Developing Melodic Language on the Drums
A book designed to help develop an authentic musical language on the drum set based on melodic content.
The purpose of this book, by Wayne Salzmann, is to give you the necessary tools to develop an authentic musical language on the drum set based on melodic content. The exercises and concepts provided here are designed to inspire creativity and challenge you to reach new levels of awareness and musical ability. Focusing on the melodic themes and phrases keeps the exercises rooted in a musical context rather than focusing only on independence or technical exercises. Using themes and melodies to develop strategies for comping and soloing helps to connect to the phrasing, form, and foundation of the music.
Concepts and exercises include: comping in 4, and and 12 bar phrases, call and response phrases, developing melodic improvisational language, improvisation steps in 4, 8 and 12 bar phrases, rhythmic, sonic, stylistic and melodic concepts for improvisation, melodic themes and phrases.
This book also includes 8 song charts to practice and perform these concepts. Each chart features two audio files – one with a drum performance, and one minus-drums, for you to play-along with.
About the Author
Wayne Salzmann II is a drummer, educator, author, and composer based in Austin, Texas. He is best known for his work with Grammy-winning guitar virtuoso, Eric Johnson, with whom he has played multiple world tours and recorded several Billboard No.1 albums. Salzmann has toured extensively with a wide variety of artists, and has played on dozens of live and studio recordings, music videos, commercial jingles, and feature film soundtracks.
He has been the Drum Set Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin since 2010, and taught as a Lecturer in Jazz at Texas State University in 2014. He has a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Salzmann is an endorsing artist and clinician for DW Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, and Vic Firth Drumsticks. He also endorses Reunion Blues Cases, Puresound Snare Wires, and Westone In-Ear Monitors. Salzmann serves as a member of the Drum Set Committee for the Percussive Arts Society, and he has given clinics and master classes at drum shops, universities, and music conservatories worldwide.
