Melodic Jazz Drumming

Abstract

This dissertation examines and explores how jazz drummers consider the concept of "melodic drumming" and how it relates to their own personal performance practice. The drum set, in the context of jazz music, can easily be considered a primarily rhythmic instrument by its very nature. It is, nevertheless, worthwhile and necessary to discuss the significance of how jazz drummers consider other musical elements in their own personal style. An overall musical approach to the drum set is recognized and encouraged, but the term and concept of playing "melodically" is also important. However, an exact definition of this idea is difficult to absolutely define. The definition and application of a melodic approach to jazz drumming is often as unique as the individual who chooses to either define or apply it. For the purpose of this research, the question of how jazz drummers incorporate and consider melody in their own playing was determined through a series of extensive interviews with contemporary jazz drummers. The interviews also explore how melody is viewed in the larger scope of jazz drumming. The findings from these interviews, combined with various other available sources, were then compared with the findings further organized, compared and discussed. In addition to the importance of playing the drums with an overall musical agenda, jazz drummers also describe using melody on the drum set in the context of being both an accompanist and a soloist. This includes very literal expressions of melodic structures on the drum set to more conceptual (and perhaps less obvious) applications. Many drummers also explored how melody can be an effective tool in pedagogical applications. Furthermore, many jazz drummers also discussed their sources of melodic influence. Jazz drummer Max Roach figured quite prominently in many of these interviews and his contributions and stylistic relationship to melodic drumming are also discussed.