Using a Jazz Real Book to Elevate Your Drumming Skills

Here are some ways the Real Book can help you:

1. Song Structures

Jazz Real Books have standard compositions featuring various song forms like AABA, 12-bar blues, and more. Learning these structures helps you anticipate changes, adapt your playing, and become a more intuitive drummer.

2. Sight-Reading

Consistently working through these pieces sharpens your ability to interpret and execute written music on the spot.

3. Rhythmic Styles

The Real Book introduces drummers to a variety of rhythmic approaches, such as swing, bossa nova, and Afro-Cuban styles.

4. Improvisation Skills

Improvisation lies at the heart of jazz, and the chord changes in the Real Book offer a perfect framework for practicing it. So what does a drummer do when it’s time to solo? Simple (not easy) …play over the form of the song. If you are playing a solo on a 12 bar blues tune and its time to take your solo, it’s important to make the solo a 12 bar expression (or at least you should know where you are in the form)

Play along with recordings or live musicians to experiment with fills, dynamics, and accents. This practice develops your ability to contribute meaningfully to the music while showcasing your unique voice.

5. Listening Skills

Following along with the Real Book while listening to recordings of jazz standards deepens your understanding of how drums contribute to the group This practice trains your ear and enhances your ability to respond organically to other musicians during performances.

Check out apps like iRealPro which are helpful for improve on any instrument.