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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture > Video Oral History Gallery Video Gallery Cataloging Data: Warren SmithLocation
Schomburg-MIRS
Call #
Sc Visual VRA-188 Service copy.
Sc Visual VRB-2021 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-188.
Author
Smith, Warren, 1934- musician.
Title
Drum demonstration and lecture by Warren Smith, 11
August 1994 [videorecording] / Warren Smith,
musician.
Imprint
1994.
Description
1 videocassette (1 hr., 3 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.
010300
Note
Title supplied; duration: 1 hr., 3 min.
Credits
Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray.
Note
Smith performs numerous excerpts, mainly to demonstrate
technique on drums.
Recorded on August 11, 1994, at the Schomburg Center for
Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral
History Project.
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 frequencey 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.
Original version
Reproduction. Originally produced: New York, N.Y. : Schomburg
Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public
Library, 1994. 1 videocassette (MII); 1/2 in. VHS.
Use terms
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact
repository for information.
Biography/History
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.
Note
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Oral History Jazz Project.
In
Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project
Subject
Roach, Max, 1924-Influence.
Afro-American college teachers.
Afro-American musicians.
Drum -- Instruction and study.
Drum -- Methods (Jazz).
Drummers (Musicians) -- United States.
Percussion instruments -- Methods (Jazz).
Percussion music (Jazz).
Percussion with jazz ensemble.
Percussionists -- United States.
Form/genre
Additional name
Smith, Warren, 1934-. mus.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong
Jazz Oral History Project.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Donor
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by
the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
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