz, blues, orchestral and symphonic music, theater, and not to mention percussion ensembles and marching band. The instructor is excellent. It’s a pretty simple breakdown on what happens when your playing rock music. These rules apply even when you don’t have horns in the band. This instructor is not only an effective instructor but a very capable player. Lol why do people hate so much on social media? Most of the garbage on Social media is snake oil. This is a lesson on what other musicians are looking to hear from the drummer. That’s what gets you the gig.

[@fernandomartincom]

The instructor, Steve Houghton played with Woody Herman, and has shared stage and studio with luminaries Freddie Hubbard, Gary Burton, Clay Jenkins, Shelly Berg, Dave Samuels, Toots Thielemans, Christian McBride, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Les Hooper, Bob Florence, Lyle Mays, Bob Sheppard, Billy Childs, Bobby Hutcherson, Pat LaBarbara, Bill Cunliffe, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Allee, Joe Henderson, Ray Brown, Lou Fischer, Stefan Karlsson, Karrin Allyson, Dianne Reeves, Rosemary Clooney and Maureen McGovern.
Steve Houghton also recorded fusion with Scott Henderson and besides being a drummer, he is a percussionist. As a classical percussionist, Houghton has performed with the Boston, and Philadelphia Pops orchestras, U.S. Army Band, as well as the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He frequently appears as a soloist with numerous orchestras and wind ensembles throughout the world.

[@10sassafras]

Personally I would give the piano less to keep it from drowning out the guitar. Piano isn’t a great rhythm sound for rock whereas guitar is intrinsic. If you don’t hear guitar in rock, when do you?

[@raylombardo4186]

I think it Really Entertaining to watch how some drummers, when ending a tune, or in this case, stopping the music for more explanation, will REACH OUT TO CHOKE THE CYMBALS ----When the cymbal as not been struck in the last 5 minutes.....ya know what I mean ?????

[@chrisscott2749]

I like they're playing at 1:36 when they demonstrate "not the greatist rock sound", its grooving at that part. Maybe cause they stopped trying to play good? Notice how hardly any of the band members are tapping they're feet at that part. Later when they demonstrate how it should be done, its a bit dull and unswinging and theres alot of tapping feet on quarter notes, it makes the time feel too locked in and not smooth.
These kids are doing well though, Im impressed! just thought it was kind of funny, and isnt time a funny thing?

[@licensetocough5817]

I agree. First thing I thought of when I listened to it.

[@joedessauer]

his jazz and latin playing are superb, but I'm afraid I just don't feel his playing in this video, seems sloppy.

[@ryanedwardmusic]

They're demonstrating what NOT to do, so yes it's sloppy.

[@sirTC36]

yeah the University of Indiana's Jazz/Percussion INSTRUCTOR can't hold a groove.

[@tatedavis2016]

This song is a rip off of Yes's "Owner Of A Lonely Heart"....

[@fernandomartincom]

It's a Bob Mintzer composition called Hanky Panky. It's on the album Spectrum. m.ua-cam.com/video/fSjf0I_dIGY/v-deo.html

[@joedessauer]

this guy cannot hold a groove at all